I had outfits drawn, but the sketchbook they're in is at home, and I'm on a two week vacation :/ sorry guys! I'll post it to my outfit book when I get back.
-Sophie walked around with her cognate, trying not to lose him in the crowd. They had arrived together, since beforehand, they had met talked about their concerns about Keefe, who had been acting weirder than usual for the new evil Keefe, not the old Keefe that was all goodness and smiles.

The crowd was thick and ever changing, so to avoid getting lost, she wrapped her arm around her cognate's upper arm delicately. They had been separated before at a different time where the method had worked then, but the crowds at Biana's Winnowing Gala were monsterous in compassion, maybe not in size, but in swiftness and chaos. This time, however, the delicate hold was not enough. Sophie was about to suggest they split up and meet at Biana's special chair when she felt Fitz place his hand on hers. She smiled, but didn't blush until she felt his hand slide to the curve of her waist so his arm was wrapped around her. He pulled her closer, and she pulled her free arm across her to rest on his shoulder, another safeguard to secure the two cognates to one another. They didn't let go of each other even when they were finally out of the crowd.

They met Biana at her seat to see her sitting with her face in her hands. Sophie tapped her shoulder lightly in concern, "What's wrong?"

"The ball started almost an hour ago, and i haven't seen Keefe, I hope he's here. I've been putting off my first dance to see if he's there," explained a clearly distressed Biana.

"Well, if you start the first dance, you'll dance with Dad, then the second with me, and for the third dance, he'll just walk right up, because he'll know where to find you," Fitz suggested hopefully.

Biana smiled a little, and nodded, "Thanks guys. I'll see you out there!" With that, Biana scurried off, probably to find Alden, who she would dance her first dance with.

Once she was gone, Sophie and Fitz turned to one another. They wouldn't dance together until the third. For the first dance, Sophie would dance with Grady while Fitz danced with Della- because you typically danced it with one of your parents as the hostess would. Typically, during the second dance, you would dance with a sibling, so Fitz would dance with Biana. Sophie didn't have any siblings so Dex promised to dance with her instead. He was like her brother anyways. The third dance was with your number one... so Sophie and Fitz would dance then.

"So..." Fitz said awkwardly as their hands snapped together, fingers lacing casually.

"I'll see you soon," Sophie assured him, trying not to blush.

"Yeah, but after our dance, leave a little room on your dance card for me, okay?" The look in his eyes was hopeful, and she smiled, knowing he would like her answer.

"You could have all my dances if you wanted- just give me a chance to dance with the rest of our friends too," she winked playfully, "at least once."

"I'm sure I'll find something to do while you're busy," Fitz chuckled.

"Of course you will, your world doesn't revolve around me."

"Half of it does."

Though Sophie couldn't quite figure out what he meant by that, her cheeks reddened.

"I hate to interrupt," Della appeared beside Fitz with a proud smile on her face, "but the dance is about to start. Sophie, Grady told me to tell you that he's standing by the second window from the orderve table waiting."

"How'd you guys know I'd be with Fitz?" Asked Sophie with an eyebrow raised.

"You guys are always together," explained Della cheerfully.

"We are cognates," shrugged Fitz.

Satisfied with the answer, Sophie thanked Della before excusing herself to find her father. Once she met up with Grady, the pair gathered in the crowd, which had opened up a circle in the middle of the room where Biana and Alden stood, in position to dance. The pair smiled, but Biana looked more worried than excited. When the music started, so did the hostess and her father. A few beats passed before everyone else joined in, twirling on the dance floor gracefully- well, for the most part. Sophie accidentally stepped on Grady's toes on more than one ocassion.

After the first dance, neither she nor Dex had seen Keefe, and apparently, neither had Biana and Fitz- the latter of the two updating Sophie telepathically.

"I wonder if this was purposeful," Sophie said aloud to Dex.

"To miss her Gala? I don't want to think so, but..." Dex's voice trailed off for a second before he continued, "in recent days, it's not so unlikely. Should we be on our guard for an attack?"

"It's possible, but let's try to enjoy the night, we don't want this to be ruined for Biana if there isn't an attack."

Dex nodded, and they didn't talk for the rest of the dance. When the song ended, the two cousins broke apart, and scanned the room for Keefe. Alden walked to the center of the room and cleared his throat, getting everyone's attention before asking the crowd, "For the third dance, would Hostess's number one come forth, as tradition."

A few beats passed, and there was no sign of Keefe, much less Keefe stepping forward. Biana was clearly distressed, and Sophie was so distracted that she didn't notice Dex breaking away from her, and making his way through the crowd. Everyone's eyes were on him, including Biana's watery teal ones. He stopped a few feet away from her and bowed like her number one was suppose to, keeping his head down. Sophie watched as he straightened, that his eyes met Biana's hopeful gaze, and that a quiet message was passed between the two. Biana smiled widely, and walked over to him, the only sound in the room being her heels clicking against the smooth floor. Tenderly, Dex placed his hand on Biana's waist as she set hers on his shoulder. Their free hands came together, and clasped tightly, waiting for the music to start. Sophie, like the other onlookers, smiled, because the two really did look like one another's number ones. Everyone who didn't know who was on Biana's list couldn't suspect a thing.

Speaking of number ones, when she looked to the side, Sophie saw Fitz, who looked over at her at the same time. Hesitantly, they got into position to start dancing, both a little unsure if they were doing it right or not. When they were cued to start, they moved together fluidly. Unlike with Grady and Dex, she didn't step on Fitz's feet once as they moved to the music. They kept their eyes on eachother's until Dex and Biana came to view. Sophie and her cognate were so in sync that they could watch the hostess and her dance partner without making a mistake.

Biana and Dex were across the room, smiling broadly, quietly laughing and talking together. Sophie was so captivated by then that she was a little startled when Fitz asked fondly, "Now why weren't they number ones?"

"She was pretty hung up on Keefe when she filled out the packet," she pointed out.

"True, but I guess it doesn't really matter in the end, doesn't it?" Fitz said distantly. "They found each other, and eventually, they'll be together."

"That's all that matters," Sophie agreed, gazing at her cognate hopelessly. "I hope one day I'll have something like that." Maybe she and Fitz were like that.

"Me too," Fitz agreed, but Sophie could almost hear him continue under his breath, "but I already have it."