River was dragging Brent with her toward the Starlight Inn. He obviously wasn't moving fast enough for her in his long purple Wizard robe covered with sliver stars and moons, topped off with a wizard hat and staff. In fact, he was surprised that her ballerina outfit wasn't slowing her down since she was even wearing the Ballet shoes. She'd taken ballet for many years. This costume was the Sugarplum Fairy costume from the Nutcracker Suite she had performed in a couple of years before.
"Come on, Brent! Can't you move any faster?! The masquerade's already started! We need to pick up Danayal quick and get there!"
Brent laughed. "Well, we have plenty of time. The party goes until midnight at least."
"So what? I want to see the kids!"
Finally after a few more minutes of dragging they reached the bar and went behind the building to the door of Tyran's apartment. As it was, the bar was closed anyway.
"Finally!!!" Danayal was dressed in a medieval costume. He was carrying a longbow and arrows. "What are you supposed to be, Merlin the wizard?" He grinned when he saw Brent as he kissed River.
"Perhaps a younger Merlin," he smiled. "No gray hair, see?" He pulled off his cap to show his own natural brown hair. "And who are you?"
"Robin Hood, I steal from the rich and give it to the poor. Tyran told me that story, and I saw an ancient series on him. I can definitely recommend it."
"You'll have to tell me about it later," he smiled.
"Yes later!" River said with an urgent smile. "The party's already started. We'd better get going."
"Can't tell she's been looking forward to this, can you?" her brother said with a grin.
"Nah!" Danayal replied with his own grin as he walked outside, closing the door behind him. "I'm not much of a party goer... I'm only doing it for her."
"You'll have fun," River said looping her arm through Danayal's. "All the kids will be there and there's going to be all kinds of foods - lots of sweets! And dancing and games!"
"I like sweets; and playing with the kids as well. I hope they still like me..."
River laughed. "They still adore you! You certainly can't doubt how much the twins like you."
"Well. I'm not with them daily."
"I am . . ." she smiled. "Come on!"
Karissa, Will and the twins entered the large hall where the masquerade was being held. As Karissa admired the decor and everything that had been set up, it was no surprise that Luc and Maya were already pulling on her to go play.
Suddenly, Karissa's mother and father walked up to them dressed as a King and Queen. Joshan walking behind them was dressed as a pirate complete with eye patch and sword.
"Well, don't you all look wonderful?" Amalie said as she looked at the dressed up Family. "And you all are felines, except you, Will," she said. "What are you?"
"I'm a Safari guide," he smiled in his khaki hat.
"And Luc is a Leopard," Karissa said.
"And Maya is a Tiger," Ryan smiled. "And you are?"
"A black panther," Karissa replied, her dark eyes sparkling.
"Very appropriate, I'd say," he winked.
Suddenly Shara walked up with Tyvek beside her. She was dressed as a Jungle girl, in clothes that looked as if they were made from animal hide. She had a necklace of animal teeth and her hair was teased out wildly. Tyvek on the other hand merely wore his uniform.
"Hi!" Shara greeted.
"You look great!" Karissa laughed.
"I still do not understand the need to dress in costume," Tyvek replied.
Shara and Karissa giggled softly.
"Merely for the fun of it," Amalie replied.
"Who's he?" Danayal took a step back. A Starfleet officer here? He figured it was to keep an eye on him, so he wouldn't run off or something.
River looked at the officer. "Oh, that's Shara's boyfriend. His name's Tyvek. He's a Science Officer," she smiled. "I'll introduce you." She pulled him along not giving him a chance to object.
"River!" Karissa greeted. "You look wonderful!"
"Thanks!"
"The Sugarplum Fairy, right?" she asked.
River's smile was even brighter. "Yeah!"
"And you are . . . Robin Hood?" she said turning toward Dan.
"Uh yeah... like me, an outlaw... Tyran said it's rather fitting."
Karissa smiled. "And Robin Hood was a good guy . . ." she said as if reassuring him.
"You do look good!" Shara smiled. "Oh, Danayal, this is Tyvek. Tyvek, Danayal."
"Greetings," Tyvek said.
"Greetings, Tyvek. Why don't you have a costume on?" He asked grinning.
"I do not see the need," he replied.
Shara laughed and took his hand in her own. "He's here because of me," she said. "I'm afraid I dragged him here."
"You did not drag me. I am merely accompanying you."
She smiled. "And I love the fact you have," she replied.
"Danayal, come play!" Luc said, letting go of his mother's hand and going toward Danayal.
"River come play too!" Maya added, doing much the same.
"I see I'm wanted as a babysitter." Danayal grinned and followed River and the twins with a broad smile on his face.
Will immediately swept Karissa into his arms. "So may I steal you for a dance?"
Karissa kissed him. "You may!"
"Can I go play too?" Joshan asked hopefully.
"Of course, Darling," Amalie smiled.
As soon as Joshan took off toward River and Danayal, Ryan took Amalie's hand.
"Shall we take a turn on the floor?" he asked.
Amalie smiled. "I would love to."
As they disappeared into the dancing crowd, Brent moved away, spotting a female friend of his. Shara and Tyvek walked around speaking to several people and enjoying the sights and sounds of the event.
Danayal discovered the candy stand and was trying to find something he liked. Finally he found something and started to eat, forgetting he'd promised to play.
"Come play! Come play!" Maya said as she tugged on his tunic.
"Play?" He sounded muffled. "How about cwandy?" He said with his mouth full.
Maya smiled at the candy, took some, putting it in her mouth and pulled at him again. "Come play! Please!"
"Alright, rascal, I'm coming." He picked up another piece of candy and followed her.
The kids played all over hitting every single one of the games. They ran into Rachel, dressed as a cat, Bethany dressed in full Klingon gear, even Kaylee dressed as a butterfly and several of their other friends.
At one point, Ryan finally came to drag them to the table to eat something other than candy.
"Why don't you and River join us," he smiled.
"Or would you rather dance with me?" she smiled. "We could get lost in the crowd."
"I take it that's a hint? But have you seen Tyran and Jaya? Especially Tyran? I mean, how he is dressed?"
But as soon as he looked around, Jaya wasn't hard to spot, being the most stunning person there.
"I believe that's her," Ryan pointed out.
"And there we have Tyran. Scary isn't he?" Said Danayal.
"Ah. . . a vampire, I see," Ryan smiled. "Well, come on kids. Let's get you some real food."
"Can't we play some more?" Joshan asked.
"Of course, but after you eat something else," Ryan smiled at his son. "Come on, you three . . ."
He led them away to the table they had procured.
"So do we dance or eat?" River asked.
"I'd rather dance than eating. I'm stuffed full with candy." He smiled and took her to the dance floor.
Soon they were twirling around with the music. They disappeared in the crowd.
Danayal loved to dance, and they went on for hours. But suddenly a vampire touched River's shoulder. Danayal hadn't noticed him at all.
River had to take a second glance before she realized it was Tyran. "Oh, hello!" she smiled.
"Hello, River, can I ask Dan something? And you should try the punch. It's very good. In fact, why don't you grab some for you and Dan, before it's all gone?" He dragged Danayal to a table and they started talking.
River didn't object and got some punch sensing that the conversation was supposed to be private.
"I just want you to be careful. They have to bring you home, before they go home themselves. Only then you can stay here. Deal, kid?" She could hear Tyran say.
"We'll make sure he gets home," she smiled as she handed Danayal the cup of punch she'd brought him.
Danayal took it.
"Thank you. I'm pleased to know you'll take care of Danayal for me River." Tyran said smiling. "I better get back to Jaya, and I must say, you look cute in that outfit." With that he disappeared into the crowds...
River smiled brightly.
"I guess that means you're officially mine tonight," she smirked.
"Have mercy!" He rolled his eyes and smiled.
She kissed him. "So what do you want to do now?" she asked.
"How about some food? Dancing makes me hungry, and I want something other than sweet stuff, like a hot dog or something."
"Okay," she replied. "Come on . . . the food tables are this way."
After a couple more hours, River walked Danayal home. At the door, she smiled and kissed him. "You know . . . Brent didn't come and it's awfully dark out here to walk home . . ."
"You want me to disobey the law?" He smirked. "I'll take you home. I mean, Tyran doesn't have to know..."
"Actually, since we're already at your place, I was thinking maybe you'd invite me in . . . I wouldn't mind warming up, if nothing else."
"Sure! Come in." He opened the door and showed her into his room. It wasn't large, but it had windows looking out over the garden, place for a one person bed, a linen closet, nightstand and many shelves on which he had several items displayed. "My room. not much, huh?"
"It's nice . . . cozy," she smiled as she sat on his bed. "Mind if I take the dress off? It's a little to flouncy for me to get comfortable in. Don't worry, I have a leotard underneath."
"Yeah go ahead, I'm gonna undress as well. put on something clean. If you want a bath or something you can use the bathroom. Ugh, I smell like sweat. It was warm in there."
"I wouldn't mind a quick shower, though I don't have anything else to change into."
"We're roughly the same size, so I think one of my jeans and shirts will do?"
Her smile brightened. "Perfect!"
He dug in his linen closet and handed her a T shirt and jeans. "Here ya go; too bad I have larger feet. Aren't those uncomfortable?" He pointed to her ballet slippers.
She smiled. "They can be . . . Do you have some socks?" she asked.
"Sure." He showed her a box, filled with all kinds of socks.
She grabbed a pair. "So where's the shower?" she asked.
"Come with me." He led her into the large living room. "That there is the bathroom. It has a shower, Jacuzzi tub and toilet." He said after opening the door.
She smiled and kissed him. "I'll only be a few minutes."
"I know." He went to find some clothing for himself, and stashed the bow and arrow in the living room again, since they were authentic. Tyran used to shoot as a hobby long ago.
True to her word, ten minutes later, she was showered and dressed in Danayal's clothes.
"Your turn," she smiled.
"Alright I won't be long." He showered and was done in five minutes, dressed in jogging pants and a shirt. "Come to my room. I wanna lie down. After that I'll take ya home, alright? Screw the courts."
River laughed and shook her head. "I think we both need to lie down. That's probably the busiest night I've had in a long time."
She immediately curled up against him on his bed.
Danayal smiled. He played with her hair for awhile, and suddenly he was still. He slept like a baby...
River wasn't far behind him as she drifted to sleep and into dreams of her and Danayal together.
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