Zory had never been the nervous type, but she was all too aware of how wildly out of place she looked here. The dashing tuxes and elegant ballgowns that all of the other guests were adorned with were too gaudy for her simpler tastes. While her shirt and skirt were both finely tailored within their own right, she just couldn't bring herself to allow her stylists to get too flashy about it.
The gray zansae style top was quality silk, the silvery floral patterns on it sleek but subtle and perfectly set to compliment what was woven with ivory toned mesh and lace for sleeves. Her long white skirt was made with a breathable fabric that was in the same wheelhouse as most rare cottons, but definitely on the cheap end of that spectrum. It was more comfortable, crafted meticulously for fanning patterns with a few asymmetrical layers of ruffles on it that didn't fit in here either. The simple black flats she wore were for function rather than fashion but the glittery fishnet style tights were in face the most expensive thing on her. It was all perfectly suitable apparel at most soirées she attended in this region in official capacity for her family, but it had solicited more than one kind of look she wasn't fond of upon arrival.
When she was personally delivered an invitation by their highest crowned princess, Zory was more than just a little tempted to say no and in fact had on multiple accounts for predictable outcomes such as this had done so or tried to. As she did her best to not allow any of her thoughts nor her eyes to wander too much, she was frankly glad the only friend she really needed was already at her side within a split second of her entrance through her main gates that barred unauthorized access to the central festivities in Stelli City.
Trixxie Luna-Sola was still the kind of kid that was a breath of fresh air for anyone who got the chance to soak some of her sunshine in. While she wasn't always feeling as upbeat as she often pretended to be, heavy is the crown was definitely at the root of her wanting to keep or make as many people happy as possible. Allowing herself the most uncomfortable kind of quiet that was ensuing was more than just the uneasy sort of vibe you would expect from two people who came from two very different worlds. Zory was honored Trixxie was content to silently feed off of the various categories of energy that were ricocheting between them with complete trust in the comfort her presence brought beneath the surface.
It was virtually guaranteed Ozzy was livid whenever he had heard the news Zory had agreed to this without giving him any sort of heads up, but she could barely recall the last time that bonehead had been content with any choices she tried to make for herself anyway. As much as Zory had missed having all of her overly protective brothers around, their self-appointed stand-in liked to bring the term big bad wolf to all of the wrong levels. Although Trixxie usually valued his input on pulling stunts like this, she had repeatedly lobbied in favor of making sure he didn't know until the last second.
"Are you ready?" Trixxie breathed softly.
"Are you?" Zory poked the baby bear in reply.
Zory was entirely certain the mama and papa bear were anxiously awaiting their arrival just a little ways further. They had likely sorted out multiple ways to use all sorts of magic to assess every second of this. Their daughter's nerves had grown testier and testier on the subject when they really tried to get her to give anything crucial away about the surprises she had lined up for the evening. They yielded without relenting given how many press fiascos Trixxie had already spurred over the summer. While once upon a time they only referred to her as Trixster with the utmost affection, the public eye was growing less fond of her with every incident.
"Lighten up, Little T." Zory encouraged gently. "I wouldn't have agreed if I thought it was truly a bad idea, so even if you don't trust yourself right now, remember why you trust me."
Spilling the tea about all of the things she'd been doing and learning since the two of them met was supposed to be fun if Trixxie could sort out how to make sure it was fun. In working theory, it was supposed to be one of the best days ever, but Zory knew as this cookie finally crumbled, Trixxie would see for herself why Zory had insisted being more transparent with her parents over time was vital. Many would have assumed that they were the most unlikeliest of friends, but in all reality, she and Zory were all too alike once upon a time.
The small bundle of light and love that was cherished as the heart and soul of the Nova Alliance had been living a life that was anything but charmed in secret before she met Zory. Her long, pristinely curled pastel pink locks that framed wide magenta eyes stood out in any crowd. Styled to perfection to twin with Zory for a night in that capacity as obvious show of solidarity, she was cute as a button. Her little purple dress and the purple ribbon in her hair was just darling, but the reason she had opted for purple wasn't. Assuming a part fae princess was automatically entitled to everything being a fairytale had cost more people more levels of her trust than Zory could patch in one night, but this was a start.
Although Trixxie was only six turning seven, she already had more than her fair share of defining moments in her blip of a life thus far. As a noteworthy empath and seer, she knew loss and heartache all too well before she started being able to comprehend any of her own. In the several months that had now elapsed between equinoxes, no one had lost more of their usual spark than Trixxie. She had chosen purple hoping to remind herself of how important her standing with the various royal courts would be one day. She had chosen purple hoping to not lose sight of how important keeping her actions as dignified as possible was while trying to broker her very first truce on behalf of her family in secret finally came to light.