The Inaugural Harvest Ball

Maki had been thrilled to receive an invitation to the ball. Sure, it wasn't made out to her specifically, just a friendly but vague offer to anyone who wanted to go. But Maki was intent on making it into a big deal, the biggest even. She'd fussed for hours, getting herself ready- wanting to look perfect and pretty but also like she wasn't trying too hard. Effortless beauty didn't come so naturally to Maki, at least not in comparison to Delphi who just looked stunning forever and always. She spent forever grooming her fur and even found some nice smelling leaves to roll in, allowing the jasmine scent to seep into her fur. Sweet, fruity and sensual, absolutely nothing like Maki then.

She'd never really roamed this far from home, but as the castle loomed in the distance a feeling of anticipation rose in her chest, near getting into a fist fight against her nervousness. A fight so closely matched she couldn't tell which would beat the snot out of the other.

"Do we just walk in? That seems kinda rude, don't it?" Maki mused as they approached, peeking around the archway as if she thought someone might crunch her nose off for being too- well nosey. She supposed they could howl and announce themselves?

Ugh, but she could already smell the food and the sound of music lingered in the air, equally tempting as the feast. Maybe even more so if the night was gonna be all she'd made it out to be in her head, a night of drama and intrigue, mystery and aesthetics. She'd been daydreaming about it as soon as she'd heard about the bash and now she was here- well what if it didn't live up to her ideals? What if she just stood in the corner staring at people, willing them to dance with her?

"Thas' it. I'm goin' in and I'mma dance with so many people Delphi, you'll see!"

And off she went, heading into the castle till she emerged into the ballroom, all decked out and pretty and perfect.