More of two!

-Deryn-

If I had ever seen Lilit smile so much in one day, it was then. I would have said she was barking insane! But now, she had a plan, and I was part of her plot to get my prince back.

It had been a miserable three weeks. Lilit had gone to her full extent to make sure I passed as a woman. That meant I had to learn how to dance like a fancy-boots. I was stuffed into her old skirts, Newkirk helping me practice how to talk to real gentlemen, like a real girl. I was to be introduced as Newkirk's younger sister, Deryn Newkirk, that name made me shutter ; I liked him, just not enough to bear his last name. Lilit was going to be his beautiful fiancé. She played the part wonderfully, I don't think Newkirk noticed, but she seemed to be glad to play it. She had even gotten me a dress and a mask. Both black with dark silver in them. I looked almost magical.

Part of me wondered why Alek was choosing such an old timely way of being social, as we rode to the manor which the party would be at. Was he thinking the older ones would relate to it? Ether was it was a sight to see; all candle light, which surprised me. Wasn't he always blathering about his electrical Clanker lights? Reds and gold's everywhere, even Newkirk had to say it was pretty. Lilit had dressed me to impress even Count Volger, I could barely recognize Newkirk when she was done with him. But it all felt wrong to me, deep in my heart, I was scared almost too finally see Alek, what if he changed? What if he was like the others now?

"Why did I let her drag me into this?" I asked myself. The halls were decorated in reds, blues, silvers and gold's. The finery only the royals could have. The people where daft and quiet boring, yet I couldn't help but to look at them in awe. The women where beautiful, the kind that Alek would like. Then here I was, stupid looking and out of place. Alek would be grown up now, a man, maybe hansom. What if he saw me and recognized me? I shut the feeling away, I wasn't about to fall in love with some foolish Clanker prince, again.

Three- Alek

This was my party, women from all over the world where looking at me, men wanted to be me. I was the main attraction. Why did I want to crawl back in my room and never come out? Count Volger talked me into this; I fiddled with my tie over a thousand times and my hair. I don't even remember why I decided to go! "Breath Alek, breath." I whispered. I tugged my sleeve. "It's just a party. They can't hurt you." I sighed, and started to walk. Couples danced, talked, and enjoyed the general splendor. I wanted so badly to enjoy it too, but I couldn't do it! Not knowing it was really all for her.

"Ah Prince Aleksandar!" I saw Volger calling me over, "How kind of you to join us." I returned his bow, "Tea`, this is Prince Aleksandar." He gestured to the lady he was with, I gave another small bow.

"Miss Gardener, it is a pleasure." I said.

"Oh Ernest, you never told me how hansom and grown up he was!" She smiled and fanned herself.

"Well yes dear, he has grown up." He said, patting her hand. My princely skills melting in.

"Prince Aleksandar, may I say what a lovely party it is." She said

"Yes Alek, wonderful." Volger said.

I smiled though they acted like I did all of this when I was merely a show case here. They jabbered away, about the girls and the boys, how some didn't look even proper in the least. How they saw a family that looked like refugees. From England or something like that. All I could see was a sea of masks, looking at me, like a nightmare. I was the meat and they were the lions. I groaned, "It's all a game isn't it Deryn?" I muttered, I didn't know why I said her name, I just had lately.

Then I saw her.