Falik was first in to the Etiquette classroom. The Master sat at the front of the room.

"Good morning Master Harisson," He said politely sliding in to his seat.

Edrod of Harisson had been the etiquette master at the palace for 15 years, he was also in charge of all the palace preparations for festivals and feasts. He was a grey haired but quite handsome man and he seemed to constantly run on a nervous energy. He was not unpleasant but was prone to bouts of dramatics.

"Al Basiri." He replied, nodding then returning to organising some papers on his desk.

Falik looked around wondering where the other pages had got to. Like most people, Falik hated this class with a passion, but he also hated tardiness and it was a running joke amongst the pages that you could guarantee, no matter how early you were to class, Falik would be sat there waiting.

Rean passed by the classroom on her way to the stables from her room. Seeing Falik, she winked, and then noticed the cleared space in the center of the room. Were they dancing? Rean almost laughed. She looked at Falik. Did eh know yet? She was pretty sure he wouldn't be pleased. He was normally shy, except around their group of friends. "Master Harrison." She greeted, waving a hand, and then moving so a few pages could get in past her. "Dancing?"

Master Harrison glanced up. "Oh, Rean of Laraes. Yes, yes, we will be dancing. It is everso important to learn this at a young age." He said, completely serious. "Come to think of it, you were very bad at dancing, Squire Rean. But I noticed that you didn't try."

Rean nodded. "Nope. I hate dancing, unless I'm with friends." She grinned at Falik. "Have fun."

Falik raised his head up from resting it on his hands when he heard Rean's voice. The initial smile that had appeared on his face evaporated in to a look of pure horror when he heard dancing mentioned.

Falik HATED dancing, the mere suggestion of it sent shivers down his spine.

Groaning slightly he waved his hand at Rean. "Yes, thanks very much!" he replied pointedly. For once he wished he wasn't the first one here and willed his fellow pages to be very very late.

OOC: Hmm, what should happen next..

Rean grinned, and stepped into teh room. She squatted down next to Falik. The look on his face was horrible to see. "What's wrong?" She asked, a bit concerned.

OOC: Sorry, short, have to go to the doctor.

OOC: Well I was kind of hoping some of the other pages would join this thread pretty soon! Otherwise it'll die a death. heh.

IC:

Falik blanched and looked at Rean as if he were facing the executioners block.

"I CANT dance!" he said in hushed and panicked tones, "I wasn't born with dancers feet! It's....it's just hideous!"

The idea of dancing played on all of his worst fears and insecurities.

Alexander slowly walked into class. He was unusually early today. Normally he'd be rushing in as the bell rang. But he was finally starting to tire of all the extra chores, sure he didn't do them, but still it was tiring none the less.

Alexander spotted a seat next to Falik, his roommate, and through his stuff on top of that desk. About to sit down he noticed the horrified look on Falik's face as he spoke to Rean of Laraes. He knew her only through her records set previous years ago for getting into the crazies trouble with Damien of Seajen.

"Wow Falik what's wrong?"

Rean grinned, and winked, "Oh, he's just horrified by the thought of dancing." She put a hand on Falik's shoulder. She bent down and whispered, "You'll do fine! Who cares what other people think!" She certainly didn't. She went crazy, and did the worst she could in dancing classes when she was a page. She grinned, and did a few steps of a dance, not caring if someone was watching. "Don't worry about it." She laughed, "I almost feel like sitting in on the class to watch." She grinned at Alex, "Hey. I'm Rean of Laraes." She offered a hand.

Gwynn of Northwatch glanced at Rean's dance moves and hid a smile, Yamani-style. She wasn't the best dancer, but the third-year page would try if she had to. The only problem was Gwynn's shyness. If she stepped up to dance, it would be a wonder if she didn't faint first.

Half-grinning at her silly notions, Gwynn stood, her breeches rustling. The loose, light blue blouse that she wore swished as she walked closer to the three pages.

A smile came upon Falik's face as he saw Rean's silly dance steps. He would have to stop taking himself so seriously with such people around.

"We'll," he said to Rean "I can't be any worse than that! You dance like you've got ants in your breeches!"

To Alexander he said, "Rean is one of the squires I told you about."

Falik raised his hand in greeting to Gwynn as she walked over.

Alexander shook Reans had in a firmly friendly manner. ((I don't even think that makes sense, lol.)) “Well met. It’s nice to meet the infamous trouble maker.” He said in good fun, then pausing he sighed in despair “I just hope I can live up to the legend you and Damien of Seajen left behind.”

Alexander turned to Falik and then turned to whomever Falik was greeting. He recognized the other third year page. He had to think a second to remember her name. She wasn’t someone he normally hung out with, but then he didn’t hang out with anybody all that often if Lord Genlith had anything to say about it. Alexander waved her over as Falik had done. “Hello Gwynn” He said cheerily and bowed slightly, then playfully but sweetly he asked “ My sweet lady are you ready to dance?” and he raised his eyebrows inquiringly and slowly rose from his bow.

Falik's worry was begining to melt away as he relaxed in his friend's company.

Hearing Alexander's comments to Gwynn he stood up and in his best gallant voice said:

"Good sir, I do believe you will have to fight me for the honor of treading on this dear lady's toes. If anyone is going to send patients to the infirmary for broken feet, it's going to be me."

He swept a deep bow to Gwynn.

"By my honour, must I challenge you to a duel?"

He started laughing.

Damien walked past a classroom almost falling into it as a few pages rushed past him, straighting himself out he looked around, "Well I'll be... " Damien soon realized what classroom he was in, he saw Rean and Falik, "Well I'll be!" he repeated, loud enough to catch everyone's attention.

"Rean, Falik, fellow pages of the classroom," giving a mock bow, out of the corner of his eye Damien saw Master Harrison, turning swiftly he gave a bow of Master Harrison's station, while stating, "its a pleasure to be in your presence once again Master Harrison," glancing around Damien saw the empty floor space, "I assume that today's lesson's include dancing?" his boyish grin planted on his face as he stood straight up.

"Damien of Seajen, you were away from court last I heard. But yes as I told Squire Rean, it is important that these young pages learn the art of dance. But unlike Squire Rean you were quite accomplished in dancing, and just about everything else I taught you," Master Harrison looked suspiciously at Damien.

"Only your fine teaching made it so, sir," Damien said smile still planted on his face bowing and slowly backing towards where Rean and Falik were. At the last second before he ran into a chair he sat down turned and looked at them and said in a completely serious tone, "I'm gone for two weeks and they start dancing lessons without me! I feel insulted!" he finished with an over exaggerated sigh.

Katherine walked in and took her usual seat in the corner of the classroom. She watched as the other pages were dancing. Katherine took out a book and started reading waiting for class to start, but ocassionly she would look up and watch. Of all of the things we have to do today it has to be dancing. Oh well. I'll just stay back here, and maybe no one will notice that I'm here. She shifted her hair over her shoulder and once again began to read her book.

Gwynn brushed her shyness aside, and put on her most charming smile. "Maybe I should have worn hard-toed boots if I had known these etiquette lessons were to be so dangerous.

The third-year page tossed her copper hair into Falik's face. Grinning she gracefully picked up Alexander's and the bazhir's hands in her own small fingers. She looked into Alexander's eyes, then into Faliks, and curtsied in a courteous manner.

Falik felt himself blush furiously at actually having to hold hands with Gwynn. And THIS is why I avoid parties and girls and the whole sorry mess he thought to himself.

He noticed Katherine come in and saw an opportunity to save himself.

He bowed again.

"Er...dear lady, if you'll excuse me...I'll allow Alexander the honor."

He grinned at Alexander and pushed Gwynn's other hand in to Alexander's free hand.

Falik walked over to Katherine.

"It looks as if you're relishing the idea of dancing about as much as I am!"

Katherine looked up at Falik, and blushed. "I...um...I'm not a very good dancer..."she whispered. This was the first time that someone acutally came over to talk to her. What should I do... Katherine looked down at her book, but found herself looking back up at him.Why is he still standing there? Katherine's blush deepened.

This was the part of conversation that Falik always fell down on and it looked as if the girl was as shy as he was.

He looked panic struck for a second.

"Umm...my name's Falik, Falik Al Basiri." He stuck out his hand.

Katherine looked at his out streched hand. She placed her hand in his and shook it lightly. "I'm Katherine of Blackwater" she whispered. His hand is warm... she thought. When she realized what she thought she quickly took back her hand. She looked away from him, hiding her face.

Falik tried a smile. "Katherine. Nice to meet you. Blackwater is on the coast isn't it?"

He felt like a fool, of course Blackwater was on the coast!

Trying to change the subject he said "What are you reading? Whatever it is, I'm sure it's better than dancing!"


Okay, Falik thought to himself, now you're babbling.

Katherine showed him the cover. Tales of the Ocean was what it read. " It's a good book...even though I've read over about 10 times..."

She didn't know what else to say. As far as she had known, this was the longest that someone had acutally talk to her for.

"I wish class would start so...um it could end...don't you agree." she whispered, trying to come up with something to say.

Falik smiled, "oh yes!" He agreed.

"I don't believe I've read that book before," he went on. "My father is a scholar, Kaleem Al Basiri, perhaps you've heard of him, well his collection of books in Persopolis is quite something. Likely as not he has it somewhere in his shelves. Perhaps I'll seek it out in the summer."

Falik stopped. Aware that once again he was babbling.

"Well perhaps this lesson will be less than painful," he grimaced, "...maybe. I could introduce you to my friends?" he gestured towards the other pages and squires, "they at least will make it easier to laugh at ourselves."

"After I finish this you can borrow it if you want..." she placed her bookmark in her book and closed it.

"I think I've heard of your father. I've been to Persopolis once or twice, I really don't remember. I have a couple books from there that my mother bought me, but I think I left those at home..." she covered her mouth and realized that she was running at the mouth. I've never opened up to someone this much, except to my brother...

She took her hand off her mouth and put it in her lap. She thought about what Falik said about meeting his friends. It would be nice to have friend for once that weren't sea creatures. "It would be nice to know other people..."she whispered. "I'd be honored to meet your friends..."

Falik was delighted that Katherine had visited Persopolis.

"You've been to Persopolis? That's fantastic. No doubt you'd have met my father at some point, he assists the governer. Oh and thank you for the offer of a loan of the book, that would be marvelous."

Inwardly Falik groaned. Marvelous! Fantastic! You idiot!

He gestured over to the other pages and squires. "Come on," he said, "I'll introduce you."

Rean snorted. "Ants in my pants." A grin broke over her face. She raised her eyebrows at Damien. "Damien, I didn't know you were back. I guess I didn't hear the commotion of all the maids flocking to one side of the Palace." She grinned at Falik, then bent over to Damien, so that her hair fell down in a cascade between Falik and Katherine, and herself and Damien. She grinned, and whispered, "I think Falik and Katherine like each other." She raised her eyebrows again. "So tell me, oh Master of Love, what do you think?" She winked, and sat back, leaning on a desk across from him.

Damien raised an eyebrow and started to laugh, "Master of Love..." he said drawing out the word love so that it lasted longer then usual, nodding as he continued, "Yea i could get used to that."

"I bet you didn't even know I left," he said laughing as he looked around, "and I don't see any maids running around here looking for me," leaning forward he said in a hushed voice, "not many people know we're back. We were escorting an ambassador from the Copper Isles here."

He looked at Falik and another page, "well I will say when he gets past the whole shy thing he's a flirt," he started to smile then stopped and looked completely serious, "I might have to give up my Master of Love title on of these days, and its sad just thinking about that. Hopefully I keep the title till I'm.... " pausing as he thought, "I dunno 60 maybe?" he gave Rean a huge smile his whole face lighting up with the thought.

Falik rejoined the others ushering Katherine over with him.

"Damien! Good to see you back." He exclaimed.

To everyone he said, "This is Katherine of Blackwater, so far she's been fortunate enough to avoid our merry little band."

Leaning towards Katherine he added: "This little lot are especially good at finding new and inventive ways to get themselves in to trouble, but they are all true friends."

Falik spotted Master Harisson folding his arms and tapping his foot impatiently.

"Well pages," Harisson announced, "against my better judgement, lets begin. Seajen, Laraes, seeing as you seem so comfortable here, perhaps you'd like to demonstrate to the pages?"

((OOC: I hope people don't mind me moving the class along, it could be quite amusing for the pages to have to pair up! ))

Rean laughed at Damien's acceptance of this new title. "Oh, at least sixty! Unless, of course," She gasped in mock horror, "You get.. tied down!" She grinned, then turned to Katherine. "Hey! Good to see you here. I'm Rean of Laraes." She winked. Hearing Master Harrison's plan. "Dance with the Master of Love? I don't know if I could! I might just faint!" She said sarcastically. She then looked at Master Harrisson. "Wait. You're serious?" She asked, eyebrows raised.

Gwynn let go of Alexander's hands, her face drawing a crimson hue. The third-year page looked up at Rean and Damien, smiling, and very much releived.

Gwynn wondered who her partner would be. Shaking her head to clear it of thoughts, Gwynn tossed back her copper locks, hazel eyes twinkling, and looked up to see Rean and Damien (so called) dance.

Katherine followed Falik to his group of friends. She felt him ushering her foward, as he indroduced her.

She saw Rean and bowed slightly. "Nice to meet you." She whispered as she saw her wink at her.

She heard Master Harrison start class. She saw what he was doing. He was pairing up pages, as she watched Rean and Damien dance. She flushed hoping that she would turn invisible.

Damien leaned over and playfully punched Falik in the arm, "Well hello, its about time you said hi to me,," laughing he finished, "and it's good to be back, and to be surrounded by lovely ladies, the maids, excetera, excetera" he waved his hand as if to say 'and everyone else.' He then smiled at Katherine of Blackwater, "It's my pleasure to meet you, Katherine of Blackwater,"

When Damien heard of Master Harrison's idea Damien raised his hand, then with a wink toward the group a evil grin on his face, loudly asked, "Can I be the girl? I never get to be the girl, I'm always the guy, even my sisters made me be the boy when i was home, can I be the girl?"

Many giggles and laughes started over the room, Damien stood with a grin on his face as Master Harrison glared at him. Standing up, holding his hand out he bowed towards Rean, "Milady would you do me the great honor of entertaining me with a dance?" he then winked at Rean as he said over his shoulder towards Falik, mumbling, "don't always use the word entertaining, some ladies think that it means you're laughing at them."

Rean accepted his hand, "Well, you prbably will be making fun of me, good sir." She said, raising one eyebrow. "And you'll have to be the boy, as I can't lead." She grinned. She could dance, and fairly well, but she just never wanted to. "By all, means, my lord, please begin." She held back the urge to laugh, and winked at Falik. She turned back to Damien, wiping her face into a blank stare some of the dumber noble ladies sported. She made a face, and waited for him to begin.

Damien smiled as he put his right hand along her waist, "All you need is a good partner," he said loudly enough for others to hear, extending his left arm with Rean's hand enclosed.

Smiling he looked at Rean then started humming a waltz, four beats in he stepped back with his left foot and started waltzing around the room. As he said to the class, "This is when you make polite small talk or wisper sweet nothings in her ear. After every twirl remember to keep your eyes on her never look at someone else," smiling he twirled Rean, mumbling to her, "see you aren't doing that bad."

Rean laughed in good humor, "Of course, with the Master of Love by my side." She then raised her voice, "Definitly don't look at any other women, or else yours will be put out, and probably step on your feet." She grinned, keeping her dark eyes on Damien, "Not that I've done that.." She winked, and let him lead her. They were actually doing good. She let her hand lay relaxed on his shoulder, and let him clasp her hand. She was actually having fun.

OOC: I might have her like him, sooner or later. :D Just to torture my charrie. Because I can. I dunno, though, should I?

Falik grinned at Rean and Damien, they actually made a pretty graceful couple.

He suddenly felt slightly queasy as he realised he would actually have to try and imitate that dancing with one of the female pages. He felt his palms start to sweat.

((OOC: I thought it would be funny if Harisson actually pairs up Katherine and Alexander and Falik with Gwynn))

Damien smiled down at Rean, "Do you know how completely delightful it is that I don't have to break my neck to look you in the eyes?" he stated as he threw them into a twirl.

Glancing at Falik, Damien grimaced, mumbling so that only Rean would hear, "I hate to see Falik look nervous, it makes him look sick, and I'm all out of wonderful witty remarks, how 'bout you?" he said as he slowed the beat in his head down. He lead Rean into an easy four wall waltz.

Katherine stood there watching Damien and Rean dance. she was hoping that she wouldn't have to dance today. She would probably mess up and get yelled at by Master Harrison.

At that thought she walked back to her desk and sat down and started reading once more.

Rean let a small smile show on her face. She twirled, and coming back to meet him, said, "Well, I guess there are som eadvantages to being tall." She grinned as he slowed down the dance. Rean was surprised about how good a dancer Damien had turned out to be. Her chocolate eyes flicked to Falik, and a frown creased her forehead, right between her eyebrows.

She flicked her eyes back to Damien's. "Well, it seems that I'm low. I can't just keep going." She winked, and lowered her voice so only Damine could hear. "We should help him out... but how?" She raised an eyebrow, dancing fluidly, not concentrating on the steps anymore.

OOC: Want to post Master Harrison? We can do the Falik - Gwynn and Katherine - Alexander thing, or the other way around. I wasn't sure, so I didn't post it.

"Okay thats quite enough spectating Pages." exclaimed Master Harrisson. "Well danced you two," he added to Damien and Rean, "if you could lead them up front? I think a basic waltz will suffice for now."
He eyed the pages. Falik bit back a fit of nerves. Harisson started pairing pages up.

"Rosewood, you're with Blackwater. Al Basiri with Northwatch...." He continued on.

Falik was somewhere between relieved and terrified. He looked apologetically at Gwynn.

"I hope you're wearing strong toed boots! Shall we?" He put out his hand to lead her to the "dancefloor".

No... Katherine said to herself. She didn't want to dance...she was to terrifed. Now with someone she didn't even know that well. What am I going to do...

She closed her book and got up. She walked up to Alexander. "Alexander of Rosewood I believe?"

Gwynn couldn't help feeling disapointed. Why couldn't she dance with Alexander? But then again, the page told herself, I don't want to humiliate myself by stepping on Alexander's foot or something. Well, i am pretty graceful, or at least i'd like to think so, but, still . . .

Gwynn nodded at Falik, and took his hands.