After years of fantasties, Galadin's first presentation ball exceeded everything he had hoped for. For the last hour, his dance card had been filled with one partner after the other. He enjoyed every moment on the floor where is long green dress swirled and flowed along with the others.
He knew that his mother had selected the partner as ones who weren't likely to continue their affections. It was her only sticking point, no one could know his secret.
Galadin didn't care. He was dancing as a woman, the one thing he desperately craved. Every time one of the partners would kiss the back of his hand or the sweet words brought an intense rush of excitement. He couldn't stop smiling as he carefully worked his way along the box step, guided by an older man looking for his second spouse.
The song ended too soon.
"Thank you, bedame, for the lovely dance."
Galadin curtseyed. "My humble thanks for your company, sire."
He escored Galadin to the edges of the dance where Maran sat with a circle of friends. He bowed deeply to Galadin's mother. "I bring your daughter safe to your side," he intoned the ritutalistic words before slipping away. From what he said while dancing, he had his name on two more cards before the evening ended.
Galadin gave his mother a nervous smile. It froze on his face when he saw a strange look on her face, an expresion he had never seen before.
"Glorias!" It was the seamstress with three others. Lily wore a brillaint dress that looked like a thousand feathers, each one the procribed green of the dance yet somehow different each panel looked like a different color.
On one side, Kendrick walked next to her with her fingertips resting on his elbow. On the other, a man she didn't recognaize held Mindil's hand. The second man looked slender compared to his wife but it was obvious they were in sync with the way all four of them stepped in harmony.
Lily pulled Galadin into a hug that wouldn't risk marring either of their makeup. "You look beautiful, my dear."
"Thank you," Galadin whispered back.
"How does it feel?"
"Like everything I ever wanted."
A sob startled her. He looked over to see tears on his mother's face. She was smiling as she held a piece of silk to her lips. "Mother?"
"You are so beautiful," she said through the tears.
The world spun around Galadin as he looked at his mother. "Really?"
"Y-Yes!" She staggred up out of her chair. Stepping around the table, she grabbed Glroious. "My baby."
Galadin let out a gasp and then hugged his mother. He could feel her crying, the soft sobs shaking her body as they held each other tightly. "Thank you. Thank you so very much."
His mother kissed him sweetly. "You are so beautiful."
Lily and her friends excused themselves and left mother and son behind. After a few minutes, the two broke their embrace and sat down at the table.
Galadin glanced at his dance card. There were two more lines for the final two dances but both where empty. He was disappointed but at the same time happy that the three other lines were filled in. For someone who had presented himself as a woman only a few weeks ago, the fact that three found him appealing brought a smile.
"Do you want to stay?"
Galadin nodded with a smile. "Yes, even if I don't dance. I just want to enjoy this evening. I don't want it to ever end."
His mother pushed a glass of wine over to him.
He smiled to himself and then carefully dabbed the tears from his eyes. "This is everything I hoped for."
"Do you want to keep going?"
"Can I?"
"Aren't you already thinking of yourself as a debutane?"
Galadin hesitated. As much as he loved wearing the dress, he still thought of himself as a male. It wasn't quite a full transition, but he could see the possiblity. It felt like walking out into the sunlight for the first time.
"You can, if you want. I'll help."
"Really?"
She nodded with fresh tears glistening in her eyes. "Yes, I promise." She chuckled. "Your father was right, I knew this day was coming for years. It just... took me a while to realize it."
Galadin started to say something but someone's presence interrupted him. "Excuse me."
It was Benard. The Navy officer was dressed in a sharp black suit. He stood next to both of them.
Galadin's heart beat faster as he looked.
"I wasn't aware that you had a beautiful daughter coming to this affair, Maran da Kasin ne Kamer." He bowed deeply. "I would be honored if I may have her hand for a dance."
Galadin whimpered, his face growing flushed as he stared up.
"Glorias?" asked his mother.
Galadin didn't know if Benard knew who he was asking about. He almost said no, but then he remembered the electric touch when they touched during their lessons. "I... yes," he whispered.
Benard bowed again and held out his hand. The song was about to start.
When he took Galadin's hand, an electrici touch coursed through Galadin's body. He felt exposed and bared, every part of his nerves on fire with anticipation.
Benard guided him to the floor, turned around, and then slipped his hand around Galadin's waist. It was firm and strong.
With weak knees, Galadin turned into the first position.
"What do you think about these dances?"
Galadin laughed nervously. "I haven't had enough less---"
With a start, he clamped his mouth shut. He didn't want to reveal that he already knew Benard as a different person. His heart pounded in his chest as the music swelled up.
"I know what you mean. I feel like I should have been practicing far more with some of these ladies. They were very formal and tense. Not my type of partner." He winked and drew Galadin around.
Galadin's stomach clenched. He knew exactly what Benard wanted. It couldn't be found on the dance floor.
The dance brought them in a circle. Galadin's dress swirled out in perfect harmony with the other dancers. He felt like he was in one of the paintings that he admired for years. It brought tears as he felt more complete than ever.
Too soon, the music slowed and came to a stop. When a ripple of applause filled the room, the dancers began to drift away.
Galadin didn't want to leave. He looked into Benard's eyes, wondering if there could ever be anything between the two of them. New fantasties rushed through his mind, setting his skin on fire and quickening his heart.
"I don't want to leave," Benard said quietly.
The musicians started up a quieter dance for the intermission between the formal ones. Normally it just filled in the silence but this time, Galadin wanted to keep dancing.
Benard ran his hand along Galadin's arm bfore clasping their hands together.
Galadin's breath locked in his throat. He trembled as he looked up.
"I know we took turns before, but may I lead this dance?"
With a happy sob, Galadin nodded. "Yes."
"Good, because I would be honored to fill your dance card for the rest of the evening, Bedame Glorias dea Kasin."
