> There are countless presentation balls throughout what is known as the Social Season. The early ones are a show while the later ones are were decisions are made, alliances forged, and enemies earned. --- *The Dance of Grace*
After years of fantasies, 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 could picture what it looked like from the balcony where two artists rapidly painted scenes to memorialize the event for the dozens of debutantes that attended.
The brief respite between each number brought a number of other men willing to chat. Somehow, he found a way of speaking without revealing his true nature. It was sad that he couldn't admit he was male but just the rush of wearing a dress and having everyone treat him as a woman brought joy to his heart.
His mother had finally related and helped with his story of being a country middle-born, in town for the presentation. There were hundred of the debutantes coming in from the rural areas, it would be easy to not only fake his past but also mask the minor mistakes he made.
Of course, after the balls would be a different story. They had conveniently left Glorias's name off the registry at the ball. That made it difficult for anyone to formally request his hand in marriage, not that anyone would.
Later, there would be some uncomfortable questions asked. He knew that he might be moving to the country house in earnest but for the time being, he was enjoying the luxury of being the woman he dreamed of becoming for so long.
He knew that his mother had selected the partner as ones who weren't likely to continue their affections: rakes, men who only wanted to touch but not keep beautiful women, and those who already expressed an interest in someone else. It was part of their ploy and one that Galadin couldn't thank her enough for finally accepting it.
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 every time his heels danced across the floor.
Galadin curtsied. "My humble thanks for your company, Sire."
He escorted 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 ritualistic 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 expression he had never seen before.
"Glorias!" It was the seamstress with three others. Lily wore a brilliant dress that looked like a thousand feathers, each one the proscribed green of the dance yet somehow made each panel appear to be a different color. Her ability to color anything had stunned both Galadin and his mother.
On one side, Kendrick walked next to her with her fingertips resting on his elbow. On the other, a man she didn't recognize held Mindil's hand. The second man looked slender compared to his wife but it was obvious they were in sync by the way their feet stepped in harmony.
Galadin let out a gasp and then hugged his mother back. He could feel her crying, the soft sobs shaking her body as they held each other tightly. "Thank you. Thank you so very much."
Galadin glanced at his dance card. There were two more lines for the final two dances but both were empty. He was disappointed but at the same time happy that the three other lines had been 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.
Galadin hesitated. As much as he loved wearing the dress, he still thought of himself as a male. He still thought of himself as Galadin, not Glorias. It wasn't quite a full transition, but he could see the possibility that his mind and role would change for good. It felt like walking out into the sunlight for the first time.
She nodded with fresh tears glistening in her eyes. "Yes, I promise." She chuckled. "I knew this day was coming for years. It just... took me a while to realize that I shouldn't stop it. Your father was right, just don't tell him that."
Galadin's heart beat faster as he looked at the broad-shouldered man who stood with one hand held out. He had cleaned up since Galadin had last seen him.
"I wasn't aware that you had a beautiful daughter coming to this affair, Maran da Kasin ho Kamer." He bowed deeply. "I would be honored if I may have her hand for this dance."
Galadin whimpered, his face growing flushed as he stared up. He desperately wanted to say yes, the memory of them touching during dance lessons still bright in his thoughts. The easy way he spoke and moved, the firmness that they held hands while dancing, it was another thing he hoped to finally have.
Galadin didn't know if Benard knew that Galadin and Glorias were the same. He almost said no, but he couldn't pull his thoughts from the smell of his cologne and the electric touch between them. "I... yes," he whispered.
When he took Galadin's hand, heated sparks coursed through Galadin's body. He felt exposed and bared, every part of his nerves burning with anticipation.
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 music 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 with the feeling of being complete.
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 fantasies rushed through his mind, setting his skin on fire and quickening his heart.
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 fingertips starting from Galadin's elbow to his wrist. "Now, do you remember the Fox step from Dame Dorin's class? You were very good at it but I seem to recall you were in the lead at the time."
Galadin shivered with fright and excitement.
Benard gently turned Galadin's wrist until it was Benard taking the lead.
"Good, because I couldn't wait to ask for your hand tonight. I would be honored to fill your dance card for the rest of the evening, Bedame Glorias kia Kasin."
