Matt was having a blast! He didn’t know what he was doing, so he followed Ann’s instruction to a t. Sure, flour ended up everywhere, he may have tossed a handful in Abby’s face, but from the looks of things, the cookies had turned out great! Abby had helped Ann, trying to avoid the mess as best she could, including the cloud of flour that seemed to never dissipate around the younger boy.<br/><br/>“If we ever let you intentionally make a mess, I would hate to see the end result.” Abby said, shaking her head. However the small grin on her face took away some of the bite from the comment.<br/><br/>“I’m a destructive force of nature.” Matt replied, shoving an icing heavy piece of cookie in his mouth, and earning a light smack to the back of the head from Abby.<br/><br/>“Brat.” She muttered as they were joined by the others.<br/><br/>Jasper looked to each of them in turn, as though silently checking on them before settling next to Kate. His ears pricked as she played, and he watched Matt approached, sitting not to far from him.<br/><br/>“Dragon wars, huh?” He said, pulling his knees up. “I saw an Orc once, ‘cept it wasn’t for long and I think they were taking it to the pit for a fight.” He rattled on. “Big ugly thing, I’d have hated to be the one taking that thing on.” Matt shuddered just thinking about it.<br/><br/>When the dancing began Matt took to it with no problem, other than nearly tripping over his own feet a few times. Abby was a little more hesitant, and Jasper followed suit. Neither had ever had much experience with this sort of thing. Jasper stuck close to Kate as much as he could. As the merriment went on well into the evening, all three were a little surprised to hear Lyons’ announcement.<br/><br/>Matt looked as excited as he always was, and before he could ask the questions that were coming to mind, they were answered. Abby initially wrinkled her nose at the mention of a ball, but schooled her features into something more appropriate when she was addressed. Jasper stood straight, eyes cast down as he listened, accepting what was being said.<br/><br/>“Yes sir.” He answered quietly, glancing once to Kate as the attention shifted to Abby.<br/><br/>“Yes, though excuse me for not being overjoyed at the prospect.” In her mind balls were associated with the same upper class snobs that had made her family’s life hell. The idea of socializing with them, and possibly coming face to face with her past was far from thrilling.