The young boy smiled up at the two Williams'. "I have been told to give you this." He chirped. He pulled the invitation that Prince Hadrian had given him and held it out to the two adults. Mrs. Williams took it and gasped in surprise. "A royal ball! Oh, there hasn't been such a thing in such a while." She chimed, grinning and showing the invite to her husband. "So it is, so it is." He piped, grinning as well. "And surely the first we've had since Josephine had been here. Surely she'd love to accompany us at such an occasion." The small boy was thanked and went on his way soon after, leaving the two to tend to telling their adopted daughter of the news.<br/><br/>Josephine had woken barely moments before, her sleep leaving her breathless. She was a bit frightened, but again brushed it off as just a nightmare... a nightmare that returned time and time again, every time she closed her eyes. A very realistic nightmare at that. 'Just a bad dream, nothing more.' She reminded herself. The girl sat up and sat on the edge of her bed just as she heard the noise of footsteps on the staircase. Soft, excited chittering could be heard, but the voices not loud enough for Josephine to make out what was being said. Her parents came into her room seconds later, looking the most excited she'd seen them in... well, forever. They'd never looked so happy. "What is it? What has you two smiling and chirping like excited little birds?"<br/><br/>"Oh, we have gotten such grand news." Mrs. Williams chimed, smiling as she sat down beside Josephine. "The king and royal family are hosting a masquerade ball tonight. And we have been invited." The teenaged girl looked less than pleased by the news though. "What is it, darling? Are you not excited." "Excited to go to a gathering hosted by the tyrant that has ruled over this kingdom mercilessly?" Josephine responded, shaking her head. "No, I am not looking forward to it in the least. In fact, I have no intention of going at all." "Oh come now, Josie. This is a great chance for you to be out and about without being thought of as an outcast or being suspected of anything. You'll fit in perfectly." Her father replied, sitting down on the other side of the girl. "It'll be fun, you'll enjoy yourself. Don't turn down such an offer just because it is hosted by the royalty. I know how much your dislike them-" "Hate them." "Well, that's your view... but still, dear, don't put this opportunity down just because of that fact let yourself have a bit of freedom and fun for once."<br/><br/>Josephine sighed. She hated being pressured into things. Her parents were never so persistent and had always been far from controlling. "Fine, fine, if you insist." She replied. "But what am I to wear to such a fancy occasion like this?" "I'm sure you can find something to wear, Josephine. Besides, your mask for your disguise would work fine..." "Absolutely not! It's far too bland and someone is bound to recognize it. Not many masks are made in such a way. It's my own design after all, it would stick out too much." "Well we have to go figure out something to make our masks out of anyways, so you can come along with us if you wish." Josephine nodded, and her parents got up. "Try to find something to wear, darling. The ball is tonight, and we have no time to waste."<br/><br/>((Timeskip to the masquerade ball? ^_^))