[center][img]http://i.imgur.com/xjGbRyd.jpg[/img][/center][center][h1][color=f6989d] Alexis [/color][/h1][/center]

A week later

Alexis was putting on her earrings and necklace. She gave herself a critical look in the mirror. She had deep blue eyes that were accented with makeup but not too much. Her nose was nothing extraordinary, it was of the button nose variety. She did however think her lips were a little bit big for her face. Mother said that they were perfect and to dress them with lipstick. She picked a shade that complimented her and finished the look off with a smile that seemed to perk her up a little bit. 

She and Elias had been invited to a ball of sorts. A new dress for the ball but it wasn't the normal type that most of the young women wore. Hers had snaps on the inside for the skirt to tear away if needed. Underneath she would be wearing matching pants similar to leggings. That way if she got caught up in fighting she could tear it away and still be ready to fight. She was carrying a bolero type of jacket on her arm. 

The ball was being thrown by the Broussard family. The older son had a crush on Alexis so she was expecting that to be something she could work with to her advantage. Elias was her escort and he was supposed to look after her. Fully expecting that Amelia Broussard would claim Elias for her own and for some reason that irritated her. Maybe it was the fact that she and Amelia hated each other and she didn't want to see her happy. Sliding her feet into the matching rose colored high heels she stood up and smoothed her bodice. Her long red hair fell in a cascade of waves and curls with long tendrils around her face. It was pulled up tight on the sides and top. She liked the look it gave her. Smiling she went down stairs. Her mother's eyes lit up and she beamed proudly.

When she appeared her father turned so he could see her and she saw Elias' appearance and expression. She blushed unexpectedly and looked at her father. 

[color=f7941d]"You look beautiful. Are your weapons easily within reach under all of that?"[/color] Alexis nodded.

[color=f6989d]"Yes father, My short sword is strapped to my hip there are daggers inside secret inner pockets. Plus my little purse. Although I couldn't figure out how to bring my bow and quiver!"[/color] She engaged her father with a little amusement and turned her attention to Elias.

[color=f6989d]"Dare I say, you look nice Elias. I'm sure there will be ladies lining up to dance with you when I'm otherwise occupied." [/color]She grinned knowing that was more than true. He would be lucky if there weren't a line of twenty or thirty girls waiting for him.

As she climbed into the carriage with the footman's help she sat and thought about the last week. They had not become fast friends or anything but both Elias and Alexis had tried to buck the rules on partners and both had been shot down by her father who threatened them both if they allowed the other to get hurt while hunting. It had put them both in a competitive mode instead of the partnership her father had expected.

Once they had gotten to the Broussard mansion the footman took her hand and she left the carriage and was delivered to Elias who was waiting at the bottom for her. Waiting in line Alexis lightly gripped her cousin's arm feeling all of the female eyes on him. Fresh meat. That is what Elias was to all of these young women trying to land a husband. Alexis giggled softly for a moment and glanced up at Elias feeling sorry for him. She wasn't like most girls. She couldn't care less about landing a husband. She wanted to run her own life.

When the line moved up and she and Elias were at the head of the line she saw Amelia's eyes light up when she saw Elias. Nathan Broussard was at the head of the line greeting people. He took Alexis' white gloved hand and brought it to his lips. She smiled and nodded at his request for a dance. Elias walked her inside and they chose a table near the dance floor.
[@December]