Anna and Elsa's idea to throw a royal ball spreads all across New York like wildfire.
Everyone and anyone is invited, and many people take up the invitation, needing a break from the hardships of life.
The dance is held in the one of the highest floors of the Empire State Building, beginning at precisely six o'clock. Some guests arrive fashionably early, while other arrive fashionably late. The large ballroom fills in just minutes, the music drifting over crowds, lost to excitable conversations.
As the tunes die down to a slower, more passionate rhythm, couples sweep onto the floor, embraced in each others arms.
Kristoff and Anna.
Mason and Wendy.
Hiro and Vanellope.
Ariel watches from the archway of an open balcony, smiling to herself. Off to the distance, Eric and Melody sway together in an adorable father/daughter dance, and she dashes away a happy tear. Her perfect little family is left untouched by Scar, no longer in danger. Nobody has heard from or seen him in weeks - it's safe to say he must have died in the game.
Not that villains ever stay dead long, so long as magic is around... But she's choosing to live in peace, not fear. It's much more relaxing this way.
"You seem happy."
Startled, she whips around, lighting smacking Jim the shoulder. "Don't scare me like that!" She hisses through her teeth, receiving an amused chuckle.
"Sorry." He shrugs cheerfully, very un-Jim like. She regards him cautiously, wary of this strange attitude on him.
He's dressed in a pain gray suit, no holes in sight - probably Kayley's doing. His hair is combed to one side, and the worry lines usually creasing around his eyes have vanished. There's a lighter aura to him, as if he's thrilled about something. Ariel hasn't know him for very long, but this side of him is virtually unheard of. It's weird, seeing him so happy.
"What were you looking at?" He asks, following her gaze across the dance floor and the dozens of couples twirling around it.
Releasing the tension in her shoulders, Ariel points to the far end of the ballroom, indicating the area where Eric lifts a joyous Melody into the air. "Look at them. They seem so happy. My family..." Another heartfelt smile tugs at her lips, one she can't fight off. "I always wondered if I'd made the right choice, leaving Atlantica behind to be with Eric. Seeing them now... I wouldn't have it any other way." Peering at Jim's amused grin, she groans, cheeks flushes. "Sorry, I know that's so cheesy. Just ignore me."
He nudges her playfully, nearly throwing her off balance. "It's a little cheesy." He admits, watching her husband and daughter dance. "But there's no shame in that."
Tilting her head up, she watches him closely through narrowed eyes, until he squirms under the squint. "What?"
"You seem different..." She begins, studying his relaxed movements, his easy smile. "Did something happen that I don't know about?" This time, it's his cheeks that flame a bright pink. Knowing she's got him right where she wants him, she inches closer, poking him in the ribs. "There is, isn't there!? Tell me!" She bounces on her heels, demanding answers.
Knowing she won't back down till the truth comes out, he sighs and holds up hands in surrender. "Alright, fine." Brushing loose ends of hair from his vision, he watches Tinkerbell teasingly tickle Mason by the condiments table. "I finally told Tink how I felt about her. Yes," he shoots Ariel a look, reading her thoughts instantly. "I told her her I'm in love with her." He pauses, pressing his lips together, before carrying on in a lower voice. "Ariel, what happened in the game with us, when I freaked out and had a panic attack... I wanted to thank you for what you did."
