Dance Dance Decadence - Swan Queen OneShot

So, first time writing for the Ouat fandom yay! Decided to start with a Swan Queen oneshot, because you know… always fun. Set somewhere in season 2. Bit cliche, which is also pretty fun.

The cover image was something I threw together using images from http://www.farfarawaysite.com/section/once/gallery.htm

Took the name from the Japanese VOCALOID song by Karasuyasabou.

“A…ball.” Emma repeated, putting the full force of skepticism behind the words.

Snow and Charming shared a look.

“It’s to help the people,” David began.

“People are scared,” Archie chimed in. “A ball will help bring everyone together.”

“It’s something familiar,” Snow said.

“No I get the…the thing. What I don’t understand is why I have to go.”

Her parents gave her reproachful looks.

“You’re our daughter.” Snow reminded her. “And you broke the curse.”

“The people need to see you there,” Archie added. “You and Regina both.”

Emma looked around. “I don’t see the mayor here.”

“Ex-mayor,” Charming chimed in. “And no…” he looked at Snow. “She’s back in her mansion. But she has agreed to appear at the ball.”

“It’ll be fun,” Snow continued, using her most convincing voice. “And besides, this is part of your life. You’ll adjust.”

Emma looked around at the hopeful faces of her new family. She sighed. “Fine.”

~

“I want out,” was the first thing to pass Regina’s lips as she entered Archie’s office.

Archie looked up in his usual unfazed manner. “Out of what?”

“The ball,” she said, pacing up and down. She turned to him and folded her arms. “I want out.”

Archie adjusted his glasses. “Why?”

“Emma,” she hissed.

“Yes?”

“No one told me she’d be there.”

“It’s only common sense,” Archie began. “The town needs to see the two of you together. If the Saviour and the ‘Evil’ Queen are seen acting cordially, people will instinctively trust you more. Or at least…will stop trying to petition for your death.”

Regina scoffed. “I can handle them.”

“I’m sure you could. But it’s not about that. It’s about them adjusting to being near you. You never know when you’ll need their help, or vice versa. We need to work together Regina.”

“She did this!” Regina exclaimed. “If it weren’t for her, I’d still be Mayor, Henry would still be with me and…”

“And the town would still be cursed,” Archie finished, raising an eyebrow.

Regina scowled. “Yes.”

Archie sighed and gestured to the seat opposite. “Sit down Regina.”

Regina glared at the seat, but did as she was told.

Archie sighed again. It was going to be a long day.

~

Emma growled as she rifled through her clothes. She had no ‘ball clothes’. What the hell were ball clothes anyway? And where could you get them in Storybrooke?