Monster Love |~Moon and Toffee~|

Chapter 4- A Ball of Royal Brats

It was exactly one hour before the ball when Moon's nerves kicked in. She'd been ping-ponging between excitement and fear for the event all week. However, it seemed like this time the fear was there to stay. Although, Moon had overcome her struggle with dancing thanks to Toffee, another dozen or so worries had arose as the week went on. What if the girls made fun of her dress. What if she tripped and fell into the refreshment table. What if they all took one look at her and thought she was not fit to be princess, let alone queen.

Toffee tried soothing every little fear that came up with his cool, logical attitude. He'd seen her dress and assured her it was beautiful. He'd insisted on chaperoning the event and specifically station himself by the refreshment table. So, if she did fall, he'd be there to catch her. Unfortunately, the last was a fear that he could not find a solution for. People, especially people around Moon's age, tended to make snap decisions about other people and cling to them, rather childishly.

Which is why Moon remained nervous as she stood on the other side of the ballroom doors, waiting to make her grand entrance. Her stalling minutes were running out quickly and for a desperate moment she honestly considered making a break for it. It was all too overwhelming. However, Moon took a few deep breaths and tried rationalizing. When she walked through those doors, she wouldn't be alone. Toffee would be there. River would also be there, despite the fact her parents thought the Johansens' weren't real royalty. He was one of her only friends and Moon knew he would support her no matter what.

One of the doormen coughed, deliberately, trying to get Moon's attention, and she refocused her gaze back on the doors. She gave him a curt, rigid nod, which he relayed to his partner. It was time to move forward.

The doors were opened, and Moon was met by every royal from the most exclusive dimensions allied with Mewni. Everyone stared at Moon as she made her first stiff steps into the ballroom, while she was not expected to acknowledge any of them. However, her acknowledgment did fall on a face amongst the blurred crowd. Although, maybe not the oldest creature in the room, he held himself tall and seemed the most grownup. Toffee smiled at her and gestured for her to continue on with what they had practiced. Moon took exactly five steps forward, before she spoke to the audience of her peers,

"Good evening. I'm Princess Moon Butterfly." she smiled. "As the future queen, I welcome you all to Mewni. Please enjoy the festivities to your heart's desire."

Everyone applauded her. Well, everyone, except any of the Ponyheads. But, as a band of floating heads, they were legit. They still whinnied in approval of her introduction. Moon was finally able to be assimilated into the crowd unnoticed. She was about to go find River, when she was suddenly approached by a girl with dark red hair and spiked horns. The girl was accompanied by what appeared to be a cosmic skull with antlers, trapped in a little crystal ball, and a creature whose head was a rhombus-shaped crystal.

"Good evening, princess. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance." the girl said, with a curtsy. "I'm Heckapoo and I'll be a part of the Magical High Commission when you ascend to being queen."

"It's nice to meet you." Moon replied.

"I also brought Omni and Rhombulus with me," Heckapoo added. She presented the crystal ball with the skull in it, and it waved a galactic hand in greeting. "Omnitraxus Prime can't leave space time, unless there's an emergency, so I brought a crystal ball for him to meet you. He and High Chancellor Lekmet should make up the rest of your council, if everything goes to plan."

"What about him?" Moon asked, curiously, referring to her other escort. He attempted to shake her hand. However, Moon quickly noticed that he had hissing snakes instead of hands, or even hand-shaped crystals. She still shook one to be polite, but inside she was screaming.