Commentary
We probably shouldn't applaud royalty slapping people, but I do approve of Princess Ellen defending Liz. Just maybe she could have used words? Possibly in a song! She could've had a musical number!
I wrote this moment out all novel-like to help myself through it (and for fun).
Written out all novel-like (possibly with some edits I made later)
Ashley just stared at the green-haired woman, her mouth ever-so-slightly totally agape. She had approached her as though an animal on the hunt, only to find herself ambushed by gender-ambiguous beauty that froze her in place.
The ball fell silent to her ears. Thoughts of upward mobility, her mother’s expectations, and a stable future all evaporated. All that existed was the woman before her.
The woman’s amused smile sent shockwaves through Ashley's mind, and her cheeks reddened all the more.
“You’re wondering about the suit,” the woman stated.
“Bwuh,” Ashley managed in the affirmative.
The woman gave a slight shrug. “I came here the first night dressed like this as a bit of insolence. I thought I’d get thrown out. Someone tried, too.”
“‘Tried’?”
The woman grinned. “The princess slapped him, and declared I was an honored guest.”
“Oh my!” Ashley’s face had scant room to look more shocked than it had already been, but it did its best.
“She walked away after that," the woman continued, "but I figure if the princess says you’re an honored guest, you show up all three nights.”
