The mission before the ball would certainly get in the way of things, if you were both to attend at all. Not much of a ball, mostly an event come up with for the excuse of taking a break. Simon didn't plan for a complex op, but still got to the party late, tired and still in uniform.

Only the slow dances were left in the next order of celebration, so you two hadn't missed much, sitting at the sides of the room, observing the celebration with Simon, your adoptive dad of like, more than ten years now. The music changed, switching to a slow, somber pace.

"It's the dad 'n daught'r dance, looka tha'." Simon chuckled, gesturing to the couples of military fathers and their daughters of all ages, wanting the same, but wished for your cooperation first in case you would be embarrassed by the thought of a slow dance with your dad in front of all your recruit friends.