I'd spent all day readying myself with my closest friends for a party, a birthday party that we'd all been invited to. Katerina had refused to go without us and the invitation had bee extended to include all of us- that is Carolina, Cecelia, Selena, Bridgette, and myself.
My gown was a deep olive green and accented my body perfectly, it wasn't too promiscuous for someone of my standing. It, like everyone's dresses, was quite a ball gown. It proofed out starting at my hips and was glad they helped me lace up the corset.
Carolina was in a gorgeous blue dress, Cecelia and Selena was wearing red, Bridgette was wearing gold, and Katerina was wearing a deep green dress. Our dresses were near identical but we'd had them tailored to have different beading and we all wore them differently do to our different bodies.
"I need you to turn this way so I might dress your hair up." Bridgette gestured to the side, and I turned accordingly away from the mirror and she set to work making my hair presentable. Finally she let me turn to see and I almost gasped at how beautiful my sisters had made me look. Most of it was pulled back in ringlets, but she curled two strands from my bangs around by my face so they framed it. Carolina had pinched my cheeks so they would be rosier, Katerina insisted I put this black substance on my eyelashes with a brush to make them appear fuller, Cecelia had put some colorful powder on my eyelids and Selena had made sure my dress fit exactly as it should while providing me with shoes.
'I-I look-" I began to stutter out my thanks, I never looked beautiful. I only had rags and being a maid did not provide me with much for myself.
"You're welcome." they chorused and pulled me up from the small chair I'd been sitting on in front of the vanity. Bridgette, Cecelia and Caroline would provide anything if only I asked, they come from a wealthy family and I worked for their parents, but I hated feeling indebted. Like I constantly owed them. They're three of my closest friends and I can't imagine my life without them, but I wanted to earn my keep. Although I am closest with Bridgette because we are the same age.
"We need to go else we be made late by admiring our handiwork." Katerina's accented voice spoke up as she wrapped a shawl around her shoulders. She and her twin Selena had come from a wealthy family too, but they were having financial trouble as of late and had sent them away in hopes of having them married off to some rich duke or lord here in England.
"Okay! Let us go sisters!" Selena chirped, she was always so bubbly and full of life. She was a true sweetheart and I would be surprised that she has not been married off yet if not for the fact that she adores her twin and refused to go anywhere without her or to be sent too far that she can't visit her daily.
Carefully we make out way out and are helped into the carriage in such a manner as to not muss up our dresses and hair. We must make a good impression on the Mikealson family, Bridgette's parents constantly try to make her meet up with them so they can play matchmaker. She just isn't interested in making a match, true she would love children but she would be content taking care of the children of her friends. She simply wants to make everyone happy, to be a 'mother' to the world.
The carriage ride is relatively smooth and we giggle most of the way there, gossiping and making jokes about who would fall for whom and vise versa.
"The Lord Finnegan will surely be enamored with you Sage." Cecelia proclaims with a wave of her delicate hand.
Unladylike I snort, "Yeah right."
"Oh but I'm sure of it!"
I rolled my eyes and Selena interjects before I can, "Aren't you 'sneaking' around with the Lord Jason?" she makes a motion with her hands and we all look at her expectantly and she begins to turn red.
"Why, um-"
"Leave her be, she has found her match, but they must wait until he has his father's permission to formally court her. There is no harm being done, they are doing the utmost to stay proper. He does indeed call on her at our home and is nothing but a gentleman." Bridgette gives us a look.
"OOOOhhhh." Selena, Katerina and Caroline squeal- they are such romantics.
"Why are you so excited sister? You already know this." Cecelia raises an eyebrow at her, "Because it's so romantic! Eep!" we barely catch her as she is almost thrown into us when the carriage comes to an abrupt halt.
Luckily for her, her dress and hair are still pristine and the makeup we applied has not smudged either. She was sitting upright again when the door opened and we were met with glittering lights coming through. A man was there to greet us and offered his arm to assist us in exiting the carriage. After he'd assisted all of us out the carriage was taken away and we were escorted into the grand building. Selena and Caroline were barely able to contain their amazement, I however hid it much better.
"Wow!" They squealed with delight and Cecelia chuckled. "This place is a palace!" Selena continues tugging on Kat's hand as we come to the entryway to what I presume is the grand hall.
Soon we find ourselves mingling with nobles, Lords and Ladies but we stick together and I can't believe how much fun I'm having. It's been so long since I was able to let my hair down in a manner of speaking and relax with my friends.
Suddenly a group of men approach with Bridget's father leading them over, I hadn't realized he had come to the festivities as well.
"May I introduce my daughters and their friends- Bridgette Mendilar, Cecelia Drake, Caroline Forbes, Katerina and Selena Petrova, and Sage O'Riley." He gestured to each of us in turn and we curtsied as he introduced us.
"Lord Finnegan, Lord Elijah, Lord Jason, Lord Niklaus, Lord Kol, and the Lady Rebekah."
A hand was extended by each of the men towards us, and the Lady Rebekah immediately seemed to befriend Bridgette.
The man in front of Caroline took her hand and kissed the back, the same for each man in front of Selena, Katerina, Cecelia and myself.
I blushed when his lips ghosted the back of my hand, I'm not used to people paying attention to me, 'Tis a pleasure Miss O'Riley." He smiled at me and my heart leapt in my chest. "The pleasure is all mine my Lord." I ducked my head slightly in an attempt to hide my reddening cheeks.
"Would you care to dance?"
"I would love to." I accepted his offer, amazing that he asked me to dance when he has only just met me.
He led me out into the crowd of dancing people and pulled me immediately into a waltz. I was glad to be dancing again, it was something I'd loved doing when I was younger and had the opportunity to do so. I laughed when he would twirl me, and was able to keep up whenever the tempo increased. Out of the corner of my eyes I could see my friends had also been asked to dance and were fully enjoying themselves.
As we came to a stop after a number of dances he led me off the floor and out to the gardens after grabbing us each a goblet of wine.
I sipped mine as we looked at the stars while sitting on the edge of a grand fountain. "I hope you are enjoying yourself this eve."
"Why yes, I thank you for entertaining me." I giggle softly and look up at the handsome man through my lashes.
"It has been my genuine pleasure Sage. I have greatly enjoyed your company tonight." He smiles at me and I can't help but smile back. He was so gentle with me when we danced, It surprises me as I'm not used to people being gentle with me.
Thunder cracks through the sky and I look up to see how dark and dangerous the sky has become. The wind has picked up and I shiver, it's actually quite cold in my short sleeved dress. Suddenly I feel a weight on my shoulders and look to see Finnegan has placed his outer coat on my shoulders. He simply smiles at me, he must have seen me shiver I figure and am touched that he was watching me.
He stands up and offers me his arm once more, "Shall we rejoin the party? It is after all a celebration for my brother's birthday."
"Of course." I take his arm without a second thought and allow him to lead me back into the party. The moment we cross the threshold it begins to pour rain.
"Oh, thank goodness we barely avoided it." I laugh at his relief, "Oh but dancing in the rain is most enjoyable!"
"Oh?"
"Why yes, quite. I would implore you to do so my Lord."
He raises an eyebrow at me, his eyes full of mischief, "Perhaps I shall, but only if you would accompany me my Lady."
"It would be my pleasure."
"Come along brother, it is time to cut into the cake!" one of his brother's- Kol I think- appears in front of us with Selena in tow, holding hands as he pulls her with him. Her cheeks are flushed and she looks like she's enjoying spending her evening following this young man. "Help us find the other's Finn." He orders before pulling Selena with him off in the other direction to find their other siblings.
Finnegan shakes his head, "I apologize for my brother-"
"Oh no need! I've always wondered what it would be like to have a younger brother. Now come on, we must help find the rest of your siblings!" I laugh and he seems surprised that I don't mind his brother before he breaks out into a grin and pulls me with him to find them.
Almost immediately we find Katerina and Elijah, they are dancing slowly entirely wrapped up in each other- their own little world and who am I kidding, I would love to pop their little bubble momentarily. "Katerina!" I call to her as Finnegan calls, "Elijah brother!"
They let go of each other immediately and she looks up at me with her doe eyes startled like a baby deer's and it takes everything I have in me to not laugh at her expression, especially when it goes through shock and to irritation towards me.
"Brother, it's time to go cut the cake for the celebration."
"Of course." He seems to be the most at ease with our abrupt interruption of thier apparent moment.
In a matter of moments we are all around the cake and the candles have been blown out by Lord Niklaus. Immediately the cake is cut by the chef and has handed out pieces to guests.
Soon after it seems we are already being led out to our carriage to return to the estate. "Thank you for entertaining me tonight."
"The pleasure was all mine. We shall meet again soon."
"Oh?"
"Why of course, you've promised to show me the fine points of how did you put it- dancing in the rain?"
"I cannot wait." I giggle and he once again places a soft kiss to the back of my hand. It's enough to send shivers down my spine. He assists me into the carriage and after all of us are in the door is closed. We watched out the windows, peeking through the curtains to see. We are almost too tired to gossip and share what our evenings entailed. The fun and excitement we've had.
The ride seemed quicker and we are out of our dresses and into bed sooner that seems possible. We decided to stay together in one room like when we were children just for the fun of it. After all, we would not be able to do so forever. I smiled as I fell asleep, entangled with the girls I considered sisters, and thoughts of the future in my dreams.
