Daniella felt the odd, cool strokes on her skin. "I know this sounds bad, but I wish I had something other than brown eyes sometimes."
"I did too." Regina spoke with a firm voice. "But just because it's numerous, that doesn't mean it's not beautiful." She gently tousled her black locks. "Plus, there's a lot of good things about having brown eyes. They go with any and all clothes, they don't clash with anything..." she pulled her hands away. "Okay, done, open your eyes."
Daniella opened her eyes wide and smiled. Because of their similar bone structure, Regina could utilize the make-up to its' best potential; a dusty red covered her cheeks, lips were painted light pink and soft purple was curved on her eyelids. Her black hair was rolled into a bun with some tasteful hairs left out to frame her face. She stood, her dress was a slight ballgown, lavender colored with royal purple trimmings that had silver swirls embroidered into it. She twirled before the mirror, then faced her mother.
"I look great, thank you!" Daniella squealed as she hugged her, her head only reaching her neck.
Regina laughed and hugged her back. "You are already beautiful, make-up and clothes just help to highlight it." Regina gently tilted her head up. "I can't believe it, my baby girl already fifteen? Soon you'll be an adult and find your true love..."
Daniella blushed and nodded. "I hope I can find him soon."
"I'm sure you will." Regina hugged her one last time. "I have to get ready."
"Okay mum."
Daniella went out the door and turned around to shut the door behind her.
"SURPRISE!"
Daniella jumped up and whipped around, fireball in hand. She immediately dropped her guard when she saw who it was; Grandpa Rumpelstiltskin and "Auntie" Oriane.
"For goodness sakes', will either of you do anything normal for a change?!" she shrieked.
Oriane puckered her lips and hopped in place, making her brown curls bounce. "No."
Rumple laughed. "We just wanted to wish you a happy birthday before everyone else other than your parents did."
Daniella sighed and glared at the two. "I appreciate the thought, but this couldn't wait for the ball?"
"What can we say, we're impatient." Oriane tittered as she spun around, with a golden poof a small box appeared in her hands. "To my dear niece!"
Daniella managed a chuckle. "Stop calling me that." She chortled as she held it. "Thank you, I won't open it until the party though."
Rumple simply smiled and looked to his daughter. "Come on dearie, we should head back so you we can get your mum and brother."
"Tell Grandma Belle and Uncle Chip I said hello."
"Sure," Oriane chirped. "Can you tell Cassim hello if he gets here before me?"
Rumple's eyes turned to the side and he crinkled his nose, making Daniella giggle. They all knew Cassim was a good guy, if a bit cowardly and a shrinking violet, but Rumple still detested anyone that might cause his little girl to hate him.
"Oh come on, papa." Oriane whined. "I'm telling mum you're being testy again!"
With a poof of purple, she was gone. Rumple sighed in slight annoyance, knowing a mini-lecture was coming for him before he followed suit.
A dark head peeked out of the room adjacent, her cousin Liam. Though the same age, he towered over her. He had the same face as his father, but Emma's eyes. "Are the crazies gone?"
"You know they prefer 'uniquely minded', and yes."
He stepped out, still wearing his crumpled red velvet pajamas. "Good, I would have hated them to see me like this."
"Why?"
"Because I may or may not have stole these from their castle."
Daniella gave him a crooked look. "Why?"
"Why not?"