Satisfied from Hamilton bc this is too perfect for anything okay?
It was a night unlike any other. The band played a jovial tune, couples waltzed delicately across the glistening marble floors, the gentle aroma of expensive finger foods drifted through the air on waves of light conversation and cheery laughter. Engrossed in a conversation about some battle or another, Tier Harribel nodded and smiled at the nameless soldier that had briefly captured her attention.
He was a handsome man, young and strapping, but his tale was all exaggeration and wild movements- hands too smooth, eyes to fresh for such an adventure to be anything but real. Harribel found her eyes drifting away from the exuberant man sooner than she planned, easily finding her sisters stuck with their own pair of soldiers against the far wall. With a whimsical smile and polite apology, Harribel left the disappointed soldier to maneuver through the crowds towards her sisters.
Nelliel was the first to catch sight of her. Gray eyes lightened considerably as they left the blue haired soldier who had extended his hand in invitation for a dance. Harribel reached the pair soon enough to hear Nelliel's soft decline and concession for another conversation later within the evening. When the soldier reluctantly left, dragging his friend who was trying futilely to get a word out of Rukia (their middle sister), Harribel gently embraced the colorful pair.
"Quite an evening, isn't it?" Harribel was met with two soft sighs and could not hold back her chuckles at their actions. Rukia was the first to break the metaphorical ice and wave broadly at the crowd of upper class citizens and ruggish soldiers.
"This is just a party to sell us off to the highest bidder. Plus, half these men are only focused on us for our money and connection to the capital." Rukia's arms crossed delicately over her chest, her hair flipped over her shoulder with a practiced toss of her head. Harribel smiled at the smallest of her sisters, laying a gentle hand on her elbow as she faced the crowd.
"Be that as it may, you know father only has our best interests at heart. He would never just 'sell' us, as you so eloquently put it." Harribel knew her words struck true when Rukia uncrossed her arms and adopted a defeated posture.
"You're right...as usual."
"Harribel is always right. No need to feel so down." Harribel smiled at her youngest sister, not surprised to see Nelliel's eyes trained on the many bodies milling about the room. Hiding a smirk, the blonde laid an encouraging hand on Nelliel's back and urged her towards the dance floor.
"Go. Socialize. You might actually find someone you like instead of waiting for them to approach." Nelliel gave Harribel a nervous glance before determination filled gray eyes and she was strutting across the floor with her head held high. Harribel chuckled at the line of men that quickly fell into step behind her. "I believe I too shall return to the masses. Will you be joining us?"
At Rukia's negative response, Harribel nodded and walked along the edge of the room. There were very few people lining the walls, but that was fine with her. The lack of bodies allowed her to move without hindrance and she soon found herself standing by the grand staircase near the front of the room. Her eyes were calculating as they roved over those in the room, finally landing on a young man a few feet from her perch.
His face was aimed towards the bulk of the crowd but Harribel could easily distinguish the sharp angle of his nose and jaw- a jaw that was framed by shoulder length, brown curls. Harribel moved closer, freezing as deep gray eyes turned and connected with her own. The air seemed to leave her lungs as something promising gleamed in those eyes, an intelligence that she was startled to see among the company of the evening.
"Good evening." Harribel's chest constricted further as the lilting tone washed over her like a cool breeze. Her hand rose automatically, a strict motion beaten into her head after years of tutelage, and was kissed by the man before her. A fire ignited under the tanned skin, a soft gasp covered by the conversations echoing around the room. Those gray eyes, so overwhelming in their intensity, struck her harder than any ruler to the hand. "You seem unsatisfied."
'Such a strange thing to say to someone you barely know', Harribel pondered. But there was a knowing glint in those enrapturing eyes that trapped her so steadily. Plastering her most winning smile on her lips, Harribel responded as evenly as she could, "I am unaware of what you mean, sir. But it would do you well to remember yourself."
The man's head tilted minutely, a single brown lock escaping the even waves that surrounded his head and falling across his forehead. He smiled teasingly, "I, too, lack satisfaction in my life. You will like me."
"Is that right?" Harribel found herself falling deeper into this confusing conversation. Harribel was lost within the smooth voice and enrapturing eyes, a teasing brown brow tempting her to slide further down the rabbit hole. Smiling coyly, Harribel reminded herself of her position in the Tier family and gave a proper introduction, "My name is Tier Harribel."
"Coyote Starrk." Harribel tried to recall if she knew of any families by the name of Coyote and found herself pleasantly surprised when she could think of none. For one who could talk circles around her in less than two minutes, Harribel was pleasantly surprised at this soldier's brains and cool attitude.
"Where's your family from?" It was only years of upper class functions that allowed Harribel to catch the tightening of the muscles in Starrk's jaw, the hardness that entered his eyes as he smoothed a charming smile onto thin lips.
"That is not important. What is important is what I will accomplish in the coming years." Starrk paused briefly, a teasing grin adding a sudden youthfulness to his appearance, "Just you wait."
And Harribel was captured again: in that smile, those eyes, his voice, and his brains. The eloquence of his words and the direction of his conversation was a welcome reprieve from the tales of extravagance and valor she had been witness to since the start of the ball. And it was with this feeling of camaraderie, this connection she felt within the depths of her heart, that Harribel found herself locked in conversation that bordered on inappropriate for a function as this.
Science and history and english galore, Starrk kept Harribel on her toes more than her former dance instructor. His infectious grins were numerous and left the blonde feeling lighter than she had in hours, and Harribel had the sudden urge to take the man away from the bustle of the party to somewhere more private- where words could be spoken in full confidence and family ties could be forgotten.
And, so ready to escape to a hidden balcony or alcove, Harribel chanced a glance at the ballroom only to pause.
Standing not far from her position, surrounded by a throng of doting soldiers and upper class men, Nelliel was- watching the pair intently. Harribel could see it in her sister's eyes: the adoration and awe, the beginnings of a love gleaming in bright, gray eyes.
"Harribel?" At the call of her name, the blond faced the man at her side with a dazzling smile that left Starrk breathless. Growing bold, Harribel reached out and took the man's large hand in her own- she noted the callouses on his palm and fingers, the rough skin a sure sign of hard work. Harribel pushed her traitorous thoughts away as she began leading Starrk towards a silent Nelliel. "Where are you taking me?"
Harribel swallowed the lump that settled in her throat, "I'm about to change your life."
"Then by all means, lead the way." Harribel wanted to laugh at the flirtatious words, swallowing the action as they neared Nelliel. Upon reaching the green haired woman, Harribel gave Nelliel an encouraging smile.
Nelliel had never smiled as wide as she did at that moment.
"Tier Nelliel. It's a pleasure to meet you." Harribel could feel Starrk's fingers stiffen before she released them. Her own hands were clasped before her elegantly, head tilted down in a form of submission.
"Tier?" Harribel refrained from biting her lip as she raised her head. Starrk's gaze was intense as his eyes bore into hers. Smiling as easily as she could, Harribel forced her tone into something innocent.
"My sister."
"A toast to the groom and bride; from your sister, who is always by your side." Harribel's eyes were firmly trained on the doting pair seated at the head of a long table elevated above the others on a small dais. Starrk's and Nelliel's heads were bent close as they shared secretive smiles and words. Harribel's smile was bittersweet as she recalled just why this function was taking place.
That night, so long ago and yet so vivid in her memory, left her a changed woman. She craved those soft looks and intense conversations, those teasing grins and meaningful touches mixed within the rough look of a seasoned soldier and budding politician. Harribel swallowed heavily as she recalled just why she had to abandon the prospect of a happy life for one that- while not subpar- would be decidedly unsatisfying.
As the oldest daughter of the family, it was up to Harribel to carry the esteem and intelligence of the family, to find a husband that would hold the family name with honor and keep her comfortable for the entirety of her life. It was times like these that Harribel felt a small twinge of jealousy and resentment bud within her heart. Her sisters were able to live comfortably with whomever they loved without any care of the repercussions, but Harribel was expected to find a prosperous man with a bright future and many connections.
Along with this sad reality, Harribel was a Tier. The name carried a great weight in their society and would do any up-and-coming politician wonders to have it backing them. Starrk, whose mind rivalled Harribel's own, was smart enough to realize this and actively search her out. The possibility that Starrk had waited so patiently for her to approach so long ago left a bitter taste in her mouth.
But, family pride and name aside, Harribel knew the main reason for giving up Starrk was far simpler than anyone could ever comprehend.
"I toast to your future prosperity and the hope that life is to your satisfaction."
Two pairs of gray eyes connected with hers at that moment, only the one that shined with unparalleled mirth mattered. Harribel tilted the glass at her beaming sister, sipping the bubbling champagne to wash away the identical gray eyes that looked upon her with longing.
I've had this wallowing away in my docs for so long that it started collecting dust~ v.v it's a little meh but it's something and I am in love with Hamilton if no one figured that out by this fic~~ :D Also you guys know the drill of rate and review~ see you guys next time~~