Serena's perfume was still on the necklines of her costumes, Bernie couldn't help brushing past them to smell it again. Raf walked past as she did and cleared his throat inquisitively. Bernie spun round, blushing furiously. She felt like she'd been unmasked as a pervert.
'Costumes ok?'
'Yes, fine.' She busied herself by setting out the accessories, pretending that she hadn't seen Raf's knowing smile. The real thing was walking through the door and the first dress was up. Showtime tonight and everyone felt pressured. The hair was next. Serena had such short hair, Bernie thought it best to twist the fringe in simple finger waves in a side parting. It didn't look entirely respectable for a Baroness but considering how angelic she was going to have to make Liberty, Bernie thought it could pass. Taming the hair at the back of the neck into a sleeker look, she was aware of being so close she could taste Serena's perfume. She must have been aware of Bernie's breath on her neck but she gave no sign of it. Bernie focused as she finalised the waves. Just as she was finishing, she noticed a smattering of tiny jagged scars running alongside the back of Serena's shoulders and neck. She faltered in her work, too busy observing it but Serena didn't seem to notice.
Finishing off the makeup, she breathed a sigh of relief at her handiwork. Serena looked up her and smiled as Bernie looked down to the garnet painted lips. When she did raise her eyes, she caught a sparkle from the other woman that made her close off her expression, not wanting to encourage it in herself. She wordlessly watched her slip on the paste jewellery, the fake ruby ring glinting in the light. She felt like her feelings were trapped right there, swirling around in the stone for Serena to unwittingly carry around.
Serena wanted to say something, to feel the same energy she'd felt between them so many times but didn't know what to say. She sensed Bernie's reserve and just thanked her, left the chair for another character.
Bernie felt like a fool.