This is a bit hurried, but I hope you like it!
I own nothing.
beginning. accusation. restless. snowflake. haze. flame. formal. companion. move. silver. prepared. knowledge. denial. wind. order. thanks. look. summer. transformation. tremble. sunset. mad. thousand. outside. winter. diamond. letters. promise. simple. future.
Silver
Bert shifts uncomfortably in his spot. He's wearing a borrowed suit—the jacket is really one size too big—and he's never been comfortable in any sort of dressy clothing. The ballroom is crowded, more crowded than he remembers it ever being. Then again, it's certainly a special occasion.
He tips an imaginary hat at Orion—a nice enough chap, but he doesn't really have any sort of appreciation for music or art and so the two men rarely get along. Well, especially once Bert had noticed the way the other man had looked at Mary Poppins. Still, they're both too affable to make any sort of drama and they're friendly enough to each other.
A hush falls over the room as the band stops playing and everyone turns their attention to the staircase.
Mary Poppins stands there, her posture perfect as she surveys the crowd. Bert's gaze travels down and he nearly loses his breath while his heart starts to beat faster. She's dressed in a beautiful gown, but dressed almost isn't the right word for it. The material all but floats around her, clinging only down to her slender waist and then flowing away, cascading loosely down around her legs to the floor. The neckline is modest, but daring for the constantly prim Mary Poppins. His eyes trace her bare shoulders and he can just barely make out the shadow of her clavicle. But most surprisingly, the fabric is a stunningly pale, pure silver. It glows in the soft candlelight and Bert can't help but think that she looks more celestial than the constellations in the room. Her hair falls in soft waves and crystals glimmer in her hair. At least he thinks they're crystals, but this is Mary Poppins and they could just as easily be small stars.
"I want to thank you all for coming tonight," she starts, smiling down at the crown. "It delights me to see so many friendly faces. I won't make a speech of any sort, but just know that I am so thankful that each and every one of you is here to celebrate my birthday with me. Now please, let the festivities begin!"
The crowd applauds as she descends the stairs. Maybe it's just Bert's imagination but he thinks she looks around hesitantly when she does, her eyes lighting up when she sees something near him. Perhaps Orion, he thinks with a frown. Mary and the hunter constellation have always been close. Bert watches jealously as Orion approaches her.
He watches him preen and Mary smile politely. His jaw nearly drops when she says a few words to Orion but then politely excuses herself. She grins when she sees Bert.
"Mary, you look… radiant," he says earnestly.
"You look dashing too, Bert," she replies, blushing slightly.
"What did Orion want?"
"A dance," she says frankly. "I agreed, but said that I simply must see you first. You aren't feeling uncomfortable, are you?"
He shakes his head. "No." It's a bit of a lie, but not too big of one. "If you're 'appy, Mary, I'm more'n 'appy."
She leans impulsively and kisses him on the cheek. He blushes, his cheeks turning bright crimson. "Thank you for everything."
She drifts off, fulfilling her role as hostess but Bert simply can't keeps his eyes off of her. The night Mary Poppins wore silver is the night Herbert Alfred knows that he's in love.