and some of you saw this, but terah is the "fairy" godmother. hehehes. shes cool, reminds me of my mom: meddling but nice.
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Terah examined the two gowns, her eye catching no mistakes. "I think they're done," she said, packing them safely into the boxes. Corren groaned, running his fingers through his hair with anxiety, a habit he just couldn't quit.
"Stop that," his nurse replied waspishly. "You'll lose all your hair."
"And I can be coddled by Nanny at the same time I'm supposed to marry?" he said angrily, more frustrated by the situation than her reprimand. "At seventeen I'm supposed to make my life decision?"
"Oh hush, you." The woman bustled about, storing jewel boxes, ribbons, and shoes industriously. "One way or another, you know your father will let you marry her."
"What?" he squeaked, his voice cracking on the highest note. His cheeks flushed.
Terah smiled knowingly. "You do know, and Ella is such a sweet girl." Closing her lips at his glare, she hummed innocently to herself. "Oh, dearie me, I'm late!"
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The day of the ball, Elenia returned laden with boxes. "Well," she said, her voice snide, "I suppose I am prepared for the grand ball." She held out her hand, which contained four small red gemstones set in a clasp and ribbon. "Its only the latest fashion," she explained condecendingly.
Selene kept quiet, for secretly she didn't know what they were for. "I'm so glad for you," she said too sweetly, her voice loaded with syrupy sarcasm. She stirred the potion for the scullery maid's toothache, pouring it into a wooden flask before turning around to smile witheringly at her stepsister.
"Oh, you be quiet, Ella-Cinder," Elenia snapped before running off to try on her gown.
Elesia peeked into the room. "Do you think we shall be dressed in time?" she asked worriedly. "Terah said they would be here at noon..."
The sun was past its zenith by the time the woman arrived, accompanied by a carriage and four maids. "Sorry," she said busily. "There was some kind of problem or another."
The attendants swept in, carrying shimmering silk gowns. Elesia gasped, and only Selene's pride kept her from doing the same. "Oh glory," Elesia whispered. "It's so beautiful..."
Selene swallowed. She had a feeling this was going to be a long process...
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And it was. Four hours later, they were fully garbed in splendid attire.
The bath itself took nearly an hour, for the perfumed soap did not rinse off easily. Six basins of water and three rinses each finally removed the last of the suds.
"Really," Elesia said softly. "I can do it." The maid shook her head firmly and continued combing out her tangled hair.
"It's easier this way," the woman gritted, struggling through the knotted locks with a comb. "Now, put on the gown so i can lace the back shut." Elesia obliged, stepping into the pale blue gown, its capped sleeves and umpire bodice making her look like a princess out of a fairy story.
"Oh, goodness!" Selene exclaimed as her gown's laces were tied. The green silk, exactly matching her eyes, swirled around her ankles heavily for it was embroidered all around with gold thread in the shape of blooming roses. The material was cut in a full, but not burdensome, skirt with tiny winking emeralds set at hem and neck. The sleeves were long, tapering down to her wrists, but began low off her shoulders. "This is glorious," she whispered to Terah.
"Hold still," was her stern reply. She held out a box, filled to the brim with emerald stones and silken green ribbons, almost like Elenia's four but larger. "If you move now, you hair will unweave itself, and then you'll have to deal with me."
Elesia turned around, light blue stones being woven into her auburn braid. "Elenia's going to be angry, isn't she?" the girl asked with a wicked smile.
Selene laughed, trying not to create motion, while the dozens of gems were woven into her long golden braid. "She's going to throw a fit!" she told her stepsister. "Or have heart failure from shock!"
Terah twirled the girl to face the mirror. "Ella, look." The reflection showed a true lady, her shining yellow hair twisted into a single braid that swung near the floor. Graceful poise, elegant dress, and for once her worried eyes filled with some kind of hope. "Corren will think you look beautiful," the woman remarked.
Blushing, Selene bit her lip, shoving all thoughts about her friend out of her mind before she blurted something rash. "Oh," she said blandly. Terah snorted and stood to examine Elesia.
"Silly children," Selene heard her mutter as she trotted away. "Can't see what's right in front of their faces. Making my hair grey, nowday's young folk don't have no sense..."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Well," Terah said as they stood in front of the gate. "Your carriage shall be coming soon, so i better be off."
"Thank you so much!" Selene said warmly, meaning every word. "This is so wonderful!"
"Thank you!" Elesia repeated, her blue eyes as shining as the jewels in her hair.
Terah grinned. "The prince and his cousin Trenel shall be by shortly." She laughed good-naturedly at their blank expressions. "They're your escorts," she explained with a slightly impish smile.
Selene's cheeks flushed, and her eyes glowed brightly at the thought of her Corren. Terah supressed a laugh before hopping into the wagon and waving goodbye.
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