Mercedes gazes upon her reflection in the full length mirror in Blaine's shop. She's wearing her costume and she's overwhelmed by the vision standing before her. This dress has transformed her simple look completely, and instead has left behind a breathtakingly beautiful image. The dress seems as if it was sewn onto her body by angels; the fabric swoops and dives around her bountiful curves allowing her to be appear like gold. Her warm chocolate skin has been smeared entirely in gold glitter, causing the small flecks to subtly bounce the light around her face. The dark eye makeup outlining her almond eye shape, give her a quiet mystery about her entire costume. The sweetheart neckline dips downward deeply flaring out the many ruffles at the bottom; she turns slightly watching them sway.
"I definitely see why your his muse" Blaine says approvingly entering the room. He's dressed in a simple black pants and a white buttoned down shirt with a ruffled collar. "You look incredible."
"Thanks to Kurt" Mercedes smiles slightly.
"Not entirely…he's not wearing the costume is he" Blaine teases. "This design is practically breathing on its own."
"I know!" Kurt squeals entering the room in a flamboyant silver costume covered in sequence. "She is going to be the envy of everyone at the ball."
"Is that where we're going?" Mercedes asks curiously.
"That's where we're starting" Blaine explains putting on his costume jacket. It's sleek and black with lace ruffles around the wrists. He pulls over a black mask that covers across his eyes. He turns and smiles at his reflection before fixing his collar. "Brittania has a friend that's hosting one, but these parties most likely end in the streets of Venice."
"Where all the excitement and romance is!" Kurt grins practically spinning.
"Romance" Mercedes scoffs. Romance is the last thing on her mind…however she does wish that Sam were here to see her.
"You never know dear Mercedes" Blaine smiles. "You might meet someone."
Mercedes smiles politely knowing within her heart that she won't.
They guide her out of the shop towards a patiently waiting carriage. Its a balmy night with a soft breeze that entangles itself in between her bountiful curls. The sky is a deep midnight blue with shimmering wisps of stars elongating across it. Blaine opens the doors before Mercedes climbs in taking the seat furthest in with Kurt sliding in beside her. He grabs her hand excitedly giving her a wide smile settling into the ride.
The ride is short, but for her its seems excruciatingly long. She's entirely anxious about the whole night. When the carriage suddenly stops, her heart speeds up a little more. The two gentlemen get out of the coach leaving her alone for a moment. A hand quietly extends for hers. She takes in a few breaths before accepting the stranger's help. One step, then another, until both feet are planted securely on the ground. She peers up to see the owner of the kind arm who helped her down…she smiles a little when she's sees its Finn.
Finn swallows hard. He's trying his absolute best to remember how to breathe evenly as he gazes upon Mercedes. He's never encountered such a level of complex allurement. Everything about her seems to be ensnaring him within her charms. The gentle curls that sway around the frame of her face. The vibrant glint of life within her dark eyes. The desirable plump of her full and supple lips that he can feel himself want to taste. The slight roundness in her face that adds an innocent tone to her overall features. He can feel his head somewhat tilting trying to comprehend the idea of a woman being so dazzling.
"Mr. Finn?"
Finn looks at her like he's just heard an angel speak for the first time.
"I think we should go in now" she says tucking in a smile.
Finn opens his mouth to say something…anything…but no words come out. Instead a dopey smile and simple shrug of the shoulder are all he can manage to come out with. His arm tucks her in more securely as they walk into the decorated palace that awaits them.
Back On The Evans Plantation...
"Are you absolutely positive you want to do this?"
Sam looks at what he considers to be his private council. They all sit on the floor of the master bedroom, Noah, Flora and May discussing what Sam has already decided.
"I refuse to let anyone else claim this land…and I'll be damned if a Yankee or some idiot Confederate get there hands on my family's legacy" Sam says seriously.
"What about the soldiers?" Flora asks. "They aren't just gonna let you burn this land without a fight. Too many good things come off this place."
"Lock them in the barn and burn it with them inside" May says darkly cradling Beth.
May's been having a very difficult time ever since a few of the Confederate Soldiers staying on the plantation killed her beau Abe. The soldiers were once again trying to get at a few of the girls and when Abe and Heck tried to help, they both got beat pretty badly and only Heck survived. May took it very hard seeing as how she had every intention of marrying Abe when the war was over. Not to mention, because she is so beautiful a few of the higher ranking officers have taken a fancy to her. The upscale gentlemen have offered Sam generous amounts for her, while the lowly scums of the south have placed betting wars on her to see who can get to her first. Noah stays by her side every moment of every day entirely afraid of what could happen if he left her alone, especially with tensions on the plantation being so high. May's sweet and optimistic personality has been replaced by a thirst for revenge...
"We can't do that" Flora sighs.
"Why not?" She answers unfeeling. "I doubt if anyone would miss 'em! They don't do no work! Sit and drink all day before the night comes! And what happens at night? Take their pick of us like they was pickin' out a dog. Doin' whatever they want to us…laughing' and making fun of our screams. Choosing to keep us alive for their fun. At least burning them would show 'em mercy…unlike lil Jody."
"How is she?" Sam asks.
"Still got her on watch…" Flora says grave. "They found her tryin' to poison herself."
"You see!" May says. "They think we don't hear 'em, and all the dirty things they'd like to do to us…but we do…burning them would protect so many more."
"We're not burning them" Noah says final. May pouts entirely disappointed. "I'm not sayin' they don't deserve it, but we don't need any more of a reason for the Army to go lookin' for us after we've left. They'll be pissed enough as it is once we torch the place."
"Fine" May scowls before squeezing Beth closer to her.
Noah looks at her amazed at how she can talk about mass murdering a group of soldiers so calmly.
"So when do we do this?" Flora says.
"In a week" Sam answers. "Tomorrow, I'm sending you three to Paris. Giving you all a head start, I'll catch up with you-"
"Absolutely not" Noah says flat out. "What if you get caught? You'll be put in jail faster than you could even find a port to sail anywhere."
"I have to, its the only way. I'm freeing everyone, section by section. Splitting up what's left of the fortune, and giving it to the workers. If by some chance this place is still here, I'll offer everyone we owned a job and we'll rebuild this again…that all takes time. I can't just up and run away before I make sure the people here will be alright."
"How will you make sure of that?" May asks.
"For starters, I'm giving everyone the family name."
Flora's face shows a range of emotions. "Your mother must be turning over in her grave."
"You all were a part of our family anyway…now its just legal" Sam says honestly. "Besides, how else am I supposed to find everybody again?"
Meanwhile in Italy...
The party had gone well. She had been introduced to various members in high society, listened to the noblemen of the country and laughed with the ladies of the court. Everything about those people seemed uptight and restricted; she was seen as a beautiful commodity. Something of wonder, everyone wanted to possess for their amusement…she entranced them all with her subtle ideas and intelligence, but for Mercedes this was boring. She stands on the wall watching the many people dance in the golden room. Everything is gold. The decorations, the walls, the floor, the statues…everything gold. Mercedes almost blends in perfectly with her surroundings but her warm coloring makes her stand out.
"You're not enjoying yourself" A voice says walking over to her. Its Finn.
"I am though Mr. Finn" she sighs. "Its just all so different from the parties I'm used too."
He extends his arm for hers and she takes it. "Tell me what's so different."
As she explains the differences between this extremely lavish party and the ones she used to help host back on the Evans plantation, Finn gently guides her to the back entrance of the party. A few more steps is the botanical garden with sweet fragrances beckoning them both.
"I'm sorry if I'm rambling" Mercedes says suddenly catching herself. This is the first time in a long time she's been able to talk of home and not want to cry…maybe its because she's not over thinking the subject. She doesn't allow her mind to wander past the current question, which no doubt would lead to a series of thoughts that would cause pain.
"I don't mind Mercedes" Finn says sincerely. "I…I like hearing you talk."
A moment occurs between them, but its so quick Mercedes barely even realizes it happened. Finn swallows and looks down towards his feet.
"Has anyone told you, you look beautiful?"
Mercedes smiles a little thinking of Sam. "Yes" she says slowly.
"Tonight?" Finn tries again and she frowns slightly trying to remember.
"No," she answers. "Not tonight."
"Well you do" Finn says automatically. "You look beautiful."
She gives him a smile. "Thank you."
He breathes out a smile, feeling relieved. That took a lot of courage for him to say that, and he's happy that it went somewhat smoothly. They're interrupted by Arthur.
"This party is a complete waste of our time" he says coming out to join them. "When can we leave?"
"You're not having fun Mr. Abrams?" Mercedes asks slightly amused.
He looks at her like she can't be serious. "Sweet Mercedes, this party isn't even the real reason as to why we're here."
"Its not?" She asks innocently.
Mr. Abrams throws his head back with a laugh. "Of course not! Everyone knows the real fun doesn't start until the party moves to the streets."
"It sounds dangerous," Mercedes hedges.
"It is!" Mr. Abrams says totally captivated. "Dangerous, and exciting! But first, more wine!"
Arthur disappears back into the party, returning shortly with three goblets full of wine.
"To your good health my friend!" Arthur says taking his and toasting it to Finn. "And to your delightful acquaintance" he smiles to Mercedes before taking a large gulp.
The purple wine begins to run down his chin and he wipes it with a grin before leaving them alone.
"Shall we?" Mercedes says curiously picking up a goblet.
Finn looks nervously at the substance. "I don't know Mercedes…I'm…I'm not much of a drinker."
"Please don't let me drink alone" Mercedes pouts. "Its my first real one."
Finn watches Mercedes unsure. Although he didn't know his father well, he knew that he had a serious drinking problem that heavily affected the family. His mother almost lost everything until she remarried, Kurts dad Mr. Hummel. Its because of his father, Finn had never been one to truly explore the pleasures of alcohol. He didn't want to be like his father…he wanted to be a more stable man for his mother than a simple drunkard. However…Mercedes was sincerely asking him to partake in one of her first experiences. He wasn't trying to get her drunk, however he was flattered that she was asking him to share this moment with her. His heart was touched…he couldn't say no.
"Alright" Finn smiles picking up the other cup.
Mercedes smiles. "Great…should we toast to something?"
"Sure…what?"
"Uh….how about-"
"I've got it!"
"Okay" Mercedes says raising her goblet to meet his.
"To…your success as a student and…you're interesting personality-"
Mercedes gives him a look completely unsure if she should be insulted or not.
"Its a compliment, I promise" Finn reassures her.
"Okay…and to our friendship" she says warmly. "May it stay strong in the years to come."
Finn smiles bringing the cup to his lips. He allows the cool liquid to splash his tongue but doesn't take anymore than that. Mercedes on the other hand took a fairly large amount. She swallows hard before making a face of pure disgust.
"Oh my gracious!" She shivers in distaste. "How can people drink that?!"
"You didn't like it?" Finn asks his rhetorical question with a grin.
"Its so bitter! And the smell lied!" She says closing her eyes with a frown.
"The smell lied?"
"Yes! It smelled a little sweet; and the way people go on about it you would think it tasted like pure honey."
"How do you feel?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, you took in a fair amount. You're not used to it, so you may feel a little dizzy or sick even" Finn explains. "Do you feel light?"
"No" Mercedes says trying to take notice of her body. "At least not yet."
"Don't worry, you can trust me….I'll look out for you."
Mercedes looks at him before giving him another smile. "I know you will Finn."
A/N: are you guys still there? i know…its almost been a year (if not over a year) since i've updated, but thank you so much for your patience. this one was really short, but hopefully i'll be able to update again really soon. much love…pce!