It shouldn't be so hard to find an archer or a fox in a large sea of popular halloween costumes and formal dresses, Tilly thought. She hadn't considered being clueless on where or when Margot would be inside the venue. It didn't help that she couldn't walk onto the stage or scale the tapestry for a viewing advantage like she usually would have outside. What would the people say? Then, she'd be kicked out without getting the chance to see Margot's disguise or have a dance with her.
Tilly blushed at the thought, fumbling with the hem from a short tiered layer of her dress, the soothing sensation in the grooves of the lace and silky smooth black ribbon giving her an anchor point of comfort. Although she was used to darting in and around people, it was different being surrounded by groups making small talk or dancing. Tilly almost wished she had an assignment from Weaver in order to sort what to keep an ear or eye out for. Overstimulation from music playing, glasses clinking, and people talking about things she couldn't relate to made her heart palpitate, the air harder to breathe.
While she fit in with the Halloween masque, wearing a multi patterned patchwork collage ballgown of baby blue and white, identity hidden with a paper mache bunny mask accented with a monocle and clock gears, Tilly felt out of place. Maybe it had been a mistake coming to the masquerade. A stifling environment of peers wearing literal and metaphorical masks made her feel trapped, small and hunted, as if they were ready to pounce on her once they discovered she wasn't like them. Tilly scanned desperately for somewhere to be away from prying eyes and noisy chatter. Lost and full of frantic energy, her mind scrambled for her to run.
Before Tilly knew it, her feet had carried her away, sequestering her to a curtained window area nearby a table of food and drinks, not yet touched in the early hours of the event. She took in steadying breaths, clutching the edge of the clothed table before her eye caught the evening sky from the tall arched window. Something about the dark indigo landscape with stars sprinkled across it always managed to take her worries away. The half moon seemed to wink at her, alluding to her luck going either way on the Hallows' Eve. It was easier to see them further removed from the vicinity of the city. Nerves and fears were temporary, but the twinkling lights were forever, the stars seemed to say.
"Alice?" a hesitant feminine voice from a cloaked figure called out upon approaching.
Tilly jumped, startled from her newfound ease away from partygoers. She turned around quickly, her blonde curls twirling across her shoulders. Tilly's widened sapphires met a pair of emeralds disguised by an orange fox mask.
"Argh, sorry. Didn't mean to scare you," the familiar sounding stranger replied, rubbing the back of her head with a gloved hand. "I can't believe we didn't discuss a meeting point."
"It's okay," Tilly replied, a shy and small smile on her lips. "We found each other, didn't we?"
"Indeed, milady." Margot tipped her green archer's cap, the red feather fluffing up, brandishing a proud grin as she greeted Tilly with a princely bow.
"How did you find me? I couldn't picture you apart from the crowd of colors," Tilly said, dejection faintly seeping out of her words.
"Well, you're kind of hard to miss. Who else would wear a ball gown based on my favorite book? Really dig the asymmetrical ruffles by the way."
"Thanks. Courtesy of my leftover scrap bin," Tilly chimed in, curtseying in return for fun. "That's quite the foresty coat you've got on. How'd you come up with it?"
"Luck of the draw, I guess. Went out thrifting for brown waistcoats and capes only to come back with a green tux calling my name. Looked at Pinterest for a bit to get some ideas. Then, I sewed a super thick maxi skirt to the bottom to make it look like a medieval tailcoat." She looked down at her outfit, her pride turning into nervousness. "Do you think it looks okay?"
The Wonderland heroine nodded, comprehending half of the things Margot mentioned. "Absolutely stunning," she replied, beaming.
Margot was decked out in a dark green makeshift Victorian style tailcoat, layered over a long sleeved linen blouse, including a red feathered and green felt angular cap to match. Her black leggings and tall brown boots helped her appear taller. A side swept french braid replaced Margot's usually loose braid. Attached to her belt loop was a mini bow and tiny pouch of cocktail umbrellas repurposed to look like small arrows. Adorning her face was a simple orange and white mask resembling a fox.
Margot cleared her throat, her cheeks growing warm. She was glad the dim lighting and animal mask hid the tinge on her face.
"Speaking of which, it's one thing to dress up as each other's book character, but you haven't kept your end of the bargain." Margot narrowed her eyes, suspicious of how Tilly hadn't said her name yet. "Don't tell me you forgot."
Where was the Halloween fun without having someone acknowledge who or what you were dressed up as? The evening could only be made embarrassing if Tilly didn't really read Robin Hood or see the cartoon movie they briefly mentioned prior.
"Of course not," Tilly replied, remembering Margot's suggestion of cosplay. "Let me guess. You're dressed up as Nobin?" she asked, sporting a mischievous grin, feeling playful outside the reaches of low spirits and high alert.
"Not cool," Margot said, rolling her eyes.
Although ''Targo'' stemmed from a cute misunderstanding, she didn't want to earn another one for her mom to tease her about. A lot passed through the grapevine when working in a bar.
"Why would you want to be cool?" Tilly asked rhetorically, one eyebrow raised as she shrugged. "The way I see it, Nobin, does anything matter if we're all playing a game of pretend?"
"Really leaning into the riddles with the costume, aren't you?"
Margot received a smug look in reply as Tilly looked off to the side, acting innocent. Book Alice was indeed more annoying than the Disney adaptation made her out to be. And if it came down to competitiveness on who could stay in character the longest, Margot was certain two could play at that game.
"I guess you won't mind if I steal you away to the dance floor then!" Margot proclaimed, grabbing Tilly's hand.
"Wha-?" Tilly exclaimed, getting dragged away towards the music and an elevated tile floor.
As they got to the center, the other party guests moved out of the way from their mad dash, whispering in hushed tones in awe and confusion at them. Whether it was the fact that they were two gals wearing elaborate costumes or dancing together, Tilly didn't know and Margot didn't care. Regardless, they were all wearing masks and ready for a good night out.
"Alright folks! How about a change of pace? Let's dim down the lights. Grab a partner and we'll start the slow dancing some of you came dressed for," the DJ announced, switching from the pop track to cuing on the live band to play some violin and piano, starting a classical tune.
"Mar- Robin, I haven't danced with someone since I was little," Tilly confessed, eyes watering in fear. "I'm a bit rusty. What if I mess it up and they all stare at us?" She took nervous glances over Margot's shoulders at people around them.
"Let them stare then." Margot replied, caressing Tilly's cheek and directing her away from the crowd. "All you have to do is keep your eyes on mine."
Tilly smiled, sniffling. "I'm sure you say that to all the ladies."
Margot shook her head, flirting back, "You'd be the first."
Tilly's worry dissipated as her eyes melted into Margot's gentle evergreen gaze. She took a deep breath, focusing on calming her trembling hands. Margot led Tilly's other hand to her shoulder as she lowered hers onto Tilly's waist respectively. Tilly started counting out the beats, eyebrows crinkling in confusion.
"Don't worry about the timing, I'll lead. Besides, I've had some practice," Margot reassured her. "You would not believe how much Roni fussed over my waltzing when she heard I was going."
"I can imagine." Tilly chuckled, wondering if her partner had two left feet prior.
"Back, step. Forward, step. See, you've got it," Margot encouraged as they got to dancing.
"Like riding a bike. Must be because I have a beautiful teacher."
Margot blushed. They continued waltzing, Tilly twirling counterclockwise as Margot held her hand above their heads, spinning it clockwise. Tilly's ball gown showed its hidden layers in full as the motion flourished her petticoat into a fluffy cloud. As the music swelled to a crescendo, Margot pulled her back and close, the shorter blonde cuddling in the warmth of the archer's embrace. They swayed to the music until it faded and people started bowing to each other. Everyone clapped and caught their breath until the next song started.
"Follow me outside?" Tilly asked.
The archer raised an eyebrow. "What have you got in mind?"
"I could tell you, but I'd rather show you." Her eyes glistened with delight.
Outside of the venue was another bar of food, multiple hedges taller than them, and a wooden gazebo.
"You cannot be serious! How'd you even do that in a dress? Get down before we get in trouble," Margot whisper ushered to Tilly despite watching her dance partner climb up the tree.
"Oh come on! Where's your adventurous spirit? Put one foot on the bench, the other on that branch, and Bob's your uncle."
Margot groaned. She had gone kayaking, tried skiing at Mt. Hood, and recently an ayahuasca ceremony in Iquitos. Nothing could faze her. Still, she would have drawn the line at climbing a tree on a private property at a public event if not for Tilly's disarming and rambunctious energy tempting her to. Even though she couldn't remember when she'd last climbed a tree, Margot surprised herself with her ease of ascent, finally sitting next to Tilly.
"I made it," Margot said with a pant, trying not to look down. "What was so important that we had to be up here?"
"Couldn't be sure until I was above the hedges, but look!"
Tilly pointed across the square and out towards the buildings. The breeze cooled down the heat they had from dancing. The scatter of street lights and neon signs in the dark cascaded the sidewalks and buildings with colorful laughter and soft hues. Random trick or treaters scuttled on the streets, plastic pumpkin candy pails standing out from the muted bricks and concrete. Some kids ran away from the lawn of one house, a supposed scarer dressed as the Headless Horseman lunging out of them any time they took candy from his pumpkin candy bowl head, causing Margot to laugh.
"You can see the Space Needle from here. Never been on a plane, but wouldn't you think you were flying?"
"Oh yeah, huh," Margot replied, amused to see the scenery and her partner lit up.
"That's what I love about being high up. Everything's in the palm of your hands. Heck, light pollution is a bore, but from up here, the Heights are twinkling bright." Tilly turned to face Margot. "But you know what I've noticed recently that makes me prefer having my feet on the ground?"
"What's that?"
"Some things, good ones, are worth sticking around for." Her face got warm as she smiled.
"I think so too," Margot reciprocated, smiling. Her eyes moved from looking into cerulean to staring down at lips. With a gloved hand, she cradled the back side of Tilly's head. "May I kiss you?" she asked, shyly, but absolutely smitten.
"You may," Tilly replied with a giggle, grabbing onto Margot's free hand.
Margot initiated by drawing Tilly close, both their eyes closing as the archer pulled the realm hopper into the hesitant and tender kiss. Tilly embraced the alluring experience by blindly running her hand across the intricate weaving of Margot's braid, unraveling some dirty blonde tresses. Their bodies melded together as leaves rustled, the sound of party attendees fading from attention, as if they were the sole inhabitants of the world. Tart strawberry lip gloss mixed with the tang of sweet orange marmalade. As if the kiss tied them together, Margot felt sparks fly and Tilly imagined stars being born from their love.
When their masks lightly collided against each other, the lovers separated, muttering quick apologies and laughing.
"Are you okay?" Margot wiped the tears of laughter from her eyes.
"Never better," Tilly replied, still amused. "Wouldn't have won a bet on you being so romantic."
"What's that supposed to mean? You wound me," she replied, acting as if she was stabbed.
Margot hadn't expected to kiss the girl tonight either, but her heart felt like she couldn't live without doing so. She mulled over leaving the cozy bubble for the energetic crowd.
"So, do you want to go back down or stay here until the party's over?"
"Mm mm, let's return and dance. It's not every day you get to go to a masquerade with someone you like."
"Alright," Margot concurred, overjoyed by Tilly's implied crush being mutual.