and when we meet, how will it end?

[alltrixnotrust]

"and why is that?" kingston questioned, a curious smile showing through the mask. "were you wanting a dance, fin?"

[bynightbyfire]

"with you? always." finnick grinned, "though you don't often ask to dance - have i finally caught your eye?"

[spellsandscandals]

"i was asking if you were enjoying yourself," leo smiled and sat down next to the woman. "forgive me, if i am in your space. i know about.... one person in this entire castle." he smiled gently. "would you like a drink, or any food? i would be happy to bring you something."

[bynightbyfire]

"oh!" willow smiled, "yes, i am. i enjoy watching them all dance." she nodded her head towards the small group of people currently dancing some coordinated dance she was sure was taught to her as a child but has long left her mind. "why are you here, then?" she meant it innocently, a genuine question - it seemed odd to attend a ball where you know no one. willow would hate that. "oh, no, i wouldn't inconvenience you so."

[alltrixnotrust]

"nevermind, it's not important." linden dismissed her previous words with a wave of her hand. "is everything alright?" she turned to get a better look at her sister, head cocked to the side and brows furrowed together.

[bynightbyfire]

"what you say is important." willow furrowed her own brows, an even match of her sister's. people did always say they looked alike. "yes. i think. i don't know."

[bynightbyfire]

"here, i've got some dry clothes from the washing room - they might be large, but at least you won't be soaked to the bone anymore."

[bynightbyfire]

"are- are you alright?"

[bynightbyfire]

"i think it's time you put down the champagne, my friend."

[spellsandscandals]

where: the castle's greenhouse with: theo & open!

with the entirety of the castle distracted, theodore had made a break for it. slipping out of sight, he used his power to help him map out the route based on his previous memories of traversing the castle, and there it was. out in the gardens, through glass walls and below a giant glass dome, sat rows upon rows of rare plants and herbs, both with healing and toxic properties. what, had his parents truly thought he’d return to the castle at their command to watch the nobles prance around? no. he had come for this.

the greenhouse felt never ending, with enough plants to stock his entire apothecary ten-fold. anger sank deep in his gut. there were so many plants that would be unused by the healers in the castle. so many would go to waste. would they even notice he’d taken some?

he was on his knees when the glass door opened, caught plant-handed with his satchel nearly full of carefully harvested healing and poisonous plants in glass bottles. some of which no one could get their hands on, for only the castle grew them. he froze and looked up with a raised brow to the person standing before him. it wasn’t a guard, thankfully. but what were they doing here?

“so are we going to promise to never admit to seeing one another in here?” he asked, hopeful that his slightly humorous tone and minor blackmail would prevent him from getting his hand cut off.

[bynightbyfire]

"why?" willow asked the question genuinely. "as long as you weren't stealing," her eyes drifted to his satchel, "we're both perfectly permitted to be here. i think."

[spellsandscandals]

where: the ballroom with: caspian & open "ladies, ladies, one at a time! i do love multiples, but a man only has two hands to dance with." caspian grinned at the flock of ladies surrounding him, dazzling them with his smile and sharp canines. it seemed his mask didn't hide his identity very well when he had such a distinctive smile. he noticed someone appearing at his side, and he raised a brow teasingly. "trying to cut the line?"

[bynightbyfire]

"what line?" even though it was a joke, she said it with all sincerity. willow's eyes scanned the women in the area - they were by all means the opposite of a line. her voice lowered a notch as she leaned in closer, "there are too many people here, cas. i'm tired of dancing."

[spellsandscandals]

where: the grand library, close to the ballroom with: open

it had not taken long for salem to grow tired of being asked to dance, or being flirted with. the rumour his intolerable step-mother had spread about him being on the lookout for a wife to pressure him to marry had been giving even commoners the gall to approach him. he glared at them until they ran away crying, which amused him as it unimpressed the queen. anything he could do to earn her ire was worth it. growing tired of the ball, salem exited with haste and made for the grand library, using his diversion magic to sneak away unseen. or so he had thought. the door cracked open just as he was pouring himself a glass of whiskey. he didn't bother to look up. "i should hope you have a good reason for interrupting," he warned whoever had joined him.

[bynightbyfire]

"is it a crime to enter a library?" finnick raised an eyebrow. he was technically on official business, looking for someone who had run off into the palace without anyone accompanying them, but this was suddenly far more interesting. "if so, i should probably speak with my superiors about what we go over while training."

[bynightbyfire]

"i'm sorry, were you- were you saying something?" willow had been briefly lost in her own head, quite unfortunately - and unintentionally - ignoring everything that had just been said to her.

[alltrixnotrust]

where: the ballroom who: willow

ted wasn't sure if he was ever truly going to get used to these parties. he was quite sure and not in the way of pity, just that of fact, that he would always be an outsider looking in. though, he was positive he wasn't alone in this as the last few social gatherings in witchfell had been open to those not holding nobility.

at the last dance, he had met a lovely woman. but, their time together had been cut short and he had found himself wondering if she was here tonight. he had offered his hand for a dance to nearly a dozen masked brunettes in hopes of finding her again. he didn't give up easily, wouldn't make a very good professional cricket player if he did, he thought to himself as he approached yet another woman he thought could be her. "would you do me the kindness of allowing me this dance?"

@bynightbyfire

[bynightbyfire]

"only if you do me the kindness of being a good dancer." willow chuckled lightly at her own joke, extending her hand for his to take if he so chose. "i believe i know you." she did know the man before her, of course she did, she rarely forgot anyone, but willow's mother always taught her that it is better to play coy than be so obvious with your words.

[spellsandscandals]

@surprxsing

with: mia & finnick where: the ballroom

all of the other debutantes had made their entries through the ballroom to greet the king and queen. most had walked arm and arm with their mothers, and mia felt a heavy weight sitting in her chest at the thought of her mother not being there to comfort her and guide her. those who did not have mothers to walk them down could either choose to have a family member walk them as it was preferred, or they could walk alone. the queen had been insistent on mary walking with either prince, but she could not imagine anyone else being at her side other than her mother. she wondered what would be waiting for her through the ballroom doors. who would be waiting. her anxious mind roamed to a familiar handsome face. it was compulsory for each attendee to be waiting. would he be there, watching her? she fiddled with her gloves and smoothed out the hem of her ballgown. each debutante held a white mask on a wooden stem, easily identifiable but also so that they could don it when the ball was to start. mia's grip on hers nearly broke. how many people would judge her, knowing who and what she was? before she could put much more thought into that, she heard a loud voice announcing her presence. 'introducing princess mia beauchamp, unaccompanied.' there was the sound of mumbles and the sound of the doors creaking on their hinges as they swung open, revealing a straight golden path with the king and queen waiting at the end on their thrones, the other royal members waiting at their sides. with a deep breath, mia held her head high and stepped into the ballroom, walking past the sea of people on each side. she looked around, and as if a magnet drew her gaze to his, she found finnick at the front of the right side, watching her with almost a sparkle in his eyes. she smiled softly, trying to play it off so that it looked like she was smiling to the crowd, but truly it was only for him.

[bynightbyfire]

unaccompanied. the word felt small and a little bit painful. there weren't many women here who had gone unaccompanied, but of course mia was one of them. from his quickly growing understanding of the beauchamps, it unfortunately didn't come as much of a surprise that mia was presenting herself. it was admirable how she walked with such confidence, considering the details.

and gods, she looked gorgeous. prettier even than when he last saw her, as if that were somehow possible. he almost - almost! - grinned when they caught eyes. he noticed her small smile as well, which made it even more difficult for him. he nodded at her as a small hello, then bowed his head to acknowledge her properly, as one should a princess.

right. princess. it was as he was bowing his head finnick remembered the orders he had been given just that morning - his first proper assignment outside of all of his training and preparation. but! he didn't need to worry about that just yet. the official assignment didn't start for another week. for now, he just needed to enjoy the party, and all that came with it.

~

speaking of party, a while later after the event had properly begun, finnick finally saw the princess not too far away. breaking away from the exhilerating conversation he was having with one of his superiors, finnick practically sped to her side, bowing once more. "you look wonderful this evening, m'lady."

[connell-waldrn]

EMILY BADER as Lady Jane Grey in MY LADY JANE: With A Girl Like You (2024)