Chapter Text
Saria leaned on the stool, the palms of her hands sinking into the pink plush as her friend pulled the ribbons of the fabric back, drawing the bodice tight against her torso. Practically squeezing her ribs together. Saria gritted her teeth at the tightness but did not dare question it. If Clover was nothing else, at least she was efficient.
“I hope you don’t plan on taking this off tonight,” Clover said, tying the pale purple ribbons into a neat bow at the base of Saria’s back. “Or at least not by yourself.” Saria could practically hear the smirk in the female’s teasing voice.
“Please, it’d take more than a trip to a secret city for that.” Saria turned to her friend, huffing out in mock exasperation. Though, she was not sure if that was entirely true herself. She tried to take a deep breath, but the tightness of the dress prevented her from doing so. She rolled her shoulders, the stiff movement reminding her of those biannual Spring dances. The dresses were always a bit suffocating compared to the loose silk slips she normally wore, but usually worth it in the end. She expected this one to be the same. “At least I won’t slouch tonight.” The corners of her mouth slightly lifting was about as good as she could do with her nerves on edge.
“And you look absolutely divine, Sari. I really outdid myself.” Clover’s emerald eyes raked over Saria’s body and then the female let out an excited squeal. “Look!”
Clover led Saria out from behind the dressing partition, and to the tall light blue cheval mirror. Saria barely recognized herself as she stared back at her reflection. Her lips and cheeks were tinted a deep pink, courtesy of the berry concoction Clover whipped up in one of her mother’s mortar and pestle. Nothing overbearing, just enough to accentuate her features. Her brown eyes shone back at her, glowing brightly in the afternoon sun.
Saria’s usual unkempt wild curls were pushed back, half pinned up, with two small loose braids framing her face. Clover insisted on this hairstyle, claiming it would withstand the trip to Velaris best, and it’d be the easiest one to fix if activities became too “strenuous”. Saria lightly slapped the female’s thigh over the comment, but they both fell into a fit of laughter, the kind that kept them giddy throughout the afternoon. Saria noticed that the tiny white pearls weaved throughout the braids absorbed the color of the dress, twinkling like purple orbs in her golden hair.
And the dress…
The dress itself was beautiful. But on her, it was perfect. It wasn’t like a normal Spring ball gown, those of which had endless layers of heavy fabrics. No, the material was light and flowy. Besides the tight bodice, the dress was almost weightless. Saria partially twirled, letting the skirts flow. It looked like parts of the lilac fabric were dusted with a shimmering silver powder that glowed brightly as the light from the setting sun hit it through the open window. Small flowers: lavender, jasmine, and tuberose, were hand-stitched throughout the material. Each one so tiny and intricate, it must have taken the seamstress a lifetime to complete. Something only an act of true, patient love could achieve.
“Where did you find this dress, anyways? It’s stunning.” Her friend’s voice broke through the quiet room. Clover lightly traced the sheer purple sleeves of chiffon that fell from Saria’s shoulders and flowed loosely down her arms, like water over a cliff.
“I found it in one of the spare rooms.”
Days before, her and Clover had ventured out to every seamstress in the Spring Court, had talked extensively with them all and yet, nothing called out to her. Nothing caught her attention. Of course, she had plenty of dresses in her own closet to choose from, but nothing felt right. This night would be special, and she needed a special dress for it. She needed to look beyond perfect for it. Saria refused to fully admit it to herself, but she wanted to look perfect for him.
After rummaging through her and her mother’s closets, completely tearing apart both, she made up her mind to visit the Summer Court. Cresseida had impeccable style, Saria was positive the female would be able to help.
However, as she walked down the hall to the front door, one of the open bedrooms caught her attention. She’d been in every room in this whole damn manor--had spent her childhood playing in each one, creating stories of pure nonsense that somehow ended with every room a complete mess. Realistically, if there were any dresses of merit in any crevice of this house, she would have found them by now. Probably would have destroyed them beyond repair with her child recklessness years ago. But for some reason unbeknownst to her, her legs guided her through the open door.
It was a basic room, just a bed, desk and armoire. No outstanding characteristics to take note of. Her bare feet landed on the soft plush of the white fur rug as she made her way to the armoire. She swung the doors open, only to be met with disappointment. It was empty. Saria narrowed her eyes, huffing out a frustrated breath. She made to close the wooden doors, but something—a shimmer—caught her gaze. She tilted her head, squinting her eyes for a clearer view. Another flash of light. All the way in the back, at the bottom. As if something was trying to get her attention.
Saria reached in; her upper body almost entirely submerged in the armoire. Her fingertips brushed against something soft and smooth. Gauzy fabric, it felt like. She tugged on it, but to no avail. It must have been caught or stuck under something. Saria fumbled blindly with her hands, looking for any more of the fabric. But it was just the one piece, somehow tucked under a piece of smooth wood.
Well, all of it was smooth except for a small indentation. A latch, of sorts.
Saria tugged on it. The surface of wood gave way, opening. The bottom of the armoire served as a hidden cubby, then. How peculiar, she thought. She lifted the material out, sitting on her knees to fully inspect it.
Maybe it was a blessing from the Mother herself, for it was the most beautiful dress she’d ever seen.
Now, she stared back at her reflection. Clover really did outdo herself. Saria marveled at how beautiful she looked, how her hair laid perfectly on her head, not a single strand out of place. She took in how the dress complimented her so well, how it oddly fit perfectly. How a dress in a hidden compartment had caught her attention as if it was begging to be worn. Begging to escape the darkness it had been stuffed into.
———
Nyx arrived shortly later; Clover was already gone. She wanted to stay but claimed she had to get home with the night coming. Even the chance to put a face to the hunky male they’d spent so many days cooing over did not outweigh her mother’s fears and superstitions. Saria waved the girl away, promising to set up a day for them to meet.
She’d been pacing the foyer, the small heels of her shoes clacking on the white marble, echoing through the quiet house. Her mother and father were away on another trip, she didn’t care to remember where, but were expected to return home soon. She debated on a shot of her mother’s amber liquor to help ease her nerves when a gentle knock sounded.
Saria rushed to the front door, but slowed down her steps, not wanting to appear too eager. When she finally reached the massive white door, she placed her shaky hand on the knob. She took a deep breath, filling her head with memories of the past few months. Of them lying in the grass, laughing and smiling. Of the light reflecting from Nyx’s blue eyes, and his wings splayed out wide basking in the sun after a swim. She knew him better than anyone else, and he knew her the same. She found a comfort in him she had not been able to find in anyone else, and tonight would not be any different. If anything, it would solidify what they already had built together. She slowly released her breath, her chest easing a bit for the first time that day.
Saria turned the doorknob and opened the door fully, taking stance right in the middle of the archway. Perfectly in his line of sight, the full moon reflecting on her silhouette like a stone statue in the middle of night's liveliest garden.