Confronting Fear

Vipers

We can meet in the middle
Bodies and souls collide
Dance in the moonlight
Where all the stars align
Oh you and I, oh you and I, oh

You and I - PVRIS

A face Rey barely recognized as her own stared back at her from the full length mirror. Her chestnut locks had been softly curled, the very front pieces twisted back from her face and held in place by jeweled hairpins. For the first time ever she wore cosmetics, her skin lightly powdered, cheekbones dusted with gold. Her eyes had been outlined in black pencil, intentionally smudged at the outer corners, the lids brushed with the same gold dust as her cheeks. Her eyelashes had been curled then coated in a black substance called mascara, her lips painted red.

She twisted in front of the mirror, making certain the hologel covered every inch of her exposed back and sides. She adjusted the elaborate gold and jeweled bracelets that covered her forearms from wrist to elbow. They reminded her somewhat of the gauntlets in her training uniform, which was probably the point. Simple golden earrings hung from her lobes in direct contrast to the elaborate filigree necklace flush against her skin with its oval rainbow gem in the center... the necklace worth an entire Mon Calamari cruiser. Rey hesitated to wear it but Leia had convinced her that to refuse would be rude. The Hapans had offered it with no strings attached it was expected she'd wear it tonight.

Also deviating from the outfit she'd received from the First Order tailor were the shoes on her feet. Instead of the sky-high green stilettos a pair of golden kitten-heeled slippers with ribbons twining up her calves to her knees covered her feet. They weren't the most comfortable pieces of footwear but they were much better than the abominations she'd been sent here with.

Matcha, the handmaiden assigned to help the ladies prepare was just finishing up Leia's elaborate crown of braids decorated with spindly blue and white feathers. In contrast to Rey's svelte gown, the General wore a voluminous ballgown with a skirt made up of layers of different shades of deep purple and dark blue accented with gold threads. The star shaped neckline showcased the elaborate gold and purple gemstone necklace that covered her throat and chest, the shoulders and long sleeves covered in navy and purple feathers.

Rey fidgeted with the train of her gown. "I'm still not sure about this," she muttered self-consciously.

"Oh come on, you look great!" gushed Rose. She leaned up and whispered conspiratorially, "Ben is going to love it!"

Rey was certain her face turned as red as Rose's dress, wishing she could have Rose's confidence. The Resistance mechanic glowed as she pranced around in her red velvet dress with its black beading. Her hair was pressed straight, held back with the headband she'd bought in the Naboo market showcasing the black earrings Rey had gifted her. Her dress with its twin slits afforded Rose more movement than Rey's more constricting one.

"It is time, my ladies," Matcha announced to the group as she set a final feather into Leia's hair.

*

The grand hall leading into the ballroom was jam-packed with people awaiting the arrival of Queen Cyrilla. She craned her neck looking for any sign of Ben.

"We match," Rose squealed as she touched the red velvet cravat around Finn's neck, the only splotch of color against his black suit and shirt.

"Yeah, I guess, I guess we do," Finn stuttered.

"Smooth buddy, real smooth," Poe jabbed, looking roguish in black, white, and orange.

Rey's heart caught in her throat as she laid eyes on Ben walking up the stairs. As usual he was dressed head to toe in black yet somehow looked completely different. The velvet tunic was belted at the waist and reached almost to his knees. Simple black and gold threads outlined the cuffs, hem, and neckline. The detached yoke however, had an elaborate pattern of gold and silver knots embroidered over the pointed shoulders. A long black cape split up the middle flowed behind him like two wings. He looked predatory, like a hawk.