one by one [mcyt]

I

***
nothing ever lasts forever
everybody wants to rule the world
***

Eleanor Van Ness' soft fingers grazed the parchment envelope that had fallen through the mail slot on her door. The envelope had a dark green wax stamp sealing the flap. Engraved in it was a small yet ominous smiley face.

"Wilbur?" She called out, looking around the bottom floor that she was on. She had no sign of whether he was there or not until she heard familiar strumming from the floor above her. She smiled to herself before skipping up the stairs.

"Everything okay?" He turned around from his desk, setting his guitar down and pushing his glasses up.

"We've got a letter." She shook it, placing a hand on his shoulder and having him scoot over so she could share the rolling chair with him.

"Open it." He excitedly said, looking up at her and almost snatching it out of her hands.

"Alright, be patient." She laughed, sliding her finger under the flap and carefully tearing it open.

Hello friends. Please join me on the night of October 14th to partake in a masquerade- murder mystery game. If you plan to come I will have drivers come and pick you all up at 5 that night. I hope to see you all there, we're in for a treat.

Sincerely,
Dream

"That sounds like fun." Wilbur said, glancing up at Eleanor with a smile.

"We'll figure it out. Easily." She cockily said, waving her hand.

"But where will we get masquerade attire?" He chuckled.

"You act like going to a masquerade ball hasn't been top of my bucket list since I was 9." She walked out of the room and he followed. In their laundry room there was an attic door that Eleanor reached easily, pulling the string and pulling down the ladder.

She rummaged through the small space before arriving back at the top of the entrance. "Catch!" She tossed down a small box before Wilbur easily caught it and set it on the dryer. "And another!"

He caught the slightly bigger box that was a little heavier and also set that one on the dryer.

"Ok I have to lower these." She lowered down a garment bag and Wilbur hung it up on the door. She then passed a big plastic storage box and he sighed and took it, laughing.

"Don't tell me you've got a dress in here." Wilbur helped her down the ladder, even though she didn't need it. She effortlessly folded the ladder back up and shut the door.

"You know me so well." She gave him a pat on the chest before unzipping it. Inside the garment bag was a cream colored dress. The top had sheer sleeves and was off the shoulder, the sleeves extending to a bell sleeve that reached past her hand. The skirt had a train and it had delicate lace and pearl detailing.

"Where the hell did you get that Ellie?" Wilbur laughed, reaching over to touch the fabric.

"I've been saving it. You never know when you'll get invited to a ball." She laughed, walking over to the boxes.

"This one..." She started, prying the lid off. "It has the corset and the petticoat in it." She dug the corset out, holding it up to look at it. The petticoat was pulled out next and she unrolled it, holding it up to her waist.