Satine [ONGOING]

GABRIELLE (VIII)

Gabrielle stumbled across the field by their church, her senses overwhelmed by the lively music, swirling dancers, and the scent of delicious food wafting through the air: berry pies, warm soup and grilled meat. The Decroz brother's had brought some sort of drink with them, and somehow the young girl had been roped into the group that downed all three bottles of it. Her head was spinning. Clémentine suddenly came up behind her and grabbed onto her arms.
"What is wrong with you, Gabrielle?" She hissed, helping her stay upright as her friend did nothing but giggle at the very centre of the field, practically one with the lamb. She reached her hand out to touch her straight hair, which folded and twisted like the pasta in her soup the other day. Clémentine dodged her blunt hand.

"You, you look funny." She laughed tiredly, reaching her hands out to her again. Clémentine gave her a scolding look. "I look funny? Take a look at yourself."
"What? I'm fine-"
"Let's get you out of here before your parents notice anything." She sighed, dragging her along. Her feet caught on some stones on the way and she stumbled, but her friend was there to catch her each time. The music faded slowly into the background and Gabrielle felt as if the heavy breath of her friend were boring into her soul.
"Can you just stop?"
"Stop what?"
"It's hurting my brain!" She complained and before she could even take another breath Gabrielle's head was dunked into the water of a stone fountain. It's freezing cold temperatures brought blood surging up, causing her face to go red. Constance's rough hand suddenly pulled her head back up from the pool of glacial waters. Gabrielle was bewildered, breathing heavily: she had not even realised she was here. Her untamed curls were suddenly all up in her face.
"Better?" Constance asked, Gabrielle pulled herself down onto the gravel floor, supporting herself with the stone structure behind her. After a few seconds of recollection she nodded. Her head wasn't spinning as much anymore, but her teeth clattered as she was freezing, water was dripping down her collar, making its way into the fabric of her dress. Clémentine crouched down next to her and wrapped her in a thin scarf. It did not help much against the cold, but it was a nice gesture nonetheless.
"What were you thinking!"
"It's nothing-"
"What if your parents had seen you?" Constance quickly retorted. Gabrielle was about to respond when Clémentine grabbed her by the arm.
"Well, they didn't, no need to argue now. They'll notice if we're gone for too long." Constance immediately dropped her accusatory stance. Her cousin was right, Gabrielle nodded slowly, and they slithered back into the party as if nothing had happened, though she was still dripping wet. Everyone was too busy dancing, so they didn't notice. The sun had just set, a light blue hue cast itself across the food stands and church. Despite this slight slip up, the evening could become a pleasant one. Gabrielle noted never to trust those dreaded brothers again. Whatever it was they had given her she could still taste in her throat and it was highly unpleasant.

"Clem, come dance with us, please, please, please!" Constance said, attempting to pull her cousin into the circle of villagers that was shaping itself. Gabrielle immediately joined in. "Yes please, please, please!" It had been years since their friend had been brave enough. The thought of this overwhelming amount of people was scary to her and they both knew it, but they still wished for her to have some fun and not sit around in the corner just taking care of everyone, like she just had. Gabrielle saw her bite her lip and eventually her crossed arms loosened and she sighed deeply."Okay, fine." She gave in, letting them both drag her into the chaos like maniacs.