Redfork Menace

A Golden Net

{Hiiiiiii. I decided to skip the other questioning scene mostly bc I just didn't wanna write it. I might do a flashback to it later but who knows. Anyway!! I hope we all have a homie like Martyn who will forgive our crimes no questions asked.}

Shanda was oddly excited given the circumstances, Benjicot had, as he promised, ripped her to shreds during questioning. It was embarrassing to even think about it. She had never been very good at hiding her emotions, displaying them on her face clear as day. He had known that and used it to a harrowing degree. It was lucky she had Martyn to back her up or it would've been even worse. Her brother was another can of worms she still had to deal with. But none of this was why she was spinning around her room, excited.

After the disaster of questioning, Lord Elmo had made an announcement.

"Alright you mangy cunts, before I break your hearts and shatter your dreams, I have a proposal. And no, it is not voluntary. You will show up."

Grumbles went up at that but he had only shot a look that communicated death on protest into the crowd before continuing.

"We're going to have a dance tonight. That's right, a proper ball! Now, when was the last time we were all together like this? This is an opportunity for you all to start fresh and build some new relationships. You will behave or I promise a little dance with a pretty girl will be the least of your worries."

The room was buzzing with whispers before he even finished and Shanda had missed whatever he said after that. As she had already made her way through the crowd to her brother.

"I believe we'll have a chance to sneak out before it ends to truly talk. I swear, I'll tell you everything."

To his credit, Martyn hadn't been upset at all. Just nodded before he melted into the crowd, losing her and any prying eyes. It was just as well he did as Alysanne found her right after.

"Come on, let's find something for you to wear."

Shanda had decided to forgive Alysanne as she hadn't testified against her. Not that the testimony wouldn't really contribute one way or the other in the end. It was the thought that mattered. So she let her lead the way.

"How do you know these halls so well?" She asked after the third winding corridor they had turned down.

"Go to enough of these trials and you get bored. Elmo's like a grumpy uncle, doesn't mind me poking around a few places. Given I do my part to sway the idiots at home when sentencing rolls around."

"Are you ever successful?"

Alysanne laughed, grabbing her arm. "Sometimes. Mostly no, but I do try my best."

Shanda nodded, that was as she figured. At last they came to a door that looked the same as any other but when Alysanne pulled it open, it appeared to be a clothes storage room.

"How strange. Why do they have this?" She asked, looking in at all the various pieces.

"Hand me downs. Elmo says they've got generations of Tully ancestors' clothes in here. Which is why he doesn't mind that we borrow some. Now let's look."

Shanda had not looked long when she came across the dress she wanted. It was made so that two pieces joined together over one another. The sleeves were a part of the undergown and blue, so dark it was nearly black. The overgown of the dress was an intricate gold design with calla lilies stitched on in white. It took her breath away. She hadn't even bothered to see what Alysanne was getting, just grabbed the dress and left.

That led her to where she was now, happily spinning around her room in the beautiful gown. It would be nice to have a single night where she didn't have to worry about anything. She could just dance and eat, then sneak away to beg her brother's pardon for lacking the good sense the gods gave her. She thought it was ambitious of Lord Elmo to think they could pull this off without any quarreling. But perhaps everyone could behave for just one night.