ɢʀօաȶɦ, աɛ ɢʀօա ȶօɢɛȶɦɛʀ | Enoch O'Connor

Evening Dress

Adrenna offered a small, almost bashful smile. "It's not... as impressive as what you can do," she murmured. "You bring things to life. That's... different."

He snorted. "Sure, if you like having things around that constantly remind you of death," he replied with a wry grin. Enoch glanced at the twins, who seemed to be watching the exchange with a mix of curiosity and suspicion. He couldn't help but notice the way their heads tilted ever so slightly as if silently judging him for the way he kept sneaking glances at Adrenna.

"Anyway," he continued, turning his attention back to her. "What do you say we introduce you to the rest of the house? It's movie time soon, and the loop's about to reset. You don't have to talk to anyone if you don't want to. Just... sit and watch. Besides," he added, his voice dropping into a softer tone, "if things get to be too much, you can always hide back in the shadows."

Adrenna's hesitation was evident. She had always been one to avoid large groups, finding comfort in the darkness where she could be alone, unseen. Yet there was something in Enoch's gaze—an unspoken encouragement that made her reconsider. She glanced at the twin in her lap, who seemed to be listening as she pondered Enoch's offer. Finally, she gave a small nod. "I... I guess I can try."

Before Enoch could say anything else, the twins perked up, their tiny heads snapping towards the door. They jumped off the bed with surprising energy, dashing out of the room in a flurry of excitement. Adrenna blinked, her confusion plain on her face as she watched them disappear down the hall.

"Did... I say something wrong?" she asked, looking back at Enoch.

He shook his head, amused. "No, you didn't. They're just... eager." He raised an eyebrow and smirked knowingly. "If I had to guess, I'd say they've gone to find you something suitable to wear. Probably borrowing from Miss Peregrine's, or perhaps Emma."

Adrenna's eyes widened. "What? But... why?" She glanced down at her dress, which was somewhat worn and frayed at the edges but still functional.

Enoch shrugged, a playful glint in his eye. "The twins like to make a bit of an occasion out of everything. They probably think you need to look the part if you're going to make your first real appearance. Besides," he added, his voice dropping to a murmur, "they're oddly particular about how things should be. You'll get used to it."

The idea of wearing a borrowed dress from Miss Peregrine made Adrenna's stomach flutter nervously, but the twins' obvious excitement left her little room to protest. She sighed, giving Enoch a skeptical look. "I still don't understand them," she admitted.

He chuckled. "You're not the first," he said, his tone light. "But don't worry, you'll pick up on their quirks soon enough. Stick around, and you'll get used to all the oddities here."

For a moment, there was a silence between them, not quite uncomfortable, but filled with something unspoken—like a bridge half-built, waiting to be crossed. Enoch broke the moment by rising to his feet and holding out a hand toward Adrenna.

The tension was cut with rapid knocking on the door and giggles which obviously came from the twins. From the shadow Adrenna and Enoch could tell they had dropped something off at the door before running off somewhere.

"Come on, then," he said, a teasing edge to his voice. "Let's go see what kind of ridiculous dress the twins have dragged up for you."

Adrenna took his hand hesitantly, her fingers cold in his. Enoch guided Adrenna to the door, their hands still clasped together. His touch was steady and firm, a silent reassurance as he reached out with his free hand to open the door.

There, lying neatly on the ground, was a small bundle of folded fabric. Enoch bent to retrieve it, the material soft under his fingers, before closing the door behind them. "Let's see what the twins picked out," he said, steering Adrenna towards his desk. He placed the bundle down and gestured for her to open it.

As she unraveled the fabric, the dress revealed itself in delicate folds. It was a subtle midnight blue, almost black, with a faint shimmer like moonlight reflecting on a calm sea. The bodice was fitted with intricate lace patterns trailing over the neckline and down the sleeves, which were long and sheer, ending in elegant cuffs at her wrists. The skirt flowed softly to the ground, layered and light, moving like a shadow when she shifted. It was simple but striking, blending seamlessly with her natural inclination towards darkness.

Enoch watched her expression carefully. "You don't have to wear it if you're not comfortable," he reassured her, his tone gentler than usual. "No one's going to make you."

Adrenna looked at the dress again, her fingers brushing over the fabric one last time. There was a part of her that recoiled at the idea of standing out, but then again, there was also a flicker of curiosity—of wanting to see if wearing something so different might feel freeing, even if just for a little while. "No, it's... it's nice," she said quietly, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. "I'll wear it."

"Alright, then," Enoch replied, pushing himself off the desk. "I'll leave the room so you can change."

He saw the way her eyes widened, panic flickering across her face at the thought of being alone, even if it was only for a moment. He raised his hands in a calming gesture. "I'll be right outside," he promised, his voice soft. "You just need to knock when you're ready, and I'll come back in."

With that, he stepped out, closing the door gently behind him. He leaned against the wooden frame, folding his arms across his chest. As he waited, his eyes drifted down the hallway where the other children were already scrambling to get ready. The sound of shuffling footsteps and chatter filled the corridor as Miss Peregrine's wards made themselves presentable for the evening's movie.

Emma passed by and shot him a confused look, her brows furrowing. "Enoch, what are you doing out here? Did you get kicked out of your own room?"

He rolled his eyes, ignoring the question and instead glaring at Olive, who peaked her head out of her room at Emma's statement to look across the hallway at Enoch. She caught sight of him and gave him a teasing smile. He muttered something under his breath, shifting his weight as he continued to wait.