Fablehaven: Journey to the Eternals' Pass (fanfiction) (HIATUS)

7: Masquerade

The gathering was unlike anything Kendra had ever seen. They hadn't even entered the actual house yet, and already all she could see was a mass of shifting satin, silk, velvet, sequins, silver, gold; headdresses and trains and long, sweeping gowns.

"This is amazing." Jania murmured. She was dressed as a swan-a homage to Swan Lake-while Evan had a sleek grey suit to complement her dress, enhanced only by a wonderfully sharp Phantom of the Opera mask.

Jania and Vanessa-the latter taking delight in it-had put Kendra in a floaty periwinkle blue gown with a train like trailing wings and a wreath for a headdress. She was a fairy, complete with a gilded eye mask. She did look astonishingly fairy-like, but it came at the cost of her comfort.

Vanessa was an effortless knockout in midnight blue, Warren at her side in classic black. The twins, however, had opted to further the allusions among them by coming, accompanied by Canis and Darcy's bow, as the Greek twin archers Apollo and Artemis.

The scene inside the manor was even more grand, with fairies flocking at the windows outside. They chattered away when Kendra passed them, which she took as a positive sign.

"It's even more exuberant than the last time I saw it." Warren remarked. "The Fairbanks have outdone themselves."

"Perhaps a little too much." Vanessa replied dryly, observing an extravagantly lit diamond chandelier that appeared to be newly installed.

"Well, if it isn't Warren Burgess, in the flesh!" A broad-shouldered man roared, rushing forward and clapping Warren on the back. "I haven't seen you in years!"

Warren smiled slightly. "I was otherwise occupied. I take it you weren't at the last meeting."

"No. Secret business." The man's mask obscured half his face, but Kendra was pretty sure he winked at them. He pivoted so he was looking at Vanessa. "I may be mistaken, but this has to be Vanessa Santoro." He frowned. "I heard about the Society."

"She's back with us." Warren assured him. "Oh-Kendra. This is Thomas Pace. He's a runner for the Knights. He and I go way back."

"A runner basically means he's the one who gets things done." Vanessa clarified. 

"Kendra Sorenson?" Thomas looked at her in surprise. "It's nice to finally meet you after all the things I've heard about you."

"What things?"

"All good, don't worry." Thomas smiled. "And-Warren, congratulations on the promotion."

"Promotion?" Kendra asked curiously.

"Thanks for spoiling the surprise, Tom." Warren sighed. "I've been made a Lieutenant. To replace Dougan."

Kendra's face lit up. "Warren, that's great! And you'll be my Lieutenant!"

"Yeah," Warren said sheepishly. "I'll be in charge of all of you, actually. The twins have been assigned to East too, and Jania and Evan have been given quasi-memberships in light of recent developments."

"For convenience's sake...?"

"Well, Alistair and Katherine Long were in East too, but yes, basically."

"Lieutenant, report to your station." Kendra spun around to smile at her grandfather. He was wearing a gold mask à la the Sphinx. 

Warren grinned and saluted jokingly. "Yes, Captain." He signalled for Vanessa and Thomas to follow him. 

Grandpa smiled broadly. "Kendra, you look wonderful."

"Thanks. Jania and Vanessa put me up to it." Kendra craned her neck and saw Tanu and Mara weaving through the crowd, which parted like the Red Sea before the imposing Samoan.