Every Step

Chapter 2

"Oh, you look absolutely beautiful. Black really is your color. And the lace corset and skirt? I never knew you could pull off a ballgown so well!"

"Thank you, Gwendolyn. Not my regular spying attire, is it?" Rose turned around to face the mirror that Gwendolyn had set up. Her long bright blonde hair was a stark contrast to the black dress. Gwendolyn had helped her pull her hair up into a french braid and added some silver rose pins to her hair as well "Again, thank you for letting me set up at your apartment. It's just that you live in a nicer neighborhood and a carriage would not be out of place here."

"Of course! I'm a little jealous you know. You get all the best assignments. A mascarade ball to gain information on the general! I just get to run from one print house to another, delivering papers."

"Hey, don't think like that. The information you carry is extremely important. And anyway, you have a much better relationship with the other groups then I do."

"Yeah, I guess you're right. Anyway, what's your plan for the night? Torture, con, seduction?" Gwendolyn laughed at the last suggestion and Rose completely understood why. While Rose could be charming when need be, using seduction as a way of gaining information was never her strong suit. "You know, I could give you a few pointers if you want? We could go out sometime and try to get some people's attention. It would be fun to have a girl's night out."

"Gwendolyn, you know we don't have time for that. There is going to be a war soon. We are literally the ones planning for a revolution."

"Yes I understand," Gwendolyn sighed. "I guess sometimes I like to imagine our lives could be normal again." She flopped back onto the bed with a sigh. "You know," she interjected, "That dress is really nice, but you are missing something."

"What?"

"A mask of course! It's a masquerade ball. You have to wear a mask."

"I was thinking of using a simple one made out of cloth."

"Oh no no. Not with that dress, and not for this ball. Don't worry though. I have something that would be perfect for you."

"Really Gwendolyn. You don't need to do anything, you've already helped me enough." Rose replied as Gwendolyn pulled out a black lace mask in the shape of a butterfly. It covered most of Rose's face and matched the lace in the dress beautifully.

"Nonsense. If we're lucky, this will be the last masquerade ball this city will see for a while."

"Yeah. There are pro and cons of trying to create a revolution. And one is that you never know what each step will mean for the rest of history."

"And we've just have to keep doing the best we can," Gwendolyn sighed "Promise me you will have a little fun tonight though. Talk to people, laugh a bit, even if it is all for show."

"I can't promise anything. But I will try to get any information I can from the evening."

"Well, that is more than we could ever hope for. I think the carriage is outside now. Would you like me to walk you down?"

"Yes, thank you, Gwendolyn."