Newt imagines 2

The Gladers

The pin slipped through my hair like silk. I stood back from the mirror and took a minute to admire myself. I would yet again look like a fool in front of the Queen's ladies in waiting, but in my little worn down room I looked like an empress. The dress was made of fine threaded cotton, woven into navy roses. The corset - the most expensive part of the dress - was white with a very faint green thread down the centre. The only jewels were my necklace, emerald green and the jewellery I prided the most. My engagement ring. Nothing about me was sparkly, delicate, flamboyant because we didn't have the money, no one in the streets of Paris had the money since the war began.
"You look awfully posh." A voice declared behind me. I had to only look at the muddy boots and I was blushing.
Brenda marched into my room without request, searching through the few rooms our apartment contained.
"Anne has invited me to her son's sixth birthday." I said, following Brenda and the trail of mud she was leaving in my house without a care in the world. "What are you doing?"
"I'm looking for Tom." She huffed, hands on her hips.
"In my room?"
"I thought Newt might know where he is." She sighed, giving herself a few checks in the mirror - using my comb to brush her hair, playing with a couple of my powders that I did snatch off her. I didn't mind too much, I did this when I went to her's, but I would rather she asked.
"Newt was sorting out a load of prisoners that escaped from the jail." I told her, grabbing my shawl and the present, before slowly dragging her to the door. Giving myself a mental note to clean the floors later.
The corner of her mouth twitched. "Would he be with them?"
I gave her a nod, pulling my shawl tighter as a cool breeze drifted through the Garison. "Why do you need him so urgently anyway?"
Brenda's cheeks flashed red. "He has something of mine."
I raised an eyebrow as we slowly walked down the stairs and out to Ben who was going to escort me to the Palace - it was too dangerous for me to go alone with all the prisoners running free, apparently four people were dead already. I sighed, it was such a pity and completely the red guards fault as ever.
"Something personal." Brenda explained.
"Like?"
"Like... all my underwear." Brenda's voice noticeably dipping.
I smirked and elbowed her. "He clearly just wants more."
She rolled her eyes. "I'm terrified that he might be wearing them."
I had to cover my mouth to stop the huge laugh erupting from me. "I bet he is!"
"Have you ever had that issue with Newt?" Brenda asked, she sounded tired and frustrated. I knew she was still running her night reading classes, and although my attendance has been poor recently I know the pub basement is still packed to the rim. "Tom never seems to be able to tell the difference between my clothes and his."
I giggled, holding a hand up to Ben and the horses, who were growing impatient. "Not that I know of, but he's probably done something weird like tried them on, I've worn most of his clothes before."
"So it's normal?" Brenda asked. I completely forgot what the beginning of a relationship was like. Newt and I it was this on and off flirting and wanting to touch each other - not sexually - but also the awkwardness of whether it was a alright to do so. At least that's how I found it, Newt always seemed to have a little more confidence than me.
I squeezed her wrist with a smile. "Its completely normal. Tom will work it out one day."
"Then I pray for that day!" Brenda cried as we slowly parted, her heading for the archway and me for the horses.
"Good luck with your party." Brenda called with a wave.
I cheered her goodbye, saddling up and giving my thanks to Ben for being so patient.

***

I was greeted at the palace by a fountain of lords and ladies all piling through the front doors. Red guards stood everywhere, dazing off in the hot day heat. Whilst, as ever, my boys were hard at work trying to capture the escapees. I said goodbye to Ben with a gulp, and braved it up the stairs alone. I found Anne rather easily, standing just inside the large glass ceiling porch to the colossal palace. Her, the king and their now six year old son were welcoming the guests as the entered. The king was applauding the people with the largest presents, and Anne thanked everyone that passed. Their son, was staring up at the birds flying over head, not saying a single word to those who bowed so low to him that their hats touched he floor. I smiled sweetly at the prince, who showed no sign of recognizing me, and gave him a polite curtsy.
"Oh y/n!" Anne beamed, and embraced me with a kiss on the cheek and a hug. "I thought you weren't coming for a moment."
"I would never miss a party, let alone your son's birthday." I assured her, giving the king a curtsy, his eyes watching me wearily. "I brought a present." I said, holding out the small brown paper wrapped gift I had spent weeks trying to find.
"Its awfully small." The king said, looking down his nose at my parcel.
I held back the present, why did size have to be the issue? "It's a traditional gift for the people to give their son's on such a big day." I beamed the prince a smile, he was watching us now, flicking his eyes between me, his parents and the long line of impatient lords and ladies that were beginning to form.
The king didn't seem satisfied, giving a rude snort to my gesture. "Like common street shit." He mumbled, looking further down the line where one lord had a servant toppling over from the tower of gifts he was awkwardly trying to balance.
Anne gave me a sorry smile and gripped my wrist. "They do say the best things come in small packages."
"A stupid wives tale." The king scoffed, folding his arms and tapping his foot.
"Louie!" Anne attempted to scold him, but only got the stare of an arrogant boy back.
I tried to ignore the king as I knelt before the future king, part of me prayed he would be better than his father. "Here you go, your majesty." I gave him the sweetest grin I could. "Happy birthday."
The little boy took the gift, looking dazed up at me. He returned my smile, his mother smoothing her hand through his chair.
"Thank you y/n, that is incredibly kind of you." Anne spoke for her son and husband. "If you go through those doors you'll find the others."
I gave her a smile and went through, pretending not to see the servants picking my present from the prince with two of their fingers. They held it out at arm's length and deposited round the back of the table that was piled to the roof with boxes bigger than me!
I took a glass of wine the servant held out to me as I entered the hall where Anne's ladies in waiting where spending out the time in large, giggly huddles. I took a deep breath, today would be an experience I would probably regret. The sun would set at some point, it had to, and then this would all be behind me. I exhaled and beamed a smile as I tried to join in their pompous conversations.