Witches and Devils

Ball

Since it appears Michael and I must attend this party as well, I dug through my trunk and found a red dress, as I pull it out and look over it I hear Michael, "see, I told you you'd have a use for that dress."

I turn back to him, "what did you foresee a masquerade ball?"

"No," Michael shakes his head and steps toward me, "but I know how amazing you look in red and in that dress." Michael stops in front of me, "close your eyes and hold out your hands." I chuckle and close my eyes, I feel Michael place something in my hands and when I open them I see a beautiful white and red mask.

I smile up to Michael, "I love it."

"I thought you would."

"Where did you find it?"

"I didn't." Michael shakes his head, "I made it. I made the mask itself out of something I found in the kitchen. And..." Michael puts a similar mask in black to his face, "I made one for myself too."

"Very impressive." I chuckle.

"Well, it wouldn't be fair if you were the only one with domestic skills."

"This is true."

Michael and I get changed, Michael wearing mostly black and me in my red dress and red heels. When we walk in everyone has masks of their own design. Michael walk in, arm in arm and everyone's eyes are on us. Even though this is a masquerade ball, it's easy to tell who everyone is. Timothy has made a crown out of a hanger and his mask is purple lace, probably from one of the outfits he doesn't wear. The Stevens, Dinah and her son Andre, have their attention on the rip apples in a bucket. As Andre reaches for one, Mead slaps his hand away, "no treat until the time comes."

"No one has even seen a piece of fresh fruit in over 18 months. Where did this come from?" Andre shakes his head.

"Perhaps I should drag in one of the horses who rode through hell to give us these sweet little wonders so you can look it in the mouth."

I whisper over to Michael, "so that's how she chooses to distribute the apples."

Michael shakes his head, "something's not right. Don't eat one of those."

Gallant chuckles, "I get it. It's the Garden of Eden, apples from paradise. It's obviously from The Sanctuary."

I chuckle, still whispering to Michael, "think they're cracked the code, Adam?"

"Hard to tell, Eve." Michael whispers back.

"We should say grace." Dinah looks around, "to thank you universe for sending them to us."

Andre sighs, "You are so fucking annoying."

"Enough." Mead shakes her head, "Ms. Venable said everyone will get a chance to bob for apples later."

Mallory clears her throat and we all look up to her, since she is on the balcony, "ladies and gentlemen, may I present Ms. Coco St. Pierre Vanderbilt."

Coco walks in and her hair is a costume in itself. I have to admit Gallant is an amazing stylist. "Can we clap, please?" Gallant begins to clap and everyone joins in, "thank you."

"You did that?" Mead looks over to Gallant.

"Without a blow-dryer Sometimes I even astonish myself.."

I walk over to Gallant and lace an arm through one of his, "think you could work your magic on my hair."

"My dear, I'm surprised you are even asking. Lord knows how your hair holds those curls in this environment. What you can do is tell me where you got that dress."