Night Souls

Birthday Cake

At the masquerade ball, Stacey and Nicholas were viewed as fashionable late by the others. They were dressed better than everyone else, except no one can outdo the whole masquerade outfit like Nicholas' parents. Alice was the only odd one out, it was her party and she was the host. She was the only one wearing a short formal dress instead of a long flowing one. 

"Stacey, so glad you made it." Ophelia greeted her with kisses on the cheeks, "You look BEAUTIFUL in that dress." 

She appreciates her compliment, "Ophelia, thank you. It's wonderful, you've got excellent taste in style." 

"Why, I've got great taste in all sorts of things." She humorously flattered herself. 

Bryan came by with a drink in his hand, "You look dashing as ever Stacey, where on Earth did Nicholas find you." 

"Thank you, Bryan but I think it was Toby who got us together." 

"Toby?" Bryan was puzzled by someone named Toby, he had never heard of him. 

"Oh, you must tell the story of how the two of you truly met." Ophelia gushed, "I can't believe my son hasn't told us about it yet." 

"Maybe another time," Nicholas rests his hand on his mother's shoulder, "Have you seen Alice?" 

Bryan fixes his monocle, "You know your sister, she likes to make a grand entrance to these kinds of things." 

"There she is," Ophelia points to the mezzanine where two grand doors were opening, "they grow up so fast." She sobs into her handkerchief. 

Alice was wearing a marvellous mid-length dress, every inch was designed with tiny jewels and sequins. She paired it off with her silk gloves and a statement head accessory. 

"Wow, she looks beautiful." Stacey was stunned by the birthday girl and her pleasant smile. 

"She loves to make an entrance," Bryan shook his head, "here she comes." 

Cameras were clicking, photographers were hired for the party. The guests made way for Alice who was walking towards her family. She was like the princess of the ball.  

"Stacey! Nicholas! I'm so happy you can make it." She hugs both Stacey and her brother. 

"Happy birthday little sister." He kissed her on the cheeks.

"May I have this dance princess?" Bryan bows, a different song had started playing. 

Alice and her dad led the way, slow dancing to the live orchestra playing by the stage set up at the end of the room.  

"Stacey!" 

"Emma! You made it!" She exchanged hugs with Emma, she was wearing a lovely low back dress. 

Everyone was observing the birthday girl dancing, "Son, care to dance with your mother one last time before she leaves?"

"Well, if you say it like that." Nicholas looked at Stacey for approval, he doesn't want to abandon her. She nodded, she shouldn't stop him from having a dance with his mother. 

"Where's Fredrick?" Stacey saw Emma came to her without him. 

"He went to get us drinks." Emma was looking at Stacey up and down, "Wow, nice dress!"

"Thanks! Yours too, I know how much you enjoy these sorts of parties." Stacey giggles, she remembered Emma's fantasy of meeting her prince charming in the setting of a masquerade ball. 

Emma giggles with her, "Yes, and how much Jenni would love to leave. She thinks it's creepy with all these masks everywhere." 

"Sure if it was those scary kinds, speaking of Jenni...where is she?"