❤Hearts of Pandore❤ (Part 1): The Crossing

Rayne and Lynnie; Decadence

"You have to be kidding me," Rayne stared at the majestic resin wood doors in front of her. An expression of someone being sentenced to die was etched on her face. She tossed her head back and forth in adamant disapproval. Her long blonde hair swung with each shake of her head.

"I am not setting a foot in that room," she crossed her arms stubbornly. Her eyes bored into the timid servant's, they flashed a sparkling sage in the strong sunlight.

"U-um. B-but P-princess," the servant stuttered, wringing her hands on her white cotton apron, "Y-you Father i-instructed m-me t-to t-tell y-you--" I placed a hand on her shoulder, calming the poor girl.

"Tiarae, please head towards the Ballroom and tell Father we will be arriving soon."

She bobbed her head in obedience. "Yes, Princess." She turned quickly and exited the room, closing the doors with a faint click.

I turned to face Rayne, her arms still crossed and stony expression on her face.

"Rayne, please," I started.

"Lynnie, not even you can make me get into that wardrobe. You know I hate wearing these dresses." She pointed a rigid finger at the nearest dress adorned with pink frills and crème colored laces.

"I know. I know," I sighed resignedly. "How about just for an hour? We can escape after that."

She scrunched up her nose, weighing her options.

"I'll even throw this in," I proffered a triple layer dark chocolate Decadence cake slice. It was situated neatly on a doily, the porcelain plate balancing on the palm of my hand. The aroma of melting chocolate rolled off the desert and floated like a tempting aroma through the room. Her eyes seemed to reflect the color of the dripping syrup as she gazed on her weakness.

"Is that...?" she trailed off uncertainly.

"Imported from Francena. Nothing but the finest ingredients." Then I smiled, a diabolical plan forming in my mind. As her hand extended to grab the delicacy, I turned swiftly.

"I was planning to serve it at the party... But if you aren't attending, I guess I'll just have to give it to Lorien." I sighed dramatically before calling, "Lo--!"

Her slender hands closed over my mouth,

"Fine! Fine! I'll come. Just don't expect me to like it," she threw open the doors and rummaged through the wardrobe.

I smiled. Ahh, the genius of triple layered Decadence cakes.

I moved towards the opposite side of the room. Winding my way through the antique furniture and gifts from relatives, sliding across the light hued carpet. I made my way to my favorite seat. In front of me was a four panel window, the two center panels were open wide, letting the clean spring air waft through the room. The crystalline glass reflected the light, sending a rainbow cascading across the room. Leaning my head out, I felt the breeze whirl through my hair. I could already smell the dew on the daisies, feel like bright rays of fun fall lightly on my face. Summer was on the way, bringing with it celebrations.

Tiarae knocked on the door, her fists rapping against the wood, creating a resonating sound.

"Yes?" I opened the door, my head tilted to the side.

"Princess Braelyn, your Father wishes you to be ready by the half hour." I waved my hand impatiently, "Yes, yes. We will be done by then."

I turned to the full length mirror. My amber hair was pulled up into a messy bun, tendrils of curled hair cascaded down the side of my face, my bangs swept to the side. I fidgeted around in my Trixxi dress. One sleeve clung to my shoulder, the frayed ends dancing in the breeze, the fabric cut across my collar bone to hang halfway down my shoulder. It was a pale periwinkle, the shimmering with a glossy azure, as volatile as the sky.