Red Queen One-Shots

The Housewarming Party

Mare POV

I sigh as I put down the last chest. Finally done. Farley had no qualms about letting us Barrows help her cleaning up the house she and Clara are moving in. While it is a small one, it was still filled with lots of of stuff owned by the former Silver residents. I haven't paid much attention to the contents of the chests and boxes, glad for the physical excertion, but in the corner of my eyes, I see Gisa running over to Farley who's supervising our efforts. She nods as she examines whatever Gisa shows her.

"Now this is interesting," she exclaims, holding up the large and thin envelope.

"Mr. Jacos will know about it. He'll be delighted," Gisa remarks.

Farley frowns. "I don't need Julian Jacos to tell me what those artifacts are," she retorts and pats Gisa's shoulder. "Maybe you've never seen them, but these discs work together with that other gadget, and there's going to be fun." She smiles and strokes Clara's back who's sitting on her lap.

"But what is it?" Gisa inquires.

By now they've noticed me watching their conversation. "Seems like Mare is curious about these, too," says Farley and points to me. "Well, Gisa has found a music-maker. And I'm inclined to try it out this evening."

It takes some time to make the music-maker work, but with some electricity from me and with Cameron's expertise with mechanics, we figure it out. I'm reminded of the speaker Cal has owned back in the Hall of the Sun, but this machine is much more vintage and has been repaired several times, as it seems. The music resonating from it is strange but enticing. It wakes an urge in me, buried deep in my bones and long forgotten. We've had some parties back in the Stilts where we danced to very simple music from self-made instruments and I remember these moments now. We try out several of the discs Gisa has unearthed, with Farley rating them due to her liking until Clara starts crying.

Gisa giggles. "Seems like Clara is the one to truly make decisions here."

Farley tsks and shifts her hold on the baby. "She's just hungry. And she'll love this music tonight." She rises. "But you might finally get up and invite some people. And tell them to bring food." She moves off, then adds after a few seconds. Thank you very much for your help. The party starts at 1900."

I look into the mirror to check my appearance and for a short moment, it feels odd. I've been styled and dressed up so often during my imprisonment that it's difficult to imagine doing this for my own enjoyment. But I don't stop or turn away. Instead I smile at myself.

Don't let Maven take anymore from you.

I flip the curly ends of my hair, glimpse at my earrings, and arrange my shirt and hotpants. I'm Mare Barrow, and tonight, I'll have fun.

The heat of the Piedmontese summer lingers in the air, even at twilight. But it's a pleasant atmosphere, filled with the fragrances of pine woods and the wisterias growing on Farley's house, along with the smells of the food cooking on the grills. I smile at the other guests who have gathered already. Farley winks at me when she sees me but she's engaged in a conversation with some officers. I tag along, my hand tapping on my thigh to the beat of the music. Unsure of what to do, I grab a drink and take some sips, watching the people around me out of habit. Yet I flinch when I feel a hand on my shoulder and my elbow connects with the person standing behind me. I spin to see Cal and I'm glad I can stop myself from throwing my drink in his face out of reflex.

"Ow - oh, Mare, I'm sorry!"

I snort and shake my head. "Hi, Cal." I look up to him and see surprise flashing on his face. He's obviously astounded to see me like this and he flushes silver when he notices my gaze. I bit my lip to keep myself from grinning. He looks handsome as well, clean-shaven and his hair styled in some wild but deliberate way.

With his hand in his pockets, he says, "you're as radiant as a summer's eve tonight, Mare."

I reply with an amused snort. "Thank you. You look nice as well." I take a step closer to him, set my glass on a table, and touch his hips. "And? Are you excited?"

There must have been more alcohol in my drink than I thought. My hips starts to sway to the music and my palms travel up to Cal's waist.

"Do you want to dance, Mare?" he asks. I love it when he says my name. He places one hand on my back while the other one carefully takes my hand.

I nod to him. "Okay." And Cal starts to dance with me as we did so long ago, when he taught me the dances of the SIlver court. I shake my hair as we spin and I feel myself smiling.

This is it.

Yet after several twists, I pull away from him. A question blooms on his face before I bounce against him once more.

"Are those the only dances you know?" I utter. I kiss his cheek and start a dance on my own. "We have some other variations in the Stilts" And I let my body be ruled by the music, moving in whatever way it takes me. It has been a long time since I did this for the last time, almost like in another life, but it is exactly what I want right now. I beam at Cal, who still stands a little stiff, until he begins to imitate me, more or less. He sways in his own freestyle way, both out bodies constantly shifting between touching and tearing apart. There is nothing in the world but him, me and the music. I laugh against his neck and can't stop as we crash into each other once more. This time, I stay there and hug him tightly.

"There's something I wanted to tell you for some time, Mare," Cal whispers raggedly and cups my head in his warm hands. They're hotter than any weather could be. I look up into his burning bronze eyes which are full of rejoice. He takes another breath before he goes on.

"A Happy 18th birthday, Mare. You make an amazing adult."

I bat his chest in surprise, fighting away the memories of how I really spent the day of my last birthday. I force a smile that quickly becomes real.

"Okay, let's pretend," I say and I kiss him passionately, leaning up on my toes. An enjoyable shiver runs over my skin as Cal strokes my lower back and behind.

"Thanks," I whisper between kisses, then I continue to chew on his lips.

A sudden thunder in the sky makes us break apart and we start laughing in a frenzy.

Cal grins at me, then leans down. "Want to go in the mud again?"

As enticing as the thought is, I shake my head. "I find I quite enjoy this party after all."