Masked Debut

[Terra Sadler]

If Terra had been nervous before, she was practically in a near panic now. After getting ready with the Lee-Frye women, Terra had put Myra down for a quick nap. Waking her up when it was time for her to get ready, and Terra had taken the time to get the toddler ready herself away from the prying eyes of Ciaran’s family. Myra currently sat on a stool at the vanity. Where her white toped dress, with a deep red tule skirt. She was being remarkably good sitting for Terra as she worked on taming that mound of curls into a small bun on the little girl’s head. Taking some flowered pins and tucking them in next to the bun.

There were a few stray curls loose, framing the outer part of Myra’s face and Terra had to take a moment to see just how adorable her daughter looked all dressed up. Her heart swelled with warmth and love and smiled at the toddler through the mirror. “Alright munchkin, all done.” She told her. Myra looked up and grinned at herself in the mirror, clapping her hands together. “Do you like it?” Terra asked her. “Pwetty!” Myra exclaimed. “Yes, very pretty.” Terra bent and placed a kiss on the top of the child’s head before she scooped her up under her arms and lifted her down.

“We just need one more thing…” She looked around for where she’d put the mask, and had to pick up her dress skirts slightly as she made her way towards the end of the bed. Picking up the white laced mask for Myra and the red one that matched Terra’s dress. Her hands shook slightly with her nerves, and she contemplated faking a sickness so she wouldn’t have to go. Despite the Aoife, Sioban, and Irene’s reassurances everything was fine and she could be anyone she wanted that night, she still felt like an outsider.

She turned to examine herself in the mirror and didn’t recognize herself. Her dress was a deep red that flared at the skirts. The neckline was a deep scoop neck that had made Terra turn nearly as bright red as the dress when the girls put her in it, and at their insistence it was the one, she relented. Her dark hair had been cleaned and brushed, and now hung loosely around her shoulders and back in slight waves, and her makeup had been done in a way to accentuate her dark eyes, and to top it off, she had bright red lips.

Terra thought she looked like an imposter, and yet the girls had called her breath-taking. She should have been in a maid’s uniform helping with serving, but no. Here she was… She glanced towards Myra who was waiting by the door, and Terra knew she was going to have to go through that door and find Ciaran. The only person she was allowing herself to trust that wouldn’t let her drown tonight. Lord, she prayed she didn’t make a fool out of herself or embarrass his family….

With a deep breath, and trying to find her resolve, she walked towards the door, handing Myra her mask before she opened it. “Let’s go find Daddy okay?” She murmured. Calling him for the first time, what he actually was to Myra. Even if the child knew him by his other nickname, Terra hoped the toddler would catch on, and possibly call him both. “Kiki?” Myra toddled out and looked up at her mother with those big brown eyes. “Yes, baby, Kiki.” Terra told her. Myra grinned and waved her mask, as she started to play with it. Terra closed the door behind them and then started the slow walk down the hallway in search of their date.

Myra ran quickly ahead of her, already enjoying the far more spacious room of the castle compared to their little cabin. Terra was slowly coming up behind as Myra came to an intersection and then turned towards a direction. “Kiki!” She exclaimed loudly, starting to hurry forward, and she disappeared from Terra’s line of sight, but from the child’s reaction, she knew she’d found him.

[Eoghann Lee Frye]

For once, Eoghann wasn’t complaining about a ball he had to get dressed up for. Maybe because the family was nearly altogether, or the fact that Unseelie business would be taking place tonight, and he was on guard duty.

The thought was heavy on his mind as he adjusted his tie for the hundredth time in that hallway mirror. Looking like his ever broody self, so his demeanor wasn’t too out of character, “Are you ready yet? Your late.” He called into the open door to his left. With so many Lee Frye’s, their rooms were all relatively in the same area, and none of them had changed. Besides that, with Ciarans new… what did he call her? Were they getting married? Could he call her a sister-in-law? Mistress? Though that was a bit inappropriate and Ciaran would probably knock his lights out for even daring to call her that. Friend? But that didn’t seem as personal. Especially with the fact, the two had a child together. He supposed just calling her by her name was going to have to suffice.

Either way, Eoghann wanted to silently tell his brother he was there for him without outright saying it. Tonight was big in a way, though the masks added mystery. In a way, this was the little family’s first public outing, and he could only imagine how nervous they were. The fact Ciaran was even still breathing was as good a sign as any, that mother just might forgive him. “I swear you’re nearly as bad at getting ready as a girl…” Eoghann muttered, shoving his hands into his pockets as he leaned to the side to see what was taking so long.

Ciaran Lee Frye

[Ciaran Lee Frye]

Ciaran neither liked nor hated such big gatherings such as this. Normally, he could enjoy himself (whether that included causing problems and joining in some shenanigans or not), but tonight was a little different. Tonight he had a little family to show off, and it was kind of an unconventional one at that. Not every son of noble birth willingly flaunted a child out of wedlock. The Lee Frye wouldn't necessarily call Terra his mistress, either, but it was likely how she was going to be perceived, and he was quite aware of how nervous she was over all of this. Still, this was just the first step- everything would be fine. It had to be.

Ciaran rolled his eyes at his older brother. "I'm always late," he stated, as if that gave him a free pass. But was he nervous? Strangely enough, no, not really. He was aware the reputation he had gained at court, and he wasn't looking to change that in any way. He was who he was, and that was that. Those who loved him would continue to do so, and that was all that mattered.

Running fingers through that dark hair that was slicked back for the evening as opposed to being left a curly mess, he regarded Eoghann through the open doorway at hearing his muttered words. "You could have stood to take a few extra moments," he commented, as if saying his brother looked unacceptable.

Rolling his eyes again, he snatched something from his dresser to stick into the pocket of his trousers before exiting his room. It was just in time to see Myra rounding the corner and calling him by that name. It wasn't "father" or "daddy", but she was still possibly too young to understand why he suddenly wasn't just "Kiki".

The smile was immediate as his arms went wide, rushing forward just a couple of steps before he could scoop her up; twirling around a couple of times before cradling her against his chest. "Well, look at you, you look like a princess." Ciaran pressed a quick kiss to her dark curls. "I have something for you." With his free hand, he fished out a small, thin gold bangle from his pocket to hold it out to her; his gaze flickering down the hall for a second, wondering if Terra was nearby. He assumed so, since Myra was just wandering the hallway.

His demeanor seemed to brighten a bit more with his daughter's delighted laugh as tiny fingers reached for the bracelet.

[Terra Sadler]

Myra’s excitement at seeing her Father could be heard from where Terra was approaching. She felt her nerves getting worse by the moment, and she stopped before she rounded that corner. Leaning against it to support herself up while she took steadying breaths and let Ciaran have his moment with their daughter.

“Pwetty!” She heard Myra say and a small smile curled Terra’s lips. That’s right, Myra would be there as well. Resolving any nerves or worries about what other people would say. She could focus on her child and the stares and whispers would cease to exist. She could do this.

Running a hand down over the length of her skirts to smooth out the invisible wrinkles, she took another deep breath and then forced herself to round that corner. Her pace slowing to a slow, almost hesitant walk as she clasped her hands in front of her.

Her eyes immediately went to the sight in front of her, Myra in Ciaran’s arms while she looked at whatever he’d given and her, and her thrusting her mask upon him, clearly not interested in it as she was that little bangle. Terra’s dark eyes flickered up to Ciaran then, and she found herself holding her breath.

The little lord, certainly looked the lordling now. She didn’t know what to think of this cleaned-up version of Ciaran. She’d never really seen it before, but she knew she liked his scruffier version much better. The Lee Frye’s were certainly good-looking people. She thought mentally before she realized they weren’t alone, and there was another man in the hallway behind Ciaran a bit that was making his way towards his side. He was larger, had broad shoulders, and with far shorter hair than Ciaran. He had an almost mischievous air about him, but it was certainly hard to read. His dark eyes had a look of interest in them, before he nodded at her by way of greeting before grinned, and his eyes turned back to Ciaran. He murmured something under his breath to him, before he started to take lazy steps towards her.

“You must be Terra, I’m Eoghann.” He introduced himself, holding out his hand. It clicked in her brain he was one of Ciarans brothers, and she either relaxed or tensed up more. She couldn’t tell. Still, she forced a small smile on her face as she reached out for his hand. “Nice to meet you, Eoghann.” She forced herself to breathe. Eoghann’s large hand took hers and was suddenly turning and before she knew it he was placing a kiss on the back of her knuckles. “Ciaran failed to mention how pretty you were.” He told her, releasing her hand before he shot a wink over at Ciaran. “O-oh um-” Terra felt her face starting to bright red. She held her hand to her chest and Eoghann’s soft chuckle filled the air. “Relax, Have some fun tonight. It’s bound to be one to remember, and Welcome to the family.” Eoghann told her, trying to be reassuring before he side stepped around her, and started to walk down the hallway.

“Better keep both your girls in sight tonight, Brother. Someone is likely to snatch them up.” He called towards Ciaran. Terra didn’t bother to turn to look, her face was already redder then it should have been, and the moment she knew the three of them were alone, she let her eyes fall on Ciaran. “I look silly don’t I? This is going to end in a disaster, maybe you should just take Myra to the party.” She blurted, letting her anxiety get the better of her.

[Eoghann Lee Frye]

Eoghann rolled his eyes at his brother saying he could bother to clean up a bit more. He supposed he was right and that he could have shaved, but that would mean caring. And Eoghann really didn’t care much about anything anymore. Not after Melody. Besides, he had bigger things to worry about tonight that involved a princess and the Unseelie leader.

At the sound of the little girl's voice, Eoghann turned to see his niece. He caught merely a glimpse of her the first time, but now that he could really see her, he realized it was a far cuter version of Ciaran in a tutu. He grinned quietly, watching the two interact before he caught movement and watched who he could only assume as Terra walk around the corner. He did a double-take for a moment, brows arching slightly, but she hadn’t noticed him. Her eyes were on her little family, and for a brief moment, he wondered if Ciaran knew how lucky he was.

She finally noticed him, and he nodded at her, coming up beside Ciaran. “If she looks like a princess, then Mama looks like a Queen.” He said as a devilish grin appeared and he gave his attention to Terra. Unable to help himself as he stirred the pot a bit for Ciaran. What were big brothers for anyways?

He introduced himself and finally welcomed her into the family. Wondering if she knew exactly what kind of Family she was now a part of or what Ciaran had all planned. It felt right, however, just as it had when Sinead and Irene had joined the Lee-Frye ranks.

After warning Ciaran to keep an eye on his girls, he made himself scarce, as he went to prep for Oberons arrival.

[exit eoghann]

[Ciaran Lee Frye]

"Yeah, you like it?" he asked his daughter as he managed to tuck the girl's mask into his pocket when she clearly didn't want it. Then, he momentarily struggled to get the bangle around her tiny wrist, making sure it was secure so she couldn't get it off or lose it.

His brother was at his side then, whispering something that he almost ignored, however, movement ahead made him pay a bit more attention and lift his gaze up. Approaching from down the hall was Terra, looking in such a way he had never seen her before. He was stunned, in all honesty, and was blatantly staring; hardly moving except to swat at Eoghann's arm for his comment. Even still, his eyes never wavered from the woman, which might just make her even more nervous.

'Better keep both your girls in sigh tonight, brother...'

"Uh huh..." he simply murmured, barely registering that Eoghann walked away. Terra would find that he was still watching her when her attention turned back to him, asking that ridiculous question. Silly? "Not at all," he finally managed to speak, although it was more in a surprised whisper.

Ciaran stepped forward, setting Myra down although he still held onto her hand. With his free one, though, he gently grasped Terra's chin; his thumb brushing right beneath her bottom lip. He was trying to find the words to speak, but instead found himself leaning forward to claim her mouth instead, happy to be lost in whatever trance she had suddenly put him in.