Gift Giving - Anemone to Ely

[Anemone Sellar]

Anemone didn't get to spend quite as much time with Elyscia Demarais as the other ladies, but she still saw her as a friend, and refused to leave any of her friends out on a holiday. When she got a chance the morning of Yule, before the ball, she snagged the other girl by looping her arm through hers in the hallway. 

"Sorry, you're coming with me! I left all my gifts in my room, but I've gotta make sure you get yours." She was willing to practically drag her if necessary, before insisting that she "Don't move an inch!" and leaving her at the door as she hurried into her room and rummaged for the right things. She returned with a green paper-eucalyptus crown, and a box of macarons, smiling brightly. 

"Happy Yule! I know you said your favorite color was green, so I followed that, but if you don't like it I can always make another! They're really fun."

[Elyscia Demarais]

Elyscia was already dressed and ready to go for the ball. She had been somewhat in charge of the decorations and planning of the event, so she wanted to go check on the progress of everything. She wasn't certain of how long she would be gone, so she had already planned on getting ready.

But suddenly, she was feeling her arm become snagged and looped through another's arm, startled, she let out a small shriek until she saw it was Anemone and she giggled softly. "Oh! Okay!" She grinned and walked with Anemone to her room until she was told to not move an inch. Elyscia stood there outside her room and waited until Anemone returned with the paper-eucalyptus crown and the box of macaroons.

She grinned widely and accepted both. "Oh! It's lovely! I do love green, and of course, I love it!" She immediately put it on her head to wear with her outfit. "How does it look?" She did a little turn to show off her dress and the crown before facing her again. "I have a gift for you, too, but it's back in my room. We can go back there now if you would like? Or meet up later, if you have things to do and get ready for?"

[Anemone Sellar]

Anemone beamed when Elyscia immediately put on the crown, and she actually clapped her hands together in excitement. "It looks lovely, of course! I'm not sure anything could look bad on you, really," she gushed. "And your dress is absolutely gorgeous!" It sounded like platitudes, but by the energy in Anemone's voice, you could see she meant every giddy word. She loved Yule, and she was getting more and more excited with each flower crown she passed on. Everyone looked so lovely, it made all the papercuts worth it.

Ely's shining dress made her look absolutely regal, and Anemone couldn't help a swell of pride as she watched her twirl. Her fiance was going to absolutely lose his heart to this girl, and if he didn't then he didn't have a heart to begin with! She was kind, and gentle, and absolutely lovely--Ely deserved every single happiness.

Her eyes widened when Elyscia said she had a gift for her too, and she nodded right away. She quickly closed the door of her own room and tucked her arm through her friend's again. "Lead the way, oh fairy princess! I will happily tag along."

[Elyscia Demarais]

Elyscia giggled softly at Anemone's excitement. Her head canted to the side as she smiled appreciatively from her compliment. "Oh, you are so sweet! Thank you." She waved her hand dismissively as if her praise wasn't needed. Maybe she was just being nice, but Elyscia could tell that Anemone was almost always genuine, and she loved that about her.

She honestly wasn't sure where her fiancee was, or if he would be returning. They barely knew one another, and she wouldn't blame him for not returning if and when he heard that King Edward was dead. He was the only person who was forcing this marriage (at least to Ely's knowledge, she was not certain if Kaiden's family were pressuring him to marry).

She laughed again as her friend called her a fairy princess. With her arm linked with hers, she led her down the hallway until they reached her room. "Come on in!" She said as she opened the door and held it for her. Once they were inside, Elyscia smiled and looked at Anemone. "And you look beautiful, as well! Who are you trying to impress this evening?" She grinned, teasingly, but also curious. "Anyone in particular?"

She moved over towards her bureau and reached for one of the few boxes she had stacked on there before returning to Anemone and handing her a rather decent sized gift, wrapped with a plain blue paper and a little handmade tag with her name on it. When she opened it, she would find a canvas painting of anemone flowers.  "I painted it for you! I hope you like it!"

[Anemone Sellar]

Anemone turned bright red and scrunched up her cheeks with her hands when Elyscia asked who she was trying to impress. Was it that obvious? "Well...um..." she began through her scrunched up fish lips, hesitating until the door was closed before dropping her hands to clasp behind her back and trail Ely towards the bureau. "There is someone, actually. But...I'm starting to wonder if I'm taking things too seriously. I really like him...but it's all been awfully fast, and there are some, um, circumstances...well, you know. It makes things complicated." She was distracted by the package and stopped to open it, her eyes widening in awe. The painting was lovely, and clearly made just for her--the flowers that were her namesake! Ely had done a beautiful job.

"Ely! It's gorgeous!" she cried, holding the painting up to the light. "You really did this yourself? That's amazing! You're so talented!" She grinned and pulled the painting down so she could look at her friend over the top of it. "You know, I think you might be the only one who knows that my name is a flower! And you might see some anemones somewhere else at the ball..." She bit her lip and looked guiltily at the ceiling. "I may or may not have plans to pin them on my date to the ball, today." She grinned.

"It's a bit bold, I think, but hardly anyone will know...I just thought it would be cute. And...maybe I wouldn't mind if a few people knew he was carrying me near his heart..."

[Elyscia Demarais]

Elyscia couldn't help but grin widely at her friend's reaction to her question. There was someone who had caught her eye and she was very interested in hearing all about it--only, she had no clue Anemone was interested in one of her cousins. At her explanation, Elyscia frowned a little but then shrugged her shoulders. "Perhaps slow down a little, then? If you are feeling it is going too fast. Take your time to get to know him." She knew of Anemone's circumstances and found herself wondering if her friend's feelings were true, or if she was feeling obligated to find someone who would help her raise the child. Of course, Ely would not blame the woman at all.

She smiled at Anemone's reaction to the painting and nodded. "I did," she answered her lightly. Though Elyscia was quite modest about her own work and never considered herself as a talented artist, she appreciated the compliment. "Thank you," she said softly.

When Anemone explained she may or may not be pinning anemone flowers onto her date, Ely laughed softly. "That's adorable! I will have to keep my eye out and discover this mystery man you have yet to tell me his name!" She winked at her playfully.

[Anemone Sellar]

Anemone laughed. "Actually, that's the perfect plan! I mean, we'll likely be together when you spot him, but who knows, maybe the paper anemones will be what gives me away." She winked back. "My super duper top secret mystery love interest! Duh dah-dah daaaaa!" She closed and opened her hands like blinking lights with each word of her new title for Lucian.

"But," she added, a bit more seriously, "I think you're right about taking things slow. After all, it's not as simple as just liking each other, what with...well, with my situation. I think after the ball, if things are still going well, I'm going to have to figure out some way to tell him. It's no use me falling for someone who won't want me, after all, and especially not if Queen Eleesa is trying to find me a discrete match." She sighed. "But, at least I'll have had a nice time the last few weeks, before its too late."

[Elyscia Demarais]

Elyscia laughed at Anemone’s little display regarding her mystery man. She really was adorable and she couldn’t help but smile widely as she regarded her friend, glad to see her look so happy now, despite everything she was going through. Ely hoped that everything would work out for Ane.

Her smile slowly faded as Anemone took her advice on taking things slow and began to reason why that was a good idea. But it wasn’t what Elyscia had meant by her advice. Still, it made sense. When Anemone mentioned it being no use for her to fall for someone who didn’t want her, she parted her lips to say something, but Ane kept speaking. She frowned again and nodded. That’s right- the queen was going to match her with someone, so falling for someone may not be the best idea unless this mystery man was one she could potentially be matched with.

Elyscia sighed along with Anemone and forced a small smile. “I suppose you’re right. Though, first of all… Anyone who wouldn’t want you would be crazy- you are a damn delight.” She smirked and shrugged her shoulders. “Perhaps you could hint to the queen about this mystery man and she could make the arrangement with him, or honor your choice if you do tell this man and he still wishes to--” She cut herself off and smiled, shaking her head. “No- when he still wishes to be with you. Of course, he would want to.”

She moved closer to Anemone and placed a hand on her shoulder. “Keep your chin up, love. It will all work out. It has to. And if it doesn’t seem to be--well, then, maybe I will need to interfere a bit.” She smirked and gently squeezed her shoulder.

[Anemone Sellar]

Anemone couldn't help giggling when Ely told her she was a "damn delight." That was definitely what she meant to be! It was good to hear she was succeeding.

Ely's offer of interfering made her laugh, too, although this one had a bit of tears seeping in around the edges. She was so lucky, so grateful, to have friends like these. So many people were eager to offer her their help and support. All that time she'd felt so helpless and alone; the king had made her into prey to be hunted. But with all these brilliant women (and one very handsome duke) around her, supporting her, she didn't feel that way anymore.

"I certainly hope no interference is needed. But thank you, Ely, truly. It means a lot to me." She leaned her head against Ely's hand on her shoulder, like a little mini hug.

"But! This is no time for me to get all sappy! We've got things to do, a queen to ready, and a dance to attend!"

[Elyscia Demarais]

Elyscia nodded one firm nod after Anemone thanked her, and she smiled softly. “Of course… What are friends for?” She leaned closer and placed a gentle kiss on the top of her head when she leaned into her hand.

When she pulled away and seemed to brush off the sappiness, Elyscia grinned and then laughed. “Yes, yes… Busy busy busy!!” She giggled quietly. “I was actually off to the ballroom before you stopped me… I have some things to tend to and finish up so they are ready for the ball!”

She wasn’t so much one of Eleesa’s ladies as Anemone, Alice and Avalynn were, but she stepped in when she was needed. Mostly, Elyscia got involved with the castle affairs and ensuring that things were organized properly.

“But I shall see you there, and everything will be wonderful!” She smirked and walked with Anemone to the door, opening and holding it for her. “Good luck with all of your own preparations!”