Get ready Cinderella, your Fairy God-Sisters are here

[Irene Lee Frye]

It had all come as a shock, (though not really) to hear the news that there was new little Lee Frye at Lasairdubh. Belonging to Ciaran Lee Frye. What came as the surprise was the fact he’d hidden his daughter and her mother away for two years and had managed to keep it a secret from Catriona for so long. But now that she knew? And the the rest of the family had learned the news, Terra and Myra were being enveloped into the fold.

Given the fact, Irene and Sinead Lee Frye had both been in her shoes once, (though neither of them had been pregnant out of wedlock first, and they’d been of noble birth) they knew were Terra was coming from, and wanted to make her feel welcome. For her to realize that she didn’t have to take care of Myra alone anymore, and they were there to support her. By way of extending an olive branch, Irene had practically dragged the woman to a room she’d set up for her, Sinead, and Aoife to get ready in. The women were practically sisters to Irene, and the fact she was gaining another? And a niece? The woman was more than happy to do this for her.

She’d of course told Sinead and Aoife her plan. It had been too long since the three of them had all been together anyways. They were all strong women in their own right, and Irene wanted to keep that sister-ship kindled. After a very nearly exhausting tantrum from E.J about having to part with her, and his brother who felt the need to get into anything that might get him dirty, Irene had handed her children over to her husband while providing them their attire for the night. She loved Niall dearly, but he did not know the difference between burgundy and carmine, or cadmium yellow and gold. It was just better if she dressed all her boys.

By the time she returned the tea and wine had been prepared and now that all mattered was for Aoife Lee Frye and Sinead to show up. With no girls of her own, she was looking rather forward to the girls not only dressing Terra, but their new little niece as well.

[Terra Sadler]

To say Terra was terrified was an understatement. Her life had quite literally been turned upside down in the matter of a day. No longer in Greyshallow alone with Myra, where none of the Lee Frye’s knew about her daughter's existence. Now, she was in Ciaran’s family home where everyone knew. Terra was far different then the last time she’d been at Lasairdubh, for one thing she wasn’t a servant. Now she was the mother of the bastard child of Ciaran Lee Frye, and she was terrified to do anything that might be frowned upon. Her saving grace was Myra, as she could tend to her own daughter. Easing some of her anxiety at being back, but also so she could keep her in her sights at all times.

She felt like a fish out of water among all the Lee Frye’s that had gathered for the ball that was to be throne that evening. She was a bit grateful however, when Ciaran’s sister in-law had offered to help her and Myra get ready. Terra hadn’t a clue of what she would wear or do, and Irene had to gently persuade her to come, though to Terra it felt like she hadn’t a choice. So, with Myra in hand they’d followed the woman to the room they were to be getting ready in before she’d went to take make her own children settled before returning.

Irene Lee Frye looked like an Angel in Terra’s mind. Though she wasn’t blonde and blue eyed, there was an angelic like quality to the tall, thin woman. She had to admit that she felt at ease with her instantly. “Alright, we just need Fi and Sinny to get here, and we can really get this party started.” Irene sighed, with a bright grin. Terra returned her smile, and watched as Myra was wandering the room, toddling around and exploring. “Tea or Wine dear?” Irene called over to her from where the drinks had been set up.

A bit startled, she blinked for a moment, but before answering. “Uhm- Tea please.” She requested. Irene smiled at her while she took to pouring her a cup. “Everything will be just fine, you’re in good hands.” The other woman told her, and Terra felt her anxiety spike despite the words meaning to reassure her. Her dark eyes went to Myra who started to wander back over until there was movement at the door, and a large toothy grin appeared on her face. ”Fifi!” Her little voice cried out as she started to run over towards Aoife Lee Frye on her little chubby legs, holding her arms up to her aunt.

[Aoife Lee Frye]

Though the day to day elements of life at court often bored Aoife Lee Frye, and she found parties could be more than a little bit of an ordeal- all the small talk and pleasantries and dancing- things were different when she was at home, surrounded by family. She could count on her brothers and cousins to be more entertaining than all the nobles at court put together, when Lee Fryes gathered: there was often chaos, no matter how firm a lid Catriona attempted to keep on things. Besides, she didn’t have to worry about awkward small talk with them, idle gossip, or keeping a conversation going. Even dancing was easier, no expectations or hidden agendas. Aoife was well aware her parent’s patience would only last so long and she would be expected to begin to court again soon. As the only daughter of the Lee Frye household, she would be expected to at least consider suitors at some point at these events. Expected to entertain a dance or two. Escaping that only made court events even more tedious- but this wasn’t court, this was Lasairdubh, and she had the chance to finally catch up with family… including the most recent additions: Terra and Myra.

Unlike Sinead and Irene, Aoife had grown up in this household- Catriona’s exacting standards had just been a given, something she had considered normal. So whilst Irene was hoping to help Terra feel welcome, and supported: Aoife was there more to make sure she didn’t end up inadvertently insulting the Lee Frye matriarch. That and, well, she wouldn’t admit it to anyone, but having Myra around was beginning to grow on the mystic. When Aoife arrived to the room Irene had set up, she didn’t arrive empty handed. Her dress had been sent up earlier that day, along with the perfumes and politics that Aoife was known to prefer. Jewelry had been loaned by Cat, Aoife had none of her own save the engagement ring she kept. Tucked under her arm was a bottle of whisky, liberated from the cellar of Robert Lee Frye himself (though she knew one of her brothers would shoulder the blame for that one, besides: her father preferred brandy anyway).

Setting the bottle down, Aoife scooped up her niece- it was taking some practice, but the mystic thought she was just about getting the hang of it now. "Hey little one." She said by way of greeting, shifting her weight so the toddler rested against her hip. Definitely getting the hang of it.. Returning her attention to the two women, Aoife looked over at the tea that was being poured- then back to the whisky she had put on the floor. Was crouching down with a kid in your arms even possible? Or would they both topple over?. On second thought, Aoife elected to not risk it and instead awkwardly bounced Myra for a few moments before setting her back down.

Not one for small talk, she quickly grabbed a teacup and poured a measure of the whisky into it as she settled on the floor- the silk of her dressing gown pooling around her. "If it helps," She began, moving the teacup out of the way of the girl that was quickly toddling over to her. "Most people there will be too interested in themselves to pay you much mind." It didn't change the fact that Terra was an oddity, born out of this life rather than into it as most had. "You don't have to tell anyone anything." Really she was just parroting back the advice she had received when Cat had first introduced her into society. By now, Myra was climbing onto her lap- and even though she was beginning to get used to having the little girl around- Aoife still looked mildly surprised. She didn't have the loup for the girl to play with, so she just kind of looked down awkwardly as she continued addressing Terra. "Just, y'know-" Okay, so Aoife didn't know what to say… be polite? Don't talk to anyone about anything even slightly personal? Don't trip over? Don't, don't, don't… Terra was being thrown to the wolves tonight, and even if she had a houseful of people on her side: it was still terrifying.

[Sinead Lee Frye]

Sinead bustled into the room last, as usual. She hated being late, but between her children and her husband, she was constantly running into roadblocks these days. Still, she was practically buzzing with excitement for the upcoming party. It was going to be an absolute blast. And even more so with a new de-facto-sister around.

She smiled at everyone as she came in and headed over to where Irene was pouring Terra some tea. Once the other woman's hands were free, she caught Irene Lee Frye in a quick hug. The two had a kind of kinship thanks to their rather wayward husbands. She then poured herself a glass of wine while Aoife gave advice to poor miss Terra. She may be new to all this, but Terra was certainly a beauty even without their help. No wonder she'd caught Ciaran's attention.

"Just, y'know-"

"Just be yourself. Anyone who can't handle it can get lost," Sinead finished for Aoife, winking at her. "You don't have to force it. And if you're really stuck, just make an excuse about needing to check on your daughter, or put her to bed or something. It works every time." She laughed.

[Irene Lee Frye]

Irene smiled as she saw Aoife arrive. Her eyes instantly flickering to that whisky bottle, wondering if it would be too early to start that sort of drinking. She contemplated asking for her own helping but then thought best of it. Not that Irene couldn’t handle her liquor, she merely thought saving it for later when the drink would really be necessary was better.

She busied herself with the tea cups while Aoife dealt with Myra and gave Terra words of advice. She was both delighted and surprised to see how taken the little girl was with one of her aunts already. That was good! Great even, and a smile crept up onto her face. Only widened by Sinead sweeping into the room, and finishing Aoife’s sentence. She paused in her tea cup filling to give the woman a hug in greeting. Squeezing her tight, before she picked up Terra’s tea cup and started to bring it over to her.

“Listen us to sweetness, and you won’t go astray.” She said with a grin. “Besides, it’s a masquerade ball for once, no one will recognize you, and you can be whoever you damn well please.” Irene said straightening up and moving towards the door to close it. Allowing the girls some privacy, before she headed to the dress selection she’d had brought up. Tapping her chin in contemplation as to what they should put Terra in.

[Terra Sadler]

Terra watched Myra and Aoife with a fond smile. She’d been taken aback by how taken Myra had been with her aunt when they’d crossed paths at the cemetery and watching them now warmed her heart. She felt that guilt again for keeping her from her family, especially when they were treating them well...like family. But it had been Ciarans call, his decision. Terra only hoped now that both he and Myra would be able to make up for the lost time.

Her dark eyes flickered over to Aoife as she gave Terra advice. Storing away the information. She was used to working events like this. Being an invisible servant that carried a tray or cleaned up a mess. Actually being on the other side of the party was foreign to her. She smiled softly At Aoife, about to murmur a thank you when Sinead came in, finishing Aoife’s sentence. It really was a comfort to know she wasn’t alone in all of this, and as Irene brought her her tea, she felt her eyes start to sting. She was so used to not having help aside from what Namid could give her, that she was starting to feel overwhelmed. But in a confusing good way. “Thank you,” She said taking the tea carefully. Blowing on it before she took a sip.

Her eyes flickered around at the other women, and Terra felt a tightness in her chest. “For everything, really I mean it.” She told them. Irene looked over her shoulder from where she was looking at dresses to share looks with both Aoife and Sinead and then smiled at Terra. “We know how terrifying Aoife’s family can be,” She said with amusement. A teasing look over at Aoife who was the only Lee Fry not from a marriage. “But we look after our own, that I can promise you.”

[Aoife Lee Frye]

’Be yourself’, in theory it was great advice. In theory. Something easier said than done when there was so much pressure resting on Terra’s shoulders, she had been thrown to the wolves tonight after all. ”Be yourself.” She shrugged, echoing Sinead’s sentiment with a small smile. ”It will be fine, just dance and try to have fun.” It seemed that her sisters in law had better advice for Terra, so Aoife gave them a moment to speak and look through the dresses Irene had brought.

”They certainly can be,” The mystic agreed, gently lifting Myra from her lap so she could start getting ready herself. ”But half the kingdom will be here tonight, they’ll be on their best behaviour- so nothing to worry about. Really.” Though Aoife didn’t sound all too convinced. Standing, Aoife drained the last of her drink before joining Irene by the dresses, looking over them with curiousity. ”Not gold, mama is wearing gold. Red perhaps? What is Ciaran wearing?”

[Sinead Lee Frye]

Sinead's eyes lit up as they turned to the dresses, and she moved to join the group. She ran the fabric of a few of them through her fingers, admiring the craftsmanship.

"Not to mention that it would be stunning against her skin, and that dark hair," she agreed to Aoife's mention of red. She looked over her shoulder to wink at Terra as she gestured to her. "I mean, just look at her! She's got a complexion to die for." She meant it, too, Terra was lovely. The girl seemed nervous, and rightfully so, but Sinead hoped to bolster her courage and her confidence if she could.