Alice Estrellan always knew more than she let on. Not that anyone would have believed the things she had to say. It wasn’t their fault necessarily- as the youngest adult member of the Medean aristocracy, she just had the type of face that seemed too innocent to understand what was happening. Wide eyes, thick lashes, and soft, round lips caught the attention of anyone who tried to converse with her. As a result, much of the gossip around her name skittered around the topic of infidelity. It did not bother her. It was only jealousy, after all. 

Today, she was sure the gossip would be nasty since she had blocked her quarters in order to gossip with Raven before the evening’s party. It was not meant to be dirty- she viewed the boy as the child she could have raised. And Curtis would not allow that sort of talk in his home, so she was safe. 

Raven sat himself down at Alice’s vanity, while the woman shuffled through various creams and brushes. 

“Okay,” Alice said, settling on a cream (too dark for her) and beginning to apply it to Raven’s face. “How upset is your mother?” 

“I didn’t tell her I was leaving.”

Alice raised her eyebrows dramatically. 

“Oooh, daring.” 

“I told the butler so she wouldn’t worry. Left him a bread basket as an apology.” Raven squinted as Alice moved in around his eyes with her products. 

“The rage of Celeste Athavale deserves more than a bread basket.” 

“Technically I’m still getting ready, just not at home.” He reasoned.

“This is true.” 

“So, I’m technically ahead of the game.” Raven brushed some powder from his eye. 

“Aht! Don’t touch until I’m finished,” Alice snapped.

“Sorry.” 

“No worries. Is Selkie still joining us tonight?” She asked.

“As far as I know.” 

“I see.” 

Alice seemed to finish with her array of skin-toned products and moved on to a pot of kohl for eye lining. 

“Well, I’m sure he’d jump at the chance to get away from You Know Who. Such a happy home they have. Did you know Sybyll replaced all of her colored curtains with black ones? She says it looks more ‘modern.’”

“A modern funeral home, maybe.”

“Exactly! What about red or violet? Luxury will never go out of style. I heard the Queen did the same thing in the palace, I bet that’s what started it.” Alice rambled. “Her poor daughter. At least I’m sure they have accents that make it look better there. The Greenwood place looks like a cheap fortune teller’s blacked-out tent.” 

“Yikes,” Raven responded. 

“Okay, what do you think?” Alice asked. Raven examined his now-made-up face in the mirror. 

“I do not understand how my mother has not figured it out yet.”

Alice giggled.

“So, good?” 

“Good.”

“Great. Let’s eat, then we can get dressed before people start arriving,” 

-

The ballroom was all pastels and gold, with food enough to feed the entire country adorning long, covered tables. Alice began hovering, having shifted into hostess mode, so Raven waited uncomfortably for someone he knew to arrive. He was grateful to see Selkie enter with Gray on his arm. Gray looked stunning in classic black formal attire, and Selkie wore a long gown with a white bodice and silver chiffon. Raven knew it was probably not their choice, but it was flattering nonetheless. 

He joined the two of them as soon as they made it past the entrance, and Gray almost instantly switched to holding Raven’s arm once they were away from the attention. 

“Missed you,” Gray said. 

“Missed you too.” 

“It’s been way too long.” 

“I agree. We should stay together forever,” Raven replied, extending each word dramatically.

“I hate you both.” Selkie grimaced. “And I’m starving.” 

“Shall we make our way to the food, then?” Gray asked. 

“No, I wanted to complain more,” Selkie retorted. 

Gray rolled his eyes and the trio began to move. Selkie piled his plate with pastries, and the three of them eased into comfortable conversation until Raven was startled by a tap on his shoulder. Gray quickly let go of his arm.

“Are you occupied?” The newcomer asked. He was a tall man dressed in blue, with a mischievous look on his face. 

“Um.. no?” Raven answered hesitantly. 

“My name is Adam. I was wondering if I could trouble you for a dance. I’m rather bored.” He reached out his hand to Raven, who considered the stranger. He seemed serious. Gray was unreadable, so he assumed that meant he didn’t like it but wouldn’t object. Had the situation been different, he would have formally asked his permission before taking the mysterious man’s hand, but he doubted that that would have gone over well. 

Besides, part of him was curious.  He took the hand, shooting Gray a look that he hoped said he was sorry. A moderately paced song began to play as they took the floor. The newcomer placed his right hand formally on Raven’s upper waist and held his left- the way most aristocrats would silently announce that this dance was platonic. He was surprised at how easily they moved together. 

“What brings you here?” Raven asked politely. 

“I wanted to come see the party.” 

“I’ve never seen you before, but you seem to know your way around.” 

The stranger’s eyes glittered.

“Is that so? Maybe I’ve just never caught your eye before.” 

“Could be.” It was true- Raven didn’t usually pay much attention to guests. But he was fairly certain he would have noticed a glowing guest. And those eyes… he’d never seen that bright green except for… 

The pieces fell into place, and suddenly Raven felt incredibly slow. It wasn’t a man at all, but instead the rude shapeshifter from the orphanage dancing with him. But he couldn’t call them out in the middle of the dance floor. That would cause too much commotion. And if he took them to a side room that would cause gossip and upset Gray. 

“Actually, now that I think about it, I think I have seen you before,” He commented carefully. 

“Really? So you do pay attention after all,” They taunted. 

“It was dangerous to come. Why are you here?” 

“I told you. Party.” 

“I could get you arrested right now if I wanted. You’re too cocky.” 

“You couldn’t.” Eden smirked. “But thank you.” 

Raven made a frustrated noise. The music continued, beginning to speed up. 

“This song is so long,” They complained. 

“We don’t have to finish the dance,” Raven pointed out. “No one’s making you.” 

“No? I thought you were going to have me arrested.” 

“I don’t want that. I just want to be left alone.” 

“I’m sure you do. Left alone with your boyfriend, maybe.”

Raven’s face got warm. 

“Is he watching? What is my hand just-” they dropped it barely a millimeter.

“Stop,” Raven ordered. “I’m not playing this game.” 

Eden chuckled. 

“So serious. I’m only jealous.” 

“I don’t care.” 

“I don’t believe you.” 

Their words were spoken like a challenge. 

“Why not?” He asked. 

“Because you’re here. You keep making indecisions, finding a middle ground. You think you can just hide away all of your problems because you’re rich.” 

“That’s not true.” 

“Oh? Why, then?” 

“I don’t want to change anything.” 

Eden moved their hand back up Raven’s back. They continued to dance through the end of the song and ended on the opposite side of the floor from Gray and Selkie. 

They began the walk around the edge of the floor. 

“I hate parties,” Eden said suddenly. It was a completely different voice than the one Raven was used to. “I don’t know why I know how to do these dances, or all the stupid rich people’s made-up languages. I don’t know how to find what I’m looking for. That’s it. That’s the only reason I came.” As they approached Raven’s friends, Eden stopped.