Tatiana had been looking forward to this day for weeks. Not because it was the day of an elaborate fancy party that promised to be a night to remember for all and sundry invited... but because today would herald the last day she would have to endure her mother's constant barrage of excited tittering, gushing, and all around unhelpful suggestions over anything and everything under the sun: from how to do her makeup, what dress to wear, how to talk to boys, what to say and what to do. The assault was never ending... until at last the day itself came, and her mother was so wrapped up in her own preparations and excitement to do much more than pester her to hurry so that they wouldn't be late. The limo ride had been almost peaceful, once she was able to tune out her mother's unceasing chatter.

They had arrived early, but not overtly so, and Muriel was quick to run the gauntlet of introductions while she still had her daughter on her arm. As it was, it took nearly a half hour for her to break free of her mother's clutches and hide herself away off to the side of the docks. 

It was really a beautiful night, the decorations on the dock had been tastefully done, and Tatiana took her moment of peace to simply enjoy the view and breath in the salty air and watch the lights dance on the waves. She leaned carefully on the docks wooden fence guardrails, while she wasn't one for fancy dresses most times she was particularly fond of this one. The entire thing simply done, all soft blues with elegant beading on the bodice, but most importantly... it had pockets!

A fact that she had kept secret from her mother at all costs, as it allowed her to smuggle in small thin books that she could use to break the monotony when she stole away a moment of peace. Much like this one, although it was still much too early in the night to think her mother distracted enough to forget her for long... her hand still stole inside the hidden seam and traced the edge of her poetry book. 

Her position on the docks gave her first sight of the ferries arrival however, and she watched it come in with a rueful smile- it was a lovely sight but the ship also heralded the end of her 'free time'... And right on cue, she could hear her mother calling for her over the sound of music wafting from the ship and the ambient noise of the crowd.    

"Tattie? Tattie! There you are darling," Madame Rousseau bustled over to her, beaming smiles that almost outshone the coppery gold of her gown. 'Rose gold' rather, as she'd been constantly reminded of over the week, "Did you see the ferry arrive? Oh its a lovely sight isn't it? And did you hear? They have that Jennings Taylor playing! He's supposed to be touring over in England you know. Fancy that, us getting such a lucky opportunity to see a 'secret show'! You like Jennings Taylor don't you? All the young people your age do."

Tatiana just sighed as she withdrew her hand from her pocket book and surrendered herself to her mother's steering clutch about her arm as they donned the ferry, not even bothering to try to get a word in edgewise or try to stop her from calling her 'Tattie'. 

"Ah, and speaking of young people!" Mimi continued, leaning into 'whisper' conspiratorially, "There seems to be quite a nice bunch of them over there by the bar. They look roundabouts your age, perhaps a bit younger than I would like but what do you say, let me introduce you? You know I hate to see you sitting all alone at these parties. Come along, darling and do try to have a good time? Please, for mummy? It'll be fun! I promise."

Her mother lead her on towards the group regardless, and Tatiana sent one pleading glance heavenward for strength
 and prayed that this ordeal would be over quickly.

"Well hello darlings," Mimi called out to them in a saccharine tone, "My, what charming young men and women we have here tonight. I was just saying so to Tattie- Oh, but where are my manners, let me introduce my daughter Tatiana Evangeline Rousseau."

"Pleasure," Tatian said with the barest of smiles, fully aware of the embarrassment her mother was causing.

"And I am Madam Muriel Rousseau," She continued, before sending a near flirtatious wink towards the boys, "But you fine young gents can call me Mimi."

[I]'Please somebody, kill me now.'[/i] Tatiana pleaded silently.