[color=#B0BEC5][center][color=#40C4FF][h2]Belladonna[/h2][/color][/center]
[center][color=#40C4FF][b]Time:[/b][/color] [color=#CFD8DC] Late Afternoon
[color=#40C4FF][b]Location:[/b][/color] Elleta's Residence ---> Roshmi Grand Ball
[color=#40C4FF][b]Mention:[/b] [/color] [@FunnyGuy] - Umber
[color=#40C4FF][b]Interaction:[/b][/color] [@Tae] - Torvi | [@helo] - Bowyn | [@dreamingflowers] - Ilan [/color][/center]
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[img]https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/610964561553522698/610975307410964510/3388c70460524d0a49fb42fda3041dea_snow-divider-clipart-1-clip-art-vector-site-_709-132.png?width=400&height=44[/img][/center]

Bella turned to Toriv and Bowyn and chuckled. Boreas looked so adorable that Belle had to struggle to remain nonchalant. [color=#40C4FF]”You clean up well, Frosty.”[/color] She shuddered at the mention of the moth fairy and scowled. [color=#40C4FF]”Gross. I’m moving on from that comment.”[/color] She turned to Torvi and nodded in regards to her comments regarding magic. While Bell hadn’t grown up the same way, she was too used to her gun and missed it. Hell, even a baseball bat would help her feel more comfortable. She could kill to go back to Earth and grab her gun and return. She sighed in dismay.

The sound of clicking filled her ears and she turned to watch Rosemary and Elleta walking down the staircase together, laughing about something. Belle watched them with surprise. She had been used to them being in rebel clothing that she hadn’t expected their extravagant outfits. Rosemary wore a light pink long-sleeve dress with pink heels. Her usual blonde bun was now laying around her in ringlets. Elleta, on the other hand, wore a sparkly grey dress with frills and mid length sleeves. Her hair was in a bun and she wore a gold headpiece. Both women had on black masks with gold lace around it. As she watched them approach their trio, she noticed a gold bracelet on Rosemary's arm as well.  It took a second for it to click, then when she realized it, smirked. [color=#40C4FF]”Nice outfits.”[/color] Belle told them with a smile as they approached them. 

[color=#E1BEE7]”Thanks. Same for you.”[/color] Elleta eyed her and looked to Rosemary, who seemed to be communicating telepathically with her. Belle watched, eyebrows raised, as Rosemary nodded. She then gestured for Bowyn and Torvi to follow her outside where a horse drawn carriage was waiting. 

[color=lightpink]”There’s a carriage outside. Please follow,”[/color] Rosemary addressed them and left swiftly. Belle bit her lip, knowing whatever was happening next, had to do with the Golden Death. They weren’t sure if they wanted to expose Belle yet, so they wanted it to be private. 

[color=#E1BEE7]”I have something for you, too.”[/color] Belle swallowed hard and watched as Elle disappeared into the bathroom, then returned, carrying a [url=https://i.pinimg.com/564x/6c/3a/06/6c3a068ca9419bfd26a92ab3cb754353.jpg]gold necklace[/url]. Bellea watched with surprise, then swallowed hard. She wasn’t a fan of wearing necklaces. She sighed though and remained silent. [color=#E1BEE7]”I know what you’re thinking.”[/color] Elleta paused and looked at Belle. [color=#E1BEE7]”I sense your frustration and anxiety. This is to help us pick one another out in the crowd.”[/color] Another pause, then Elleta adjusted her mask properly on her face. She sighed as she added a gold bird pin to Belle’s mask. Belle stood there silently, knowing it was best to remain silent. She was happy to at least have a bird related theme to her ensemble, despite not coordinating with her initial ensemble. 

[color=#E1BEE7]”And the necklace I am providing you was my mother’s. She was killed by Aklenroth’s army many years ago when protesting the injustice. Not only did my mother die, but they sought to slaughter my entire family. I was hiding among the Golden Death for years until I finally resurfaced many years ago. I am an old woman, Bell, but I am not a fool. I know you’re struggling deep down and I’m sorry if this added more pressure to you - but we can’t lose you. You’re the leader and our friend.”[/color]

Belladonna remained silent and nodded. This was true. She also felt touched that Elleta was entrusting her with her mother’s necklace. The Elven women’s words radiated a warmth through her that she wasn’t used to feeling. What the hell was she feeling? Belle had no idea and it perplexed her. It had been too long since someone had been that sweet and loving to her. She didn’t know how to act or what to say, so she kept it simple. [color=#40C4FF]”Thank you, Ell. I appreciate it. I won’t leave you guys.”[/color] The words held conviction, but the emotion wasn’t sound. Elleta studied her and then pulled her into a gentle hug. Belle stared with shock, frozen for a moment; then reality kicked in and she hugged the taller elf back. 

[color=E1BEE7]”Come on. Let’s go.”[/color] Elleta’s warmth remained, but the seriousness the elf carried with her, had returned. Belle nodded and followed her to the carriage where they joined Bowyn, Torvi and Rosemary. The ride was silent from then on. Belle didn’t know what to say or how to act. She was choked up on the inside and felt as if her airway might close. Her eyes were frozen on the scenery outside, not looking at one another. This woman was risking everything to protect and train her. Hell, the entire Golden Death was placing their trust and hope upon her. The weight on her shoulders could have crushed an elephant. 

Once at the Ball, the carriage was drawn away to a safe spot after everyone had exited it. Belle stared with awe at the hall, unable to tear her gaze from it. Elleta took her arm to pull her away so as not to look suspicious. Bell snapped her attention from it and glanced at Torvi with wide eyes. She wanted to see the reaction she held as well. While she remained impassive, the awe had been there briefly. Now, she wiped the astonishment from her expression and took a deep breath. Time to be an Elf and not a human, she thought. It would be easier for her to act disgruntled by the humans and appear as if they were beneath her. It was all she could think of to do to blend in at the moment. All she could do was think of Katniss Everdeen and sighed once more.

Their party arrived at the door and were greeted by an older light elf. Belle stared at him then away with a sigh. What the hell was she supposed to do? The Elves couldn’t have prepared her for this. She tore her gaze away finally and stared at the inside as they made it inside the hall. Belle paused with awe in her eyes. [color=#40C4FF]”Magnifique,”[/color] She whispered under her breath. Belle had never seen anything so beautiful and grand in her life. No, she was used to her rundown neighborhoods. Lysandra… Lysandra would have loved this building. 

For a moment, heartbreak filled her. The woman was an architect junky. A brief second and Bell was back in the living room, settling down to watch the movie. Brief anger rose inside of her as the reality sunk inside. Now instead of a delinquent, she was a rebel leader masquerading as an Elf with suffocating pressure on her. Her anxiety was beginning to crawl back up. Bell shook her head to settle her emotions down and took several deep breaths. She forced herself to look away, then turn to the Avalians as Elleta went to speak. 

[color=E1BEE7]”Please find a table and settle down by it. I suggest going near the back or middle to be safe. Stay calm, quiet, and be cautious.”[/color] Elleta patted her head gently and moved away with Rosemary to begin looking around. The women seemed to be focusing on some other guests who had already arrived. As Belle watched them leave, her eyes trailed to the front where she saw Ilan and Regulus. She smiled and ducked her head so that nobody would see. She recognized Morgayne flying over to them and handing him a large mask to cover his face. They seemed safe and sound. A wave of relief washed over her. Later she would have to go greet them - but for now, she'd listen to Elleta's instructions. She turned away and looked at Bowyn and Torvi. 

[color=#40C4FF]"So, where shall we go?" she inquired, allowing them to choose.[/color]