The weeks leading up to this party… ball… whatever it had been called as the terms had been used interchangeably, had been chaotic. Between the visitors, the coordinators, and all the extra help, the coven had been bustling with activity. The first week, both Lia and Kat had been sick, but even so, Atticus and Mitch had stayed with them up until about a week ago. Perhaps it was a little longer than intended, but with so much going on, it felt almost necessary. Checkov ran a hand over his face as he looked around the ballroom again. Everything looked amazing, Lia had been there earlier that morning putting up her enchantments, and so far everything appeared to be running smoothly. 

"E'erythin' alright, sug?" Cass's voice came from beside him. He gave a half smile when she gently rubbed his arm and he nodded.

"It's great. I figured you would be in something more extravagant." He said, looking at her for a moment. She wasn't even in a dress yet now that he was looking at her. 

"Oh, sug, I'm lettin' e'eryone else get ready in my chambers first. My hair and nails are alrea'y done, and I just gotta touch up my makeup. I'll be ready in a jiff come time." She chuckles. "'Sides, fig'red I'd come check on ya while ya weren't too busy… an' didn't have Issack stuck up your ass."

Checkov gave a nod and a chuckle. "Fair enough. Your guests finding everything alright? And I thought you were going to bring the one to meet me before hand?"

"Niko is with the witches. They'll be down shortly." She said. "They ain't e'er been here so Oaklen and Mercy said they'd show'em 'round after. Where're Lia and Kat? Fig'red they'd be here early to get ready."

Checkov sighed. "No, Lia insisted they'd get ready at the cottage. There is a carriage waiting to bring them here though. Given we've got about an hour before it starts, they'll be here about 15 minutes til."

Cass made a face and she nodded. "Well hell, was hopin' to see'em sooner, but that's fine." She said. She looked around a moment before placing a kiss to his cheek, "I bet'r check on mine. Plus, I can hear Issack."

Cass headed off and no sooner she got out of sight, Issack came in. Checkov sighed, but he noticed some of the early birds filtering in, including Dana. He was glad to see her approaching him, and she stood beside him. "Shouldn't you be getting changed, Check?" Dana asked, taking a sip from her wine glass. "I know you have a better suit than this." 

Checkov noticed Issack coming and he nodded. "Let me greet him first and then I'll go. Can you hold down the helm that long?"

Dana gave him a knowing look and nodded. She saw Checkov meet Issack before he got to them and Dana took another sip of wine. "I really hope tonight goes well." She muttered to herself. 

–

Lia sighed, looking over the dress hanging on her closet door. Today was the day. She and Kat were getting ready together, and she could see how excited Kat was. She couldn't help the small bit of excitement starting to creep up as she helped Kay do her hair. "This doesn't hurt, does it? I saw you flinch when I put that pin in." She asked. Lia had managed to get her hair done while Kat was showering, but Lia had been doing this for a lot longer. Once Kat had told her it was okay, she finished up and smiled a bit. "Beautiful. Do you want some tea before we start doing our makeup and getting into our dresses?" 

Lia was instantly grateful for the electric kettle that Cass had given her before she left a few weeks ago, and she could hear Edgar softly quacking in his little nest near her newly appointed tea table. She fixed her and Kat each a cup and she sat on her bed for a moment, her eyes catching the shoes she would be wearing. Heels were always proper for these events, but that didn't mean she hated them any less. She snapped back from her thoughts when she heard Kat going through and getting her makeup on, and she smiled. She reminded her of Bianca in times like these, and it made her miss Aless a little more, but Lia was glad she wasn't alone in this. 

Lia finished her tea and went about putting on her makeup before she and Kat got into their dresses. Lia let Kat get into hers first and zipped her up, and tied the back a little before smiling. "This suits you really well, I'm really liking the colors."

Lia got into her dress and once Kat had helped her secure it, she looked herself over in the mirror. She always stuck to natural tones, but the shimmer that Kat had managed to convince her into putting on it made it look even better. She sighed and picked up her shoes. "You have everything, Kat? We should be getting to the carriage or we'll be late."

They got downstairs and Lia slid her shoes on before grabbing a jacket and handing Kat one. It was a bit chilly that night, and with the sun nearly set, they needed to get to the main part of the grounds. They didn't need to worry Atticus and Mitch by being late. There had been enough protest about them not going to the cottage to get them, and while the walk to the main coven wasn't far, in heels and with the ground damp, they had at least agreed on the carriage. Lia let Kat into the carriage first, even though there were two doors, the ground on the other side was still very muddy. 

Once in the carriage, Lia took in a deep breath as they began towards the main part, and she could see Kat smiling. "Are you ready for this ball?" She asked her, quietly. Her hand gently went to the necklace she was wearing as she gently fiddled with the chain, absent-mindedly. It only took about ten minutes before they stopped and the doors to the carriage were opened.

"Wow!" Lia heard from the other side, and she saw Atticus helping Kat out. "You look great." 

Lia smiles a touch before moving to get out, and she saw Mitch there. He was staring a bit and she raised a brow. "That bad, huh?" She joked. He offered her his hand and she took it, so he could help her get out of the carriage before they moved to head inside. She saw Checkov standing near the entrance, and he made his way over to them. 

"Evening, you two look beautiful." He greeted. "There are a few… unexpected guests tonight, but don't worry. They're from the South, and Cass has assured me that they won't be a problem."

Lia nodded a bit as Checkov headed in, and she chuckled. "Oh this will be interesting indeed." 

–

Atticus sighed as he combed through his hair again, walking about the halls of the main area. Guests were already arriving and he and Mitch were supposed to be meeting soon, but his tie just wouldn't stay tied properly, so he was wearing it loosely around his neck. He was hoping to find Mitch soon to get help with the infernal thing, but it wasn't his fault, he had never worn a silk tie before! All of his other ties were polyester, but Checkov insisted they use silk because it looked better. He gave a frustrated grunt as he headed towards where he was supposed to meet Mitch, attempting to retie the tie as he walked. 

"Everything okay?" A sweet voice asked, and Atticus found himself stopping. He noticed a shorter, petite blonde woman standing there. Her hair was done down in curls, and her eyes were bright as she offered a smile. She seemed oddly familiar, but he couldn't place her. 

"This tie is giving me hell." He said, and she chuckled. 

"Would you like some help? My husband has trouble with silk ties too." She offered. He nodded a bit and allowed her to tie the tie for him. "The trick is not going as tight as with polyester, it makes the knot flat."

"Thank you… I'm sorry, I'm Atticus Slater." He said. The name seemed to make her think a moment before she smiled.

"Anytime. I'm Helena. I never understood my father's obsession with silk ties, but he is right, they do look sleek." She said. Atticus immediately felt guilty. She was Checkov's daughter! Granted he'd only met her once in passing years ago, but he still felt bad for not recognizing her. "I best be off, Atticus. Should you see my father or Cass, would you let them know I'm looking for them?"

"Of course, ma'am." He said and she chuckled.

"You can call me Helena, it's okay." She said as she headed off. Atticus stayed out for just a moment before heading off to meet Mitch. He saw Cass just before the entry. She was wearing a beautiful red gown with black embroidery, and she was talking to someone he'd never seen before.

She seemed to have spotted him and smiled before heading to him. "Hey sug! Mitch just went out to meet ya!" She told him. 

"Thank you, ma'am. Um, Helena said to let you know she was looking for you." He told her. She smiled. 

"'course the girl snuck righ' past me. Thanks sug." She said, and she headed off in the direction he had come from. He shook his head and headed outside and found Mitch standing there. 

"I'm not late, right?" He asked, but he could see that the carriage still wasn't there. The sun wasn't fully down yet, so the girls had time, but this was nerve wracking. It didn't take long for the carriage to come into sight though and he let out a breath he didn't know he'd been holding. Finally this could get started. Once the carriage stopped, he noticed Mitch going around to the other side, and so he took the hint to open the door closest to him. 

He couldn't help but smile when he saw Kat, "Wow! You look great!" He said. Instantly the worry was gone, but once Checkov stopped the four of them on their way in, he felt a little worried. The lack of worry from Lia managed to put him a little at ease though. From the couple of weeks they all spent in close quarters, he knew she would be just as worried about Kat as he was. 

Atticus offered his arm to Kat and smiled a bit. "Ready, Kitty?"