Chapter 2 The Stranger In The Crowd

• Normally, having been accepted by the Council under recommendation of her training master and having received a gift of equipment from her family, the new christened Huntress would walk out of the Coven and into their first mission on the fields and forests that surrounded the densely packed city state of Erbe.
• Nicholette, however, had other obligations. While she wasn't sent into a mission, she could pose for the enjoyment of the richest commerce leaders and most powerful politicians and help her father secure more funds for the protection of the city. That job came with a perk: she would wear her the most luxurious dresses, drink the best wine and eat the best food there was, all the while making idle chit-chat with the people who ran the town.
• Nicholette actually enjoyed those balls, if she didn't mind the pain from high heel boots.
• She came out of her bedroom into the round distribution hall that led to her sister's rooms in simple comfortable undergarments. Those were her real blood-borne sisters, from the same father and mother, not the sisters she had acquired during Huntress training. The place was a common room with that wall-to-wall closets and wardrobes full of all different kinds of clothes that the sisters shared, interrupted only by the doors that led to their private bedrooms. Other than wardrobes, the great room had lounge chairs, couches and tables with mirrors and that day, it was full of other women in simple uniform to help the heirs of the House of Veritas to get dressed. Each young woman had her own personal space for special or intimate clothing, but almost all of it was freely used by anyone of them. All, except the Huntress attire hanging near Nicholette's door, of course. Not only it imposed a form of respect, the outfit was practical and armored in most places, so it wasn't made for the comfort or the status of the wearer.
• It did occur to Nicholette that she maybe could hide the strong and comfortable Huntress boots under her gown, but with all the movement in her dresser, she thought that she wouldn't pull off that fashion crime, so, as she posed in front of her mirror, the maids that were hired for the night flocked around her with the clothes and accessories the ceremonialist had chosen.
• She stepped into the opulent dress that two maidens held open, careful not to slide her foot in the wrong folds of cloth and rip it all apart. The whole vestment unfolded itself around her waist and torso when it was carefully adjusted around her. There were way more buttons that she thought were needed.
• Nichollete fingers traced the intricate embroidery of her gown —a masterpiece of midnight blue and silver, woven with threads that shimmered like starlight under the candle’s glow. The bodice was structured, reinforced with hidden silver boning, which she thought reminded her of the protective vest she wore in her battle training. Ironically, the luxury of the fashion industry in Erbe took a lot of technology from the war industry. She thought to herself if she felt more like a Huntress in finery or a spoiled daddy's girl in armor, like so many people had implied along the last couple of years.
• Finally, with a flourish move, the ceremonialist let the skirts cascade in layers of silk and tulle along Nicholette's body. She observed a series of slits subtly hidden at the sides of her hips to allow for the fabric to capture her movement and she thought that they were excellent entrances to allow for a dagger to be strapped to her thigh.
• Maybe she was more of a Huntress than an heir to a bureaucratic family, after all.
• “You look stunning!” Lady Veritas said as she entered the round common room to find Nicholette almost ready.
• “Thank you, Mother.”
• “Isn't she? I told her that too, but she wouldn't believe me.” Noted Amaranta, two years younger than Nicholette, while looking at herself in the long gilded mirror.
• “You told me I look as beautiful as Moonhide, Amy.” Nicholette responded. Moonhide was Nicholette's favorite mare growing up, with which she had learned to ride. She was an old now.
• “Don't you think Moonhide is beautiful? I thought you liked her!” Amaranta said jokingly, of course.
• Nicholette made a face at her sister. Lady Verona paid no mind to the girls’ bickering and studied the earrings and necklace that the ceremonialist had chosen, approving them, if it weren't her own first choice.
• “I always thought that you would be the one leading our House in those situations, Nicholette. You are so talented in mesmerizing the old people that rule over this town when telling your stories.” Lady Verona told Nicholette in a low voice.
• “Maybe I have more than one talent, Mother.”
• “Well I… You can always come back to work with your father, you know.”
• “I know, Mother, but you can trust in Amy or Raquel too. They were brought up the same way I did. They know everything I know.”
• “Yes, I… Of course I know that. Your sisters are bright young women. But you…”
• “Is this a party or what?!” Raquel called loudly from her own mirror, already dressed and made up. “Let’s get to that ballroom!”
• Amaranta was equally excited, and Nicholette didn't want to hear anymore from her mother's whining about her career choice, so she quickly sidestepped away and went to see Raquel turn around a few times and let her skirts flutter.
• The three sisters fled the room down the stairs and their mother had to pick up the pace to reach them.
• As the long wooden doors opened, the decoration on the still empty ballroom overwhelmed them. The Grand Ballroom blazed with light, its vaulted ceilings rich with chandeliers of enchanted crystal that cast prismatic shadows over the flowered tables. Banners and ribbons sporting the House Veritas crest climbed the walls and pillars.
• The smell of food coming from the kitchen and sipping into the ballroom was enticing as always had been since Nicholette could remember. The cooks had been working for hours and the wait staff was ready to parade the finest foods to each table in a word's notice.
• Within minutes, the guests started coming in through the door, being announced by the ceremonialist and greeted by Lord and Lady Veritas. Old known and gentle faces filled the room, bringing memories from many other balls the young women had hosted in their home. People that rarely come down from their ivory towers and people that made a habit of trotting the city streets alike filled the space and soon the music started and nobles and merchants mingled beneath banners, their laughter laced with the clink of goblets and the whisper of gossip and politics.
• “Nicholette, my dear, you’ve grown into the likings of a princess, if you don’t mind my saying.” Exclaimed a rotund man under a gray mustache and whiskers.
• “How would I mind such a gentle compliment? Your words are always sweet, Chancellor.” Nicholette responded, while doing a short curtsy.
• “For you, they are.”
• “How are you, Chancellor? And how are the plans for the expansion of our cargo harbors? Last we met you were dealing with the port authorities and pursuing new import businesses.”
• “You remember those dealings? That was months ago! I'm impressed by your memory. Sadly, the struggle remains. I am still pursuing the same new opportunities for our city, and I'm afraid we haven't made much progress.” The Chancellor was surprised.
• “Of course I remember. These new deals could bring many opportunities for commerce.”
• “Indeed they could. I am glad you and your House see the importance of our development. See, this is the kind of vision we need at our table. I must say you surprised us all when you decided to become a Huntress. It was a bold move.”
• “I know, but I just don't see me behind a desk.”
• “Nor do I. I say, you were always free spirited. Congratulations on being the commander of your fate, child.”
• “Thank you, Chancellor. As I noted, your words are always sweet.”
• “And they will always be.”
• And with that exchange of pleasantries, Nicholette moved into another circle of guests who were discussing any other subject she found only mildly interesting. Being the polite daughter of an important leader, she and her sisters were able to engage in conversations with any of them. Meeting people, however, was always interesting to talk to for they brought news from the stalls in the market or the workers in the industries and made the city feel alive.
• Amongst the familiar faces, Nicholette glanced towards a man that made her look twice. He leaned against a marble pillar, older than her by perhaps five years, his amber-eyed gaze sharp beneath a half-smile. He wore no family crest, only a high-collared coat of deep crimson, its edges trimmed in gold —merchant’s finery, yet a little larger than his frame. It was odd that he could look so comfortable and laid back in a coat that wasn't tailored to his exact size. Nicholette didn't think much of it, she exchanged clothes with her sisters too and the merchants were not usually the richest in the city.
• Nicholette felt uneasy, not from not recognizing him, but for being strangely drawn. When he raised his wine glass to her across the room, the gesture was neither flattery nor challenging, but something far more intriguing.