"I'm glad you could make it!" Said Moria as she led the elvish girl into the living room.
"I'm just glad you invited me!" Mairey smiled as she sat down on the couch.
The walls were all white while the floor was made from white marble tile. All the chairs and couches were made from a cream colored fabric while the wood was gilded. The ceiling was painted with images of vines that contained pink and red flowers. The room had two tall, rectangular windows that started at the floor and almost reached the ceiling. The velvet curtains were a light golden color while the large coffee table at the center of the room was made from mahogany. The two women were the only people currently in the room.
"Nice living room," said Mairey, "Reminds me of my grandfather's home back in Bombay."
"Thank you," Moria smiled, "Would you like anything to drink?"
"Some chai would be nice. But if you don't have any, then earl grey will do just fine."
"Alright." Moria left for the kitchen.
A couple minutes later, Moria returned with a white metal tray. The tray contained a porcelain teapot, two tea cups with saucers, a tiny pitcher of milk, a folded pile of white napkins, a teaspoon, and a tiny container of sugar. She set it down on the table before sitting down next to Mairey. The lass then poured some tea into her friend's cup.
"Thank you, lass." Said Mairey.
"No problem." Moria said as she poured some tea into her own cup.
Mairey started pouring some milk and adding sugar to her tea while Moria drank hers without anything else.
"So where are the other guests?" Asked Mairey as she began to stir her tea with the teaspoon.
"Sir McRoy is on his way. Other than him, you're the only person I invited who showed up."
"Oh really?" Mairey said, surprised, "What about your classmates?"
Moria looked down and sighed, "All my friends from school couldn't make it since they were either busy with other plans or simply didn't want to go to a female friend's party because their parents think it's 'inappropriate'."
"Oh dear," Mairey frowned. She put her hand on Moria's shoulder, "I'm sorry about that, lass."
Moria shook her head, "It's alright, Mairey. I wasn't close friends with any of them anyways." She looked at Mairey and smiled, "I'm just glad you showed up. I don't care about the others."
Mairey smiled, "That's so sweet, lass." She hugged her, "I'm glad to hear that."
Moria hugged her back, "You're my best friend, Mairey. I don't know how I'd be able to get through this without you."
"And you're *my* best friend, Moria." Mairey held onto her for a second longer and whispered, "You and Jero are the only ones who really understand me. Better than my own family." She sniffled a bit as she attempted to hold back tears.
Moria looked over and slowly pulled away, "Oh let me get you a napkin." She grabbed one of the napkins from the tray and handed it to Mairey.
"Thank you, lass," said the elvish girl as she used it to wipe away her tears.
DING DONG! The doorbell rang.
"That must be my father and my knight," said Moria as she stood up, "I'll get that!" She said as she left the living room.
Lemar stood in front of the door, wearing a grey and white tuxedo with a pale blue ascot tie around his neck. He was holding a bouquet of red roses in one hand and a bottle of spiced apple cider in the other. His cherry blonde hair was parted in the middle of his head and slicked to the sides. His pale ivory skin looked whiter since he had applied white foundation to his face prior to arriving at Moria's home. *She will be delighted to see me like this!* Thought Lemar as he admired his reflection in one of the windows right next to the door.
Moria approached the door and opened it.
"I'm glad you're here-" The lass paused when she realized that her father was not at the door.
Before either of them said anything else, Lemar was shocked to see Moria's attire. The lass wore a pair of high-waisted brown trousers with ankle-high boots. She wore a ruffled dark red button down shirt and a matching brown vest on top. She wasn't wearing a tie and the top button on her shirt was open, revealing her prominent collarbone. Her sleeves were folded up to her elbows, revealing her toned forearms.
*What the hell is she wearing?!* He thought, *That's a man's attire. It looks very inappropriate on her! Why isn't she wearing a dress or something more ladylike?*
"Lemar," said Moria, "What are you doing here?"
"I'm here for your party," said Lemar as he struggled to keep his eyes off of her exposed collarbone, "Remember?"
Moria looked at him for a moment before responding, "I don't remember inviting you."
"Oh um…" Lemar darted his eyes around for a split second as he tried to think of an excuse.
"He's with me." Said another lad when he walked up to the doorway. The lad was a couple of inches taller than Lemar. His slicked back hair was black and his skin was limestone beige. His complexion wasn't as pale as Lemar's nor as dark as Moria's. The lad was wearing light grey trousers, a long blue coat, a white button down shirt, black ankle-high boots, a black top hat, and a black bow tie. The lass looked at him and immediately recognized him.
"Hello there, Kreed!" Moria smiled.
"Good evening, Moria!" Kreed smiled as he raised his hat.
*What!? How did Kreed get invited but not me?* Lemar wondered.
"Lemar is my plus one," said Kreed as he lowered his hat back onto his head, "I hope you're alright with that."
"I guess that should be fine," said Moria, "Come in." She led the boys into her house. The two lads followed and were a few feet behind her, out of earshot.
"What are you doing here?" Lemar angrily whispered to Kreed.
"I was invited." Kreed smirked.
"How come you were invited but not me?"
"I asked her if I could come and she said yes." Kreed said calmly.
"What?!" Lemar said quietly, "All you had to do was ask?"
Kreed nodded, "Of course."
"Here's the living room," said Moria as she walked into the room, "This is where the party will be held."
The two boys walked in and noticed Mairey sitting on the couch.
"Is she an elf?" Asked Kreed, staring at her in astonishment.
Moria nodded, "Yes she is."
"I never knew General DiMero owned elvish slaves." Said Lemar.
"Slaves?" Said Moria.
"Excuse me, lad? I'm not a slave!" Said Mairey in an angry tone.
Lemar almost jumped when she snapped at him, "Moria, please keep her under control."
Moria looked at him, "You need to apologize to her."
"For what?" Said Lemar.
"For calling her a slave."
"But isn't she your slave or at least your servant, Moria?" Asked Lemar.
"Oi!" Mairey yelled, "I serve nobody but me!"
"You need to apologize Lemar or else I'm gonna have to ask you to leave."
Lemar sighed, "Alright, alright," he looked at Mairey, "I'm sorry, elf girl."
"Mairey," said the elf, "I have a name and it's Mairey."
"Alright. I'm sorry, Mairey. I apologize for calling you a slave."
The elf girl smiled, "Much better."
"Moria, dear!" Called Jero from the kitchen, "Can you please come here and help me with something?"
"Alright, dad!" Moria responded. She then looked at Mairey and the two boys, "I need to leave for a moment so remember to play nice." She then left the room.
Lemar set his bottle of cider and roses on the coffee table before the two boys took a seat in the living room. Kreed sat next to Mairey on the couch and Lemar sat on the couch adjacent to them. Kreed looked at her in awe while Lemar glared at her in disgust.
"So what brings an exotic maiden such as yourself here?" Asked Kreed, admiring her dark skin and pointy ears. Mairey was wearing a hot pink sari that had golden lace on the edges of her shawl, skirt and top. Her long, pink hair was styled into a braid with small white flowers on top. Her slender waist wasn't covered by her attire and her belly button piercing was exposed. Her piercing was made from gold and the smooth gem stone was a pink sapphire.
"Exotic?" Said Mairey, "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Well you don't seem to be from around here." said Kreed.
"What makes you think that? Is it because of my ears?" She raised an eyebrow.
Kreed shook his head, "No, my dear. I'm talking about your skin."
"Excuse me?"
"Well the people here have very fair skin and you, m'lady, are very dark. Not that there's anything wrong with that," he assured her, "I've never been with a dark elf before, however, I'm always willing to try new things." Kreed winked at her.
*What the actual bollocks was that? He cannot be serious.* Mairey thought as she stared at him in dismay.
In her lifetime, Mairey had come across many unsavory people who have treated her like an oddity due to her race and ethnicity. She would always bite back and refused to back down when one made distasteful comments towards her. However, she did not want to cause a scene at her best friend's party.
"Well that was … Something," she began, "But I am much too old for you, lad."
Kreed shook his head, "Don't worry about that, m'lady. Age is but a number."
Mairey put her palm on her face and sighed.
Kreed frowned, "What's wrong, my cocoa colored maiden?"
"Don't call me that!" Mairey yelled at him. She was visibly furious.
"B-but m'lady," Kreed stuttered, "It was just a compliment."
"That's it!" Mairey then backhanded Kreed across his face. She then got up and stormed out of the room.
Kreed rubbed his cheek in confusion, "What did I say?" He asked himself.
Lemar just rolled his eyes, *Why is Kreed so interested in dating this knife-eared hag? Not only is she dark, she's also a bloody Scott and she dresses so indecently. What kind of woman would wear such a revealing outfit to a nobleman's party? Having her stomach exposed like that is very unladylike.* He looked down, *More importantly, why would a respectable, fair maiden like Moria invite an improper, elvish bitch to her party?*
A few minutes later, Radulo and McRoy had finally arrived at the house. Radulo was a few inches taller than Jero. His skin was a dark espresso color while his short, curly hair was black, his eyes were dark green, and his face was cleanly shaven. He was wearing a black uniform top with white trousers and gold colored epaulets on his shoulders. He had a red sash around his torso and and his shirt had a handful of medals on it. Along with that, he wore shiny black knee-high boots and a black military cap that he had taken off once he entered his home.
McRoy, Jero's pal from his adolescence and Moria's knight, was around Jero's height. McRoy had rose beige skin, light grey hair, and hazel eyes. He had a short, boxed beard with a mustache that covered the wrinkles around his lips. His forehead contained many wrinkles and sunspots that his short, slicked back hair could not hide. The knight wore a white button down shirt with a black tapestry vest on top. His trousers matched his vest and his bow tie was dark red. The knight had decided to leave his sword at home and bring his cane instead. The body of his cane was made from dark brown wood while the handle was a brass knob. Despite being only a couple years older than Jero, McRoy hadn't aged well and looked like he could be Moria's grandfather.
After their arrival, everyone (except for Kreed) had moved into the dining room. The tablecloth was white while the walls of the room were a dark red color. The porcelain plates and bowls all had images of little grape vines on the rims. Jero sat next to Radulo while Mairey and Moria sat across the table from them. Lemar sat in the other chair next to Moria while McRoy chose to sit on the side of the table, close to Jero but not too far from the lass. The kitchen staff had prepared a roasted boar with an apple in it's mouth along with a bowl of creamed corn, cranberry sauce, vegetable medley, stewed eels, and raspberry pudding for dessert. Mairey, Jero, McRoy, and Radulo all drank some red wine while Moria and Lemar drank the apple cider that he brought.
"Congratulations on your retirement, General DiMero!" Said Mairey.
Radulo smiled, "Thank you, Ms. Bhatti!" He spoke with a Castillian accent.
"Congratulations, DiMero!" McRoy smiled, "So what do you plan on doing in the future now that you're done with the military?"
"Hm," Radulo thought for a moment, "Maybe go back to school and study to become an accountant."
There was a second of silence in the room before McRoy, Jero, and Radulo all burst out laughing.
"Ha! Good one!" McRoy slapped his knee.
"Huh?" Moria, Mairey and Lemar all looked at each other in confusion.
"You know I hate anything to do with being in customer service," said Radulo, still laughing.
A few seconds later, the laughter died down and Radulo cleared his throat, "I'm actually thinking about going somewhere nice next year. Maybe the Caribbean, maybe Thailand, or maybe somewhere like Italy. I want to stay there for at least a few months."
This caught Lemar's attention. *Oh no!* He panicked, *What if Moria goes with him? I don't want to be away from her for that long.*
"Is there anyone you plan on taking with you?" Asked Lemar right before he shoved a spoonful of creamed corn into his mouth.
"Well," said Radulo as he placed his hand on Jero's thigh, "I *do* have a certain person in mind, however," he began to squeeze his thigh playfully, "He shall not be named." Radulo then smirked at Jero.
The two men had been away from each other for almost three months and they have missed each other very much.
Jero looked at him and blushed, "Why are you keeping this mystery man a secret from us, brother?" He said as he bit his lower lip and struggled to contain his excitement.
"You see, dear brother," said Radulo as he slowly leaned in towards Jero, "This man is *very* special to me and I want to keep him all to myself." Jero then placed his hand on Radulo's hand.
This caused something to flash before Jero's eyes. A vision. He witnessed Radulo falling to his knees in defeat while coughing up blood. After the vision had ended, Jero gasped and jumped in his seat.
"Ouch!" Jero yelled when he hit his leg against the bottom of the table.
"Dad?!" Said Moria, sounding concerned, "Are you alright?"
Mairey just glared at them, seeming to be very disgusted.
"Is everything alright, chap?" Asked McRoy, raising an eyebrow.
*Why is Mr. Wischtara acting so strange?* Lemar thought as he continued eating.
"Oh it's nothing." said Jero, rubbing the sore spot on his leg.
"Are you sure?" Asked McRoy.
Jero nodded and smiled awkwardly, "Yes, yes. I assure you that I am perfectly fine."
"Thank goodness you're alright, dad." Said Moria, smiling.
Mairey rolled her eyes at them.
*General DiMero's brother-in-law is so weird.* Thought Lemar.
Radulo leaned in towards Jero and whispered, "What was that?" He sounded concerned.
"I have no clue." Jero whispered.
About an hour later, everyone (except for Moria and Mairey) returned to the living room. The two women went to the garden where they both sat on a white, metal bench. Mairey looked at her watch and then took out a tiny, metal flask from her purse. She threw her head back and took a swig from her flask.
"Why'd you bring your own drink?" Asked Moria, "We already have wine."
Mairey put her flask down and wiped her mouth with her handkerchief, "This is *not* alcohol," she responded, "It's a potion, prescribed by my physician, that I've been taking for a couple years now."
"Oh really?" Moria raised an eyebrow, "What's it for? If you don't mind me asking."
Mairey smiled, "I don't mind." She quickly put her flask away before answering, "This elixir allows my body to become more feminine by disabling my male organs. My physician said that I must take this once everyday for another year before I can go through with the surgical procedure."
"Another year?" Said Moria, seeming confused, "Aren't there potions you can take that have the same effect but work faster?"
Mairey shook her head, "Unfortunately no. There are permanent potions that can cause one's body to become very masculine after an hour of ingestion. However, that's the closest elvish medicine has come to instant gender change."
"Oh dear," said Moria, "What are you going to do when it's time to leave for Heishter?"
"I have almost a year before classes begin, however," Mairey sighed, "The recovery process can last up to two months. Which means that I'll have to choose between either holding the procedure off for another year or missing two months worth of school." She looked down in worry, "I just wish I could obtain my new form before school starts."
Moria placed her hand on her shoulder, "Well I know that you've been wanting this procedure for years now but I also know that Heishter is your dream school," she gave her a soft smile, "Whatever happens, I know that you'll make the right choice."
Mairey looked up at her and smiled, "Thank you, lass." The two women then hugged each other.
"There you are!" Said Lemar as he walked up to them, "I've been looking all over for you, Moria." He seemed to be holding something behind his back.
"Why's that?" Moria looked at him in confusion.
"Well I've been meaning to ask you something," he answered.
The two women looked at each other for a moment, wondering about his question.
He glared at Mairey, "I'd like to ask her in private."
Mairey crossed her arms, "What's the magic word?"
Lemar sighed, "Please?"
Mairey smirked, "Alrighty," she got up, "You two have fun." She then went back inside.
Lemar sat down next to Moria on the bench.
"So what's your question?" The lass asked curiously.
"Well," Lemar took the bouquet of roses out from behind his back, "Will you go to Lord Rivmer's ball with me?" He asked as he handed the flowers to her.
Moria sighed, "Listen," she refused to take the bouquet, "I can't."
"What?" Lemar was shocked, "How come?"
"I'm already going to the ball with Sir McRoy."
"Why him?" He asked angrily.
"Lemar," Moria began, "I'm his squire, remember? I *must* assist him. It's part of our duties as squires to attend these types of events with our knights."
"Oh…" Said Lemar, not knowing how to respond. *When did she get a knight?* He wondered.
"I already told you that I'm going to the ball with Sir McRoy," Moria was upset, "I told you that he's my knight numerous times and that we always go to these events together. Were you not paying attention?"
"You see," said Lemar, "I knew that you're training to be a squire but I never realized you were taking it *this* seriously?"
"Excuse me?" Moria was now furious, "*Everyone* at our school has a knight that they're working under."
"I know that." Said Lemar.
"Then what did you mean by *this* seriously?" She asked, glaring at him.
"Well," Lemar scratched the back of his head as he carefully thought about what to say, "You're the only female squire I know. Therefore, I assumed that you were only attending our school for status reasons."
"What?! You didn't think I was serious about becoming a knight? Unbelievable!" Moria got up and went back inside.
Lemar attempted to get up and follow her but then realized that it's no use. Once she left the garden, Lemar threw the bouquet onto the ground and began stomping on it.
"Pathetic dull roses!" He mumbled angrily, "Foul elvish hag! Foolish bloody Kreed following me here! Bloody McRoy taking my love to the ball!"
Meanwhile, Mairey was in the dining room getting some fruit punch. Kreed carefully approached her.
"Hello there!" he smiled shyly.
"Hi, Kreed." Said Mairey, barely making eye contact with him.
"Listen," he frowned, "I just want to apologize for what I said to you earlier. It was unkind and disgraceful of me to say all those things to you. I am deeply sorry for making you uncomfortable."
After hearing this, Mairey was pleasantly surprised. She finally looked up at him, "You know, you're the first one to ever apologize to me for something like that." She gave him a soft smile, "I forgive you, lad."
"Really?" Kreed smiled.
Mairey nodded, "But don't get your hopes up. I ain't gonna date you or anything like that."
"I understand," Kreed nodded, still smiling, "I just wanted to start over and be friends."
Mairey smirked a bit, "I'm alright with that, lad."