Coraline tightly clasped her arms around Vivianne. She was the kind of girl that was a known mother the moment they were born.
When they were little girls Vivianne had more baby dolls than one could count, and she took care of each one separately.
Her smile was a ring of spring, Coraline wished they never grew out of being 'school girls,' on special occasions Mr. Sixes would send them into a carriage to the All-Girls Academy. Though Coraline was being taken care of by her aunt—whom she loved dearly, however, the Sixes family was more of a family she could ask for.
Mrs. Sixes is the one who educated her about the changes her body would experience.
She was the one to speak to Coraline all the way to dawn to help answer all the questions she had. She even disciplined her when she was the one in the wrong.
A rebellious phase that Coraline now cringes at, she'd stalk all the girls who did a bad act to another girl in class and torture them. Only worsened the problem but it didn't get rid of the feeling of satisfaction.
Mrs. Sixes was the one to talk her out of it with a few words, "Fight evil with evil, and you'll become the one you we're fighting against."
It was sufficient enough to straighten out Coraline and matured in a way.
Mrs. Sixes was mean when she needed to be, loving when it was called for, and defensive in aid. She bought Coraline's first pair of trousers when it was still something being debated about.
"Wear as you want girl, if you want this then that's it. Nothing else to consider, understood?"
Coraline gleamed with the gift, and it was hard for her to stop wearing it, "Yes ma'am!"
Vivianne's place became a second home for Coraline as she frequents it more as she grew. Even the babies became accustomed to her like it was genetic for any kid tied to the Sixes bloodline to come to adore Coraline.
When Vivianne and she were alone playing dolls, Coraline would take a doll that resembled her friend and one that looked like her—bringing them together and happily singing, "Sisters! Sisters! Friends forever."
Then she'd pushed the dolls together and made them dance for a long time through the floor.
Vivianne bumped her head onto Coraline's forehead. Her curls worked as a curtain for Coraline, a safe place to hide.
"Get some rest. We'll go tomorrow, alright?"
They interlocked their ring fingers tightly—a little tradition the two shared that meant a lot of things. But for the most part, it means either, "Get home safe," "I love you," or "It's okay, okay?"
Coraline nodded her head and waved goodbye to everyone as she left her friend's home. All the little kids swarmed at her ankles, and some pulled at the end of her dress. Each babbling and toppling over one another.
She chuckled and said, "I stayed if I could, but cruel Vivianne kicked me out! Avenge me rascals!"
They all looked at her longing then ran off to take down Vivianne. Coraline smiled as they all loudly bellowed their laughs and chattered every other second.
She had always been curious about having a sister or sibling of her own, but they never came. In a way, Vivianne had filled that spot, she became all Coraline needed.
'Haa,' Coraline unlaced her boots and undid the tight knots on her back. She allowed the corset to slip off and the skirt that held it all together to go tumbling down as well. Then she face-planted into her pillow.
It was enough bad luck already that she lived near the capital.
The city of utmost loyalty to the Sangriles kingdom. It housed more so merchants and consumers than anything else. They were the best at making trading deals and having the entitled opinion to what was worth sponsorship.
That's why they're such good friends with the Vulcandixes—the two went hand in hand in their relationship.
The creator and the buyer.
They mostly traded with each other for materials and advice. They would hold special meetings to have-
'Boring conversations about the economics,' Coraline remembered being an attendee of one. She managed to get in because of a man that had her as her plus one.
She only agreed because it could've been a way to promote her business, Saphire Greens.
When they arrived Coraline was dressed in a felted light green and gloves of a matching set. Her shoes were pale white, and her jewelry was a gift from Vivianne doused in a color that complimented her ruby eyes.
It was when she was younger, so her hair didn't undergo the transformation as of yet. Her blackberry hair reached her waist.
The theme of the party was 'masked,' so she and her partner had a matching set of olive-green masks. He even wore a cloth with a color similar to Coraline's dress neatly tucked in his suit.
Coraline expected the man to have grubby hands since he invited her with strange reasoning. But to her incredulity, he was respectable and handled her with ease.
Their arrival was calm as well, she linked her arm with his and they both had good posture. As time went on he excused himself from her and went to talk to the other guests who resembled aristocrats.
Something she had no problem with because she didn't want to spend her night entertaining the man.
Coraline tipsily wandered around the party after taking glasses of different wines and exquisite beer. Before she knew it she had wasted most of her time on her feet and not with building connections.
Coraline groaned at the remembrance of her actions at the party, as she paraded the floor, she almost tripped on herself in front of a man.
The man immediately stuck his hand out and caught her by the stomach. Her mask dropped from her face, and she looked at the man in bewilderment.
He had a pleasing smile as he watched her, his sea green eyes almost allured Coraline like a captivating lullaby. She clenched at her chest as he bends down to retrieve her mask.
"Thank you, sir," she carefully took her mask from his hands and held her tongue.
"I'm no older than you miss. It was a pleasure to run into you, but I bid you farewell now," the man rushed over to some noble with a fancy suit.
Coraline stood starstruck with her slanted mask, 'Did he know me from the rumors? Or have we met before?'
She ended the night with a few more drinks and was encouraged by drunk men to come by. She fake-listened to the conversation and felt herself nodding off, she only stayed because the man she encountered was there as well.
As he spoke Coraline's eyes would meander over to him then his eyes would meet with hers and he'd flash his smile again.
His mask covered most of his head and hair so that only his eyes and mouth were visible to others. Coraline thought that he wanted to take the mysterious aspect seriously and chuckled at the thought of it.
His build wasn't overbearing either—to Coraline, he had a welcoming presence. As if he was someone you could quickly befriend because his personality was akin.
If she couldn't build a personal relationship with him then she'd at least want a business one with the man.
The discussion between the men continued for a long time till it commenced with a mutual negotiation. All the men hiccupped and joked around as they got up from their seats to leave.
The man that intrigued Coraline must've taken the hint and stayed back to be left alone with her.
Coraline quickly spoke so he wouldn't suddenly leave, "What is your name?"
The man tapped at his mask before taking her by the hand, "I can't stay for long but care for a dance before I leave?"
She looked at him with strained eyebrows, he interrupted her before she could add on again, "I apologize are you here with a partner," his voice was soft and wasn't husky or full of scent like the other men.
Coraline clenched his hand and quickly looked sideways to no sight of the man that came with her, "No."
He covered his mouth with his other hand and smiled softly before taking his hand to grasp her waist, "Shall we?"
He danced with Coraline as if she was like the wind. His steps were just enough for her to follow and when he outreached her from his arm, he'd allow her to take the lead.
The slow set music was just their way of being identical to the tempo. The man dipped Coraline and her dress jumped from above and softly landed back on her legs.
She held her arm around the man's shoulders, he pulled her up and her arm glided to his back. They were both out of breath but still carried a lively grin.
Coraline's chest slowly paced out her breaths so she could get out a few words, "Have we met before?"
The man straightened her out and returned his hands back to himself, "I wonder, have we?"
Coraline analyzed him more deeply it was hard for her to forget a face but she didn't recognize the man before her.
"I don't think we have."