Seraphina folded her hands in her lap and stared at her reflection in the mirror as the women around her bustled around, arguing over colors. Dark blue, icy blue, white, off-shades of white, they all blurred together as each woman carried and held up different articles of clothing, forming a moving wall of fabric and arguments.

She softly sighed and stood up, gaining their attention. "I'm going home. I will let my sister dress me and decorate me for tonight."

The women mumbled to each other but she walked past them, her head held high. She took a deep breath once she stepped outside and walked to her and her sister's small home. Nudging the door open, she sniffled as a few tears slipped out.

She rubbed her eyes and leaned into the smaller woman as Alice hugged her tightly. She hugged her back and rubbed her eyes, mumbling, "I don't want to do this without you."

Alice nodded and pressed her cheek to hers. "You won't. I'll be right beside you as long as I can. Come on, I'll find moms old fancy stuff."

Seraphina nodded and followed the smaller girl to the bedroom, sitting at the small vanity table. She watched in the old mirror as Alice scurried around and took a deep breath, slowly calming herself. She dabbed her eyes dry and pulled out her makeup, tying her hair back into a loose bun.

Alice held up a dress and smiled slightly. "I remember making this. Thought I'd fucked up all the colors though."

Seraphina tilted her head and looked at it. The dress wasn't the best made but it wasn't terrible either. It was plain white at the top with a few embelishments and the skirt was unintentionally cut so it was shorter in the front and longer in the back. Alice had tried to dip-dye the skirt but it had come out looking more like an uneven ombre from white to blue.

Seraphina smiled; it may have been Alice's first real project but it was made with hard work and love. "I'll wear that. It's something you made and I want something to remember you by."

Alice sniffled and nodded, her eyes watering. "Alright, let me do your face first okay? And then I'll let you get dressed and do your hair."

Seraphina nodded and turned away from the mirror for Alice to do her makeup. After getting the base coat on, Alice carefully swiped the light blue powder over her eyelids and smiled to herself as she added a light shimmer to her cheeks. She grabbed the tube of lipstick and carefully applied it, stepping back to admire her work.

She nodded firmly and said, "Okay, how did I do? Be honest, I take criticism but I will cry."

Seraphina chuckled softly and smiled as she looked in the mirror. "I love it. The shimmer is a nice touch."

Alice nodded and pulled out some white panties and a bra. "Glad you like it, I was a bit worried but now that I see it, it looks really good. Alright, these go on first and, oh, here, I found some white fishnets. Gonna make you look like a fucking goddess if I've ever seen one."

Seraphina rolled her eyes and undressed before changing, sliding on the stockings last. Alice helped her into the dress and Seraphina held her breath as Alice tightened the back, tying the ribbons together into a bow. Seraphina twisted some to look in the small vanity mirror and pulled down her hair, nodding slightly.

Alice smiled slightly and motioned her hand. "Brush your hair for me, I'm gonna find some jewelry."

Seraphina nodded and sat down, grabbing the brush. As she worked the brush through her hair, Alice rummaged through the closet to look through a couple old jewelry boxes. Seraphina glanced up at a small cheer and smiled as Alice danced over. "What'd you find?"

Alice smiled widely and set the small box down, opening it. "Diamonds. Forgot we had these. Guess that was a good thing though or else I would've sold them by now."

Seraphina rolled her eyes and picked up the necklace. It was a long, thin silver chain with a bright blue gemstone in the center of several diamonds. She tilted her head and clipped it on as Alice held up the tear-drop shaped earrings. Seraphina smiled slightly and tilted her head, holding back a wince as Alice quickly inserted them.

Alice patted her head and smiled. "There, now for hair. Wanna do something simple or more complex?"

Seraphina hummed and tilted her head, playing with a piece of her hair. "Maybe something more simple. Think you can braid?"

Alice nodded and grinned proudly. "I've been practicing."

Seraphina nodded and straightened up. "Then, I have an idea."

Alice nodded and cracked her knuckles, carefully following Seraphina's instructions. Before long, Seraphina had braids twisting together on each side of her head and meeting to form into a simple ponytail where the braids were left to unravel into loose curls. Alice stepped back and squeezed her hands together some as Seraphina looked over her hair.

Seraphina smiled and nodded. "I love it. Thank you for all this, Alice."

Alice smiled and hugged her as she stood, resting her head on Seraphina's shoulder. She sniffled and softly mumbled, "I'm gonna miss you."

Seraphina gently squeezed her and took a deep breath, blinking rapidly. "Don't make me mess up my makeup now. I'd hate for you to have to redo it."

Alice nodded and pulled back to rub her eyes dry. "Yeah, let's get you all finished up and ready. It's almost sunset."

Seraphina nodded and slid on a pair of light blue heels, walking out with her arm linked with Alices'. Alice rubbed her eyes repeatedly and ignored the others sad looks as they walked to the edge of town. Seraphina, meanwhile, walked tall and kept an even look on her face while staring ahead.

Alice sniffled once they reached the stone platform and hugged Seraphina tightly, squeezing her. Seraphina gently squeezed her back and took a deep breath before pulling away. Alice stared as Seraphina stepped onto the platform and sat down on the table, folding her hands in her lap.

"It's time to go home, Alice. Remember, I will always love you."

Alice nodded and wiped her cheeks repeatedly as tears streamed down. "I will. I love you, too. I'll keep you in my thoughts."

Seraphina nodded and took a deep breath as Alice walked back to the village. Seraphina rapidly fanned her eyes as they watered and shook her head, silently telling herself she couldn't cry because Alice would have to fix her makeup. Seraphina sniffled softly and watched as the sky changed, forming a dark sunset.

It was always a dark sunset when the time came; a sign of the arrival. Seraphina sat stiffly and watched as the moon slowly rose, a deeper blue than normal. She closed her eyes as a chill swept over her and rubbed her arms, her breath mixing with the creeping fog.

She jolted when she felt something brush her leg and bit her lip as a presence surrounded her. She kept her eyes closed and curled her fingers into the skirt, keeping perfectly still. She felt the presence move away and lightly bit her lip.

She flinched when a deep voice spoke, "Open your eyes."