A celebration of Life

[erisfnord]

The doors and windows have been flung wide open - the better to catch what little air moves down here - and all are wreathed in twining Delphinium and Lilies, perfuming the hot air that wafts down this particular street of the Bazaar, into the building itself.  The whole building is wide open, from the first to the second floor.  The reception hall

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[erisfnord]

Your hostess for the evening is smiling as she re-arranges flowers in vases. She's wearing her soft, pale grey dress, and her hair is piled on her head to cascade down one side of her neck. With a glass of wine in one hand, she'll gladly welcome whoever strolls through the doors.

[laura_riding]

"Good evening, darling!" With a laugh and a cry, Laura whirls up to the door, the red silk of her gown too-loud, too-bright against the grey. "I'm so terribly sorry I'm late -- I've been so preoccupied, I simply couldn't get away--"

[erisfnord]

"Oh, but you look lovely, dear!" Eris takes Laura's hands in hers, drawing her close for a small kiss right on the corner of her mouth. "You're not even late, you're the first here!"

She'll then hold her out, at arms length, to study her lovely dress - though it's surely out of place against the grey, it's surely beautiful - it is Laura, after all.

[laura_riding]

It is beautiful -- all silks and lace, low at the neckline and short in the sleeves. Laura's hand flutters to her heart, almost bone-white against the gown's rich scarlet. "Really? Well, how perfectly thrilling! The first to arrive. I shall never be the first to arrive again in my life, I think -- I'll keep this moment entirely unique, and preserve its value. From now on," she declares, and the usual jesting light in her eyes is quite absent here, "I shall always be the very last."

[erisfnord]

A pause, in which Eris' good and green eyes trace their way across her face, taking her expression in. "I think that's a bit ambitious - you'll find being somewhere in the middle is generally easier - and more comfortable.""

[laura_riding]

"Oh, but what's the use of that?" She waves a hand, dismissive. "Somewhere in the middle. Darling, where's your ambition? They'll only look at you if you soar to the stars or if you fall into Hell itself -- only then, only ever then. Anything else is frankly dull by comparison."

[erisfnord]

"But if you manage to light the path up or down, they'll remember you. After all - I'm not the best in London, but I've heard what people call me - 'the cycolpean seamstress'! Whether it means I'm destined for hell or for the sky I don't know, but either way - it's a comfortable name for me. You'll never be dull, whether you rise or fall."

[laura_riding]

"Light." She grins, twisting a lock of hair around her finger. "Like candles."

[erisfnord]

"Like flames, like candles, like /stars/ or the /sun/." Her good eye flickers like a sputtering candle when she says this. "And you'll burn brightly."

[laura_riding]

"And they'll see." For a moment, she looks wholly intent and serious, as though all other thoughts have disappeared from her mind -- but the moment passes, and her smile returns. "I think I shall have wine. If you'll excuse me, my dear?"

[louis_plumb]

Louis jogs over, grinning, "Eris, good evening!" He stops near her and straightens his suit, holding out a box wrapped in red, "You look beautiful, yes?"

[erisfnord]

"Hello, dear!" Up on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek - "Can I interest you in a glass of mead?"

She quickly pours him a glass of something golden, extending it to him as an exchange. "Did you bring me something, Louis?" Curiosity and happiness are brightening every word.

[louis_plumb]

"Of course! This is yours-- You can open it now or later, I don't mind either way." With his hair brushed back and neat, he looks much more adult. He takes the glass of mead, and speaks with a giggle, "Thank you! It is my favourite, thanks to you."

[erisfnord]

She take the package from him, once his own glass is firmly ensconced in his hand, and she holds it reverently for a moment.

"I'm glad you like it. You look incredible, dear."

A blush and a tiny smile accompany her gloved fingers gently tracing over the box. "May I? I'd love to see what's inside..."

[louis_plumb]

Louis blushes, "It's the suit you made me, it fits perfectly. I've never had clothes that fit before--" He shakes his head and waves a hand, "You may!"

Inside the box is a lovely necklace of a lily, with Eris' name engraved on the back.

[erisfnord]

And as the paper falls off, the box opens, her eyes will slowly go wide, her lips parted in surprise, her right hand touching her chest where the necklace will hang.

"Louis -" a shimmer of tears standing out in her eyes -"this is...beautiful. So beautiful."