Chapter Text
Among all the seven deadly sins, it was pride that irked Six the most.
Although, she would be a hypocrite if she said that she was humble. Yes; maybe she was a little prideful, albeit not as much as some people she knew.
Six passed through a field of tall meadow grass, feeling the sun cradle her face. She approaches her home; a 17th century house surrounded by a small moat. Six spots a familiar wooden plank that she often used to cross the moat. Surrounding her are various farm animals her family kept around, mostly ducks that lie around the moat. They have a few servants who tend to pieces of fabric, who greet Six once they notice her presence. She can only nod in gratitude.
She enters her home through a back door, placing down the book in her hand on a nearby table. Six can hear the sound of piano scales; a beautiful and alluring melody played by her younger sister, Ruth, or otherwise nicknamed ‘Noone’, because of how she only seemed to be productive by noon.
Six spots her two other sisters, Sienna and Alone, peeking through their parents’ bedroom. Sienna, or as her sisters liked to call her, ‘Spoons’, was the second youngest among the five sisters. She was nicknamed that way, because whenever she stayed in the kitchen, almost all of the spoons would be used. It was odd, and she would never tell why. One might think that ‘Alone’ was a nickname; but they would be quite wrong. Alone, the youngest of the five, who somehow held more energy than her entire family combined, despite her name.
Six approached her two sisters, who were obviously eavesdropping on their parents’ conversation.
“Six! Have you heard!? A young man from the Pale City has come to visit our little town!” Alone whispered, turning to face her older sister.
“With five thousand a year, apparently!” Sienna added, squealing. Six narrowed her eyes in doubt, as her sisters turned to face the door to listen in more on the conversation inside. Their eldest sister, Raine, joins them at the door. Alone and Sienna relay the information to her, who giggles in reply. The four girls hush among one another, listening to their mother speak.
“What a fine thing for our girls!” Mrs. Allister exclaimed, wiping a porcelain mask on her vanity table. Their father could only sigh in response, tipping his fedora hat despite being indoors.
“How can it possibly affect them?” Mr. Allister asked.
“My darling, how can you be so inattentive! You know that he must marry one of them,” She replied, distressed in her voice.
“Oh, so that is his design in staying here?” Their father stood up, opening their door only to find four of his daughters listening in on their conversation. The girls move to the side awkwardly, allowing their father to pass as their mother follows in frantic strides.
“You must go and visit him at once!”
Noone’s fingers pause abruptly on the piano, only having noticed the commotion around her. She sees her sisters follow their mother and father, and Noone joins them.
“Yes, Father, you must!” Alone exclaims as Mr. Allister sits on their smaller sofa in the living room.
“Please, Papa!” Spoons kneeled beside her father’s chair.
Mr. Allister sighed and set his hat down, revealing his dark hair and tired expression.
“There is no need, for I already have.”
A tense silence envelopes the room.
“You have!?” Mrs. Allister gasped, as her daughters exchanged cheeky grins.
“When?” Raine interrupted, taking a step forward.
Their father chuckled slightly in response. “It matters not. I believe he will be present at tomorrow’s ball.”
All five daughters squealed among one another in excitement, though Six could really care less. She merely enjoyed witnessing her sisters relish in joy.
Their mother sat on the couch beside where their father rested.
“Is he amiable?” She queried.
“Is he handsome!?” Spoons quipped, interrupting their mother.
Alone scoffed in amusement. “He’s sure to be handsome!”
Six cackled slightly. “Oh please, with five thousand a year, it would not matter if he had the face of a nome.”
The girls giggled among themselves, exchanging rapid guesses about who this young man might be.
“I will give my hearty consent to whichever of the girls he chooses to marry.” Mr. Allister declared, as his wife placed her hand over his own.
Spoons turns to face Raine. “I have to borrow your red ribbons, please!”
“No, I need it!” Alone interjects.
Mr. Allister turns to Noone, who is yet to speak up about this whole ordeal. “What about you, Ruth? Are you not enthralled by the prospect of a possible suitor?”
“Society has claims on us all, Father. As long as I have my mornings to myself, I do not mind a possible suitor to come and sweep me off my feet.” Ruth replies honestly, to which Six heartily laughs.
“She’s right, Father. For what good is a man if he cannot respect a woman’s wishes? Six deduced, earning a hum from her father as her sisters continued to indulge in laughter.
The ballroom is packed to the brim with bodies. Warm light spills from the chandelier above, as servers walk around the area to offer drinks for the guests. Sienna and Alone, with their mother, are fussing over their clothes.
Alone straightens her dark, emerald green dress— fidgeting with the lace of her corset.
“It’s too tight. I literally can’t breathe.” She insists, as her hands move to fix her hair.
“My feet hurt,” Spoons groaned, taking a seat on one of the chairs near the walls as she pats down her light blue dress.
A little further away, is where Six and Raine can be spotted. Raine’s hair is tied into a clean, single braid tied with a red ribbon, that somehow looks more appealing than the updos of the other women in the room. She is also wearing her best, yellow dress, akin to the color of a daffodil. It was accompanied by their mother’s pendant, a color that matched her eyes. She looks breathtaking, Six thinks.
Six did not care much for appearances, but she didn’t want to scare off any men that might want to approach her sister tonight; so she dressed nicer than usual. She wore a dull, midnight blue dress similar to Raine’s. Her hair didn’t have the length nor the volume that her older sister did, so she simply stuck with a simple style similar to the other women in the room. The pair of them, along with Noone, who wore a simple purple dress, watched those who danced in the middle of the room with enthusiasm and laughter. A warm atmosphere settled as the three girls chattered between themselves over the loud music.
“Well if every man in this room does not fall completely in love with you, then I am no judge of beauty.” Six attested, turning to address her older sister. Raine laughs, and she swears that a man behind them snapped his head towards Raine.
“Or men.” Raine quips in return.
Six scoffs. “They are far too easy to judge.”
“They are not all that bad.”
“They are humorless poppycocks, in my thankfully limited experience.” Six declares, and Raine giggles.
“One of these days, Six, someone will catch your eye and then you’ll have to watch your tongue.” Raine raised her voice slightly, as the music got louder. Six rolled her eyes in response, crossing her arms.
The dancers in the room continued to move, until a presence was felt upon the entrance.
The music halted, and movement inside the room did too. Whispers echoed from every part of the room, as the three girls perked up to find the cause of the commotion.
At the entrance stood two men, both of dark hair but different shades. A man on the left with neat, black hair and a friendly face– while the taller man on the right had brown hair, with an expression that made him look somewhat standoffish. The host walked to both men, exchanging bows.
“How good of you both to come.” The host said.
Six’s ears perked up, as she stared intently at the two men present.
“So, which of them is the ‘possible suitor’ father talked about?” Six whispered.
“The man on the left. He is Mr. Lambert, and he’s quite friendly, I heard.” Noone replied, nodding her head.
“And the man with lifeless eyes?” Six joked, cackling.
“That, is Mr. Turner. He is Mr. Lambert’s good friend.” Noone stepped forward slightly, unable to see as the crowd began to gather.
Six perked up, her eyes scanning through the crowd that gathered. “He looks miserable, poor soul.”
“Miserable he may be, but poor? He most certainly is not.” Ruth whispered in return. Raine and Six exchanged a brief glance.
“Oh? Tell us!” Raine murmured softly.
“10,000 a year, and he owns half of Pale City.”
“The miserable half?” Six quipped, earning a quiet giggle from both girls.
The two men, along with the host begin to walk among the crowd. The people around them curtsy in reply, including the three girls. They eventually reach the other side of the room, and lively music resumes from the band. People gather in the room once more, to join hands, dance, and indulge in endless laughter.
Mono was not the kind of man who enjoyed the attention of a crowd. Despite his stoic face on the outside; he felt undoubtedly awkward himself. The host’s words barely registered to him as his eyes scanned through the crowd nervously, as each person curtsied politely.
It embarrassed him a little, even though he was supposed to be used to it.
Beside him, Arkay, seemed to be flattered by the gesture and eased a friendly smile on his face.
They walked through the crowd slowly, and Mono swore that they were moving in slow motion. Could they not move any faster?!
The room is packed with a variety of men and women, all of different appearances and expressions. None of them stood out to him, at first.
Until his eyes landed on who he believed might just be the most beautiful woman in the room.
It was her eyes that Mono saw first.
An alluring shade of crimson that he’d never seen before.
Unfortunately, he had to keep moving and suddenly, he wished time would slow down more so he could make sure he was seeing things right.
They reached the other side of the room, as the music resumed around him.
Mono is yet to find that woman with a mysterious gaze.
As the crowd in the room began to dance, the three girls lost sight of the two men on the other side. Raine had caught the eye of Mr. Lambert, who still managed to find her gaze even among the crowd of people. Six spots Sienna and Alone along with the crowd of people, dancing their hearts out with strangers they barely knew.
Suddenly, the girls felt their mother’s presence from behind, as she ushered them over to walk towards Mr. Lambert and Turner. Their father led the way, intending to introduce his daughters to the men.
When they reached the proximity of the finer side of the room, Six immediately noticed that their ‘possible suitor’ had already set his eyes on Raine. Mr. Allister shook their hands and exchanged polite pleasantries, then turned to his daughters with his arm outstretched.
“I’m sure you remember my wife,” Their father started, in which their mother replied with a polite curtsy to the men.
“And my daughters, Raine, Six, and Ruth.” He finished, as each girl repeated their mother’s gesture. The men bowed in return, as Mr. Lambert offered them a smile. Mr. Turner remained stoic; a starking contrast to the man beside him.
“It is a pleasure. I have two other daughters, but they’re already dancing.” Mrs. Allister chuckled, gesturing to the crowd behind them.
Mr. Lambert kept the smile on his face. “Delighted to make your acquaintance. People often call me Mr. Lambert, but please call me Arkay. I find it a little unsettling when people my age refer to me as mister.” He chuckled awkwardly, earning side glances from the girls.
Mr. Allister cleared his throat, earning the attention of his daughters. “And may I introduce, Mr. Turner.”
“Oh, Mono will do just fine. I prefer mentions of me without my honorifics.” He assured, giving a stiff bow. The girls continued to exchange suspicious glances as Six held in her laugh, offering Mono a smile.
He did not return the gesture.
Six’s smile faltered, but she pressed on either way. He most definitely held her gaze, yet with such a cold expression on his face.
Mono only had one thing on his mind..
Her eyes.
A few moments had passed, as Mr. and Mrs. Allister had left their daughters with Arkay and Mono. Ruth had gone with her other sisters, leaving Six and Raine. Six has noticed that ever since Arkay had entered, his eyes had not left Raine. He seems to be almost unaware of how painfully obvious he was being.
“So, how do you like it here in our little village, Arkay?” Six asked politely, yet Arkay could only spare her a glance before his eyes switched back to her sister.
He smiled at Raine shyly. “Very much. I find it to be pleasant, if anything.”
“That library in Pale City, I’ve heard, is one of the finest in the country.” Raine chirped, which earned Arkay’s attention immediately.
“Yes, it fills me with guilt, actually.” He stammered, feeling a blush reach around his collar.
Mono eyed Arkay knowingly, yet his expression remained like stone.
“I’m not a good reader, you see. I mean, I can read of course..” Arkay trailed off, feeling more nervous as he met Raine’s eyes.
“I understand, in a way.” Raine smiled, as her eyes softened. “I wish I read more, but there always seems to be so many other things to do.” She continued, averting her gaze.
“That’s exactly what I meant!” Arkay beamed, as Raine laughed at his friendly nature.
Mono and Six could only look at each other awkwardly, listening to their acquaintances get along while they remained stone cold with one another. The band began to play an upbeat melody once more, as guests excitedly gathered around the dance floor. Arkay smiled and bowed his head slightly toward Raine, lending his hand.
“May I have the honour?” He asked, meeting her emerald eyes. Raine giggled in reply, placing her gloved hand above his naked ones.
“Of course.”
Raine and Arkay head off to the crowd of people, dancing as if their lives depended on it. Six and Mono stood there awkwardly as friends and couples alike danced around them.
“Do you dance, Mono?” Six inquired, giving him a curious glance.
Mono stiffened at the question, catching her look as she averted her gaze.
“Not if I can help it.” He replied flatly. Six frowned slightly, as she shrugged to herself inwardly.
On the dance floor, Arkay and Raine continue to dance. There’s a very obvious shade of red that’s spread on his ears and neck, while she remains coy and composed. Six watches in amusement, completely oblivious to the conversations her mother was having with other mothers. Mono was used to overhearing mothers talk about throwing their daughters in his direction, but it made him cringe nonetheless. He had not much interest in women only after his money. Six leaves to join her other sisters, who stood not too far from them.
The music reaches its final tune, as applause erupts from the room. Arkay returns by Mono’s side, as Raine returns with her sisters. He’s exhilarated, if the expression on his face wasn’t evident enough.
“Come, Mono. You must dance. I hate to see you standing by yourself in this ridiculous manner!” Arkay exclaimed, his face shifting to worry.
Mono shook his head in reply. “You know how much I detest it.”
“I’ve never seen so many pretty girls in my life.” Arkay declared, his eyes scanning the room for Raine. Mono scoffs.
“You were dancing with the most beautiful one, Arkay.”
His face beams in response. “She is the most lovely woman I have ever beheld. But her sister is also agreeable,” Arkay adds.
They don’t notice that Raine and Six had walked past them, overhearing their conversation.
“She’s perfectly tolerable, I dare say. Eye-catching, yet not for a long while.” Mono declares. Arkay raises an eyebrow, to which the taller man shrugs. “You better find that girl once more, for you are wasting your time with me.”
Raine and Six continue walking, as the latter’s face shifts into one of bewilderment.
“Ignore him, Six. He seems to be a very disagreeable man, it would be a misfortune to be liked by him.” Raine chuckled, as Six rolled her eyes.
They continued walking until they reached far enough to talk loudly without Mono or Arkay hearing them.
“It matters not to me. Don’t worry, I wouldn’t dance with him even for half of Pale City.” Six jested, to which Raine laughed in return.
A few moments pass once more, as Six and Raine return with their sisters. Ruth, Sienna, and Alone seem to be ecstatic, knowing that Mr. Lambert appears to be smitten with their eldest sister. Raine is polite about it, claiming that he is charming. The music falls to a crescendo once more, and a young man that the sisters recognize inquired Raine for a dance. She accepts graciously, though she does not dance with much passion as she did with Arkay.
Six notices this.
Arkay seems to be also dancing with another woman, yet his eyes only ever seem to find Raine even with the moving crowd. Six notices something evident in his eyes; longing. Alas, he cannot dance every dance with her. The remaining sisters dance with one another exuberantly, laughing and chatting. Mono stands on the side, his fine features painted with boredom.
Yet even as she moved, her eyes had a constance of meeting him.
Those vermillion eyes.
The room settled down to its chatty atmosphere. Alone, Ruth, and Sienna ran off to greet the few guards who have also come to visit their little village. Six and Raine were accompanied by their mother, who were in the presence of Arkay and Mono.
“It’s rather lively here. Many young women appear to be so full of life!” Arkay exclaimed with excitement.
“Indeed they are,” Mrs. Allister concurred. “But of course, it’s my Raine who’s considered the beauty of our village.”
“Oh, Mama, Please don’t—!”
“—When she was only fifteen, there was a gentleman so in love with her that I was surprised he didn’t make her an offer.” Her mother interjected.
“But I suppose he did write her some pretty verses.” She concluded. Raine avoided the gaze of everyone present; embarrassment evident in her face.
“And so it ended their affection. Anyhow, I wonder who first discovered the power of poetry in driving away love?” Six continued, as the awkwardness her mother created began to be replaced by something else.
Mono’s ears perked up.
“I thought that poetry was the food of love?” He inquired, a glimmer of interest in his auburn eyes.
Six placed her hands behind her.
“Of a fine, stout love, it may. Everything nourishes what is strong already. But if it is only a thin, slight sort of inclination, I'm convinced that one good sonnet will starve it away entirely.”
Mono’s eyes widened slightly in amusement.
“So what would you recommend, to encourage affection?” He wondered. Six flashed him a small smile, a knowing glint in her eyes.
“Dancing. Even if one’s partner is barely tolerable.” Six tilts her head upward slightly as she says it, staring deep into his eyes in hopes that he gets the point she’s trying to make. The tension is palpable; yet the other three present remain unaware as Six and Mono hold eye contact, for breaking it would feel like a loss for either side.
Mono is back to his usual isolation from social interaction, as those around him danced once more. He watches the crowd form a circle, arm in arm, spinning. It’s a portrayal of unity and community, yet Mono cannot find himself to enjoy it at the very least. He watches with narrowed eyes, and he is yet to be aware that it’s a specific color of irises he’s searching for.
The night ended not too long after. Raine and Six are tucked in the same bed, as they whisper to each other beneath the covers.
Raine turned to Six, her face gleaming. “Arkay is just what a young man ought to be. Charming, sensible—“
“—Handsome, conveniently rich..” Six finished the list for her, offering a giggle.
“You know very well that I do not believe that marriage should be driven by money.” Raine replied sternly, as Six rolled her eyes.
“Fine, I might agree somehow. But the money is still quite convenient.” Six retorted. They paused for a moment, listening to the crickets outside their home.
“Do you really believe he liked me, Six?”
“Raine, he literally danced with you the entire night. And if he wasn’t dancing with you, he was most certainly staring at you.” Six concluded, sighing.
Raine averted her gaze from her younger sister. “I was flattered, I must admit. I did not think that he would be so charming.”
The younger woman cackled.
“That is one great difference between us, Raine. You are always taken by surprise even when you should not be. Anyhow, Arkay is definitely amiable, and I would not mind if you liked him. You have definitely liked stupider people before.”
“Six!”
“You are too kind to others, Raine. All the world is good and agreeable in your eyes.” She pointed out.
Raine pouted. “Definitely not his friend, though. I still cannot believe he said that about you!”
“Mono? No worries. I could have easily forgiven his pride, had he not wounded mine. But no matter, I doubt I shall ever speak to him again.” Six declared. Her older sister laughed in response, as she blew out the candle and embraced the moonlight.