I'll Be the Princess (Burke girls, Lani, Justine)

[Kassia Burke]

Kassia couldn't really be qualified as a giggling blond, while she fell under one requirement, it was rare that she giggled. She smiled and found pleasure in the strangest things, but for the most part she was a bit more reserved, and when she laughed it was soft and cultured in comparison to a teenage giggle.

She noticed Justine as she walked in the door, and despite her sister's well meaning she couldn't help but wonder if Justine would have been better being left alone, she certainly seemed to have a lot on her plate and Kassia was going to caution Fee about pushing the girl, but held her tongue instead, Fee obviously had good intentions and Kassia didn't want to spoil that. Things would play out how they would play out, she was actually quite proud of her sister's generosity and kind heartedness.

[Justine Torrance]

Justine hesitated. She really had not planned to go to the ball. And Ophelia was correct in saying that the two of them weren't really friends. In fact, the little speech Ophelia had just given her might have been the most words that the eldest Burke sister had ever spoken to her at one time.

"I.... I don't know..." she said doubtfully.

[Ophelia Burke]

But Ophelia was not about to take no for an answer. "Please say you'll go. It'll be so much fun and you won't regret it! Why, I'm sure I can make you look pretty. You just need a little bit of makeup. And if you just pulled your hair out of your eyes, I'm sure you'd look great. You have very pretty skin, and nice eyes. You just have to stop hiding them. Please, it would make me so happy if you would come. No one should be sad tonight. It's New year's Eve!"

[Justine Torrance]

Justine eyed Ophelia for a long moment, clearly at war with herself. The offer was very generous, even if it did leave Justine feeling a bit like a charity case. But she could see that it was well-intentioned and sincere. And the idea of sitting alone in the dorm room all night while everyone else danced was pretty depressing. Even for Justine, who rather enjoyed being depressed.

"OK, I'll go," she said at last. "I probably won't stay very long. Just to see what all the fuss is about."

[Ophelia Burke]

Ophelia clapped her hands together excitedly. "Yay! Oh, I'm so happy!" she said. She left Kassia's hair for just a moment and bounced over to her closet, producing a short, sparkly black dress with thin straps and a slightly flared skirt.

"It comes with a wrap, too, in case you get cold," she said. "Please. Go put it on, and then I'll do your hair when I'm done with Kassi's. Oh, this is so fun! I can't wait!"

Her enthusiasm was contagious as she hurried back over to finish Kassia's hair.

[Kassia Burke]

Kassia hid her smile. She was proud of her sister, while Ophelia did seem to think about herself a lot, most people missed the fact that she was also very generous. She was like a true fairytale princess, high up in a tower, so very untouchable but her grace extended to those she deemed worthy.

Kassia thought of herself more like a general or advisor, quiet and behind the scenes trying to keep the kingdom safe and happy. But she wasn't a general. By all rights the three Burke ladies were princesses, but Kassia though she would never have the audacity to say as much, was like a queen. Quiet, regal, proud, calculating, and always concerned about the welfare of those she cared about. She had state's issues in mind and wasn't open with much, life was like a game of Chess, she was not a devious player out for blood, she was simply a protective one, playing the smart moves to aid her family "her people".

As Ophelia came back to fiddle with her hair Kassia caught her sister's hand and squeezed it a moment. She didn't speak but the look of pride in her eyes couldn't be mistaken between sisters, she seemed to say, "that was a very good thing you did" with a single look.

[Ophelia Burke]

Ophelia smiled happily, a pink tint on her porcelain cheeks. It was true that Ophelia could be selfish and self-centered. But deep down, she did have a good heart. She abhorred sadness and misery, this was one of the reasons why Ophelia had never really been friends with Justine, even though they were roommates. Justine liked to be depressed. She liked to think about death and other sad things. Ophelia did not like to think about those things. She saw the world in a very innocent and simplistic manner: Death was sad, sadness was bad. And she felt very bad that Justine's boyfriend had died, but she couldn't stand to see the girl wallowing in sadness. The sadness enveloped them all and dragged them down. She wanted Justine to have fun and be happy and let go of the sadness, and she certainly couldn't do that if she was sitting alone in the common room while everyone else was at the ball.

She put the finishing touches on Kassia's hair, then pulled back and smiled. "You look so pretty!" she said, spinning her sister around to see the mirror. "Just look!"

[Kassia Burke]

Kassia was never fooled by her looks or anyone else's, you could be drop dead gorgeous and have the ugliest soul imaginable, so she held little pride for her beauty, though the Burke's of course had very beautiful genes. Still looking into the mirror she suppressed the shock at her appearance, she had always appeared orderly, comely, and enhanced her looks well enough, but she rarely made the effort to look as nice as she did now unless it was for an event, and each time she did, it always took her by surprise.

Finally she smiled composed and grateful, "Thank you Fee, you work wonders."

[Ophelia Burke]

Ophelia waved away her sister's compliment. It wasn't something she often did, turn down a compliment. When the compliment was about her, and her beauty and poise and other good qualities, she was always pleased to receive praise. But in this case, Kassia was giving her credit for something that she didn't feel she deserved. She had not done anything to Kassia's appearance that was not already there. She had a natural beauty, and Ophelia didn't even have to work very hard to bring it out.

"Nonsense. You're a Burke. You're beautiful when you first wake up in the morning."

Not as beautiful as me, was her silent disclaimer.

[Kassia Burke]

Kassia laughed at such confidence, "Yes you're right." she agreed for the sake of comraderie. She glanced at Allaire and it was true, all three Burke girls were beautiful, it would have been impossible otherwise what with their parents. All that was left to do now was change into her gown. She had put it off long enough she supposed, and with a nod stood up and went to where her dress was hanging, she removed the protective material and inspected her creation once more then slipped it on over her corset and petticoats and such.

[Ophelia Burke]

Now that everyone else was ready, Ophelia took out her own dress and carefully stepped into it. She still wanted to do Justine's hair and makeup, but the girl hadn't come out yet in the black dress Fee had given her, so she figured she might as well use the time to get into her dress.

As she pulled it up over her, she broke into a smile. She looked every bit the fairy tale princess she wanted to be. The icy blue color complimented her eyes perfectly, and she looked as if she had just stepped out of a wintry paradise.

"Could someone zip me up?" she called, unable to reach the zipper in the back.

[Leilani Evetts]

"I'll do it," Lani said, pulling herself off the bed. She had been quiet for most of this, letting the show be about Fee. She deserved the attention, and Lani still felt a little down about this ball. She hoped that Rystain would come through for her.

Standing behind her friend, she pulled the zipper up, smiling. She already knew that Ophelia was going to look gorgeous. The Tyler boy wouldn't know what hit him.

"You're finished, Fee," Lani told her. "And you look beautiful."