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Forty-One: Preparation

The patrons' early arrival had thrown the school into disarray. The banquet that had been scheduled for the following week had been brought forward, as had the first games of the exhibitions. A feverish excitement had taken hold of the school, with class disruptions and unscheduled changes to the timetables. Elmhirst was in a foul mood, his temper barely concealed behind his icy mask. James and Charlotte had been uneasy in the beginning with their arrival, particular with the reappearance of the unsettling Monsieur Desmarais, but as they reorganised their priorities, both seemed to use the chaos to their advantage.

James called to her room early on the Friday of the patrons' banquet.  He was already dressed to meet the patrons, while Evie was still fussing around Charlotte, trying to prepare her. Rosy who was supposed to be learning from Evie, preparing her skills for future head girls, was sitting sulkily staring out the window. Evie didn't pester her, but allowed her to brood, teary-eyed. Charlotte's gaze fell to her now and again, but something about their silence was enough for her to remain quiet.

"We just need to appear strong, as one," James said almost to himself, his tone determined, as he paced back and forth across her room. Charlotte looked at him from the corner of her eye and couldn't help but laugh. Evie was pulling and teasing her hair into loose ringlets, ignoring James marching behind them. He wore a black dinner suit, with a black bow-tie and white shirt. Charlotte couldn't help but note how handsome he looked, his green eyes burning brightly, his blonde hair fixed tidily in place. He clenched and unclenched his square jaw as he moved, getting into character.

"James, you need to relax" she whispered, though she felt far from relaxed herself.

James flashed her an as-if look and continued his tireless marching, clenching and unclenching his teeth irritably. Charlotte frowned at him.

"We will be fine" she muttered, hissing as Evie pulled her hair.

"Sorry, dear," Evie sighed, patting her head in apology.

"It's okay," Charlotte said, looking back to James. "We can help each other. You will be there with me. We will be fine... won't we?"

James paused staring at her reflection at the mirror, his mouth slightly open, revealing his perfect teeth. His eyes clouded, tightening at the corners ever so faintly, but enough for Charlotte to notice. "Of course we will," he replied, flashing her his unfaltering head-boy grin, a grin for instilling confidence and conveying his unwavering power and determination. It was believable and natural, but Charlotte knew better than to trust it. She could feel his worries behind it.

 "Good — now relax because I can feel how nervous you are," she sighed, shaking her head. Evie reprimanded her for disturbing her work. James watched her carefully, his expression calculating, as if he wanted to say something. "What?" Charlotte sighed, watching him in the mirror, with bright blue eyes.

"You need to be careful tonight," he said, his words measured.

"Am I normally not careful?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"You are rash and reckless," he responded automatically

"And you were righteous and self-congratulating," she interjected.

"You think so?" he asked, not really looking for an answer. He had stopped pacing and was gazing past Rosy, out the window onto the rolling fields that ran east to the ocean. She wondered for a brief moment if he was thinking, like she often did, about what lay beyond the wild, blue waters, wondering if there was a way out.

She took a steadying breath, turning back to the mirror, as Evie let her hair fall around her shoulders. Her makeup was already complete, her cheeks a soft pink, her lips just a shade darker. All that was left, was to get dressed. She smiled at Evie in the mirror.