Ethereal [h.s]

Chapter Ten

"Just be safe, okay? And make sure you watch your drink. And if things go sideways, just get back here. We'll figure it out from there." Mabel says. 

"You're a life saver." I say as I stand in front of my vanity, applying a layer of red lipstick. My combat boots give me a solid extra inch of height, and a pair of fishnets definitely bring the look together. I don't even feel like myself.

"You look fucking incredible. Are you sure you're not seducing anyone tonight?" She asks jokingly. I laugh a bit, brushing a stray strand of hair out of my face.

"Don't ask me, I'm pretty much in the dark here." I tell her.

"You and I both. I haven't gotten a word about this from Exodus. They must really be trying to keep it under the table." She thinks aloud. "Okay, I'll see you in the morning. I'm gonna be passed out by the time you're back, so don't expect to see me. Unless something goes sideways, in which case you should come and wake me up."

"Don't worry about it, Mabel. You don't have to oversee everything." I assure her.

"I know I don't have to, but I usually do." She points out.

"Just try to relax, okay? Everything is gonna turn out fine." I say, knocking a few times on the wooden doorframe before stepping out of my room. I grin to myself in response to my joke as I begin to make my way towards the front of the palace.

It's around 7:30, and the sun casts a warm glow upon my surroundings as I step outside into the humid air. I make my way down the steps and to the simple carriage waiting for me, pulled by a single horse, the coachman seated behind him. He nods at me as I sit down, and I nod back, not bothering to try and make conversation.

The ride into the village isn't a long one, and the coachman eventually stops and drops me off in front of the Haggerty Saloon. I thank him, stepping down onto the cobblestone walkway. I climb thee few stairs up onto the deck of the saloon before pressing the door open, stepping inside. I glance around, genuinely having no clue as to what I'm looking for.

"Fia!" I whip my head to the side towards where my name is coming from before breaking out into a grin.

"Ginger!" I greet excitedly, scrambling forwards to meet her in an embrace.

"You look so fucking sexy, oh my god." She says.

"So do you! Red is so your color." I say, admiring the red bodycon dress she's wearing.

"Aww thank you, babe." She smiles. "C'mon! Let me take you to Dahlia and Freddie." She grabs my hand, pulling me towards the far corner of thee saloon.

"They're here?" I ask excitedly.

"Duh! We can't have girls night without the girls!"

"Ginge, this is not a girls night." Dahlia says as she stands up from the booth. Dark hair and rich brown skin, she wears a deep purple dress, some sort of crystal necklace hanging from her neck.

"Don't blow this for me!" Ginger retorts as I greet Dahlia in a hug.

"Hey, Fia. We miss you back home." She says, pulling away and looking down at me with a soft smile.

"I miss you guys, too. So much. Where's your girl?" I ask, referring to Freddie.

"Just in the bathroom. She-"

"FIA!" I yelp as I feel her collide with me, her arms quick to coil around me and squeeze me as tight as possible.

"Hey, Freddie!" I retort, hugging her back. It takes her a few moments to let go, gripping my sides tightly as she looks me up and down.