The Path of Four Magi

Party

"Ow! That's to tight," you complain as one of your family's maids yanks on the laces of your dress.

"There is no such thing as a dress being too tight," sighs Zaina.

"Dont worry, Zaina, (y/n) only says that because she's fat," giggled Takisha.

"Oh shut your mouth, Taki. I'm not fat!"

"Yes you are," Takisha argued back.

"Am not!"

"Are too!"

"AM NOT!"

"ARE TOO!"

"Quiet down you two. You'll give me a head ache. I can't have a headache before we go to a very important party!" Zaina complained.

"You can't boss me around Zaina, I am my own person," you say.

"I can boss you around."

"No you can't! You aren't mom!"

"Well, I kind of am, because I've had to take her place ever since she became sick!" Zaina screamed.

Silence.

Your mother had been deathly sick for a long time now, and none of you liked you talk about it. Sadly, it couldn't help but be mentioned in your conversations from time to time.

"I'm sorry," Zaina apologized, "I didn't mean to yell."

"Its okay, I started it," you said, hanging your head.

"Well, we need to calm our selves, otherwise we won't look as composed as we should at such an important party." Zaina relaxed and continued to mess with her hair while you helped Takisha get ready.

Today was a very important day. A day that would determine your futures, or something like that. Everyone kept saying it was going to be great and important but you didn't think so. This day would just end up destroying all your hopes, dreams, and freedom. Today was the day when you were all supposed to find your fiancés. But you didn't want to marry for power, money, or advancement. In fact,you didn't want to marry at all and if you did end up marrying, you wanted it to be for love.

"Hurry up girls, we need to be leaving soon!" Your father called from the front door.

"Coming!" You and Taki chimed as you both bolted to the front door.

But Taki was faster than you, especially with the big dress you have on. You are running from room to room trying to keep up with your sister, but trip on your stupid dress and faceplant into the unique rug your father brought back from one of his business trips.

"That is why you must move gracefully and slowly like a lady should," Zaina scolded, "Now get up!"

"Sorry, its just that I'm not used to dresses like this," you chuckle trying to break the tension.

"You would be used to it if you didn't go running around all the time in men's attire."

You chuckle again, "Well, running isn't easy in the dresses I am forced to wear, so what else can I do but wear men's clothing?"

Zaina was about to scold you again, but Takisha came running in and grabbed your hands to drag you two to the wagon waiting outside your front door.

You sat on the wagon frustrated because Zaina kept lecturing you on proper lady stuff, and ways to try and get a powerful and rich man to like you. You didn't listen. You didn't care about that, you just wanted to be yourself.

Your sisters kept getting excited for the night ahead, as they were convinced it would be the best night ever, but you couldn't help but feel that this night would actually be terrible.

Soon, a hand was extended to each of you to help get down from the wagon. This hand came from a kind looking servant who worked for the people hosting this party. A party with the sole purpose of finding fiances and creating alliances for the people of your generation.

You had questioned your father earlier as to why you all had to do it, that at least Taki shouldn't have to because you believed she was too young, but your father had shaken it off.

--flashback--

"There is no such thing as too young when it comes to love."

"But we aren't marrying for love!" You had complained.

"Of course you are," your father had assured you, "you are marrying because you love your father and respect his wishes."

--end flashback--

Just a few more steps, and there was no turning back. Just a few more steps and you would be headed to what seemed to be your doom. Just a few more steps and you were no longer free. Just a few more steps and no more dreaming or hoping for a wonderful future. Just a few more steps and no more dressing like a boy and fooling around with people. Just a few more steps until you had to be all proper and lady like for the rest of your life. Just a few more steps and you were a gonner. A few more steps and... No... You were already there, in the house. No turning back.

The party had just begun. You couldn't escape. Your worst fear was happening. You had just become a caged beast.