HARPER GLANCED before the full-length mirror in Freya's quarters, eyeing the dress she was wearing with a mixture of scepticism and frustration. The dress was a deep emerald green, elegant yet not quite fitting the vibe she was hoping for. "I'm not sure if this is my colour," she mumbled under her breath, glancing at the way it clung to her frame.

Freya, who had been watching with increasing amusement, let out a quiet snicker. The sight of Harper trying on dress after dress had quickly become a source of entertainment. This was already the tenth one, and Freya was starting to feel like she was in an episode of Say Yes to the Dress. "Come on, Harper, don't tell me you don't like this one," Freya teased, taking a step forward to get a better look.

Harper let out a dramatic sigh, her shoulders slumping in mock defeat. "Fine, I guess I'll try another one. But seriously, I don't know why you're so insistent on turning this into some kind of fashion show."

Freya grinned widely, clearly enjoying herself. "Okay, fine," she said, stepping into her walk-in closet and reappearing with another dress in hand. This one was an off-white, semi-formal number, delicate and light with short lace chiffon sleeves and a hem that fell just above the knee. It had a playful yet sophisticated vibe, and Freya was certain this would be the one that Harper would look flawless in.

After a few minutes of Harper changing into it, Freya's eyes lit up as she beheld her friend. "Oh, wow! This is it, Harp! This is the one! You look amazing!"

Harper, still adjusting the fabric around her waist in the mirror, shot her friend a deadpan look. "Frey, do you realize I tried this one on the first time? You know, when we started this whole thing?"

Freya's expression faltered for a brief moment, then she sighed in exaggerated exasperation. "I just wanted to see you in a bunch of dresses, okay? Is that so wrong?" She couldn't hide her grin as she spoke, knowing it was a little ridiculous, but enjoying the chance to play dress-up with someone who didn't mind indulging her.

Harper snorted, folding her arms and leaning against the mirror. "Yeah, I had a feeling that was what this was all about. The moment I put on the third dress, I knew I was in for a full-on runway show."

Freya grinned, feeling victorious. "Well, to be fair, that was me on my off day," she quipped, clearly proud of her choice of outfit.

Harper froze mid-action, holding up the next dress she was about to hang up, and gave Freya a sidelong glance. "I don't want to picture you on your good days," she said, a shiver running down her spine at the thought.

Freya lightly shoved her in jest. "Oh, hush you," she replied with a laugh, trying to brush off the comment.

Just then, the door to the room opened, and in walked Rebekah, looking as elegant and poised as always. She was a striking presence, her blonde hair cascading in waves down her shoulders. She gave Harper a brief glance, raising an eyebrow as she looked her over, clearly assessing the stranger standing in Freya's room.

"Hey, Freya, didn't know you were back," Rebekah remarked casually, but then her gaze shifted to Harper, and she gave her a cool, calculating stare. "Uh, who are you?" Her tone was sharp as if Harper's presence was more of a disturbance than a welcome sight. It was the kind of tone Rebekah typically used when meeting new people—standoffish, probing, almost territorial.

Harper, feeling the weight of Rebekah's icy gaze, awkwardly raised a hand in greeting. "Uh, hi, I'm Harper," she said, her voice a little nervous but polite.

Freya peeked out of the closet, her voice light as she tried to bridge the gap. "Oh, hey Becka, this is Harper. She's the one who's joining us for dinner tonight."

Rebekah's gaze shifted from Harper's face to the rest of her, scanning her up and down with a critical eye. She wasn't entirely sure what to make of this new addition to the evening's dinner plans. She had heard a few things from Kol and Elijah about the human woman, but all she could sense was something...odd. It was that same peculiar feeling that her siblings had also mentioned—the feeling of something calming yet slightly unsettling about Harper. It was hard to pinpoint, but it lingered in the air, making Rebekah's usual confidence waver for just a moment.

"Rebekah Mikaelson," she said, her tone still distant, not bothering to extend a hand or make the greeting warmer. It was clear she wasn't all that interested in engaging further, and without so much as another word, she turned and walked out of the room, leaving Harper standing there awkwardly.

Harper let out a deep breath she hadn't realized she was holding. She glanced over at Freya, who was chuckling softly to herself at the exchange. "Sorry about that," Freya said with a sympathetic smile. "My little sister can be a little hard to warm up to, especially the first time she meets someone. But I promise, give her some time, and she'll be less uptight."

Harper offered an awkward laugh in return, trying to shake off the nerves that had suddenly bloomed in her chest. She hadn't realized just how nervous she was about meeting the Mikaelson siblings. It wasn't just the pressure of the dinner; it was the fact that they were powerful, ancient beings, and she was just a human caught in their orbit. The idea of sitting down for a meal with them felt surreal, and she couldn't help but wonder what was going through their minds. She'd already seen how Freya interacted with them—casually, with a sense of familiarity—but for Harper, it was all still so new. She wasn't sure what to expect.

As she helped Freya put the rest of the dresses away, her mind kept circling back to the dinner. Would it be a disaster? The thought seemed almost inevitable. Or would it turn out to be one of the best nights she'd had since coming to New Orleans? She couldn't decide, but she had a feeling that, deep down, she was leaning towards the first option. After all, what were the odds that something this simple would go right in her chaotic life?

Freya, sensing her friend's unease, turned to her with a smile. "Well, looks like dinner is in about ten minutes," she said, a playful glint in her eyes. "You ready?"

Harper's heart skipped a beat at the thought, and she couldn't help but feel the nervous energy stir inside her again. "I guess as ready as I'll ever be," she murmured, forcing a smile. Whatever happened, she knew it would be an evening she wouldn't soon forget.