Faith looked herself over in the mirror from her room. After they left Hazel's cottage they went back to there home to get ready for dinner. Clare had given her one of her evening gowns to wear for the occasion. Faith was reluctant to accept it because frankly she just didn't want to go. Would she have to be nice to them? After what they done she wished they would just leave her alone.  "Faith!" She heard her mother call from downstairs. She let out a deep breath. 'You got this' she wispered before taking one last look at herself. She wore a gold long dress. The top of it pulling tightly, much like her corset from earlier in the day. She would've killed to wear something baggy, and comfortable right about now.  From the waist down it flowed beautifully in layers. It looked simple, yet elegant. She brushed her dark black hair to flow lossy around her sholders. She then headed for the door.

"You look wonderful!" Ann said, once Faith came downstairs. "It does fit you nice." Clare commented. "But in that one I look better." She winked.
"Thanks," Faith responded to her mother, then stuck her tongue out at Clare.  Her mother wore a elgent long dress much like her own except it was pure white, and had intricate patterns running down the top half. Her mother's blonde hair was pulled back into a ponytail that brought out her facial features. Faith thought she looked as regal as a qween. Clare wore a red dress that dropped down long past her ankles. The top half pulled tight, and the bottom flowed behind her in waves. Her hair was down, red curls bouncing lightly  against her sholders, and back as she walked. Faith thought she looked much more seducing then herself, or Ann. It was no doubt that she looked stunning.  "You both look great." Faith said honestly as all three woman headed to the door.

                              ~~
"Faith... Faith dear?" Ann called out to her daughter once they had been on there way for quite some time. Faith snapped out of her thoughts and leaned over Clare who was now setting in middle of the cart to see her mother on the other side. "Sorry, what is it? " She asked.
"Once we arrive and are around the Dumas's, you'll have to change your speach." She responded.

Faith thought back to how Clare spoke when they first met in the town square. She sounded just like the rest of the villagers. She again thought of how her mother had spoken to the Dumases this morning when they had invited them to dinner. "I know," she said leaning back in her seat looking directly ahead. "I've seen enough movies to wing it."

"It's just our lives, no biggie." Clare retorted. Faith let out a annoyed breath as she turned to her. So far she's survived being held at gun point, thrown back in time, and put on trail for witchcraft, proven  innocent only to find out that she is indeed a witch.. Changing her tone of voice would be the easiest thing she would do yet. "I've said I got this," faith responded.

"Enough" Ann said as the Dumas family mansion came into view. "Faith will keep the talking to a minimum until she adjusts to this time, and Clare will refrain from sarcasm during this dinner." She finished, with a mothering tone.

"No promises." Clare said with a smile. Ann gave her a Stern look, and she shrugged her sholders. "Fine."

"They must be loaded." Faith said in amazement as she looked up at the large white estate. "How can they afford this?" She asked. "Hunting witches isn't exactly a paying job"

"Actually it is." Ann said. "The towns people pay them for it. The villagers see them as supernatural police men. It comes out of our taxes." She stated.

"Where can I sign up?" Faith joked as Ann stopped Charly right in front of a hitching post. A young boy around 14 approached them as they all exited the cart. "You must be miss Penn," he spoke to Ann. "Yes," she said sweetly. "I'll take care of your horse," he said as he stroked Charlys mane. "Enjoy the party."

"Party?" Faith questioned.  "I thought it was just dinner?" She asked. The boy looked at her strangely. she mentally kicked herself  for forgetting that she sounded different from everyone else. Clare gave Ann the 'I told you so' face.

"It is a dinner party." The boy said to faith with a odd look on his face. He shrugged it off. "Everyone else is already inside. Enjoy your evning." He said politely. Ann reached into her purse and handed the boy a tip. His face lit up as he expected it. "Thank you very much." He finished as he walked back to Charly, and began unstraping him from the cart.

"Let's go." Ann said pulling Faith along. "He never said anything about a party." She complained. "I don't do social gatherings." Faith addmited. She had always tended to avoid party's. She didn't 'mingle' or make friends easily. "He did this on purpose." Ann said knowingly as she stopped before they got to the potch. "He doesn't buy our story." Clare realized. "We should probably just go home. This isn't safe." Clare said turning around. Ann cought her arm. "No, if we leave now it will draw more suspicion. We have to stay, but we must be very careful. Specially you." She said as she pointed at Faith. "Don't speak unless you have to." Ann warned.  Faith swallowed. She had a bad gut feeling about this, but nevertheless she followed her mother and Clare up the porch. A elderly man smiled at them as he held the door open. "Welcome lady's, enjoy."

Besides the music, The first thing that cought Faiths attention were the smoothly polished floors her heels clicked against as she walked inside. She could practically see herself in the reflection of the shine that radiated off of it. She imagined many of the Dumas's workers polishing it for hours. Her eyes went upward and her jaw nearly dropped. The most humongous Chandelier she had ever seen hung over her head. It was truly breathtaking. Along the white walls were countless paintings. She wanted to take a closer look but her mother and Clare were already far ahead of her in the crowd. She passed dozens of vases with freshly picked flowers placed inside. The floral smell overtook the home in a delightful way. She shook her head as she cought up with them. It felt wrong to be impressed with the enemy's home. Hugo spotted them, and walked over with a smile plastered on his face. "I was beginning to think you wouldn't show." He said as he took Ann's hand and placed a kiss on it. She smiled down at him. "And miss the free food?" She joked. He laughed. "I suppose not." He said as he let her hand go. "I must admit I am Suprised." Ann said as she glanced around. They were being passed by many other guests that attended the party.  "You didn't mention a party." She said as she faked excitement. "Not that I mind, I simply love festivities." She said as she grabbed a glass of wine from a passing tray and took a sip. Faith and Clare shared a look. They were both impressed by how Ann was handling herself. Acting incredibly casual, and irritatingly normal seemed to be working. "Sorry for the miscommunication. I am thrilled that you are enjoying yourself. I feel my wife will grow displeased if I continue to give my attention to such Beauty's" he complimented. Faith wanted to barf.
"Please drink and dance all you'd like. Dinner will be served in a hour." He finished as he began mingling with his other guests. "Can I puke now?" Faith wispered. "I feel you." Clare responded.

"Annie!" Someone yelled out from the crowd. "It's been to long Gretchen," Ann said as she pulled the stranger that Faith didnt know into a hug. "How are the children?"

Faith lost track of there conversation. Obviously her mother knew this woman very well, but to Faith she were a stranger. It hasn't really occurred to Faith just how much this life is rooted into her mother now. This is all she has known for the past ten years. Many of the villagers must be her closest friends. Clare was obviously more newer to this, but she Still had two years under her belt. To Faith that was a awfully long time.
Another woman from the village walked to clare. This one alot younger then the other. they also began a friendly conversation that Faith wasn't apart of. She shrugged. she took a glass of wine from a passing tray, and took a sip. Always the outcast, she thought. This was why she didn't particularly like party's. She decided that it was a good thing that she wasn't included.. Her mother had advised her not to speak unless necessary anyways. She glanced back at the pantings and decided to take a better look. She loved art, especially antique art. Now she would get to see it right in front of her instead of behind a glass. The painting was of a man. He looked to be in the army of some kind. He looked respected, and powerful. "Mabye he is a general?" She thought. Her fingers glided along the wall as she made her way to the next painting. This one was truly a masterpiece to Faith. It was one of nature, and Wildlife. Green fields, and a lake covered the painting. Animals of all kinds drank from the river as birds flew above. "Beautiful, isn't it?" She herd a male voice say from behind her. She turned, and tilted her head up to see that it was none other then Nicholas Dumas.

                                 ~~

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Photo is of the Dumas mansion.

Much love, mariska98.