The Dance of Spirits

Lorelei truly did not want to be here.

It was daytime, so she was at least in her own body. Unfortunately, her thoughts were consumed with ideas for what sort of work she could do with Andy tonight. It was around halfway through her work time, after all. After that first day, Andy had been approaching her with design ideas and such. Further, he'd come to her asking her opinion on how to make the event more appealing. Not that she was confident in that department, but he'd still asked her. The last place she wanted to be was in a Terrtrove carriage speeding towards the temple. 

Every year, before the grand ball, the noblewomen of the empire gathered for the Dance of Spirits. It was meant to show their devotion and passion for the spirits, and everyone was expected to attend. The day to come was sure to be filled with revere and a rainbow of colors from the nobles' outfits.

Lorelei herself was dressed a bit differently than she had in previous years. Rather than dressing like the autumn leaves, Lorelei chose to embody a different palate of shades. The main piece was a long, flowing gown in a deep violet, dazzled with flecks of gold from the middle downwards. Her shawl was colored peach, but not because it's what the maids had recommended. In fact, the maids had specifically cautioned against it. Lorelei wore the shawl simply because it made her feel beautiful.

While Lorelei did not mind the dancing, she despised the parts that went with it. Before the dance would come a sermon from someone from the temple. They made it a different person every year, yet it always managed to be just as foolish. They all talked about the same things, which made for a rather boring time. Lorelei respected the spirits as much as anyone, but she didn't feel that a sermon about the sacrifices of nobles was impressing the spirits.

Still lost in thought, and not really caring to look, the carriage turned close to the church. A very pale pink, which was apparently unusual to Nico, the temple spanned high into the sky. By far the tallest building, at least within the empire, the two pillars in an arch over the temple wove around each other, like two snakes twirling around. They rested their weight on the main building. Each twisting pillar was colored differently, with one being white for purity and one gold for prosperity.

The main building had an aggravating number of steps. These steps led people to the front of the temple, which sometimes appeared more like a castle. The coned tip of the main building was both gold and white. Stepping out of the carriage, Lorelei dreaded the inevitable climb up those steps.

"Lady Lorelei," a viperous voice called out. "You have quite the scowl for such a wonderous occasion."

Lorelei turned to see, of course, Sophia. She dressed in a deep blue with a curve of silver pulling from the bottom to her knee. Her shawl was black yet dotted with silver. As much as Lorelei hated to admit it, Sophia wore the night sky quite well.

"Good day to you, Lady Sophia," Lorelei said, pasting her fakest smile on.

"So you hear me today," Sophia huffed. "Quite a different attitude than the other night." The other night?

The other night.

Spirits, how did Lydia even come in contact with Sophia? She never really left the manor. Though, that might change if someone, say Jason, took her out. Given how odd he had been acting with her lately, she supposed it stood to reason that he may be trying new activities, albeit with her imposter. It was no issue to her so long as he was finally enjoying himself. It was about time he got out of that office.

"It was rather late when you last saw me," Lorelei said calmly.

The Dance of Spirits was not the place to be hashing out drama. Not only was it rude to the spirits, but also rude to the guests. A level of maturity was expected from the noblewomen, even if said noblewomen would rather scream and fight like children than have a civil conversation. Come to think of it, the last time they'd had a civil conversation was when they had been children.

"That was late for you?" Sophia asked. "Oh, dear. I fear your age is catching up to you."

You are a noble, Lorelei reminded yourself. Nobles do not slap other noblewomen, regardless of how much they deserve it.

"Is it truly so bad to enjoy one's beauty rest?" Lorelei asked. "And, as I recall, you and I are the same age. Perhaps I am not the only one who is feeling the weight of their age."

Lorelei turned away before the situation could escalate further. At this point, it was either Sophia or the stairs. It was an easy choice, so Lorelei climbed the stairs.

When she reached the top, one of the temple workers put a flower in her hair. Each woman would receive one. The worker was supposed to not look and pick randomly, thus giving a sign on what sort of future awaited Lorelei this year. Clearly, that portion wasn't real, since she saw him take a glimpse into the basket before he chose. He chose well, though, picking a daffodil for renewal and new beginnings.

"I know I'm supposed to give you one randomly," the worker, a commoner man, said. "That one just felt right, my lady."

"Thank you," Lorelei said. She chose not to think too deeply about it.

After a few more traditional procedures, Lorelei finally got to sit, which allowed her to peer at the scenery. The pink inside was far more faded, appearing more white than anything else. That did nothing to hinder the beauty, however. Paned in colored glass, the windows seemed to be shining a dazzling rainbow light on the front, which sat a podium and an organ.

The fine wood chair Lorelei sat on was surrounded by several others, arranged in several rows of four. From the other end of the room, Lorelei saw Sophia getting comfortable in her chair, turning to glare at Lorelei. Though, the joke was on her, given that the Terrtrove family was responsible for making those chairs, and they had brought in a lot of profit.

The head of the temple, a kind man with a graying beard and head, marched between the chairs to the front, hushing the crowd of nobles. By the time he stepped onto the podium, the whole room was silent in respect for him. Opening his book, he read the opening lines, thus starting the ceremony for the Dance of Spirits.