XLII. Soiree of Snowflakes II

With all guests arrived and the party at its peak, Thistle looked around with pure delight. Never did they think everything would come together so perfectly. It was a dream come true. It was everything they could have asked for. There were minor setbacks, as such for a murder mansion, but that was easy to brush off… Now came the most important part of tonight.

A sudden change in the music from an upbeat violin quartet to slow and sweet string music. The peripheral lights were gently dimmed. The chandelier above shone brightly in the center of the ballroom. White petals cascaded the ground. A voice called out to everyone in attendance, glistening bright with glass skin. The crowd pulled away from the circle of light to give Thistle their moment.

“May I have your attention, everyone? I’d like to make a quick speech,” Thistle announced. “I’d first like to thank everyone here for attending, for making tonight a memorable one. I wouldn’t be a good host if it weren’t for all the people in attendance today, smiling and laughing with their loved ones. I wouldn’t even be the cafe owner if it weren’t for all the tenants who gave my coffee stand a second chance. I have so many people to thank for getting to be part of the manor again…”

“But, there’s one person here that deserves recognition more than anyone else.” Thistle suddenly turned and quickly pulled someone from the crowd—Florence. They held both her hands in theirs and led her back to the center. 

“Florence,” the host said in a voice oh-so-tender. “It’s been decades since we last saw each other. I’ve seen hundreds come and go from this place, but I’ve always waited patiently for you to finally come back. There is no person I am more grateful to see here and now. There’s no person who’s changed me for the better more than you have. That being said...” 

Thistle took a step back and got down on one knee. They presented their white rose to her and humbly asked, “May I have the honor of this long-overdue dance?”

~~~

The one every one of you knew to be the seamstress stood still at the center of the room, akin to a deer in the headlights. You could only guess what's going through her mind, after such a sudden grand gesture with everyone watching.

If you were watching each moment carefully? You'd notice the initial surprise on her face as she's chosen out of the crowd. Did she see this coming? Were, or are they in a relationship? Who knows. You could only guess.

Maybe you'll have your answer in the following moment, as Florence herself stared down to the white rose, or was it Thistle she was looking upon?

Watching her reaction, she was quiet. Still, as if gathering her thoughts and words in that instant towards the proposal before her. 

"No." You along with the crowd would hear the quiet resentment behind her words, her face now in disbelief at what scene she has been pulled into.

"You can't do this to me." Her voice shook ever so slightly, but she remain holding together her composure, "I changed you for the better? Then why have you thrown me aside back then?You've made it clear you didn't need me anymore, so don't make me hope there was still something between us. Please."

~~~

“What?” There’s just as much disbelief in Thistle’s voice when they reply.

“Florence, that’s not what happened… I don’t-” Their words trail off, and Thistle suddenly stands. “But I was looking for you every day since you disappeared. Not a single era passed where I didn’t stand by the door waiting for you to walk back in. I couldn’t move on without seeing you again…”

~~~

When Thistle stood up, there's uncertainty in Florence's face. Though it quickly shifts into a look of resolve as she says, "I do appreciate your invite to this party. But I also think we're better off apart. Goodbye, Thistle."

With that, she turns around to merge back into the crowd, without so much as looking back...

Welcome to the Soiree of Snowflakes II event! Not everything is as pictuersque as it seems, is it?

This event will be active between December 1st to December 31st!

All art submissions must include at least one lined(or lineless) half-body, with either color or shading to be counted for the prompt bonuses.

All literature submissions must include at least 750 words to be counted for the prompt bonuses.

Each piece can only complete one prompt per character per member, even if multiple characters from one member are present in the piece!

Make sure to tell us what prompt you are completing and for what character in the description of your art or literature so we can reward you correctly!  

Prompts

And with that all said... have fun in PKMN-WOE and beware The Watcher...