Preparing for the party

Dear Diary,

My father knows no shame. I was awoken this morning, my limbs still entwined with those of my sweet cousin, by him barging into my room. I quickly pulled the sheets over us, hiding our bodies from his vision. "Girls, wake up! I've received some news. The Battle of Kanda is finally over. The American commandos' base has been discovered on Rajah-2, and upon the crown threatening Aether Bomb bombardment, they've withdrawn their forces and release Sir Prescott." This was good news. I was growing tired of candlelight, and once again a skirmish ended without us declaring open war on the Americans. We could all breathe a little easier.

"That's delightful, father." I said, still quite tired. Cordelia snuggled closer to me as I turned towards her, nearly falling back asleep. My father showed his brutishness by ripping the cover from us, which woke us both with a start. I attempted to cover myself with my arm. Cordelia, on the other hand, smiled at him.

"Get up, you two. The masquerade ball is tonight, and I've just received word that William Prescott himself will be in attendance as he is to travel through our villa on his way to Rajakesh. See your mother about a proper dress for the evening. As for you, Cordelia, it would be most fortunate if you could show more discretion than last time." he said, his gaze lingering on us for an uncomfortable amount of time, leering at our exposed flesh before excusing himself.

"Cordelia...have you and my father..." I asked, looking into her eyes. She nodded slowly, a sympathetic smile on her face. "How long?" I asked, my emotions conflicted. Her life was her own, but the thought was disturbing to me.

"He was my first." she said, gently caressing the curve of my torso. I let it sink in, and sat on the side of the bed. Cordelia began braiding my hair, brushing out the tangles in silence for a time. "I don't think it was his idea, though. I overheard my father at a dinner party bragging about how I'd been deflowered by a flower with your father's help. I don't think your father ever told him that he shortly followed that bulb with one of his own."

So, my father partook in the business of Gambits as well. Me. Cordelia. My mother. Was there a woman on this planet that hadn't been tricked in giving up her virginity? I kissed her, trying not to think what her mouth might have done to my father, and stood. I'd met Sir Prescott before at various social events. He was a very robust man with an ego to match. It will be interesting to see how months of captivity in Kanda have treated him. I slipped into my robe, and not knowing what to say, left Cordelia on the bed.

I walked down the staircase barefoot to find my mother balancing the estate's accounts. She greeted me with her warm, loving smile. "Come in, child. Come in!" I entered the study, seeing a lovely emerald and purple evening gown waiting for me. "Go on then, try it on." she said, excitedly, her eyes beaming. I couldn't help but get caught up in her enthusiasm, and unceremoniously dropped the robe.

It took quite the effort, but once all the laces and clasps were in place, I beheld myself in the full length mirror. It was a delightful piece of finery that was cut a bit more risque that the average formal dress, exposing some of my bosum and hugging my hips very tightly. "That should do it. You look stunning, child! I'm sure the upper balcony will be most appreciative." she said.

"What do you mean?" I asked. She tilted her head, somewhat surprised by my question.

"My dear, you never even peeked did you? What do you think happens at a masquerade ball, where everyone is wearing masks?" she said. I blushed badly as she cupped my breasts, pulling them up so they were almost halfway out of the corset. "There we go. You and Cordelia should make for a fine bit of entertainment." she said, looking over the dress.

"What?" I asked, stunned.

"Your father tells me you two put on quite a show of a type that Sir Prescott is quite fond of watching." she said, unboxing a pair of emerald slippers. My heart was racing.

"He's watched us?!" I said, feeling very disturbed. She dismissed my concern with the wave a hand.

"What do you expect? What father wouldn't check on his daughter when she is making that much noise. You really must learn more discretion. Now then, you look lovely, darling. Go wash up, and we'll be on our way soon.

"Mother, why are you wearing your leather riding boots to a masquerade ball?" I asked, noticing them beneath her own dress.

"Oh, Clara. You really shouldn't ask questions if you won't like the answer."

That evening, we sat in silence in the velocicarriage, Cordelia radiant in her own emerald dress beside me, my mother and father across from us. He kept looking at us, chewing on his own lip nervously. "Clara, I have something to ask of you. I understand that you and Cordelia..." he said before I interrupted him.

"I know what you are going to ask, father. We don't have much of choice in the matter, do we?" I said, holding Cordelia's hand and looking out at the passing trees.

"Its not like that, girl. Just a bit of a show. Sir Prescott, as you know, is a very influential man, and it could mean a great deal for our estate if he were to favor it." I longed for the freedom of Kingston as I realized that to my father, I was little more than a bargaining chip, and now that it was convenient for him, little more than a whore. My mother caught my gaze, and wiped a tear from her eye. I wonder what all he had made HER do in their time of marriage.

We arrived at the estate, the long driveway lined with Velocicarriages and teaming with activity as Hindu butlers shuffled about attending to the needs of the guests. Sir Douglas's estate was every bit the equal, and in truth quite larger, than our own. It was three stories tall with a magnificent fountain out front featuring a statue of the Goddess Shakti pouring water into the open mouth of a nude woman. The gardens were enormous and featured a hedge maze large enough to contain the Minotaur himself, and the marble floors must have cost a fortune to import from Earth. As we approached, I noticed we weren't the only unmarried girls wearing emerald.

The doors were open, and the sounds of violins and a grand organ filled my ears. We stepped inside, Cordelia's hand clasp with my own. I looked up the grand staircase, and imagined what was going on up there.

I wouldn't have to use my imagination for long.