I am a creature of the Fey, prepare to give your soul away.

◦ Sofia Niyazov; Eighteen
◦ Daughter of Apollo
◦ Likes: Poetry, music, archery, the sun, oversized sweaters, woodlands, birds, sepia photographs, messenger bags, noodles, lepidopterology, linguistics, old things, knowledge, her brother, snakes, the arts, singing (though not in front of others), being brave, strategizing, uncovering mysteries, laughing, her long hair.
◦ Dislikes: Sleep, materialistic things, being shy, selfishness, acting cowardly, lying, feeling alone, the dark, quietness (almost always means something bad is about to happen), not being good enough, make-up, death, people being able to tell what she’s thinking, her inexperience in romance, short dresses.
◦ Strengths: Sofia’s own name means ‘wisdom’, and it does in fact reflect her, she can very quickly analyse all possible actions, solutions and outcomes; she is skilled (naturally) with a bow; seemingly capable of winning physical contests and games; talents in empathy; she’s a very compassionate soul, though can be persuaded otherwise on particular occasions.
◦ Weaknesses: Though able to analyse situations critically, Sofia can often let her heart rule over her judgement, particularly when she shouldn’t; she also has a tendency to only see the good sides in people, and be oblivious to the rest; she lacks experience in the activity of war (considering herself more of a pacifist; but of course, if someone wants war…); she’s a terrible liar.
◦ Biography: Sofia grew up in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, with her single mother and twin brother, speaking both Russian and English respectively. Her life was always simple and surrounded by the arts and ancient history, and she loved it so. She never had many friends, due to her shyness and lack of forwardness, along with the fact that she always seemed different. Even around her twin brother, who was often popularized; but despite that, he often tried to ignore it and help Sofia fit in. Though those attempts never did work though. When they were eleven, their mother married and they moved to New York City were her new husband had taken residence. Which really helped Sofia’s fitting-in issue. (That was sarcasm, if you didn’t realise.) however it didn’t last long, barely a year passed there and Julian and Sofia were attacked by a monster. Camp Half-Blood isn’t that dissimilar to her schools in New York and Tashkent, in terms of peers and campers, save for the fact that Sofia doesn’t feel as different as she did before. Still, Julian seems to be the guy who attracts the (wanted) attention, and she seems to be the one who doesn’t…at all. She’s a very quiet person, sometimes due to being shy, and otherwise due to mistrusting people; however she’s the perfect girl to ask if you want to know whether something is true or not: in her silence, she picks up nearly everything that goes around the camp, and when you mix in the fact she can’t lie for her life…well, you have your own portable lie-detector. She also has a tendency to be particularly and curiously prepared for anything; need something? Sofia most probably has it. Despite her seeming usefulness, she tends to be a slight pacifist; which doesn’t win her much amongst the campers. However, she is a very determined soul, and when she’s determined, you best not stand in her way.
 
~
 
So, just take it away, whatever realtionship you want them to have / think they'd have. You know the drill.

Ignore this.

http://www.polyvore.com/resistance/group.show?id=150665
http://www.polyvore.com/resistance/group.show?id=150665
http://www.polyvore.com/resistance/group.show?id=150665
 
years after percy jackson and annabeth chase graced the hallowed halls of camp halfblood, a brand new crop of demigods began a truly noble quest. due to a 20 year feud, the gods have separated and seeds have been sown about a new ruler rising up from the underworld. prometheus, driven into hiding after the battle that gained dearest percy so much fame, has finally emerged to claim his rightful place as king. as king of all mortals, prometheus plans to burn olympus to the ground and eliminate all mortals' memories about the gods. he has amassed an army of allies, mortal and monster alike, and is ready to rule the world. his only opposition? the resistance.

the resistance was formed secretly within camp halfblood. even though prometheus's first order of business was to instill his hatred of the gods onto the incoming demigods, the underground society of the older campers bided their time until they had a force strong enough to take him down. this is camp half blood.

welcome to the resistance.

Isn't Christine gorgeous?! She's just...ugh! Anyway...
 
So, here's my enrolment for the resistance, if you haven't joined yet, then check it out:
 
http://www.polyvore.com/resistance/group.show?id=150665
http://www.polyvore.com/resistance/group.show?id=150665
http://www.polyvore.com/resistance/group.show?id=150665
 
~
 
◦ Sofia Niyazov; Eighteen
◦ Daughter of Apollo
◦ Likes: Poetry, music, archery, the sun, oversized sweaters, woodlands, birds, sepia photographs, messenger bags, noodles, lepidopterology, linguistics, old things, knowledge, her brother, snakes, the arts, singing (though not in front of others), being brave, strategizing, uncovering mysteries, laughing, her long hair.
◦ Dislikes: Sleep, materialistic things, being shy, selfishness, acting cowardly, lying, feeling alone, the dark, quietness (almost always means something bad is about to happen), not being good enough, make-up, death, people being able to tell what she’s thinking, her inexperience in romance, short dresses.
◦ Strengths: Sofia’s own name means ‘wisdom’, and it does in fact reflect her, she can very quickly analyse all possible actions, solutions and outcomes; she is skilled (naturally) with a bow; seemingly capable of winning physical contests and games; talents in empathy; she’s a very compassionate soul, though can be persuaded otherwise on particular occasions.
◦ Weaknesses: Though able to analyse situations critically, Sofia can often let her heart rule over her judgement, particularly when she shouldn’t; she also has a tendency to only see the good sides in people, and be oblivious to the rest; she lacks experience in the activity of war (considering herself more of a pacifist; but of course, if someone wants war…); she’s a terrible liar.
◦ Family:
~Madina Niyazov; Madina would be Sofia’s mother, a secretary for Tashkent Museum of Fine Arts and all-round lover of music and art. The Uzbekistan woman can come off as the extreme of ‘tough love’, but her two children would deny it immediately. She has high hopes—more often not demi-god related—for her children, Julian and Sofia. She has a certain dislike for the gods, though it is unknown whether it arose before or after she met Apollo.
~Apollo; Recognized as a god of light and the sun, truth and prophecy, healing, plague, oracle, knowledge, music, poetry, and more, would be the Greek God, Apollo. And Sofia and Julian’s father. Their mother has never told them exactly what happened between her and Apollo, and it was unbeknownst to them until six years ago that they were demi-gods.
~Julian Niyazov; Sofia’s twin brother (girl-boy twins seem to run in the family); Julian is more easy-going than Sofia (who tends to be a little serious), and the two have many differences; nevertheless, they get along swell (most of the time). He often calls Sofia ‘little bird’, though she doesn’t know why.
~Michael Alfray; A step-father to Sofia and Julian, he married Madina twelve years ago, after which the three of them—Madina, Julian and Sofia—moved to America, where Michael and his daughter lived.
~Abigail Alfray; Michael’s fourteen year-old daughter, and Sofia and Julian’s step-sister. As far as she and her father are concerned, Sofia and Julian are enrolled at a boarding school in England due to their particularly high art achievements; and not at Greek demigod training facility located on Long Island.
◦ Biography: Sofia grew up in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, with her single mother and twin brother, speaking both Russian and English respectively. Her life was always simple and surrounded by the arts and ancient history, and she loved it so. She never had many friends, due to her shyness and lack of forwardness, along with the fact that she always seemed different. Even around her twin brother, who was often popularized; but despite that, he often tried to ignore it and help Sofia fit in. Though those attempts never did work though. When they were eleven, their mother married and they moved to New York City were her new husband had taken residence. Which really helped Sofia’s fitting-in issue. (That was sarcasm, if you didn’t realise.) however it didn’t last long, barely a year passed there and Julian and Sofia were attacked by a monster. Camp Half-Blood isn’t that dissimilar to her schools in New York and Tashkent, in terms of peers and campers, save for the fact that Sofia doesn’t feel as different as she did before. Still, Julian seems to be the guy who attracts the (wanted) attention, and she seems to be the one who doesn’t…at all. She’s a very quiet person, sometimes due to being shy, and otherwise due to mistrusting people; however she’s the perfect girl to ask if you want to know whether something is true or not: in her silence, she picks up nearly everything that goes around the camp, and when you mix in the fact she can’t lie for her life…well, you have your own portable lie-detector. She also has a tendency to be particularly and curiously prepared for anything; need something? Sofia most probably has it. Despite her seeming usefulness, she tends to be a slight pacifist; which doesn’t win her much amongst the campers. However, she is a very determined soul, and when she’s determined, you best not stand in her way.
◦ Model: Christine Korchagina
 
◦ Collection: http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/collection?id=1965433
◦ Story:
 
A scream escapes my lips as I spring from sleep. I’m panting, sheets tightening around me like a constrictor python. Hot perspiration gathers on my forehead and I run the back of my hand across it as I push the sheets away from me.
 
For a moment, I still, listening about the cabin—Apollo’s Cabin—it’s silent. Of course, no one’s bothered to see how I am; they know the answer. And Julian most probably hasn’t even stirred; he learned to sleep through my screams a good ten years ago. I take a breath and stumble to my feet, making my way outside as silently as possible—even though I’d probably woken most of the cabin up—slipping a sweater over my head and a bow and quiver over my shoulder—for comfort if anything else. The night air is cold, even through my large sweater, and—judging purely from intuition—it seemed to be in the early hours of the day: no doubt most everyone was still asleep.
 
I blink, standing in front of Cabin #7, trying to remember what I’d dreamt—what I’d seen. It was likely to be unimportant and more or less wrong; but, nevertheless, I still thought it important to remember.
 
Remember. I pleaded silently in my head; Remember.
 
I sighed, looking up to the heavens as if the answer lied there; it was no good. I began heading to Zephynos Creek, it wasn’t that far away from the back of Apollo’s Cabin and lead through the Forest. I don’t anticipate to actually enter the Forest—even armed, it wasn’t a safe thing to do—I just wanted to stand on the edge of it, where the creek flowed. It was calm there.
 
Silence. That’s all there is. But it seems so much more. Like a shadow on its own. Incomplete. Of course, it’s the Forest’s edge: it seems hollow and deserted, but I know there’s more to it than what the eye sees. Seeing the creek, you could imagine it to go on forever, a large snake slithering across the land for eternity; the sound of the water the hissing of its tongue and movement of its scales. I sit down at the fork of the creek against a large rock and watch the water flow for a moment before closing my eyes.
 
I don’t know how much time passes when I hear, out of nowhere, a voice; “What are you doing, little bird?”
 
Julian. He’s the only one who calls me that; the only one I’d allow to call me that. “Who woke you up this time?” I ask, purposely ignoring his question. Perhaps my screams couldn’t wake him, but a little shake of his shoulders could; as most everyone in our Cabin knew. I supposed it to be one of the ones who knew me more, who cared, who didn’t curse under their breath when I woke them in the night.
 
He sits down beside me, ignoring my question in return. I notice he has a quiver of arrows and bow as well, and smile just slightly. Like brother like sister. Isn’t that what they say? Only, in our case, there are a few more siblings, and then a few more again. “Are you planning on sleeping out here?” He asks, in a way as though he won’t allow me to.
 
I place my head on his shoulder, even though we were twins he was taller than me by almost a head—how it annoyed me so. “No, why would I want to? Well, at least if I do, I won’t wake anyone.” I sigh, looking upwards, and begin tracing patterns in the sky with my eyes. It was a clear night and most all of them shined brightly above us.
 
◦ Why you want to join this roleplay?
Why do I want to join this roleplay?! Can I just say ‘because it’s awesome’? Because, well, it is. It seriously is. I love Rick Riordan’s books and I’m soo excited for a roleplay that is based on them! I could seriously cry if you don’t give me a part in it!
◦ How active will you be?
Well, even though I’m practically brain-dead and zombified due to lack of sleep, I’m trying to stay up so I can do this audition because I am sooo hyped for this club. So, no doubt I’ll be very determined to make sets and write stories for this club for a long period.

So, just a warning...
 
I'm participating in Relay for Life this weekend, and until I have everything over and donew with for that I won't be on. So, you probably won't see me until Tuesday.
 
Just in case anyone cares.

No idea where the quote came from, but I like it. (:
 
http://www.polyvore.com/007_bitches/group.show?id=149656
http://www.polyvore.com/007_bitches/group.show?id=149656
http://www.polyvore.com/007_bitches/group.show?id=149656
 
Bond, James Bond. The only secret agent that well, isn't a secret. His reputation is vast, as is the number of women that have fallen to his seductive charms.
He's got big guns, sleek cars and a classy attitude.

But he couldn't be the only one?

Correct. James Bond may be the most infamous, but there wasn't only one secret agent running around. Other men in tuxedos, with hand-pistols and chessy one liners. They may not have gotten as much women or glory, but they were there. And they weren't all men in tuxedos either. James Bond has met his fair share of kick -ss ladies, but that's nothing compared to his co-workers.

We call them the 007 bitches behind their backs.

I'm probably going to be very busy during the rest of the week, due to Relay for Life and all...so, I'm making my sets for this week now, hopefully this will leave me time for the stories too.
 
[Saturday, October 13]: CHALLENGE: Church? Beach? Park? Where are you going to have your wedding? That’s your challenge for today. Brainstorm with your fiancé to figure out which destination suits the needs of your wedding and guests best. Brielle and Bellamy will be judging on the overall style and how well the destination fits into your overall wedding plans. (Create a set that showcases where your wedding will be held)
►Event: You'll be walking around Paris with your husband to be today. You'll also be stopping at the B&B offices so Brielle and Bellamy can guide you. They have plenty of inspiration boards and magazines to look at.
 
Rob and I were dead set on the Chateau de Chambord; it was perfect, and the world knew it too, it wasn’t the most recognisable chateau in the world for nothing. The distinct French Renaissance inspired architecture, with its symmetry and splendour, was without a doubt beautiful. The north façade was against a moat and separated only by the lushest and greenest grass, and many photographs have captured it’s reflection on the water’s surface. I loved it from the intricately detailed roofline and ceilings, to the double helix staircase. Even before Rob had proposed to me, I’d loved it, I’d imagined what it would be like simply walking past it from the other side of the moat. The sight! The sight was said to be mesmerizing. And it held me spellbound every time I simply saw its picture. Of course, Rob didn’t see such beauty in architecture and it had taken me a while to get him to see it was perfect. And now, he could honestly say there wasn’t another place on earth that could be better for our wedding.
 
Thus Rob and I almost saw this as a free challenge, something I needed after the last challenge. Nonetheless, we were looking about at locations just for something to do while we were in Paris. And Rob had taken to making some sort of joke about it.
 
“I heard Lanikai Beach is a beautiful place for weddings.” Rob said, with all the seriousness of Philippa when she was angry, as we move through the streets of Paris.
 
“Yes, it is. For beach weddings. Because it’s a beach.” I told him, growing rather impatient, he’d only suggested a few minutes about getting married underwater while scuba-diving.
 
“Imagine that.” He said, with a smile. “Come on, lighten up Relia. You’ve said it yourself, I don’t know, one-hundred times; the Chateau is perfect. Do you really see yourself stumbling across something better?”
 
“I might. I mean, we might. Because you’re looking too! Aren’t you?”
 
“Relia, come on.” Rob says stopping me. “Can you even imagine something better than the Chateau de Chambord? You love that place! You can practically resite its whole history.”
 
I sigh, my shoulders hunching, he was right about that. “Okay, so maybe we can spend the whole day searching and still not find anything close to the Chateau. But just have a look with me will you? Hey, we can just call it honeymoon location-searching if you like.”
 
“Hey, you promised that we’d honeymoon in the Bahamas! That is if I don’t freeze to death while I wait for you to walk down the aisle.”
 
I smile. “I’m just teasing. But just look, will you?”
 
“Okay, fine. But I’m still going to complain.”
 
“Alright, complain all you want. We’re going to B&B, they’ll having magazines or something there.” I say, grabbing my hand and pulling him as he starts going on about his Brielle conspiracy—he honestly sounds like a child who believes he’s going to be abducted by aliens. Before we step into the shop I ask him to promise to drop it while we’re inside. He agrees.
 
Inside, there are boards covered in beautiful wedding locations and magazines that—I imagine—are crammed with even more. The interior is gorgeous, but I suppose you get that with wedding planners—they have to look like they know what they’re doing, because, of course, they do.
 
“Relia, Rob. I was wondering when you two would stop by; you’ve taken your time.” Brielle says as she walks over from a desk, smiling, after glancing at the clock. I feel Rob’s hand, in mine, tighten, and resist the urge to face-palm.
 
“Yes, sorry about that. Rob took a little convincing—we still have out sights set on the Chateau de Chambord. But, nevertheless, we decided it couldn’t hurt to take a look around. Maybe a real Winter Wonderland is just around the corner. Not that the Chateau doesn’t look marvellous in the winter.” I say, smiling. In contrast to Rob, I found Brielle far more approachable than Bellamy—even though I valued both their opinions.
 
“Oh, you’re right, you’re right.” Brielle nods. “The Chateau is divine, it will be an amazing wedding location, if you so choose it. But you really should take a look anyway. There’s a few more winter-favouring locations on the boards over there. And you should just be able to look through the magazines published in winter to find what you’re looking for there. I’ll let you discuss it yourselves, but I’ll be here, or Bellamy, if you need us.”
 
I smile. “Thank you, Brielle!” And take a seat by a coffee table piled with magazines, Rob takes a seat next to me and we begin flicking through the glossy pages at different pages—Rob tended to look at every single as though he was searching for Where’s Wally, while I went at a pace that seemed as though I was on the clock.
 
After an easy half hour and a good twenty magazines, I say to my fiancé, with a voice so delighted, it’s obvious I’m pleased with my find; “Rob, have a look at this!”
 
And then we laugh, because he’s said the exact same thing as me at the exact same time. I look down at the magazine in his hands, holding the one I have against my chest, and I blink twice at the full-page picture that’s there, as if to make sure I’m seeing what is there or something else. “It’s the—” He begins proudly.
 
“The Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, I know.” I cut in, still looking at the paper in disbelief.
 
“What is it?” Rob asks, genuinely concerned.
 
I simply pass him the magazine in my hands, open to the particular page I was going to show him.
 
And he laughs, because it’s a picture of the Neuschwanstein as well. “Looks like we found our wedding venue.” He says.
 
“Looks like we did.” I agree, kissing him lightly on the cheek. “So, if we’re changing our wedding venue, are we changing our honeymoon location?” I ask.
 
“Only if it’s still in the Caribbean.”
 
@labellabeautyxo: I should ask you, do you mind Rob’s whole Brielle conspiracy. I kind of plucked it out of nowhere and thought it was funny, but I just wanted to make sure--since it seems to be re-occurring--that you’re okay with it.

[Wednesday, October 10]: Free Day: Go explore the lengths of the castle and its many perks like the tennis courts, winding gardens or even the bedrooms. Yes, Brielle decided to dismiss the “separate bedrooms” rule for one day but be stealthy about it. Bellamy has no idea and will be fuming if you get caught. But all the more fun…right?
 
Suspecting it to be a trap of Brielle’s scheming, Robert decided we should pay no attention to the dismissal of Bellamy’s rule: he considered it that she would wait for the right moment, catch us, and then torture us or something, I didn’t really know. I suggested exploring the gardens, having changed the colour scheme recently, and dismissing the roses, we needed some new flowers in mind. Rob agreed; we’d seen the gardens from our window and thought them quite spectacular. And so, there we were amongst the flowering bushes and grand trees, and paved winding paths and white wrought-iron furniture.
 
“You know when you said we could just about get married here?” Rob asks from behind me as I admire a peculiar pink-coloured flower blooming from vines that had climbed their way up an archway.
 
I laugh, “That’s what you said. But, yes, I remember you saying it.”
 
“You would have said it if I hadn’t!” He countered.
 
I sighed, teasingly. “Very well, what about it?”
 
“You were right. Or, I was right, really. But that makes me sound like a narcissist, so let’s just pretend you said it.”
 
I shake my head, but smile all the same. “And why have you come to that conclusion?” We’re following one of the paths together that goes all the way to a garden gazebo by a lake, looking at the different flower species as we go. It’s so colourful I can hardly believe; and it makes me almost wish I’d gone for a spring wedding. Of course, winter still wins out.
 
“I’m sure you can figure that out yourself.” He says with a smile.
 
“Oh, but that’s no fun!” I argue.
 
“On the contrary; it is. Or at least it is for me.” He smiled again.
 
“You sound like a narcissist to me.” I say with a smile, before asking; “So how have you gone with our groomsmen?”
 
“Well, Thomas keeps saying I should have dropped Adrian, instead of Jason, when we evened out the numbers because Anna wasn’t going to be a bridesmaid. And he won’t listen to logic when Philip tells him Jason would just decline so Anna wouldn’t feel left out.” He says. “And, of course, Adrian isn’t happy about what Thomas is saying. And Luke and Nathan think it’s all amusing, while they’re fighting over who will walk with Philippa; despite the fact I’ve already told them she’s walking with Adrian. Which, in fact, Adrian’s not too happy about, because he thinks she’s going to eat him or something.” He shook his head.
 
“I wouldn’t worry about it. You knew Adrian and Thomas would find something to be angry at each other for—even if Jason was there. And Nathan and Luke will just have to live with the arrangements. And Adrian too.” I said. “And I’m sure Philip will help you try to pull them together.”
 
He sighs. “I suppose we’ll just have to hope they get along with it. And how are the bridesmaids?”
 
“Well, Lulia and Jane seem to be…behaving. Aurora’s happy because she got her dress. Waverly’s, well, Waverly. And Philippa is being friendly. So, all good. And, unlike the boys, they’re not fighting over who they’ll be walking with.” I smiled. “Now, let’s stop talking about the wedding. I’m still exhausted from the bridesmaids’ dress shopping.”
 
“So, you couldn’t beat me to the gazebo then?” He says, leaning over.
 
“Oh, yes I could.” I say indignantly.
 
“Alright, then. Race you there?” He always did that, challenged me. I don’t know why I always gave him the opportunity, I’m sure if I asked him he’d tell me it was because I loved a challenge. But in reality, I just liked winning.
 
I glance at the gazebo and back to Rob. “You’re on, Narcissist.”

Uh, so I decided to stick with the Winter Wonderland theme, but I changed my colour scheme, 'cause do you know hw hard it is to find pretty navy blue gowns? Plus, I found some flowers that match the new scheme and are also associated with winter.
 
[Saturday, October 6]: CHALLENGE: You had the tough decision earlier this week choosing who you wanted to be in your bridal party. Now you’re going to have an even harder decision…bridesmaids dresses! Today, you’ll be shopping with your bridesmaids to pick out the perfect dresses for them. Make sure you pick a color and dress type that’s flattering on each of your girls. No one likes an uncomfortable looking bridesmaid. Brielle and Bellamy will be judging based on style, color, and how well it relates to the overall theme of your wedding. (Create a set with pictures of bridesmaids, their dresses…etc. Be creative!)
►Event: Your bridesmaids are going shopping with you today to find their perfect dresses. Opinions differ and some may be a pain to persuade. Let's hope you leave the boutique with all smiles.
 
“How’s this one look?” Jane asked stepping out from the dressing room, holding the skirt up just slightly as not to trip. The rest of us—Lulia, Philippa, Waverly, Aurora and I—are scattered on couches in the viewing room (or so the boutique called it). Jane’s wearing a strapless wrapped Enrico Coveri gown coloured in a sky blue tone. It’s gorgeous, of course, but something makes her look awkward in it, the shape most like.

Upon looking it over I sigh and drop my head into my hands. We’d woken early today, to make sure we wouldn’t be short of time, and with no end to evening gown stores, we presumed the day would be a cinch. Of course, it wasn’t. Waverly and Jane looked strange in darker blues, and Philippa was the only one who could pull off silver, Aurora had to wear something either very light or very dark, Lulia—being short as she was—couldn’t wear a short or full-skirted dress. And, with my desire for the dresses to all be as similar as possible, with the exception of perhaps Rory being in a different dress, being the Maid of Honour and all. Either way, the whole blue and silver colours were not working.

“Not good then?” Jane said rather disappointed, as she turned and headed for the dressing room once more. “Lu, give me a hand with this thing, will you?”

Lulia stood from where she was curled up on a wing-backed settee of yellow seersucker and skipped after her, she was the only one who seemed to have some energy left.

Pippa moved from her place against the wall. “This isn’t working, Relia. You’re either going to have to drop your colours or be a little looser on the rules.” She moved towards a rack that presented the dresses they’d already tried on, there were all sorts from the sleek metallic Pippa herself had tried, the short blue dresses Jane and Rory had tried, the full-skirted baby blue dress Waverly had tried, the sleek sky blue one that Aurora had tried, and many others. It had been easy finding dresses they liked and looked good in individually, but impossible to find ones they all looked good in.

“No, I’d like you all looking as similar as possible. And if we drop the blues and silvers, what colour will we use?” I said, fiddling with the white dress I wore as some sort of distraction. “And we’re not putting you in whites and ivories, either.” I glanced at Waverly, who was standing by the mirror, glancing between us both, not speaking—I supposed she was trying to find some sort of solution and wouldn’t talk until she did. And then there was Aurora, who had her eyes set on just one thing.

“Well, what are you going to do then, Relia?” Pippa asked, she had no patience for futile endeavours, despite my hopes that we would find something.

Immediately as she’d walked into the little bridal boutique she’d spied a Vera Wang; strapless, full-skirted, a detailed and cathedral length skirt, and red. Red as blood. And in short, she fell in love. After receiving confirmations from three different internet sources that in didn’t in fact come in any other colour and particularly not blue, she’d taken to sitting on a wing-backed settee staring at it from afar.

I shook my head in response to Pippa, I honestly had no idea. Navy blue was always the vision Rob and I had had. “Maybe you and Waves can try the short dresses Jane and Rory did?”

“That didn’t suit Rory. Remember, it wasn’t light enough.” Waverly said. “What’s the point in us trying them on?”

“Can we just try them?” I ask, exhausted and stubborn.

“God, grant me patience!” Philippa said, grabbing the dresses, passing one to Waverly, and storming towards the dressing rooms, almost colliding with Jane and Lulia as they emerged, the Enrico Coveri in Jane’s hands. The two looked back over their shoulders, confused at Pippa’s sudden strike of anger, then placed the dress on the rack and sat down.

As Waverly disappeared, Jane asked, “What are you going to do, Relia?”

“Now you sound like Pippa.” I said.

“Then Pippa knows what you should be thinking about.” She pointed. “Aurora, what do you think?”

“Huh?” Aurora asked turning on Jane and Lulia. “Oh, uh.” She gave me a sympathetic look. “I think you really need to figure something else out. Are you really set on blues?”

I sighed. “What colour do you suggest then?”

“Peach. Or lilac. Or gold.” Lulia piped out. “They’re pretty colours.”

“You could do champagne. You said you wanted classic, didn’t you?” Waverly suggested, emerging from the dressing rooms with Philippa beside her. Waverly looked okay, though admittedly she looked prettier in longer dresses, and Philippa looked somewhat out of place; lighter colours seemed strange on her. “And that way you can keep the ivory.”

“I don’t see why you don’t just go with black. Black suits everyone.” Philippa said, folding her arms over her chest as if to hide her awkwardness in the dress.

“Black and white? I don’t think that’ll look very good for a wedding.” Jane said.

“Well, you could have another colour too.” Waverly said. “And, are you done with these two?” She asked, gesturing to the dresses she and Pippa were wearing.

I nodded to Waves. “Sure, black would suit everyone. But how’s it part of winter?”

“Well, you just make the third colour winter-related and it’ll be fine.” Lu said, looking at the colour board sitting on the table, as if considering all possible colours. “Is there any colour you have in mind?”

“Can it be navy blue?” I asked.

Jane folded her arms. “Relia, be serious! Navy blue doesn’t suit black and white.”

“How about red?” Aurora said with a small smile.

Lulia laughed. “You’re just saying that—”

“No, I’m serious. Black, white, and red. Imagine it. Plus, there’s lot of winter-y red flowers. It could work.”

“I’ll second that!” Philippa, distastefully placing the two blue dresses back on the rack.

“But, if we change the colour scheme to black, red and white, can’t we just keep the roses and change their colours?”
 
“You don’t want roses.” Jane said. “It’s too normal. I say go out and get some red winter-y flowers!”
 
“Alright.” I said. “We’ll try it and see how we go finding dresses for red and black and white; and if, if, we find anything I’ll call Rob and see.”

Aurora practically leapt from the settee and went directly from the viewing room to the Wang to the dressing room. As she changed, the other girls looked the store for black and red gowns—deciding shorter dresses were no good.

“Well, what do you think?” Aurora asked as she stepped into the viewing room, she lifted her voice so the other girls, who had made their way upstairs to see what was there, could hear.

I sat up and looked Rory up and down slowly as she turned as to show off the dress more. The colour certainly suited her unlike some of the blues and silvers had, and the style was perfect. “Oh, Rory. You may get to wear that after all.” I said with a smile.
 
◆The Wedding ◆
◦Ideal location: Neuschwanstein Castle, Bavaria, Germany
◦Ideal season: Winter
◦Ideal number of guests: 300
◦Ideal type of wedding dress: Simple yet classic, a strapless taffeta gown with a lace-up bodice, sweetheart neckline and full tulle skirt, all in ivory, preferably a Vera Wang
◦Ideal hair/makeup: Makeup to be light, a romantic and classic hairstyle with a two-tier cathedral length veil with raw cut edge and tiara,
◦Ideal number of bridesmaids/groomsmen: five bridesmaids and the equivalent groomsmen, also two bridesmaids
◦Ideal bridesmaids dresses: Elegant and slim-cut, full length and red
◦Ideal groom/groomsmen attire: Black tuxedos with burgundy ranunculus and white peony boutonnières and red ties◦Ideal colour scheme: Ivory, red and black
◦Ideal theme: Winter Wonderland
◦Ideal flowers: White peonies, red ilex berry branches, black baccara roses, burgundy ranunculus, and schwarzwalder mini calla lillies (Bride’s bouquet: black baccara roses, burgundy ranunculus, and schwarzwalder mini calla lillies. Bridesmaids’ bouquet: white peonies, red ilex berry branches, and burgundy ranunculus)
◦Ideal reception location: Neuschwanstein Castle
◦Ideal type of music playing: Classical/orchestra
◦Ideal first song for bride/groom dance: (No idea. Help…?)
◦Live band or DJ: Live band…preferably with woodwind and string instruments
◦Ideal honeymoon location: The Bahamas

I actually really like this set, and I adore Diana's picture, it's just...ugh! Anyhow, I tried to avoid selecting bridesmaids other's have chosen, however, if I haven't, just tell me and I'll change it.
 
[Wednesday, October 3]: We hope everyone had a wonderful sleep last night but unfortunately, it has to be cut short. When learning the ropes of being a bride-to-be, there is NEVER any time for a break. Breakfast will be served at seven in the dining hall followed by an intimate session with both Bella and Brielle. Here, you will discuss your general plans for your dream wedding. This will be your longest time on camera so far so be sure to dazzle! Your wedding party (bridesmaids and groomsmen) will have to be chosen as soon as possible so you will be filmed while calling each one from the Chateau’s phone. These will all be recorded so you better cross your fingers they can all attend.
 
Maid of Honour: Aurora Harris (Barbara Meier)
Other Bridesmaids: Jane Anderson (Imogen Poots), Lulia Tarus (Natalia Vodianova), Philippa Thompson (Natalya Piro), Waverly Brown (Gemma Ward)
 
~
 
I’m curled up on a couch when Rob walks out of the bedroom, it’s almost seven and I’m glad I don’t have to wake him up for breakfast, I found it so hard drawing anyone from their slumber. “What are you doing?” He asks before yawning and offering a stretch.
 
“Just looking out the window. The view of the gardens is gorgeous.” I tell him, though it’s only a half-truth. I was actually thinking about what Brielle and Bellamy had said for our first challenge, it had gone awful, and I was now brainstorming to make sure the next one wouldn’t be as bad. “You should go get ready, we’ll be expected down at breakfast soon, and we’ll have to call the wedding party after that. You have thought of who you wanted for the groomsmen, haven’t you?” I lift an eyebrow in inquiry, praying he had.
 
“Of course I have! How could I have forgotten? It practically came with a death threat, imagine what you would have done if it’d slipped my mind.”
 
“Oh, I’m not that bad! I just want this wedding to be perfect.” I say, tracing the patterns on the couch. “Now go get ready, we can’t be late.”
 
“Alright, alright. I’m going.” He smiles at me as he leaves, finding my stress amusing. I sigh. I can’t imagine what the girls will say when I call them, all five of them. I would have liked six, but Anna, Rob’s youngest sister, was six months pregnant with her third child and when Jane and Lulia had told her their plans, she’d refused to be a bridesmaid for the sake of ‘feeling fate amongst the others’ or something like that. And besides, Natalie and Lauren, her two daughters, were going to be flower girls, which was good enough for her. Which left Jane and Lulia, Philippa and Waverly, and Aurora: my five bridesmaids.
 
~
 
Calling Jane and Lulia was easy. It turns out the two are practically inseparable, and, in calling Jane, I also had Lulia screaming down the phone. The two of course, knew we were going to be on the show, so it was no big surprise, and they’d threatened earlier that if they hadn’t been chosen as bridesmaids they would have simply pretended to be bridesmaids anyway. Despite that, they were screaming so loud on the other end that I’d had to hold the phone away from my ear. That was Jane and Lulia when they were put together: excitable and girly to the extreme.
 
I tried Philippa next, trying to ignore Rob who had taken to replicating impressions of Pippa, which involved pouting his lips and trying to look dead-serious. I argued often that Pippa looked nothing of the sort, of course, Rob did not agree. I’d befriended Philippa shortly after moving to St. Petersburg when I received the transfer to the Hermitage, being a famous art collector known to contribute to the Hermitage often; she was high on the museums contact list. Pippa isn’t the friendliest person you’ll ever meet, and certainly doesn’t whip out a smile for no reason; but she’s rather genuine and sure knows her art well. In fact, our common interest in art is what made us friends to start with. Basically, she was a stark contrast to Jane and Lulia. She hadn’t believed me at first when I’d asked he to be my bridesmaid, but said yes all the same.
 
Waverly was, well, Waverly. Calm, cool, collected, and reminding you of a mermaid. She had been my friend in university, the girl who had a thing for experimental psychology and linguistics; there wasn’t much that could excite her and she was known to pull out random psychological facts spontaneously. Despite her quirky and cold exterior, she’d delivered me countless pep talks (most of which I couldn’t understand) in university, and since always found time to offer me more. In short, she had to be there on my wedding day to make sure I didn’t lose my mind. And, to my happiness, she said yes in her own enthusiastic way, which involved spitting out some other fact about the human brain.
 
And last, but certainly not least, (if you’ll pardon me for the cliché) was Aurora, who, if she accepted, would be my Maid of Honour. Aurora took to being a doctor and freelance author, who had befriended me in a coffeehouse in Washington during my first year working at the Smithsonian. She tended to be both realistic and whimsical, and for that I loved her. She had a thing for showing up on your doorstep out of the blue and suggesting the most bizarre ideas for a ‘fun’ afternoon, and has an outstanding talent of empathy. “Rory here,” She said as she picked up the phone.
 
“Hi Aurora, it’s me—Relia.” I say down the phone, of which I’m grasping with both hands as if it could evaporate at any given moment.
 
“Relia! How are you? Oh, I’d begun to think you’d fallen down the rabbit hole or something of the sort at least. But, clearly, you haven’t. Or you have and you’ve just now returned. But of course, you haven’t, since, there is really no such thing as the rabbit hole. But anyhow, it’s so good to hear from you!”
 
I smiled, did I mention she had that effect as well? “It’s good to hear from you too, Aurora. Listen, I have a favour to ask of you.”
 
“Oh, really? It sounds exciting! Though of course, I haven’t actually heard it yet. But do go on!”
 
“I’m wondering if you’d like to be one of my bridesmaids. Well, actually, my Maid of Honour. Would you?” I’d taken to twirling my air as well, as to ignore my fluttering stomach.
 
“Dear, of course I will! It will be an honour! It’s about time too! How longs it been? Well, it doesn’t really matter. You’re getting married!”
 
“I’m so pleased, I can’t tell you.” I said into the phone. “I can’t wait until you get here! You’ll love Paris.”
 
“Paris! Really? My my, sounds like you have a lot to tell me!”
 
“Just a bit. I’ll see you then, Aurora.”