A few joyful and workless days after visiting the keepers - days she had mostly spent with her friends - Liana’s family had a larger gathering upcoming. She was anxious about talking to many of the old family member and their input on how she might want to continue her future development.

The traditional gathering of the family after one's skill pending status was technically no longer necessary. School had replaced the tradition to offer each child the chance of walking their own path through the information offered to the students.

That didn’t mean that even the least traditional families still held those events. Liana for one was certain that they only took place because old people liked lecturing and pestering children. As though they didn’t know what was best for them.

At least she knew what was best for her. She would strive for housewife skills. The class made her a prime target to become a future wife of a wealthy merchant or even capitalist.

Her mother had mentioned that life as a - what she called - trophy wife was not what one should strive for. Liana knew that her mom was wrong though. Mr. Tosien had said that capitalists live like nobles and she was gonna be a princess - or maybe a pirate, those sounded fun too.

The dreaded lecturing of her extended family was not on her mind though. It was shadowed by the introduction party of the Sanonbourgh twins the day before - today.

Both her parents had taken the day off from work - from their otherwise normal fashion of working every day - to have another talk with her and prepare her for the coming hours.

The fussing over their daughter had the benefit that they could instill their daughter with a last few droplets of wisdom before dropping her off. At least that was their reasoning. Liana knew it was just a bunch of lecturing they wanted to get out of their way, for as long as they still could.

Liana knew that she was just days away from unlocking her first skill and that would make her a grown-up. A lecturer herself. A citizen first class.

“Now remember, a proper lady - one of class - does not use a commoners tool like a fork. This is especially important if you want to make an impression on one of the nobler boys that might be there,” her mother instructed her for the tenth time in just as many days.

“There might even be one or two future lords in attendance, this is the best moment to get to know your peers and even get invited to further parties.”

“I know mommy. Am I ready yet?” Liana returned, somewhat stifled. The next second her face lit up though, as an almost predatory smile crept up on her face.

“Or if you want to you can give me another round of dancing instructions. I am sure pa would accompany us with some music.”

“Shhh. Don’t get me involved in your shenanigans. You heard your mother before and she is right you know,” her father interjected, quick as an arrow.

Why is preparing for a party so much work and so boring, she sighed.

“With my instructions, you have just about done the most while not risking to gain the skill. Now stop this silliness once and for all,” the impatience audible in her mother’s voice.

“Buuuuut it is sooo muuuuch fuuunnn! Pretty please?” she begged trying to imitate the neighbor's dog all the while biting her lip.

“Young lady, I will not risk you getting a useless skill like Dancing as your blessed skill. If you want to ruin your future with such a silly decision do so on your own time, or tonight,” her mother said with lips drawn almost to a line. Tara then further whispered something barely audible under her breath. “... death… us.”

“You better not go too far, Liana. Your mother is nervous enough as it is and you are not helping. Better hope that your friends arrive soon or it will get dicy,” her father whispered into her ear while passing. Leaving the room as her Tara spoke once again.

“I heard that,” and with that, she turned her back to him and continued instructing her daughter on table manners for the one-hundreds time, with Liana barely listening.

With the older woman’s instruction on passing through her head without taking root, the girl played through marvelous scenes in her head. Dancing with a prince on a high spire with the hair blowing through her hair, the individual strands illuminated and glistening through the moonlight shining down on her.

She saw herself on a ship deck, dancing together with Cora and Evelyn. All three of them wearing what she could only describe as shabby and ruff clothes. Though the melody that accompanied them was far beyond anything she could imagine.

The sails of the bark they were on not rustling in the wind but part of the ethereal beautiful music.

She could hear the sound so vividly, feel the rough hands of her friends, and the rocking of the waves that she was experiencing the dance for real. Then someone shook her softly out of rhythm.

The wretch turned out to be no one but her dearest mother.

“Hee, noo sleeping off now. You are gonna crumple up your whole outfit,” but instead of the annoyed glare Liana expected to see on the face that stared at her, she saw a soft smile. “It’s gonna be alright. You’ve got nothing to worry about.”

With that, her mother extended her hand and lifted her up from the chair she had been sitting in. Not quite sure what her mother was expecting of her she just let herself be carried. Not minding the crinkles growing on her dress.

Just as they entered her parent’s room, one of the three rooms in their flat both heard a knock on the door. Without waiting for her mother to reacted she pried herself out of her hands and sprinted back through her own room and the living room to the entrance.

Tearing the door open she found an assortment of people waiting for her. Both parents of each, Cora and Evelyn were there, another two people she thought were aunt and uncle of Evelyn but she minded none of them.

Right in front of the figurative mass of people were both of her best friends. Cora wore a lovely muted pink shirt with light blue trousers, a traditional and modest approach, in the stark contrast of the girl next to her.

Evelyn too wore a dress - just like Liana. Instead of Liana’s deep azure, the other girls were dressed in a form-fitting yellow dress. Imitating the color of the sun in the early and late hours of the day.

Hugging both of her friends at once brought smiles to everyone's faces.

“I have been waiting for you sooo looong what took you so long?” Liana asked.

“Ma said it is fashionable to be late, and she wants us to make a good impression,” the in sunflower clad girl responded.

The woman in question drawing glares from all the attending parties.