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The murmured commotions of the ballroom leaked out into the hallways as more guests made their way inside. Lisa and Jean almost seemed unbothered by the noise as they carried on their conversation while walking through the hall. Jean then peeked over her shoulder to glance at Barbara who was following behind the couple, her nervous eyes avoiding contact with her older sisters.
“Barb?” Jean nudged Lisa’s side as the two women stopped in their tracks to turn around. “Are you alright?”
“Ah, I’m fine I’m just…” Barbara began to speak as she let out a deep breath.
“Feeling anxious? Butterflies in your stomach?” Lisa interrupted as she subtly pulled the two women over to the side so they weren’t in the way of the other guests coming inside. “That’s normal, dear. We are at quite an important ball, even your sister here was a bundle of nerves before we left.”
“Lisa!” Jean blurted out, her cheeks turning red.
The librarian giggled as she placed her hand on Jean’s back, rubbing it up and down. This, and seeing Barbara let out a little giggle, allowed Jean to quickly restore her calm demeanor.
“Anyways… I’m sure once we’re inside you’ll feel more at ease. Many of the Knights and our associates will be in attendance.” Jean spoke reassuringly, “I know the Honorary Knight will be here, with Paimon of course, and I believe Noelle-”
“Noelle?” Barbara interrupted, her heart almost skipping a beat.
The mention of the maid’s name ignited a feeling of both excitement and worry in Barbara. Noelle was someone that Barbara had long admired, although she was far too scared to ever admit these feelings to her. This crush was no secret, however, with Jean and Lisa sharing knowing glances at each other.
“Hm, so that's what this is about,” Jean looked at Barbara softly as Lisa tried to hide the smug smirk that began to creep across her face.
“Yes, I- was hoping to see her tonight, maybe even… dance with her? Only If she wanted to of course...” Barbara spoke nervously, fiddling with one of the embellishments on her dress.
“Well, you won’t know unless you ask her,” Lisa chimed in. “There will be plenty of opportunities for dancing.”
“Lisa’s right, you shouldn’t let this opportunity slip you by. This may be the perfect chance to get closer to her.” Jean said. “Go for it, Barbara, Make this a night to remember.”
“I think I will. thank you, Jean.” Barbara smiled up at her sister as she felt a sense of relief and courage wash over her. “...and you too Lisa, I feel much better now.”
“Your welcome dear,” Lisa spoke as her eyes began to wander, watching as the crowd of people walking through the hallway and entering the ballroom was beginning to dwindle. “Shall we get going?”
Barbara nodded as she started walking towards the ballroom, this time leading the way with Jean and Lisa following not too far behind.
Noelle let out a nervous sigh as she examined herself in the mirror. Her hair was styled as it usually was, this time without her hat and the roses that adorned it. However, the flowers weren’t completely missing as one of them was used to accent her suit. The choice to wear a suit over a dress was a bold one for the maid, one that she was still apprehensive about even now as she arrived at the ball.
Before she could become consumed by her anxious state of mind, Noelle nearly jumped at the sound of a toilet flushing from the closed bathroom stall behind her. She turned toward the sound just as the door swung open.
“You know, Paimon, you could have just waited outside with Noelle,” Lumine spoke as she walked up to the sink, next to where the maid was standing.
“But Paimon’s never seen one of those fancy Fontaine toilets before!” Paimon protested as she followed Lumine to the sink, floating by her side. “And Paimon even looked away when you asked!”
Lumine sighed as she began washing her hands, rubbing her hands between a bar of soap underneath the running faucet. As she turned the water off and shook her hands dry, she glanced over at Noelle, who was still fixated on her reflection.
“You okay?” Lumine asked, prompting Paimon to suddenly look at Noelle with concern.
“Well, I guess I’m still a bit anxious about tonight…” Noelle answered. “There’s going to be so many people here, I’m just unsure how they’ll react when they see me in- this.”
“I’ve already told you a million times how stunning you look in this suit.” Lumine stepped up to Noelle and began adjusting the rose that was pinned onto her blazer. “And I saw how happy you were the first time you tried it on.”
“You're right, I really do prefer this over a dress. But that’s what everyone is used to seeing me in, what if… Barb- uh.” Noelle silenced herself abruptly, beginning to blush.
“Ooh, so you’re worried about what Barbara will think of your suit?” Paimon butted in.
“Wow, thanks for the input, Captain Obvious…” Lumine muttered under her breath.
Paimon pouted in Lumine's direction, the reaction eliciting a slight giggle from Noelle. Lumine watched her companion begrudgingly floated off to another part of the room before turning back to face Noelle.
“Don’t worry, Paimon may have a big mouth but she knows how to keep a secret,” Lumine said, referring to Noelle’s crush on the deaconess. “Besides, if anyone tells Barbara about this, it’s gotta be you.”
“I know. And honestly, getting worried about whether she'll like my attire should be the least of my concerns.” Noelle sighed. “Because, even with all of our practice, I’m still not confident about trying to dance with her.”
Lumine remembered the past couple of nights when she tried to teach Noelle how to dance in preparation for the ball. The record they danced to played until it practically wore out under the needle, Lumine’s toes aching as Noelle kept accidentally stepping on them. It was almost as if the maid had two left feet, she couldn’t grasp the choreography no matter how hard she tried. Before Lumine could respond, she saw Paimon zoom her way.
“So what you’re bad at dancing?” Paimon tilted her head to the side as she faced Noelle. “As long as you follow her lead and watch out for her feet, Paimon thinks you’ll be just fine!”
“Well I wouldn’t say bad-” Lumine quickly interjected.
“No, it’s okay. Paimon’s got a point.” Noelle spoke with a reassuring smile. “I can’t keep overthinking things… I just need to go up to Barbara and see where the night takes us.”
“Now that’s the spirit! Go get’em, tiger!” Paimon spoke excitedly as she flew around the two women.
Lumine eyed the bathroom door before nodding in Noelle's direction. The maid turned to examine her reflection one last time before walking out of the bathroom with Lumine and Paimon following close behind. They then made their way down the hall and into the main ballroom.
As Jean and Lisa sat at their table, chatting and drinking the night away, Barbara sat quietly beside them. She began to fidget nervously in her chair as she looked around the ballroom. She knew that Noelle would be coming tonight, but the maid was nowhere in sight. Suddenly she caught sight of Noelle walking into the ballroom with Lumine and Paimon. Barbara’s cheeks glowed bright red as she took in the suit that the maid wore.
“Hm, I didn’t expect Noelle to wear something so eye-catching…” Jean remarked as she turned to look towards the ballroom entrance.
“I’d say it suits her very well.” Lisa giggled before taking another sip of her drink.
“She looks beautiful…” Barbara whispered under her breath.
Jean's eyes wandered to the name cards placed at the table where the three of them sat. She read the names written on them and turned to Lisa.
"And it looks like they'll be sitting with us," Jean spoke.
Barbara whipped her head over to look at Jean with a worried look on her face.
"Sitting here? Now?" Barbara asked nervously.
"Why yes, isn't that great?" Lisa smiled. "You'll be able to talk to Noelle much easier this way."
"Right, but… I don't think I'm-" Barbara stammered out before being interrupted.
"Look! It's Master Jean, Lisa, and Barbara!" Paimon called out as she flew towards the table, Lumine and Noelle following not too far behind.
"Hello Paimon," Jean smiled as she waved to greet her. "It's been a while since I've seen you and the Honorary Knight around… also hello to you too, Noelle."
"Greetings, Acting Grandmaster Jean" Noelle replied as she tried to avoid eye contact with Barbara.
Lumine looked at the name cards on the table, nudging Noelle to get her attention.
"Hey, mind if we swap seats?" Lumine asked. "I wanted to talk to Jean but they put you next to her."
Noelle looked at where the cards were, if she were to swap with Lumine's seat, then she'd be seated right next to Barbara.
Deep down she knew Lumine wanted to switch for more than just to be near Jean. And that theory was solidified by the smug smirk that spread across Lumine’s face.
"Um sure, I don't mind," Noelle said as she pulled back the empty chair next to Barbara.
Barbara felt like she was frozen in place, unable to lift her gaze to even look in Noelle's direction. She knew she had to do something though, otherwise, Noelle might get the notion that Barbara was avoiding her out of dislike.
After a moment of awkward tension, Barbara turned to look at Noelle and flashed her a soft smile. Noelle's cheeks immediately turned red, but even as she became flustered she couldn't help but smile back.
"So this is your first time in Fontaine?" Jean asked as she turned to face Lumine, who was seated next to her.
"Surprisingly, yeah. Me and Paimon were in Inazuma last, we were getting ready to head to Sumeru before receiving an invitation for this ball," Lumine replied.
"Ah, you know I studied in Sumeru for a while," Lisa chimed in. "But ever since I returned to Mondstadt I haven't gone back. You gotta tell me how things are in Sumeru nowadays once you get back, Cutie."
"Will do," Lumine nodded.
Jean's eyes trailed to the other tables in the ballroom, noticing a large number of people getting up to either get their food from a buffet set up at the side of the room or to dance on the ballroom floor. She exchanged a knowing glance with Lisa before getting the attention of the whole table.
"Is anybody hungry? I think they just opened the buffet," Jean announced.
"Oooh, a buffet!" Paimon exclaimed as she did a little dance of excitement in the air. "Come on Lumine! Paimon needs you to make her a plate!"
Before Lumine could get a word in, Paimon was already making a beeline to the buffet. Lumine pushed her chair back to stand up, placing a hand on Noelle's shoulder.
"I'll be right back," Lumine told Noelle before going to catch up with Paimon.
"Noelle, Barbara, are you two going to get some food?" Lisa asked.
"Not right now, I'm not particularly hungry," Noelle replied.
"Same here." Barbara blurted out.
"Alright, well Jean and I are going to do some dancing before we eat," Lisa said as she turned to look at Jean.
"We are?" Jean tilted her head.
"We are," Lisa winked and gently grabbed Jean's hand before standing up and leading her to the dance floor.
Barbara and Noelle stayed silent for a moment, both of them mustering up the courage to make the first move. The tension between them was thick enough to cut with a knife. But after a minute or two, Barbara took a deep breath before turning to Noelle.
"Hey, I like your outfit," Barbara said softly. "It looks really good on you."
"Y-you think so?" Noelle stammered.
"Of course I do," Barbara smiled.
"Thank you. You also look really good tonight."
"Your welcome- and thank you."
After exchanging more smiles, the girls fell silent again, Barbara staring down at her lap while Noelle watched the couples dancing on the ballroom floor. She knew that now she had to be the one to make a move, to finally ask Barbara what she's been dying to ask her for the past couple of weeks.
"Um Barbara," Noelle said as the deaconess looked up at her, staring into her eyes. "Do you… maybe, want to dance with me? It's okay if you don't-"
"I'd love to," Barbara replied, this time being the one who blushed and got flustered.
Barbara then pushed her chair back, standing up and holding a hand out to Noelle. "Shall we?"
"Yes, however, I must warn you," Noelle said as she stood up and grabbed Barbara's hand. "I'm not really a good dancer."
"That's alright," Barbara spoke reassuringly. "I have tons of experience with dancing, just follow my lead."
Noelle took a sigh of relief as she and Barbara walked over to the dance floor. Once they were in a good spot Barbara turned to face Noelle, taking her one hand and stretching it outward while she placed her other hand on the maid's back.
The feeling of Barbara's palm gently grazing her back sent a chill up the maid's spine. Noelle then followed suit by placing her hand on the deaconess's back.
Noelle's movements were rigid as she tried to move along with Barbara's footsteps, the fear of stepping on her toes and the nervousness of holding the deaconess so close made Noelle feel overwhelmed. But with Barbara's reassuring smile and guiding hands Noelle was able to follow along fluidly. The two girls almost felt like they were on the same wavelength as they moved in sync with one another.
"That's it! You're doing great!" Barbara spoke with a smile.
"I am? I mean… thank you," Noelle replied as she looked into the deaconess's eyes.
Silence fell upon the two girls once again as they continued to dance. But this time it wasn't laced with awkward tension. Noelle felt herself bursting with confidence as she no longer had to follow Barbara's lead. She was now able to step and sway across the dance floor of her own accord.
Meanwhile, the deaconess moved in closer, feeling safe and secure in Noelle's embrace. Barbara's never felt this comfortable with someone before. It was such a stark contrast from earlier, when she couldn't even look Noelle in the eye without becoming a blushing, stammering mess. Everything felt so right, so perfect, it almost didn't feel real.
"You know," Barbara began. "I'm glad you asked me to dance tonight. In fact, I was originally planning to ask you myself."
"Really? I… was honestly worried that you wouldn't say yes when I asked." Noelle replied shyly.
"I'm sorry if I gave you that impression. Truth is…" Barbara's eyes drifted to the side, her cheeks glowing bright red. "...I really like you, So much that it's made me feel-"
"Nervous to be around me? I feel the same way about you."
Barbara nodded before tilting her head up slightly, her bright blue eyes lighting up as she looked into Noelle's golden jade ones. They became so lost in looking at each other that they stopped dancing completely. Standing still on the ballroom floor, holding each other in an embrace.
"Noelle, may I… kiss you?" Barbara asked.
"Yes, I'd love that," Noelle replied.
As Noelle moved a hand to cup the side of Barbara's face, the two girls leaned in slowly before their lips finally collided. The music within the ballroom once again filled their ears as they swayed along to the rhythm. They continued to kiss each other softly as they held each other in a warm embrace.
Meanwhile, Lumine and Paimon sat at the table eating their meals. Paimon was chowing down on her second plate while Lumine was still picking from her first. The two of them then turned their eyes up and away from their food once they saw Jean and Lisa come over to sit back down.
"Goodness Jean, if I knew you'd step on my feet so much when we danced I wouldn’t have worn open-toed shoes," Lisa spoke in a playful tone.
"I said I was sorry," Jean replied. "I've never been a good dancer, especially compared to Barbara…"
"Speaking of Barbara, look." Lumine nodded her head in the direction of the ballroom floor, where Noelle and Barbara stood, still kissing each other.
"Yesh! Misshion successh!" Paimon yelled out with food still in her mouth.
"It took those two lovebirds long enough, see Jean? I told you bringing Barbara here as our "plus one" would be a good idea." Lisa said.
"I never said it wasn't. In fact, if it wasn't for my recommendation, the Honorary Knight and Paimon wouldn't have been able to get an invitation and bring Noelle along with them." Jean replied, her serious tone juxtaposed with the small smile spreading across her face.
"But that was just the easy part! You have no idea how long it took Paimon to convince Noelle to skip out on her maid duties to come with us!" Paimon complained.
"I mean, I did all the convincing, you just floated nearby going 'please please please!'" Lumine replied, imitating Paimons shrill voice when quoting her.
Paimon crossed her arms in protest, not being able to stay mad for long as the aroma of the food on her plate drew her back in for more.
"Either way I'm happy for them, especially for Barbara. She deserves someone as kind and attentive as Noelle." Jean spoke softly.
As soon as those words left Jean's mouth, Barbara and Noelle pulled away and turned to walk back to the table. Lisa quickly turned away from the ballroom floor to gather the attention of everyone at the table.
"Oh, they're coming back now. Not a single word of this plan will find its way to Barbara and Noelle, agreed?" Lisa said, staring electric daggers toward everyone at the table.
"Agreed!" Jean and Lumine spoke in unison.
"Ahgreed!" Paimon yelled, her mouth once again full of food.
Once the pact of silence was formed, Barbara and Noelle made their way to the table holding hands, breaking away momentarily to sit down.
Barbara was practically talking in circles about everything that just happened on the ballroom floor while Noelle sat smiling with her cheeks glowing bright red.
Everyone else at the table feigned naivety, expressing joy and well wishes to the new-budding couple. Just like they weren’t the ones who pushed the two to finally come together on this special night.