It took another hour, several more pricks to the finger, and enough frustration she almost gave up, but Sadie eventually held in her hands one tunic of pale green silk, with a squared off neckline, slightly puffed sleeves, and a hem that looked like hit had been sewn by a five year old. She didn’t care how it looked. The point of this idea was to embrace her new life. Brushing stray bits of green thread off her, Sadie hid the results of this sewing session and went to see if Ana could loan her the one thing she needed.

A few minutes later, after a successful visit to Ana’s rooms, Sadie stood in front of her mirror is the freshly ‘altered’ tunic, borrowed trousers--slightly baggy, as Ana was more muscular than her--and half-laced riding boots. They were the closest thing she had to the sturdy boots she’d seen Hamin or Ana wear, and for her purposes, they would do.

Sadie studied her reflection. She looked more like a girl pretending to be a pirate than an actual pirate, but that was alright. She was satisfied there was barely any trace of the duty-bound shrinking violet who’d arrived at the isle meek, defenseless, and sick to her stomach at the thought she might let down her parents. Something was missing, thought... Sadie squinted at the mirror for a few more seconds before uttering a triumphant “Aha!” and gleefully cutting the dark blue hem off the discarded skirts to use as a sash. It went around her waist twice, and she had just tied it in a loose knot when someone knocked on her door.

Sadie tensed. She’d shooed off all her servants for a couple hours to work on the tunic, which meant there was no one to answer the door.

“Glitter?”

She hesitated for only a moment. Of all the people on the Isle, Hamin would understand. “Just a moment!” She didn’t run--that would have ended with tripping over her laces--but she may have hurried. “Inside, quick. I want to show you something,” she urged, half-hidden behind her door in case anyone was around. 

“Answering your own door? Scandalous,” Hamin teased as he stepped into the room. “Or is this another step in the process of becoming your own person?” He pulled one of the Truly Awful Biscuits out of his pocket and almost gleefully bit into it, then practically choked when he saw what she was wearing. “Glitter, what-”

“I wanted to see what I’d look like as a pirate,” Sadie explained, her words practically tripping over each other as she huffed dark curls out of her eyes. “But I don’t have anything other than dresses, so I borrowed pants from Ana and cut down one of my dresses, and I know the boots are wrong, but it’s the best I had-”

“Shh.” Hamin walked closer to rest a finger against her lips, his eyes twinkling with laughter. “You make a fine pirate, Glitter.”

Sadie blushed and tugged on the somewhat ragged hem of her tunic. “Once I get better at regular sewing, I’ll be able to make shirts that actually look decent.” She ran a hand self-consciously over the pale green fabric. “I’m thinking about embroidering a flower on here. A Maiden’s Vigil. Emmett told me the story the first week here, and it was... the first seeds of thinking maybe I could be myself. Free of duty and expectation.”

Hamin grinned. “A fine idea. You’ll be the prettiest pirate in the history of Hise.”

“Because you’re a completely unbiased judge of that title,” Sadie teased, playing with her hair and sneaking another look at herself in the mirror. Yes, it would look so much better with some decoration, to draw the eye away from the hem.

He just shrugged cheerfully and finished the biscuit. “Much as I enjoy this look on you, you do know you’re allowed to still wear dresses?”

“Mm-hm,” she nodded. “I need look no further than Cordelia to see that. And I will. After all-” a smirk tugged her lips-”I’m hardly planning to greet the Arland ambassadors dressed like this. Or, God forbid, my parents. My poor mother would faint dead away. But occasionally, in private-” she winked- “I could be convinced.”

“Is that so?” Hamin’s grin was wider now.

“Eventually, once we’re back in Hise, I’ll wear things like this in public, but let’s start small.”

Glitter, you are a treasure. I count myself the luckiest of men that you have chosen me.” All trace of teasing vanished from Hamin’s voice as he continued, “I am so proud of you, Sadie. You have taken your old life and adapted it to fit the new, growing and challenging yourself along the way.” He stepped closer and took her hands in his. “I cannot wait until I am yours and you are mine.”

“I thought we already were,” Sadie needled, blushing nonetheless. 

“Officially, you tease,” Hamin laughed.

“Well, until we are, you probably shouldn’t be caught lurking around my rooms when there are no servants present. That really would be scandalous.”

“Very well, Glitter. For the sake of your honor, I’ll leave.” His eyes gleamed mischievously. “Shall I climb down the trellis to avoid being seen?”

“Heavens, no! That would be worse!” Sadie protested.

“Only if I get caught. Are you saying you think I’d get caught?”

“I’m saying I think you should leave. By the door,” she clarified. “I’ll see you later.”

“Later, then, Glitter,” Hamin agreed cheerfully, kissing her on the cheek before he darted out the door.

Sadie closed it firmly behind him and quickly changed back into a more appropriate outfit. She hid the pirate clothes in the bottom of her trunk. This was definitely not the time and place to start dressing like that in public. But someday she would. 

Hopefully someday soon. 

------------------------------------

Name: Princess Colette of Arland (nicknamed: Lottie; I know it’s not actually a nickname for Colette, but shhhhh.)

Hair: Long—maybe down to the small of her back—with perfect curls. Think Shirley Temple style ringlets for reference. I can never decide if I want her hair to be golden, light brown, or strawberry blonde. Maybe we’ll split the difference and give her young Shirley Temple’s hair color, haha. (Edit: I have settled on dirty blonde!) Usually wears her hair down with a delicate tiara. Will wear a ribbon from time to time.

Eyes: Big, innocent blue eyes with long lashes. She is very good at looking up at people through her lashes in a becoming manner, though this is rarely intentional because she doesn’t have an ounce of guile in her, adorable pet.

Body: Peaches and cream complexion. She’s very small and dainty. Probably has dimples when she smiles because she’s adorable.

Style: Elegant. Lots of silk and lace and puffed sleeves and petticoats and long skirts. Her wardrobe is filled with soft pastels, baby blues, pinks, lavender, buttercup yellow, and their like. Has lots of delicately embroidered slippers. Basically, it’s just the sort of wardrobe you would expect to be owned by a princess classic.

Personality: HELP ME, SHE’S TOO CUTE. Princess Colette is soft spoken and painfully shy. She has never relished her social duties as a princess, but never questioned following them either. Being a quiet and unassuming sort, Colette’s favorite thing to do between endless etiquette lessons was to get lost in a good book. She has read almost all the classic stories and fairy tales of each country and is familiar with their history and philosophy as well. She has a fantastic imagination and romantic tendencies that will quickly run away from her. Since she’s always been protected and is definitely the type to imagine monsters under the bed (or in the wardrobe or behind the tapestry or under the floor rug), she has always been a little timid and until seven years ago, she was still known to cling to her sister’s skirts from time-to-time.

As someone with leadership skills, beauty, and charm, Lottie could probably wrap people around her little finger if she wasn’t far too good-natured to ever try. At 18, she is one of the youngest delegates on the island and she can be a little hard to get to know because she isn’t used to talking about herself and won’t unless specifically asked. However, she cares greatly for others and has a heart filled with compassion for anyone who is hurting. She has been known to cry for other people’s sorrows and there isn’t an unethical bone in her body. She is also methodical and believes in improving herself little by little. Basically, she’s just a sweet and wonderful person and I love her.

Besides reading, her hobbies include taking walks through nature and watercolors and drawing, though she insists she isn’t very good. She also has a fondness for sweets.

Initial stats: 50 charm, 25 eloquence, 50 beauty, 50 leadership, 25 charisma, 25 courage, 50 intelligence, 90 etiquette, 50 poise, 15 politics, 50 academic, 40 people, noble, subtle, imaginative, introverted, dependent, compassionate, emotional, romantic, unassuming, traditional, methodical, ethical