#happiestevent6

If anyone were to take one look at Deziree Tremaine and say she looked absolutely thrilled to be at the Hootenanny, they would be lying through their teeth. She was here only out of obligation. Obligation to tradition and her mother’s voice in the back of her head. It was mortifying, standing here in a dress that was out of season amongst Redwood residents flaunting their most expensive garb, and still feeling the obligation to network with anyone above her station, despite the utter failure that it was proving (and had proven) to be. Demoralizing was the understatement of the century.

Tina had been roped into working on the make-up team for the production of Into the Woods, mostly against her will, and after much huffing and hawing about it. She liked make-up well enough (she was intent on finishing that goddamned degree at some point) but the backstage environment of an amateur production wasn’t exactly great for her patience. James had waxed-poetic about how it would be an excuse to spend more time with him while he did something he loved, as she had hardly seen him due to all the rehearsals (also not helping the patience), but it seemed that might not happen after all, once she received the list and references for all the ensemble cast she had been assigned to. (And yes, she had seen one Wendybird on the list, and yes, she pouted enough to have her removed from said list.)

Minnie LOVED events like the Hootenanny. The drama of it all, the elegant fashion of this year, it was all so romantic. She was riding the high of Into the Woods having gone so well, and now she knew she would get to thrive in her element. As long as she remembered everything her parents had taught her to do....and maybe learned some things from her more recent interactions.

Marie looked at her gown and felt like a princess - but she knew that she wouldn’t be a princess forever and her eyes wandered to the wishes presented on the wall. Hers almost burned on her iris and she reached for another one to read. Some were cute - some were funny but all of them were unique and heartwarming.

Oh, how the mighty did fall. Not that being a trainee officer had been a particularly lauded or respected career, but it felt a lot less humiliating than working catering at the Redwood Hootenanny. Cass stood awkwardly in the corner in a stiff, stuffy uniform while everyone around her was dressed to the nines in gowns and suits, living out their fairytale romance fantasies. If only this were a fantasy instead of the ridiculous reality in which she now lived.

Rehearsals for Saturday’s debut of Into the Woods were well underway, held in any place that had the space for them. While the school auditorium wasn’t always available, and The Cottage Theatre had other such things happening, the dance studio was the next best place to hold them. Poor Nani had been sitting in reception all day as singing rehearsals took place.

It had been sheer coincidence that the very day that Hans made it back to Redwood Hollow was the very day of the annual Hootenanny. He had become accustomed to this quaint town’s traditions rather quickly, sussing out what was a ‘can’t-miss’ and a ‘won’t-miss’. Throwing together a fabulous and somewhat superior outfit wasn’t a bother and so he came waltzing in through the doors- dramatic as ever- to the ‘party of the year’ (quelle horreur).

After new year’s, life had thrown curveball after curveball at him and Rachel. At the very least, now Rachel knew how he felt toward her, but after hearing about what happened with Cass and him getting sidetracked trying to convince Charlie that these conspiracies about the town weren’t factual, it was hard to go right back into talking about feelings. He couldn’t just carry on like nothing was the matter, and he didn’t want to overwhelm Rachel when she was worried about Cass. He’d thought it best to wait until things started to get better before bringing that subject up again. It didn’t change anything, though. He’d still given her a valentine when the day came around, and he stilled felt the same about her as he did when he kissed her.