approaching max about coming to this event with her was a given, as he had so eloquently noted ... but the expectation that came with it was where she was weary.

violet had been conditioned over the years to want not, need not ... despite a yearning that spoke the exact opposite. yet slowly but surely, with max's own specific flavor of encouragement, she was finding it easier to do so.

after taking one last glance at the way she fashioned her hair into a signature updo to the way the dress sat on her slender frame, she began to walk her way down the stairs, heels gently clicking as she descended every step with a tentative stride.