She doesn’t have much to call a wardrobe, so she settles upon wearing her supersuit. With her hair pulled up into a respectable pun, she affords her reflection a moment’s stare before biting her lower lip.

“Relax”, Val says before she strides out in a pink and white pantsuit, the back cut open to allow her wings to breathe. “You look hot, okay, and you’ve been kicking ass and taking names  and looking fabulous while doing it for months. You have just as much right to be there as anyone else.”

With a nod, Mara turns her back to the mirror, withholding the urge to pull her hair free of its bun when she responds, “Right”.

“...That’s not what you’re worried about, is it?” When Mara just gives her a sheepish smile, Val gives a fond shake of the head. She waves off the lovebirds arriving with letters, then sits beside her friend on the windowsill. “Is this about our mutual friend?”

She just nods, then averts his stare. “It’s not like that, though, okay? It’s just friendly.”

“You can’t lie to a cupid”, Val retorts with a pointed look. She tosses a lock of long-flowing hair over her shoulder, then turns to look out the window. “You’re good together.”

Mara just raises her eyebrows at her, then asks, “Really? I thought you didn’t like him”.

“I never said I didn’t like him.” She rolls her eyes, blowing her bangs out of her face. “I just don’t think he has his priorities straight. But…I don’t know. He seems different since you started working together.”

A snort escapes Mara. “Not everyone would say that’s for the better.” She presses her lips tightly together, tossing open the door to her closet and taking in a deep breath at the sight that welcomes her. 

“Be a great time to debut it”, Val muses as Mara gingerly pries her sparkly lavender cloak off the hook and tosses it around her shoulders. Her eyes soften considerably. “You’re a badass. Don’t let anyone tell you different.”

A gentle blush climbs to her cheeks before she says, “I won’t”. With that, the two stride out of her room and into the hall, walking side by side until they find Beau sitting on the couch. When he sees their approach, he rises to his feet, swatting aside some floating tufts of pollen. Mara just smiles. “Hi.”

“Hello. I like your cloak.” His own smile thins out as he turns a neutral stare upon Val. “Hart.”

Val just lets out an annoyed huff of air. “Baxter.” She then brings her hands together, smiling as she grabs hold of Mara’s shoulders and gives her a gentle shake. “Let’s agree to a ceasefire tonight, shall we? After all, we wouldn’t want to spoil our little Tombstone’s first party, now would we?”

“Who’s to say it’s my first party?”, Mara asks and purses her lips when her two companions simply stare at her in doubt. “Okay, it’s my first Masquerade Ball.”

Beau just hums to himself, adjusting the sleeves of his jacket as he says, “Well, there’s no reason to worry. Just think of prom and you’ll be fine”.

“...She didn’t go to prom.” Val tilts her head to the side, her eyes analytical.

Beau wavers for a moment. “Oh. Were you…not interested?”

“No, I was”, she explains, a thin smile crossing her lips. “It just wasn’t mutual.”

Val just shrugs, striding forward as she approaches the window and calls out, “His loss”. Without further ado, she shoves open the window, turning to toss them a playful salute. “Let me know when you get there, okay? I’ll be the one trying to steal the chocolate fountain.”

“We’ll take care to avoid it then.” When Mara elbows him gently in the stomach, he huffs. “We’ll be there.”

Val smirks. “I look forward to seeing you.” With that, she leaps out of the window, her wings spreading wide as they carry her ever higher until she disappears from view.

“She means well”, Mara explains after a moment. She then affords him a moment’s stare. “You look nice. You let the buds help?”

Beau just rolls his eyes, arms crossed over his chest as he remarks, “I am a grown man, Mara. I’m capable of doing some things on my own”. When Mara just continues to stare at him, he smirks, allowing himself the smallest nod of the head. “The vines helped me pick out my shoes.”

“Right.” Her eyes lock upon the tie within his hand. Amused, she returns her stare to his eyes. “I’m no expert, but I’m pretty sure that’s supposed to go around your neck.”

Beau turns the tie over in his hand, pondering it for a moment before he speaks once more. “I’m aware. I was…hoping you could help me with it. If you wouldn’t mind.”

“...I don’t”, Mara lets out, her voice barely louder than a whisper. Not quite ready to meet his eyes, she accepts the piece of cloth passed between them. Willing her fingers to remain steady, she steps close to him and tosses the necktie over his shoulders.

He’s the first to break the silence, his voice soft when he says, “Penny for your thoughts?” She looks up at him for a moment, and he lets out a quiet laugh. “It’s not often that you’re this quiet.”

“I doubt it’s worth the penny.” She forces herself to focus, taking in one quiet breath after the other as she guides the cloth into a Windsor knot. “But I was just thinking. So much has changed since I came here.”

Beau nods. “Is that so surprising? This is the city where miracles happen. The city where the impossible becomes possible.”

Mara ducks her head, heart beating loudly in her ears when she takes a step back and says, “The city where a chlorokinetic takes a chance on a necromancer”. She then takes a step back, her head swimming.

“See?”, Beau says, and she pretends not to hear the uneasiness in his voice. “It’s perfect. Just like I thought it’d be.” He then clears his throat, squaring his shoulders as he turns a stare out the window. “It’s getting late, Tombs. We really should get going.”

Mara just she remains where she stands for a moment, deep in thought before she at last nods to herself. “Mara.” Beau turns to look at her, and she lets out a breath. “My name. It’s Mara. Mara Boones.” With that, she draws a portal out of the air, casting a glance back over her shoulder at him. “Are you ready?”

“...I am”, he says after a moment.

She takes his word, and his hand, and the two step through the portal.