Ivory stared at the saleswoman and Blue who smiled in synchronicity and caught each other's "This is the one" dress. Ivory looked in the huge mirror and felt like a princess soon to be an evil queen on a mission to destroy the king, the king that destroyed her life.
"Oh, Ivory, you look so beautiful in that dress," a voice said.
Ivory gasped as Honor ran into her arms.
"Honor, what a surprise! I'm glad you like it!"
"What she means Ivory is that you've always been beautiful, the dress just enhances your beauty," Birdie came over and hugged Ivory.
"Did you want to try on the other dresses?" the saleswoman asked, and Ivory nodded.
Ivory figured it would be fun to try them on, and when she did, everyone agreed that the first one was the dress; it fit Ivory well, was elegant and timeless, and as Honor put it: a soon to be Queen that looked a little too sweet, though when provoked, the claws came out, and no one was safe, not even her king.
And of course, Blue sent Honor a warning look; Ivory felt the power within her --- the dress represented her well: sweet yet dangerous. Blue didn't know what was coming, whether it took 5 years or 30, she'd hit him when he least expected it.
Ivory changed into her casual outfit and the saleswoman took the gown where Blue paid for it while Birdie and Honor updated Ivory on the bases and Hawks' and Lucky's bodies.
"Blue had some cleaners replenish the entire base -- it's like no crime took place," Birdie said as the three sat at a table with magazines and candy.
"Blue, Spike, and Rover buried Hawks' and Lucky's bodies," Honor added to the conversation, "I'm not sure why he didn't cremate them, though Blue has his reasons. I have learned to never question that man."
"So, Spike and Rover are alive," Ivory commented. Honor and Birdie nodded.
"I think they're with Red, Lily, and Harley," Honor replied. "Blue wants everyone staying from Staten Island just in case something pops up; we don't wanna be on the fed's radar."
"So, Ivory, are you excited for your new era?" Honor leaned in and smiled; Ivory could tell Honor was genuinely ecstatic for Ivory.
Ivory wasn't too sure she could trust Honor, so she fed her a bunch of lies about how she was excited and always wanted to get married and have a few kids. She just didn't expect that it would be Blue.
"It's always the man you least expect," Birdie quietly turned to Blue, who was having a conversation with the saleswoman.
"I mean, he's attractive," Honor replied, "I just wish he'd get rid of this blue hair; it looks stupid on him."
The three women snickered; Honor because she had been waiting to comment on his hair and Birdie and Ivory for the unexpected opinion, and because they had agreed. Blue took Ivory's hand, told Birdie and Honor that he'd see them soon, and led Ivory out of the boutique.
The ride home was quiet and unsettling; Ivory's mind wandered to the weird vision she had encountered; she knew she wasn't imagining the vision, though, she expected to see it again soon. Ivory peered out the window and felt comfort in hearing the fast cars, honking, and the loud streets of wherever she was in New York. Now that she thought about it, she had no idea where she was. She read the exit signs and saw that they had to be somewhere upstate.
She peered at an Exit 10 sign that read "Brewster," highways 6, 202, and 22 south. Ivory blinked, and realized that they were in Putnam County -- it made more sense to run a gang in the middle of nowhere yet close to the city, as no one would ever speculate a city gang to be living in a more rural area.
Ivory fantasized about the orphanage and her old life back in Queens; she hoped that she could see Ms. Campbell when the time was right and get answers; she wished she would return to her normal life and leave the mafia; yet patience was a virtue, she'd walk away at some point. Ivory didn't know when, just she'd make her exit when the time was right. Trying to escape now would put her in harms way and would make Blue not trust her -- once she knew his motives and learned about Blue's habits, she would then devise an escape plan.
Ivory felt Blue edge closer to her and take her hand in his as she slowly drifted away from her current life and into a daydream, where she could create her own fantasy and life, and have the dream start and end however she pleased.
Then, Ivory shifted, and felt Blue place her head into his lap where he played with her hair.
Her eyes opened for a bit, and she quietly shifted her eyes to his, though the view outside left him preoccupied. The thought of resting her hand on his leg left a strong taste of distrust in Ivory's mouth, yet she did it anyway to follow his lead; she had to play his game. And she did.
Blue took the game further; as Ivory had settled into her comfortable position between his lap and the seats, he lifted her up and had her nestled into his chest, two strong and tatted arms held her in place.
"I'm glad you like your dress," he whispered into her ear.
Ivory smiled. "It's the perfect dress."
"You're adjusting to the mafia life very well," Blue held her face close to his, "I knew you'd come around."
"Well," Ivory began, "It's much easier without Viper; I feel like everyone trusts me again."
Blue nodded and held her close to his chest again, where she then smirked to herself, and closed her eyes once again, where Blue didn't disturb her daydream about her overruling him, and where she had thrown him off his throne. The widened look in his blue eyes was hysterical; Ivory knew that that day would come.