"Wow Liliana, your room is beautiful!" Amber exclaimed.

"Thanks, hon. Now let's see what I have that would suit you two". Throwing open her wardrobe Lili listened to the gasps of the girls behind her. "For Nina I'm thinking something along the lines of blue and fairytale inspired. You give off this adorable pixie like aura that I think we should play with". The girls nodded dumbly still struck by the large array of glittering dresses inside. Pulling out a light blue, floor-length gown with ribbonlike sleeves and a v-cut, Lili nodded satisfied at her choice. "This one is perfect for you, go try it on" she motioned to the changing screen in the corner by her sewing station.

"Are you sure I can pull something like this off?" Nina stammered. "It's beautiful but seems more like an Amber dress than anything else".

"Of course, it will look great on you Neens! You are gorgeous".

"You won't know until you try sweetheart. Go on give it a spin!" Nina nodded and headed towards the screen. They really needed to work on that girls' confidence. According to the boys she only seemed confident when it came to things of the house cult, there she was a badass! Nina was beautiful, and every girl should feel like a princess and deserved a beautiful dress. Turning to Amber, Liliana assessed what color would look best on her.

"What color is your dress currently?"

"It's orange. I know finding a matching mask for Alfie will be a pain, so any help is welcomed".

"Yes, speaking of Alfie" Lili said turning back to the wardrobe, "I hear congratulations are in order! You guys make such a cute couple". Pulling a pink and purple floor length gown with silver flowers, Lili turned to deliver her warning, "Just know that despite the fact that we are becoming friends, he is my little brother so, if you break his heart – I break you". Smiling she held the dress out.

Looking a little shaken Amber accepted this dress. "yeah, Alfie is really sweet and my best friend, I don't plan to break his heart".

"Perfect! Then we understand each other. Now I think this color and overlay will look great with your natural silhouette. Nina darling how are you doing back there?"

"Almost got it!" came the response from behind the screen. Stepping out from behind the screen Nina looked like a fairytale princess.

"Oh my god Nina!" Amber screamed. "You look stunning!"

Nina blushed and looked down at the ground "Are you sure that it is not too much?"

"Trust me sweetie, your man's jaw is going to hit the floor when he sees you".

"Fabian isn't my man Lili. Besides he seems far more focused on Joy these days then me".

"Really..." Lili deadpanned "The boy looks at you like you hung the moon and stars, besides from what I have observed in my short time here it is always Joy who pushes that they hang out. But I could be wrong. Either way you are going to knock the socks off that poor unsuspecting boy. Your turn Amber!" with a squeal Amber disappeared behind the screen.

Lili sat Nina down at the vanity, starting to style her hair Lili decided that it would be a good time to get to know her new friend better. "So, Nina, where did you grow up in the states?"

"I'm from Minnesota originally, but have bumped around the states before I moved to DC with my Gran".

"That's wonderful hon! I was going to a school in Virginia".

"Really? Where in Virginia?"

"Roseville, I finished the course work offered there early and transferred here where my family is".

"Huh, never heard of Roseville"

"It's a small town and I was in a private school there. But enough about me. What are some of your hobbies?"

"I love anything involving ancient history. I got really into Egyptian mythology last year."

"Yeah, I would say being surrounded by an Egyptian murder cult on the quest for eternal life would do that to a person." Lili remarked as she tied off Nina's braid with a beautiful blue ribbon. Nina's head whipped around and Amber stepped out from behind the curtain with a squawk!

"How do you know about that! It's top secret!" Nina yelled.

"Calm down darling or your hairdo will fall out. And please, did you really think that my boys were going to keep such a traumatic event secret from me? Besides, secrets are what I trade in".

"I can't believe they told you about Sibuna" said Amber. "Sibuna vows are sacred."

"As I understand it" Lili responded, "only one of the boys is a Sibuna, and besides family comes first. I'm just glad that all of that nastiness is behind us." Smiling sweetly Lili gestured for Amber to spin around. "You look beautiful darling. That dress fits wonderfully".

"It really does look great on you Amber." Nina commented.

"Well that is that then. You simply must wear these dresses". Lili quickly settled on prices for renting the dresses, she charged what Roe had planned for the awful 80's dresses and sent them back to their rooms with their new clothes.

*Tears of Gold - Tears of Gold - Tears of Gold*

The next couple days were full of excitement as everyone prepared for the big dance. Between classes, dance preparation and getting to know her new housemates Lili was thoroughly exhausted but was looking forward to the museum opening. She had gone to check out the exhibits and had been given a tour by Jerome and Jasper. She had noticed that Nina, Fabian and Amber had seemed rather wary around her now that she knew about Sibuna. She seemed to be Sibuna adjacent now, kind of like Jerome. Oh well, all of that craziness is over now, and she could just relax. Hopefully they will get over it and they could continue to become friends.

*Tears of Gold - Tears of Gold - Tears of Gold*

Getting ready for the exhibit opening Liliana admired herself in the mirror. The dress reminded her of Cinderella's. It was a large white gown with beautiful blue flower embroidery from the strapless top to the hem which swept the floor. The addition of her peacock mask for the dance made her look like a fairytale character. Poppy had been upset that she was not allowed to attend the party but had made plans to watch a movie with some of the girls in her house instead. With a final puff of hairspray Lili headed down to meet her boys.

In the hallway Lili ran into the other girls. Nina and Amber looked stunning their gowns. Despite her distaste for the girl, Liliana had to admit had to admit that Mara looked beautiful in her purple dress. Joy was wearing the awful dress that Jerome had picked out while Patricia wore a black dress with a gold necklace. "You all look beautiful ladies. Patricia, I love the intimidating make up".

"Thanks Lili, your dress is very nice. Well, let's not keep the boys waiting".

The opening of the exhibit went off without a hitch. Lili spent a good portion of her time chatting with Amber and laughing as Alfie tried to unwrap Jerome's costume. The bake off was fun, but she couldn't help but wonder where Amber, Nina and Fabian had snuck off to. "Stop worrying about them" said Jerome as he exited the washroom now dressed in a dashing suit. "They are probably just playing hopscotch and pissing off Joy". Sighing Liliana replied, "I know it's just strange is all". Laughing, Jerome offered her his arm "There are many strange things here at Frobisher Academy my dear. Give it some time and you will be strange like us. Now let's go dance!"

With the hard work of all the residents, the student lounge had been transformed into a fairytale ballroom. The food catered by Trudy was delicious, the music, an electric classical was fun to listen and dance to. Lili had laughed so hard at Joy's sour face when Nina had walked through the "dramatic curtains" on the arm of Fabian looking like a dream come true. When Mrs. Andrews had stepped through the doorway wearing the same dress as Joy, Jerome made a hasty exit. Lili didn't blame him. Joy looked furious; she definitely would not want to be on the receiving end of that. Heading over to get some cider she found Jerome hiding behind a table talking to Mara.

"What's that?" Jerome asked gesturing to the letter she tried to hide in her purse.

"It's a letter from Mick" Mara said a bit too quickly.

"Can't he email?" he scoffed.

"He's being romantic!" Mara defended.

"that letter has an English stamp on it!"

"How is your boyfriend doing?" inquired Lili interrupting the tense exchange. "I hope that he is enjoying Australia. Roe told me that he was an athlete".

"Mick's doing well. He's learning a lot and is in practice like all the time. We don't really get to talk a lot."

"Well I'm glad that you guys are such great pen pals then. I bet he's super romantic."

"Not really, I wish he was more romantic"

"Oh please! The boy is sending you handwritten love notes. Here let me see that one and I will prove how much the damn boy loves you". 'And then hopefully you will back off mine' thought Liliana.

"No!" shouted Mara holding her purse behind her back. "I mean, It's personal stuff. I don't really feel like sharing it with everyone".

"Well there you go. When you truly love someone you can have deep personal conversations with them. Right Roe?"

"Definitely. Trust me Mara the boy is crazy about you".

"Alright, I'm bored of this. And the band has decided to finally play something danceable. Roe let's go dance." Laughing at her candid frankness Jerome led her out onto the dance floor. Alfie and Amber were swaying nearby, while Nina and Fabian were deep in conversation. Coming back up from being dipped by Jerome Lili noticed that Nina was hurriedly leaving the room, with a sad and confused Fabian staying behind. It seems that the boy simply could not say the right thing around the poor girl.

"Come on Lil, you are going to give a guy a complex if you don't listen to what I'm saying".

"Sorry Roe" spinning Lili tried to keep her feet with the fast music. "what were you saying?"

"Alfie and I made a bet with Eddie that he wouldn't be able to get Patricia to dance with him. For context: Patricia never, ever, dances".

"Alright I'll bite. What are the stakes?"

"If we win and she won't dance, Eddie gives me his allowance for this month, which I can put towards paying the PI Mara guilted me and Poppy into".

"And if you lose?"

"If we lose, which isn't going to happen, I have to go on stage and rap 'she'll be coming 'round the mountain'".

"Well as long as you are sure you are going to win". And if it fails it will still be interesting. Maybe Patricia and Eddie will finally get their act together and put the rest of us out of our misery.

"Here we go. Showtime!" said the approaching Alfie. The trio turned to observe the scene unfolding before them.

Lili laughed as Patricia agreed to dance with Eddie. 'Well, that will end in disaster she thought'. At least Jerome's performance will liven up the night. "Alfie, where is Amber? I thought you two would be dancing the night away".

"I don't really know. She keeps disappearing with Nina and Fabian. It is giving me serious last year vibes".

"Well Alfie, we don't need to worry about that this year. There can't be any more cups of ankh and Rufus is dead"

"I know you're right Roe. There is just something that is majorly freaking me out. I'm going to go look for her. Lili come get me when it's Roe's time to shine"

"My time to shine... Hilarious Alfie, hilarious. Why is Poppy here? She should be at Hathor house." Turning around Lili spotted what had caught Jerome's attention. Poppy and Mara were arguing in the back of the room. "Well I don't know what she is thinking, but I am taking her back to the house now Lili. I'll catch up with you later". Frowning worriedly Lili watched as Jerome marched over to the arguing pair. She started to make her way over to them and assist Roe but stopped when she heard Nina's pained cry. Whirling around she saw Fabian pulling away from where he had been kissing Joy. What the heck! Had everyone gone crazy! Seriously, was she the only sane one! Changing direction Lili ran after Nina.

"Nina, Nina wait!" Pushing her way through the curtain, Lili saw the ends of Nina's dress disappear around the corner. Before she could follow after her Amber got in her way. "Move Amber! Nina needs us!"

"Nina needs to be alone right now. Plus we need to make sure that Fabian doesn't get to her. Why don't you head back inside while I wait here to make sure he doesn't get past?" Quickly agreeing Lili returned to the dance room.

She reentered the room in time to see Jerome getting off the stage and confronting Poppy and Mara again. "What is this all about! Penelope Amelia Clarke why are you back here again? You have already been sent to your room once".

"Yes Poppy what is up with you two? What is that letter you are holding? It clearly isn't from Mick if you both are trying to hide it from me." Jerome snapped as he snatched the letter from behind Poppy's back. At first glance the letter did not seem like much, a simple envelope with Jerome and Poppy Clarke scrawled across it. It was only when Jerome flipped the letter over to see the return address that Lili realized how dangerous that letter truly was.

Hannington Prison stood starkly on the white of the envelope. With it came the ghosts of the Clarke siblings' past. A father long gone and had been decided to be left with the past. "I swear I didn't write to him Roe! Mara did, I was trying to get rid of the letter before you saw it".

The letter still clutched in his grasp, shooting Mara a betrayed look, Jerome wandered away in shock. With Poppy close to tears, Lili was torn over who to comfort. Glaring at Mara, and ignoring her excuses, Lili gathered Poppy in her arms and ushered her back to Hathor house.

*Tears of Gold - Tears of Gold - Tears of Gold*

Finally leaving Hathor an hour later Lili made her way to Anubis. Poppy had cried herself to sleep convinced that Roe now hated her, despite Lili's reassurances that he did not. Though exhausted, she had one more Clarke to comfort before she could rest for tonight. Knocking softly on his door and peeking her head in she saw a dejected Roe with his head in his hands sitting on the bed. "Oh Roe!" sitting down on the bed Lili tried to take the crumpled letter from his hand. "What did he have to say?".

"I don't know, I haven't been able to bring myself to read it yet". Letting go of the letter Jerome flopped back on the bed.

Carding her fingers through his hair Lili considered the letter, "Do you want me to read it?". Nodding mutely Roe turned his head further in to her. Opening the envelope Lili began to read.

My dear children, Thank you so much for your letter. It has been so long since I have heard from you. Thank you for having the courage to reach out. I am so sorry for being a horrible father. If I could go back and do everything differently, I need you to know that I would. Jerome I am so sorry that I missed seeing you grow up into the amazing young man I am sure you are. Penelope, my little baby girl. I have missed so many firsts with you. I would love if you would come to visit me. I want to try and repair the damage I have done and get to know you both once again. Much Love, your Father.

"Oh hon, what do you think? I know that this is a lot".

"Lili, I just, I can't right now. I just... it's too much!"

"I know Roe, let's just sleep on it alright. We can make a game plan in the morning."

"Please Lilliana Can you stay here?", Patting his hand and standing up "Of course just let me get out of this dress. Alright?" He nodded and rolled over.

Closing the door to her room behind her Lili leaned herself against it. Tears rolling down her face she couldn't believe that this was happening to her family. How that awful girl could come in a try to rip her family apart again and again. She had to be strong for them.

Changing quickly she snuck back downstairs before Victor could see her. Knocking softly on the boys' door and slipping in she saw Roe curled up on the bed. Seeing him destroyed like this made Liliana want to march right back out of the room and punch Mara in the face! Settling down with him Lili reminded herself that tomorrow was another day and whatever came next they would handle it together.