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Post by Kristi Lynne on Apr 7, 2024 17:30:16 GMT -8
Silvester Ball
Annual New Year's Eve Ball at the Hofburg Palace in Vienna, Austria Events taking place in December 2011
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Post by Kristi Lynne on Apr 8, 2024 15:07:43 GMT -8
Once the decision was made that they would be traveling to Vienna, it was all a bit of a whirlwind. Bags and equipment were hastily packed, and Zemo’s private jet was fueled and awaiting takeoff. Sophie was surprised at how accustomed she had become to this mode of travel. A car met them at the Vienna airport and took them to a hotel where Zemo had secured a large suite.
In addition to shoes and a dress, he had also engaged a stylist to take care of Sophie’s hair before the ball. Her blonde hair had been dyed a chestnut brown to match that of Zemo’s wife, so that the couple wouldn’t stand out at a distance to those who knew them. The curls were piled into a formal updo, secured with glittering silver combs. Looking in the mirror after the ensemble was completed, Sophie barely recognized herself. She felt like a princess as she twirled the rich, satin folds of her purple dress. Or rather, a baroness.
Zemo had one last surprise before they left for the ball: an extravagant necklace of silver, amethyst, and diamonds. To further cement the illusion, he’d said. But now she felt even more uneasy, wearing Sokovian royal jewels around her neck.
The entrance to the palace and the landing that preceded the grand staircase was bustling with activity. Sophie was doing her best to play the part, as if this sort of event was routine to her. Boring, even. But she felt overwhelmed as she looked at the red carpet-covered stairs that led down to a sea of waltzing couples. Frozen in place despite wanting to run. Desperately not wanting the man at her side to see the fear on her face.
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Post by DarkSideCookie on Apr 17, 2024 0:52:00 GMT -8
While Sophie was obviously overwhelmed with her surroundings, and all the new impressions, Zemo was only with the high amount of people. It was another reason why Helen and him usually weren't going to this kind of event, or rather, why he was accepting her decision rather fast. Although this was practically part of his uprising, he never had become used to the crowd. Still, he was a fan of the impressions in general; the costumes, the food, the music. With Sophie on his side, however, he could forget his problem with the crowd easily, since her sight was unforgettable, quite amusing actually. Not her looks, of course. Those were outstanding. But the look on her face while trying to fit into a world that was completely strange to her was.
Eventually, Zemo took one of her hands to unobtrusively place it in his armpit. This would not only make them look a bit more like a married couple, but it also would help her take the grand staircase less frightfully. Well, hopefully.
"Just take one little step after another," he advised in a whisper, and, admittedly, with a slight smirk of amusement. This scenario could even make him forget about the seriousness of their mission for a moment. Maybe it even, secretly, made up for the few times Zemo had actually felt disappointed about Helen's decision not to go to the ball with him.
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Post by Kristi Lynne on Apr 20, 2024 15:23:03 GMT -8
"Just take one little step after another."
His voice in her ear and his hand taking hers and placing it in the crook of his elbow had the intended calming result. "Of course, Your Excellency," Sophie replied, with a smile of gratitude. She would follow his lead, and everything would be fine. Just like it had been all those times before. And if things did go awry -- well, Zemo had a talent for improvisation.
She clutched his arm, not too tightly, as they descended the stairs and joined the throng. Dozens, if not hundreds, of people stood along the perimeters of the ballroom, while an equal number occupied the floor. Very easy circumstances for someone to hide, if they wanted. And Whitehall didn't seem like the conspicuous type.
"We'll soon see if that crash course in waltzing you gave me was successful," Sophie remarked. "Though I do prefer it to that time you tried to teach me shovel fighting. I think I've still got bruises." The technique, which made use of a soldier's standard trench shovel, was commonly used by the Russian and Sokovian Special Forces. And with Zemo's thorough yet relentless training, she had become somewhat competent. But she was still convinced she was the better rifle shot of the two of them.
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