I would gladly like to say to everyone that this story finally has a direction and I finally now what I'm going to do with this story. So that is why I am republishing this story with a different title and all! It was first published as Vansard (yeah I know, it sucks) but now, I present to you…
Rebel Coiling
(I do not own any of the characters that are published in this story, but I have made alterations to Hansard Kray)
Hansard Kray walked towards his father, Arthur Dagan, and looked him straight in the eye. He didn't believe in the Faceless Ones and didn't plan to believe in them anytime soon. So, when his father said he couldn't go to the Recrascious Ball hosted by Ravel, because Skulduggery would be there, he simply said "Come with me, or I go alone." And with that he strolled out of the room and prepared the transport.
…..
Skulduggery was early, and I hated him for it. It took me ages just to get my parents to let me go to the Ball, and then I had to go to Uncle Gordan's house/mansion and by that time Skulduggery had to make his grand entrance. He stood now, leaning against the doorframe, watching me storm around the house trying to find a dress. "Are you going to stop this anytime soon?" that earned him one of my evil glares. "If not, I could just give you the dress I brought for you." I stopped and looked at him; I swear if he had a face he would be wearing a smug expression right at this moment. "You brought a dress and after all this time you hadn't once thought of telling me this earlier?" "Actually I did think about telling you this earlier, it's just you were just far too entertaining. Plus, the legendary Skulduggery will always make his grand entrance late." I made a face and snatched the box he had held out, not even bothering to look at the contents inside. It was only when I got inside the bathroom had I realized how pretty the actual dress was. It was a deep red in colour and it had beads scattered across the satin material. Intricate sewing curled its way up from the bottom and curved along the body to the top. I left my hair out and combed it all to one side and walked outside beaming at Skulduggery. "It looks good." He said it so plaintively that I couldn't stop the rage. "Just when I was starting to forgive you, you had to ruin it!" I stormed out of the house and sat in the car. My anger slowly dissipated as we made our way to Ravel's place. "Thank you." I said it quietly but it seemed he still heard because he grumbled something in return. We got out of the car and walked towards the fanciful music. "It is time for the great skeleton detective and his partner to make an entrance." "Why don't I have a cool name, you get to be 'skeleton detective' and I'm just 'your partner'." "Fine then, the great Skulduggery Pleasant and Valkyrie Cain will make their entrance." "Yes, we shall." I smiled as the doors opened and we entered the Ball.
The walls were decorated with sweeping curtains, while crystal chandeliers hung from the roof. Ravel, Dexter Vex and Ghastly stood together, surrounded by some others whom I didn't recognise. They all sipped on champagne which you could tell was expensive and they laughed heartily as we approached. "I was waiting for you to make your appearance and it just so happened that you dressed up your partner too." Ravel said it with a smooth voice and I tried hard to stop the blush from coming. "Where's Tanith?" I asked Ghastly, slightly perking my eyebrows so that he got the message. He gave me a hard stare and then motioned to a table with Tanith, Arthur Dagan and Hansard Kray. Their conversation was not going well, Tanith's face was hard with anger, Arthur held his smug expression and Hansard looked disappointed and angry at the same time. We walked over knowing that this wasn't going to go well. As Tanith saw me walk over she smiled just a little and glanced at Hansard who seemed a little worried. What would I do? "Oh look, here comes another one of your...how many suitors?" Oh no. This was the worst subject to bring upon Tanith. She didn't choose to be popular and she only ever liked one guy and that was Ghastly. Well, except when she had the remnant inside her and she went out with Sanguine, but that was the remnant, not Tanith. Tanith was now on the verge of punching Arthur and the only thing that stopped her was Ghastly, and that was because he had already punched him. Hansard looked amused as he stared at his unconscious father on the floor. "Sorry about that Hansard, he was getting on my nerves." But it was obvious that Ghastly was NOT sorry. "Don't worry, it's best if he stays unconscious for while, he won't get on anyone's nerves." Hansard's hair covered a bit of his eyes as he wore a sheepish but confident grin. He had changed since she had last seen him, his shoulders seemed broader and his eyes seemed starker. He was less formal with his dad lying unconscious on the ground and I think I liked him better when he was relaxed. Skulduggery nudged me slightly and whispered in my ear, "He seems to have forgotten the train incident, I'm sure the boy can't resist your charms this time." I gasped a bit too loud because everyone turned to look at me. "Umm...,"I could feel the red rising up my cheeks, "I'm just going to go outside for a minute..." "Oh, I'll come too. I needed to get some stuff from my car anyway." No. No, no, no. I didn't care who said that as long as it wasn't Hansard, but it just had to be him. As I turned away from the others, I could hear Skulduggery chuckle. I glared at him once more as I left and I could see everyone's confused faces. This was going to be a nightmare.