Here's the next chapter! Fireflye's going to the ball, and secrets will be revealed….MWAHAHAHAHAH!
~Arun's POV~
Arun paced near the entrance to the main door, hoping that Fireflye was going to show up, and that this wasn't some cruel joke. His father stood right next to him. Dark sighed. "Don't worry, she'll show." Arun paused in his pacing. "I know, but she's taking so long to get here!" he groaned. Dark chuckled, placing a hand on his shoulder. "She probably thinks it's funny to make you wait in anticipation." He said. Arun pouted a little. "Well, it's not funny!" he said. Dark laughed. "Don't be so spoiled, she'll be here. I know it." Arun sighed and walked near the group of people. Some of the younger women blushed at the sight of Arun, giggling and walking away. He rolled his eyes, but perked back up at the sound of a commotion at the front door. He swiftly made his way through the sea of people, with little difficulty getting to the main gate. And there she was. Fireflye stood, in a magnificent ball gown. It was solid black, but it glittered like the stars. She wore leaf shaped earrings, and a matching necklace. She had long black gloves on that went all the way to her elbows. She wore makeup very lightly, just a small bit around her eyes. "I do believe I can go in." she said, crossing her arms. The guards shook their head. "No, only those with invitation are allowed in." She frowned a bit, and Arun quickly made his way down the steps. "She's with me, I invited her." He said. The guards immediately backed away, muttering apologies and lowering their heads. Arun smiled at Fireflye. "Sorry, perhaps I should have given you an invitation, instead of giving you my words." He offered his arm to her. Fireflye chuckled and took it. "No harm done. We all make mistakes." The duo began to walk up the steps and toward the main ballroom.
~Fireflye's POV~
My first mistake, might just be coming here. She thought as they reached the top of the steps and walked in. Arun smiled at her. "My Mother is very excited to meet you." He said. Fireflye smiled back at him. "Great! I'm looking forward to meeting her as well." She replied. Arun's smile seemed to get wider, and he gently took her arm, leading her towards Dark and Zelda. "Mother, this is Fireflye." He said. Fireflye grinned at the Queen, and did a curtesy, and not a mocking one either, but one sincere and gracious. "It is truly an honor for one such as myself to meet you, My Queen." Fireflye said formally. Zelda smiled sweetly at her. "The honor is all mine Fireflye, I am truly excited to meet you at last." She replied. Fireflye beamed at the Queen, and followed Arun as he led her away. "You don't mind if you perform tonight, do you?" he asked, his brow furrowing in worry. Fireflye chuckled. "Not at all. I never miss the chance to perform in front of an audience." Arun smiled wide again. "My mother wants to see you perform. I think she's going to wait until everyone comes in." he explained. Fireflye nodded. "I have just the tune for the occasion too." Arun nodded. Soon more people filtered in, and they closed the gates to get in. After a while of people mingling, and Arun watching her from not far behind, Zelda gathered everyone's attention. "It pleases me to announce that The Prince, my son, has brought a special guest and a friend. She has come to share and perform the very night with us." She gestured toward Fireflye, and Fireflye began to walk toward the center of the dance floor. "Please give her your attention." As Fireflye made her way toward the center, she heard other's murmuring.
"She's with the prince? Lucky!"
"Hmph, she doesn't look like much."
"Why would the prince have an interest in her?"
"She should consider herself lucky being here!"
"I bet her talent, or whatever she's doing, isn't all that amazing."
Fireflye smirked a little. You won't be saying that once you hear this… she thought smugly. When she reached the center of the ballroom, her violin materialized in her hands. This caused the whole audience to gasp in surprise in wonder. Smiling again, she took a deep breath, and began to play. (A/N: Insert "Transcendence" by Lindsey Stirling.") Her body began to sway and dance in tune with the music, everything around her seemed to pulse with life and color, and she smiled brightly. Soon, the audience seemed to grow joyful, and couples quickly came around her and begun to dance to her song. The whole floor was then full of dancing couples, while others stayed farther by the sidelines. Her body twisted and she jumped and twirled at most parts. Soon the song was coming to an end, and Fireflye was completely lost in the music. When the song ended, she was breathing heavily, and the audience stayed where they were. Shortly after, the room roared with the sound of applause and cheer. Fireflye smiled and de-materialized her violin. Arun came right next to her. "Fireflye, that was amazing!" He cheered. Suddenly, Fireflye couldn't feel the ground on her feet, as Arun had grabbed her waist, and spun her around for a while, then set her back down. Fireflye blinked, a little more than surprised, and she smiled. "Thank you very much." She said. Arun took her hand. "I think you need a break, you're really pale." Probably because I was holding my breath the whole time for no reason. She thought. Fireflye let Arun lead her out of the building, and to the castle gardens. She sighed as the fresh air hit her face. A break sounds really nice.
~Arun's POV~
Arun led Fireflye to the guards, and was relieved to see color return back to her face. He gazed at her softly as he watched her lean back a little at the feel of the cool air. "I enjoy balls and such…" she breathed. "But I like nature much better." She said, smiling at him. She smiled back, and the two walked on one of the many paths in the garden. "Fireflye, somethings been bothering me." Arun admitted. Fireflye looked at him, her green eye's seeming to glow in the dark. "Is there something I can do to help?" she asked.
"Well, actually, I'm bothered by what you said yesterday."
"Oh…what did I say?"
"You said something about your status…?"
At that Fireflye seemed to pause. "Well, what I meant was, it's extremely rare for a SkullMother to be invited to such a soiree." She explained. "I'm considered a bestial race, therefore, inferior." Arun's brow furrowed. "That can't be true! You seem so much smarter than me. And you're really kind!" he said. Fireflye chuckled. "Not all SkullMother's were like me. Especially during the dark times." She explained. "And besides, I live in a tree, surrounded by a bunch of kids. It sounds like something out of a fairy tale." She chuckled. Arun looked down. He didn't know there was a secret hierarchy system, or had he been just too blind to actually see it? He snapped out of his thoughts when Fireflye sighed. "I have to leave soon anyway. I left Green and Leigh in charge while I was gone." She giggled. "I'm not so sure if that was a great idea anyway." Arun chuckled as well. "Well, um…" he said nervously, a light blush coming to his face. "Can you stay a little bit longer? You've actually been the only real friend I've had." Fireflye blinked, but nodded and smiled. "Yeah, I can." Arun smiled at her, and the two continued their walk through the gardens.
