Chapter 9: The Gala

As Guile finished up, he picked up his cologne and shoes he had left on the bed-couch, and walked into the living room wearing his tuxedo and socks. He was wearing a black tuxedo suit and a bowtie chafed on the collars of his neck. His white shirt had ruffles that started just below the bowtie. He was looking suave! As he sat down on the white couch, he tossed his shoes on the ground and set the cologne beside him. He put on his shoes as he laced them. As he stood up, he picked up the cologne, took off the cap and sprayed some on his shoulders, then his neck and then his wrists.

"Hurry up! I thought you didn't want to be late?" Guile called out as he slowly approached the bedroom.

"I'll be right out. Don't Come in!" Aribeth shouted.

"Like hell I won't" he thought as he opened the door knobs. He slowly opened it, but heard Aribeth shrieking to the door.

"Don't come in yet! I'll be right out…just wait there…" she said as she pushed the door.

"Why not?! I just want to see…" He reasoned.

"Pervert!" she exclaimed as she locked the door. As soon as he heard the locks click, he turned and walked to the couch. He sighed impatiently as he stared out the window. The sky was now painted black as the stars and the moon gave off an illuminating light. The city lights glittered below like little fireflies unable of flight. Aribeth's doors clicked then slowly opened. Guile averted his gaze on Aribeth as his jaw dropped. She was wearing the elegant dress he bought for her and the accessories too. Her golden hair was flowing from the silver diamond studded tiara he bought for her. Her eyes were brought out by a glittering silver eye shadow and black eye liners. Her lips were covered elegantly with a beige lipstick which went well with her fair skin tone. The white backless v-neck long gown looked great on her. It revealed her succulent curves and her full supple breasts. A slit in the lower part of the dress revealed her well-rounded legs. Her high heel sandals were shrouded by the end of the long gown. She was also wearing a silver necklace with a diamond pendant shaped A.

"Well, how do I look?" she asked softly as she smiled sweetly at Guile.

"Stunning…my sweet." Guile said as he stood up to fetch her.

"Oh, you're not calling me princess anymore?" she asked sweetly as she reached for Guile's arm.

"Well, I just thought it would be appropriate now that were not together…officially." He said sadly.

"Don't' be so quick to judge, we did exchange I love you's in Amatsu." She said reassuringly as they walked out of the room.

"So this means…were still together?!" he asked excitedly.

"Well…maybe…" she said as she let go of his arm and closed the door.

"Maybe? Why maybe?" he asked half-begging.

"It's just that, you did say were through, so yeah…I think were officially not together." She said, smiling as she took Guile's arm.

"But-but the I love you's?!" Guile stammered as they started to walk.

"Okay, to be fair, let's just start over. Pretend you're still beginning to be truly madly deeply in love with me." She said smiling as the entered the elevator.

"But-but I still am! Don't deprive me of your love!" he begged as he looked at her with puppy dog eyes.

"That's why I said let's pretend." She said as she smirked at him.

"So does this mean were together again?" he asked again.

"No! We're starting over again remember?" she said as the elevator stopped on the 25th floor. The doors slowly opened revealing a knight standing on front of the door.

"Now you just lost me." Guile said as a knight entered the cubicle. It was the same knight Aribeth encountered earlier. He has a black eyed from her beating.

"Good Evening!" Guile greeted. The knight's eyes grew as he saw Aribeth glaring at him.

"I'll just take the next one…" the knight said nervously as he backed out of the elevator. The elevator door closed and started to move again.

"What's his problem?" Guile asked quietly as he tightened his grip on Aribeth.

"Where was I again? Oh yeah! Are we still together?" he asked softly as he looked at her.

"I told you, we're not together. We're starting over." She reasoned softly as the elevator slowed down.

"I just don't understand what you want?! I don't get you!" he then cried out as the elevator door opened.

"Fine, put it this way, I am not your girlfriend…okay?" Aribeth explained as the left the elevator and walked in the hotel's lobby.

"But-but- - "Guile stammered as Aribeth cut him off,

"No buts okay? I'm not your girlfriend, I'm just you're date for the night." She said sternly as they walked pass the counter and took a left.

"Aww…"guile groaned as they entered another hallway. It was carpeted green and had the same ambiance as the lobby. Ob both sides of the hall, there were beige French doors with plaques beside them. They were the doors for the ballroom. They fist passed the "Manor Ballroom" and the "Mansion Ballroom".

"When are gonna be together again?" guile said, pouting.

"Time will tell…" Aribeth replied sweetly as she leaned on his arm. Guile had mixed emotions stirring in him, both the feeling of joy and disappointment. Joy, because she was being affectionate like she was when they were together and disappointment because they aren't together.

They reached a dead end. Another French door was blocking their way. Its plaque read, "Isle ballroom". As they reached the door they stopped and let go of Aribeth's arm. He moved to the door knob and looked at her.

"You ready?" Guile asked softly.

"Just open the damn door already!" Aribeth said impatiently as she shoved him and opened the door. The door revealed a crowd in their formal wear mingling in their seats in their table. A red carpet led from the door and to the stage far in front of them that separated the crowd from left and right. Aribeth gasped as she looked around. The room was very, very big, enough for more than a hundred people. The floor, walls and ceiling was again, white marble. Giant mirrors were evenly placed in the walls across the room. A shining Grand Chandelier, that illuminated the room generously, hung from the center of the room. Aribeth crossed her brows and looked at Guile.

"You aren't a big fan of marble and chandeliers are you?" she asked sarcastically as she raised her brow.

"Eh…It was a bargain…I need money you know!" he reasoned.

"Money for what?" she asked as she affixed her arm on his.

"Money for our future…" he replied softly as the started to walk.

"Our future?" Aribeth asked crossly as he led her to the table a few feet away from the stage.

"Whoa! Don't flatter yourself…I meant my guild." He reasoned as they reached the table.

Aribeth frowned slightly as she loosened her grip on Guile.

"You're not disappointed are you?" he asked as he let go of Aribeth and pulled a chair for her. Aribeth didn't reply as she sat down on the chair and in the table.

"Well duh! I'm disappointed you bastard!" she thought as she started to avoid looking at him.

Guile smirked as he sat beside her. He faked a yawn, raising his arms as he placed his arm gently on her shoulder. Aribeth shoved his arm with her shoulder and forced her chair slightly away from him.

"You want me to spend my money on you don't you?" Guile said smirking.

Aribeth looked at him and gave a fake smile.

"You know what that makes you?" he said as he looked at her smirking.

"I know! And I hate myself for being this way!" she roared as she looked at him crossly.

"You're a- - "he said smirking but was cut off by Aribeth.

"Don't say it Guile!" she said seriously as the curtains of the stage began to slide open.

"If we were together I would spend money on you…" Guile said as he smirked at Aribeth.

"Really?" she asked excitedly as she smiled at him.

"Yeah I would but, were not together, so tough luck…" he said as he crossed his arms and looked at the stage. Aribeth shook her head as she pressed her cheeks.

"What have I become? I'm a gold digger! This is not how I was raised." She thought as she frowned. She saw a waiter walking table to table taking orders.

"Waiter!" she called out. She got his attention and hurriedly took the order of the table he was at. He walked up to Aribeth bringing a notepad and a pen.

"Yes Ma'am? May I take your order?" he asked eagerly as he leaned down listening to her. He was wearing the cliché waiter outfit but had a red band on his right arm.

"A bottle of wine please…and-and a steak dinner please…How much?" she said as she batted her eyes.

"That would be uh…" he thought a while as he stood up crossing his eye brows, "15000 zennies ma'am." He continued.

"Charge it on me…" Guile interrupted as he looked at the waiter.

"Yes sir!" the waiter exclaimed as he wrote it down and left. Aribeth sunk in her chair and in embarrassment. She bit her lower lip and looked away.

"See? I'm spending money on you…" he said softly as he pulled Aribeth's chair close to him.

"I'll pay you upstairs." Aribeth said as she looked at him, frowning.

"What's with that look? This is what you want, isn't it?" he asked as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

"No, it isn't." She said as she buried herself in her arms, leaning on the table.

"But you said - - "he started but was cut off again by her words.

"I know what I said…just-just tell me when the wine's here." She said, muffled.

"Okay, just don't get drunk." He said as he claimed his arm from the chair.

"I'm gonna get myself drunk…so you'll lose interest in me…" she whispered to herself.

A man in a white tuxedo emerged from the stage, bringing with him a cordless microphone. He walked to the end of the stage and smiled.

"Welcome Guild Storm Riders!" he exclaimed as the crowed cheered.

"Yes…yes…settle down everyone…" he said as he raised his hands. The crowd slowly stopped cheering and settled down.

"Tonight, I'm very proud to present, our very own singing sensation, Liana Lockhart!" he exclaimed as the crowd clapped their hands. A gypsy in her late 40's, wearing an elegant red silk ensemble, emerged behind the man in white.

"I'll leave you now Liana, have fun!" he whispered as he hugged her. The man left her and left stage right. As he slowly disappeared from the sight of the audience, darkness enveloped the space behind the old gypsy.

"Maestro!" she shouted cheerfully. Light shone behind her, revealing an orchestra in black tuxedos. (They were like the same cliché orchestras like you see on television.). They started to play as the gypsy sung a slow jazz song. Waiters slowly entered bringing with them silver carts carrying the food and drinks they've ordered.

"What's taking the wine so long?" she said to herself as he emerged from her arms. She saw the waiters enter which made her smile a little.

"Finally!" she exclaimed. She caught Guile's attention. He looked at her suspiciously as he uncrossed his arms.

"She's planning on getting drunk…" he said to himself. He sighed as the waiter approached.

"Your order Ma'am…" the water said as he took out a silver plate, covered by a silver dome. He set it on the table and lifted the dome. Smoke emerged as the cover was lifted. A steak greeted her drizzled in gravy with a side of mashed potatoes and mixed vegetables.

"Your wine Ma'am…" he said as he pulled a glass bucket filled with ice. A green bottle was sticking out of the ice. He set it on the table and continued reaching for the cart.

"Utensils…" he continued as he pulled out a white napkin that wrapped the knife and fork. He set them on the table. He pulled two glasses under the cart and set it on the table.

"Your order sir Guile?" The waiter asked as he pulled out a notepad and a pen from his front pocket.

"No thanks, I'm not hungry." He said sternly. The waiter pocketed the notepad and pen and walked away pushing the cart.

"Here." Aribeth said as she pushed the steak meal in front of Guile, "I'm not hungry…"

"Whatever you're planning, don't do it…" he said sternly.

Aribeth fell silent as she pulled the glass bucket towards her. She pulled the two glasses and gave one to Guile.

"I said, don't do it!" he said sternly. Aribeth stood up and started to walk away from the table.

"Where are you going?!" he said with an angry tone.

"Powder room…" she said softly and continued walking. Guile left the table and chased her. They've left the ballroom, and Guile ran to her.

"What are you doing? Stop your drama now!" he angrily whispered as he reached Aribeth.

"What drama? I'm just going to the powder room!" she whispered angrily giving him a stern look. Guile took her wrist pulled her close to him.

"If you make a scene in this ballroom, or so help me…" he whispered angrily as he looked into her eyes. Aribeth stared into his eyes sadly as tears were forming behind her eyes. She pulled her hand back, causing Guile to let go.

"Don't worry…I won't" she said as her voice was breaking. She turned around and walked.

"Aribeth…" he said with a soft tone as he chased her. As soon as he reached her, he hugged her tightly.

"I'm sorry…" he whispered softly in her ear. Aribeth moved her shoulders and pushed him with her elbows. Guile was forced back as she continued walking. He stood there looking at her walking away from her. He turned around and walked back into the ballroom.

Aribeth walked to the counter blinking to suppress the tears from falling. She sniffled as she reached the counter, seeing the clerk behind the counter.

"Uh…hi, where's the powder room?" she asked softly as she smiled at the clerk.

"Powder room? Over there my dear." She said as she pointed to a door opposite the ballroom's hallway.

"Thank you…" she said as she turned and walked to the room. She opened the varnished, wooden door, pushing it, seeing there's no handle. The door swung open as she entered the room.

Guile took his seat and stared at the steak meal. He felt his stomach grumble as he took the utensils from Aribeth's side of the table. He pulled the napkin wrapping utensils and set in on his lap. He raised his hand signaling the waiter. The waiter approached hurriedly. He pointed at the steak and the waiter understood.

"Another order sir?" he asked. Guile nodded yes and the waiter ran out of the room. He started eating as the waiter left.

Aribeth left the powder room and walked to the ballroom.

"Maybe I shouldn't drink tonight…" she thought

She opened the ballroom door and walked to their table. A waiter rushed from behind her brining a silver plate with a silver dome cover. He ran towards their table and set it down. Aribeth reached the table and took her seat.

"Your steak, ma'am." He said nervously as lifted the cover.

"Utensils…" he said as he took the napkin covered utensils and set it on the table.

"A-anything else?" he asked nervously. Guile gestured the waiter to leave, as he was chewing the food in his mouth. The waiter immediately ran as he saw the gesture.

"I'm not hungry…" Aribeth said softly with a sad voice.

Guile swallowed the food in his mouth as he took the wine out of the bucket. The bottle was wrapped in a white waterproof cloth and was cold.

"This is what you want…I know…" he said as he popped the bottle open. He poured wine in the glasses and set in back in the glass bucket. Aribeth pushed the glass away from its base so none would spill. She set her hand on her lap and listened to the music playing.

"What's you problem?" he asked softly as he pushed the empty plate away from him.

"Nothing…just enjoy your evening…." She said softly as she stared at her lap.

"This is our evening…" he reasoned as he placed his hand on her hands.

Aribeth took his hand and placed it on the table as she folded her hands on her lap.

"If this is about the thing outside the ballroom…I'm sorry, I just thought you were gonna get yourself drunk." He said as a waiter took his plate and left.

"You're forgiven…" she said in a flat, cold, emotionless tone.

Guile sighed and leaned on his chair as he stared at the ceiling.

"Women…go figure…" he said softly as he put his hands behind his head.

Aribeth stood up and pushed the chair in the table.

"Where are you going again?!" he asked angrily.

"My room…I'm tired…" she said coldly as she began to walk to the door. This time, Guile scoffed and let her go.

Aribeth walked to the door and into the hall.

"Go figure…" she said to herself as she laughed a sad laugh. She walked pass the counter and into the elevator.

"Who am I?" she sadly said to herself as she pushed the button numbered 33. As the elevator doors closed, she turned and looked at herself in the mirror. She looked at the stranger she was seeing, wearing a white Pravda dress she doesn't deserve. A tiara on her head as if she was somebody. Make-up making her look like a high-class whore. Tears fell from her eyes as she looked at the abomination in front of her. She took off the tiara, rubbed off the make-up off with her hand and wiped her tears in the process. Her tears fell black because of the eyeliner; her eye shadow was faded and smudged. The elevator stopped at 33 and the doors opened. She stepped out and ran to her room. She opened the door and rushed to the bedroom. She pulled out her big bag out. She ran to the cobra room and into the closet and grabbed all her clothes and ran back to the bed room. She threw them all on the bed and took a high priest uniform. She ran in the bathroom and gently took off the Pravda dress, and put on the uniform. She took off the necklace she was wearing and set it down gently on the dress. She opened the sink and took some of the gushing water and splashed it on her face. Her make up slowly dissolved into the water as it ran down the drain. She raised her head and looked into the mirror and saw herself again. She smiled slightly as tears fell from her eyes. She opened the mirror and took out a towel. She dried herself as she closed the faucet.

Varil felt a sharp pain in his chest as he was walking in Prontera's forest. He turned right, looking at the tall building sticking out of Prontera.

"Aribeth…" he said to himself as he ran towards the city.

Aribeth started packing as she stopped crying. She folded her clothes on the bed and slowly put them in the bag. She flipped her as she sniffled. She zipped her bag up and set the Pravda dress on the bed. She took off the sandals she was wearing and put them on the bed as well as the accessories. She took her small pink bag and pulled out her purse and took out 15000 zennies leaving her with 934 zennies. She wrapped the 15000 zennies in her handkerchief and set it on the bed. She picked up her bag and walked out the bedroom door.

Guile felt guilty and ran out of the ballroom and to the elevator. She hurriedly pushed the 33rd button and impatiently waited.

Varil finally arrived at Guile's hotel. He opened the door and rushed to the counter.

"Is Aribeth Tylmerande here?" he asked impatiently.

"Aribeth Tylmerande…" the clerk said as she rustled through the papers.

"Come on!!" he cried out as he tapped the table.

"Yes…3rd Presidential Suite, 33rd floor." She finally said.

"Thank you!" he said as he rushed to the elevator. It was still climbing up and was still on the 27th floor.

"Oh you've got to be kidding me!" he said angrily as he rushed back to the counter.

"Where are the stairs?" he asked impatiently.

"Just beside the counter." she said pointing to her right.

Varil rushed to the stairs and climbed running 2 steps at a time.

Aribeth then approached the door and opened it. She stepped out and closed the door. The elevator dinged and opened. She glanced at the elevator and saw Guile running to her.

"Where are you going?" he said as he rushed to Aribeth.

Aribeth pulled out a blue gem stone from her small pink bag clinging on her shoulder and threw it on the ground.

"WARP PORTAL!" she shouted and the gem broke into pieces as a white light shone and formed a circle.

"Aribeth…please…" Guile said as he knelt down and begged.

"Stand up…I'm not worth begging for…" she said coldly as she walked to the light.

Guile stood up, rushed to her and hugged her.

"Please…don't go…" Guile said sadly as tears fell from his eyes.

"Save your tears…I don't deserve them…." She replied coldly.

"You do deserve them! You deserve more than this…please don't go…"he said as he gripped her tightly.

"Let go Guile…" she said coldly.

"No!!" he exclaimed as he held her.

"I'm sorry…I'm so sorry…" he said as his tears trickled down her cheek.

"You're forgiven…" she said as she was trying to break free.

"Don't go…" he said sadly as he gripped her tightly.

The light from the portal grew brighter and the circle became a vacuum sucking the dust around them.

"The portal's deteriorating…let go…" she said softly.

"I won't…" he said lovingly as the tears from his eyes stop falling.

The portal slowly dimmed then disappeared. Tears fell from Aribeth's eyes as she stared at the shards of the gemstone on the floor.

"Why?" she asked as her voice started to break.

"Because…I love you…" he said softly as he loosened his grip on her.

"I don't deserve this…I don't deserve you…" she said softly as she shoved him away. Guile finally let go as she turned and looked at him.

"You're right…you don't deserve me…you deserve more…" he said lovingly as he lowered his head. Aribeth slowly took steps back as she pulled a gemstone out of bag. Seeing him not looking at her, she ran to the end of the room. Guile raised his head and saw her running.

"No! Don't go!" he said as he chased her. Aribeth threw the gemstone as far as she could.

"WARP PORTAL!" she cried out. The gem hit the wall and broke into pieces. A white light burst out of the shards and formed a circle.

"Don't leave me!" he cried out.

Aribeth stopped just inches in front of the portal as she turned around facing Guile.

Varil suddenly burst out of the stairs and saw the scenario. He rushed to them wanting to know what had happened to Aribeth.

"Aribeth!!" he cried out. This got her attention. She breathed deeply and closed her eyes as winds behind her blew.

Varil was finally in line with Guile as they stood there looking at her.

"Forget me…she said softly, "Forget all of me and I you." She continued as she stepped back slowly disappearing into the light.

"NO!!" Guile cried out as he ran to her, but it was too late. She was eaten up by light and disappeared.

Guile broke down in tears as he caressed the wall she disappeared into.