Author's Notes.
*Bows, bows* Hello, Hello, Hi. It's been a while. How are you all? Oh, that's nice and all. Huh? Me? Oh I'm fine, but, enough about me. ON WITH THE SHOW!
Disclaimer: I don'town Pandora Hearts.
Having everyone from town stuffed into one room was too much crowd to handle. Even now, Elliot's face had already flushed from frustration, well, it was already like that as soon as he had entered the building.
"How much longer?" The beige-haired man groaned as Leo walked up to him.
"We've just arrived, Elliot. You can at least try, and pretend you're not a wallflower for the evening." The raven-haired Valet replied with a sigh and his Master the drink he had retrieved from the refreshment table.
"I have tried: I came, I smiled, I drank. The only thing left to do, is leave." Elliot exclaimed in a low tone and gulped down the contents of his drink, he paused however, and almost spat out the substance in his mouth, but refrained from doing so in public and swallowed.
"What is this?!" He questioned in a harsh whisper. Luckily for him, everyone else was either talking or laughing in loud volumes.
Leo seemed unfazed by his Master's temper and simply pushed his glasses back up his nose, "Water." He replied bluntly, placing his hands behind his back.
Elliot opened his mouth to snap a harsh remark, but quickly held his tongue and just glared at the younger man instead.
"You enjoying yourselves, boys?" A familiar voice rang out.
Both Elliot and Leo looked over to see Charlotte wobbly make her way over.
"Oh sure, she gets to drink the good stuff." Elliot mumbled in annoyance and received a sharp elbow in the ribs by Leo.
"Charlotte, you certainly seem to have made yourself at home." The raven-haired Valet commented with a forced smile.
Charlotte smiled back sleepily and leant against the wall beside Elliot, "I think there's something in that punch." She slurred and rubbed her head with a gloved hand.
Elliot looked over at the refreshment table and saw Uncle Oscar pour something into the punch bowl. He rolled his eyes at the older man and then turned his head back to Charlotte beside him.
"Do you have any tips for enjoying a party?" he asked, crossing his arms. When the pink-haired woman opened her mouth to reply, Elliot added: "Sober."
Charlotte paused, deep in thought, and then finally shook her head slowly. "Sorry, boy. I've never attended a party sober," She stated and then looked across the crowded room, "You could always waste time flirting. You see that tall guy over there? I've been talking to him for the past hour and he definitely seemed interested." She hummed.
Elliot looked over to the man Charlotte had pointed out and he raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Ugh... That's Father Reim.." He pointed out slowly.
Charlotte frowned and tilted her head in confusion, "As in 'parent'?" She asked hopefully.
"As in 'priest'." Leo answered simply.
Charlotte gasped and covered her mouth with her hands, then gave a small shrug. "It's nothing I haven't heard of before." She stated bluntly.
Elliot and Leo shared a nervous glance, remembering Charlotte's status as an 'ex-Madam'.
A small sound vibrated through the room and everyone averted their attention towards the Mayor, who was now standing in the middle of the room, tapping a glass with a spoon.
"If I could have everyone's attention please? Thank you~" He lilted, awaiting everyone to quiet down, "I apologise for the wait, but at long last, allow me to introduce Lord Rufus Barma." He spoke loudly for all to hear and held an arm out to the side.
Everyone gave a small applaud as a man with blood red hair, which flowed down to his waist, stepped into the room slowly. Even with the thick carpets, the heels on his shoes were heard in cold, sharp, taps. He seemed to be inspecting everyone with his gleaming, grey eyes, and his mouth was well hidden behind a fan he held up to his face.
"I thank you for welcoming us, Mayor." He said, shaking Break's hand once he had reached the smaller man's side.
Elliot asked himself what Barma had meant by 'us', it looked as though he was the only newcomer here. But just as those thoughts left his mind, three more people entered into the room.
One of them was female, almost identical to Lord Barma, except her hair was neatly tied back and her attire was far more fitting and laced. Another man with similar features as the two, although he seemed a little older,and his hair was a reasonable length.
The last person was the strangest one. His face was oddly shaped and his eyeballs looked as though they were bulking out of his skin. He wore a wide smile, an eerie smile, and his attire was, by far, the most flamboyant thing anyone had ever seen a man wear.
Lord Barma eyed the trio and stepped aside, holding an arm out to them as he spoke, "Mayor, allow me to introduce Miranda, my twin sister. Arthur, my older brother, and Isla Yura, my personal Valet." He carefully addressed them all and then finally closed his fan.
Break nodded to them all in turn, "Well, I'm glad you could make it. Let the party continue~" He clapped and everyone gladly went back to gossiping and chatting.
Elliot couldn't tell if he was being paranoid, but, he could have sworn he felt Isla Yura's eyes on him the whole time.
Finally when the party was reaching it's end, Miranda came over to Elliot and Leo, Yura following closely behind.
"The Mayor tells me you own the Orphanage here?" She hummed innocently, looking the beige-haired man up and down.
"That's right," Elliot replied awkwardly, not expecting to ahve to talk to any of the Barmas in person, "Elliot Nightray." He introduced himself, holding out a hand to the older woman.
"Miranda Barma," The red-haired woman replied warmly, shaking Elliot's hand. Her eyes averted over to Leo and she gasped quietly, "Oh my! That is no way to treat a head!" She remarked and stepped in front of the younger man.
Leo was surprised by this woman's -this stranger's- way of socialising. Within seconds Miranda had grasped ahold of Leo's face, hand on either cheek, and lifted it up slightly to face her.
"What happened?" She asked, almost screeching as her eyes traveled over the purple bruises.
Leo blinked in surprise, "I.. Ugh.. Fell..." He replied, unsure of what was happening.
"You don't sound so sure about that." Yura spoke up, his large eyes staring intently at Leo's bruised face.
"That's what happened." Elliot assured, his temper flaring slightly.
Who in their right minds touched other people's servants? His servant.
Miranda looked over at Elliot suspiciously, hands still cupping Leo's face protectively.
"You seem rather eager to have us believe that." Yura hummed. Miranda nodded in agreement.
"My Lady? I've just thought of a wonderful idea!" Yura exclaimed, clapping his hands together in delight, "What if we took this to court? We could get the Orphanage for ourselves!" He beamed.
Miranda finally let go of Leo's head and jumped a little in excitement, "Oh, you're a genius! That's exactly what we'll do!" She declared in agreement.
"Are you accusing my Master?" Leo murmured in a dark tone.
Yura, Miranda, and even Elliot, were surprised by the young Valet's change in personality.
"Leave it, Leo. They have no proof." Elliot whispered with caution.
"No!" Leo yelled, "I'm tired of hearing everyone tell bullshit lies about you! These people can't just waltz in here and expect to take everything you've worked so hard for!" He snapped, his light voice breaking as his volume rose more and more.
Yura would have been pinned to the floor in a matter of seconds if Elliot hadn't grabbed Leo around the waist as he attempted to pounce.
"Put me down! NOW!" Leo screamed, throwing a tantrum.
Elliot growled lowly and quickly hoisted Leo over his shoulder, being thankful that his Valet was so light. Elliot called an apology to Miranda and walked across the room, he passed Gilbert, who had been watching the scene with wide eyes.
"Sheriff." Elliot nodded to the older man and left the building, along with the screaming Leo over his shoulder.
A/N
Leo finally snaps! That's what the chapter's name should have been.. *Sigh*
Am I the only one who enjoys the idea of Reim as a priest? Anyone? Anyone?
Oz was not in this chapter at all... That's kinda depressing OTL
Well, now the Barmas have arrived! (And Yura.. I hate that son of a bitch.. Just sayin')
Until next time~