News, Booze and Fancy Shoes
"You are in so much trouble, young lady." Flack scolded.
"Geez, Flack, so Mac and I ate on the roof, big deal." Stella rolled her eyes as she sat before Flack in her living room back in Hattanshire. She was seated in front of the warm fire while Flack was pacing.
"So, I told you to stay away from that guy!" He blustered, waving his hands around madly like some kind of...mad...goat.
"Look, I don't know why you're freaking out about this, but I'll probably never even see him again." She sighed.
"Oh, you will." Flack sighed as well. "Angell said she's already planning your next date."
"Really?" Stella perked up, trying not to sound too eager, but failing. Who was she kidding? Mac was a gorgeous man with charm, charisma, personality, and a chest like...BOOM!
"Yeah, yeah, she's talking to him as we speak about some party..." Flack mumbled, dismissing it with a wave. "Don't distract me!"
"Yes, sir." She mock saluted.
"Ah...Stell, I'm just tryin' to look out for you." He reached out a hand and ruffled her curls. She tried to scowl but it ended up a half-pout-half-smile while she smoothed them out as much as they really could be.
"I know, Don, I know. You're just being a good big brother." She rolled her eyes, though she hugged him and gave him a kiss on the cheek. She enjoyed having him around, especially since her step family was out of the house as much as possible since they developed their irrational fear of goats and porkchops. They were at a cottage in the woods to avoid them as they spoke. "But, you need to leave my boyfriend and I alone."
"Your boyfriend?" He smirked as her jaw dropped. Realizing her mistake heat rushed to her cheeks and she released his shoulders, turning away from him. "You're losing your touch, there, sis."
"Shut up." She grumbled.
"Ooh, Mac! Ooh, yeah, oh yeah, oh Mac, your lips!" Flack laughed at the mortified Greek woman, pointing at her red and gaping face and continued to tease her shamelessly, this time turning to fake making-out with someone. "Ooh Mac! I can't keep my eyes off you! Ooh!"
Bam!
"Gah!" Flack shook his head and looked back at her. "Stella!"
"Hey, you brought that on yourself." She said pointedly, tapping the frying pan on her shoulder.
"Yeah, well it hurts, and if I could be killed by that kind of thing, I really would be dead." He rebutted, pointing a finger.
"Fine, I'll stop hitting you with frying pans if you stop with the boyfriend jokes."
"Mac, I'm telling you, holding this ball will be good for you! You can invite Stella, introduce her to your society, maybe even get a kiss Flack won't barge in on!" Angell said happily, holding her hands out as she floated down the corridor with him.
"How do you know about that?" Mac squinted. There was no use in denying it, since she was going to find out one way or another and if she didn't find out through word of his mouth she'd never let him forget it. Plus, he was sure she'd noticed his blush as well.
"I was in the car-erm...Flackmobile, with him, I saw you two dodge off the roof and back into the restaurant to meet us outside afterward.
"We...we weren't...I mean, we weren't going to..."
"Oh, Mac...poor, naive Mac." Angell patted his shoulder, much to his chagrin. "I know you were going to kiss her. So I just have one thing to say to you. Move faster dammit!"
Mac was floored-to say the least-at her abrupt outburst. She hit him lightly on the arm and looked at him expectantly. "What?"
"You heard me! If you're gonna kiss her, just do it!" She growled. "Wait! If you were really going to kiss her you wouldn't just do it. She and you had a magnetic moment, didn't you?! Oh my gosh! This is just too good! You'reinloveyou'reinloveyou'reinlove!!"
"Jess, calm down, we are not in love." Mac sighed, shaking his head, though he neither confirmed nor denied her statement directly.
"You are too! You have to have it now!" She persisted.
"What good would it do anyone for me to hold this party anyway?"
"How about this? Hold the ball, invite everyone, but they all have to come in anonymity!" Angell suggested enthusiastically. "That way you and Stella could find each other and know your love was true!"
"Jess, Stella and I have known each other for less than a week, and you think we'd be able to find each other in a crowd of a hundred people?" He smirked with raised eyebrows.
"Yeah, I do, because you'd recognize her anywhere from a mile away and you know it, don't you?" She had a point. She knew they'd already formed a stronger connection than most people got in a lifetime. He'd recognize her from a lightyear away, he'd grown so familiar and fond of her, and she knew the same went for Stella.
"She doesn't exactly blend in." He murmured, smiling warmly.
"You love that cute curly hair." She teased, poking him. She put her feet on the ground and walked up to him, looking into his eyes. "I know you're afraid to love again, but I know she won't hurt you like that. As much as I wish I could protect you from this, I can't, because I can't protect you from true love. It's not my business with whom you fall in love with, but I know you both love each other."
"Do you think it's too soon?" He asked her, which was basically admitting defeat in that special Mac-Taylor-Stubborn-Like-A-Horse's-Ass-Way.
"Not if it's real. So get things ready with Lindsay, I'll talk to Danny about it and tell Flack to invite our more magical friends."
"Adam, you're magical, can't you do something about this damn headache?" Lindsay moaned, running a hand through her hair.
"Abracadabra? Alakazam? Bibbidy bobbidy boo? Chumba Wumba?" He tried, flustered. "There's nothing I can do, Linds."
"Come on!" She groaned, flopping back down to her comforter with her eyes closed. Adam, who was seated on her tiny bedside table with his legs crossed, simply blinked.
A knock on her door broke the silence. "Lindsay?"
"What?!" She snapped, not sitting up.
"Lindsay...?...It's Mac."
"Mac...oh geez, Mac!" She bolted up from her bed and swung the door open just as he was about to knock again. Her expression was that of surprise, as was Mac's. His hand was suspended in the air. "Hi..."
"Hi..." He blinked. "You feeling alright?"
"I'm okay, except for this damn headache! It's like someone ran me over with a herd of goats!" She groaned again.
"Funny you'd use goats." Mac smiled to himself, remembering how Angell had told him that Flack trampled Stella's stepsister with a herd of magical goats.
"Pardon?"
"Nothing. Angell told me that beer will do that to people who aren't used to it." He chuckled, walking in casually, his hands in his pockets. He nodded to Adam, who seemed nervous around him.
"I bet Stella doesn't have a headache." Lindsay mumbled under breath, only a little jealous. Her head was killing her...torturously!
"In any case, Jess has suggested I hold a ball-"
"Oh! That would be wonderful, Mac! You could invite all the lords and ladies, and we could have a wonderful orchestra, chefs come in from the kingdoms afar and gorgeous decoration of the ball room and gardens!" Lindsay began, saying it all in one breath with starry eyes.
"Lindsay-"
"And we'd have to bring only the best tailors-"
"Lindsay-"
"The gardens will have to be tended to specially-"
"Lindsay!"
"Yes?" She turned with a smile.
"While I was hoping you'd take care of that, Angell also wants us to invite our magical friends and-"
"You are inviting Stella, aren't you?!" She asked loudly.
"Of coarse." He nodded with a quirky smile.
"Good! I'll make up an invitation right now!" Lindsay went over to her desk and whipped out a piece of paper. She smoothed it down and chose her inkwell carefully. She took the pen, dabbed it in the ink, and began to write like a madwoman! Shakespear had nothing on her as the tip flew over the paper like...like something...that's really fast! When she'd finished in record time, she held it up to review her work, and blew on it. She folded it carefully once she was sure the ink was dry and then handed it to Mac. "Give this to Angell to take over."
"Thanks Lindsay. You can wait until you're headache's gone to write the formal invitations." Said Mac.
"Thanks, I think I'll take you up on that offer." She replied, holding her head. "Adam?"
"Boom?"
She glared at him with frustration. "That's Danny's line."
"Sorry...I still got nothing."
"Hey Angell, what's this party plan you've come up with?" Danny asked her with a smirk.
"Well, I thought Mac really needed a push into this, so I figure why not have some fun with it." She shrugged with a smile.
"Well, it could be interestin' but what's the twist?" He frowned.
"It's gonna be a masquerade kind of thing. I wanted Mac to see that he's fallen in love Stella." She smiled tenderly, warmth overcoming her voice. "So I suggested it be an anonymous event."
"Yeah, that could be fun." Danny said, putting his hands in his pockets and blinking a few times. His glasses were bent and he couldn't get them repaired, so he was a little hard at sight for the time being. Glasses weren't so common in Hattanshire, and he was the only person he knew who wore them. A Doctor Sid invented them, but they were seldom seen, let alone sold. He'd have to wait for a traveling weirdo or something of the sort. "So what do you have planned?"
"Well, I was thinking we could spice things up a little bit." She started with an innocent smile, but devilish eyes.
"What've you got up those white sleeves o' yours, ah?"
"Just a little thing from Manhattan called booze. It's quite the strong li'l mixture, and it only takes a few drops in the punch to knock these alcohol-virgin Hattanshirans on their asses singing ring around the rosy." She smiled slyly, showing him the tiny bottle that was probably no more than four ounces. "If we put this in the punch, not only would those tight asses be a lot more fun, but it would ensure Mac and Stella don't recognize each other right away."
"Wait, I thought we wanted 'em to recognize each other." Danny frowned, crossing his arms.
"Well, yeah, but not the minute they see each other, that would be pointless. They'd just act the way they did in Manhattan, and if they keep up that rate, you'll all be dead before they even hold hands." She stated bluntly, quirking her eyebrows for emphasis. "This'll just ensure they loosen up a bit. Mac's too stubborn to do anything against his inner militant's morals, and Stella's too afraid of intruding she won't make the first move. This won't hurt anyone."
"Right, and what makes you think I wanna be an accomplice to this?" He asked with his own eyebrows raised in question.
"You're the fun one, I thought you'd want to do it. Besides, no one has to know, and if anything, if Lindsay gets drunk again she'll be leaning on you, cowboy." She elbowed him.
"Hey, I'm not a player, okay? I care about Lindsay." He frowned.
"Good! I was afraid you were gonna say something stupid and I was gonna have to kick your ass." She poked his chest. "So, you in?"
"Hell yeah, but only because I hate those stuck up snobs. Mac hates 'em too, but he has to deal with 'em all the time. One Miss Ella McBride has quite the crush on Mac and called my Lindsay a stupid farm girl. I've never wanted to hit a girl so badly." He huffed.
"Your Lindsay?" Angell smiled. He simply looked away and scratched his neck. She patted his back. "I won't tell her...yet. But I will if you don't soon!"
"I just...I don't know if I should or..."
"Well dispute it like a man!" She urged, slapping his arm and smiling. "The wisest words ever written by William Shakespear."
"Right, just remind me of his wisdom if Lindsay slaps me so hard my cheek'll be permanently swollen." He glowered.
"She's crazy about you, Danny-boy!" Angell laughed.
"Okay, okay, just get that invite to Stella. I'll be here with the bees."
"Booze."
"Whatever!"
Angell was flying to Stella's home quickly. Her wings-they were for flying, not just decoration-flapped only when she wanted to pick up speed; her magical floating ability allowed her to fly even without moving her wings. Still, it was good exercise. She spotted the large stone house and drifted down easily, landing gracefully. Her black heeled boots made a light rustling sound on the lush grass below. She looked through a high window with a serious expression. She saw a halo of curls walk by and smiled, floating up to the window.
"I'm not listening-lalalalalala!" Stella said loudly, plugging her ears and continuing to walk away from Flack. She was about to turn a corner when-
Bam!!
"Hey guys!" Angell greeted happily, kicking the locked window in and perching on the ledge like a bird. Her right hand held the stone shape of the window while the other rested on her bent knee.
"Hey Angell, come on in!" Stella replied with equal zeal. A few days ago such an entrance would've startled her, but not anymore. Not after the crazy but fun events of Manhattan. "What's up?"
"Well, I convinced Mac to have this fancy ball, right? Well, they're getting ready for it as we speak, and there's a certain special lady he wants right there with him. Well, actually, the whole thing will be in anonymity, which kinda sucks right now, but it was my idea. I thought that if you two could find each other through the crowd, you'd definitely recognize each other, and know you both truly loved each other!" Angell smiled brightly at her friend, touching her hands in a supportive gesture.
"Really? Wow, that sounds...wow." Stella gaped with her jaw slack and her jade eyes wide.
"Here's the invitation Lindsay wrote up for you both." Angell pulled it out of her white leather jacket's inside pocket and gave it over.
"Dear Stella, you have been invited to the Grand Ball of Prince Mac being held tonight at the palace. Formal wear for the evening and anonymity must be retained however you like. The ball will end after midnight, before dawn, and guests are requested to have their own means of transportation back to their homes. The main reason for this is we're all pulling for you and Mac to get together over here, so come on! We'll all be here, you'll get your proper date with Mac, and you can bring Flack if you want, but only because he and Angell like-"
Angell quickly snatched it out of Stella's hands and put it back in her jacket with slightly flushed cheeks. "There wasn't a whole lot else on there. Basically, it's tonight, talk about a rush job, no one'll recognize anyone, and we all want you and Mac to get together...yay!"
"Except for me." Flack cleared his throat and raised a hand.
"Yeah, but you don't count in this." Angell dead panned with an affectionate smile. She turned back to Stella with a wide smile. "Well?"
"We'll be there!" Stella beamed with a happy flush. This was all so exciting! "Oh wait...I have absolutely nothing to wear!"
"Don't worry, honey, we're gonna give you a make-over!" Angell winked at her friend.
"What do you mean?" Stella asked with furrowed brows.
"Stella, you're striking, but that's the problem, 'cause he can't be able to recognize you right away. I think it's time we called in a favor."
"You thinkin' what I'm thinkin?" Flack smirked at her.
"We have a few friends, who...owe us, let's say."
"Well, well, Dr. Sheldon Hawkes." Flack greeted.
"Hello Flack, how are you?" The man asked politely. He was a dark skinned man with glasses and a kind face.
"Good, thanks, now, the reason I called you guys..." Flack looked over his two recruits; Sheldon Hawkes and Kendall Novac. Angell was standing beside them with her arms crossed. "We need your help."
"With what, exactly?" Asked Kendall.
"We're making over Miss Stella Bonasera."
"Somebody say my name?" Stella asked from beside Aiden.
"Oh good, you brought Aiden." Angell took her reigns. "Stallion?"
"Hm...she's a female. There ought to be a different name for female stallions." Dr. Hawkes mused.
"Oh well, no one wants to take the time to make one up these days, now, to the mission at hand." Angell declared.
"What exactly are you gonna do?" Stella asked with a frown.
"Don't worry, hon, it won't hurt a bit." Angell and Kendall looked at her with scrutinizing gazes. It made Stella more than a tad uncomfortable, but they continued. "I think I have an idea for the dress."
"Yeah, and I'm thinking half up, half down style. Tie it back with a ribbon. What about jewelry?" Asked Kendall.
"Star necklace, of coarse. Peridot star on a gold plate band. Peridot earrings too." Said Angell.
"Anyone gonna let me in on this?" Stella asked, though she got no response.
"Alright, Hawkes, try something like this." Angell said, handing him a quick sketch of an evening gown and necklace with matching earrings. "Think you can?"
"Are your wings white?" He smirked, earning a flat look in return.
"What're you gonna do?" Asked Stella.
"Don't worry, my dear-"
"Hey, you see a tail back there?" She asked bluntly, pointing.
"Sorry. Don't worry, Stella, just close your eyes." He said, watching her do so and take a deep breath. "You can trust me."
"Just hurry up." She murmured.
"We wouldn't want to keep your date waiting." He pulled out what looked like a scalpel, but it clearly served a separate purpose. He waved it like a magic wand, making a cloud of emerald sparkles form with a warm wind. It blew around Stella's stiff form and glowed brightly.
The dress she'd been wearing, black and form fitting glowed bright green. It was transformed into a breath taking deep green gown. It went around her neck and crossed over her bare back. It couldn't have fit better if they'd made with her already in it. The satin material shimmered in the moonlight, accentuating her curves. A slit beginning just above her knee went on a slant to expose her legs an appropriate amount, emerald green waves of material at the seam like a flamenco dancer's dress. It ended just above her ankles in the back. A silver bracelet appeared on her right wrist and her hair was swept up into a half-up-half-down style, tied by a emerald green ribbon. Small peridot gems in the shape of stars for earrings and a peridot star hung off a gold band that had a very queenly look to it. It clipped at the delicate nape of her neck, hidden by her caramel curls.
Slowly, she allowed her eyes to flutter open. "What was that? What are you, some kind of magic fashion Nazi?"
"Actually, I'm a scientis from Manhattan. I live in an exceedingly tall building, and am a doctor there. I recently discovered how to make things out of thin air, with magic, though." He explained evenly, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose.
"Okay...after this last week nothing really suprises me anymore. Anyway, how do I look?"
"You look stunning!" Angell hugged her friend tightly.
"Thanks, Angell. So, I'm ready to go?"
"Hold on. One. Shoes..." Angell tapped her chin for a moment, then looked at Hawkes. "Could you zap her up some heels please?"
"Sure, what kind?"
"Hm...something special. Individual...oh! I know!" She whispered something in the dark skinned magician/scientist's ear.
"Alright." He snapped his fingers and-boom!
"Glass?" Stella asked. The shoes were made of clear glass tinged green.
"Two. Sunglasses please."
He snapped, and magically, a pair of reflective, stylish sunglasses appeared on her head, nestled into her curls. They were dark but reflected the light mysteriously. "Anything else?"
"Well, I was wondering if you could be her coach, just keep an eye on her, you know?" Angell requested, to which he nodded and bowed. He snapped and changed his outfit into that of a coach's. "Here Aiden."
"Okay, now we just gotta get you outta there by midnight. The doc's alchemical creations have a time limit considering they're made out of thin air, so we can't stay long, or everything'll revert back to normal, and not that it's life or death, but Hattanshirens don't react well to magic. Especially not the cranky old folk."
"Okay, before midnight." Stella nodded.
"Let's go." Angell and Stella climbed into the impromptu carriage made out of a Greek tomato she was going to season, but...apparently they had other plans for it.
"Let's." Flack agreed, climbing in with them, after Kendall.
"This thing smells like...well, Italian Marinara."