How Long The Wait

Prompt 000: Party

Author's Ramblings: My apologies and thanks (thanks Kenobigirlliz!) I messed up the files in my laptop and posted the draft of this particular chapter. The mistake has been resolved and now things are much clearer than before. Thanks for reading!

'

Several of the tables had been moved out of the store to make space for the two dozen professionals of the arts, professors and history gurus invited for the celebration of the store's grand opening. More than half the antiques were left on display, maybe something would be sold if someone was interested, and although that was not the intended idea, it would not be bad either. Veronica had given a small welcome to the guests and asked them to mingle and enjoy, if they had any questions they could ask either her or Becky, who had been given a crash course about most of the items. The Grimhold thought, and an older version of the Encantus, both items locked in glass boxes with very special spells to protect them were the most viewed items of the evening.

"This looks like one of the books displayed in the Merlin exhibition that visited recently." Said a lean man, wearing a jester's outfit, hat and little bells included. He had a mask and seemed to be following Veronica everywhere she went.

"It is believed to be a sorcery book," Answered Veronica, smiling sweetly. "According to the man who sold it to us it was used by several sorcerers around the world."

"Really? Do you believe in hocus pocus?"

Veronica gave an enigmatic smile, but before she could answer Becky tapped her shoulder softly. "Veronica? This is Doctor Vallejo; he is head researcher in the Cloisters."

"Welcome to our humble store, Dr. Vallejo."

"Thank you for the invitation, ma'am. I understand some of these items were pulled from several private collections."

"Indeed they were; my husband's."

"Goodness your husband must comprehend a great deal about Medieval history!" Veronica smiled at him. "Do you too?"

"Sometimes it feels like I lived there." And they shared a soft laugh. "Enjoy your evening."

"Actually I wanted to ask you about this doll; is it for sale?"

"No, it is not. We have it in display but my husband and I feel… close to it."

"I understand, have you any idea what it is?"

"Yes, it's called the Grimhold. According to legend, it is a inescapable prison for evil sorcerers."

"And what's inside?"

"Right now it's empty. But I assure you, if I ever find an evil sorcerer I will be locking him inside."

"Him? Why a man? Can't it be a woman?"

"I am of rather capricious nature, sir. I do believe I'll be locking a him." And she laughed, trying to make it sound as a joke. Vallejo laughed as well, and Veronica excused herself. She walked to Becky, who was talking to some older woman and put her hand over hers, making Becky turn. "I need a drink; can you cover me for a while?"

"Are you alright?"

"I haven't dealt with this many people in a while, a long while. I just need a moment."

"Alright, take your time." And Veronica walked to the side of the store, where a table of refreshments was set. She picked a bit of punch and without looking at anyone, hurried to the back of the store, close to the stairs and where things were covered in shadows. So far neither Balthazar nor Dave had made their appearance; here she was entertaining guest dressed in one of those dresses she never got to wear while in her time, observing those around him enjoying the evening and feeling absolutely miserable. They had decorated the store according to the last balls she'd gone to; the one held in Camelot for harvest; there were grape vines all around the walls, the tables were set with the colors of the season; oranges and browns, and there were some carved pumpkins somewhere around…

Barely six months out of her imprisonment and she was hating this world where she had to talk and laugh without Balthazar. God in heaven, how did he manage to even make it for over a thousand years without her? Music started, the lights were slightly dimmed and couples started dancing, very badly to the rhythm of the ancestral dances. Becky had found a small quartet of violins that had specialized in Celtic dances and songs and had convinced them to play for the party for a very low price when Veronica heard them play she agreed to have them in, they did play very well. Everyone was having fun and at least that was a good thing. Veronica finished her drink and set the glass down over a pile of boxes that did not fit in the baseman. She started walking, around the edges of the party, finding that to have been decorated by two lovesick ladies it was a job well done…

Veronica had to halt, and swallow hard. Across from the small assembly, where everyone was clapping and dancing, and hidden behind one of the thick posts decorated with autumn colored vines, was a man. He was staring at her intently, his blue eyes shinning and a small smile playing on his lips. She'd felt this before, this utter grandiose joy, she was sure she had. Yet it had been so long the leap her heart gave was almost painful; she had to move behind the large post to touch her chest and make sure it had not escaped her skin. Veronica could cry she could really sit down and cry. But Becky had said she shouldn't'.

A hand gripped her arm, and turning she saw Balthazar standing right beside her; his hand was gloved as was usual, but he wore a thick vest; the same one she'd selected for him, the long sleeves and pants, the thick wool cape… He looked just like that day she'd danced with him, that day she realized she was in love with him. "Beloved." He murmured softly, pulling her in for a thigh hug. Veronica held him, here in the darkness of their solitude as the party continued behind them, forgotten. And she just wanted to kiss him.

Thing that he seemed to understand and return.

"You are absolutely stunning." He whispered after a while of kissing, pulling her against his chest and just holding her.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry…" She was about to sob, but Balthazar kissed her again, this time his passion seeped through his lips and into hers, making her squirm to get closer one more inch, one more necessary inch, and feeling all of him.

"I know you are. And all if forgiven." The words seemed to lift all worries from her shoulders and Veronica laughed, as Balthazar delivered soft kisses down her cheeks and on to her throat, making her moan and pull him closer.

"I've missed you."

"I know." He whispered hoarsely, kissing her again.

"I love you." That made him smile, and kiss the very tip of her nose.

"I love you as well." Veronica closed her eyes and just leaned back, his arms fastening around her, as she smiled and felt secure, her insides coming together, or probably it was her heart setting on time with his, and she let out a soft laugh. Then her eyes opened and she looked into his deep blue pools… She did something, something that back on their days was forbidden, something that could have deemed her a lost soul and a disgrace for the Keep.

But now, in this society and in th is time, when all things seemed lost... Veronica took his hands, both of them, and asked him to be quiet. Balthazar frowned nd allowed her to pull him; when he realized where she was taking him Balthazar could not help but to let out a soft laugh.

"Won't your guests mind?"

"Becky's around here somewhere," She murmured, laughing softly as she pulled him up the stairs. "Besides they'll soon be too drunk to realize I'm miss…" Balthazar pulled her in for a deep kiss.

,
,

Dave had this little thing while approaching Becky that she considered the sweetest yet most annoying gesture she'd ever seen in a man. While unaware that she was there, already watching him, Dave would look around, looking slightly lost but sure he was supposed to be there. Then he would turn, lock eyes with her, and blush. It wasn't a deep red blush, but a slight tint of the skin, and a little glint in his eyes, and he would bow his head a little, as if paying reverence to her. Most of her older boyfriends would just nod at her, then resume whatever they were doing, but not Dave; never Dave. He would drop anything he's doing to walk over and at least say hi to her.

Today something was slightly off, because he was staring at her astonished; and she could not blame him. She'd put on the dress Veronica had given her, taking also her idea of curling her hair, all of it. Yes, she had told several professors she knew, Becky was wearing a wig; but that was just to explain her unnatural long hair. In reality, Veronica had extended her hair magically, then gotten to work with the curling and thickness. Her face was framed with thick long curls, her skin pale in purpose because of the make up, her lips red, her cheeks rosy.

But Dave was not looking too bad himself; he'd put on the costume they had selected for him; vest and long sleeve shirt suited him just fine, as did the trousers and thick cape. His hair was well combed, backwards, as Veronica had requested Balthazar to do (at least in the memories she'd implanted) and the boots were tall, dark and hid a small knife. Veronica had been the one to suggest the knife, as well as the sword, but neither were the ones they had selected. The boys were up to something as well, apparently.

The professor Becky was talking to asked if he could get a closer look to a particular item inside the glass stands and Becky had to regretfully inform him that the Encantus was off limits; it was not for sale. The man was disappointed for a moment but was then pulled away by a woman dressed to match his noble man's outfit. Becky was approached by a geeky looking man, along with his couple of girl friends who wanted to take a picture with her, and of her alone, she agreed knowing it would be good for the store to be kind and obliging and suddenly wondering where Veronica had run off to, and after the pictures were taken asked the boy to send her the picture by e-mail.

"Do you dance, ma'am?"

"No, sorry." She had to answer, turning… "Dave!"

"Gotcha." He laughed, and kissed her lips softly, before pulling her away. "Hi."

"Hello." She said nervously, feeling her heart hammering her ribs painfully. "Glad to see you made it."

"You look gorgeous."

"Thank you." She said blushing, looking down at her color shifting dress, smoothing several invisible wrinkles and saw Dave's hand touching her curls. "You don't look too bad yourself."

"Like it? Balthazar said I looked too skinny in it."

"No, you look fine. Perfect actually." Dave nodded and nervously shifted his weight from one let to the other. Becky could see the Dragon Ring on his index finger, somehow it complimented the costume very well. He stood a bit away from her, not close enough to just drop by and brush against her, just a polite distance from her. As if he were avoiding touching her at all. Her hands linked, before her, and she was trying to figure out where that easy conversation they were always capable of striking had gone, when one of the guests asked Becky to see one of the items within the glass shelves behind the cashier. "I'll be right back."

"I'll help, I know a bit of these." And the three of them walked to the cashier, the man pointed at the article and thank God Dave followed because it was one of the small statues away from Becky's reach. Dave tookt he key, opened the glass door and pulled out the statue, very carefully, placing it over the small silk hankie Becky had placed next to the cashier.

"Amazing, absolutely amazing. This is a Budda statue from China, circa 1800."

"1650, actually." Informed Dave, smiling at the man who fixed his glassed over his nose. "It was found in a tomb of one of the noble men of the Han dynasty, it used to be with a tall urn but unfortunately it was broken."

"Sad, very sad indeed." The man studied the statue, requesting to touch iht, and Dave nodded, watching him while Becky watched Dave. So her physics nerd also knew a bit of history. Balthazar's doing no doubt. "How much?"

"A lot." Dave lifted the item, showing him a little tag stuck to the inside and the man's eyes bulged. "It comes with all the proper paperwork and registration number."

"I see." The man swallowed hard, and reached itno his pocket.

"Would you like to acquire it?" Asked Becky smiling at him as sweetly as possible, as Dave looked at the other guests, all interested in several other items.

"Depends, are you included n the package?"

Oh that was not good… Becky stared at the man, too stunned to even answer, and Dave turned to him frowning. "She's not, sorry. She's already engaged." Defended Dave, angrily and stepping between the man and Becky. Hidden from the man's view Becky smiled, and leaned her forehead against Dave's back, while the man mumbled and apology and hurried away. "The nerve of some people, really." Murmured Dave, pulling the statue from the top of the counter and then lifting it to its proper place, while Becky had almost toppled forward because of his suddenly movement. "They don't respect women anymore."

"Dave?"

"Yes?"

Becky moved to step closer, and Dave stared a little taken, embarrassed as well, as she did so. Then she slowly lifted to her tiptoes, that were encased in soft color shifting silk, and kissed his lips tenderly. "My hero."

Dave blushed deeply. "Well you are my girlfriend." Becky swallowed hard, and nodded, smiling.

"Even if I didn't… stay for…" She looked at a passer by, blushing. "Water?" She asked, knowing he'll understand what he meant. Dave blushed, and yes, he understood.

"Well, sometimes you are not thirsty… enough."

"But I was thirsty." The look of astonishment that covered his features was so funny Becky had to bite her lip to keep from laughing. So she continued. "I just… I don't want to screw things up Dave. I really want you and me to last, and water would only make things… awkward."

"Water would make things a little awkward."

"A little…"

"Yeah, just a little. But if you want to take things slow I understand."

"You are not mad?"

"Mad? Me? Becky you wanted to have… Water with me! I can't be happier!"

And all her worries flew out the window.

'

'

"Balthazar that was… that was so… so… so…"

"Mind blowing, I know." Veronica was covered with a one of the pillows resting against Balthazar's chest and panting, while Balthazar was on his back, covered with the other pillow, his ankles resting against the top of the headboard. The room was dark, the bed peeled of any covers and the room was one big mess of clothes, sheets, pillows, and shoes. The two masters were celebrating their honeymoon all over again, and panting they just rested beside each other. Veronica's silky hair was caressing Balthazar's shoulders and arm, and he lifted a hand to touch the dark strands.

"How did you know that's how I'll feel?"

"Because I've been planning to do it for a week." Balthazar turned, dropping kissed all over her face when Veronica laughed and closed here eyes. "What?"

"If this is the outcome of every fight I vote we fight more often."

"Why you little minx!" And Balthazar lifted to assault her with more kisses and caresses.

The music from downstairs was the only thing that would try to interrupt them, but it didn't reach into their lust fogged minds. At least not yet.

How Long The Wait: The End