Ball time, babe. =)

Disclaimer: I don't own Grand Chase.

Chronicles of the Black Blood

x

Arme's POV

"A-A-Amy…"

"Yes?"

"There are three days before the G-Grand B-ball… and I would really like to know…" a pause, "Willyoupleasebemypartner?!"

"Uhh… Jin, what did you say?"

"I said," His face growing more serious, "Amy, will you please be my partner?" another pause, "I- I promise you'll have a good time and well…"

"Of course, I'd love that."

"And I'll try not to bore you… And I'll try- Wait, what?"

"I'd love to be your partner Jin!" Amy smiled cheekily.

There they were, in the middle of the gym, during Cheerleader practice. People, not just us, were staring at them. Some with smiles on their faces and going, "Aww…" and others… well mostly, with envy.

We smiled too and heard Lire comment, "This is just so sweet."

"Well, Jin just grew balls."

"Ryan, your language." Squeaked the blonde.

The brown haired guy pouted, "Sorry."

"What about you, Arme? Do you have a dance?"

I widened my smile, "Nope."

"Eh!" Lire exclaimed. "B-but well… nobody asked?"

I scratched my head, "Not really. Two people asked me… But I politely declined."

"There is no such thing as politely declining Arme." I turned my gaze and saw Amy with a smile, "Perhaps, waiting for someone to ask?"

I shook my head, "I don't like to dance."

And I'm being honest. I really don't like to dance. It just brings me bad memories… of them. You know, bakamomos…

"Arme!"

I snapped from my trance, "Yes?"

"Let's head home. We're going to buy our clothes for tomorrow." Amy winked and chained her arms with me. "Lire and wolfie, then me and Jin. Why am I not surprised~?" she said in a sing-song voice. "Probably by now Ronan had already asked Elesis and we won't get to know this until they actually enter the hall hand in hand but I can totally see it coming…"

"Elesis?! Ronan!?" Jin, Ryan and I shook the idea. "No. Nope. Not gonna happen."

Lire chuckled at our reaction as Amy continued, "I should match-make Seighart and Mari…"

The pink-haired girl turned to me, holding her index up, "And don't worry. One of these days, Lassy will ask you."

"Nope. Never gonna happen." Us three, said again in chorus.

xx

Then it came. The very day everyone was so excited about. The event had started sundown and we were asked to enter last. From where all of us stood, I could see the place they claimed to be Grand Hall.

"Guys~" Amy giggled. "Remember. Have confidence with every step you take alright?"

Ironically, there were no guys around at that moment. Amy had said something about thrill and so we won't be able to see the others until the event starts.

And I didn't really mind. All I want is to get off this dress because it's really itchy. I frowned.

"Arme, I just said something bout confidence." The pink haired girl sighed at me. "Please, this is a one night event. Loosen up, have fun."

I stared at her, a bit guilty. "I'm sorry. You're right."

"Can't we just go in already?" Elesis grumbled. "I want to sit down. These heels are killing me."

"Oh, and just to remind you. Your partners are your first and last dances. But that doesn't mean you can't dance with the others students. Exii said you people should socialize more. If someone offers you a dance, take it."

"Dance, eat, dance, go home. Got it." Elesis teased.

Lire chuckled, "Elesis, who is your partner anyway?"

She instantly turned to the same hue as her hair, "W-why do you even need to know." She huffed and tried to hide the blush that was covering her face.

"Weeeeeell, we're just curious, right, Mari?" I tugged Mari's sleeve and nodded.

"You're in this too?!" Elesis cried at the blue haired girl, "Say. Where have you been for the whole while anyway?"

"Kounat…" Mari answered silently.

"Don't shift the topic, Elesis." Amy grinned, "Who's the lucky guy?"

"W-well…"

"Ladies! Wrap it up; you will walk the halls in a minute. Go to your places."

"SAVED!" Amy and I… even Elesis! All said at the same time.

And… And it wasn't as magical as they claimed it to be. It was just another boring moment, a bit noisy too when people began to cheer for my team mates. Elesis walked in first, then Lire. Amy and then Mari… then me and then the guys…

We reached the end of the hall where there was a stage with five seats; the two were fancier than the three. Ronan told us to remain in front and we all did; we stood in a row. That's when I got a better view of this Grand Hall. It was really wide and the decoration was like those of a fairy tale kingdom. There was a buffet table at the two sides of the hall and couple of circle tables covered with white linen clothing. Amy wasn't joking. Everything was beautiful and I… and I don't even belong here to begin with.

A louder cheer was created when the two queens of Bermessiah entered, side by side. They both bore a friendly smile as Exii, Tye and Lori trailed behind them.

We split our row into two and let the five take a sit. Then almost in sync, we all bowed to the queens.

"This is a beautiful night." Said the queen from Kanavan, "And I would like to welcome everyone to this Grand Ball."

"We have met again for another year." This time the Serdin queen spoke. "And I know all of you are fairly excited to dance with each other. But let us first, give thanks to the ones who keep this island in peace and risking their lives for our sake."

"The Grand Chase!"

There goes the loudest cheer for the night. I was able to remain a smile though.

Few more things were added by the two queens. Exii, Tye and Lori all spoke their speeches too but I didn't actually listen to what they said. All I took in was when they said they were proud to have an addition to their team and presented me, the mudblood- cough… the Magician.

I widened my smile and bowed. "My name is Arme as all of you know… And I'm kind of sorry for hiding my real class. I know some of you really got angry over what happened but please give me a chance to prove that I am worth of my position." I bowed again, "Have a good evening."

Then Exii continued her lousy speech. It ended with a, "-Thank you for coming!"

"Now, now, without further ado… Let us start this dance ball!"

The classical music returned and the place dimmed. Luminescent light in different tints shine over the dance floor, and to our surprise, Ronan walked up to Elesis, half bowing, and then offered his hand. "I know you're really tired right now seeing as to you always whine about how you hate heels, but my Princess, can I have this dance?"

We all jaw dropped.

Half of the female population was crest fallen upon the confession. Then our eyes darted to Elesis, how was she going to react to this!?

"W-well… A dance couldn't hurt."

I mentally punched myself in the face in disbelief (yes, because really punching myself would hurt too much); I turned to Ryan, to Jin, to Amy, to Lire and to anyone in the chase who actually had a clue about what was going on.

The crowd had given them a way to walk into and then, they began their dance in the middle, a slow waltz. Quickly, I left the stage and watch them, pair by pair, walk into the middle with Amy staring at me in confusion as if asking something. I shook my head and watch the event go on.

"Hey mudblo- Mage… Arme." I twisted my head even though I already knew who called me.

"Yes?" I asked Tye.

"The white haired kid didn't ask you out?"

I shook my head again and looked away, "I don't really mind." I turned to the crowd and found him already dancing with someone else. "See? He said before during our second mission that he likes someone. So I'm not really surprised." I smiled.

Tye grinned at me, "Yeah, yeah. Heartbroken loser."

I chuckled at the nickname he said. "I don't really feel heartbroken." I raised my index and winked, "Sorry."

He look back at me in attempt to hide his disbelief and it just made me laugh. I turned my back from them and waved my hand, "And above all, I don't belong to fancy events like this."

I walked away and head to no particular direction. Then… after a while of walking, when I reached the other side of the place, I saw a closed door to a veranda-styled balcony. Without thinking twice, I lifted the lock and stepped outside.

And I can claim, by far, the place I stood at is entirely more breath-taking than the inside. The area below was covered with grass then the grass ended before a river. After the river there were lines of trees that stretched until the horizon. When I look up, I saw the moon shining directly at me; uneven cloud was spread over the sky but it was enough to make few stars visible.

The noise of this place was depleted too, making it the best place for me.

I closed my eyes smiling and humming softly the tune of their dance. It remained like that for moments, the tranquility being my sweet company.

…until a pair of slender arms wrapped around me.

It was a bit tight; preventing me to look back to see who it was. But I could tell it was a he, as his breath tickled my neck, I asked. "H-hey… what the hell is wrong with you…"

"Bakamimi…"

I froze on spot.

This voice...

"ZC37…?"

A nod. He broke the hug as I turned to him and asked, "W-why are you here?! How did you…" it was then that I realized he was wearing a tuxedo just like the others. His hair was styled too. The way our other bakamomo always advice him to.

"Well I heard from somewhere that there would be a ball at Bakamimi's school so I hurriedly came here…"

"About the others-"

"No one saw me come in, don't worry." He grinned and poked my forehead. "No one would probably suspect me to be a mudblood anyway. Seeing as to I appear as normal as the other magicians. "

I look down and felt my eye water. "Did… Did Bakamomo really…?"

He cupped my face and smiled at me weakly, "He did." I clenched my fists. "After all, you saw him die before you, right? That would be the best punishment for you too."

He turned us both a bit by several degrees and wiped my tears with his thumb, "Why are you doing this to me?"

"Anad told me so." He whispered as his face saddened. "I need to make you suffer as much as possible because that's what she said or else I'll die. You understand me, right?"

I nodded and held a sob, "Yes."

We remained like that for moments, and then I saw him on the verge of his own tears. I placed both of my hands on his chest in attempt to shake him violently but when I felt he was also holding a sob, I stopped.

"I don't know how things ended up like this." He confessed. "But… you don't mind if I… do this right?"

I didn't know what he actually wanted, but I placed my left hand over his right hand that was still on my face. He leaned over and gave the tip of my nose a soft kiss. Then he hugged me again, "Oh Bakamimi…"

I rippled a chuckle out of my throat and broke the hug. "Do you want to dance? With me? Again?" I asked him.

"I'm the one who's supposed to ask that." He laughed too, wiping his own tears. "Just as long as you don't repeatedly step on my foot again. Specially now, you're wearing real heels."

I openly laughed, "I'll try."

We danced the way we did when we were younger. Well honestly, none of us both know how to dance the real dance… We weren't even swaying on the beat of the music... All we knew was waltz and it was okay for the both of us.

At that point… that boring night turned into one of my best night in Grand Chase.

PLEASE DON'T HIT ME! D: XDD LASS DIDN'T ASK ARME OUT! BUT WHY!?

What happened at Lass's part ?!

Stay tuned. Fuehuehue. :))