Not going to do a big authors note, just going to say, my fellow Rivusa lovers will like this chapter ending ;)
"Damn," I whispered, looking around at the opulence surrounding us.
"This is stunning," Flora whispered, twirling around to get a better look.
"They really spared no expense," Tecna added, making Bloom nod along with her.
It truly was breath-taking. There was a raised stage where a formal orchestra played, the music wrapping around us and soothing any nerves. They had spelled the ceiling to look like an open galaxy, the various colours swirling around as if someone dropped dye into water. Al pillars were being hugged by leafy vines, with garlands of fairy lights draped over it. At the opposite end of the room's tables draped in finery had been set up, with a long banquet table for the esteemed guests and the teachers. Men in dining suits with the Red Fountain crest, a sword in a circle of light on their chest, twirled Alfea fairies dressed in their formal clothes around the room, their long skirts billowing around them.
"I'm going to go find my friends Katy and Pricilla, you girls going to be, okay?" Flora asked, her vibrant eyes searching our expressions.
"Go on Flora, I'm going to find my other friends too," I said, smiling as I adjusted my leather jacket.
"Musa, Stella was right, did you really need to bring that?" Bloom asked, pointing at my jacket.
I rolled my eyes, giving her an unimpressed look. Mini Stella backed down, looking around the room instead of questioning me. I nodded to myself, bid Flora and Tecna a quick goodbye before striding through the crowds, using my hearing to pinpoint where my friends would be. I couldn't help the small smirk when I felt my overskirt flow out behind me. I felt regal and badass, my head held high and a slight sway to my hips. I could feel eyes on me, but I ignored it, straining my ears to find the girls.
I heard a familiar giggle and grinned, making my way over. They were deep in conversation with whom I assumed was Francine's brother, as he looked similar to her, and a few other boys. I rolled my eyes fondly and strode over. When I got close, I wrapped my arms over Ortensia's and Francine's shoulders and squeezed in between them. "Sup girls, who are these dudes?" I asked, raising my eyebrow at the boys with my most unimpressed expression on my face.
"Musa! You look so good! I knew that was your outfit!" Francine grinned, stepping back to look at me fully.
I rolled my eyes fondly but couldn't help but smile slightly. The girl's energy was infectious, and I liked her company more and more.
"What do you mean, you knew? I found it," Ortensia remarked, raising her eyebrow at her best friend.
"Semantics," Francine said, waving her hand nonchalantly. "What matters is we all look hot and might even get a boyfriend tonight," she said, grinning wickedly.
"No boyfriends for you, Fran," the boy near her said sternly, making his sister stick out her tongue at him.
"Oh, so you can date Stella, but I can't date a guy? Double standards there, brother dearest," she said, crossing her arms and glaring at her brother in mock seriousness.
"Francine, you can date all you want, but that is not for me, I'd rather try to put better music on," I said, glaring at the orchestra. I loved orchestras, but right now it felt pretentious, and I just wanted to have a proper dance.
"Whatever, Musa, this is my annoying brother Duke Edward of Limnol, also my older and annoying brother," Francine said, pointing out her brother and making him sigh in exasperation.
I just grinned and gave him my two-fingered salute, mentally storing the fact that she was a duchess in my mind.
"Pleasure to meet you Musa, are you Stella's roommate?" he asked, reaching out a hand for me to shake, which I did, but not without giving him an amused grin.
"Depends, what has she said and how many Musa's do you know?" I said teasingly, making the other guys behind him chuckle.
"I love my girlfriend, but she tends to be on the more dramatic side, so I take what she said with cautions," he said, a loving but amused grin on his face.
"Good answer, yep I am Musa, your girl's dormmate," I said, pleased with his response.
Before he could reply, Francine jumped in once again with more fun introductions.
"That guy is Prince Sky," she said, pointing at a handsome brunette, "and his squire, Brandon," she finished, pointing at a guy with longish blonde hair.
"We prefer the term best friend, not squire," Prince Sky said, as his friend chuckled. "Nice to meet you Musa, I'm from Erakyleon, where are you from?" he asked, grabbing my hand to kiss it.
I snorted and smirked at him, withdrawing my hand. "Melody," I said simply, smiling at him.
"Oh nice, best music there in all the realms. You guys are also the lead of the 9 Harmonic Realms, right?" Brandon asked, smiling softly.
"Yup, we sure are, though we are way too chill to really care about that," I said, shrugging at him.
"And Mr quiet guy, who are you?" I asked, turning my gaze to the last guy in their fun little group.
"Um, I'm Spencer, realm of Tyados," he said, and I nodded, giving him a quick salute.
"Nice to meet you all, I'm going to go see if I can convince someone to let me change the music, this is more suited for nap time than a dance," I said, making the boys chuckle at my statement and the girls shake their heads fondly.
"Only you, Musa," Ortensia said, smiling at me. I winked at her, bid everyone an elaborate and grandiose goodbye before turning around to their laughter, my skirt billowing behind me.
I hadn't gotten far when the orchestra stopped and loud trumpets played, making me wince as they slammed against my ears. Miss Faragonda strode to the stage, dressed in a soft purple elegant gown with silver jewellery. She nodded at everyone, and two men walked up, flanking her. One was dressed in gold with an elaborate staff and the other stood up in a formal suit, his muscles bulging against the material. Another walked up and stood next to the tall man, dressed in a teal gown and her hair left out in its straight cut bob
"Welcome students to the start of year ball," Faragonda said grandly, letting the cheers die down. "With me if the Headmaster of Red Fountain, Saladin and deputy headmaster, Codatorta," ahh so that is Ortensia's father, I thought, reassessing him. "The other woman up there with me is deputy headmaster at Alfea, Griselda. We are pleased to welcome everyone back here for another magical school year. We would like everyone to stay quiet while we announce our honoured guests who donate to our schools, before making our way to the tables. Unfortunately, the King and Queen of Eraklyon could not make it. Without a further ado…" she finished sending a wave of magic, dimming the lights.
A magical spotlight appeared, and Faragonda announced each royal. I didn't pay attention until the king of Solaria, Radius, was called, along with Princess Estelle. Her father matched his name, looking radiant and powerful like the sun he commanded. He wore a golden suit jacket with a cream-colored sash, fancy red pants with a matching billowing cloak. His crown glimmered in the light, and Stella stood next to him with perfect poise, their arms threaded. She gave a queenly smile as she entered with him, before stopping on a raised platform to the side of the door with the other royals. They stood there until they announced the last royals before the lights flickered back on and they could be dispersed.
Ed immediately greeted Stella and Radius, giving her father a firm handshake before kissing Stella on the cheek and wrapping his arm around her waist. I didn't bother staying there much longer, just strode off to the corner, considering the orchestra had started again and I wouldn't be able to change it with the new guests. A few of the girls I knew at Alfea nodded at me, and I nodded back, before tucking myself into the corner and stealthily pulling out my earbuds, slipping them into my ears and turning on my metal music. It blared in my ears and I hummed to the melody, enjoying the way my blood danced to the song.
"What's a pixie like you doing here in the dark instead of being out there trying to find prince charming," I heard someone scoff, and begrudgingly pulled out an earbud and ignored the delicious tingle down my spine at his voice.
"Well, considering I'm not a pixie, and the last thing I want is a prince, I'm actually enjoying myself. Oh, and a pixie is about the size of your hand so kinda hard to confuse with a fairy, maybe you need to pay more attention in class, hmm?" I said, still not bothering to look up at him.
"A pixie with a spine, I like," he said, a seductive darkness to his tone.
I forced myself to scoff and nonchalantly put my earbud back into my ear. I could tell he was about to say something when a guy with purple dreadlocks in a ponytail and shaved sides walked over. "Riven, come one, stop bugging chicks we have shit to do," he said, making his friend scoff and push off the wall.
I looked up through my friend and saw his taunt back, his dark red hair spiked up. His shoulders were so broad, the material of his suit pulled tight. "Whatever Bishop, lead the way," he said, sauntering off. Before he got out of earshot he slightly turned, his face still showed.
"See you around. Pixie," he called, his voice practically a purr, before he sauntered off, bleeding into the crowds and leaving a secretly blushing girl in his wake.
Okay, So I was originally going to have this be the entire ball, but I had to stop here, just the tension between our girl and Riven was just too good. I'm so excited they finally met; it won't be a love at first sight deal for them. They won't be getting together till the sequel but expect a lot of tension between them till then. Riven is a bad boy, not just grumpy. He's a bit of a combo of Riven from Winx Fate and canon, just to add a little more edge to him.
As always, I hope you enjoyed this chapter; I loved writing it! I thought that Riven and Bishop, a Red Fountain Specialists, would be friends, so that's what I'm going with. The next chapter will be up in the next few days, which will conclude the ball arc!
As always, stay safe and see you next time!
TBP