Breathless
Chapter 8: Narcissistic Nemesis
Yuu sat still as a statue as the professionals around her did their jobs. As her face was moisturized, massaged and painted, she felt the pull and tug of the stylists crimping and curling her hair. Her fingers and toes were soaked in a clear soapy liquid before their nails were buffered, filed, and polished in a deep violet color.
"How'd I let you talk me into this?" Yuu asked Vil, who was in the chair opposite her receiving the same pamper treatment.
"Trust me, my dearest, you'll love it when it's finished. In the meantime, just cope with the discomfort." He sent her a smug smile. "Besides, you're looking fabulous."
"I'm looking, blonde!" She jerked her head upright, earning a hiss of disapproval from the stylist. "I thought you said these changes would be made with magic and would be temporary."
"That was the original plan, but with the way our schedule is looking, it'll be easier if we use magic to turn you back into a brunette for school, and keep you blonde full time. You should be happy, Yuuki, you nailed the audition and got the lead. Do you know how often that happens to first timers?"
"I'm guessing it doesn't?" She relaxed a little when the makeup crew finished up and left her alone with the stylist who was busy fussing with her curls. The short bob gave her a very angelic and youthful look. They'd removed her glasses and replaced them with colored contacts to give her the same violet colored eyes as Vil.
"It's an extreme rarity, even with me serving as your influencer. I honestly thought it was a lost cause when I heard you were going up against the top actress in Twisted Wonderland." Vil picked up the newspaper from his lap and held it out. On the cover was a ridiculously beautiful woman with huge butterfly-like wings of baby blue, and midnight black hair that fell past her waist. Her eyes were the same color as her wings, a sweet baby blue that Yuu knew from experience could go ice cold.
"Don't remind me…" Yuu lifted her eyes to the ceiling. "That woman unnerves me."
"As she should. Elena Mariposa has got more credibility than Niege. She holds the highest record of awards and achievements by a female actress and has gotten even more press since getting engaged to Malleus. Yet you still got the part. Do you realize how amazing that is, Yuu?"
"I'm starting to…" Yuu shut her eyes, and recalled their first meeting at the audition.
~Flashback~
Nerves wound Yuu's stomach tight as she and Vil warmed up together in the large ballet studio where they were holding auditions. All around her were beautiful and glamorous people of all species and ethnicities. More and more she wondered how someone as plain and new to the industry like her was gonna compete against all these seasoned veterans.
"You're sabotaging yourself." Vil warned her and cupped her face in his hands. "The only person you need to be looking at is yourself…. And me of course since I'm your partner."
"Vil…" she fidgeted and took a long shaky breath. "I wish Grim was here, at least his commentary would keep me distracted from these thoughts in my head."
"I know, but you heard Crowley. His grades can't afford the absences." He gave her cheeks a pat. "Besides, he would have been bored senseless tagging along with us."
"Good point." She laughed and inhaled deep before sweeping her hands down to touch her toes. When her head came up, they locked eyes with a stunning pair of blue orbs that seemed to stare right into her soul. "GAH!"
"Elena!" Vil exclaimed, just as surprised. "What are you doing here?"
"Vil! What a lovely surprise. I was hoping you would be here." Elena smoothly kissed both Vil's cheeks in greeting and then turned those eyes back to Yuu. "When I saw that photo of you and your new sister practicing ballet, I had a feeling I'd see you at these auditions."
"I didn't know you'd be auditioning for this. I heard you'd taken a leave of absence." Vil questioned, a worried expression lining his face. Yuu suddenly felt even less at ease now.
"I did for a time, what with my wedding coming up and all…" she flashed her engagement ring. "However my darling Fiancee is handling all the arrangements, and has left me free to continue my work for the time being. He even encouraged me to come."
"Yes, I heard you were getting married. Congratulations." Ever the charmer, Vil put on his best professional smile. "He's a lucky man."
"I know right?" She giggled and flicked a smug look down her lashes at Yuu. "You must be Yuuki. I recognize you from that video that went viral. You sang so well."
"Yes, thank you, and your name is Elena, right?"
"Oh, where are my manners?" Vil quickly put himself between Yuu and Elena. "Yuuki, this is Elena Mariposa, one of the top actresses in the world. Elena, this is my little sister."
"A real pleasure, darling girl." She took both of Yuu's hands and squeezed them. "Malleus has told me so much about you."
"Oh has he…wait, did you say Malleus?" She blinked, wondering if she'd misheard her.
"Yes, Malleus. He talks so much about you and your time at school together. It's adorable really to see that child-like side of him. Made me fall in love with him all over again." She giggled.
"You… he… Malleus is your fiancee?" Yuu felt the world start to spin as the urge to faint rolled over her. Vil quickly gripped her shoulder, keeping her upright.
"Yes, I'm so grateful to you for bringing him out of his shell. Now he and I can finally have the happily ever after I've always dreamed of." She kissed her cheeks leaving Yuu further dazed. "Well, I should go warm up. See you two later. Oh and Yuu…"
Her smile was obviously smug, as if to say "just try to keep up with me, human."
"Good luck."
"D-ditto…" Yuu's hands dropped to her side as Elena released them. Yuu felt her breath start to shudder. Vil gave her two shakes trying to snap her out of it.
"Yuu, Yuu for goodness sake don't faint on me."
"I need some air…" she pulled away from him and numbly walked out the room. Vil let her go, not wanting to cause a scene. If he needed to, he'd find her before audition time.
While Vil did his best to regain his own composure, Yuu's feet went from numb to sprinting fast down the hall. She could feel the tears burn in her throat and eyes and tried to find somewhere to have her panic attack.
Spotting a storage closet she quickly ducked inside and curled herself up in the corner..there she sat, holding her head as she hyperventilated. Before she could even think she pulled out her phone and dialed the first number that came to mind.
"What do you want, Princess?" Leona's groggy voice came huskily through the speaker and almost immediately turned off her panic switch. "Do you have any idea what time it is right now?"
"Early… I'm sorry, I didn't mean to wake you up." The tears welled up and started slipping down before she could stop them. "I don't even know why I called you. I'll let you go back to sleep."
"Don't hang up." The snappy order had her jerking upright. "Tell me what's wrong first. I have a right to know what asshole is making you cry and call me at the crack of dawn."
On the other end of the receiver, Leona shifted and sat upright in bed. He ran a hand through his tousled hair. The sound of her sobbing breaths and crying made his gut twist. He was gonna murder Vil.
"Tell me. Don't make me track you down and find out for myself."
"She's here…" Yuu let out another quiet sob. "The girl Malleus is gonna marry. She's at my audition."
"And?"
"And she's gorgeous." The sobs wouldn't stop, and now she shook like a leaf. "She's so beautiful Leona that it's almost painful to look at her."
She wiped at her tears.
"Now she's here at the audition, and looking at me like she wants to eat me alive. I don't know what to do. How can I compete with that kind of beauty? What if I blow it? What if I ruin Vil's chances at getting this part? He's gonna be so upset." She covered her face with her free hand. "All that time he spent training, and preparing me for this, it's all gonna be-"
"Are you done being stupid?" Leona snapped at her, cutting off her next sob.
"W-what?"
"You can be a real idiot when you get emotional, you know that?" Leona held his temple. "The director is looking for talent, not beauty, and there's no way in hell that she'd outshine you in that department."
"H-how…" Yuu bit her lip as it trembled. "How do you know that?"
There was a moment of silence, followed by a long drawn out sigh.
"You can't repeat what I'm about to say to anyone, do you understand me? I'll never hear the end of it."
"Okay… I promise I won't tell anyone." She cupped the phone waiting patiently.
"You're beautiful…" he said it so simply and honestly that it made her heart flutter. "Maybe not in the traditional sense of the word but you are. If I could describe it, I would call it an angelic beauty… innocent, and pure. It makes men like Vil want to cherish and protect you, and makes men like me want to defile you."
He heard her breath stop in surprise, then go steady. His lips quirked up.
"You've got this annoying habit of being instantly likable. Even when someone like me does their best to despise you. Eventually we just give in, and that's because when we see someone like you working hard, and earnestly we can't help but wanna do the same. That kind of charm can't be taught. You're either born with it, or you're not. So long as you be yourself, and do what you always do, then she doesn't stand a chance."
"Wow… that's real sweet Leona. Is that really how you see me?" A smile slowly spread on her face, then went ear wide when she heard him grunt with embarrassment.
"Remember that was for your ears only."
"Got it." She laughed and let out a long sigh of relief. "Thanks for the pep talk. I owe you one."
"You owe me more than one princess, and I expect you to pay up when you get back." He smirked through the receiver. "If you catch my drift."
"Consider it caught. I'll text you when I'm back on campus."
"Good… now go knock 'em dead, Yuu."
"Okay." Still grinning, Yuu hung up the phone and stared affectionately at the display for Leona's contact page. She snuck the picture as he'd slept, the peaceful look on his face had been too handsome and irresistible not to freeze in frame. "You're rough around the edges, but you sure have your soft moments, Leona."
She put her phone away and took a deep inhale. Her eyes set firm and she got to her feet. To hell with it… if she was going down, then she may as well go down swinging.
She stopped at the bathroom to fix her face, lord knew Vil would give her hell if she came in with red puffy eyes and drippy mascara on her cheeks. She gave herself a little nod of approval and headed back into the studio with her head held high. She made it just in time for the cast director to walk in and start auditions.
One by one she watched each pair perform. She thought the auditions would be private, but she supposed the casting directors wanted to see how the others handled being ogled by their competition.
Elena and her partner, a dashing brunette with big black wings, performed next. The two of them went for flash and gusto, knocking the wind out of the lesser competitors with absolute flair and dazzle. When their performance ended, everyone applauded, including the cast director.
"Thank you for that marvelous performance Miss Mariposa, Mister Heavensby, please take a seat. Last up we have Vil and Yuuki Shoenhiet. Please take your beginning positions."
Yuu stood up, and as she walked to her position narrowly ducked Elena's wings which suddenly spread out.
"Sorry about that…" Elena apologized sarcastically, fluttering then folding her wings back. "Just the excitement. Some days they have a mind of their own."
"Naturally…" she grumbled in response. Fired up and itching for a fight, she stepped up next to Vil. She turned her head and whispered to him. "Do you trust me?"
"What?" Vil whispered to her.
"I trust you, Vil. Do you trust me?" She flicked her eyes up, showing such intensity and fire that Vil had to smile.
"Yes."
"Then work with me." She turned her head back down and waited for the music to start. The routine started normally, the serene and care they had apparent in the first few musical bars.
Then, as the song built up, something changed. Instead of Vil gently releasing Yuu from his hold, Yuu ripped away from Vil's embrace, and turned to him with a haughty look. She went off routine, showing defiance and challenge instead of joy and excitement before pirouetting away to begin her solo.
Vil wasn't sure what had triggered this sudden burst of inspiration, but he loved it. He could see the story clearly in his mind, the two siblings growing up together, but then slowly growing apart with age. The little sister was independent and defiant, whereas he was protective and moody. He showed anger and annoyance in his movements, making them sharp and testy.
When she spun away to begin her solo he raged, performing his own version of the solo with temper and fury… then slowly resolving into loneliness and regret. She matched him, dancing with freedom and without care, then slid into worry and distress. When their eyes met for the lift, the entire room felt the surge of emotion and the tension of the moment.
She ran to him, he met her half way, catching her mid leap and hoisting her high. Vil braced himself, breathing through the intense physical strain, but keeping his face calm and focused on her. Yuu in turn tightened her core, and slowly slid one arm up and out, increasing the pressure on his one shoulder. Vil bore down, not ready to be outdone by his fledgling little sis.
The room went quiet with awe, then took sharp inhales as Yuu came down fast, caught in Vil's waiting arms before being carried princess style off stage. The two cuddled in close, forehead to forehead, and their faces serene once more.
"BRAVA!" The casting director was on his feet as was everyone else. They were given high praises, and it was clear to everyone, including Elena who the director would choose.
When Yuu and Elena's eyes met through the crowd, the disdain in them were obvious. Ever the actress, Elena quickly covered it up with a polite smile and clap.
"Well done, newbie. I see I'm gonna have to keep my eye on you."
"Try not to stare too close. I wouldn't want to blind you." Yuu smiled innocently even as her tone spat venom.
"Oh trust me, child, you're not that bright. Otherwise you would have backed down the moment you met me." She took both of her hands squeezing them so hard that it hurt. "I'll tell Malleus you said hello. I do hope you won't be too busy with your new popularity to come to the wedding."
"Malleus is a dear friend of mine. I wouldn't miss it for the world."
"Oh good, I can't wait to introduce you to everyone." She let go and tossed her hair over her shoulder with an almost violent flick. "It's been… an experience meeting you Miss Shoenhiet. I'm sure you'll make your new doting family proud."
~End of Flashback.~
Yuu knew a threat when she heard one. The woman had it out for her, for who knows what reason, and was bound determined to make her suffer. Yuu found it hard to believe that such a beautiful and talented woman like Elena could be intimidated by her… but that's how it was coming across. Since she had no intention of being bullied or harassed by anyone, the only thing Yuu could do was to fight back.
"Yuu darling, soften the face, we don't want wrinkles now." The photographer instructed her. "Remember to remain serene and delicate. You are a prima ballerina, not a struggling artist."
"One might argue that dancers ARE struggling artists, but he's got a point." Vil slipped out of his own pose to cup Yuu's face in his hands and pressed a kiss to her forehead. The furrowed brow smoothed and Yuu smiled affectionately hiding his hands that lay on her cheeks. The photographer captured the tender moment, pleased that Yuu had the instinct to remain en pointe during the embrace.
The tender photographed graced the front page of Twisted Weekly, and inside the four page spread was a compilation of photographs from their shoot. The buzz for the movie got bigger and bigger. Her entire schedule was filled with appointments for photoshoots, interviews, and guest appearances. The director of the movie even had plans for her to perform a song for the movie's soundtrack, and asked her to write the lyrics. It both excited, and terrified her.
"Seems like you're gonna be a busy little bee." Leona commented as he read from the magazine in question. The two lounged under a large tree together tucked blissfully away in the forest near the gardens. He'd help her snuck away from Vil's watchful gaze right after her studio shoot, and was enjoying the quiet moment they were having together.
"Yeah, I guess so." she toyed with a random blonde strand. She forgoed the contacts, keeping her eyes their lilypad green, and wore her spare glasses as she went over her lines for the next day of shooting.
"Nervous?"
"Terrified." She admitted, hiding her face now with the script. "I thought this was gonna be a small, family friendly movie featuring a brother and sister, but this script is all kinds of twisted."
"What do you mean?" He set the magazine down, glancing over with a raised brow.
"The siblings are the main leads, but there's this side story with Rowena, my character, and her love interest and current dancing partner. Apparently the brother doesn't approve of their relationship, and he wheedles his way to become his sister's partner in order to separate them. It causes all these conflicts and passionate fights. Rowena's forced to choose between her brother, the only family she has left, and the man she loves."
"Sounds stupid… So what ending are they going with? Who will she choose?"
"Don't know yet, the writers are still coming to a decision about that." She turned to the last page. "The script stops at the ultimatum… talk about a cliffhanger."
"If you ask me it's a shit story no matter which way you swing it." Leona scoffed. "If the brother really cared about her then he'd have minded his own business, and if the boyfriend was smart he'd support her no matter who she chose to dance with. Only someone weak and insecure would be worried about his woman spending more time with her family than with him, especially if it meant chasing her dream."
"How insightful," she giggled. "Maybe you should help finish the script. I bet it'd come out way better in the end."
"Pfft, as if." He smirked and reached out to toy with the ends of her hair. "What would you choose?"
"Hmmm…" She opened and closed the script in a fidgeting gesture. "I think I'm with you. If they truly loved her, then they'd support her no matter what… but maybe that's expecting a little too much of the male ego."
"Hey!" He gave her hair a harder tug and made her giggle.
"I suppose, if I were Rowena, I'd fight to have both happy endings…" Her eyes turned from affectionate to serious. "She's a strong, smart, and savvy dancer with true goals and ambitions. She shouldn't let any man tell her what choices to make… So if I were her then I'd tell them both that it's my life, and that if they wanted to be a part of it they'd either learn to get along and support me… or get out of it completely."
"That does sound like something you'd do." He murmured, his own expression going serious. "Which kinda makes me wonder why you're letting Vil dictate the way you live."
"I'm not… not really anyway." She turned away from him. "I was hesitant to get into this business at first but… this is the first time since arriving in Twisted Wonderland that I've ever used my own talents to gain recognition. People are reading these magazines, watching my video, and scrolling my Magicam because they genuinely admire what I'm doing." She tilted her head up to the sky. "It's an honor and a thrill."
"If you say so, Princess…" Leona scowled and decided to lighten the heavy mood by lounging on his side and placing his head in her lap. Yuu jerked a bit in surprise but immediately relaxed and smiled down at him.
"Comfy?" She asked, setting the script aside to stroke his hair.
"Mmmm, very." He turned over so that his face pressed on her abdomen. He inhaled deep, his tail twitching with contentment.
"Good," she giggled and kept the soothing motion. "You seemed restless the last few times we hung out. Is your family still giving you grief?"
"No more than usual…" his ears lay flat, a telling sign that he was lying.
"Tell me."
He tilted his head a little so that his right eye could peer up at her smiling yet concerned face. Slowly, he sat back up, sitting hip to hip with her.
"Remember how I said I wanted to enjoy this while it lasts?"
"Yeah… what about it?" Her eyes saddened. "You… don't wanna call it quits already do you?"
"No, I don't. Far from it." He reached out, stroking her cheek. "Truth is, I'm enjoying this far more than I thought I would."
"Mmm, same here." She nuzzled her cheek against his hand. "I'm actually kind of glad we're keeping this a secret. Could you imagine us trying to have these private moments together if the entire school knew our business?"
"Ugh, what a pain. Don't spoil the good mood now." Going with instinct, Leona cupped her other cheek and gently pulled her in for a kiss. It was surprisingly soft and tender, the kind of kiss that made Yuu's heart flutter. When they parted, her breath came out shakily and her cheeks took on a vibrant flush.
"Oh my, you're just getting better and better at that." She laughed and pulled back gently to hold her own flushing cheeks. "I'm all a flutter."
"Heh, and here you used to be scared of me." He lay back down on her lap and closed his eyes. "Since we can't do what we originally planned, make yourself useful and be my pillow awhile, alright?"
"Mmmkay, I can do that." She continued to pet him, her own eyes drooping as the fatigue of the day washed over her. Soon she fell asleep with her left hand tangled in his hair, and her right intertwined with his over his heart.
~Night Raven College: Courtyard~
"Yuu! Yuuuu! Where are yah, Yuu?!" Grim called out as he raced around campus. He huffed and puffed. "Dang it, I'm the one who's supposed to wander off and get into trouble, not her!" He sighed and then let out a loud Yowl. "YUUUUUU!"
"Geez, Grim, a little louder please I don't think the people in the Savana heard you." Ace grunted, rubbing the inside of his ear. "What's got you all frantic for?"
"Ace! Have you seen Yuu? Vil was asking for her so they could go over lines together, but I haven't been able to find her. "
"I'm sure she's around here somewhere. You know her, she probably found a quiet place to read and lost track of time." Ace shrugged it off. "I'll keep my eyes peeled though."
He pat Grim on the head as the little guy ran off still frantically calling. He shook his head and looked up at Deuce who seemed pale and awestruck.
"Dude, you look like you've seen a ghost. Everything okay?" He waved a hand in front of Deuce's face.
"I… uh… that is… what I saw…" Deuce lowered himself onto a bench. "I think I might be hallucinating."
"Sure seems that way. What'd you eat? Better yet, what did you see that put that look on your face?" Ace used his folder to fan him.
"Have you ever walked in on your parents… being "affectionate" to one another?" He swallowed hard and shut his eyes.
"Oh God, please tell me you didn't see Crowley or any of the teachers getting physical."
"No! No, no… Geez don't put more unwelcome images into my head." Deuce rubbed his face. "It's Yuu…"
"What's Yuu?"
"I saw Yuu… being affectionate with someone." He shuddered and had Ace gawking.
"Seriously? When?"
"A little while ago in the forest near the gardens." He sighed heavily. "It wasn't anything incriminating at first, I was even gonna wander over and say hi… but then they started kissing."
"Who are they?" Ace frowned. "Who exactly is Yuu smacking lips with?"
Deuce held his face and peered through the fingers to look at Ace.
"Leona-Senpai."
…
"EH?!"
~Meanwhile~
"Ooh, la, la… Vil you seem quite perturbed. What is troubling you?" Rook asked his friend as he, Vil, and Epel sat in a circle drinking tea.
"It's Yuuki… I think she's hiding something from me." Vil explained setting his cup down. "Her behavior has been quite odd recently. Ever since before the audition her mind seems preoccupied."
"Really? I was under the impression things were going so well. What makes you think she's hiding something?"
"Brotherly instinct I guess you could call it. She's not lying to me so much as she's not revealing the whole truth." He traced the rim of his cup. "I didn't question at first because things went so well at the audition, but now I'm starting to wonder if maybe I'm forcing too much on her, and she's just too kind and polite to refuse."
"Have you tried talking to her about it, Vil?"
"No, I don't want to ruin the flow we have by causing any tension between the two of us." He sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose. All this worrying was gonna give him wrinkles. "Maybe I should just let her be."
"I don't think you have to worry, Vil-san. Yuu's more brazen than people give her credit for. She'd tell you if she wasn't happy." Epel assured. "Whatever is bothering her is probably something more personal, and she doesn't want it to affect your relationship."
"What could it possibly be that she can't tell her own brother?"
"Perhaps it's boy trouble?" Rook suggested with a bounce of his eyebrows. "You did say she and Malleus' bride had a bit of a confrontation."
"That's true… I had to pry for information the last time we talked about Malleus. I'm starting to wonder if it's a good idea for us to go to the wedding at all." Vil scowled. "Yuu will protest because she promised Malleus she'd go. Still if I explain the situation-"
"Non, non, you mustn't go over her head like that Vil. Yuu is strong, she can handle Elena. She's already proven she can stand on the same pedestal. You can't let her be scared off now."
"You're right. So the question is what SHOULD I do?" Vil scowled, leaning back in his chair.
"You help her to find love once more. Malleus may have broken her heart, but she is young, vital, beautiful, and talented. There are many young suitors who would court her willingly."
"You're right… if that's the case then I know precisely what to do." Vil got to his feet and picked up the phone to call his father. "Dad? It's me. Can you arrange a coming out party for Yuuki?"
"What's a coming out party?" Epel asked Rook as Vil spoke with his father.
"It is a kind of party, like a ball or a Gala, centered around a woman. The purpose of the ball is to let the men of higher society know that she is available to marry so that they may potentially court her. Since Yuu wasn't launched properly into society like most young women of her age, Vil wants to rectify it. It'll help her secure a proper husband in the future."
"Proper?" Epel tucked his tongue in his cheek. "By that you mean rich?"
"No no, my friend. Not all who have money fall into this category. When I say proper husband, I mean a man who will seriously court her for the purpose of finding a wife. There are many men out there who would toy with Yuu's affections for simple pleasures. Vil wants to make sure the next man Yuu falls for has genuine intentions of making her an honest woman."
"How come women are expected to marry so early in life when men are not?" Epel questioned. "Doesn't seem fair."
"Unfortunately that is the way of our society." Rook said with a heavy sigh. "Women do not have as many prospects as men. In order to gain any kind of title or recognition they need to be born, adopted, or married into a family of wealth or social standing. Otherwise they're only seen as accessories to the men in their life. Vil was worried for Yuu because she has no family nor association with anyone in this world. So when he witnessed Yuu's talent and promise, he felt it would be a waste were she to be lost in the shadows of society. He's doing all he can to give her the life he feels she deserves. Do you understand?"
"Yeah, I get it… but I still think it's unfair." He sighed.
"Oui… women are a precious thing in this world and should be cherished. Especially by the men who love them."
"Thank you, Dad. I will make sure she's prepared for the event." Vil hung up smiling. "It's all set. Dad will find a date to work around our schedules, and set it up with Crowley to host it right here on campus."
"Splendid!" Rook announced with applause. "We must pick out the perfect dress for the event. Yuu must shine brighter than ever before!"
"Don't you think we should ask Yuu if she even wants a coming out party?" Epel huffed. "She's already got a lot on her plate, and you're asking her to do more?"
"Yuu entrusted me to schedule her professional career." Vil flicked his bangs with a smug smile. "This ball will have the richest and most influential people invited, and will be vital to said professional career. There's no reason for her to refuse."