Ni-hao! This is "Flower of the Ball."
Both Callie and Feral are invited to the Fleur Ball, the first major social event at Epsilon...and both have their reasons not to attend. Why does it take some prodding to get both to attend? How come Callie doesn't have any friends...except for P-chan? Also, Feral finally meets Alisa Mifurr.
Author's note and warning: Slim notes this time.
Same warning as before.
Ah, those beloved tweener chapters! This is one of them. A new character is introduced.
As always, send any comments or questions to AkaneKitty@aol.com. Or, drop me a line in my review section at Fanfiction.net. Enjoy!
Ja ne,
AkaneKitty
*******************
Epsilon:
Flower of the Ball
*******************
"Mmm..."
Feral yawns, stretching to wake himself from a deep sleep. He sits up in his bed and takes a look around. Callie was already up and about the dorm, but P-chan was still asleep. The little pig was snug in his pouch that was tied to Callie's bed post.
"Buu..." P-chan's light snoring could be heard.
Feral begins to stretch again. This time, his eye catches the familiar glint of his ring. He looks at it.
"All I have is this ring." Feral thinks aloud. "It's the only proof I had that I actually met her."
"The phantom castle...the Rose Bride..." Feral adjusts his ring. "Could this have possibly led me to all of this?"
Feral's thoughts are broken when Callie enters the room, all dressed for the day. She smiles at him.
"Good morning, Uly-sama! Breakfast is served."
**************************************************
"I'm done."
Thirty minutes later, and Feral was finishing up eating his breakfast...another one of those full course meals. Callie was drinking her tea while Feral opts for his coffee.
The dinning room was quiet...too quiet for Feral's tastes. He was used to the din of conversation. Now, it was just him and Callie.
"Everyday..." Feral says, placing his mug down onto the table. "Will we ever have company?"
"Isn't it nice how quiet it is?" Callie says, still sipping her tea.
"Umm..."
"Yes?"
"I know you keep to yourself around campus and all." Feral looks at Callie. "But, is it true you have no friends?"
"Yes, I do." Callie points to P-chan, who was sitting on the table. "Right here."
"Buu." P-chan snorts, finishing off a glass of milk. After doing so, he tries to pull his snout from out of the glass, but it was stuck. Feral finally frees him.
"Well...I suppose he is...but..."
************************************************
The morning's events aside, Feral and Callie begin to make their way to the campus. Feral tosses his briefcase over this shoulder, while Callie holds hers in front of her.
"And, Calico...You can stop calling me 'Uly-sama.'" Feral says to her.
Callie blinks. "I shouldn't?"
"Look! It's Commander Feral!"
"Huh?" Callie is startled by the voice and begins to look around.
"Commander-sama! Good morning, sir!" A collective group of voices come from some loitering student officers, all of the female.
Feral nods to them. "Morning!"
"Commander-sama! Good morning, sir!"
"Morning!" Feral continues to acknowledge the students...then blushes slightly when he sees Callie looking at him.
"All right...my subordinates can call me Commander-sama." Feral continues to blushes as he casts a sidelong glance at Callie. "But...it sounds weird when you say it."
"But, I'm engaged to you, Uly-sama-"
"And, will you cut it out with that 'engaged' and 'Rose Bride' business?" Feral cuts her off, slightly agitated.
"But...."
"Look...No offense, but I don't like for my life to be arranged like that." Feral stops walking. "I don't want a bride right now...I'm still in the chasing stage."
"Well...I'm glad to hear *that*..."
Feral turns toward the voice, and a tall, raven-haired she-kat emerges from the shadows. She wore a high-collared jacket(complete with the bars of a Commander) composed of purple with black trim. It was with a matching long skirt, with a slit over her leg.
"Hello." She smiles, her blue eyes striking Feral the most. "I'm Commander Alisa Mifurr. Executive Council President and SpecialOps leader. Pleased to meet you, Commander."
Feral really didn't know what to think of the tan she-kat. "Pleased to meet you, too."
"Good morning, Commander!" Callie pipes up from behind Feral.
"You know her?"
"She *is* the Rose Bride, you know." Alisa walks towards them.
"So...You're into the Duels, too?" Feral asks.
Alisa leans toward him and whispers. "Have you told anyone?"
"Are you serious?" Feral balks. "I would never say something so crazy!"
"Great." Alisa smiles, tossing her wavy hair over her shoulder. "How very noble of you, Commander."
"...Call me Ulysses."
"Very well." Alisa glances at the clock tower. "Unfortunately, I have a meeting to attend."
"Don't let me keep you."
Alisa smiles. "Until we meet again, Ulysses...Preferably at the Ball."
Feral blinks. "Ball?"
Alisa says nothing, doing a little wave and walking away...still smiling.
********************************************
"If it cannot break its shell, the chick will die without being born."
"We are the chick."
"The world is our egg."
"If we don't break the World's shell, we will die without truly being born."
"Smash the World's Shell!"
"For the revolution of the world!"
******************************************
"Yesterday, Steele fought Feral again..." Alisa says to Jake and Chance, who were sitting at their usual places. "...and lost."
Jake clicks his pen.
"Steele hasn't left his room since then." Jake says, dutifully taking notes. "I don't think he'll show up for morning exercises."
"Never mind him. What about Feral?" Chance crosses his arms. "Is he trying to bring the Revolution like the rest of us?"
"No. He's different." Alisa says. "It looks like he hasn't gotten a letter from World's End."
Chance looks at her. "Then...why is he wearing the rose seal?"
"Yes..." Alisa smiles. "Why indeed?"
********************************************
It was now lunch time, and Feral was enjoying his lunch(that Callie had made) from a spot above the Commons. From his position, he could see Alisa lecturing some subordinates, who were listening to her with rapt attention, and most of all...taking notes. Feral could only wish his subordinates did that.
Alisa was a striking she-kat, Feral had to admit. And, that was probably one of the many reasons she had such power.
But, even with all that, she was a bit too obvious for his tastes.
"Ul-yss-es!"
Feral barely has enough time to turn around before Renee attempts to glomp him. He catches her.
"You...are going to be the death of me..." Feral says to her.
"Oh?" Renee spots what Feral was looking at. "Ah...Commander Mifurr."
"Know anything?"
"All the rumors say she's just a female version of a playkat." Renee takes a seat. "But, that's just the rumor. The higher ranking she-kat's seem to hate her for some reason."
"Really?"
"Yes." Renee looks at him. "So, how is your dorm? Did you get your single?"
"Nope." Feral sighs a little.
"Oh. Too bad. Who are you rooming with?"
"Calico Briggs."
Renee blinks. "Really?"
"What's wrong?" Feral looks at her.
"Stay clear."
"Stay clear?"
"I heard rumors about what she did to a popular kat." Renee says.
"Rumors?"
****************************************************
A slap is heard.
Callie finds herself backed against a wall, and she clutches her cheek. Three she-kats surround her.
"It's all your fault!" The tall, brunette she-kat, obviously the leader, snaps. "Steele is ruined because you made a fool out of him!"
"He won't even come out of his room, and PsychOps is suffering!" The middle she-kat, a red-head, follows the brunette's lead.
"You witch!" The small one states.
"We want our leader back!"
Callie says nothing, still clutching her cheek.
"Why don't you say something?!"
"What's going on here?"
The group of she-kats turn around. "Lieutenant Mifurr!"
"What can be causing this uproar?" A poised, blonde she-kat asks. She was a middle ranked officer, and just above the group's heads. "If there is a problem, go to the Council with it!"
"Oh, no!"
"That's okay!"
"Excuse us!" The group of she-kats quickly leaves, leaving Callie behind.
"Are you all right?" Lt. Mifurr walks towards her.
"Yes...thank you." Callie finally straightens up. "Your name is Kei, right?"
"Yes." Kei smiles. She had the same striking blue eyes like her sister Alisa. "I'm starting to see why you're so popular with the kats, Ms. Briggs."
Callie looks at her.
"Even the lower ranks are talking about you." Kei continues. "So, that's why the Executive Council invited you to the Ball."
"Ball?"
"Yes. The Fleur Ball is for selected ranked officials of Epsilon. A social sort of affair...invitation only. They would just love to have you there, Ms. Briggs." Kei smiles again. "And, I have been wanting to get know you for a long time."
"Oh..."
"The Ball is this weekend at my sister's residence, the Presidential House." Kei says, beginning to walk away. "Be looking for your invitation soon."
*******************************************************
Later that night...an intense card game is being played.
Upstairs in her and Feral's room, Callie studies her cards. She then reaches across the table she was sitting and picks a card from her opponent. She looks at it.
A Joker.
"Oh, no!" Callie exclaims. "I fell for it!"
Feral looks at her. "Umm...Calico..."
"Yes?" Callie looks up from her cards.
"Is it really true you have no friends?"
"I do. Right here." Callie points at her opponent.
"Buu." P-chan replies, precariously holding some cards.
"Well..." Feral sighs. "I suppose he is...but..."
A few seconds later, the doorbell is heard. A voice calls out: "I have a delivery for Commander Feral and Ms. Briggs."
*************************************************************
"As you have been invited to this year's Fleur Ball, the Executive Council has provided Ms. Briggs with this dress." The delivery kat, one of Mifurr's lower ranking officers, explains.
Callie holds it in front of her. It was a pink and purple Siamese dress...very sophisticated.
"Wow, Calico." Feral says after a moment.
"But, what about you?" Callie asks.
"What?"
"Oh, that's right." The officer says, handing Feral a slim box. "This delivery is for Commander Feral, from Commander Mifurr."
"*Huh? For me?*" Feral thinks. "*What for? I didn't get an invitation to that Ball.*"
"I believe there's an invitation and a message card in the box." The officer salutes Feral. "If you'll excuse me..."
The officer leaves, and Feral opens his box. "Wow. Even though I hate stuffy affairs and hate playing dress up, Mifurr has good taste."
In the box was a black jacket and pants, with a white high collared shirt. He sighs.
"Are you going to the Ball, Uly-sama?" Callie asks.
"I doubt it." Feral shrugs. "I don't like them."
"Then neither will I." Callie says, beginning to put the dress away.
"Huh? Why not?"
"I don't like places with lots of kats." Callie places the dress on a hanger in the closet. "Everyone's face begins to look the same, and I get scared."
Feral couldn't help but feel sorry for her.
Callie picks up her cards. "All right. Now it's P-chan's turn."
"What? You should go, Calico! You have to go!" Feral says to her. "You need friends!"
"Buu?" P-chan points to himself.
"Yeah...I know, P-chan... but..." Feral looks back at Callie. "You need more!"
Callie smiles at him. "If you say so, Uly-sama."
"Ah...Good."
****************************************************
Later on that night, Feral finally has the chance to read Alisa's message card.
See you on the night of the Ball, noble one.
-Alisa Mifurr.
Feral snorts. "Honestly...she's trying too hard."
*****************************************************
That weekend...on the night of the Ball...
The Fleur Ball was in full swing. Being the first social event of the year, everyone was taking the opportunity to mingle. The Presidential House threw great parties.
Alisa Mifurr, dressed in a simple, short purple dress with a purple wrap, stands on the balcony of her home. She looks at the starry sky...and the forest. She nurses her drink.
"Why are you out here all alone, Sister? Come join the party!"
Alisa turns to face Kei, all deck out in a flowing gown. "I was reflecting."
"Don't reflect too long. I have a surprise for you." Kei smiles.
"Oh?"
"Come inside!" Kei grabs Alisa's paw and leads her into the House.
*********************************************************
"They say you'll be together forever with the kat you dance with tonight."
"Last year, Ami and Roy danced together and broke up the next day."
Jake clicks his pen.
"Jeez, Chance. Why are you so pessimistic?" Jake says, smoothing his dark blue suit. "It can happen, you know."
"I wouldn't know anything about that." Chance, dressed in a similar blue suit, takes a sip of milk.
"Haven't you carried that blight of yours far too long?"
"...I wouldn't know anything about that."
"Fine."
"By the way...where's your sister?" Chance asks.
"Azure wasn't invited. Had a mild fit about it, too." Jake sighs.
"Because of Kei?"
"Because of Kei."
Chance chuckles.
****************************************************
"So...what's this surprise you have for me?" Alisa asks.
Kei smiles. "Look at the entranceway."
"Huh?"
"Look! It's Commander Feral!" Someone calls out.
There is the entranceway, was Feral in his new suit. Callie was right besides him. The banter of the female invites turns to talk about Feral.
"Commander Feral out of uniform?"
"He looks great in his uniform, but now he looks even better!"
"Happy, Sister?" Kei asks. "All you ever talk about now is Calico Briggs, so I invited her for you."
Kei walks away, and Alisa is left standing there.
"Yes...Ulysses..."
********************************************************
"I knew I shouldn't have come." Feral grumbles, embarrassed at the attention he's getting.
"Forgive me, Uly-sama." Callie bows her head. "You're embarrassing yourself just for my sake."
"Embarrassing myself?" Feral looks at her. "Is it that obvious?"
"There you are! I'm so glad you came, Ms. Briggs."
Both Feral and Callie turn to see Kei walking towards them.
"Kei-san..." Callie says.
"You look wonderful!" Kei continues, grabbing Callie's paw. "You must come with me."
"But..." Callie protests, but gets pulled away.
"Well...That's nice." Feral crosses his arms. "She does have a friend."
"So wonderful!"
Feral sees Alisa walking towards him. Again, she was a striking she-kat."
"I'm glad my selection worked out." Alisa continues, smiling. "You look so handsome."
"You do have excellent tastes...but this isn't my type of scene."
Alisa leans in closer. "We can always go someplace where we can be alone."
Feral blinks at that.
*****************************************************
Kei leads Callie through a group of kats and she-kats, and then stops.
"Oh, I have something to do. Please wait here." Kei releases Callie's paw and walks away.
"But..." Callie starts, but Kei was already gone. She begins to look around, but...
Every face...staring at her. She was surrounded by faces, all of them beginning to look the same.
Callie couldn't stand it. But, she couldn't do anything.
Meanwhile, Kei watches from a distance. The group that harassed Callie earlier in the week walks up to her.
"Kei-sama, your plan is working perfectly." The brunette, named Aiko says. "She looks quite distressed."
"Yes, it is." Kei smiles. "Soon, everyone will know what kind of freak she really is. Maybe my sister and Jake will stop obsessing over her."
The group laughs. Kei tosses her hair back.
"If only getting rid of Azure was this easy..."
********************************************************************
"Ladies and gentlekats, The Fleur dance shall be starting shortly. Please pick your partners."
"Oh! Did you hear that?" Alisa had somehow linked her arm with Feral. "That would be nice. You know, there's a rumor about this dance..."
Feral tunes her out. Something didn't feel right. He begins looking for Callie. He finally spots her, in a group of kats, looking petrified. Feral then remembers Callie's words:
"*Everyone's face begins to look the same, and I get scared.*"
"...So, shall we dance?" Alisa asks.
"I'm sorry." Feral releases Alisa's arm. "Excuse me, please."
"Huh?" Alisa is shocked. She then crosses her arms. "Damn it. It was working so well, too."
*************************************************************
"Calico!"
Callie, still in state of panic, looks up to see Feral standing before her. "Uly-sama..."
"Shall we dance?" Feral grabs her paw and pulls her close to him.
The music starts on cue, and Feral and Callie join the others that had started dancing as well.
Jake and Chance look down from the their position on top of some stairs.
"Well, it looks like Alisa is batting a thousand." Chance laughs a bit.
"Feral doesn't strike me as the type to sway easily." Jake says.
"Is that true, Major?"
"Ma'am." Jake straightens up as Alisa joins them.
"Why are you trying so hard, Commander?" Chance asks.
"I like him."
"Even though he's engaged to the Rose Bride?" Jake asks.
Alisa smiles. "An engagement hasn't stopped anyone."
"I see..."
"Jake!" Kei runs up to him. "You promised me a dance!"
Jake looks confused. "I did?"
"Yes!" Kei pulls him away.
Alisa chuckles and glances at Chance. "It looks like it's just you and me, Major."
Chance nods. "Shall we?"
Alisa links arms with Chance, and they join the dancers.
**********************************************************
Hours later...
Some subordinates were cleaning up the Presidential House...and grumbling. Looks like they couldn't clean up as fast as they wanted.
For Callie and Feral were still on the dance floor...dancing to their own music.
To be continued...
Both Callie and Feral are invited to the Fleur Ball, the first major social event at Epsilon...and both have their reasons not to attend. Why does it take some prodding to get both to attend? How come Callie doesn't have any friends...except for P-chan? Also, Feral finally meets Alisa Mifurr.
Author's note and warning: Slim notes this time.
Same warning as before.
Ah, those beloved tweener chapters! This is one of them. A new character is introduced.
As always, send any comments or questions to AkaneKitty@aol.com. Or, drop me a line in my review section at Fanfiction.net. Enjoy!
Ja ne,
AkaneKitty
*******************
Epsilon:
Flower of the Ball
*******************
"Mmm..."
Feral yawns, stretching to wake himself from a deep sleep. He sits up in his bed and takes a look around. Callie was already up and about the dorm, but P-chan was still asleep. The little pig was snug in his pouch that was tied to Callie's bed post.
"Buu..." P-chan's light snoring could be heard.
Feral begins to stretch again. This time, his eye catches the familiar glint of his ring. He looks at it.
"All I have is this ring." Feral thinks aloud. "It's the only proof I had that I actually met her."
"The phantom castle...the Rose Bride..." Feral adjusts his ring. "Could this have possibly led me to all of this?"
Feral's thoughts are broken when Callie enters the room, all dressed for the day. She smiles at him.
"Good morning, Uly-sama! Breakfast is served."
**************************************************
"I'm done."
Thirty minutes later, and Feral was finishing up eating his breakfast...another one of those full course meals. Callie was drinking her tea while Feral opts for his coffee.
The dinning room was quiet...too quiet for Feral's tastes. He was used to the din of conversation. Now, it was just him and Callie.
"Everyday..." Feral says, placing his mug down onto the table. "Will we ever have company?"
"Isn't it nice how quiet it is?" Callie says, still sipping her tea.
"Umm..."
"Yes?"
"I know you keep to yourself around campus and all." Feral looks at Callie. "But, is it true you have no friends?"
"Yes, I do." Callie points to P-chan, who was sitting on the table. "Right here."
"Buu." P-chan snorts, finishing off a glass of milk. After doing so, he tries to pull his snout from out of the glass, but it was stuck. Feral finally frees him.
"Well...I suppose he is...but..."
************************************************
The morning's events aside, Feral and Callie begin to make their way to the campus. Feral tosses his briefcase over this shoulder, while Callie holds hers in front of her.
"And, Calico...You can stop calling me 'Uly-sama.'" Feral says to her.
Callie blinks. "I shouldn't?"
"Look! It's Commander Feral!"
"Huh?" Callie is startled by the voice and begins to look around.
"Commander-sama! Good morning, sir!" A collective group of voices come from some loitering student officers, all of the female.
Feral nods to them. "Morning!"
"Commander-sama! Good morning, sir!"
"Morning!" Feral continues to acknowledge the students...then blushes slightly when he sees Callie looking at him.
"All right...my subordinates can call me Commander-sama." Feral continues to blushes as he casts a sidelong glance at Callie. "But...it sounds weird when you say it."
"But, I'm engaged to you, Uly-sama-"
"And, will you cut it out with that 'engaged' and 'Rose Bride' business?" Feral cuts her off, slightly agitated.
"But...."
"Look...No offense, but I don't like for my life to be arranged like that." Feral stops walking. "I don't want a bride right now...I'm still in the chasing stage."
"Well...I'm glad to hear *that*..."
Feral turns toward the voice, and a tall, raven-haired she-kat emerges from the shadows. She wore a high-collared jacket(complete with the bars of a Commander) composed of purple with black trim. It was with a matching long skirt, with a slit over her leg.
"Hello." She smiles, her blue eyes striking Feral the most. "I'm Commander Alisa Mifurr. Executive Council President and SpecialOps leader. Pleased to meet you, Commander."
Feral really didn't know what to think of the tan she-kat. "Pleased to meet you, too."
"Good morning, Commander!" Callie pipes up from behind Feral.
"You know her?"
"She *is* the Rose Bride, you know." Alisa walks towards them.
"So...You're into the Duels, too?" Feral asks.
Alisa leans toward him and whispers. "Have you told anyone?"
"Are you serious?" Feral balks. "I would never say something so crazy!"
"Great." Alisa smiles, tossing her wavy hair over her shoulder. "How very noble of you, Commander."
"...Call me Ulysses."
"Very well." Alisa glances at the clock tower. "Unfortunately, I have a meeting to attend."
"Don't let me keep you."
Alisa smiles. "Until we meet again, Ulysses...Preferably at the Ball."
Feral blinks. "Ball?"
Alisa says nothing, doing a little wave and walking away...still smiling.
********************************************
"If it cannot break its shell, the chick will die without being born."
"We are the chick."
"The world is our egg."
"If we don't break the World's shell, we will die without truly being born."
"Smash the World's Shell!"
"For the revolution of the world!"
******************************************
"Yesterday, Steele fought Feral again..." Alisa says to Jake and Chance, who were sitting at their usual places. "...and lost."
Jake clicks his pen.
"Steele hasn't left his room since then." Jake says, dutifully taking notes. "I don't think he'll show up for morning exercises."
"Never mind him. What about Feral?" Chance crosses his arms. "Is he trying to bring the Revolution like the rest of us?"
"No. He's different." Alisa says. "It looks like he hasn't gotten a letter from World's End."
Chance looks at her. "Then...why is he wearing the rose seal?"
"Yes..." Alisa smiles. "Why indeed?"
********************************************
It was now lunch time, and Feral was enjoying his lunch(that Callie had made) from a spot above the Commons. From his position, he could see Alisa lecturing some subordinates, who were listening to her with rapt attention, and most of all...taking notes. Feral could only wish his subordinates did that.
Alisa was a striking she-kat, Feral had to admit. And, that was probably one of the many reasons she had such power.
But, even with all that, she was a bit too obvious for his tastes.
"Ul-yss-es!"
Feral barely has enough time to turn around before Renee attempts to glomp him. He catches her.
"You...are going to be the death of me..." Feral says to her.
"Oh?" Renee spots what Feral was looking at. "Ah...Commander Mifurr."
"Know anything?"
"All the rumors say she's just a female version of a playkat." Renee takes a seat. "But, that's just the rumor. The higher ranking she-kat's seem to hate her for some reason."
"Really?"
"Yes." Renee looks at him. "So, how is your dorm? Did you get your single?"
"Nope." Feral sighs a little.
"Oh. Too bad. Who are you rooming with?"
"Calico Briggs."
Renee blinks. "Really?"
"What's wrong?" Feral looks at her.
"Stay clear."
"Stay clear?"
"I heard rumors about what she did to a popular kat." Renee says.
"Rumors?"
****************************************************
A slap is heard.
Callie finds herself backed against a wall, and she clutches her cheek. Three she-kats surround her.
"It's all your fault!" The tall, brunette she-kat, obviously the leader, snaps. "Steele is ruined because you made a fool out of him!"
"He won't even come out of his room, and PsychOps is suffering!" The middle she-kat, a red-head, follows the brunette's lead.
"You witch!" The small one states.
"We want our leader back!"
Callie says nothing, still clutching her cheek.
"Why don't you say something?!"
"What's going on here?"
The group of she-kats turn around. "Lieutenant Mifurr!"
"What can be causing this uproar?" A poised, blonde she-kat asks. She was a middle ranked officer, and just above the group's heads. "If there is a problem, go to the Council with it!"
"Oh, no!"
"That's okay!"
"Excuse us!" The group of she-kats quickly leaves, leaving Callie behind.
"Are you all right?" Lt. Mifurr walks towards her.
"Yes...thank you." Callie finally straightens up. "Your name is Kei, right?"
"Yes." Kei smiles. She had the same striking blue eyes like her sister Alisa. "I'm starting to see why you're so popular with the kats, Ms. Briggs."
Callie looks at her.
"Even the lower ranks are talking about you." Kei continues. "So, that's why the Executive Council invited you to the Ball."
"Ball?"
"Yes. The Fleur Ball is for selected ranked officials of Epsilon. A social sort of affair...invitation only. They would just love to have you there, Ms. Briggs." Kei smiles again. "And, I have been wanting to get know you for a long time."
"Oh..."
"The Ball is this weekend at my sister's residence, the Presidential House." Kei says, beginning to walk away. "Be looking for your invitation soon."
*******************************************************
Later that night...an intense card game is being played.
Upstairs in her and Feral's room, Callie studies her cards. She then reaches across the table she was sitting and picks a card from her opponent. She looks at it.
A Joker.
"Oh, no!" Callie exclaims. "I fell for it!"
Feral looks at her. "Umm...Calico..."
"Yes?" Callie looks up from her cards.
"Is it really true you have no friends?"
"I do. Right here." Callie points at her opponent.
"Buu." P-chan replies, precariously holding some cards.
"Well..." Feral sighs. "I suppose he is...but..."
A few seconds later, the doorbell is heard. A voice calls out: "I have a delivery for Commander Feral and Ms. Briggs."
*************************************************************
"As you have been invited to this year's Fleur Ball, the Executive Council has provided Ms. Briggs with this dress." The delivery kat, one of Mifurr's lower ranking officers, explains.
Callie holds it in front of her. It was a pink and purple Siamese dress...very sophisticated.
"Wow, Calico." Feral says after a moment.
"But, what about you?" Callie asks.
"What?"
"Oh, that's right." The officer says, handing Feral a slim box. "This delivery is for Commander Feral, from Commander Mifurr."
"*Huh? For me?*" Feral thinks. "*What for? I didn't get an invitation to that Ball.*"
"I believe there's an invitation and a message card in the box." The officer salutes Feral. "If you'll excuse me..."
The officer leaves, and Feral opens his box. "Wow. Even though I hate stuffy affairs and hate playing dress up, Mifurr has good taste."
In the box was a black jacket and pants, with a white high collared shirt. He sighs.
"Are you going to the Ball, Uly-sama?" Callie asks.
"I doubt it." Feral shrugs. "I don't like them."
"Then neither will I." Callie says, beginning to put the dress away.
"Huh? Why not?"
"I don't like places with lots of kats." Callie places the dress on a hanger in the closet. "Everyone's face begins to look the same, and I get scared."
Feral couldn't help but feel sorry for her.
Callie picks up her cards. "All right. Now it's P-chan's turn."
"What? You should go, Calico! You have to go!" Feral says to her. "You need friends!"
"Buu?" P-chan points to himself.
"Yeah...I know, P-chan... but..." Feral looks back at Callie. "You need more!"
Callie smiles at him. "If you say so, Uly-sama."
"Ah...Good."
****************************************************
Later on that night, Feral finally has the chance to read Alisa's message card.
See you on the night of the Ball, noble one.
-Alisa Mifurr.
Feral snorts. "Honestly...she's trying too hard."
*****************************************************
That weekend...on the night of the Ball...
The Fleur Ball was in full swing. Being the first social event of the year, everyone was taking the opportunity to mingle. The Presidential House threw great parties.
Alisa Mifurr, dressed in a simple, short purple dress with a purple wrap, stands on the balcony of her home. She looks at the starry sky...and the forest. She nurses her drink.
"Why are you out here all alone, Sister? Come join the party!"
Alisa turns to face Kei, all deck out in a flowing gown. "I was reflecting."
"Don't reflect too long. I have a surprise for you." Kei smiles.
"Oh?"
"Come inside!" Kei grabs Alisa's paw and leads her into the House.
*********************************************************
"They say you'll be together forever with the kat you dance with tonight."
"Last year, Ami and Roy danced together and broke up the next day."
Jake clicks his pen.
"Jeez, Chance. Why are you so pessimistic?" Jake says, smoothing his dark blue suit. "It can happen, you know."
"I wouldn't know anything about that." Chance, dressed in a similar blue suit, takes a sip of milk.
"Haven't you carried that blight of yours far too long?"
"...I wouldn't know anything about that."
"Fine."
"By the way...where's your sister?" Chance asks.
"Azure wasn't invited. Had a mild fit about it, too." Jake sighs.
"Because of Kei?"
"Because of Kei."
Chance chuckles.
****************************************************
"So...what's this surprise you have for me?" Alisa asks.
Kei smiles. "Look at the entranceway."
"Huh?"
"Look! It's Commander Feral!" Someone calls out.
There is the entranceway, was Feral in his new suit. Callie was right besides him. The banter of the female invites turns to talk about Feral.
"Commander Feral out of uniform?"
"He looks great in his uniform, but now he looks even better!"
"Happy, Sister?" Kei asks. "All you ever talk about now is Calico Briggs, so I invited her for you."
Kei walks away, and Alisa is left standing there.
"Yes...Ulysses..."
********************************************************
"I knew I shouldn't have come." Feral grumbles, embarrassed at the attention he's getting.
"Forgive me, Uly-sama." Callie bows her head. "You're embarrassing yourself just for my sake."
"Embarrassing myself?" Feral looks at her. "Is it that obvious?"
"There you are! I'm so glad you came, Ms. Briggs."
Both Feral and Callie turn to see Kei walking towards them.
"Kei-san..." Callie says.
"You look wonderful!" Kei continues, grabbing Callie's paw. "You must come with me."
"But..." Callie protests, but gets pulled away.
"Well...That's nice." Feral crosses his arms. "She does have a friend."
"So wonderful!"
Feral sees Alisa walking towards him. Again, she was a striking she-kat."
"I'm glad my selection worked out." Alisa continues, smiling. "You look so handsome."
"You do have excellent tastes...but this isn't my type of scene."
Alisa leans in closer. "We can always go someplace where we can be alone."
Feral blinks at that.
*****************************************************
Kei leads Callie through a group of kats and she-kats, and then stops.
"Oh, I have something to do. Please wait here." Kei releases Callie's paw and walks away.
"But..." Callie starts, but Kei was already gone. She begins to look around, but...
Every face...staring at her. She was surrounded by faces, all of them beginning to look the same.
Callie couldn't stand it. But, she couldn't do anything.
Meanwhile, Kei watches from a distance. The group that harassed Callie earlier in the week walks up to her.
"Kei-sama, your plan is working perfectly." The brunette, named Aiko says. "She looks quite distressed."
"Yes, it is." Kei smiles. "Soon, everyone will know what kind of freak she really is. Maybe my sister and Jake will stop obsessing over her."
The group laughs. Kei tosses her hair back.
"If only getting rid of Azure was this easy..."
********************************************************************
"Ladies and gentlekats, The Fleur dance shall be starting shortly. Please pick your partners."
"Oh! Did you hear that?" Alisa had somehow linked her arm with Feral. "That would be nice. You know, there's a rumor about this dance..."
Feral tunes her out. Something didn't feel right. He begins looking for Callie. He finally spots her, in a group of kats, looking petrified. Feral then remembers Callie's words:
"*Everyone's face begins to look the same, and I get scared.*"
"...So, shall we dance?" Alisa asks.
"I'm sorry." Feral releases Alisa's arm. "Excuse me, please."
"Huh?" Alisa is shocked. She then crosses her arms. "Damn it. It was working so well, too."
*************************************************************
"Calico!"
Callie, still in state of panic, looks up to see Feral standing before her. "Uly-sama..."
"Shall we dance?" Feral grabs her paw and pulls her close to him.
The music starts on cue, and Feral and Callie join the others that had started dancing as well.
Jake and Chance look down from the their position on top of some stairs.
"Well, it looks like Alisa is batting a thousand." Chance laughs a bit.
"Feral doesn't strike me as the type to sway easily." Jake says.
"Is that true, Major?"
"Ma'am." Jake straightens up as Alisa joins them.
"Why are you trying so hard, Commander?" Chance asks.
"I like him."
"Even though he's engaged to the Rose Bride?" Jake asks.
Alisa smiles. "An engagement hasn't stopped anyone."
"I see..."
"Jake!" Kei runs up to him. "You promised me a dance!"
Jake looks confused. "I did?"
"Yes!" Kei pulls him away.
Alisa chuckles and glances at Chance. "It looks like it's just you and me, Major."
Chance nods. "Shall we?"
Alisa links arms with Chance, and they join the dancers.
**********************************************************
Hours later...
Some subordinates were cleaning up the Presidential House...and grumbling. Looks like they couldn't clean up as fast as they wanted.
For Callie and Feral were still on the dance floor...dancing to their own music.
To be continued...