Chapter Twenty-Two

Gretchen woke me up again. It was earlier than before. Six. I was still groggy from sleep as I staggered to the kitchen. I passed the many closed doors of the inn. Lately, a lot of people suddenly came and rented the rooms. When I reached the last door, it opened and hit me pointblank on the face. I shrieked in surprise but then, it woke me up from my sleepiness.

"Huh?" a voice said.

"What?"

"Elle? I'm so sorry!" It was said in Ayorthaian. Ivinia.

"Ivinia? You're awake?" I looked at her. She looked more awake than me. Her dark blonde hair was tidier than my limp, currently unkempt hair, and her brown eyes twinkled with energy. "Ivinia…it's six."

She laughed. "I know it's six Elle. I always wake up at six while in Ayortha. And those roosters were crowing a bit loudly."

"Oh."

"What are you doing so early?"

"I'm going marketing. It's my job."

"Can I come? I promise I won't be a burden. I might even be of some help." Ivinia offered.

"Sure. At least I wouldn't get lost again."

Ivinia and I went down to the kitchen. Gretchen was there, stirring another huge pot of ale. She gave me the list and the KJs while in a trance.

"What's wrong with her?" Ivinia asked me when we went out.

I shrugged. "She's always like that."

Ivinia wasn't a stranger to Bast. She knew the way to the market. She was of great help. I didn't get lost again. She helped me with the baskets that were a lot more than before. The list was even longer. Probably twice the length of Mum Olga's list. Maybe even thrice! The vendors must be happy to see me. They earned a lot of money because of the abundance of the food needed. They must have not forgotten me during my last visit. And still, I couldn't help but notice that their faces would light up everytime I would pass by. I visited every stall and every stall the vendors would try to show me the best of all the herbs, spices, meat…everything. I wouldn't be surprised if they bragged about the inn called Gretchen's Inn buying food from them and turning it into delicious dishes. This amused Ivinia. Who wouldn't be?

"How many times have you been in Bast?" I asked Ivinia when we were going back.

"Hmm…if you count the one time I stopped here for a rest…seven."

"You seem to know every nook and cranny here."

"Really?" Ivinia raised her eyebrows. "Elle, you do wonder why I am here, right?"

"Now that you said it, yes."

"Guess."

An order.

"You couldn't be here to visit a relative because if you are, you shouldn't be staying at an inn." I said.

"Right."

"And certainly not that you live here." I couldn't guess any longer. But the curse was nagging me. "Do I still have to guess?"

"Alright. You can stop."

The symptoms stopped. "So why are you here?"

"You really don't know."

"That's why I'm asking."

"Elle, don't you know anything about the Basten Ball?"

"No. Frell is a long way from here."

"What? We Ayorthaians know about it! Or rather, my mother. She was a Basten."

"I have no idea about it! I never really cared about anyway, I don't live in Bast."

"A lot of influential people go there. That's why I'm here."

"You're influential?" I teased.

"Hardly." Ivinia smirked. "My mother, she is. She was always present at the Basten Balls. She never missed one."

"So where is she then."

"Mother became sick all of a sudden. Slight flu but then she kept complaining about splitting headaches. She was desolate that she couldn't come but the headaches and fevers were worse. So here I am representing her."

"But why with Cedric?"

"Cedric was forced to go. Remember he talks Ayorthaian. I, unfortunately, only understand Ayorthaian. My father was an only child meaning I have no cousins from him. Mother had one brother. Cedric was his only child and the only one who knows how to speak Ayorthaian. Thus, I'm stuck with him."

"Small family. But then you are lucky that someone speaks Ayorthaian."

"Unfortunately, the only who speaks Ayorthaian is Cedric. Good grief! Elle, he is a brat!"

"He is? I suppose. He was running away from you!"

"Elle, that's the least of the troubles he gives me! I still couldn't believe that I am just a month older than him!"

We both laughed.

"What is the Basten Ball? Probably an ordinary one."

Ivinia looked insulted. "No! You know that Bastens don't have masquerades, right?" I nodded. "Well this is the only masquerade for the whole year!"

"So why do they celebrate it?"

"What date is it?"

I thought. "December 27."

"The Basten Ball is always in December 31. Four days from now."

"Yes but why do they celebrate it?"

"The Basten Ball is celebrated because of the new year. The masks represent the old years. The ball starts at about eight o'clock. All the people there should wear masks until twelve. You see, they believe that removing the masks meant shedding of the past year and welcoming the new year. That's why they don't have masquerades during the rest of the year. According to the Basten tradition, putting back the masks mean that you aren't accepting the present year and is regretting the fact there is one. It is a bit strange but then it's tradition." Ivinia explained.

"So you mean to say that you are going here just for that?"

"Of course. Didn't I just tell you?"

"Where do you get the masks?"

"People sell them usually at December 30."

"Can anyone come?"

"Of course! Do you want to?"

"I'm not very interested in that," suddenly the predicament with Char during his balls went in my head, "And bad things usually happen to me whenever I attend balls." Like the time I almost endangered Char and Kyrria by attending those balls as Lela.

"Really?" Ivinia said amusedly.

"Really. I almost killed someone because of that." It wasn't a lie.

"You're joking. Balls are harmless and karma has nothing to do with it."

"Karma? Ivinia, there are bad things that happened to me during balls."

"Tell me one."

I thought. I certainly couldn't tell her about the one with Char. Then I realized I was lying about the things that happened to me during balls.

"I made a fool of myself by going near someone." I said. That someone was Char. It was partly true, partly a lie. And I didn't make a fool of myself. I endangered Char and Kyrria.

"What happened? You slipped and fell flat on your face?" Ivinia laughed.

"Yes, I slipped." I lied.

"Well that's bad for you. Who was it?"

"No one. End of discussion. I wouldn't want to talk about my embarrassing moment."

Ivinia understood. Thankfully.

"So do you want to go?"

"I suppose it would be fun…"

"You could go with us! Me and Cedric."

Cedric? He must have been still annoyed about last night. But then, it was a long time since I attended. It wouldn't hurt to have fun after a long time and Char would obviously not be there.

"Sure!" I replied.

When we came back, I saw a lot of tables and chairs being moved in. It was the new furniture. Three tables and seven chairs. At least people wouldn't stand up while eating. But then, more tables meant more people eating here, and more tables to clean. Speaking of people, they were there already. Gretchen appeared once more and dragged me to the kitchen. Ivinia followed with the baskets. After that, she left and went to her room.

The day passed by like before. Or maybe not. It was busier than before because of the added tables and chairs. I have to clean it but then, the people didn't allow the food to be wasted and strived not to spill a crumb from it. Ivinia and Cedric went out. I didn't know where. They were lucky. They could come out of this inn, and enjoy Bast. Unlike me who was stuck in this inn scrubbing tables and serving food.

While helping Mandy cook, I thought about the Basten Ball. Wearing masks and taking it off at the end of the ball. Maybe that's the reason why Char didn't have any suspicions towards Lela or in other words, me. He must have thought that the only balls that I attended in Bast with a mask are the Basten balls. And he must have thought the Basten ball was just like those balls of his. When I agreed to go with Ivinia and Cedric to the ball, I guess it slipped my mind that I have no gown to where. It was ridiculous to even think about going to a ball without a gown! I gripped the ladle of the stirring spoon. How could I go? I didn't want to borrow Ivinia's gowns.  I disliked the idea of borrowing another's clothes.

"Mandy?" I said looking over my shoulder and to Mandy who was chopping onions.

"Yes, lady?" she replied not taking her eyes off the chopping board.

"Did you happen to bring my mother's gowns when you left?"

"Of course. Why do you think it took me long to pack? I figured it would be of use."

"You did!"

"Yes I did."

I almost dropped the spoon into the soup because of joy. I wanted to hug Mandy! I didn't worry about the shoes. My glass slippers were with me. I didn't mind even if I don't have jewelry. No one would notice. The mask. I still have the one from the last three balls. It was still usable. I had everything to go there. I was certain that by going there, I would take a break from everything including Char.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 Yeah she's going to the balls!!!! What will happen…? Hmmm…. I spent one whole night just thinking about this!!! Well the reason is because it would be very BIG. I'll give you all a hint: At the balls something would happen between Ella, Ivinia, Cedric, Larissa, and Vanessa—especially between Ella, Larissa, and Cedric. Just think about it, ok? Hey I just noticed that Larissa and Vanessa both end with –ssa! They are really sisters. I didn't plan this, I swear. I've already planned the balls of course. That's the only thing I've been thinking about. And Faeriegurl is right! Larissa is the blonde-haired girl. I told you all it's obvious. Who else could have danced with Char for a lot of times? And as for Vanessa…I'll think about it. I have big, big plans for her physical attributes. And her personality is no stranger to you. I know I have mentioned it through Ella's thoughts and it was obvious in her diary. This chapter, well it's just a quick look at the Basten Ball. And I also placed it there because I know Ivinia and Cedric won't go to Bast without a reason. And What If is not What If without a ball!!! I love inventing the balls too!! Heehee, hope you like the chapter!

pS

I have a joint fic!!!!! Claidi and moonlight rhapsody!!! Please read it! I mean it is Harry Potter…even if it's not my cup of tea lately.

Thanks to the reviewers!

Ironic Paradise, Little Comet, zumamoonlight, cool camzy blue, Christa, yuki amura, hime, don't-ask, Spirit Star, Impulse_K9, Natasha, speech_leech, care the wild thing, blue-angel1204, Saturn-hime