It was the first ball Figaro had seen in years. Despite the short notice
that was given, a countless number of people had turned out for the event.
What was normally Edgar's throne room, was serving as the ballroom for the
event. A good portion of the guests were the rich, and many, many young
woman. The suddenness of the ball had led people to believe that Edgar was
possibly in some desperate search for a wife. This assumption had been put
aside when Edgar announced, despite Setzer's protest, that the ball was in
honor of the ivory haired man.
Music filled the desert castle, echoing through every hall and corridor. Edgar was busy dancing with a pretty blue eyed brunette, leading her gracefully across the floor in the midst of other dancers. Setzer sat boredly, his eyes focused, for the most part, on the wall. Celes was not yet there. Was she even coming? When would she arrive? Would she dress up for the occasion? Or simply come in what had become her normal attire, a cotton dress. Would she even speak to him? Or would she leave the moment she got a glimpse of him.
His thoughts were interrupted by an offer to dance, which he turned down flatly. The music ceased for but a moment, signaling the end of the dance, but the pause was brief, for moments later, the band picked up once more, beginning yet another.
"That was the thirteenth girl you've turned down in the last fifteen minutes! Maybe you should consider dancing with one of them." Edgar plopped down within his chair, his left elbow propping up upon the arm, his head resting within his hand as he gazed toward his snowy haired friend.
Setzer gave him somewhat of a dismissal wave, speaking in a rather uninterested manner. "The only girl I'm here for is Celes." And she still was not here... So many others had come, what if she had not seen the notice? Perhaps something happened to her on the way over. What if she had been attacked? His brows furrowed. If that had occurred, he felt sorry for whomever, or whatever would dare do such a thing. Celes was no push over.
A wiry grin slowly formed upon Edgar's lips, those dazzling blue eyes gleaming with mischief. "Well, you know," he began slowly, glancing around a moment. "Technically, Celes still belongs to Locke. Even if she shows up, which I'm sure she will, it doesn't mean she will want you. I'm not trying to discourage you... I'm just saying, perhaps dancing with some of these lovely ladies with help the situation. I can't begin to count how many questions I've been asked about my 'mysterious and most definitely attractive' friend." A hand slid up, brushing aside a few wisps of hair that had fallen out of place.
His lips formed a smile, and not even a moment later, Setzer's laughter spilled forth in a rich, healthy tone. "Mysterious? Most definitely attractive? These girls must be out of their heads!" He snorted, shaking his head slightly. "Besides, how would it help me in anyway, to dance with these silly birds?"
"If Celes sees that she might not be able to have you, she will try harder to get you. People want what they cannot get... Ah! If you will excuse me." Edgar slowly rose from his chair as a lovely girl with rich auburn hair, perhaps in her early twenties, it was hard to tell with women, began to approach the two of them. "I have obligations. Dance, enjoy yourself. Trust me, it will work." Giving his comrade a wink, the youthful king strode out to meet his next dance partner.
"Excuse me, sir?" The voice was soft, it's owner, a young girl, perhaps sixteen, definitely no older than eighteen. She was average height, her form slender, and evenly proportioned. The young girl had snuck up on Setzer as he lost himself in his thoughts once more. What had him distracted now, were Edgar's words. Would it really work? He slowly turned his head toward the voice, looking up into the most beautiful emerald eyes he had ever seen. They stood out on that lovely tanned face, which was framed by layer upon layer of dark, natural curls that spilled down all the way to her mid-back. Her dress was pure white, standing out greatly against the beautiful skin color. Setzer noticed she seemed somewhat timid, as if he would jump up and bite her at any moment. He couldn't help but smile.
"What is it?" He sat up within the chair, his attention completely on the young girl, awaiting to hear what he already knew she had to say. She was there to ask him to dance. When she didn't answer right away, he pressed her to speak, his voice firm, though not angry. "Well, what is it you want? Don't tell me you came to stand here and stare at me. Speak up."
It almost looked as if she were about to cry. Taking a deep breath, her lips parted, allowing the soft voice to pour forth once more, though it was just barely loud enough to be heard over the other noises that filled the room. "Would you care to dance?" She was of course, expecting him to refuse, like he had all the other girls so far that night.
"With pleasure." Setzer slowly rose to his feet, towering over the girl. It wasn't until he stood that he realized just how tiny she was. He was five foot nine and easily held a foot over her.
Taking one of her dainty hands within his own, larger one, he leaned over it, placing a kiss upon the soft, tanned flesh. A rosy tint began to form upon her cheeks. It was a shame he had no interest in the girl. Of course, it wouldn't be leading her on... It was just a dance. Edgar had danced with many girls already, surely they did not all think that he planned to make one of them his Queen.
Setzer led the young flower out onto the dance floor just as they were preparing to start another dance. He rather detested coming in during the middle of a dance, for then, one didn't get to enjoy the whole thing, and in his opinion, the experience was not the same.
The music began, and off they went, Setzer leading her about the dance floor with graceful movements, or at least, he attempted to. Much to his surprise, she was not the most graceful dancer. In fact, she seemed utterly clueless as to what she was doing. He had assumed she was the daughter of some wealthy family, and went to such events on a regular basis. It was possible she was the daughter of some wealthy man, but either she was just naturally a bad dancer, or she never got out of the house.
"You're trying to hard... Here, watch my feet. one-two-three, one-two- three, one-two-three, one-two-three..." He couldn't remember the last time he had taught someone to dance. It was definitely very amusing. By the end of the dance, she wasn't much better.
Perhaps it was because she didn't attempt to engage in idle gossip, or the fact that she was trying so hard to get it right. Whatever the reason, Setzer insisted on another dance. He couldn't let the girl walk off no better than she had come to him. What he hadn't realized, was that it would take a third, and then a fourth dance before the girl finally started to show signs of understanding for what he felt was a simple dance. By the fifth dance, she was following his lead with graceful steps. She didn't stumble and threaten to tip over when he spun her, and thankfully, she was no longer stepping all over his feet.
"What is your name?" Had it just been one dance, he would most likely have parted without bothering to inquire. Since he had spent so much of his time working with her, however, he felt inclined to ask.
"Lily." A simple name, very beautiful. If Celes had not been in the picture, perhaps he would have attempted to pursue the girl. "Setzer... it is a pleasure." The girl could only blush, and nod in agreement. My, she was so innocent.
The fifth dance turned into their sixth, then their seventh, eighth. From the side lines, four girls, close to Lily's age, stood and watched with dreamy expressions. They weren't the only ones watching, everyone seemed eager to watch the couple that just couldn't seem to part from one another, including Edgar, who had retreated to his chair for a much needed break.
"What's going on?" Another girl came to stand beside the four, golden locks pulled back from her face, held in place by a pale blue ribbon that matched the lace decorating her lovely white ball gown.
"Lily has been dancing with that mysterious friend of King Edgar's all night! He is sure to ask for her hand!" The four cried in unison, seemingly devastated.
Powder blue orbs caught a glimpse of this "mysterious friend" through the crowd, recognizing him immediately as Setzer Gabianni. All one had to do was simply glance her way, and they would be able to see the burning jealousy within her eyes. That woman was going to marry Setzer? Her Setzer? Celes wouldn't have it...
Music filled the desert castle, echoing through every hall and corridor. Edgar was busy dancing with a pretty blue eyed brunette, leading her gracefully across the floor in the midst of other dancers. Setzer sat boredly, his eyes focused, for the most part, on the wall. Celes was not yet there. Was she even coming? When would she arrive? Would she dress up for the occasion? Or simply come in what had become her normal attire, a cotton dress. Would she even speak to him? Or would she leave the moment she got a glimpse of him.
His thoughts were interrupted by an offer to dance, which he turned down flatly. The music ceased for but a moment, signaling the end of the dance, but the pause was brief, for moments later, the band picked up once more, beginning yet another.
"That was the thirteenth girl you've turned down in the last fifteen minutes! Maybe you should consider dancing with one of them." Edgar plopped down within his chair, his left elbow propping up upon the arm, his head resting within his hand as he gazed toward his snowy haired friend.
Setzer gave him somewhat of a dismissal wave, speaking in a rather uninterested manner. "The only girl I'm here for is Celes." And she still was not here... So many others had come, what if she had not seen the notice? Perhaps something happened to her on the way over. What if she had been attacked? His brows furrowed. If that had occurred, he felt sorry for whomever, or whatever would dare do such a thing. Celes was no push over.
A wiry grin slowly formed upon Edgar's lips, those dazzling blue eyes gleaming with mischief. "Well, you know," he began slowly, glancing around a moment. "Technically, Celes still belongs to Locke. Even if she shows up, which I'm sure she will, it doesn't mean she will want you. I'm not trying to discourage you... I'm just saying, perhaps dancing with some of these lovely ladies with help the situation. I can't begin to count how many questions I've been asked about my 'mysterious and most definitely attractive' friend." A hand slid up, brushing aside a few wisps of hair that had fallen out of place.
His lips formed a smile, and not even a moment later, Setzer's laughter spilled forth in a rich, healthy tone. "Mysterious? Most definitely attractive? These girls must be out of their heads!" He snorted, shaking his head slightly. "Besides, how would it help me in anyway, to dance with these silly birds?"
"If Celes sees that she might not be able to have you, she will try harder to get you. People want what they cannot get... Ah! If you will excuse me." Edgar slowly rose from his chair as a lovely girl with rich auburn hair, perhaps in her early twenties, it was hard to tell with women, began to approach the two of them. "I have obligations. Dance, enjoy yourself. Trust me, it will work." Giving his comrade a wink, the youthful king strode out to meet his next dance partner.
"Excuse me, sir?" The voice was soft, it's owner, a young girl, perhaps sixteen, definitely no older than eighteen. She was average height, her form slender, and evenly proportioned. The young girl had snuck up on Setzer as he lost himself in his thoughts once more. What had him distracted now, were Edgar's words. Would it really work? He slowly turned his head toward the voice, looking up into the most beautiful emerald eyes he had ever seen. They stood out on that lovely tanned face, which was framed by layer upon layer of dark, natural curls that spilled down all the way to her mid-back. Her dress was pure white, standing out greatly against the beautiful skin color. Setzer noticed she seemed somewhat timid, as if he would jump up and bite her at any moment. He couldn't help but smile.
"What is it?" He sat up within the chair, his attention completely on the young girl, awaiting to hear what he already knew she had to say. She was there to ask him to dance. When she didn't answer right away, he pressed her to speak, his voice firm, though not angry. "Well, what is it you want? Don't tell me you came to stand here and stare at me. Speak up."
It almost looked as if she were about to cry. Taking a deep breath, her lips parted, allowing the soft voice to pour forth once more, though it was just barely loud enough to be heard over the other noises that filled the room. "Would you care to dance?" She was of course, expecting him to refuse, like he had all the other girls so far that night.
"With pleasure." Setzer slowly rose to his feet, towering over the girl. It wasn't until he stood that he realized just how tiny she was. He was five foot nine and easily held a foot over her.
Taking one of her dainty hands within his own, larger one, he leaned over it, placing a kiss upon the soft, tanned flesh. A rosy tint began to form upon her cheeks. It was a shame he had no interest in the girl. Of course, it wouldn't be leading her on... It was just a dance. Edgar had danced with many girls already, surely they did not all think that he planned to make one of them his Queen.
Setzer led the young flower out onto the dance floor just as they were preparing to start another dance. He rather detested coming in during the middle of a dance, for then, one didn't get to enjoy the whole thing, and in his opinion, the experience was not the same.
The music began, and off they went, Setzer leading her about the dance floor with graceful movements, or at least, he attempted to. Much to his surprise, she was not the most graceful dancer. In fact, she seemed utterly clueless as to what she was doing. He had assumed she was the daughter of some wealthy family, and went to such events on a regular basis. It was possible she was the daughter of some wealthy man, but either she was just naturally a bad dancer, or she never got out of the house.
"You're trying to hard... Here, watch my feet. one-two-three, one-two- three, one-two-three, one-two-three..." He couldn't remember the last time he had taught someone to dance. It was definitely very amusing. By the end of the dance, she wasn't much better.
Perhaps it was because she didn't attempt to engage in idle gossip, or the fact that she was trying so hard to get it right. Whatever the reason, Setzer insisted on another dance. He couldn't let the girl walk off no better than she had come to him. What he hadn't realized, was that it would take a third, and then a fourth dance before the girl finally started to show signs of understanding for what he felt was a simple dance. By the fifth dance, she was following his lead with graceful steps. She didn't stumble and threaten to tip over when he spun her, and thankfully, she was no longer stepping all over his feet.
"What is your name?" Had it just been one dance, he would most likely have parted without bothering to inquire. Since he had spent so much of his time working with her, however, he felt inclined to ask.
"Lily." A simple name, very beautiful. If Celes had not been in the picture, perhaps he would have attempted to pursue the girl. "Setzer... it is a pleasure." The girl could only blush, and nod in agreement. My, she was so innocent.
The fifth dance turned into their sixth, then their seventh, eighth. From the side lines, four girls, close to Lily's age, stood and watched with dreamy expressions. They weren't the only ones watching, everyone seemed eager to watch the couple that just couldn't seem to part from one another, including Edgar, who had retreated to his chair for a much needed break.
"What's going on?" Another girl came to stand beside the four, golden locks pulled back from her face, held in place by a pale blue ribbon that matched the lace decorating her lovely white ball gown.
"Lily has been dancing with that mysterious friend of King Edgar's all night! He is sure to ask for her hand!" The four cried in unison, seemingly devastated.
Powder blue orbs caught a glimpse of this "mysterious friend" through the crowd, recognizing him immediately as Setzer Gabianni. All one had to do was simply glance her way, and they would be able to see the burning jealousy within her eyes. That woman was going to marry Setzer? Her Setzer? Celes wouldn't have it...