A/N: Wow, look out for this chapter…yikes!
xxx
Two voices drifted through the red door of the parlor. The maid, who was dusting the draperies, listened carefully, despite having no idea whom was speaking or what they were speaking about. It was an interesting conversation regardless.
"I have to be honest with you, I really don't see him as a threat," a gentleman's voice said firmly.
A woman's voice replied, sounding ruffled. "If he's not with us he's against us. Besides, he knows too much. He could ruin all of our plans on a whim." There was a pause, apparently the man was thinking. The maid stepped closer to the door, so she wouldn't miss his response. She heard a sigh.
"Well, if you really think so…do what you must. But I want no part in it, you understand?" The man demanded.
"I still don't understand why you're so soft on him!" The woman fumed.
"That's funny. I would think you, of all people, would understand."
The maid heard footsteps approaching the door and darted from the room. She was forbidden to view the inhabitants of the house she served, on penalty of death.
XXX
"I can't take this anymore! I don't know why I even bother!" Spot Conlon huffed, charging into the bedroom he and Ugly shared. Ugly looked up from the vanity, where she was preparing for yet another night out, to view her red-faced boyfriend. She tried to hide a smile. He was funny when he was angry; although if she ever told him that…She had a feeling his current mood had something to do with Roan Xavier.
She stood up and walked over to him. "Poor baby, what's wrong?" She asked, only a little patronizingly. She had to take advantage of the rare moments that she had a cooler head then he.
Spot exhaled furiously. "It's just that…he's so…" he motioned with his hands, too angry to speak. He began to pace. Suddenly, he spun around to face her. "Can I kick him out? Please, can I just kick him out?" Ugly smiled to herself. Spot liked to pretend that the only reason he let Roan stay around was because of her, not because he was actually a little afraid of him. Spot still had the faint imprint of the scar on his forehead that he'd acquired the last time they'd tangoed.
"Now, Spot," Ugly said, diplomatically, "I'm sure we can work this out. Why don't you tell me the problem."
Spot threw his hands in the air and fell onto their bed. He lay for a while, staring up at the ceiling. Finally, his voice rose up from his inert form. "He won't come to the…thing tonight." Spot hated using words like "ball" or "dance"; apparently they weren't manly enough for him.
Ugly sighed. She didn't quite understand why Spot always insisted Roan come out with them. He certainly wasn't of any use to them there. Maybe it was because, despite how cocky he acted, Spot was scared to go alone. Maybe he felt, as she did, like an imposter. And maybe it was comforting to have Roan to cling to because Spot had once thought of him as the real deal. Roan had once been something of a hero to Spot, an enigma. And Spot still needed him as a talisman to legitimacy.
Ugly sighed again. She'd promised she'd help her man, and she knew what she had to do. "I'll go talk to him," she said, grudgingly. Spot sat up.
"Really?" he asked. Ugly nodded. Spot reached his hand out to her. "Come here," he demanded. And she was well rewarded for her service.
XXX
Ugly had had every intention of talking to Roan. She'd strode down the hallway, toward his lair, still high off of Spot's kisses. But as she got closer, she began to get cold feet, so she side-stepped his room in favor of Kyro's.
She knocked gently before entering and found Kyro lying on his bed, staring up at the ceiling. He sat up and leaned against the wall, watching her with yellow eyes. Ugly had this strange image of him as a wolf, or some kind of animal because of the way he sort of cowered, keeping his eyes locked on her.
"Hi." She breathed. She couldn't remember the last time she'd been in his room. Or if she'd been in it at all. He tipped his chin in greeting. Ugly suddenly felt very awkward. It was weird to be around someone who never talked. It tended to make her want to babble on and on. It was especially awkward with Kyro because when he did talk, he'd say something deep and brilliant and make you feel like an idiot. And of course, there was that whole face-sucking history they shared. Still, Ugly's voice somehow rattled out, "Well, I'm here because Spot's upset because Roan won't come out tonight, as usual, and so I was hoping you could maybe talk to him…or something…"she finished lamely.
"Don't you absolutely hate those parties?" Kyro asked. It caught her off-guard.
"What?" she asked. But she knew the answer, and he knew she knew the answer, so he just looked at her pointedly. They were absolutely silent for a moment. Then Kyro stood up, grabbed a crumpled jacket off the floor and headed out. Ugly followed after him, trying to think of something to say, why did he always have to make her feel so stupid? But he walked into Roan's room, so she stopped short.
Ugly sighed and turned around. She would go back to Spot and just hope that Kyro would just do her the favor. He would have been disappointed to know that she ever questioned it.
XXX
Sure enough, Spot, Ugly and the ragtag crew all made it to the ball. The hall was lit, the company buzzed and the music swung. Ugly couldn't stop Kyro's question from popping up in her mind; especially when Kinea and Katie appeared in front of them holding drinks.
"Ugly! Sweetheart!" Katie squealed, grabbing onto her affectionately. Kinea smiled at her, then made a beeline for Spot, whispering something in his ear that made him smile. Ugly burned.
The group of them made there way toward the dancehall when all of the sudden, Katie stopped short.
"I've left my scarf!" She exclaimed.
"Oh no, you didn't!" Cried Kinea. "Where, at the hotel?"
Katie shook her head. "No, on that bench we stopped at," Katie had gone white. "It's my favorite scarf; I must go back and get it!"
"Of course you must," said Kinea, taking charge as usual. "But you mustn't go alone. Kyro, you must escort Katie back to that bench, she'll show you where it is." Kyro did not look happy to have orders shot at him from Kinea, but it was difficult to complain when you didn't open your mouth, so he let Katie drag him off. Kinea turned quickly back to Spot. "Now, Spot, you must come upstairs with me, there are some very important people I would like you to meet." Ugly scowled at her. She turned to Ugly, flashing her affectionate smile. "You must come, too, of course. It isn't right for Spot to just leave you alone at these things." Ugly couldn't help but feel a twinge of gratitude toward Kinea for pointing this out. Kinea reached out her arm and locked elbows with Ugly. Then she turned to Roan, shoving her drink into his hands. "I think the bar's over there, dear," she hissed. Ugly thought this was a bit rude, but they apparently had bad blood between them. Besides, it's not like Roan was known for his courtesy.
Roan took the drink and promptly left, without a word. He didn't even seem upset by Kinea's comment. Kinea smiled and pulled Ugly up the stairs, with Spot beside them.
XXX
Roan knew Kinea was up to something. Fortunately, he didn't care what. He headed toward the bar, which, by the way, was in the opposite direction Kinea had indicated. It felt sort of weird to be without Kyro, but Roan wasn't about to get sentimental about it. Instead, he downed Kinea's drink (which tasted terrible) and ordered another.
XXX
Kyro's comment was absolutely blazing through Ugly's head at this point. She was watching Kinea, in a performance of considerable skill, stroking and pleasing all of the VIPs upstairs. She introduced then to Spot and Ugly, gushing over them like they were a couple of show ponies and she the auctioneer. Ugly was uncomfortable and annoyed, but she tried to keep a happy face on for Spot, who seemed excited about all the people he was meeting and all the admiration they heaped on him. Ugly thought it was stupid and fake. But she would have to just keep that to herself.
XXX
For once, Roan was actually having a good time at one of these parties. He felt very high and alive. The colors seemed brighter. He would brush against things and feel a pleasant shiver run up his spine. He rubbed his hand. Oh my God! It felt so good. He looked over at the girl next to him. She had a small, young face, a little chubby but with soulful eyes. She had to be the prettiest girl he had ever seen. She looked nervous and uncomfortable. Her eyes kept darting around like she was afraid of something. Roan was staring. She looked at him. He smiled at her.
The girl couldn't help but smile back. There was something sort of dreamy about him. He looked so mature in his nice suit. He had this strange glow about him, like he was the happiest person in the world. She couldn't understand why such an attractive, older guy would be looking at her. She felt a blush creep up her cheeks.
Roan saw her cheeks redden and thought it was possibly the sweetest thing in the world. It made him smile even more. "You're so pretty," he breathed. As she watched with wide, anxious eyes, he reached out his hand and brushed a lock of mousy hair behind her ear. The moment his fingers tips connected with her hair he felt a sensation of pleasure that nearly convulsed him. Holy fuck.
The girl smiled and blushed redder. No one had ever told her that before, why would they? She suddenly felt prettier. She was beautiful, she was a goddess, like all the girls at this party that she'd so envied. And he was her prince charming, a bit worn around the edges but ultimately winning. And so sexy. The girl blushed again. She wasn't supposed to think about that. But if he kept staring at her in that way, how could she not?
Roan smiled dreamily. He felt like he was dreaming. His life had become a fantasy of masterpiece proportions. He wanted to touch her. Again and again and again. "You're the prettiest girl I've ever seen," he said. He wanted to fuck her. Again and again and again.
XXX
Oh my goodness! What has gotten into Roan (literally) and where can I get some? (just kidding)
But seriously…first of all, does Spot actually like these parties? Because I'm starting to agree with Kyro. he needs to not let all these phonies go to his head.
Also, obviously some interesting coincidences here, I sense a conspiracy, you can probably guess who's behind it all, but will the plan work? And what's the bigger plan? And will someone please figure it out and kick somebody's ass?
Hmmm…so, now that Roan is so…umm…excited, what will he do with that girl? Who is she? Why was she at the bar alone? Why was she acting so nervous?
And what about Kyro and Katie? Did they get lost? Why doesn't Kyro just ditch her? Did he sample her punch as well?
And poor, poor Ugly! So many problems! Her boyfriend is acting somewhat foolish while her ex seems to have all the sense in the world, and then she has that awful Kinea to discard of without looking like a jealous freak! Yikes, I am nervous! Aye caramba and a bientot mes amis…