OKAY! OKAY! I'LL POST CHAPTER TWO!
Seriously, some of my friends are getting a little scary. You know who you are.
So far, this is the more popular of my two sister fics, To Life and Dark Magic Attaque. Or, it's gotten the most reviews. Same thing, right? I think so. So, here we go with the Spellcaster's Ball!
Sai's Point of View
"I'm NOT wearing this!" Shepu crossed her arms over her chest angrily. "I won't!"
Ronin, also known as the Tailor of the Fickle, was at his wits end. He held the fabric up again. "Please, miss, please. I've had no sleep since yesterday working on this! It suits you beautifully, miss, really it does. Please put it on!"
"I'm not going to be dressed up like some doll!"
"Please, no one is trying to..."
"Shepu," Sai cut in, "Just put on the damn dress already."
"But..."
"Do it! You said you'd go, and you're going, and, dammit, you're going to look good when you're there, understood?"
Shepu stared at him, shocked. Oh, great. Smooth move, Sai, real way to make her feel at home... He shook his head. "Look... I didn't mean to yell... but please, Shepu, at least pretend to cooperate? Yesterday you accused me of treating you like a little kid, right? Well, I got news for you, you're acting like one now."
Shepu blinked. He continued to scold.
"Ever since you've gotten here, you've made the lives of my staff members into a living hell. These people were looking forward to having you here, Shepu. Imagine what a slap in the face it must be for them to put so much time and effort into making things nice for you, only to have you turn up your nose like none of it is good enough! You're being a selfish, spoiled little brat! Is that really how you want people to think of you, Shepu? Do you want them to see you as a rotten little ingrate who thinks she's better than everyone else?"
Shepu's voice was small. "N-no... I don't want them to think that..."
Sai softened his tone a bit. "Then don't give them a reason to, Shepu. Give them a chance." He met her eyes. "Give me a chance, Shepu. Won't you?"
She stared at him, and he saw the first glimmer of tears in her clear green eyes. "Go, then... I'll get ready..."
He smiled at her. "Thank you, Shepu. Thank you so much."
Fifteen minutes later, Sai found himself agreeing with her about the dress code. After all, soon he would have to suit up as well, and he hated it. He went downstairs. Stupid black tie... Outside, their ride was being set up. He wondered what Shepu would think of arriving via flying horse express. The Fire Wing Pegasus' were beautiful creatures, and the pearl black chariot was something else. Will she like them? In all, a fitting way to arrive at the palace of Exodia. Yeah, but what will Shepu think?
Sai turned and went back inside, waiting. Presently, Ronin came downstairs. "Atch! I have never seen such a girl! I'm used to fickle customers, it's part of who I am. But the miss, she makes me want to take early retirement!"
"I'm sorry, Ronin. She's not exactly enthusiastic about this whole affair."
"Eh, such beauty almost seems a waste on her..."
Sai stared at the tailor. "Beauty?"
"Atch, man, are you blind? The girl is a Venus in bloom! She'll put even the Gemini to shame, and you know they pride themselves on being the belles of the ball!" Ronin shook his head. "She's something else, that one. Usually a girl with a face like that wants to be dressed fancy and go to gala parties. This one must not look in the mirror. Well, come now. Have I got a deal for you!"
Shepu's Point of View
Shepu sighed. The skirt was too long, too full, she couldn't move! And even if she could, Marjorie wouldn't let her. The little maid fussed about with her hair, chattering excitedly. "Oh, you look beautiful, miss, really you do. Now, stop that! Hold your head still!"
"What are you doing to my hair?"
"You'll see in a minute, miss, really you will. Oh, I wish I could go..." The little maid sighed dreamily. "All the women in fancy dresses and the men in suits and oh! Exodia himself presiding over it all!"
"You mean... Exodia will be there?"
"Of course he will, it's his palace." Another sigh. "Oh, miss, you're so lucky..."
"Call me Shepu," the young mage said, surprising herself more than she surprised Marjorie.
"Oh, I knew it! I knew you hated the formalness, but Yuzuke insisted!" The Aqua Spirit giggled. "She's so old fashioned, and she makes me act the same. Please, mi- Shepu, may I please act myself around you?"
"Yeah, I guess..."
"Oh, thank you!" Marjorie clapped her hands. "It will be so nice to loosen up from time to time!"
Shepu studied her. "Marjorie... How old are you?"
"Fifteen next month."
Shepu was startled. "You're younger than I am!"
"Yes, I am," the little maid agreed. "Oh, you moved again! Hold still until I get this done!"
"Okay, then..."
Twenty minutes later, it was done. Shepu examined herself in the mirror. She didn't look like herself, she didn't feel like herself... Nevertheless, that was her. Wasn't it? They had actually made her pretty somehow...
Sai's Point of View
Sai stood at the base of the stairs, waiting. He shifted from foot to foot, trying to get used to the lavender tuxedo and the deep violet cape. Stupid, stupid black tie... He'd always preferred the more casual affairs, the private parties. This ball was a bit too fancy... Footsteps on the stairs above him. He turned, and inhaled sharply.
Shepu stood there, Shepu like he had never seen her before. The sapphire-blue bodice of the ballroom gown fit snugly, but not too tight, accentuating her thin waist and full breasts, and the rose-colored skirt flared out, soft and full, over her delicate hips. Her bare shoulders were smooth and round, and her arms were slender in the full-length gloves she wore to match her skirt. Her hair had been curled and fell softly about her face, a small jeweled tiara glittering on the golden tresses that tumbled down her back. And her face. He took a closer look at it. She had been made up slightly, and looked so much older now. He could only recognize her by the two pink spots under her eyes; her lips were fuller, red as cherries, a hint of blue liner brought out the clear green of her emerald eyes, her skin was white and perfectly flawless. A single thought ran through his mind. Ronin was right. Ronin was right! She's beautiful! He was right!
She was only half way down the stairs before Sai was there to meet her. He took her hand and led her down, into the light of the crystal lamps, to study her more closely. Finally he just shook his head. "Shepu... you look so different... it's... it's incredible!"
She blushed slightly. "Do you really think so, Master Sai?"
He nodded. "This is the kind of girl I want to see in you, Shepu. You look so... so completely amazing, so ready to go out and see the world... Hardly like the girl who spends every waking moment reading or training. This is the way I want you to be."
Shepu nodded. "Then... I don't look... foolish?"
"Of course not!" Sai chuckled. Reaching over to a chair, he picked up a blue cloak that just matched her dress. "Here, it's a bit chilly out. Still not quite summer, I guess..." He wrapped the cloak around her shoulders. "Are you ready?"
"I guess so..." She clutched the cloak to her, and he saw that her nails had been pained that same rose color. He smiled.
"Then let's go."
Shepu's Point of View
He looked so confident.
Shepu studied her master as he sat by her side, driving the pearly black chariot. His hair was long, she saw, and had been pulled back into not-quite a ponytail. How come I've never noticed how long his hair is? It's almost as long as mine... Instead of being fastened at the nape of his neck, it was fastened mid-way down his back. On anyone else it would look silly. On Master Sai it looks regal somehow. The lavender tuxedo just matched his hair How did they get the color so close? and the dark violet cape flowed down from his shoulders. She shivered and clutched her own cloak self-consciously. He looks so handsome and refined. I must seem like a silly little girl to him, a child playing dress-up. I feel like one, too.
She fell to looking around her. As they neared the palace, she became aware of other spellcasters making their way towards the ball. She saw men in their finest clothes, women in mountains of lace. All to see the palace? I feel out of place... Then, around a corner, the palace itself came into view, looming over her. She gasped, and heard a small chuckle beside her.
"Impressed, are we?"
"It's... it's huge!"
"Well, of course." Sai glanced at her. "I remember when I first saw the palace, my grandfather brought me." He shook his head. "It is incredible. Especially when you're seeing it up close for the first time." They drove up into a large circle in front of the palace and, jumping out of the chariot, Sai went around to her side and held out his arm. "Come on, now. Don't you want to see the inside?"
Sai's Point of View
Shepu reached out and took his arm, and he held his breath without realizing it as she stepped down. Were those her feet? They were so tiny in the little blue heels. What with the boots she wore training, he'd always assumed she had fairly large feet. He studied them now, so thin and delicate, with an elegant curve at the ankle. So dainty...
Ra, she looks so perfect.
She rested her hand on his arm, and he fell to studying that, too. Her hands were slender, delicate, child-like. The painted nails were perfectly formed, a bit short, as if she bit them, but still nice. Her wrists were so thin...
Her hair glittered gold in the light of the torches lining the drive. The light and shadow danced across her face, accentuating her features rather than obscuring them. Her nose was small, slightly upturned, her eyelashes were thick and dark. Her eyes met his suddenly, and he held her gaze a moment before looking away, momentarily ashamed of himself...
He chanced a glance back at her, and found that she was studying him just as intently as he had her. Her cheeks reddened, and he smiled reassuringly. "You really do look lovely, Shepu."
"I feel so out of place."
"Don't. You fit in as though you lived here."
"I don't know what to do."
"Don't worry about it."
They entered the great hall, and Shepu's eyes widened as she tried to look at everything at once. He guided her along, snatches of whispered conversations reaching his ears as they walked through the crowds.
"Absolutely beautiful... elegant... don't know... gorgeous girl... never seen her before in my life... his apprentice? Shepu..."
They're talking about us, her and me. What with these gossips, then next thing you know we'll be 'engaged' to each other. Lovely. As he walked, he was acutely aware of the stares that followed them. He glanced down at the girl, wondering if she'd noticed. The size of the palace must have intimidated her, because Shepu had leaned a little closer to him. She seemed unaware of the stares and the whispers as she studied the majestic palace surrounding her. "Overwhelming, isn't it? Something you never really get used to."
"It's so beautiful," she breathed.
He laughed softly. "Would you like to see the galleries?"
She looked up at him, eyes sparkling. "Oh, Master Sai, could we please?"
He nodded, leading her off...
Neo's Point of View
A young swordsman-mystic stood in the corner, watching them. He knew Sai well, but who was the girl on his arm? The whisper going about was that it was none other than young Shepu, the Dark Magician Girl. Neo watched them, watched her. He remembered Shepu when she was younger, and it was hard to imagine that this beautiful creature was really her. He grinned to himself. Well, the scrawny little ones usually do grow up to be the knockouts... Still grinning, he walked over to greet the esteemed mage and his lovely little companion.
Sai's Point of View
"Hey, Darkmage!"
Sai turned to see a young sorcerer approaching them, his strutting gate very familiar. He nodded to his cousin. "Neo."
Neo grinned. "Well, now," he said, motioning to Shepu. "Here we have a rose in bloom! Care to introduce us, cousin?"
Sai nodded. "This 'rose in bloom' as you called her is my apprentice, Ms. Shepu Nihamat. She came here to see the galleries." Sai turned to the girl standing partially behind him. "Shepu, this is Neo, the Magic Swordsman. He's my cousin. Don't let his flattery get to you, he says that sort of thing to all the girls."
"Cousin, you wound me! Seldom do I mean it as I do now!"
Outrageous flirt... "Whatever you say, Neo. Whatever you say."
His young cousin grinned. "Well, Ms. Nihamat, you came to see the galleries, did you?" Shepu nodded shyly and Neo took her by the arm. "Well, come on, let's see them, then!"
Right then, more than anything, Sai had an overwhelming urge to punch Neo in the mouth...
Shepu's Point of View
Shepu felt ready to panic as the young sorcerer led her off to the galleries. Master Sai, stay with me! Master Sai! Her master watched them a few minutes, then turned, with a slight shake of his head, and walked back to the main party. No! Master Sai! But there was nothing she could do. The enthusiastic young swordsman was leading her away, talking rapidly.
"It's a huge place, really. The first time I wandered off on my own here, I got lost. But, don't worry, I know my way around just fine now!"
More than anything, she wished he'd stop talking. He spoke so loud and so fast. Too loud. Too fast. She glanced back over her shoulder. Master Sai was nowhere to be seen.
"Well?"
Her head snapped back around. "I'm sorry? I didn't hear you."
"I said, where do you want to go first? There's the weapons gallery, that's my favorite, and then the art gallery overlooking the ocean..."
"The art gallery, please."
"Sure thing! Right this way!"
Sai's Point of View
So much for that. He'd wanted to be the one to show Shepu the galleries! But no, his womanizing, ladies' man cousin had to just sweep her away. He'd been enjoying it, dammit! He'd been enjoying looking at her, enjoying walking next to her, enjoying the pressure of her delicate hands resting on his arm...
Easy, Sai. Don't get ahead of yourself. You're a full twenty years older than her, remember, no matter how young you may look. You're too old to be getting this defensive about her.
He walked over to the buffet and got himself a drink.
But still... that was a lot of nerve on Neo's part.
"Well, now, what seems to be troubling the mind of my favorite grandson?"
Sai smiled to himself and turned to the Dark Sage. "Hello, grandfather."
"That's a lot of guts your cousin has." The Sage shook his head, grinning his funny old grin. "And something tells me you're a mite jealous over it!"
"Nothing to be jealous about. If Shepu would rather see the galleries with him than with me, well, then so be it."
"Ah, but I saw the way you looked at the girl! You were devouring her with those eyes of yours."
"That's ridiculous, she's my apprentice."
The old man laughed. "That may have been a legitimate argument a millennium ago, but not any more! Things change!"
"I'm not interested in Shepu."
The old Sage rapped him smartly over the head with his cane. "Sure you aren't. And I wasn't interested in your grandmother." He laughed again. "You'll see, Sai, that little girl is perfect for you."
Sai shook his head. "It's not like that at all."
His grandfather smiled. "Still, I did see what you meant about her being too thin. It just isn't right for a girl that tall to have a waist that small. She's skin and bones! You were right to be concerned."
"Glad someone agrees with me."
The old man chuckled and went on his way, leaving Sai alone with his thoughts.
I should have hit Neo... I really should have hit Neo...
Shepu's Point of View
She wasn't enjoying herself in the least.
Oh, Master Sai, why did you have to let him take me away? I wanted you to be the one to show me the galleries, not some stranger!
Neo was pulling her along, rushing her from piece to piece. She didn't want this at all; she wanted to stop and look at things! And he talked non-stop. Master Sai would have been quiet, allowing her to think. She couldn't think now, not with Neo chattering. He's worse than Marjorie. If only she could get away from him, but he wouldn't let go of her arm!
"Come on, this way, Shepu!" Neo indicated another door. "You're in for a treat, this room is full of jewelry and the like..."
She wondered vaguely when he'd switched from calling her 'Ms. Nihamat' to simply calling her 'Shepu' and decided it really didn't matter. Either way, he was still too friendly...
Sai's Point of View
Having nothing better to do, Sai danced.
He danced with the Mystical Elf and the Dark Elf. He danced with both of the Gemini and decided that Shepu looked prettier. Ronin's right again. He danced with the Maiden of the Moonlight and the Cosmo Queen. They were all the same. They all laughed and flirted and teased, even Mariah, the usually-docile Mystical Elf. Soon, Sai gave up on dancing. For some reason, it just wasn't as enjoyable as usual.
He took to scanning the crowd. Knowing his cousin, it wouldn't be long before Neo tried to coax Shepu out onto the floor. Sure enough, not twenty minutes had passed when Neo came in, guiding a reluctant-looking Shepu. Why doesn't she just haul off and tell him 'no'? She'd do that to me, wouldn't she?
He watched as Neo guided her out to the dance floor. He watched as she stood, shaking her head emphatically as he spoke to her. Finally, he turned and walked over to the Mystical Elf. "Mariah!"
She turned. "Sai."
"I have a... favor to ask of you..."
Shepu's Point of View
"But I don't know how to dance!"
"Well, I'll teach you then! A girl as lovely as yourself must be able to dance!"
"I don't want to know how to dance!" Shepu was on the verge of tears. How could she convince Neo to just leave her alone? She didn't want to dance. She didn't want to dance!
"Excuse me..."
Shepu turned. A tall, blue-skinned elf was smiling at Neo. "May I have this dance?"
Neo grinned. "I suppose, if my companion doesn't mind."
Your WHAT? "I don't mind," Shepu said, casting a grateful glance at the elf maiden. She watched, relieved, as the two twirled off.
"I figured you could use a rescue," said a soft voice behind her. Shepu whirled about.
"Master Sai!"
Her master smiled at her apologetically. "I take it you didn't see much of the galleries?"
Shepu shook her head. "He rushed me too much."
"Would you like to go back? I could take you if you'd like."
"Yes, please." Shepu chanced a smile at her master. He returned it in kind, and she gathered her courage. "Did you... ask that elf to cut in?"
"Mariah is a friend of mine, and she was glad to help out."
Thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou... "Your cousin flirts too much."
"Yes, I know that..."
Ryu's Point of View
Ryu, the Dark Sage, chuckled to himself. "What did I tell you, Exodia? There he goes, off to rescue the Maiden Fair from the clutches of the Dark Knight."
Exodia the Forbidden laughed, a low, rumbling sound. "Always making something out of nothing, Ryu..."
"I'm telling you, he's in love with her!"
"Perhaps..." Exodia looked thoughtful. "But even if that is the case, how can we be sure the young lady feels the same for him?"
"That will come in time." The old Sage nodded to himself. "But still..."
"You're going to meddle, aren't you?"
Ryu laughed. "You know me too well, Exodia!"
Shepu's Point of View
This was more like it. Shepu smiled to herself as she and Master Sai explored the galleries. He didn't rush her, didn't distract her by talking, didn't drag her along from room to room. Instead, he just walked along side her, from time to time explaining things that confused her, but then falling silent again and allowing her to look.
It was as they entered the weapons gallery that it happened. Shepu stumbled on a brick in the floor, and Sai tried to catch her. He lost his balance, and the two fell in a tangled heap on the floor. Shepu landed first, with Sai falling over her. They stared at each other for a brief moment...
And Neo walked in.
Neo's Point of View
Well, isn't this an interesting sight? Young Shepu sprawled across the floor, and cousin Sai... Cousin Sai... Shit. I should have known. Of course he'd have laid claim to her already... Lucky bastard... But right in the middle of the galleries?
"I'll, uh, just be on my way."
"It's not what it looks like, Neo."
"Sure. Right. Whatever you say, cousin." Neo studied the two as Sai stood and helped Shepu to her feet. Shepu straightened her skirts, blushing madly. She's damn cute when she blushes, too.
"He means it, Neo, sir... See, I kinda fell, and pulled him down with me... it was an accident..."
"Right. Well, then, I'll let you two be."
Ryu's Point of View
Ryu scowled at the image in the orb of his staff as Neo left. He waved his finger just a little, and the brick that Shepu had tripped on settled back into place. Neo was by far the lesser favorite of his five grandsons and eight granddaughters, and had an annoying habit of screwing up Ryu's most delicate plans. He watched as Sai rubbed the back of his neck.
"Sorry, Shepu..."
"It's my fault, Master Sai, I'm the one who fell."
"Well, my balance was less than perfect... you're not hurt, are you?"
"Well, my pride is a bit wounded, and my ego has deflated considerably, but that's about it..."
Ryu watched, amused, as Sai threw back his head and laughed. After a moment, Shepu giggled, and then she was laughing, too. Well, now, maybe that didn't go too bad after all.
Ryu turned from his crystal as Exodia chuckled behind him. "What a fix," the Forbidden One laughed. "You know word of this will get out. Neo will tell everyone what he saw."
Ryu shrugged. "I can work with that, I suppose."
"How? If anything, it will drive the two of them apart!"
"Not if I play my cards just right..."
I really love the way what Shepu thinks and what Shepu says are so totally different at times. Anyway, compair and contrast Dark Magic Attaque and To Life, and tell me what you think! Leave revies for both, please! Arigato! Oh, and by the way, kudos to anyone who can see the irony of naming the Dark Sage 'Ryu.'