Many apologies for the short chapter. To be honest, I was running on practically no ideas.sweatdrop Popping out about a chapter a day can be rough like that. And I feel like I'm falling behind somehow. It's probably the fact I haven't touched my comic in weeks. This fanfiction is starting to remind me of Gravitation. BTW, expect more short chapters.
Maybe its a sign the plot is dying...
Chapter 6: The Masque
"Alright Gino..." Sasha said as she and Ian stepped away from the blindfolded blonde. They stood near the Marketplace on Isle de Gambino. Gino had been living with Ian for two weeks; two weeks of peace, quiet, and chaste kisses that rarely spoke of any hidden desire; two weeks away from the island of paradise and the memories of the burning mansion. Christmas was still some ways away, but already the weather was becoming chill and threatened to bring snow.
"You can take your blindfold off," Ian instructed, grinning proudly.
Gino removed the blindfold, shivering a bit in his taundra coat. He let out a delighted gasp. "My family's mansion!" He stepped onto marble steps. "It's been rebuilt!"
Sasha giggled as the trio ran inside. "I talked to Bucho when Ian found you in the debris," she explained as they admired the main lobby. "He asked we keep it a secret as a surprise! And all of Gaia has been celebrating your survival and donated to rebuilding your mansion!"
"Thank you..." Gino bowed to them. "You both have been there for me through thick and thin...I don't know how to repay you...or my supporters..."
"I know!" Sasha exclaimed, hitting her hand with her fist. "You can throw a huge Christmas masquerade ball!" Both Ian and Gino gave her a distant stare. She blinked. "What?"
"Haven't you noticed?" Ian asked. "Every time either the Von Helson sisters or a Gambino throws a party event, the other sabotages it or sometbing bad happens. Like the Halloween party. We all remember that, no offense Gino."
"None taken. Personally, I blame the mods," Gino said with crossed arms and a nod.
"Yes, yes," Sasha agreed, "but we must be thankful for mods, or no one would keep Gaia in line and in order."
Gino sighed. "Well...since you put it that way..." He smiled. "A masque doesn't sound too bad at all. If anything happens, we'll be ready for it, right?"
"Right!" Ian and Sasha exclaimed together.
"Alright. Now, here's what I need from you guys..."
Gino proudly looked down at the winter-decorated ballroom full of party-going Gaians from where he stood on an observation balcony. He had taken almost every precaution imagined for this party; a security lock-down installed in case an environmental hazard was released, a high-tech sprinkler system and several hidden fire hoses ready in case of a fire, and many marked exits for emergency. He was even wearing a light bullet-proof stealth suit under his white regalia. His blonde hair had been pulled back into a braid and a white mask with feathers on the sides covered his face.
"Gino?" He turned to face Sasha, wearing a pink G-LOL gown. She giggled. "You look like a prince."
"Thank you," Gino answered with a smile. His eyes skimmed over the crowd below once more, noting the number of security guards and mods keeping track of the activities of the guests. He sighed. "Have you seen Ian? I really need to talk to him..."
She shook her head. "No...I haven't seen or heard from him at all. Why? Is something wrong?"
"No..." Gino shook his head, smiling as he moved up his mask to show his face. "I just...want to talk to him...That's all..."
"Uh-huh..." Sasha simled at him and asked, "So have you two done it yet?"
The blonde nearly spazzed to death. "E-excuse me!"
Sasha made a face at him. "Oh, come on! Don't play dumb with me! It's so obvious you and Ian have a thing for each other." She smiled. "You can trust me, silly. I won't tell anyone...who hasn't already noticed."
"It's alright..." Gino sighed. He rubbed his arm a bit, smiling shyly. "That's what I wanted to talk to Ian about. Rumors and gossip has already hit the boards and is spreading like wildfire. I wanted to ask him if he's alright with me clearing up those rumors."
Her eyes went wide. "You're going to go public!"
"M-maybe..." Gino didn't sound too sure of himself. "Gaia already knows I have an announcement to make, but if Ian doesn't want the world to know about our love, I have a back-up plan." He looked out over the ballroom. "At midnight...one way or another...those rumors will be cleared..."
Sasha shivered. "Gino...be careful...I have a horrible feeling something bad is going to happen."
"It's going to be okay, Sasha," he reassured her. "I'm ready for anything..."
With a sigh, the girl nodded. Ian joined them, wearing a black tuxedo and top hat with a cape and Zorro mask. "Hey guys, sorry I'm late." Ian grinned. "Security was a bitch to get through. Took me forever to convince Bucho I was Gino's friend."
Gino chuckled weakly. "Sorry...that was my fault..." He sighed, rubbing his arm nervously. "Ian...do you know about the rumors on the message boards and forums?" The shopkeeper nodded, sensing where the conversation was going. Gino'samber eyes met Ian's dark orbs. "I want to tell Gaia that we are, indeed, involved in a relaltionship and end those rumors. I'm not afraid of what will happen or what their reaction will be." He bowed his head. "It's better that we tell the world rather than the Von Helson sisters or someone else, right?"
"Gino..." Ian spoke his name softly, gently putting his hands on the blonde's shoulders. "I'm ready if you're not afraid that the world knows about our love. I'll stand beside you, no matter what."
"Thank you..." Gino smiled and hugged Ian, the shopkeeper burying his face in the sweet smell of the blonde's hair.
Sasha turned her gaze from the couple, looking up at the clock. "It's almost midnight."
The two reluctantly pulled away from each other, Gino's hand in Ian's. "I'm ready," the shopkeeper said, giving Gino's hand a gentle squeeze.
Gino nodded and Sasha backed out of view. The blonde sighed and raised his hands to get the partiers' attention. Once silence had filled the ballroom, Gino spoke to the crowd. "Citizens of Gaia...Several weeks ago, the Von Helson sisters were going to make an announcement. I've come before you now to make a similar one..." He sighed, gathering strength to speak. "I come before you on this night to clear up the rumors of Ian and I on the message boards and forums."
A soft murmur of chatter went through the crowd at this statement. He keeps up with the threads? Have they read the gossip? Are the rumors true then? No, they must be false. Gino liked Sasha anyways, right? The blonde sighed, hearing the whispers and imagining all the things that could go wrong.
Ian shivered. Something's not right... he thought. Quickly, his eyes darted around the ballroom. His breath suddenly left him. There he was, in a shadowed corner of the ballroom, on an observation balcony higher than them: a person cloaked in black with a sniper mounted on the railing and aimed at Gino. There was no laser pointer, but even at the distance they were at, Ian could see the assailent's scope.
"Get down!" Ian shouted as he tackled Gino.
No sooner had the two hit the floor of the balcony did the shot go off, followed by a scream from the crowd as they, too, ducked for cover. The bullet narrowly missed them and hit a pillar behind where Gino was standing a moment ago. If he had been standing still, the shot would have been in the center of his forehead. The assailent picked up the gun and ran quickly from his position.
Gino sat up from under Ian and looked at the back of the fleeing assassin. "That's the man who killed my father!" The blonde roared. He broke free of his lover's grasp and ran. Ian stood to follow, but stopped as a metal security door slammed down in front of him behind Gino, closing the balcony off from the hallway. Far below, mods and guards did what they could to calm the panicking population.
"Damn it..." Ian muttered, slumping against the obstacle in defeat. "I knew something bad was going to happen..." Ian faced Sasha. "I have to get to him...Gino could get killed."
A serious look covered Sasha's face as she nodded. "Let me try..." Ian moved aside as the girl pulled a pen from her purse and uncapped it. Pressing a small button on the side, the girl watched as a white laser was emitted from the tip and began melting the edges of the door. After a few minutes, she turned off the device and kicked the door down.
Ian stared dumbfoundedly. "Where..."
She grinned. "Standard issue laser pen. Emits a white hot laser and writes in black ink. Liam gave it to me in case of emergencies."
"Nice thinking...Now let's go!"
"Right!"
Gino leaned against the wall, almost out of breath and exhausted from running. I just had to live in a mansion... he thought darkly. But if the security system worked properly, the halls are closed off from the rooms. He's cornered. I just have to find him...and avenge my father. That thought gave him his strength and breath back, and Gino continued running.
As Gino rounded a corner, he yelped and ducked as a great sword smashed into the wall where his neck was moments ago. The blonde rolled away and landed at a kneel, glaring at the assassin as the shadow man tore his broadsword free. The blonde glanced around quickly and went to a display case, breaking the glass and grabbing the shining, sharpened, sleeping rapier. He took a defensive stance.
"On the day the tower fell, you killed my father," Gino stated, glaring still. "Prepare to die." Without warning, the blonde lunged.