Before you guys kill me, I'll use the usual excuse: IF YOU DO THAT, YOU'LL NEVER KNOW THE END OF THIS STORY! Ahem… that said, I'm really sorry for taking so long, but I've been dealing with some family issues, laziness, writer's block and the fact that I can't seem to finish an anime because I like it too much! Gasp! All that at the same time! Anyways, this chappie is pretty long, even if the end is kinda… abrupt. But that was the whole idea.
Liadel: Lol, since you're such a Fuu/Ferio fan, I can tell the next chapter will be your fave. However, chances are you'll like this one too! Go ahead!
'karu-chan: Gomen. My muse seems to be very fickle, and I think I'm working on too many fics at the same time. Two more chapters to go for this one!
curiouschig: Thanks a lot!
Mira33: Now that I think about it, I haven't noticed your penname is Mira, what a coincidence… hehehe, don't mind me. Thanks, I did work hard to make that original (failed, lol, but not totally)
nagareboshi1: My, you're so nice. He's leaving, yup. Unless someone stops him, that is. You're gonna have to wait a bit more to see what happens.
Agent V: To tell you the truth, I never thought I could handle Asmi (or Clemi, for that matter) but in the end, Umi turned out to be pretty easy to write. So, I'm very glad you liked it!
Lady Ronin Tiger: You enjoyed them? Yeah, that's great! And, ahem, you're right. Too bad some things have to happen before that. But don't worry, we'll get there.
black-lotusblossom: Well, now you can know what happens next, but I don't think you're going to feel any different by the end of this. I just have a thing for cliffies, hehehe…
Jusuchina: Lol, thanks! I certainly hope he can endure more than that, cause I'm really torturing him, ne?
syvonair: Hey, syv! I'm so flattered to read the word "perfect"! I'm gonna try to make it even better, just for you! Ain't I nice?
kalen1: As if I was not mean enough to the guy, you go and kick him… poor Lantis. And it's not over yet… MUAHAHAHA!
bluegenes: Hopefully, I fixed that soon enough. The upload decided to mess up with that document, and the result was really painful to look at, lol. Btw, you really make this kinda difficult for me. You don't want Hikaru with Lantis, but you don't want her with Eagle either? Gee, I'm gonna end up putting the two guys TOGETHER! Hehehehe, I can hear some people squealing from here… Also, they are best friends, as far as I can tell. You'd need to be Lantis' buddy to joke around like that, I swear () And that's what I was trying to convey, no more. Sorry if you got the wrong idea.
Mimiluv: Thanks, thanks! I'm so happy, that you're happy, lol! I just hope I can make you even happier! Without stopping being evil, that is… hehehehe, j/k
dewey: Sorry, not yet. You'll get that in the last two. Loads of it, lol. I promise!
Kaoru4: Yes, it was about time! Let's see how he fared after being that bold!
Ok, people, thanks again, and I love you all! Like I was saying, only two more chapters. Sniff, I'm really going to miss this story! But in the mean time, I'll just tell, confidently, that I don't own Rayearth or any of its character, even though I'm planning to get the guy Hikaru rejects, lol. That said, just scroll down, read and enjoy!
Battling Emotions
Chapter XVI
The dance (Part 4)
Amazement grew on the crowd like fire vivified by a strong gale. They all had just heard the exact opposite of what they expected! Fuu's paleness was such that her friends began to fear she could faint any moment. Of course, none of them understood what was happening. The only person that didn't participate of the general surprise was princess Tatra, absorbed as she was in her own rejoicing. For months she had been asking for a miracle to stop that loveless union. Her prayers had finally been heard.
"What is the meaning of this?" the chizetan king mumbled with restrained anger, not missing the dismayed expression shown on his younger daughter's face "Is this some kind of bad joke?"
"I wouldn't even try to joke on such a serious matter. We're dealing here with the happiness of at least two people." while saying this, Ferio glanced sideways at Fuu "I know that you're a king and it's your duty to look after your Kingdom, but even before that is your duty as a father, to take care of the well-being of your daughters. I give you all my most sincere apologies if I have somehow encouraged this relationship, but I am totally convinced that it won't work. I cannot make Tarta happy… because I don't love her."
A new murmur spread along the entire ballroom. At this point, the concurrence was prey of the deepest astonishment. Many were really admired that the prince would push his luck with such audacity and others wondered what could come out the already messed up situation. Caldina held on to her stomach instinctively, while her other hand twitched on Lafarga's arm, who answered her with concern overflowing in his eyes. This was more than enough for them to perfectly understand each other's worry, since their fears seemed to be being materializing right then in the neighboring monarch's almost blue face. War.
"How dare you to scorn my daughter?" the king asked in a voice vibrant with the wounded pride of his insulted lineage "Do you know the price for offending the royal family of Chizeta?"
"I have a very bad feeling about this…" Ascot mumbled on Umi's ear, their hands shakily intertwined. She only nodded, still stunned by Ferio's attitude. A minute ago she'd have gladly strangled him for making Fuu suffer. Now, in spite of the danger that seemed to hover above Cefiro, she couldn't help but to admire his courage, or his impudence… or his stupidity.
"I understand you" the prince nodded slowly, his expression darkening "and I know you have every reason to be offended. However, I also know that this is the best thing for all of us, since I am almost convinced that Tarta doesn't love me either. Please, I humbly beg of you, if you still want to ventilate your justified anger on someone, don't choose my people as your target. I alone am responsible and any sort of punishment should fall only on me."
No matter how much she tried to avoid it, the wind knight couldn't take her green eyes off Ferio, fascinated by his unexpected and amazingly mature attitude. Although she loved him more than life itself, she had always seen him as a careless and irresponsible boy, but this new side of his personality left her totally confused. And if possible, even more in love with him…
On the other hand, the king of Chizeta didn't come out of his astonishment. His pride was not as big as to not realize that the prince had spoken with total sincerity not lacking of certain wisdom. Almost unnoticeably, his queen leaned in and whispered something on his ear, to which he answered with a light nod.
"What do you have to say to that, Tarta, my daughter?"
The princess shivered when feeling all the looks suddenly fell on her. Not even her tanned skin was able to hide the blush that covered her cheeks, as she tried to hide her startled expression from the crowd. Her sister's begging eyes got her out of her stupor. Oh, no. She couldn't possibly give up now that they were so close! It was necessary to continue with the farce until the very end, even if Tatra didn't agree. At least one of them would be happy.
"I say" Tart rose, her behavior threatening and terribly beautiful as that of a warring goddess "that we once invaded Cefiro for a much sillier reason than this. And I'm willing to return with my troops in less than a week if the prince so much as dares to reject me."
The blood virtually froze in Ferio's veins when he heard this terrible answer. To his insides, he cursed for the umpteenth time the day in which he had accepted that union. Was it really impossible to find a rational solution to the present situation? He knew he had to say something, but he just couldn't find the appropriate words to undo the mess that he himself had propitiated. However, his speech was not necessary, for someone else spoke before he could.
"Sister, please." Tatra begged going into the center of everyone's attention "Enough already… this has gone way too far…"
"Stay out!" Tarta interrupted her, her features showing mixed anger and embarrassment.
"Don't try to stop me." the other princess said with total calm, her soft tone imposing on her sister's exaltation "This whole matter has gone too far and I'm not willing to let it take a single step further. I'd rather… it would be better to let everybody know the truth once and for all."
"Tatra…"
"Can someone explain to me what's going on?" thundered the king of Chizeta, whose patience was quickly draining away.
"Everyone's forgetting about my feelings, that's what!" Tarta howled, cutting off her sister's explanation "All Cefiro has to pay for this humiliation! If I cannot have prince Ferio, I'll sink this planet in a sea made of blood and tears! Not even the Magic Knights will be able to stop me this time!"
"All that effort for a man you don't even like that much?"
The crowd turned around with perfect synchrony, searching for the owner of the deep voice that had just spoken. And they found him near one of the huge windows, in the corner where he had taken refuge ever since he came back to the ballroom. All dress in white, his arms crossed on his chest, the usual and unchanging indifference on his face. As if he didn't care about the future of his planet at all.
"What would you know, magic swordsman?" the princess almost growled when seeing that somebody dared to face her anger.
Although his expression didn't reflect anything of what was going on inside of him, the idea of seeing Cefiro dragged into the chaos of a senseless war had not pleased Lantis in the least. But even less had he liked the perspective of seeing Magic Knights involved once again in the conflict.
"I know enough" he slowly took a few steps ahead "to be really perplexed by your anxiety to have the prince."
"If you say that it's because you have no idea of what I feel." Tarta retorted scathingly "It'll be better for you to stay out of this as well. What does someone as cold as you know about feelings from the heart?"
Inexorably, the swordsman's eyes traveled through the ballroom until they settled on Hikaru's lovely figure with unrestrainable emotion, in a gesture he was not able to repress. However, his entire attitude was as cold as an iceberg when his eyes returned to the princess again.
"I have to admit that I find all that gossiping source to be very uninteresting. Nevertheless, in the times we have coincided in Autozam I've come to notice that you are secretly in love with someone. Someone other than prince Ferio."
The princess' tanned skin paled so much it would seem naturally impossible, her lips unable to let out a word for a moment.
"How dare you…?" she finally mumbled with the last gleam of her anger.
"He is here tonight." Lantis finished her off, showing no mercy "Do you want me to say his name out loud? Do you want him to learn this from me?"
"No!" Tarta screamed sharply, finally giving in. Since she no longer had the strength to even stand, she plopped on the nearest chair and covered her face with her hands.
Her sister ran towards her and hugged her tightly, but not before beaming a grateful look to the magic swordsman. He only acknowledged her with a light nod and turned around to go back to his previous spot, nodding again when he made eye contact with Geo, who could only stare at his retreating figure without hiding his astonishment. For sure, that man knew a lot more than what he let out, and the autozamian silently thanked him for giving away only enough to stop Tarta's nonsense. His time of speaking up was coming next, or so it seemed, he told himself as he turned his eyes back to the two princesses.
"Thank you for everything," Tatra whispered on her sister's ear "but I can't let you sacrifice yourself for me. I always knew what you felt but apparently it wasn't only I who knew of your secret…"
"I'm still waiting for a proper explanation." the king of Chizeta thundered again, his eyes nailed on the embracing figures of his daughters.
"Perhaps I can help you, sir…" Geo intervened, his voice a bit hesitant.
"Who are you?" the exasperated king retorted rather rudely.
"My name is Geo Metro and I'm Sub Commander of the NSX, flagship of the Autozamian fleet." the answer came altogether with a sad but resolved smile "Namely, I'm nobody and yet I have had the audacity to fall in love with your daughter Tatra."
This was more than enough to completely astound the entire ballroom, with the exception of the autozamians, Caldina, Lafarga and Lantis. Both king and queen of Chizeta offered a quite ridiculous display, both openmouthed and utterly astonished.
"I've only dared to declare such a thing in public" Geo continued bowing slightly "because I'm sure that she loves me back. That's why, before I go on with the explanation you requested, I put myself at your service and I beg you to give me one of the biggest treasures in your kingdom."
The king observed him intensely, as if he wanted to read in the heart of that tall and seemingly rude man that said to love his daughter. Then, his eyes strayed to Tatra, who had stood up beside her sister and looked at the autozamian with radiant expression.
"Tatra? You… is it true, what that man said?"
She turned to her father and joined her hands in a supplicant gesture.
"I love him, father!" she admitted in a rush "Please, forgive me for hiding our relationship. I was so afraid that you tried to break us apart…"
"That's why we planned this entire masquerade around prince Ferio." Tarta explained uncovering her face "I knew that you would try to engage my sister first, since she's the eldest, but I also knew that she and Geo were in love. That's why I faked to be interested in the prince, just a stunt to get your attention, and it worked, I was the chosen one to strengthen the relationship between Chizeta and Cefiro. In the end, I thought that perhaps there would be less opposition to Tatra's affair out of royalty if I could achieve a brilliant union." a sad sigh escaped from her lips, curved in a somehow sarcastic smile "I'm sorry for trying to fool you all, especially Guru Clef and Ferio. I understand that we kinda used them and I can only say how much I regret being so selfish and threatening an entire planet just out of stubbornness. I didn't even stop to think that other people could get hurt as well… all this nonsense went way out of my control…"
"I'm to blame as well." Tatra continued "I should have stopped all of it from the very beginning. I should have told the truth, but I was also selfish in thinking that I could let my sister sacrifice herself for me." she swiftly turned her attention to her father "Words will never be enough to say how sorry we are."
The king watched his two daughters with great interest as he listened to what his wife whispered on his ear. After lightly nodding, he addressed his elder daughter.
"And what would you do if I forbid you to see that man?" he inquired, his gesture also referring to Geo.
"I'd go to Autozam with him." Tatra answered without hesitation "My father is like a God for me, one of the individuals I love the most. But I'll never fear the king of Chizeta, who I could clearly recognize in such an order. Never again."
"What if I disinherit you and banish you from our country forever?
"I don't care about money or status. You know I never had, even though I always tried to work for the well-being of our people. I know that my sister would make a better queen." she smiled placidly as she walked towards Geo "I'll be very sad if you do banish me, but I'm sure that everyone who wanted to go and visit me would be welcome in Autozam."
The king couldn't do more than to watch how his daughter embraced the man chosen by her heart and he lovingly held her to his chest.
"Do you know that you are not worthy of a royal princess?" he said with a light smile, this time addressing Geo.
"I'm not worthy of the princess or even the woman she is." the autozamian agreed, not really wanting to let her go "However, my love for her is worthy. It's all I have to offer her and it's the only thing she'll always have if she stays with me."
"I need nothing more." Tatra smiled softly.
After several seconds that seemed hours amid the expectant silence of the whole concurrence, the king of Chizeta took a few steps ahead after sending a warm glance to his queen, who nodded with a smile that resembled that of her elder daughter. As if she alone could understand what was about to happen and wanted to silently give him her approval.
"I should punish both of you like I used to when you were nothing but little girls" as he spoke, his eyes fell first on the older and then on the younger of his, who looked both embarrassed and guilty under their father's reproachful look" because you have behaved as such. However, and that's thanks to your mother for keeping my mind clear through this whole mess, when I think of what you should have suffered I feel inclined to forget everything. Even more…" here he glanced at Geo, who had been pending on his words as if his own life depended on them "my benevolence could go as far as accepting this young man into the royal family of Chizeta, since my daughter loves him so much and he loves her back…"
The princess didn't even let him finish. She rush to him and threw herself at his neck, holding him in a tight hug that almost knocks him down.
"I'm so sorry, father!" Tatra exclaimed almost on the verge of tears "I should never try to deceive you…"
"I'm sorry too…" Tarta added, for once in her life acting with more measure than her sister, but gladly joining their embrace, into which the king soon dragged his wife.
"We're all sorry for this scene." the king said, this time for all the crowd to hear "I also extend my most sincere apologies to Prince Ferio, Guru Clef and all of Cefiro's inhabitants. I can only hope that my daughters' foolishness won't tarnish the relationship between our countries."
"We accept the apologies." Guru Clef was surprised that Ferio would take the lead, but it was pretty obvious that the prince was more than happy with this outcome "And since we all came here to witness a union, let it be so, and let everyone be echo of the endless friendship between the people of Cefiro and Chizeta!"
The chizetan king shook Ferio's hand gratefully, then Guru Clef's and then Geo's, only to join it with Tatra's, who had just followed him around. The autozamian would have gladly hug the man, but he only dared to bow. It was the princess who pushed them to each other's arms.
The multitude didn't need much more than this to cheer like crazy and to rejoice of the happy ending to a situation that seemed so complicated in the beginning.
"That was close…" Caldina sighed with evident relief.
"Yeah… too close." Lafarga agreed in the same tone.
"I really feared a war could break loose when Ferio… my, that was pretty risky if you ask me."
"I'd say it was very stupid." Umi mumbled besides them, not even trying to hide her bad mood.
The dancer faced her with a curious look.
"What's wrong with you, girl?" she asked with a wink "Don't you think this is the best of every possible outcome?"
"I'm not so sure about that…" the water knight answered, her eyes scanning the ballroom with undeniable anxiety "Have you seen Fuu?"
"Oh, Fuu…" Caldina seemed to remember the blond girl in that very instant "With all the commotion, there was a moment when I lost track of her."
"I'm worried about her, I can't imagine what she's feeling now…" Umi added, maybe forgetting that the dancer didn't need such an explanation.
"There!" Ascot exclaimed pointing out to one of the lateral doors.
Both women and even Lafarga turned around in the direction he signaled, but they could barely see a shade of green stealthily slipping away towards the garden.
"Fuu!" Umi called, making a movement to follow the fugitive girl. However, Ascot's hand on her arm stopped her from rushing out in her friend's pursuit. The water knight turned around and fixed on the boy a look that held a silent interrogation mixed with slight astonishment.
"I think she probably just wants to be alone for a while." the summoner explained with a shy smile, not letting go of Umi's arm "When she's ready, she'll come back."
… I guess you're right." the knight admitted, her own words not stopping her from thinking that, even though the boy ignored a couple of things, what he had just said was completely logical. Fuu needed time to put herself together and sort out her thoughts, especially after so many unexpected events.
"Yay!" they both turned around when they heard Caldina's excited shout "Finally, the best part of the night!
All were able to listen as Guru Clef asked the concurrence to dance if that was their wish, starting with Geo and Tatra, who were more than happy to comply, at the same time that the music, discreet so far, managed to take over the ballroom with sudden protagonism. The mage himself didn't take long to join them, pulling a smiling Sierra in with him.
"Let's go!" the illusionist exclaimed again, dragging a rather reluctant Lafarga after her "This is what I've been waiting for!"
"Caldina, you know that I can't…" the swordsman tried to excuse himself.
"Who cares! Have you ever seen a dancer who doesn't dance?" Caldina pouted, and then produced a very malicious smile "Or would you rather have me ask someone else?"
Lafarga didn't think of himself as a particularly jealous man, but knowing the illusionist could be easily put on the flirt type, he decided that it was preferable to make the fool for a while instead of letting her down. Besides, he was pretty sure no one was going to pay attention to him, except perhaps to envy his partner. The glimpse of a satisfied smile appeared on his face. As if any man could complain about dancing with Caldina. She had true expertise…
By the other end of the ballroom, Sang Yung finished gathering all of his courage to go to princess Aska, who had just emptied her plate for the second time since they had arrived.
"Princess…" the boy began with shaken voice, only to be interrupted by the girl's enthusiastic screech:
"These were also delicious! I want more!"
"Princess…" Sang Yung began again, blushing slightly "I don't think that table is going to run out of candies for the rest of the night… Don't you want… perhaps… hum… to dance?"
"Dance?" the princess blinked as if only in that very instant she had realized that almost everyone around them danced to a melodious tune "You mean, with you?"
The boy nodded, suddenly very interested in his own shoes. An entire life of dedication would never be good enough for the royal family of Fahrem, but at least the incident with Geo gave him hopes of being able to confess his feelings to the young Aska… some day. He didn't know it, but if he had taken the chance just then, perhaps the answer would have surprised him, and since he had his eyes anywhere but near the feminine face, he didn't get to see the lovely blush that appeared on the girl's cheeks.
"Well, what are we waiting for!" the princess exclaimed with enthusiasm "We will show them the Fahrem style!"
"Really…?" but Sang Yung was not able to finish the sentence, since his overjoyed partner pushed him towards the dance floor without further ado, almost knocking down Zazu on her way.
"Hey!" the mechanic threatened them with his closed fist "Watch were you're going! This royalty… are you alright?" he asked his companion, a girl with brown hair that answered to his question with a smile and a light nod.
"Zazu! So this is where you were hiding with your mysterious date!"
The mechanic almost choked with the appetizer he had just bitten when he heard the cheerful voice sounded at his back. There he found Hikaru and Eagle, both smiling widely. However, none of them expected what happened next.
"Hikaru!" Zazu's companion rushed towards the Fire Knight, almost tripping with her long aqua dress since she was obviously not used to wear that kind of attire, but managing to hug the redhead in the end "I've been looking for you since we got here! Don't you remember me?"
Hikaru's face didn't reflect any sign of recognition, although she had to admit that there was something very familiar about that girl. Undoubtedly, it was someone who knew her, but she couldn't quite bring herself to remember. How old was this girl anyways? Thirteen, perhaps fourteen years old? Maybe less? If that was so, then the last time the Magic Knight were in Cefiro she must have been a child…
"Mira?" the redhead ventured, and her joy was genuine when the girl nodded "Mira! I'm so happy to see you again!" but after an instant, her happiness became curiosity, while her red eyes looked at the couple with playful suspicion "And how did you two get to know each other?
Eagle almost guffawed when he saw his ace mechanic and his companion blush like there was no tomorrow. If only Geo could see this too…!
"Well…" Mira explained, still flushed "I convinced my mom that we join united the people that were going to Autozam to help in the reconstruction. I think she found my insistence a little strange, but she agreed in the end. There was much to do in all the planets, since we were all friends. Besides," here the girl took Hikaru's hands and smiled brightly "it was also my own way of thanking the Fire Knight and the Magic Swordsman Lantis for everything they did for us, knowing about the friendship that you both shared with Eagle and his people."
"Very well said." Zazu was so proud he almost felt like applauding those words "That's how we met and became good friends."
"And I have to say, once more" Eagle added, inadvertently studying the sudden change on the redhead's expression with the mere mention of the swordsman's name "that we are infinitely grateful."
An awkward silence followed these words, with no one of them having a much to say. Until Mira let out a shriek of cheer excitement:
"It's Almera's song!"
This produced huge interrogative expressions in all those who accompanied her.
"Have you never heard of it?" the girl was surprised, as if not having listened this particular tune that began to spread all over the room was some unforgivable error "Oh, of course! None of you is from Cefiro, so that's why you don't know about the old legend…"
"What legend?" Zazu finally asked.
"It's only a cefirian superstition." Mira explained, trying to imply that it was not such an important matter without achieving it completely as a sudden shyness seemed to take over her "Hum, Hikaru… can I borrow your partner?"
The redhead blinked several times and her eyes went from Mira to Eagle, then to Zazu and then back to the young cefirian.
"The partner exchange is part of the superstition…?" she asked with insecure voice.
"Yes!" Mira assured her, delighted that the magic knight had caught and explained the idea much better than what she herself could have "That is, of course, if they agree…"
"No problem." Eagle said with a smile, trying hard not to laugh at Zazu's baffled expression "Provided I can have her back when the song is over…"
"Of course." the mechanic babbled, seemingly moody for that sudden change of plans. Or perhaps having to dance with Hikaru was just making him nervous, since he never imagined such a thing could happen.
Both couples walked to the dance floor, where many other twirled and jumped like crazy between laughs and a general excitement. Perhaps they looked a little odd, since Hikaru was now a few centimeters taller than Zazu and Mira was too short and probably too young for Eagle. But no one paid heed to these minimum details, probably due to other even more bizarre or more clashing couples, as the one formed by Caldina and Lantis, which had caused that more than one wondered how such a thing could even happen. Following them closely, Lafarga stared with sulking expression, leading or rather being led by an astonished Princess Tatra, who could understand the reason for such changes. And neither could Geo, who truly believed to be dancing with the wrong sister.
So much apparent confusion and mess didn't go unnoticed for the water knight, who observed the others from a corner. It had been odd enough for her to see Caldina separate the Fahrem princess from her companion and urge them to look for different partners, and she found even more unbelievable to see go to Lantis afterwards, not to mention the fact that she had actually convinced the man or perhaps he was just willing to play along for a reason she couldn't even begin to imagine. This last thought was more than enough for her curiosity.
"I don't get it… cut my hair and leave me bald if I understand a thing! Have they all gone mad? Caldina, Lafarga… even Lantis!"
Ascot shifted restless by her side, visibly nervous.
"It's the song…" he suggested weakly, not daring to say more.
"What song is that anyways?" Umi was really interested when she saw the boy blush "Why are they all so excited?"
"Um… it's an old tradition in Cefiro." Ascot explained, trying hard not to sound nervous "Its origin goes back to an ancient legend that tells the story of how the First Pillar got her lover back thanks to a dance."
"What legend?" such prologue did nothing but increase the knight's interest "Tell me all about it! I want details!"
"Well… maybe I'm not a very good storyteller" the summoner reddened even more when felt more than saw the girl lean back against his body with perfect spontaneity, always following his words "but I can tell you that the story began with the Guru from back then… I can't remember his name… well, this man created a powerful enchantment to make princess Almera, Pillar of Cefiro, lose all memory of her beloved Soarer, a young wizard of the Court. Who was also touched by the curse, since their love was mutual, and he was later sent with an embassy to Fahrem, just to make sure they'll never see each other for more security. But the princess didn't forget, at least not completely, and every night she woke up crying and clamoring for the one who had been taken from her side and even from her memories. This caused her to begin suspecting that she was under the effects of an incantation, so she secretly devoted herself to prepare a spell of her own that was able to counteract the one that made her suffer and to help her fill the huge gaps on her broken memory. However, magic does not always manifest itself the way one could expect, and Almera's efforts developed into a melody that, once started, would only fade with the complete restoration of her memories. Those which, although she didn't know it then, were bound to those of her lover, and would only return to her mind if they met with the protection of the recently created tune."
Once he got to this point, Ascot hesitated, as if he doubted to follow the story. But the water knight insisted with so much passion that almost forced him to go on.
"The opportunity to prove the effectiveness of this spell came when a great ball was announced to honor the beginning of diplomatic relationships between Cefiro and Chizeta. The legend says that it was a party of magnificence never before seen in our planet, loaded with personalities coming from all the well-known worlds. Nevertheless, once the princess released her enchantment, strange incidents began to take place. The music sounded pretty harmless, but a lot of people couldn't take the magic load and were forced to abandon the ballroom. Others couldn't help but panic when feeling that their feet refused to obey them. On the other hand, princess Almera danced and danced to no end, going from man to man until there was not a single guest who had not danced with her. However, the song didn't seem to be finishing any time soon and the princess continued to waltz." Ascot breathed in sharply and then hurried to finish the story "This lasted for five days with five nights, the room full of couples that were not able to make their bodies obey them. The Guru even tried to silence Almera's magic, to no avail. Finally, when the sixth night was beginning, Soarer arrived to Cefiro, his presence required by matters of diplomacy. He only had to listen to the strange melody that resounded all over the castle, and his feet and his heart drove him to the ballroom, where he found the princess twirling from man to man, prisoner of her own enchantment. It was then that the magic could make its deed, the girl and her lover ended up dancing together and all their memories returned to them, as whole as their love. As if it had a life of it own, the music ceased in that very instant, and from that day on it had not stopped to make its mysterious appearance in any ball taking place in the castle. The strangest thing is that all the people caught together by the abrupt end of the song spent the rest of their lives together, as if it was meant to be. That led to the superstition that, it doesn't matter who your partner is in the beginning, but that person in whose arms you find yourself when the music stops is or is destined to become your true love."
Umi, who had listened with extraordinary attention while the summoner narrated the legend, gave away a light sigh once he had finished.
"So romantic! Just like a fairy tale…" she said curling even more up to the boy's shoulder, action that he answered him with the already expected blush and a not so expected, but equally welcome arm that surrounded her waist "Do you want us to try?"
"Hum…" Ascot scratched his head with his free hand "It's considered to be an ill omen… I mean, we should not begin this dance together… if you really want us to end up together…"
The water knight couldn't but smile.
"I was just saying. I guess the romanticism of the whole thing elated me, and everyone here seems to feel the same way too" she explained, her smile never fading "but I don't know if the legend will work with us. After all, I come from the Mystic World."
"But I'm from Cefiro." the boy stared away for a moment, his eyes following the dancing couples "Besides, in the occasion narrated by the legend, the magic didn't exclude the foreigners. Everyone fell under its influence."
"Then I must insist." Umi nodded, her expression becoming seductive "You and I have to take a part in this!"
"But…" Ascot still tried to argue.
"But what are you guys doing here? Aren't you going to dance?"
Both girl and boy turned around surprised. They were each so focused in the other they didn't realize that Guru Clef and Presea have been listening to their conversation for several minutes.
"Don't you know that if you don't join the rest, you doom them to keep dancing and dancing forever?" the artisan added since she was the one whose voice had previously startled them.
"But it is supposed to be an ill omen…" Ascot tried to explain once again.
"We know." the master mage interrupted him with a strange smile "That's why we're here, to help you. May I have this dance, Umi?"
Completely confused, the water knight could only place her hand in the one that Guru Clef offered her. Even more stunned, Ascot was not able to do more than watch them walk away to the dance floor, not being able to decide if he felt grateful or jealous.
"Shall we?" Presea, who had read the boy's face like an open book, grabbed his arm gently and led him in the same direction "And don't make that face. She'll come back to you."
"Yeah…" Ascot agreed with a grateful smile. The artisan rewarded him with a similar gesture and they immediately mixed with the rest of the couples in the motley, but fascinating confusion.
On the other hand, Umi recovered her voice when she was already swaying in the master mage's arms.
"Very chivalrous, Clef." she smiled him with a hint of teasing.
"Don't be so thankful yet." he answered in the same fashion "You can never know how long this score will be. Sometimes it takes only a few minutes for everyone to find the right one. But it could also take hours…"
"It doesn't matter. It's more exciting this way." the magic knight shrugged as he made her twirl and an indiscreet question came to her brain "Tell me, Clef… who was your final partner the other times you had to dance this song?"
The magician seemed somehow embarrassed by this question.
"I only danced it once…" he answered suddenly sullen "And to tell you the truth, I can't even remember where I was when the music stopped. All thanks to a certain drink that Caldina gave me…"
Umi laughed when she heard this and the Guru felt more than rewarded in his shame by the girl's happiness.
"Are you happy?"
Her laughter became a smile that made her face shine. Perhaps the question has sounded a bit odd and out of place. However, she understood it perfectly.
"Yes, Clef. I am very happy. Thank you for everything."
"Don't mention it."
That was the last thing he could say before an unexpected turn in the music and in the spell boiling all around dragged him away from the girl. For an instant, Umi floated adrift in the amazingly strong magic current, but she didn't even have time to do anything. Before she could tell what happened, she found herself in Lantis' arms.
"You dance better than what I thought…" she mumbled after a silence too long in her opinion, resolved to break it with the first thought that came to her mind "Excellent, if I may say so."
As soon as she said it, she regretted it. Was she as crazy as to flatter that man? However, the swordsman also seemed to be in a strange mood, less gloomy than the usual. The magic influence, perhaps? He was, after all, a powerful magic user...
"That's what Caldina said." Lantis admitted after a brief pause "Maybe because she compared me with Lafarga."
Umi had to giggle when she remembered how frustrating it was for the illusionist to have a lover who danced with the same grace of a pregnant hippopotamus. But she stopped at once when another idea came to her mind. Lantis had just made a joke on Lafarga's expenses? Unlikely! If it had not happened in her presence, she would have never believed it! Were the stars going to fall from the sky that night?
Her astonishment lasted long after she lost sight of the swordsman, who was replaced by an unknown boy in another unexpected turn of the magic melody. When she recovered, she decided to throw a look to her surroundings, since she didn't know if she should talk to her current partner and he didn't seem very willing to start a conversation that would probably be interrupted soon. Not very far she spotted Hikaru, apparently in the middle of a lively conversation with Geo. Further on she saw Lafarga, who couldn't hide his desire to be as far as possible from the ballroom in spite of the undeniable beauty of his partner, no one other than a very amused Presea. Near them, princess Aska danced with Zazu and Sang Yong could hardly follow princess Tatra in her virtuosity. Trying to find all her acquaintances in her brief scrutiny, Umi also discovered the princess Tarta who danced with a stranger dressed in the typical clothes of Autozam; she saw Eagle that laughed at something that Caldina had just told him; she also caught a glimpse of Clef that smoothly led a seemingly cefirian girl and she finally spotted Lantis, who's oddly benevolent eyes were fixed on the tiny girl dressed in aqua that seemed delighted to be dancing with him. And where was Ascot?
The water knight looked on among the multitude of people, to no avail. The summoner was seemingly out of her reach, and Umi was surprised to be so concerned about this. After all, it was nothing but a silly superstition, right? But it'll be so good to end up with Ascot… and this was the most surprising of all, that her mind would ponder on such things, like a school girl in love for the first time!
"Well" she continued to think with a smile, while the music abruptly changed again and threw her this time into Eagle's arms "isn't that exactly what I am?" And the best part, she had just discovered that she didn't dislike the idea at all. Although she'd probably never admit it to anyone. Or maybe she would…
After this thoughts, Umi started to grow impatient, caught as she was in the madness that had taken over the ballroom, where everyone danced frantically. Alright, the song was rather slow, sometimes even languid, but there were moments when the rhythm took off and became hard to follow. Not that she was really worried about that. Her restlessness was more due to the fact that she could find Ascot among the crowd. She had already lost the count of how many men she had danced with, summing up acquaintances and total strangers. So many twists and turns were beginning to make her dizzy. She couldn't even calculate how long that cursed song had lasted. It seemed like hours to her…
"Please, make it stop soon" she closed her eyes and prayed to no one in particular, but with deep fervor. She had just seen Hikaru among the dancers, and the redhead, obviously not used to parties and similar meetings, looked as if she was about to faint.
Surprisingly, or maybe by cheer coincidence, it didn't took long for the music to die away suddenly. Umi almost fell, given how abrupt the transition had been. One moment, the melody rose quicker and wilder than ever, and the next one it had completely ceased, as if its reason of being had also disappeared all of a sudden. And since the girl kept her eyes closed after her rather desperate request, she didn't see the person who held her in his arms.
To be continued…