The Yule Ball (Part I)
"And my mother sent me over a new pair of shoes too. Boots! They're real and match my new vest perfectly!" Sigmund bragged to his friends over their lunch. "I'm supposed to receive a few more items in the post, but they should all be here in time."
"My father is letting me wear my great grandfather's pocket watch for the ball!" Another one of Sigmund's peers announced, voice lilted with a prideful tone. "See? He sent me a photo of it. It's real gold and powered with ancient motes!"
Kyle rolled his eyes as the wizard boys at his table gathered around to gawk at the photo. All month long, the students in his dormitory had been full of joint excitement over one of the academy's most anticipated events happening over the weekend, The Yule Ball. Held on the Pagan evening of Yule, the ball ushered in the winter solstice for the youth of Milkweed Academy. A time of cheer, holiday joy and most exciting of all, the winter break. Winter break allowed the students to return home if they chose to, and enjoy a well deserved magical recharge from the constant exams and lessons.
It wasn't just the break they looked forward to though, the halls of Milkweed Academy would open to the neighboring academies for the event. Below the depths of the universe, the University of the Underworld housed ghouls and reapers who rose up from the darkness for the occasion. And miles away, through the enchanted forest that acted as a boarder between worlds, sat the Halfmoon Hallows Witching Academy. Though Milkweed Academy housed creatures of all kinds, Halfmoon Hallows only taught the most high-brow of witches. It was a girl's only academy and prided itself on the achievements accomplished by it's rich line of alumni, some of those who went on to teach the youth of Milkweed and even joined the academy's school board.
Halfmoon witches were a diverse bunch in themselves. White witches that practiced pure, good willed magic. Witches of black magic that studied the alchemy of the afterlife and conjured beasts and horror-filled monsters. Herbalist witches that marveled their peers with giant shrubbery work and specialized in potion making and medicinal work. For the young men of Milkweed though, one group of witches happened to be on everyone's mind with the subject of the Yule Ball.
"I think once Erin sees my pocket watch, she'll want me to accompany her to the ball~" The peer continued with a knowing smirk. Sigmund raised a brow. This would be his first Yule at Milkweed and he wasn't exactly familiar with the routine or the attendees.
"Erin?" He asked between a bite of his apple. "Erin who? The one from the race?" Immediately after the question, giggles seemed to fill the air at the end of the wooden cafeteria table. Some boys sheepishly hid behind their hands to cover blushes taking over their expressions. None of them could compose themselves enough to answer the question. Kyle was annoyed with the entire display.
"You're all pathetic, flea-ridden, delusional trolls to think any witch from Halfmoon Hallows would want to ask any of you, anywhere!" He spat, a giggle of his own escaping him. "Heh...delusional trolls..."
"Halfmoon Hallows?" Sigmund inquired again, facing the braced boy this time. "Is that the academy she attends? I hadn't heard the name at the races. I suppose I hadn't been paying attention with all the excitement..."
"Yes. It's the academy across the forest. It's a school for witching. Girls only."
"Girls only?" Now, he understood what all the sheepish chuckling had been about. There were girls around Milkweed, but not all of them were exactly human. And for the most part, they weren't segregated. All the students were treated the same, besides Sigmund of course. It was mainly the allure of girls from another academy that seemed to excite the boys at the table. "Well then, why Erin if there's other girls?"
"Erin the Enchantress is one of the top marked witches on our level at Halfmoon Hallows." Sigmund's peer seemed to swoon in response. "She's faced off against witches from our school during the annual Rune Relays for other categories and her power is intense. She's really amazing."
"And really pretty..." Another peer added in, a statement that resulted in a resounding cheer of confirmation from the rest of the boys. "I guess she was trying something new this year entering the broom race." Sigmund was already interested after hearing "top marked". Even though he recalled her trying to cheat during the relay, he found her admirable.
"Oh~?" He grinned. "In that case, I'm sure it'll be me that accompanies her, but I won't be the one asking, obviously." Kyle slammed his fork down onto the table and pulled the napkin bib from his sweater vest.
"You're all making me lose my appetite with this girl talk, rubbish!" He complained, standing from his seat. "You're all hideous! Enough of this!"
"You're one to talk!" Sigmund laughed. "I'm gorgeous! You have yet to show any of us what you're planning to wear to the ball."
"Because I'm not going!" Lifting his tray from the table, Kyle turned away and excused himself towards the garbage receptacles. Sigmund trailed behind him.
"W-wait! Why not?"
"Because, I don't want to!" Scraping the food off his tray and into the trash, Kyle moved himself over to the sinks to rinse it off. "All the pageantry and frills and pride all evening. I just don't care for any of it!"
Truthfully, Kyle usually didn't have the best clothing for the event. His outfit was never anything special, a tad below average and never compared to what others in the room turned up in. Not to mention the entrances some of his peers made, the most extreme and flashy to impress the adolescents of other schools. He always wanted to make an entrance like that, but that would bring attention to his lackluster ensemble. And why would he want that kind of attention?
"You don't like getting dressed up?" Sigmund asked in a tone of doubt. "You seem like the type who'd love it..."
"First of all, you don't know me as well as you believe you do. We're not friends. And second, of course I don't want to get dressed up. I own rags!"
"Rags?" Kyle paused, letting out a sigh before he faced Sigmund again.
"My family doesn't send me anything special like everyone else, okay?!" Sigmund frowned. On one hand, he wanted to tease Kyle for being left out, but on the inside, he couldn't find it in himself to do it. He didn't want to admit it, but he felt bad for Kyle. Following Kyle into the courtyard, Sigmund gave Kyle a proposal.
"I mean, I could always loan you something?" The sorcerer offered. "We're nearly the same size, ja? I'm a little taller, but you could hem the trousers or-"
"Absolutely not!" Kyle interrupted. "I'm not taking hand-me-downs from you!"
"Oh, look who sounds prideful now! Stop it!"
"I can't wear something you've worn before me! Everyone would know!"
"Kahl, please! I have so many outfits I've never worn out. I'm positive you'll find something." As the bell chimed for class, Sigmund gripped the strap of his leather satchel. "After class, we can look through my wardrobe, okay?"
"Why are you insisting?" Kyle asked, a bit suspicious over the entire display. Sigmund was never this charitable. Sigmund rolled his eyes.
"Because I know if you don't go, I'll never hear the end of your whining and complaining about having missed it. It honestly saves me the trouble." Kyle blushed in embarrassment as Sigmund turned away to meet with his friends again. He couldn't even argue with that statement, it was all too true.
Getting through the remainder of their classes for the day, the conjurer actually felt a bit of excitement. Sigmund's clothes, while not exactly his style, were always so impeccably well made and tailored. Every vest seemed to be constructed with quality materials, beautifully shiny buttons and expensive fabrics. Every so often, the sorcerer would receive a package to their dorm from home and Kyle would always watch on as he'd pull out Victorian blouses or fresh leather coats or trousers, shoes, accessories. It was endless. Sigmund was most definitely spoiled.
Coming face to face with said wardrobe when he'd returned to their room, Kyle was speechless. Some fabrics that peeked out sparkled in the light of the room. To the touch, some of Sigmund's more formal pieces felt as though they melted into his hand. Raw silks and blouses lined with intricate lace. It was simply put, luxury.
"I can't wear this..." Kyle breathed, scanning through Sigmund's wardrobe. "This is...a bit over the top."
"I'm confusion. Is that not what you wanted?" Sigmund retorted. Turning to his wardrobe, he pulled out a mint colored blazer. "How about this?" Kyle's face wrinkled in distaste and he shook his head.
"No, that color would wash me out..."
"How about this one?" Sigmund smiled, pulling a deep purple blazer this time. Kyle stuck his tongue out.
"Bleh! No! That color clashes with my hair!"
"Seriously? Ugh, okay then...how about...this?" This time, the sorcerer pulled a blazer that shockingly had tassels cascading from the sleeves and bottom hem.
"You must be joking..." Kyle grumbled. Sigmund's mouth dropped.
"What?! This is one of my favorites!"
"Don't you have anything, I don't know, more simple?"
"Simple? Was the purple one not simple?"
"I mean something classic. You know, just black or dark grey. Maybe with a little space for a pocket square? Something like that.."
"Oooh, you mean boring..." Sigmund scoffed, turning back to the closet as Kyle crossed his arms. "...ja, this is the only one I have like that." It was a perfectly sleek, black morning coat with a grey vest tucked underneath. No glitter, no metallics, no rhinestones, no lace, no tassels. Just perfect. A smile instantly came to the wizard's face.
"That's exactly what I had in mind!" Kyle marveled. Sigmund handed it over to him and quickly, Kyle removed his Milkweed cardigan to pull on the tailored jacket. The wool was weighted and delightfully comfortable. Lined on the inside with silk, Kyle felt like he was sinking into it in the best way possible. It was a surprisingly perfect fit.
"I hate that coat..." Sigmund grimaced. "So hideously boring."
"It's perfect!"
"Then keep it! And here, take the ugly trousers too." Handing Kyle the matching trousers, Sigmund opened a drawer in his wardrobe and handed him a red pocket square. The crepe material was just as soft to the touch as everything else Kyle had gotten his hands on. "Keep this too."
"Is this not all incredibly expensive?" Kyle squeaked in disbelief. Sigmund shrugged.
"Probably, I don't know. What I do know is that red isn't my color. That one was a gift and I hate it." Gifts had also become more common to arrive to their room the more popular Sigmund had become in the world of magic. It shocked Kyle how comfortable the sorcerer had become with making said gifts so disposable. He was thankful though, at least in this case.
"Are you a cravat type?" Sigmund asked. Kyle raised a brow.
"Excuse me? A what type?"
"You're so uncultured.." Sigmund sighed, rubbing his temples. He pointed to the tufted, ivory fabric that was tucked into his vest around his neck. "This. This is a cravat."
"Oh, no! No!" Kyle laughed. "Makes you look like a Victorian era ghost!"
"How rude! I happen to love them! They ooze class and sophistication!"
"Don't you just have a bowtie or something?"
"NEVER! How low brow!"
Kyle rolled his eyes and turned to his own wardrobe in the corner of the room. Thankfully, he had his own bowtie, though the red hue didn't match the pocket square very well. He'd make due. The entire ensemble was more than he could've ever hoped for his family to send him. Sigmund folded his arms.
"Well then, are you going to try it on or not?"
"O-oh! I should, shouldn't I?"
"Duh! If you need alterations, I could summon an elf or something to quickly fit you! The ball is tomorrow evening."
"Yes, yes. Alright! One moment then.." Slipping into their bathroom, Kyle disappeared with the arm full of clothing. After some time had passed, he reemerged with the suit on. It was perfect, no tailoring needed. To his surprise, Kyle was greeted with Sigmund in an outfit of his own. A long, cascading coat, adorn with jet black lace at the cuffs and collar. At his wrists, his sleeves were joined together by sparkling emerald cufflinks. The vest he wore beneath the coat matched the accessories perfectly and the silk blouse he wore under that gave the overall look a rich feeling.
"Ah! There you are!" Sigmund smirked. "Took long enough! I decided to try my outfit on again since my boots finally came in the post." Kyle wasn't sure if they were snake skin or gator, but the deep green boots on Sigmund's feet looked incredibly expensive. On Kyle's feet, he'd kept on his red trainers. "Are you pleased with that suit, because I have so many others-"
"I really like it, a lot. Thank you, Sigmund."
"Ew, don't get all soft with me. It's nauseating..." Ignoring the comment, Kyle smiled at himself in the mirror. He was actually excited now for the event in a way he'd never been in previous years. This was the best he'd ever looked. He contemplated on doing his hair up a little nicer, but ultimately decided he couldn't be bothered.
On the evening of the Yule Ball, Kyle walked into the dorm rather late and was met with Sigmund in a bath robe and towel over his head. The sorcerer sat at his desk, which he'd made into a vanity, cracked his knuckles and removed the towel. His hair was a dampened mess, but he was prepared and got to work with a brush and handheld hair dryer. He swept through his sparkly platinum locks, pausing when Kyle came into the view of his mirror, still in uniform.
"What are you doing showing up so late?" Sigmund asked, shutting off the dryer to spin around in his seat. "Get ready!"
"I was studying. I just have to get changed, it won't take me that long."
"NO!" Sigmund gasped. "You need a shower! You reek of pixie dust and toad foot oil!" Kyle pulled his sweater to his nose to inspect it.
"Oh my, is it really that strong?" Standing up from his seat at the desk, Sigmund pulled Kyle's backpack off, tossed it to the floor and pushed him into the direction of the bathroom.
"GO SHOWER! NOW!" By the time Kyle was bathed and dressed, Sigmund was already spritzing himself with musk and touching up his styled hair. Walking over to the door, Kyle was stopped in his tracks. "EXCUSE ME?"
"What now?" Kyle groaned. Sigmund covered his mouth.
"Mein Gott! You really weren't going to do anything with your hair?!"
"I mean...no?" Sigmund practically snatched Kyle, plopping him down at his desk and grabbing a hairbrush. He tried his best to pass the brush through, but tangles in the way caused Kyle to yelp. "OUCH! SIGMUND, PLEASE!"
"I have to do everything for you, I swear!" Grabbing a can of mousse off the desk, Sigmund pointed it down towards the redhead, who quickly shot up from his seat.
"No! Not that stuff!" Kyle gasped, pushing Sigmund's hand away. "It makes your hair look solid like a helmet or something!"
"It keeps the strands in place!"
"I said no!"
Though he didn't want his hair styled, Kyle settled for a soft comb-over to please Sigmund. And although the sorcerer still believed he needed the mousse, they compromised. The boys finally separated once they left their room, Sigmund parting ways to travel with his friends and Kyle heading out after pulling on his cape. The wizard watched as the sorcerer and his well dressed entourage hopped on board a massive griffin and took off into the sky in the direction of the banquet hall. He settled for his broom.
The open air was alive that evening. Excited students traveled on all modes of transport. Flying carpets, unicorns, ancient dragons, pegasus and griffins. Below them, dark shadows seemed to move at a great speed, indicating the students from the University of the Underworld were on their way. Kyle had even spotted a giant serpent with ghouls sat on it's back and a couple grim reapers riding black horses through the forest. In the distance, witches from Halfmoon Hallows rose into the air on brooms with twinkling lanterns attached, heads adorn with pointed hats of all shapes and sizes. Groups of them let out witchling laughter and traveled densely together. Kyle noticed one of the witches breaking away from the pack and flying in his direction.
"Freckles~!"
"O-oh! Erin!"
Sat sideways on her broom, Erin smiled warmly toward the conjurer. Her long red velvet gown and massive matching brimmed hat fluttered in the wind with her hair flowing behind her. Finally catching a glimpse of Kyle clearer, the enchantress held back a laugh that eventually came out anyways.
"Pffff!"
"What's so funny?" Kyle pouted, brows furrowing in annoyance. Erin shook her head.
"I was gonna compliment you on your color choice, considering I'm wearing the same color too, but your hairstyle is really distracting!"
Kyle blushed furiously. He wasn't fond of the style himself and he felt weird about it the moment he'd exited his dorm room. With his hand, he did his best to shake out the style, but the hairspray Sigmund had topped it off with sneakily was doing it's job very well. Erin was having a great laugh over the whole scene.
"Ugh!" He groaned, finally giving up. "I told Sigmund not to touch my hair!"
"Ah! Sigmund helped you? No wonder you look so fancy tonight!"
"Fancy?"
"Yeah, super fancy. And handsome too!"
"H-handsome?!"
"Look, I know you're gonna be Mr. Popular with all the ladies tonight, but save a dance for me. Okay~?"
Before he could respond, Erin descended in the direction of the banquet hall, leaving Kyle a flustered mess. If there was one thing he couldn't stand, it was enchantresses and the hopeless, puppy dog feeling they gave him. Rubbing at his cheeks, Kyle swooped down for a landing once he reached the landing strip of the banquet hall. It was already a full on parade of pageantry, exactly what he hadn't been looking forward to.
Students walked down the landing strip as if it was some sort of catwalk. Though the neighboring schools weren't exactly allowed to communicate with each other outside of events like these, it seemed as though somehow there were more than a few coordinated couples between Milkweed, Halfmoon and the Underworld.
From above, Sigmund's griffin squawked loudly, gaining everyone's attention. Instead of the boys landing the beast, the decided to materialize instead in a hail of sparkles and grandeur. Kyle rolled his eyes, but students from other schools were enamored with the display. Sigmund had taken the time out to help some of his friends learn the trick for this weekend and he was beyond pleased it seemed to have gone smoothly, as planned.
"We've arrived~!" Sigmund smirked, making his way past the other students, friends in tow. "Now the party is allowed to start!" Cheers actually came from students around them that even surprised Sigmund's friends. Together, the students made their way into the banquet hall for dinner hour.
