Dear Readers,
Hey there! That last chapter featured the morning before this greatly anticipated event. This chapter and the next will be all about that Gala itself. I'm so stoked, so let's get started.
Standard disclaimers still apply - I don't own Sailor Moon or any of the other trademarked things I may mention. I am merely borrowing all of these things for my own plots and premises. Most will be returned unharmed.
Dedicated to My Mom! She's always gone out of her way to make every milestone and holiday great for us. Christmas has always been her FAVORITE! She goes all out, even when we had no budget, no hope and things seemed bleak. She always made it work, she always made it special. It takes a tremendous person to do that. For making me think of you every time I see gingerbread men or gingerbread houses. For always being my creative muse in everything. Decorating, she is queen. You've always made Christmas such a blast, and I hope that you had as much fun as I did.
"A Memorable Christmas"
Chapter 15 - The Christmas Gala Event
As the Ball Began…
(Darien's Perspective)
From the very moment Serena had stepped out at the top of that staircase, I completely forget everyone else was there. Andrew and Garrett were both teasing me about my impatience to reach her. Even though I know they were standing right beside me they sounded far off. Nearly the entire time she was having that touching moment with her four big brother-type friends. I had been pulled down from those steps several times by both of them telling me to calm down. To give them a minute.
In my defense I hadn't been the only one, all three resurrected Scouts were just as frantic (Even though Venus's memories are still missing apparently her protectiveness for Serena wasn't lacking. She'd been stopped too). Molly even tried to go up there at one point, but Melvin had stopped her. Saying words that managed to stop me too. Even if his voice too rang off at some distance.
Melvin had said quietly, "This is their time Molly. Your forgetting that Serena had to go a whole year without her Sailor Girl teammates. She's had to rely on these four guys and they're bound to have gotten close. Let them handle it, I'm sure she's fine."
Molly slapped at his hands and told him, "Quiet Melvin. Lower your voice, not all of us know, remember?" Then she whispered more to the point, "Ann and Alan don't know things yet. And Mina still doesn't remember."
We all glanced at them but they were arguing and too far away from them to have heard anything.
When Nate finally placed her soft hand into mine though. I was finally able to think clearly again, she has just become the center of my world over these last few days.
I don't think she's even aware of it either.
The pull and magnetism she has over all of us. Even if me especially, since this whole Christmas Truce began. Or if I'm being perfectly honest, ever since that first moment I saw her.
Whichever first time you want to site.
At that moment, I knew that it was true… I love her, it wasn't just my friends teasing me or a game I was losing. Like I'd thought all this time. I loved her and I really hoped that I could find the guts to tell her. Some time soon, even if I had no idea when was the right time to say something like that. Or if my feelings are returned, or ever could be.
When she'd reached me at ground level she hugged me and whispered, "I can't get over how good you look."
I reminded her, "It's not the first time you've seen me all dressed up. Didn't you call that first tux stupid?"
She came right back at me with, "Because you were sporting that one in broad daylight. Who does that? And for what? Who goes around dressed like that in the daytime, with no apparent reason?" She'd said gaining a little teeny bit more height as she'd stepped into her high-heeled shoes for the evening.
I know she had a good point, and I know this all sounds like our natural banter. However, I just couldn't stop staring at her lips as she spoke. I didn't want to mess up her makeup, but if she was wearing any, it wasn't noticeable. She just looked perfect, and I couldn't stop staring or grinning like an idiot.
When I was quiet and thoughtful after her obvious dig at me, trying very hard not to kiss her. She provoked, "What? No backlash? No comeback?"
"No," I said, my smile getting wider. It made my cheeks sting a little. Seriously, I don't think I've smiled more in any given week throughout my life. Like I have been smiling all week long with her. "I just know how typical suits like that can be. Do I look all that differently tonight?"
"You do," she smiled, tugging at my collar, "You seem… I don't know, differe-"
"Happy?" I asked and she agreed, As I came in for a kiss, unable to stand the temptation another moment. I tried to keep it short and sweet, I really tried not to devour her. Like I had against that tree in the park or mistletoed ceilings of the Crown and Furahata's. But it was very hard to let her go again once I'd started. It gave me some hope that she seemed to be fighting the same scrimmage when we did meet eyes again.
I teased her, "Wonder what's changed?"
She leaned her forehead against mine, "I can't imagine." She teased right back.
We held a group prayer then the doors were opened to allow our guests to start coming in. Our massive group began headed for the Ballroom, and the place did look spectacular. I'd never seen anything like it, when the music started and I took hold of Serena's hand and waist. Her face was suddenly all puckered with worry. When I asked her, "What was wrong?"
She made me lean down to whisper in my ear, "I've only ever really danced at parties and middle school dances mostly. I only attend fancy parties like this one for work as Sailor Moon. I wasn't even me at the time I was incognito, ya know. I haven't danced like this in a very long time."
"Don't worry," I shrugged, "There's nothing to it."
She still looked panicked as she said, "Ya think?"
"Yeah!" I waved off, "It is all in the leading and having chemistry with your partner. I'm a great lead dancer, and our chemistry has been legendary for years. We got this." I winked and made her giggle (even if the tone of that chuckle was a bit nervous sounding at the end).
Nathan had run over to the DJ, and the compact live orchestra sitting in. To coordinate who would go when. It would seem that the live band was ready first. So beautiful solo violin music started to float throughout the room. One by one all of the instruments came to life and the music was unforgettably beautiful. Whimsy and dreamy sounding as it reinvented "White Christmas." A more than appropriate choice too. Given this Christmas will definitely be a white one.
As everyone surrounding us bowed or curtsied. I watched Serena gulp loudly and just skipped that. I took her in my arms again and started to lead her through the motions. I've teased her more than anyone else alive about her klutziness, clumsiness, and gracelessness. But out there on that dance floor, she was a natural. She caught on fast, kept right with my pace, and once we'd gotten to the part where all the steps repeat. She was starting to have fun.
At some point when we were in full swing with all of the other pairs. I caught a glimpse of us on the mirror wall. In that dress she wore, the way that she knew how to move it. It looked like something out of a fairy tale. At the end of the song, she spun out from me and curtsied with near confidence. I chuckled as I bowed back. Everyone clapped, and just like that, the first dance was done.
She wiped a comical hand across her forehead, and said. "I had fun but, Man! Am I glad that's over."
I encouraged, "And we didn't trip once! Neither of us." We high-fived.
It was amazing how many people had joined in that short time. As a new song began, played by the DJ, something jazzy sounding (think Michael Buble). We started to notice some of the moves made by our neighbors and started trying to see if we could pull off the same. Her laughter at whenever we nailed it or failed miserably was gift enough to keep me trying. I laughed so much that we were both seeking out punch after about five songs. By then the ballroom was starting to get a good lively crowd beyond our friends. It would seem that people were exploring first, then finding their way to the ballroom. Some people had headed straight to the dining hall first too. It was nice that everyone could get the party experience they wanted when they wanted.
As our friends were also getting drinks [because they were just as parched] I caught Nathan and asked, "How are we doing? Does everyone seem happy?"
Nathan said, "I don't know, and I'm a little afraid to know." He allows one of his staff to pour punch into a fancy cup and handed it to me. Before getting another for himself, always the gracious host.
"It's bound to be going well, I haven't seen a single person not smiling. Even among all the strangers." I tried to encourage him.
He leaned closer and said, "From what I can tell so far so good. I'm just afraid to say anything and jinx it. I haven't seen any of the big guns yet, but they're probably taking one of the house tours our house staff is running. Everyone seems to be doing that first of the group judging us tonight."
I pat Nate on the back and said, "It'll be good. I can feel it."
He smiled at me with genuine appreciation and said, "I hope you're right."
Before Serena and I downed our drinks to rush back to the dance floor. Because my date had heard 'a good one.' Which had been Brenda Lee's "Rocking Around The Christmas Tree." She taught me the dance she had invented for this song with her mom, I had to learn it. I can honestly boast I have never enjoyed so many Christmas tunes in my life.
Artemis's Wish Fulfillment
(Luna's Perspective)
I still have no idea why I let Artemis talk me into this. But he had been so insistent that this would be the best way to enjoy this Ball. Instead of just running around getting stepped on as cats. I had agreed to change into my human form for this one night.
This isn't something I can do anytime I want (not that I would ever want this permanently). The life of a cat is far superior to me, human isn't what I am. A part of me even thought that this was a waste of perfectly good magic we probably couldn't afford. Our enemies were bound to be nearing their end game, even our newest returned Scout had sensed such. One Sailor Scout has yet to return, as well as Tuxedo Mask. Both may very well miss out on this whole arc.
Venus is the Scout closest to Artemis, so perhaps he's played upon my sympathies.
When he had first pitched me this idea. I had even asked him, "Are you bonkers? How can you think of something so frivolous, at a time like this." If I had stood my ground I wouldn't be in this furless meat sack getting dragged behind my "date."
Even now, my mind was on the obstacles that we were still facing. We had to be ready to beat these villains, no matter when they decided to come at us again. A public spectacle like this evening was the perfect setup. Even if we do possess their deck of Cardians and we'd managed a big win last night. I knew it was far from over. It wasn't if they'll attack again, it was when-
"Luna!" Artemis stopped in front of me so fast that I almost ran right into him.
"Don't do that!" I smacked his fleshy human arm. "Don't make me run and stop short like that."
"Sorry," he said not sounding sorry in the least. "But I could hear your mind spiraling as we got closer to the party. It isn't taking away from the girls or guys if we have a little fun too. I checked into it. This won't effect their magic at all. So stop worrying and let's just have fun tonight. Promise me."
He made me look him in his big green eyes, as I said, "Okay! Okay! I promise… what do you wanna do first? We don't need the tours, we've been living here for days. Do you want to dance or eat?"
Artemis shocked me by saying, "Dance." With no hesitation.
"Well, that was sure fast? What made that such an easy decision for you?" I asked him.
He took me by my waist and pulled me close as he said, "Because I haven't danced with you since we were reanimated. I remember how we used to dance together sometimes at the Balls on the Moon."
"You do?" I asked him as he put a paw-I mean hand on my face.
"You were so good at in this form… Unforgettable, in fact." He encouraged.
"Artemis, forgive me, but I'm gonna need a little bit more explanation." I finally said as we were nearly to the part of the Grand Hall. Where all of the people were heading in all directions.
He thankfully explained his reasoning better. "I know we have a mission to fulfill. We need to train the girls and watch over them. That comes first, I also know that you think a relationship between us is really impossible until the Scouts are all full grown. I hear you and understand all of that. We're in this together, as always, and I will support whatever you need."
I told this cat-turned-man, "I sense a 'but' coming?"
"Because you know me, even better than I know myself." He smiled. Before he took a deep breath, and let it out. Then continued, "Even though I accept all of that, I just said… That doesn't change how I feel about you. You're my best friend, my partner and I love you so very much that I wanted to take this one night and spend it with you. I wanted to date you, spoil you and enjoy your company. But… I know that we can only last in this form for hours not the whole night. So can we please just take this little bit of time to be together and enjoy each other? It's Christmas time and this is my ultimate Christmas wish."
He could have stopped there, really. But he went on to point out, "All of our girls and guys are paired off… as long as we don't speak around them, they'll never even know we did this. We won't interfere with their evening and there isn't anyone else I would want to spend tonight with."
I couldn't help it, I pulled him into a quick human kiss right on the lips. Cats don't usually show affection in this way (I know), but sometimes we do. He smiled at me so handsomely afterward. I almost admitted that it was all worth the waste of magic.
He pulled me into another long lingering kiss. That deepened - ALRIGHT! I confess it's worth every drop of magic spilled. Okay! The male even made this his bloody Christmas wish. Who's soulless enough to turn that down? Not this cat!
His long white hair hung down his back, I had always admired human males that were more clean-cut. Till the first time, I saw him in this form, THAT! I remembered clearly. That night he was wearing an all white suit trimmed in light yellow crescent moon shapes. His shirt was white and so were his shoes. Tonight he was wearing that same suit again and he looked far too good to miss out on this dance.
As we reached the area where we could blend into the crowd. Surrounded in all of the happy noises of the party. I caught a glimpse of myself too, along a wall that was all mirror. My gown was as blue as the night sky, and sparkled like the stars and matching crescent moons at the bottom. My wavy purple hair was styled with little shiny pearls all throughout. I couldn't help thinking that we made a rather handsome pair together.
As we entered the ballroom, we spotted all of our girls dancing with their dates. I hardly recognized them at first because they all looked so grown up. Even though we'd promised to try and stay quiet, Serena just had to walk past us and hear us talking to each other. She stopped and called us out. "Luna? Artemis? HOW are you PEOPLE right now?"
"Hehe, Magic?" Artemis shrugged.
I threw him under the bus so hard he probably bounced. "It was all Artemis' idea. I tried to reason with him but would he listen to me? You know-"
"Listen! Luna! LUNA!" Serena said taking hold of my free hand (my date still held the other). Serena went on to share. "I'm so glad to see that you two are gonna have some fun tonight too. It was one of my Christmas wishes I'd written in my Crown Christmas wishes at the Arcade. I won't tell anyone, and I hope you guys have a blast. But Luna! No way you can still claim that Artemis isn't your boyfriend."
She was right of course, it was futile denying it any longer. I just hated it so much whenever Serena was this right and I had been wrong. Artemis and I hugged her and told her, "To go have fun."
"As soon as she was back with her prince, I was whisked off to the dancefloor. Leave it to my date, who promised to be quiet and not speak to hide his identity… To start a conga line, surely this wouldn't be a night any of us would forget easily.
Holiday Hoedown…
(Jaden's Perspective)
Ten songs into the dancing part of this thing and I can not keep my eyes off of my date. Neither could a good number of other male hedgers attending this gig. All standing along the walls just waiting for me to give her up. Not a chance saps! Not a prayer! I never gave her up by choice before and I wasn't about to start. No matter how gracious a host I'm supposed to be.
I just got this lady to call me hers again. After an agonizing nearly twenty-four-hour period of not knowing if she would ever speak to me again. The hell if I was about to give her up now. Nope! Though Raye's Grandpa and other temple family showed up and she did run off to hug them and flip out over her grandpa's suit. She'd been convinced that if he showed up at all. He would be wearing the shabby plaid relic of the seventies he was still passing off a dresswear or his customary kimono claiming "it was dressy enough." She didn't know I had taken him with me when I was getting myself fitted for my suit and had gotten him a little something new to wear.
After all of his kindness to me since I had arrived. Along with the lifetime, he's looked after Raye. I figured an evening where he looked and felt like a million bucks. More than worth it, and the least I could do. Raye was gushing a hundred miles an hour. Making her grandpa spin and show off his style. He was shorter than me but sharp. As he was talking to his granddaughter. He was already getting asked to dance, or join ladies around him too, the lady-killer.
I had to reclaim my date and tell him to "Get out there and give those ladies a break."
If it hadn't been enough seeing his happy face, as he headed back towards the lady of his choice. Raye's expression was even more priceless. I led her back to the snowing room and let her cool off a little. Her face had gotten all red with excitement. She gushed to me in the cooler atmosphere. "I can't believe it, I just can't believe it!"
I had to admit, "Gramp's has got game."
"He does!" She gushed, "And he's having fun for a change and not worrying about every little thing."
"Yeah, it's a miracle." I agreed, knowing his tendencies to worry all too well. "So I take it these two early Christmas presents were good ones?" I asked her hopefully.
"Are you kidding?" She asked, "I can almost swear that you couldn't have done anything to make me happier."
"Almost?" I caught, "That sounds like there is something I could have done that was even better?"
She smirked too knowingly for me to doubt that she'd already thought of something better. I just hoped that whatever she was about to impart was wrapped and stored away for Christmas morning.
When her eyes cut over to me in the slanted sexy way, I braced myself. "Well, you did already do something that was better than both my dress and Grandpa's suit, but that was last night."
"Last night?" I repeated and then it dawned on me, "Ooooooooooh, last night?"
"Yeah, that was… pretty good too." She can't give me an inch can she?
"Are we talking about the forgiving part or the making up part?" I clarified and she grinned before she went straight-faced and pretended to think about that, hard.
"Hmm?" She thought audibly, "The forgiveness was actually amazing, I was so incredibly relieved and elated by that. I really thought you were gonna tell me to go-"
"No WAY!" I claimed, "It's like I told you then, Mars comes into my bedroom I had so many plans and plots. We really need to do that again some night. We really didn't even crack into the top five of my best ideas. Though that just a shirt of mine under your fuku was a nice touch." I teased in a soft whisper as I leaned down to kiss her neck.
She giggled and I snuck a few more kisses on her neck cheek and shoulder. "Jaden!" She tried to complain but when she's turning into every kiss and only getting more breathless by the second. She had to remind me, "We aren't exactly alone in here, This is one of the public rooms in your house tonight."
"Maybe so," I said directly into her ear. "But if you're gonna flirt with me you better be prepared for consequences."
"Oh! I can handle anything you dish out, hellion." Raye boasted before she challenged. "But if you want this night to end anything like last night did. You better come at me with more that a few stolen kisses in a refrigerated room. Or a few empty threats whispered in the heat of one moment. If tonight does come to that same conclusion, you're the one who'd better be prepared, you hear me? Wise guy?"
"Oh yeah," I affirmed before she finally laid a kiss on me so intense. I felt like a mushroom cloud of pure heat had shot up above my head when we finally made contact. Yeah, she's not just known as the "Fiery Scout" because she's hot. She's also the most tempting temptress to traipse the globe.
Yep, that's my girlfriend. If I didn't have all of these strange and important people in my house right now. I would have gladly continued kissing her the rest of the night…. But that just wasn't possible now. We needed to get back to our duties, making certain this fiesta had a sequel. So I somehow pulled away. Took her hand and went back to the ballroom.
…Yawn-fest tours…
(Ann's Perspective)
I didn't want to dance with a person everyone thought was my brother all night. So I didn't want to go in the ballroom. I didn't want to eat all night and be a whale by the end of this god-forsaken party. I'd walk out fatter than Serena.
So I had to steer clear of the four huge places where food and drink were all being served (Dinning Hall-meal, Open Bar and fresh candies in the kitchen area, and finger foods in the grand hall). Bet you Serena stopped at everyone the blimp. I ended up taking tours of the gardens. But they were too cold and I'm based on plant life formations. I was almost too cold to move, but out of desperation, I slipped into a greenhouse as my group passed it. Which thankful was warm, and I could feel myself thawing. I considered trying to just stay there the rest of the night. Wondering if Alan would even care.
I'd told him at breakfast today that I wanted to go home! Screw these people and their holiday. Who needs them? But he insisted on staying, attending, and had asked me to dance like five times before we were even anywhere near the ballroom. This is why no girls talk to him. He's too anxious to please everyone… EXCEPT me!
You know what, screw him too! I'm done with all of this Christmas crap. I want to leave this planet now, and find one without all of these stupid people living on it. With their even stupider beliefs and holidays-
My thoughts are stopped by the door of the greenhouse opening and closing. A guy dressed for the party walks in and asks. "So this is where you disappeared to?"
"No." I answered him sarcastically. "What you're seeing is an illusion. Ann's not really here at all."
When the man stepped into the light, I remembered him from the firepit last night. What did he say his name was again? Smore? No, that's the thing he got me to eat. If there were Smores at this party, at least I could enjoy that.
He said, "Not that I'm one to ever put down botany, but why are you hiding out in a hot house?"
"Anything's better than that awful party in there." I shook my head. I didn't want to set foot back inside, but I had to if I didn't want to freeze to death.
"That can't be true," He tried to charm me. "All girls love getting all dolled up and going to things like this. It's designed to make you all feel like Cinderella for a night."
"Cinder-who?" I asked him.
"Don't tell me your parents never read you fairy tales." He tried to hint. But the only fairy tale I was familiar with was Snow White because we'd done a play about it. I never really got into that Cindy girl's glass shoe story. It sounded too far-fetched and uncomfortable.
"They didn't because they were dead," I said because it was fact, but I didn't realize how harsh it sounded till the words were out.
"Oh." He said as if he could have done something to prevent such a thing. Then he said, "Sorry, I never realized-"
"Look! What was your name again? Garren? Gravin?" I asked.
"Close but it's Garrett, actually." He corrected.
"Garrett? Is that right?" I asked him, and he nodded soundlessly that I had gotten his name right. "I don't know why you keep showing up everywhere I go. At the worst possible moments, I don't know if it's all some cruel game. Or you get some kind of twisted pleasure out of my misery-"
"Whoa whoa WHOA there little lady," The older boy put both of his hands up in surrender. "You've got me all wrong."
"Have I?" I demanded. Because I really didn't see any other way that his constant appearances could be interpreted.
"Yes, how was I to know that I keep interrupting the worst moments? I'm pre-law not clairvoyant." The male college student tried to joke, but I was still too angry to smile.
"Then why is it you keep popping up everywhere I go? Since that party at you're family's place?" I thought it was a very good question and he must have too. Judging by his smile.
"Do I really need to say it?" He answered my question with another question.
"I don't follow," I admitted a little more confused than I was at the start.
"Look! It's like I told you yesterday at the firepit. When you were the most beautiful girl at our house party." He reminded, before admitting, "I'll come clean. I did follow you around a little. During that party, you were mysterious, interesting, and one of the only other people there that embraced the darker sides of Christmas. That is a rare find in any setting but even more so in that house around December."
"The darker side of Christmas? What are you making fun of me?" I asked for clarification.
He said, "No! You… You were a breath of fresh air. You were too interesting to give up, too honest to snuff out. You weren't tripping over yourself to please everyone. You had your own opinions, your ways of expressing yourself, they were clear and unchanging. To someone like me, a person who is always on a quest of some kind for truth. Those are invaluable traits to have."
"Invaluable… so they're good, right?" I heard myself repeating.
Garrett chuckled, "Yes, it means you're priceless. Unmatched and beyond figurable worth. I find the more I'm around you, I like you a little more."
I didn't think that I could possibly like anyone besides Alan or Darien. But at that moment looking up into Garrett's green eyes. I felt pulled in, just like the first time I'd looked into Darien's. Alan said the same thing happened between us too, but I was too young to remember that.
I was so caught up in the moment, that I went quiet. So Garrett backpaddled, "The point is Ann, you were the prettiest girl at that party. Today, you still outshine the crowd. Marching to the beat of your own drum. Would it be alright, since the both of us aren't having too much fun at this party. Could we sort of hang out, for the rest of the party… see where this goes?"
I was honest, "I think I could possibly like you too, and you are working that suit."
"I know I am," He smiled as he straightened his coat. Then as we started to head for the door, even though I was wearing my puffer coat. Garrett squished me against his side and opened his coat to fling it around me. I had no idea he was such a gentlemen till that second.
The moment we got back inside, he pulled out a pocket full of easy-to-set pranks and said, "Now! Let's have some real fun!"
Now, this was fun!
Stepping Out for a Breath…
(Kirk/Kunzite's Perspective)
Fifteen songs deep into our sophisticated and high society gala…
I think that we're off to a pretty good start here. Even if we're all a little afraid to even say so. Everyone was eating, drinking, dancing, and socializing. A few local businesses and charities had set up tables in the Grand Hall and Dinning Hall. Everywhere I looked there were smiles and laughter. I could feel myself getting less and less nervous as the night went on.
Until I noticed of course that Mina's cheeks weren't pleasingly pink anymore from our dancing. They were more of a bright red, and I was afraid she'd overdone it. As the redness became splotchy and polka-dotted. I persuaded her to step out onto one of the many balconies attached to the Ballroom. The cold fresh air should do the trick in a hurry too. We found one that wasn't occupied and as we stepped out into the refreshing air. I draped my jacket around her bare shoulders. So she hopefully wouldn't get too cold, and to give myself a more concentrated blast of cool (I'd been too hot).
As we cooled off I crossed my arms and leaned against the railing. I asked Mina, "How do you think it's going?"
Mina smiled, "Well, I love it."
"You're enjoying it?" I asked.
"Of course, aren't you?" She shot right back.
"I am, but I didn't think I would." I confided.
Mina leaned against the same rail though it was behind her, "Why?" she asked me.
I uncrossed my arms because she pulled them apart with a gentle hand. "I really did think tonight was gonna be boring, stuffy and uncomfortable. I thought that we were gonna feel stuck and it would be looked back on as the night that wouldn't end. Just because that's how all of our meetings with these people have gone since the beginning."
She pouted at me adorably, "You didn't think you'd be having fun even though I was gonna be your date?"
"These people aren't human Mina," I eluded aptly, before informing her. "They're sharks. Have you ever seen shark attacks on discovery channel before? That was kinda what the meetings have all felt like. Besides the one where they'd liked our Halloween Masquerade. Even then they were all like, can't wait to invade your home again in December and take it over for a night again. Hope you haven't completely unpacked, you'll likely be leaving soon."
"I'm really insulted," she said looking put out.
"Why?" I asked her now.
"Am I not fun?" She asked, before I could answer she was tacking on, "Isn't every time we're together better than last time?"
"Of course it is." I confirmed.
"Then you should feel silly right now, thinking I wouldn't make certain that you have a blast. You should know better than that by now." Mina said head held high.
I had to admit, "I guess I forgot… I mean, Nate is so terribly stressed out about tonight and he's got all of us twisted into tangled-up little balls of stress. I wasn't trying to insu-"
"I know you weren't so I'll let it slide… this time." She warned me, it was like receiving a death threat from a cuddly koala bear. Because like that adorable wild animal, this beautiful creature could kill me. Yet, I knew all would be well.
"Yes, you're very smart." I agreed.
"Do you know what else I know?" She asked, and before I could even ask what. She answered herself. "I definitely got the hottest date of everyone here tonight." She smiled, "I have no doubt about that."
"And you're not biased at all," I said trying not to smile, failing miserably.
"Nope, you know I'm so above such things, entirely." She said as she acted as if she was sashaying a fancy feathered boa like some of our esteemed guests.
"Of course, you are," I agreed like some of the stuffy conversations that had been happening around us all night. "But you know what else I've noticed?"
"What?" She asked still in her playfully prissy voice.
I leaned in close and whispered, "You're the envy of every woman, and all of the guys are just waiting for me to let you out of my sight so they can swoop in."
She slapped me on my shoulder and said, "No, you're too kind."
"No Mina, I know it. You are the most gorgeous thing I've ever seen before. You're stunning, and that's why I'm following you like I am because I'm not gonna let any of these other guys even have a chance at you."
"Kirk." She laughed, back to her normal voice. "You're too much. The success of this dance could very well ride on us all needing to make certain no one is left wall flowering all night. Plus we probably need to dance with our friends. Doesn't that sound like fun? Everyone should dance, so I may have to take a turn or two with someone else-"
"No, you won't," I said with certainty. "Nothing is worth that kind of sacrifice."
Mina looked at me so seriously and asked, "Don't you wanna keep your home? All free and clear? Isn't that the ultimate goal here?"
"It's just a house." I shrugged, "It's just a lavish, fantastic house. That has been very nice to live in while we've had it. But without you, it's nothing more than a nice place. If we were to lose it, I'll admit, the move and search for something else would suck. But I would be able to get over it, if I still had you."
She looked too touched to say anything for a minute and then she saw right through me. As only Mina can, she stated, "The way that you said that sounds like you're expecting me to go or something. How do you not know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you're my home too?"
I kissed her forehead and told her, "Don't mind me. I'm just a pessimist trying to be optimistic, you know? My struggle is real."
Then I helped her back inside and she handed me my suit jacket back. As we decided to head for the dining hall and eat. I wanted to believe that things would stay this way. I knew all too well from my own experiences with the flood of forgotten memories. I knew from what I'd seen everyone else suffer too. That there was no way of knowing for sure what Mina's reaction would be, until she was already in it.
I also reminded myself, that there would be a beam of luminous orange light shooting up into the sky when it happened. I had seen that in my visions, that would be my key tell when that had happened. As we fixed our plates and found a table of familiar faces. I tried to not let these glum thoughts dwell. But my danger senses were perked and pinging the whole time I was trying to eat, drink and be merry. I hoped I was just being paranoid, overly cautious, and silly as Mina had said. But throughout the meal, I couldn't seem to completely silence this voice in the back of my head imploring me to be prepared and keep my eyes open. How can anyone enjoy themselves when that won't shut off?
A Moment of Bravery…
(Alan's Perspective)
I had been dancing all night with all kinds of nice ladies. I had tried several times to get Ann to dance with me. She kept shooing me away and screeching till I listened. Telepathically she told me, "They all think we're siblings! Nothing is sadder than dancing with your sibling! GET! AWAY! NOW!"
So I finally quit trying to cheer her up and focused on having fun for myself. I danced with young and old. Anyone who doesn't want to dance with old people. I met a lady who changed my mind forever tonight. A teeny tiny little old woman with a white afro asked me to dance and taught me three whole dances from her teenage years. They were so fun I will never again not ask an elderly lady to cut a rug.
I hadn't been expecting it, but one of the times that Nathan went up and spoke in front of the band. He surprised me, by saying. "You know, I was attending a recent Christmas party and learned that a new friend of mine was a musician. He plays the flute, or is it a piccolo? Anyway, he's new in town. It really was a treat when he played for us during that party. I would like to ask that friend to come up here and play us a little something. Alan? Could you, please? Come on, everyone, let's make him feel welcome."
I don't know what surprised me more, that I was playing for such a big audience. Or that Nathan had just called me his friend. But I got up and started playing the tune I'd practiced most recently, which I think is called, "Silent Night." That one always makes my heart stop, something about the sound. It just touches your heart and on my flute, I hope I did it justice.
When I finished, the crowd applauded loudly, like thunder but it didn't scare me or make me feel bad. I felt like I was flying, it was exhilarating, and the professional flutists behind me, were chatting me up after my performance. They were all incredibly kind too, I hoped Ann had heard it. But she'd disappeared from sight…
I hope she's having fun. Wherever she ran off to, I wouldn't want to cramp her style. Since I'm supposed to be her brother and all tonight.
Unexplained Circumstances…
(Zoisite's Perspective)
I had been about to ask Amy if she would like to hit the dessert table with her friends. But when I turned to ask her, she was gone, completely from sight. Like she'd disappeared, from thin air. Raye seemed to notice my confusion and clued me in. By grabbing onto my arm and pulling me a little lower so she could whisper directly in my ear. I always forget how petite Serena and Raye both are. Amy is slightly taller than both of them.
Newly instated Mars hissed behind her hand, "Amy just ran to that corner and teleported to the lab you two have been sharing. She just looked at her mini-computer and took off. There may be trouble, you might want to follow."
I whispered back, "Right, do you have your communicator cell phone on you?"
"I do," She confirmed.
"I'll call if something's up, listen out," I advised, just before she could head off back to Jaden. I caught hold of her arm and said speaking normally, "Hey Raye, it's good to have you back."
"Wonderful to be back," she smiled and winked before heading back to the table where the rest of our group was gathered.
I ran to the same hidden corner we'd constructed cleverly just in case such a need should arise. Then showed them to everyone who could utilize such a spot. I teleported to the lab upstairs connected to our library. Amy was inside, solving multiple equations on the dry-erase boards along the wall. Muttering to herself in "Moon-speak" the beyond-dead language of the kingdoms that had been dead even during the Silver Millenium.
"What's got you all worked up?" I asked her, not my most elegant question.
She turned back and looked at me as though she's snapped out of some trance. To ask me, "Huh?"
"What's going on, Amy?" I tried again.
She explained, "A moment ago, right at the start of Alan's playing. The deck of tarot cards we stole from our enemies began to react off the charts. I tracked the reactions, recorded them for the record, and I really think that if we weren't keeping it in that protective Petri dish. We would be up to our eyeballs in Monsters right now."
I pulled my reading glasses out of my pocket's case to get a look at her figures. As I began to follow her math and all of the patterns started to show. I asked, "The deck reacts to flute music?"
"I don't think it's quite that broad," Amy said showing me the computerized charts that used waves to rate the actions. As she pulled her own glasses off and twirled them in her fingers thoughtfully. "The live music has been happening all evening. The professional flutist have all had several solos and there were no reactions to them. But the moment Alan steps up there with his strange-looking flute… The deck sets all of our instruments and machines skyrocketing with these odd reactions. Before any of the beasts could be unleashed, his song ended and everything went back to homeostasis."
So I ended her conclusion for her, "It doesn't react to flute music, just Alan's music?"
"Apparently," Amy said as she placed her glasses on top of her head. "I'm running a few more tests to see how it works." Then she asked me to see if I could get Nathan to get him to play another song. Even specifying, "Preferably a longer song. I want to nail down whether it's the song choice or the flute itself that made these cards flip out."
But I saw the danger in this request and reminded her, "But that could set the monsters free, do we really want to risk something like that when our huge home is loaded with people? Or more importantly, where you are a sitting duck to be the first victim?"
"I'll be fine, Zane. I just want to see if it really was Alan's music, instrument, or something else. I need to be here and watch to see." She said confidently, but I was gonna need a little more assurance. So I stood there until she changed her request to, "Alright! A shorter song than 'Silent Night.' It shouldn't be too hard, most older tunes are incredibly short and simple."
"Right," I agreed, kissing her cheek and making her promise not to do a thing till I'm back. Then I did just as she asked and got one of my brothers to coax Alan into another performance. Then I teleported back to our lab and watched the results unfold with Mercury.
It was fascinating, but it was a good thing I had returned. One monster did get loose this time and shattered the Petri dish-looking container that had been protecting it. Mercury and I were able to beat it immediately, but I was so glad I hadn't left her to handle this alone. I was even able to recreate another protective cover to conceal our stolen deck.
We were lucky we'd caught all of this happening before it became a catastrophe. But we agreed that from now on. A buddy system of shifts would have to be put into effect immediately. Before anything else started trying to take this party over. I called Raye as promised and asked her to come to sit with Amy while I let everyone else know about this change in our plans.
As I did that, everyone figured out the best way they could help, when, and how. No one wanted this thing to blow up in our faces. Everyone was eager to pitch in and for about the millionth time today. I was grateful for our team, all of it. Every single one of those men and women are amazing. We had a long way to go as a team yet, but with this group surrounding us. We could conquer just about anything.
Of course, another pending question lies with Alan's flute. I didn't want to think of someone so seemingly innocent as an enemy. But all of the numbers were starting to point him out. Numbers don't lie when they're done right… I really hoped we'd miscalculated and there were other unexplained circumstances we had yet to uncover. But the night was still young and there was still a ton of partying to do. Instead of letting these darkened thoughts loom over our entire evening. When our shift was covered and we returned to the ballroom. I took my date back out on that dancefloor and tried to let us both forget these troubling thoughts for a song or twelve.
That's all for today!
I know, not the most ideal place to end things, but the ball chapter was getting so long I had to slice it in half. The other half should be up tomorrow. I hope you're all still enjoying and I really hope your Christmas is a merry one. God bless anyone who has read this far and hope you have a great day!
~SailorLeia
