I want to thank everyone for taking the time to review!
For those familiar with this story, you might notice that I've made a brand new Chapter 6, and changed the former into Chapter 7. I was having a bit of trouble with the timeline and how I wanted certain events to happen and had to rework some things. For instance, I originally had Davy gain her first Believer after about fifty years, but decided to make it a bit longer as you'll read in the next chapter.
I mainly did this though, because I've come up with a headcanon on how Spirits celebrate anniversaries and such. Instead of getting together every year, Spirits do it every one hundred years. Since I wanted to work Cupid and some other OC's into this story before the movie's plotline took off, I needed to switch things up a bit.
Chapter 6: Valentine's Day Ball
"Most people are slow to champion love because they fear the transformation it brings into their lives. And make no mistake about it: love does take over and transform the schemes and operations of our egos in a very mighty way." –Aberjhani
1449
"Ugh, I beseech thee Davy Jones! Please tell me today is not the fourteenth of February!" Grimmons moaned in greeting while stepping from the shadows to collapse face forward onto Davy's bed. His sudden entrance startled Davy, and she caught herself instinctively reaching for her sword before stopping. Grimm lifted his head to look in her direction, his hood remarkably still in place so his face remained swallowed in darkness, before letting it drop back down with a heavy groan.
"Fraid it is matey." She confirmed slowly, bemused at the sight before her. Had she fallen asleep at her desk again? This seemed to be too surreal to be anything but a dream.
"And lo, what a wretched day this be for all." He stated sourly, before pushing himself up into an awkward slouch that did not fit his towering stature. Grimm was easily the tallest Spirit she knew, being just about an inch or two taller than North. But where North was bulky and broad shouldered, Grimm was much thinner, though Davy wasn't sure just how thin since his billowing robe did a fine job of hiding his build. "Oh how I abhor this holiday!" Davy chuckled at him, remembering a few friends who'd had similar opinions in her past life. Though she couldn't understand why he was making such a fuss, this was the first time she'd heard him complain about Valentine's Day.
"I take it death and love don't get along?" She asked as she leaned back in her chair, silently grateful for the visit, even if he'd just come to complain.
"On the contrary, love is the leading cause for death. Love for one's god, for one's country and king, for family and friends. The greatest wars to have ever been waged were caused by the frivolous feeling. Love is a tragedy."
"Hmm, nevar thought about it that way before." Davy hummed with a teasing smile. "Tho' yer words o' wisdom don't ring so true when yer sulkin' like that." He scoffed loudly, trying and failing to hide his brief chuckle behind the action.
"I cannot help it. I despise this day more than any other, what with the chirping Lovebirds and soppy mortals reciting paltry poetry." Grimm protested before sighing wistfully. "How I miss the days before Cupid's creation, truly they were happier times."
"Ye have lived through hundreds o' this day. What makes this one so unbearable?" Davy asked curiously and he sighed again, this one showing his irritation and dismay. He pulled out a roll of parchment from his left sleeve, waving it through the air wildly.
"Behold the source of my pain." He growled. "An epistle from Cupid herself." The Captain quickly stood from her seat, eyes sparking mischievously as she tracked the note in his skeletal hand.
"Yer gettin' love letters? From Cupid? Grimm, I nevar knew thou were such a charmer."
"Do not be daft woman!" He sounded absolutely scandalized. "I would sooner die than adore such an annoying creature!"
"Ah, but therein lies the conundrum, for death cannot die." She replied with a smirk.
"I would find a way, I assure thee." The Reaper argued, humor underling his tone once more.
"So why art thee receivin' notes from Cupid?" Davy continued and he tossed the letter over to her. Upon the cream colored parchment were a few short sentences in red ink. The handwriting was elegant, a cursive style filled with wide loops and slanted lines. "To Grimmons the Grim Reaper, Spirit o' Death. Thine presence is graciously requested ta attend the annual Valentine's Day Ball beheld at the Cloud Castle upon the fifteenth o' February. I look forward to see thee attendin'. Sincerely Cupid, the Spirit o' Love." The graceful signature at the bottom was written in the biggest size on the page and decorated with drawn hearts that would have come off as juvenile if the handwriting wasn't so tasteful. "Valentine's Day Ball? Nevar heard o' it."
"I am not surprised. Cupid only hosts the vile thing every one hundred years, thank Manny." Grimm muttered and she snorted at his unusually prissy attitude.
"Well it sounds like it might be a bit o' fun."
"Oh indeed, especially if thou enjoys listening to that vain Spirit boasting overly, as she has done at every festivity since her creation." He huffed with no small amount of dislike. "Or having to hear her irritating Lovebirds that twitter near constantly in thine ears."
"Her what?"
"Lovebirds, horrid little beasts. They art exactly as they art called, birds that bring love to those who hear their chirping songs."
"I thought she used a bow and arrows?" Davy asked and Grimm snickered.
"Unfortunately not. Though I do so ever revel in envisioning the misbelief humans have created. It maddens her to no end. Nay, Cupid's bow and arrows art weapons, not tools of love."
"Matey, if ye hate her parties that much, then don't go." She said simply and he gave a rather hesitant shake of his head. "Who will be at this gatherin' exactly?" He tapped the end of his scythe against the floor idly in thought.
"Ombric's and Matura's presence varies, as dost mine, though admittedly not for a lack of trying on their part. I know the Muse never misses it, and Sanderson is usually there for a time before leaving. As the Leprechaun's and the Easter Bunny's holidays art so close, they only appear for a short while. North and his Yetis art ever present, and like Sanderson, the Tooth Fairy leaves long before the evening ends. Will-o'-the-Wisp should be attending as well, lest he chose not to for whatever reason. I missed the last celebration because of a few wars and the one before that due to the plague." Grimm's tone dropped during the last sentence, sounding tired in a way she'd never heard before. Davy was suddenly very aware that her friend must've seen a lot of horrible things throughout his existence. Despite what he might say, a party would do him good.
"Do ye think I will be invited?" His mood seemed to brighten at the question.
"I have no doubt. Cupid would never remiss the prospect to sing her own praises."
"We should go together then!" Grimm made a choking noise beside her and Davy was sure she was supposed to feel somewhat offended at his reaction, rather than just confused. "Or I'll jus' ask Sandy instead?" She offered, which was clearly the wrong response because now he was laughing at her. "What?"
"If thou were to attend the ball with me, or any other Spirit for that matter, it would be an avowal that we art lovers." It was her turn to choke and Grimm chuckled at her. "It is the Valentine's Day Ball; tis a celebration of love."
"So if I went with Sandy or North…"
"They would be perceived as thy lover by the rest of the Spirits, no matter what thou said otherwise. Now thou understands why I hate Cupid's merrymakings. Tis nothing but a breeding ground for inane gossip."
"Oh." Davy fell silent as she stared at the wall opposite her in thought. She supposed she shouldn't be surprised. In this age, dating wasn't a concept that people understood. Sure they could court each other, but that was a pursuit people only practiced when they were determined to marry the other. The general public in her time had been much more liberal when it came to relationships. One night stands were accepted and talked about between friends. Children born out of wedlock had been frowned upon, but it definitely wasn't the taboo it was now. The fact that going to the ball with one of her friends without being seen as intimate only furthered to remind Davy just how different this world's culture was compared to what she grew up with.
She wondered how North or Sandy would've reacted if she'd asked them to Cupid's ball before knowing what it really meant? Would they have said yes, or choked on air like Grimm had and found the misinterpretation funny? She suddenly felt like she'd dodged a bullet. Davy couldn't even view Sandy in a romantic sense. And as for North, she was surprised to realize that she wouldn't have been opposed to the idea, though the idea of dating Santa Claus was a mindboggling one. The only other Spirit she knew was Pitch.
"What about Pitch?" She blurted aloud and Grimm turned to her, confused.
"Pardon?"
"Ye nevar said how often Pitch goes ta the ball." She pointed out, feeling oddly self-conscious for asking the question. Grimm not appearing to be any less perplexed wasn't helping.
"That would be because he has never attended one. Though I am not sure if it is because Cupid has, at no time, invited him, or if the reason is that he simply refuses to come." He tilted his head to look at her. "I was not aware that thou knew of Pitch Black."
"Oh, I, uh, met him a couple decades back." She admitted before closing her mouth. She wasn't sure if she was supposed to keep her… acquaintance with Pitch a secret, but it was better to be safe than sorry. Though she doubted that Grimm would care all that much. It was Sandy and North she had to worry about. "Well, in any case, I'll make sure ta see ye at the ball. Ya know, ta hang out."
"Hang out?" He repeated curiously, always amused when she sometimes slipped and used modern slang.
"Uh, it means we'll keep each other company throughout the party." She translated and he gave a slow nod, his tall figure seeming to tense up. "Jus' as friends o' course." She added quickly, but he didn't relax any.
"As thine friend, I should warn thee that I am a Spirit rather out of favor." Grimmons stated seriously. "I am only requested to attend Cupid's Ball because she is afraid that I would be insulted if otherwise. I only appear because Ombric and Matura insist that I do so. Therefore, most Spirits, save a few like Sanderson, avoid me. Tis only natural I suppose. Every living creature wishes to elude death. Nevertheless, if thou were seen with me, I fear that thou would be shunned as well. I would not be offended if thee–
"Oh shut yer damn yap, Grimm. I'll spend my time with whomever I want. I ain't ashamed or worried ta be seen with ye. And if the others rebuff me because o' something like that, then I don't wanna talk t'em in the first place." His stiffened frame slackened after a second, accompanied with a breathy, relieved chuckle.
"Manny made a wise decision in choosing thee, Davy Jones."
Grimm was, as usual, right. Davy got an invitation some hours later, written in the same cursive handwriting as the letter he had received. The content was basically the same, with the only change being that her crew was invited as well. Her shipmates were of course more than excited to go to Cupid's Ball, especially when they learned that the Yetis would be attending.
The missive had been delivered by what Davy assumed to be one of Cupid's Lovebirds. The little bird was the same size as a robin, but the feathers covering its' body were a vibrant shade of red while its' face, tail feathers, the ridges of its' wings were white, and on the center of its' downy white chest was a red heart. She was a bit taken aback by how quickly the little Lovebird warmed up to her. It had twittered about, cooing happily as it brushed up against her face and hands affectionately.
She wrote a response on some parchment kept in her own desk, which was clearly of a poorer grade than Cupid's, and the ink she'd used was old and beginning to clot. Her penmanship had been reduced to chicken scratches over the years from the lack of practice. She'd tried to make her rsvp look more impressive, tying it with a blue ribbon and a jewel encrusted ring she considered to be too gaudy to ever wear. The Lovebird had given her fingers a friendly nip before taking the letter and flying off.
After the little bird left, Davy wondered if she was supposed to wear something more… sophisticated to Cupid's Ball. She did have a teal Victorian dress that her mermaids had rescued a few years back from a sinking merchant's ship. It had too many ruffles and bows for her liking, but it was sleeveless, something that was considered rather tasteless by society's current standards. She hadn't actually worn it yet, having decided to save it for a special occasion.
However, after standing in front of her vanity mirror for fifteen minutes, self-consciously studying and tugging on the skirt, Davy decided it would be best to just wear her usual clothes, along with her captain's coat and hat to make her appear a bit more formal. For jewelry, she went with very little. A deep blue satin choker with a black lacey fringe was tied comfortably around her neck. A pair of gold earrings dipped into a tear pattern, segmented with sparkling sapphires, and had foregone the bracelets, leaving her wrists bare.
Her crew on the other hand, went out of their way to dress up. They arrived on the Dutchman hours before the Ball, carrying dresses, skirts, sashes, ribbons, corsets, and petticoats. She suspected that the mass of clothes had been pillaged from villages, since very few seemed to have signs of longstanding water stains. Even Undine seemed to be in the spirit of things. Her dress, a dark green fabric that complimented her olive skin nicely, was one of the more extravagant outfits. A pale gold embroidery was stitched along the hem of the skirt, decorating the sleeves and high-collar. Her Mermaids had refused to wear any shoes, but no one could tell as the style of dresses in this day and age went all the way to the floor. Her crew raided her vanity, donning gold and silver trinkets adorned with rare gemstones.
Davy had worried that she would feel inadequate when compared to her shipmates, who were decked up and looking more beautiful than ever, but surprisingly that wasn't the case. Maybe it was because she'd always been proud of her formal black coat, confident when having her cutlass at her waist, and self-assured with her hat upon her head. She only felt satisfied, dressed in britches while her crew adjusted their skirts. These clothes helped make her Davy Jones; were given to her by the Man in the Moon. This would be her first time meeting the majority of the other Spirits and she wanted them to see her as she truly was.
They took the Dutchman to the sky, much to her crews' displeasure. Maybe it was because they were Mermaids, and that the analogy of a fish out of water held too true. She'd never forced them to sail through the sky before, respecting their decisions. She'd had no idea that they would react the way they did. It was a wonder that Pitch hadn't shown up, what with all the unease they must've been projecting.
Undine was stricter than usual, barking orders at anyone who wasn't looking busy. There was a frantic energy among her crew, fidgeting and twitching with the desire to move, to no longer be in the air. Nerves were pushed and tensions rose, several women snapped at each other, unprovoked, while others became abnormally silent and distant. Davy did her best to keep everyone calm, she was forceful when she needed to break up an argument, but gentle when she tried to draw the quieter ones into action. She was just as relieved as her Mermaids when Cupid's Cloud Castle finally came into view.
Unsurprisingly, the Cloud Castle could only be found in the sky. As such it had a tendency to drift, just as all clouds do, but Grimm had assured her that Cupid always kept her home stationary above Rome for the Ball. She was surprised to find that the castle wasn't entirely made out of clouds. Davy could spot marble pillars and floors among the cumulus, decorated with sweeping transparent curtains made of soft pinks and light reds.
There wasn't exactly a pier or a harbor to weigh anchor at. Fortunately the Dutchman was an incredible ship. Davy easily steered it to an open balcony, where she could spy a few Spirits gathering at the entrance. She smiled, pride building in her chest as she imagined their impressed expressions. Grimm had told her that her ship was likely to earn a few jealous looks. It was a trait all Spirits shared, they couldn't resist showing off and were always trying to one-up each other. It made sense when she thought about it. North and Bunny had argued about their holidays in the movie, and all of them had been very competitive when collecting the teeth. Even Pitch had shown off when he could. Pulling up against the starboard side, she gave the Dutchman orders to stay put until they returned from the Ball. Leading her crew onto the balcony, she was quickly greeted by North as he pulled her into a bone crushing hug.
"Davy!" He shouted happily. "Hello my friend, I am pleased to see thee here."
"Oof! S'good ta see ye too, North." She huffed in return, smiling as the Cossack placed her back on her feet. Like her, North hadn't gone out of his way to dress up for the event either. He was wearing his usual clothes, his red famous coat over them, big black boots, and his brown thick-furred hat. She was pleased to note that he wore both swords at his waist too, their golden hilts gleaming in their brown leather sheaths. The Captain was not surprised to see her crew heading towards the Yetis as soon as they disembarked the ship.
"Ah, thou must be the newest Spirit. Davy Jones, yes?" An unfamiliar, feminine sounding voice asked from behind North. He stumbled aside, losing some of his exuberance for a second as his smile slipped, revealing a beautiful woman.
She was, without a doubt, Cupid. She had golden blonde hair that spiraled into loose ringlets, reaching the middle of her back. A small part of her hair was pulled back by a red barrette decorated white feathers and glittering pink jewels. She was dressed in a white, red, and pink gown that made Davy think of a Disney princess. Cupid was fair skinned and lovely, with a heart-shaped face, plump red lips, and high narrow cheekbones. Her makeup was like artwork, each dab of blush and paint accentuating her stunning features even more. Standing next to North, she looked positively tiny, although he had that effect on everyone. But she was shorter than Davy too; Cupid was probably 5'4" at the most. As if she wasn't gorgeous enough, her eyes were colored a soft warm pink that reminded Davy of a fading sunset.
What caught most of the Captain's attention though, was not the others Spirit's beguiling appearance, but rather the large white downy wings coming out of her back. They were decently sized. Not small like the cherubs she'd seen in paintings and books, nor large like the ones depicted on angels. They were somewhere around the middle, like the size of her leg. They looked incredibly soft, and were whiter than any cloud she'd ever seen. For the first time since becoming a Spirit, Davy felt a ping of jealousy as she tried not to stare at Cupid's wings. As much as she loved flying aboard the Dutchman, she'd always wondered what it would be like to fly on her own.
"Capt'n Davy Jones, if ye please." She replied cheerily to the shorter Spirit, dipping into a theatric bow and tipping off her hat. "And on the behalf o' me crew, may I share our gratitude for invitin' us ta yer ball. I have not seen them so excited in years." Her shipmates gave waves and nods, seemingly determined not to leave their chosen Yetis' sides. Undine, ever the responsible one, stepped away from Phil to curtsey in greeting. The action was acknowledged with a smile, but Davy saw it turn a bit flat when Cupid turned back to her.
"Well Captain Jones, I, Cupid, welcome thee and thine crew to the Valentine's Day Ball." Cupid's pink eyes scrutinized her in a way that Davy hadn't felt since she was a teenager. It was the same condescending look her mother had given her and it was just as effective. In that moment, she was hyperaware of her casual clothes, of her lack of jewelry, her rough speech, and informal manners. Unconsciously, she placed a hand on the hilt of her sword, an action that both North and Undine noticed. "Please, enjoy yourselves. Alas, thou must pardon me, I have other guests to tend to." The dismissal was polite, but the belittling smile she gave Davy before parting was anything but.
"O' course." She muttered back, straining to keep her face jovial. "We did not mean to keep ye."
"I shall see thee later, Capitano?" The foreign word for captain rankled Davy in a way she couldn't describe, like the other Spirit was disrespecting her somehow. She was certain she made a face, judging by the sharp smile Cupid had flashed at her before fluttering away. Her pure white wings flapped elegantly as she flew across the balcony and back into the castle, never once glancing back.
"I don't like her." Davy said plainly after a long, quiet moment. North, surprisingly, gave a muffled a snort and she looked up at him to see him beaming in amusement. As childish and petty as it might be, learning that North also disliked Cupid just endeared him to her more.
She'd gotten to visit the Cossack frequently since meeting him thirteen years ago and had come to see him as a good friend. The Yetis and Mermaids had made demands to see each other at least once a year and Davy, obviously having more free time than North, was the one who visited him more often than not. His fascination with the Dutchman had yet to die down, just as she continued to adore his sleigh. They had races and occasionally took turns steering each other's mode of transportation. The sleigh beat the Dutchman in maneuverability, but thanks to the Wind, her ship was faster.
"Dah, Cupid has that effect on people." With a hearty clap on her shoulder that sent Davy stumbling, North led her and the others into the castle. The ball room was large and very open, quite literally since the walls were made up of clouds and she could see the bright blue sky beyond them. "Come, I will introduce thee to others."
Shooting a reassuring glance behind her, Davy was a bit disheartened to see that her crew had already broken away. Each Mermaid was paired off with a Yeti, thoroughly wrapped up in whatever they were doing. Most had joined the few Spirits dancing in the center of the room, instantly lost in the swaying music of the harps being played by a group of Lovebirds. Davy had paused for a moment to appreciate the fact that the birds were actually playing the instruments. Others had taken up space in little niches and alcoves throughout the chamber, already deep in the throngs of conversation. A few were perusing the banquet table in the back of the room, idly picking up food or drinks.
"Ah, Sandy!" North shouted cheerfully, dragging Davy's attention back to the Russian. She followed his gaze, her mood brightening up instantly at seeing her oldest friend. He floated to them, a golden chalice in hand, waving frantically. "Davy, this is Sandman, a fellow Guardian." She shared a smile with Sandy, who laughed soundlessly.
"North, I know Sandy, he was the first Spirit I evar met." She said as she offered a fist bump to the little man, which he returned happily. She'd accidentally made the gesture a couple decades back after a particularly good sparring match. Sandy had been confused at first, but had figured it out easily enough. It had eventually become something they did whenever meeting up, a special little greeting that was all their own. Davy had been rather pleased with herself when she'd realized that she'd technically invented the brofist.
North's face, which was perhaps even more expressive than Sandy's, stared at them in blatant disbelief. Joy quickly took over though as he gave a boisterous laugh that left his belly shaking like a bowl of jelly.
"This should not be surprising me. Sandy has habit of knowing all Spirits." The Cossack said heartily, sparing a wink at Sandy who grinned in response. "Tell me, how did thou meet?"
"Let's see, I first met Sandy a few months after being made a Spirit. I was flyin' the Dutchman and he was spreadin' dreams. We got a talkin' and then I challenged him ta a spar." She laughed at the horrified look on North's face. "Aye, not me brightest move, I'll admit. But I have gotten leagues better matey. Won't be long till I beat him now." Sandy rolled his eyes, his left hand making a "blah-blah" gesture that clearly meant he thought she was all talk. "Keep it up little man, one o' these day I will defeat ye."
"Oi, North, what is wrong with yer Yetis, mate? And who art the sheilas with'em? Never seen'em before." A male Australian voice called from the left of the group. Davy quickly turned to the source, excitement kicking up at recognizing who had spoken. The Easter Bunny hopped over to them, his lithe muscular frame hunched over slightly, ears perked up as his pink nose twitched. She knew Bunny was tall, but she wasn't quite prepared to come face to face with a bipedal rabbit that was taller than her by a few inches. He blinked at her curiously, ears swiveling as grassy green eyes scanned over her and his expression turned genial. "G'day sheila, ye must be the new Spirit. The name is Bunnymund."
"Capt'n Davy Jones, a pleasure matey." She returned amiably. "The women chattin' up North's Yetis art me crew. Seems they're rather taken with each other." She continued, sharing a smirk with North. "Manny's been playin' matchmaker."
"No kidding? Huh. Good for them." Bunny replied as he scratched at his ears with his hind leg.
"Bunny, how is Easter coming?" North asked and the rabbit raised a brow at him.
"Apples, mate. This will be my best year yet." He answered with a challenging tone.
"Ah, is good to hear. We all know Easter is no Christmas." The Cossack remarked nonchalantly and Davy wondered if he even realized what he'd said. It was hard to tell with North. Bunny seemed to take the ambiguous sentence in the worst way that he could; going by the way he furrowed his brow and straightened his stature.
"And what is that supposed to mean, North?" The Russian blinked at Bunny's tone, as if he had no clue why the other Spirit was suddenly irritated.
"Just what I said. Christmas is more important than Easter after all." On the other side of them, Davy looked at Sandy, who rolled his eyes and used his sand to say that he was going to get more to drink. He floated away, the other two males oblivious to his absence as they devolved into a likely old argument about whose holiday was better. Davy waited a moment, wondering if it would be impolite to follow after the Sandman when North suddenly turned to her, blue eyes unexpectedly serious. "Fine, we will let Davy decide which holiday is better."
"Do not drag the sheila into this North." Bunny argued and the larger Spirit shook his head.
"Thou is only saying that because thou knows Christmas is better."
"Not bloody likely!" Bunnymund growled, glaring up at North.
"Then we let Davy choose, dah?"
"Fine by me, mate." The two Spirits turned back to Davy Jones, only to find her spot empty. Bewildered the pair looked around them, but saw no sign of the Captain. "Oi, where did the sheila wander off to?"
Davy didn't know what had happened. One minute she stood next to North and Bunny, who'd somehow dragged her into their argument, and then the next thing she knew everything went black. For a brief instant she panicked, but then the darkness left as quickly as it had come and she found herself stumbling into a pillar.
"No dress, Davy?" Grimmons' voice came from behind her and she whirled around, making sure to keep a hand on the pillar as she was still rather dizzy. "Forgive me for taking thee into the shadows without a warning, but thou looked somewhat uncomfortable." She scoffed at him, regaining a smile as she straightened out the lapels of her coat.
"Please matey, I would feel and look ridiculous in a dress." She chuckled, before looking across the room to see that North and Bunny were just realizing that she was gone. Predictably, Grimm had taken refuge in a shadowed corner of the room. The closest Spirits were Coral and a Yeti she believed to be called Ethan. "Thanks for that Grimm. I don't think I could have gotten out o' that conversation without upsettin' one o' them."
"Oh? Do tell?" He asked flatly while leaning in a little. Having known the older Spirit for most of her existence, she could tell that he was already in a foul mood.
"They were askin' me which holiday I thought to be better."
"Well that is simple. Easter, obviously." The Reaper replied and Davy studied him shrewdly, wondering if he were giving his honest opinion or just being snarky.
"I was gonna say Christmas." She admitted slowly and he shrugged.
"To each their own. I prefer Easter because there art less deaths in spring. Winter can be brutal and no amount of toys can fill empty stomachs." Davy flinched at his tone and choice of words.
"Ah. Ye really hate this Ball, don't ye?" She muttered lowly as she cast her gaze to the floor and he sighed tiredly.
"Apologies Davina." He grunted, sounding as if he wanted nothing more than to pinch the bridge of his nose. "I had to deal with Ombric earlier. He never fails to irritate me."
"Never ye mind. After all these years, I've come to expect yer… grave demeanor." She joked, smirking widely as she saw his tense shoulders shake with suppressed laughter.
"Oh my friend, that was a rotten jest."
"Careful matey, ye don't want ta lose yer… decomposer." A low snickering left the Reaper, both hands gripping his scythe tightly.
"Please stop, thou art killing me!" He chortled happily.
"To be honest Grimm, I'm jus' happy ta… lift yer spirits." Her friend lost the battle with his laughter. A deep baritone sound that would've probably made mortal men shiver echoed over the atrium. The noise carried only because there'd been a lull in conversation and the Lovebirds had just finished a song. Grimm didn't seize up like she'd expected when all eyes turned to them. His posture was lax and his back was mostly facing the rest of the room. The puns had succeeded in loosening him up.
Unfortunately, they did not have the same effect on Davy.
While she'd never had a problem interacting with others, she wasn't overly found of being the center of attention when she didn't plan on it. Her sight drifted over the room, taking in the different Spirits and their reactions. Cupid caught her attention first. The host of the Ball was staring at Davy with wide eyes, her skin noticeably paler as her wings fidgeted behind her. She was afraid, but Grimm had already told Davy how the Spirit of Love felt towards him. Cupid had apparently started up a conversation with North and Bunny, the two now staring at Davy with different expressions. North seemed mostly confused while Bunny looked… angry? It was hard to tell from a distance. He could have been nervous for all she knew.
Over by the food Sandy gave a small wave before turning back to his drink, which she suspected to be alcoholic judging by the red on his cheeks and how his floating form had started to wobble. Her Mermaids, unsurprisingly, barely reacted and brushed off the whole thing. The Yetis didn't seem to care either, nor the Lovebirds for that matter, who had begun to start up a new song. The other unknown beings watched her with interest. Two women, a ginger-haired dwarf that had to be the Leprechaun, and an old man who was definitely Father Time as he held an hourglass scepter in his hands. Looking over the room again, she guessed that Will-o'-the-Wisp must have decided to skip this Ball. Not that she blamed him if Cupid had treated him the same way she had Davy.
"The dark skinned woman in the leaf-sewn dress is Matura." Grimm intoned from beside her, his mood sobering a little bit as he spoke the other Spirit's name.
Mother Nature was a beautiful woman of African descent. As Davy looked closer at the older Spirit, she saw that Matura was a bit taller than her and had an athletic build if the defined muscles on her arms were anything to go by. She wore a crown of yellow flowers; a type Davy was unfamiliar with, and while her dress was indeed made out of leaves, that did little to take away from the magnificence of the dress, or of her. Matura had a regal air about her, her green eyes darker than Bunny's, with long black hair that reached her thighs. Her face was chiseled like a foreign supermodel's would be, and there wasn't any makeup on her complexion, giving her that all-natural look that so few women could pull off.
If Cupid was the most beautiful Spirit, then Mother Nature was the most majestic.
It took a Davy a moment longer than it should have to realize, that whilst she'd been taking the other woman in, Matura had been looking back at her too. Their gazes met and the Captain swore she felt her breath catch somewhere in her throat.
"Come Davy, thou has yet to taste Cupid's wine. Tis the only redeeming feature of this damnable gathering." Grimm commented as he led her to the banquet table that Sandy was now leaning against. Didn't he have to deliver dreams after this?
"Aye." She replied distractedly, as she glanced back at Mother Nature who had returned to her own conversation with Father Time. Davy swallowed nervously, unable to ignore the feeling she'd gotten from the other Spirit. For in the brief second they'd made eye contact, she could have sworn that Matura had been glaring at her.
Um… ta-dah? Gotta be honest here, I wasn't sure what I was expecting when I started writing this chapter. I knew I mainly wanted to introduce Cupid, you know, to let you get a feel for her character. She won't be around much in the following chapters, just mentioned briefly by others, since she will have a minor role to play in things further down the storyline. Let me be clear right now in saying I'm not trying to make anyone hate Cupid. She's just a little stuck-up, which doesn't make her a bad person. Everyone's got faults.
I also wrote this because I wanted Davy to meet Bunny before the movie's plotline, but considering that Davy is either in the water or the sky, I didn't have many options. I'll say it right now, Tooth probably won't make an appearance until the movie plotline starts, so sorry Fairy fans. That last bit with Mother Nature "glaring down" Davy… yeah, that totally came to me out of left field. I won't explain too much about it, but let me just say that I'm looking forward to when I get to really introduce Matura after the movie's plotline.
–Hexalys