Is Love Really Forever?
By: LadyNightSky
A/N: Love much to all my reviewers…sorry for making you guys wait for a while, I was on vacation with writer's block. Now on with the story!
Disclaimer: Ya'll already know it's not mine, so why bother?
Chapter 3: Seeing You Again Part I
January 20, 2006; Day of the Gala
Bloom studied her reflection in the vanity mirror thoughtfully, scrutinizing the sculpted face and thick-lashed eyes. Her looks had changed a little since she'd left Alfea; her face had matured and she'd grown a little taller.
She propped her face on her hands, telling herself that Ares was right; that the Gala was a chance to show the magical world that Sparx was once again on top, and not just another publicity stunt for the newspapers. It was too late to back out anyways, as the Gala was going to start in two hours.
Bloom stood up and, turning, walked over to her bed. She'd refused her maid's offer of help earlier, but now regretted it as she looked at the dress spread out on the mattress.
It had once belonged to her birth mother, as had the matching jewelry, but Bloom was sure the regal dress would look out of place on her. She'd never really liked formal wear, and elegant clothes looked sadly strange on her, like she was a little girl playing dress-up in her mother's clothes.
(A/N: The following is a dress description, so if you'd rather not read it, skip to the next paragraph. I, being a girl, couldn't resist writing it.(: ) The dress was a breathtaking shade of deep blue with a narrow waist that tapered to a slender point, and an old-fashioned bell shaped skirt that lifted up to show snow white lace at the bottom. The bodice was laced to reveal creamy white silk underneath, and the fabric was embroidered all over with the Sparx insignia in gold. The sleeves were slightly off-the-shoulder, and a brooch was pinned to one of them.
Bloom normally wouldn't even take out such fancy dress from her closet, but Ares had convinced her that she should show off her realm's new wealth, and impress possible allies.
(A/N: More descriptions skip the next two paragraphs if you don't want to read it) She sighed, made a let's-get-this-over-with face, and carefully unbuttoned the dress and slipped it on. To her surprise, it fit her perfectly, and the silky material felt light and free on her skin, with none of the confinement that she'd expected from yards of fabric. The skirt fell well past her ankles, hiding the heels she'd already put on. She took a tentative step, and the dress draped around her smoothly.
Sitting back down at her vanity, she slowly applied the dramatic make-up needed for a formal event; sparkling silver eye shadow, ebony mascara, peach blush, and crimson lipstick. She twisted her long red locks into a bun high on her head, carefully smoothing stray hairs and pulling two strands down to hang on either side of her face. These she curled with a spell. She clasped the heavy gold and diamond choker around her neck, and dangled matching earrings in her ears. Around her bare arm, a gold armband carved in the shape of a snarling dragon was settled.
She surveyed herself once again in the mirror, and mentally declared herself done. Her hair do and make-up were simple, but she wasn't precisely a pro, so it would have to do.
She stepped out of her room to find Ares waiting for her. His eyebrows hit his hairline as he glanced over her, unaccustomed to seeing her all dolled up.
" You look beautiful." he smiled.
" You don't look to hideous yourself," Bloom responded, looking at his black tuxedo and proper red tie. He had also received an invitation, and they were going as a couple.
Bloom and Ares emerged from the limo arm in arm, smiling as they walked down the red carpet toward the museum. Paparazzi lined each side of the walkway, snapping pictures constantly.
Bloom's head was starting to ache from the blinding flashes and the bright, unnatural smile she was presenting to the cameras.
It was a relief to step inside the cool museum, and give her evening jacket to the butler waiting by the door.
As she mingled with the other guests, she spotted a figure gowned in red on the other side of the room.
Musa wriggled uncomfortably in her red satin gown.
"God, Stells, why'd you have to make me wear this thing?" she asked Stella exasperatedly, still seething at the indignity of being forced into a gown that she normally wouldn't be caught dead in and having her pigtails brushed out and twisted into a bun; not to mention the extensive make-up Stella had applied to her face.
Stella flipped her blonde hair, clearly trying to hold back a smile.
"I was bound to do it sometime, and anyways, this is a formal event.," she said, smiling innocently at Musa. Stella, of course, had gone all out and wore so many jewels that Musa was surprised she could still stand up straight.
Musa sighed gustily, then turned to Flora and Tecna. Noticing their badly concealed grins, she sent them death glares and turned away once more, this time to search the crowded room for the boys.
Brandon, Sky, Riven, Timmy, and Helia had all arrived with them, but had eventually drifted away as the girls began their aimless chattering about who was wearing what and which of the many jewels that glittered in the room were fake.
She eventually found them over by the ancient Matraian statues exhibit, laughing at something one of them had said. The other girls had followed her over, and together, they formed their customary circle, the boys instinctively expanding their group so that each girl slid next to her boyfriend.
Musa noted with a pang that their circle had shrunk to only nine people, and that Sky was looking away from everyone, his back to them. He'd been doing that since junior year, six years now, every time they'd all gathered as a group.
Riven met her eyes and shrugged helplessly, having obviously observed what she had.
She let herself drown in the companionable talking and laughing of the group, trying hard to push back the old familiar pain of losing her best friend.
Suddenly, she felt an elbow jab her ribs, and turned to find Tecna next to her. Silently, she pointed to the other side of the room. Musa glanced at her questioningly, then looked to where she was pointing.
She gasped softly when she recognized the familiar mane of red hair, darker now, that belonged to a familiar head that was talking to the bald Head Minister of something or other.
Anger swelled within her, and she clenched her fists until the urge to hit something had passed. Tecna was looking at her, waiting for her reaction.
"Does anyone else know?" Musa whispered into Tecna's ear.
"I think not." she responded. "Should we tell the-"
"AHEM!" interrupted Stella's voice. Tecna winced as Stella turned a hot iron gaze on her.
"What's happening?" Stella asked.
"Nothing, why?" Musa said, trying to make her voice casual. She glanced in Bloom's direction automatically, then cursed under her breath as Stella caught the glance and followed it over to the opposite wall.
Everyone else's eyes followed, interested. Flora was the first to spot Bloom, and with a muttered "Oh no." she whipped her eyes back to the circle.
Apparently Riven was the next to spot her, because a string of colorful words fell from his lips. Sky was staring her stonily, arms crossed across his chest. Stella's glare was so intense, Musa was sure that Bloom could feel it acro-
Bloom had the strange feeling that eyes were watching her. She turned her head, and saw a group of figures directly on the other side of the room looking in her direction. The girl in red she'd seen earlier was one of the figures. A sparkle of recognition flared in Bloom's thoughts, and suddenly, it all fell into place. Musa. Stella. Flora. Tecna. Brandon. Timmy. Riven. Sky. Probably all glaring at her with an intensity to wake the dead.
She once again felt the sadness of losing-. NO, she ordered herself. No losing your mask right here in public.
With incredible effort, she pulled her bright, fake smile up again. It was the only way she could hide now.
"Ladies and gentleman, dinner will be served in ten minutes. Please enter the dining room through the tall doors at my left." said a reedy looking old man in a tuxedo standing on the makeshift stage through a microphone.
Ares linked his arm through Bloom's.
"May I escort you?" he asked, in a completely serious tone.
Ahh, thought Bloom vaguely. Princely breeding.
She simply nodded, a bit distracted at seeing her old schoolmates again. She let Ares lead her into the dining room, completely ignoring the beautiful high ceilinged room and formally set up tables; and only snapped her head up when Ares cursed fluently under his breath.
"What is it?" she asked him.
"The seating is arranged in alphabetical order by realm, so we're at different ends of the table." he said in an exaggerated despairing voice.
"Looks like we have to go our separate ways now. Don't forget me now Bloom!"
He smiled, then turned and disappeared into the milling crowds.
Bloom headed down the long table, stopping to talk with well-wishers along the way.
She tried to appear interested in the light conversation, but her mind drifted away repeatedly, and she finally excused herself under the pretense of having to meet someone at her seat.
The Republic of Relkaine…
Remero…
Rulsomaria...
Rylnik…
Saminla…
Solaria...
Bloom's breath caught in her throat at the realm next to Solaria.
Sparx.
She was seated next to a powerful sun princess with a short temper that hated her guts. Oh joy of joys. This was going to be a long night.
A/N: Ah…real short chapter. It's kind of not-very-good, but I had to reunite everyone. Like I said before, I kinda couldn't figure out what to write down next.
To answer ShOmARUU's question, yea, they thought Bloom did it too.
I was going to do this chapter and the future next one together, but that would be boring, now wouldn't it? (evil smirk) So just wait a while for the next chapter, I swear I'll update soon. Meanwhile, it wouldn't hurt to leave a review, no? And not to be pushy or anything, but I have 563 hits and 10 reviews…do people hate my story that much? (does weird eyebrow thing) Well, TTFN!