Dislaimer: I think you all get the picture by now… … … … don't own
Fire and Ice
By Sakura Takanouchi
Chapter Nine
I awoke the next morning to the sounds of Hannah making breakfast in the kitchen. I saw a plain white shirt and navy skirt laying on the chair beside the bed, so I put them on. Surprisingly, they fit perfectly. Finding the same shoes I wore yesterday, I put them on and found my way to the kitchen, where Hannah was making toast. A coffeepot stood on the table next to a platter of fruit. I eagerly took a plate, cup, and fork to the table and started eating. Hannah joined me in a moment carrying a plate of lightly toasted bread.
"What time is it?" I asked.
"It's nine-thirty," Hannah answered, pouring herself a cup of coffee. "Now, Duke's working all day, so you'll have plenty of time to explore." At my confused expression, she laughed. "You didn't know? Duke Devlin is President of Dungeon Dice Monsters, a division of Industrial Illusions. This business party tonight is going to be hosting many of D.D.M.'s rival companies. It will be a very big night for Duke, and he's really glad you'll be there for him," she said, gently patting my hand.
"Well!" Hannah said as she stood up. "I've got a house to clean and make presentable, so you finish your breakfast and then go exploring." With that, she left me alone.
The first room I attempted to find was the library, but on my way I passed through a TV room, a study, and a music room complete with a grand piano. I met several other workers there who were trying to move the piano into the ballroom because there would be a live band for the party.
Finally I got to the library where I started reading whatever I could find. I settled myself in a comfortable chair beside a bookshelf titled 'Duke's Favorites'. I was halfway through The Count of Monte Cristo before I realized I had schoolwork I should do.
I found Hannah in the ballroom directing several other people who were moving couches and chairs to form a sitting area. "Serenity! I'm glad you could find your way over here! What can I do for ya?" We sat down while I asked her about the whereabouts of my backpack.
"Oh yes, that satchel you were carrying. I think it would be in the laundry room, which's where your uniform should be, too. Let me show you where it is." The laundry room was at the end of a hallway coming off of the kitchen. My backpack was there, next to the dryer, and my uniform was hanging on a rack nearby, looking like it was new. I wouldn't put it past Hannah to have dry-cleaned it, either.
I gathered my belongings and returned to the study where I managed to finish my English homework and start my biology essay. I was so absorbed in my work I did not notice Hannah coming up to me, smiling like a proud parent.
"Come with me, Serenity," she said excitedly. I followed her into my room where an opened package lay on my bed. "Look at this."
A dress lay surrounded by tissue paper. It was a creation any girl would envy. Dark blue in color, the dress had a halter-style back. Even darker blue beads were sewn on the full skirt in flower patterns. I just stared at it.
"Try it on, and then, if you want, I'll do your hair," Hannah called, and I hastened to put on my dress. I was swirling in front of the full-length mirror by the time Hannah came back.
"You look gorgeous, love," Hannah said. "Now sit down at the vanity." She proceeded to brush out my hair and then to pin it up in a chignon, adding lots of hairspray. She then opened several vanity drawers and pulled out a large array of cosmetic products. She left me to do my makeup. Sparingly I used foundation, a hint of blush and lipstick, and dark brown mascara. A stroke of light blue eyeshadow and I was done. I spied two dark blue gloves on the vanity and I put them on my hands.
Hannah came back in carrying a box that contained two midnight blue slides. I gently put them on my feet while Hannah retrieved something from a box on the vanity. I gasped when she put a beautiful diamond necklace around my neck.
"Come here and let me see you properly," Hannah said, motioning for me to get up. I faced her uncertainly as she daubed perfume on me. "You look like an angel. Now I know someone special who is waiting in the entrance hall for you."
She led me through the entrance hall, and let me go down the stairs alone. I didn't see anyone there, yet my gaze was drawn to a small white box on the entry table.
"You look amazing." I turned around to see Duke Devlin in a tux, although the shirt was a dark purple. I blushed, and couldn't say anything. "Would you be so kind as to look in that box?"
I opened it, and to my surprise it contained a blue rose corsage. "Wow," I breathed. "Thank you!"
"Let me help you with that," Duke said, and he gently slipped it around my wrist. "I'm afraid we'll have to go the long way, since most of the doors are locked for this event." He took my hand and led me through hallways and rooms, finally pausing in front of an elevator.
"You first."
We went up one floor and the doors opened. Already people were talking, sitting while talking, or drinking over by the bar, which was set up in one corner. Many of the people were holding half-full glasses in their hands.
"Serenity, I hate this part of my job, but now I have to go talk to all my business associates and complement their attire, etc… I know it sounds boring, but you get introduced, and then you can watch all their dates expressions of envy when they see you as the loveliest one here."
I blushed as he led me through crowds of middle-aged men and their dates, saying a word of this, a joke, them occasionally talking to me, but mostly after the introductions I was as good as invisible. After about thirty minutes of this I began to tire, so during a lull in the conversation I turned to Duke. "Could we perhaps sit down, or get something to drink?"
"But of course," he replied. "I'll talk to you later," he addressed the man we were chatting with, a tall man with long platinum hair who had no date.
We sat down on the last unoccupied couch and Duke promptly got the attention of a waiter, asking for two glasses of water. I looked at Duke with approval, glad that he would not drink.
"Ah! Look, the band is tuning up," he said, handing me a glass. I held it carefully, took a long sip and placed it on an end table. I watched the couples that had started to dance to the first number, an upbeat jazzy tune that I did not recognize. I knew that Duke would ask me to dance; he was hosting the party and he was expected to do so. I just didn't like to be treated like such a pawn. Everyone would be secretly watching me, all the other women especially.
"Would you care to dance?" Duke asked casually, setting his empty glass next to mine.
"Sure," I answered, and we both stepped onto the dance floor as a slower number started up.
POV CHANGE
Of all the times to be late. I wasn't even fashionably late, but it would have to do. I stormed through the entry doors and pressed the call button on the elevator. To amuse myself, I wondered how extravagantly Duke would attempt to pull this one off. His last party was so lavish, and nothing gained in the end! Does he seriously think anyone would want to be business partners with him?
The elevator opened, and I stepped in and pressed the only other button there, 37. The elevator began to rise, giving me a spectacular view of downtown Domino. I saw my own corporate building as well as many others. The elevator slowed its ascent, opening to reveal the party in full swing. Or should it be jazz? I laughed to myself as I watched the executives talking, the unattractive singer, and my gaze ultimately fell upon those dancing.
My mind wandered to Serenity. I had tried to contact her, wondering if she got home all right. I myself was soaked merely getting into my limo. I had acted like an ass and I knew it. Why couldn't I just think before I speak? Because I couldn't think when I was around her.
Naturally, I brought no one with me. Alone, I moved into the group of business execs talking about- what else?- my company. One of them hurriedly changed the subject as I walked by. I was so absorbed in my thoughts I didn't notice I had banged into someone.
"Ouch, Kaiba-boy, you really must watch where you're going," The man I had bumped into grinned at me.
"Shove it, Pegasus, I am not in the mood to talk to you," I said, and tried to go on my way, but he blocked me with one red-suited arm.
"But Kaiba-boy, we really must talk," he said, enjoying my reaction to the 'nickname'. "I heard a little rumor that you were going to expand KaibaCorp into America, setting up the headquarters in Los Angeles. You know how I feel about that, and we wouldn't want anyone's feelings to get hurt, would we?" 1
"You can't hurt what you don't have," I retorted, and ended our conversation.
POV CHANGE
The dance ended, and I was secretly glad. Duke was…how would I put it? Dashing? Flattering? Romantic? Maybe all three, but I yearned to be somewhere else. My thoughts turned to Seto, and that afternoon we spent playing basketball. I guess Seto couldn't really fall under those categories, but secretly, I liked trying to match wits with him. I couldn't help coming here and being at this party, but I didn't want to be here anymore.
"Serenity?" Duke caught my attention. "I have to go talk to everyone, thank them for coming, etc. Would you like to go sit down?" Without waiting for my response I was led to a couch upholstered in a rosy hue and he got me another water. Then I just stared off into space.
POV CHANGE
After escaping from Pegasus I found myself near the bar, so I grabbed a water (Perrier, of course) and leaned against the wall, watching everyone else. My gaze wandered from the couples dancing, the others at the bar, Serenity sitting over there, the band playing another song…wait! Serenity is here? What is she doing here? Someone else must have invited her, and that thought caused anger to flow through me. Casually I left my drink at the bar and walked over to where she was sitting.
She was oblivious to my presence. I moved to where I was standing right behind her and yet I could not think of anything to say. "Nice Dress," I managed, and she turned around, first surprised, and then pleased.
"Thank you," She started, and then looked kind of sad.
"So, how did you get here?" I asked.
"I've been living here for the past few days," Serenity said, amused at Seto's irritable expression. "I know, don't you say a word. I wish I wasn't, now." She proceeded to tell me everything that happened since I made her put up all the posters.
"You make it sound like it's my fault," I said, and she smiled.
"Well, you could have given me a ride home," she said.
"Okay," I said, an idea forming. "How about now? Would you like to leave this party?"
She didn't even have to think before her response. "I'd love to leave the party," I said.
POV CHANGE
I had just finished going over the DDM schematics for our new Taiwan plant when I thought I should go back to Serenity. I went up to the chair I thought she was sitting in, and no one was there! She must have gone to the bathroom or something. I checked my watch. It was 11:40, so I had better find her before the party ended. I sat there to wait until she got back.
POV CHANGE
"Wheeler, where are you going?" I asked as she led me through various hallways and corridors. "I have to get my uniform and my schoolbooks," Serenity said. "I'll buy you a new uniform and schoolbooks if we can just get out of this building," I replied impatiently.
"See? Now we're lost," I said as Serenity started opening doors. "Aha!" She said, and motioned for me to follow her. We entered a grand entry hall, and I whistled. "I can't believe Duke actually lives here."
"Don't like his mansion?" Serenity said sarcastically.
"No, this isn't a mansion. I'm talking about this," I said as I flung open the heavy window curtains to reveal downtown domino. "Duke Devlin lives on top of his corporate tower." Serenity's face went rigid.
"You mean I've been living here this whole weekend and I could've left anytime I wanted to?" She said, not believing a thing.
"I'm sorry, dear," A middle-aged woman said, coming through the kitchen door.
"You lied to me," Serenity said, refusing to look at her.
"Here's your things, please take that dress with you," the woman said, turning her back to go into the kitchen again. "I won't tell Duke anything."
We quickly left the room and found an elevator that took us down to the parking lot. The chauffeur seemed surprised to have someone with me, but said nothing as I glared at him. Serenity followed me into the limo without saying a word.
"Where to, sir?" The chauffeur asked. I looked at Serenity, and she said nothing. She seemed to still be in shock after everything that had happened tonight.
"Home," I replied. When she stared at me in wonderment, I just returned her gaze. Neither of us said anything as we drove home. The limo pulled into the Kaiba Mansion and I showed Serenity where she could sleep. I left her there and went to my room, exhausted, to pursue my own dreams.
Author Notes:
Ahhhh….. I just finished watching The Phantom of the Opera, (don't own) my all-time favorite movie. I feel so happy! I guess I'll just keep on writing, then.
1: I'm not sure if my information is correct, but I do believe Industrial Illusions has some sort of base set up in LA. So, naturally, Seto's stepping on Pegasus' toes, in a way. Also, when Seto retorts, "You can't hurt what you don't have," to Pegasus' earlier question of "…and we wouldn't want anyone's feelings to get hurt, would we?" you could take this two ways: Kaiba could be insulting Pegasus- telling Pegasus he has no feelings, which would mean that Pegasus' feelings are hurt by KC's invasion of LA, which is all like 'oh, in your face!'
OOOOOORRRRRRRRRRR………..
It's also a threat by Pegasus warning Kaiba he's so gonna lose, and Kaiba's retort is so like, 'I'm a man of steel. Your empty threats can't hurt me!'
Yeeahh…You all probably got that already, but I love explaining stuff, so it doesn't matter. Even though that explanation was like Clueless meets YGO. That's really sad. Funny, but sad.
One more question: I realize that I changed POV's a lot in this chapter. I originally meant for this to be just from Serenity's point of view, but I'm kinda switching it up a little. You like? hate? Don't care?
This is Saku, signing off!
Sakura Takanouchi