Hosting duties
"Well done, Yori! I knew you can do it!! Oh my, I am so happy!" Hikari laughed, as she caught Yori's hands and turned her round and round the room. Yori laughed along, happiness radiating out of her very pores. Looking on, Aido smiled indulgently as he looked at the girls, who are now chattering away as Yori described her competition to Hikari, who is listening most intently. Eventually, when she finished describing, Hikari asked the all-most important question. "When is the next round then?"
"I am waiting for the judges to decide upon a date, Yuki will be -" Yori was cut off as the door leading to the room opened and Yuki stepped in, with Kaname at her side. All those who were present stood immediately. Looking at them all, Kaname smiled and said "It's confirmed. A week from now, a ball will be held at this mansion, with both of you in-charge. Two different ballrooms, side by side, with a door separating both. Each of you will organize a ball on your side and the guests will circulate between both, with the judges making their choice at the end of the session. Everything will be under your care."
Going over to the duo, Yuki reached out to them. As one, all three girls held hands together for a while leaning close to each other, absorbing comfort. Murmuring softly, Yuki said "I am sorry, Yori. I won't be able to help you in the second round as I have no experience in this at all. At least I am able to help you in the first round by bringing to you some books on the Kuran family." Biting her lip, she said "I am quite useless after all…" "What are you talking about, baka? Without you, I won't even have a chance with Hanabusa at all. Thanks to you and Kaname sempai, I am able to fight for a future at least." Yori smiled while Aido nodded at her back.
"Just our support is enough, Yuki. Have faith. I am sure Yori will do well. If you have nothing to do, why don't you come and help me chose the next gown for Yori? We can choose your gown to wear to the ball as well." Hikari grinned at the young Pureblood who continued to frown. "Come on, don't frown so. You will get winkles! I will help Yori on this. After all, my family does run a hotel after all. I can get some of my contacts over here if need to."
"If need to, I am sure Ruka will be able to give you some of her contacts. If there is any way to help Yori out, I will do it."Aido said, as he stepped up to Yori's side, wrapping an arm around her. "Do not worry about this, Yuki-sama."
All was quiet for a while as everyone looked at Aido and Yori. Eventually, Hikari was the one who broke up the awkward silence by declaring "I am tired! I am off to bed. Come on, Yuki, let's go. Can you show me where my bedroom is again? Your house is just too big!" So saying, she stepped out of the door, dragging Yuki behind her while throwing a glance over to Kaname who was trying not to smile at her very obvious actions. Nodding at Aido, he left as well.
Releasing a pent up breath, Aido leaned in and hugged Yori. The lovebirds were quiet for a while before Aido whispered "I am proud of you, Yori. You did it…." Yori nodded silently, as her eyes slide closed, relishing the moment. Her eyes flew open as Aido's lips touched her forehead. Looking up, she saw Aido looking down tenderly at her. "Come, you must be tired. Go and sleep before we start on your preparations for the ball. You need all your energy." Holding her hand, he walked to the door, ushering her to the corridor that will lead to her bedroom. Eventually, they reached the bedroom which Yori was given in the Kuran's house. Standing in front of the door, neither took a step to open the door. Instead, both were just content to look at each other, drinking each other in. Finally, Yori asked "Can you stay with me, Hanabusa? I…I don't want to be alone…" Her last words were so softly spoken, that even Aido had a slight difficulty in hearing her. Reaching out, he lifted her, carrying her bridal style as he opened the door to her room with a flick of his wrist. "Your words are my command, my lady." Closing the door with his foot, he carried Yori over to the huge four-poster bed in the centre and laid her down gently. After slipping off her dancing slippers and his own shoes, he joined her on the bed where Yori snuggled close to him. Dawn was breaking as the young couple fell asleep.
--VAMPIRE KNIGHT --
The next few days passed by in a blur as preparations for the ball kept Yori busy. When she was not busy overlooking the menu, she would be directing the placement of furniture and the flowers. She was seen talking to suppliers face-to-face while the maids were busy hanging up curtains and table runners, as in accordance to her orders. She is a tornado in action. Looking at his chosen one, Aido could not help but smile proudly at her efforts and determination to be as hands on as possible. As compared to his second sister, Yori is really very different from her.
Over on the other side, Hana Aido sat in the middle of the ballroom, with professionals from all fields lined up in front of her. She gave her orders crisply as she lined out what she wanted exactly. Hana Aido is somewhat like Lady Aido - what she wants, she gets. However, it's others who will do the work, while she will do the ordering.
--VAMPIRE KNIGHT --
"Hold still, Yori! The flowers in your hair are not done yet!" Hikari mumbled through a mouth full of pins as she tried to stop Yori from fidgeting for what seem to be the hundredth time that night. "I swear, you are like a cat approaching water!" "I still need to check on the caterers, Hikari!" Yori said, as she twitched in her chair. "Sit still, damn it!" Hikari snapped, as she glared at Yori at the mirror. Else I will get Aido-san to freeze you in place!"
Giggling at the sight of her two best friends arguing with each other, Yuki said "Calm down, Yori, the food and wine are in place. In fact, I brought you a glass of wine to calm your nerves a little. Let Hikari do her job. After all, you are the hostess tonight; you are expected to look brilliant."
"The food and wine are in place already? What about the orchestra in the corner? Have they arrived? The ball will start in another half hour!" Yori asked, as she tried to twist around and look at Yuki. "Sit still!!" Hikari grumbled as she tried to pin another tendril in place.
"You better sit and compose yourself, Yori, least Hikari really force me to freeze you to the chair." Aido smiled at his beloved as he opened the door leading to the dressing room. Strains of music floated in after him. "Can you hear the music? They are all in place and everything was set as according to your instructions."
Wrinkling her nose at the image of Aido in the mirror, Yori said "You won't dare to freeze me." "But I will tie you to the chair if you move." Hikari threatened as she finished weaving the last flower into Yori's hair. Collapsing onto the chair next to her, she groaned "There! I am done! At last!"
Looking at Yori's reflection in the mirror, Yuki clapped her hands "Well done, Hikari! Yori certainly look great! You certainly outdid yourself!"
"Try doing her hair next time, Yuki. You will feel that you outdid yourself too." Hikari grumbled from her seated position as she looked at her creation in front of her. Clad in a glittering off shoulder red gown, with peach roses woven in her French inspired pleated hair, Yori was certainly a beautiful sight to be seen. Pearls dangled from her ears and around her throat while a bracelet of pearls and diamonds adorned her wrist. Throwing her hands into the air and bouncing to her feet, Hikari said "I am all for some refreshment! I need my energy! Come on Yuki, let's go and steal some finger food while we leave the lovebirds to themselves for a while."
After the duo left the room, Aido walked over to Yori who was still seated in the chair, looking at his approach from the mirror. Looping his arms around her and leaning close, Aido asked "Are you alright?" "Yes, I did all that I can already." Yori smiled back at his image, as she leaned back a little, absorbing the warmth that only Aido can provide. Both of them stayed that way for a while before a dull gong sounded throughout the whole mansion. Reaching out, he helped Yori to her feet and pressed a kiss to her forehead, before saying "You will do well."
--VAMPIRE KNIGHT --
"So, who do you think is the better organizer?" A vampire asked her friend, as she held a flute of champagne. "Definitely Hana-sama. After all, she certainly spent a fortune on this ball! Did you see the centerpiece on the table earlier? Jeweled flowers as decorations! Gold leaves! How can that mere human compete with her pitiful decorations of fresh flowers?" "At least those flowers have fragrance, unlike those in Hana's ballroom." Ruka snorted, as she walked by the two vampires, Kain by her side.
"Ruka! What a pleasure to see you again!" The first vampire squealed, as she looked over at the noble, who was clad in a gold gown. "So you feel that Wakaba-san is a better organizer?" "Of course. There more choices over at Wakaba-san's than at Hana's. Though the food at Hana's is delicious, I do find it a tad too rich and heavy for me." Ruka replied coolly, as she reached over to the plate that Kain is holding out for her. Choosing a prickled cheery tomato with caviar spread on it, Ruka bit into the delicacy and then waved it around "See? There is at least some balance between the rich caviar and the tartness of the tomato."
Catching Yori's eye as she walked by, Ruka raised her half eaten bite in salute. Smiling at Ruka, Yori nodded and continued in making her rounds in ensuring that everything is running smoothly and conversing with the guests milling around the ballroom at the same time. Ending by a pair of French doors leading to the balcony, Yori stopped for a while for a breather, as well as to overlook the whole room. For far, all she can see and hear are guest going around, smiling and talking.
Suddenly, a hand clamped over her mouth and an arm circled her waist, pulling her backwards to the balcony itself. Eyes opening in shock, Yori tried to struggle but to no avail. Her attacker is just too strong! As darkness closed in all around her, her last conscious thought was "what will happen to the ball now that I am gone?"
--VAMPIRE KNIGHT --
"Yuki, have you seen Yori anywhere? I can't see her from here." Hikari asked worriedly, as she scanned the room for her friend.
"No. I thought she was with you." Yuki replied. Looking around the room as well, a frown started to cross her face as she realized that Yori is missing. "Perhaps she went to find the caterer?"
"I don't think so. I just came from there. So far, everything is still progressing well. Even without Yori around, everything will still continue as it is." Hikari replied, as she turned to look at Yuki. Dropping her voice to a whisper, "I feel that something bad had happened to her, Yuki. Somehow, I just got this feeling…. Just now, back in the other ballroom, Hana-sama was certainly laughing very loudly and seem to be celebrating something…Can they be related?"
"Let us get Aido sempai first. Perhaps he might have an idea? Let me get him here." Looking over at the direction of Aido, Yuki narrowed her eyes a little. Immediately, Aido turned around and moved in the direction of Yuki. As he approached, Hikari noticed that his eyes were slightly glazed. "Yuki!!" Hikari cried softly, so not to attract the attention of others. "Control yourself!" Reaching out, she shook Aido slightly, startling him back to the present. "Aido-san! Have you seen Yori anywhere?"
"Huh?" Aido looked stupefied for a while before controlling his senses again. "No, I thought she was with one of you earlier." As he looked over the crowd again, pure panic and worry crossed his face. All three of them wondering "Where is Yori?"
AUTHOR'S NOTES
Arghh!! I never expect such a long chapter! Though I shortened quite a number of things already, I never expect it to be so long! Things are getting more and more complicated! Sigh
So, what happened to Yori? Who was the man that dragged her off? What will happen? What will happen to the challenge? Stay tuned to find out!
Comments and suggestions are welcomed for the next chapter. Please review!! Thank you! )