Human
'I made her cry? That doesn't sound right. Well, I would probably do that just to joke around but I don't think I would go that far.'
"Seriously, Jasdero, fill me in. I don't remember anything between now and last night." Devitto urged his brother.
"You were acting strange and we made fun of you but you had to be so smart and you made her cry. Well, she kind of snapped and I thought she was gonna kill you then next thing I knew, you made her cry."
"Heh, kill me? Right. What ever I did, I'm not to blame." He folded his arms.
"Ah-hem." Jasdero faked a cough.
"Okay. 98% not to blame."
"Keep going, hee!"
"Fine! 45%" They had a 'system' of who was more at fault when everything went wrong. Jasdero liked the number 5 so much that he claimed that he was 55% not at fault and the rest of the blame was stuck on Devitto. It's one of those things that only twins understand among each other.
"I'll catch up in a bit. I really, REALLY need to get out of these crappy clothes." Devitto went to their messy room upstairs and slammed the door behind them.
'Sheesh, I was probably kidding when I said whatever.' He tore off his shirt and fell back on the bottom bunk.
'It's only a mission. Nothing more, nothing less. As long as she doesn't break, we're doing our job. Although, I seriously wonder why I'm feeling this way. I shouldn't care. Yet...'
"Help me!" Teal was crying somewhere and Devitto shot up and covered his ears. 'It's just an illusion. Nothing's wrong. I can't help thinking that this is gonna happen. I don't want to lose her. Heh, when did that happen?' He lay down on the bed again. 'She was just another exorcist, another target. Now...'
"Why is this so difficult?"
"The closet is over there. You need my antenna?" Jasdero asked.
"Dude! What the...?" Devitto shot up and hit his head on the bunk.
"Nice." Jasdero laughed.
"Shut it." He growled. "Actually, can you do me a favor? Mind talking to her for me?"
"Uh... Why? Dero didn't do anything wrong. You should do it but I'll come along for moral support."
"Ah, dammit." He muttered as he was going through his drawers.
"What now?" Jasdero asked.
"My usual stuff is in the laundry." He was talking about his white shirt, his uneven black pants, boots etc.
"Oh yeah, I should've mentioned, you gave it to the maids to clean and they won't be back for a while."
"What? Are you freakin' kidding me?" He hung his head.
"There's more. You gave MY usual clothes to the maid too. Now I have to wear these. Although, it is a nice change. Hee!" Jasdero was wearing a long white shirt, brown pants and casual shoes to match.
"I might as well have been drunk." He said gloomily. He put on a black long sleeve shirt and a white t-shirt on top of it and a dark blue vest on. He was also wearing black pants with casual shoes.
"Ah, Devitto and Jasdero. Are you here for dancing lessons?" Sheryl asked.
"NO." They said at the same time.
"All the more reason to force you." Sheryl smiled and held out his hand like he was holding a wooden puppet but he was still far away from them.
"Get away from us you perverted sadist." Devitto said.
"By the way, have you seen Teal? She said something about she won't attend my lesson. Did something happen?"
"Uh...No." they said at the same time. 'Something did but we don't really get it.'
"What's that look for? If I didn't know any better, you don't know how to deal with girls." They both shot him a death glare.
"Sheesh, boys these days. I was just asking. But I was right on the mark, am I right?" They were gone.
"Okay... Where in town would she be?" They were standing in the middle of the marketplace where a sea of people went by them. They've been in town for a few hours and it was late in the afternoon.
"God only knows." Devitto sighed. "Let's get this over and done with. I HATE being in this form."
Ever since the ark, the Earl made the entire clan lie low. Most of the missions were just scouting for any traces of Innocence and interacting with other humans to eventually get them to side with the Earl. They were not allowed to fight unless it was necessary and they all had to be in human form when they were out in public.
Devitto and Jasdero occasionally forgot to change into human forms when they went out. But it didn't really matter most of the time because they don't go into very populated areas often and they don't really stand out in the crowd in their terms. They both had light tan colored skin and brown eyes. They kept their makeup on though.
"Tell me about it." Jasdero grumbled. "Although, it's not that bad, I guess."
"Excuse me, are you two from around here?" A voice came from behind them. They turned and there were two high school girls behind them. The girl that was talking to them had long red hair and green eyes. The other had short light brown hair, grey eyes and was giggling enthusiastically. They were wearing high school uniforms that were pink and black sailor like outfits. Black jacket, pink outlining, pink skirt, and black shoes and socks.
"What do you want?" Devitto asked with a cold tone in his voice. He felt extremely irritated because this girl looked like a female version of Cross.
"Ooh, they're so cool." The brown haired girl whispered to her friend.
"We were wondering if you could escort us to our homes." She said sweetly.
"Why the hell would we want to do that? We don't even know you!"
"Well... We took the commoner way just for fun and we got lost. You wouldn't mind helping us, would you?"
"Devi, she looks exactly like Cross." Jasdero whispered.
"I'll bet she acts like the bastard too. Why the hell are they acting like this?"
"It's because we look different today. Hee!"
"Hey~ What are you talking about?" The girl with the red hair grabbed Devitto by his arm and the other two girls were by Jasdero.
"C'mon let's get going." They all said at once while they tugged Devitto and Jasdero to go with them.
"Ugh, if we go, will you leave us alone?" Devitto groaned.
"Why, you in a hurry?" She laughed. "Ooh, look at this!" The two girls dragged the twins across the street to a small shop.
"Who knew commoners could make such cute things?" The red haired girl said.
"Let's book it." Devitto whispered to Jasdero. As they were slowly backing away, another voice called out to them.
"Ah! Young man, nice to see you again!" An old man was in a dark tent to their right and he looked like a fortune teller. "You in the black hair."
"Can it. We're trying to get away from these freaky girls."
"Ah, just as I have seen." He smiled. "Although, things didn't go the way exactly as I seen, my vision was more or less correct."
"What?" They both said at the same time. They entered the tent and went right next to the man.
"Listen, geezer. I've never seen you before and..."
"You were here yesterday. Remember the fortune I gave you?"
"Huh?" Devitto blinked.
"You will change. Whether bad or good, your luck with girls will increase."
"That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard of."
"That's what you said yesterday." He smiled. "But it was correct, was it not?"
"There you two are. C'mon, let's get going." The girls grabbed both of their arms and were about to drag them out of the tent.
"Oh boy. Here we go again." They said together.
"Wait, there's another thing!" Devitto and Jasdero looked at the man and he appeared to be sleeping. They thought they heard his voice.
"Find the treasure of the catacombs, and you'll find the first step of what you seek." The man continued. He was still motionless as the twins were being dragged away from him.
"Devi, did you hear that? How could he talk while he's asleep?"
"Beats me. Geezers are creepy old people who are an unsolved crime against nature. They freak me out."
"How much further?" The brown hair girl asked.
"Oh, not that far." Jasdero lied. They were on the outskirts of town and were slightly in the woods. There was a path in the forest that was clearly seen. He and Devitto were planning to ditch the girls and let them follow the path where ever it led to.
"Hey, look, there's a house over there! Maybe we could get directions from there."
"It's really nice. How oriental. Commoners must live here."
"Ugh, I've had enough of this! Let's just ditch the girls already!" Devitto clenched his fists.
"I agree. I had enough of them complaining and talking and everything. They're just so annoying."
"What are you two doing here?" Teal appeared out of nowhere and she was carrying a few bags of groceries. Her hair was tied back and with her bandana covering most of it, she looked like a boy.
"Teal?" Jasdevi said at the same time.
"Hey, nice clothes." She smiled.
"Shut it. We look horrible." Devitto said.
"Do you live here?" Teal's face froze when she saw the red haired girl. 'Why am I looking at a double of that womanizer?'
"Is something wrong?" The brown haired girl asked.
"No. I'm alright. My master lives here. Is there something you need?"
"Oh, you're the butler? We need directions." Teal twitched. 'Damn nobles.'
"To where?" Teal asked, hiding her irritation.
"Our homes. Have you gone past a residency?"
"Just keep following the path, there's a couple houses. Then ask for directions."
"Okay~ Thank you. By the way," They turned to Jasdevi. "Even though you two weren't able to get us there," they moved closer to them. "I think you two deserve something."
'Ah! Not in front of me!' Teal's face turned red. "Okay, keep moving! I'm sure you two ladies need to be at school soon otherwise your folks are gonna be ticked." Teal dropped her bags and started to push both girls towards the path.
"One more thing, are you two going to be at the ball?" The red haired girl turned her head. "My family's the host. I hope to see you two there." She and her friend waved.
"And are you serving at the ball as well?" She asked Teal.
"Yes. I'm security." She smiled. "Now you two better go."
"Damn nobles." Teal muttered after they were far away from them.
"Well~ What was that about?" Devitto smirked. Teal turned and her face was still a little red.
"I think somebody's jealous. Hee hee!" Jasdero was sharing the same smirk.
"Am not. I hate people rich people who are so full of themselves." She said quickly as she gathered her grocery bags.
"Yeah yeah." They said.
"Jealousy isn't your kind of thing, Teal." Erin came out of nowhere and startled Jasdevi.
"Make yourself useful." She thrust a few grocery bags at Erin just to make her shut up.
"Oh hey, you're Devitto and Jasdero. You look different somehow."
'Oh crap.' All three of them thought.
"Different? What makes you say that?" Teal smiled nervously.
"I got it. Your skin color was grey last time I saw you."
"They... cosplay! That's it! They like to cosplay and they often wear grey makeup." Teal said quickly.
"Okay, fair enough. So did you ask them if they'd like to stay for dinner?"
"Eh?" Teal dropped her bags.
"Is Teal cooking?" Jasdero said.
'They're not gonna let me forget it, will they?' Teal thought gloomily.
"No, Shishou is." Erin smiled.
"Okay, we'll come." Devitto said.
"Wait..." She said weakly.
"What? Scared that we're gonna embarrass you in front of your master? C'mon, we're not that bad." Devitto walked up to her.
"No. It's the other way around."
"Ooh, I wonder what dirt he's got on you." Jasdero jumped on Devitto's back.
"He's probably has nothing blackmail worthy if that's what you're after."
"But still... We want something to laugh about." Jasdero said.
"Isn't my lack of domestic skills enough?" They shook their heads.
"Okay, you two can stay. However, my master is..."
"Rawk! Get a room, idiots." Yoshi was in a tree by them. Teal's face turned red again, a mix of embarrassment and of annoyance. She thought about the kiss the other night and it was more of embarrassment now than anything.
"What is that?" Jasdero asked.
"Shishou's delivery bird. I wanted to get the monkey but it was two against one."
"Your master and your friend against you?" Jasdero asked.
"No, the bird and my master against me and Erin. Erin and I only had half a vote until we were fourteen. Don't ask it's a LONG story. I don't remember half of it."
As soon as they got on the deck, Jasdevi were about to go in and Teal held them back.
"What?" They asked.
"Shoes off. Dojo rules."
"Fine." They moaned. As they were taking their shoes off, Teal poked her head in.
"Shishou, you back? My friends are over." There was no answer. 'I guess not. Alexander's not even here.' She gestured Devitto and Jasdero to come in.
"Wow, it's really small." Devitto said.
"You two lived in a big place for a long time. Prob'ly seems small to you."
"Hey, we're not saying we don't like it." Devitto said as he found a big cushion chair in the living room and jumped into it.
"It must be nice to be home, huh?" Jasdero smiled at her.
"Yeah... I guess." She said as she was putting groceries in the kitchen and put some water in a kettle for tea. 'I haven't felt at home in a long time.' She sighed happily.
"Hey, Teal about earlier…" Devitto started.
"Hey, Teal is this one of your master's students with your friend? He kinda looks like you." Devitto leaned over to look at it. It was a picture of a slightly annoyed yet happy scruffy looking boy and Erin with bows and a dress.
"No, that's me. That was taken a few days after I quit my gang."
"Why would you want to look like a boy?" Jasdero asked.
"That's how I made most of my money. When my hair was long enough, I'd chop it off. I don't mind if I'm treated like a boy. Women don't have a lot of political rights anyway."
"And I don't think your friend and your master helped very much when you were trying to become a girl, right?"
"They did help some. But they weren't able to change me completely into a girl. Why? You think I need to be more feminine?" She grinned.
"YES." They said at the same time. 'Dang it, I wish I had a twin so I could annoy the hell out of these two when they do that.'
"I want to see you in more pretty dresses. Hee!"
"I wear dresses sometimes." She retorted.
"Uniforms and street fashion don't really count." Devitto said.
"How about this: If you two start wearing clothes like the ones you have on more often, I'll start wearing more dresses."
"And don't ever cut your hair again! It's pretty when it's long." Jasdero said.
"Well…" She blushed slightly. "I have to cut it once in a while 'cause it can be a little bothersome, getting in my face sometimes."
"I think that you have to do something really fancy with your hair and get a fancy dress for the ball." Jasdero said. "Not very fun."
'Oh crap. All this time and I forgot to get a decent dress. It'll take a miracle to find something decent enough and affordable.'
There was a loud whistle in the kitchen and Teal went to check to see if the kettle was done.
"I think you should let one of us handle that." Jasdero said.
"Oh, please guys. I'm not that bad when I'm in a kitchen. Huh, it's not even close to done. Must be the stupid bird." Teal muttered. She gave a small yelp when she accidentally placed her hand on the burner.
"You idiot." They said at the same time.
"Teal? Is that you? Are you alright?" Teal's father was standing in the doorway and Jasdevi turned their heads to him. He looked at them then looked at Teal in the kitchen and she was standing in the kitchen and she was shaking.
"What did you do to my little girl?" He growled as he glared at Devitto and Jasdero. They sank in their chairs.
"Shishou, please don't make a racket. They're with me." Teal said calmly as she dried off her hand.
"Then why did you scream?" He slid in the kitchen beside her.
"I didn't scream. I just burned my hand a little bit." She sighed.
"Don't scare your father like that." He hugged Teal. 'Ah great. NOW they have something blackmail worthy.'
"Shishou, we have company." Teal was trying to get him to let go.
"Why won't you call me Dad?" He slouched in a dark corner.
'Why me?' "Dad… We have guests." Teal pointed to Jasdevi.
"Oh yes." He stood up. "Sorry about that."
"So anyway, this is Devitto and Jasdero." Teal stood between Jasdevi. "Believe it or not, they're twins. You don't mind if they stay for a late lunch, do you Shishou?"
"Oh, no not at all. That is…" He gave them a very dark glare and made them sink in their chairs again. "That they won't do anything."
"Shishou, honestly, they aren't THAT bad." She laughed. "It's not like these two are the first guys I made friends with. Well… Technically they are but you know what I mean."
"I'm just teasing." He smiled. "How about you three go explore while you wait? I'll send Yoshi to go and find you after wards." He dismissed them approvingly.
"I'm really sorry that you had to see that." Teal said as they were leaving the dojo.
"See what?" Jasdero asked.
"Shishou doting on me. He tends to do that. Really annoys the heck out of me though."
"Oh? But you seemed to be enjoying it in some way." Devitto put his arms behind his head.
"It's so embarrassing. What about you two? Did you often get doted on?" She looked curiously at them. Jasdero stopped suddenly.
"Eh? Something wrong?" He was looking into the distance and he looked slightly uncomfortable.
"Heh, I dunno. Maybe that did happen at one point." Jasdero said as he stared off into the distance.
"Jasdero." Devitto's tone meant that he should drop it. "It doesn't matter."
"In a way… it does matter." Teal said as she gazed at the semi lunar cliff where the lighthouse stands tall and proud. "The feeling of being left behind and leaving someone behind, I know what that's like. It's one of the darker traits of human nature."
"Yeah, but after a while, you forget about it." Devitto scratched his head. "Are you saying you're scared when that time comes?" Devitto asked out of the blue.
"I am." Teal cringed as she uttered those two words.
'You can trust us, you know.' This isn't Teal's favourite or easiest topic to talk about. She had to talk to somebody, anybody that could somehow understand her. She couldn't say anything to her father because she didn't want him involved. It was maddening keeping everything to herself, unable to find some sort of comfort or relief. The three of them continued down the edge in silence.
'I guess it would make me feel a little better. And… I want to close the gap between us.' She caught a small glance of the bloody water down below and started walking a little closer to Jasdevi. Devitto's hand barely brushed against hers then everything disappeared.
Teal finally gathered her courage and broke the silence with what was on her mind.
"After all this time, I'm finally free of that woman. This is the first time I've truly felt like a human. Nothing's controlling me; my actions are from my will. However I've seen the darkness that surrounds her and I don't want to be in that same darkness. That's mostly why I snapped earlier, and I'm sorry about that. I know you weren't yourself but still, you saying something like that, it means everything was for nothing, and you see me nothing more than a puppet. And… I mean nothing to you. To anyone."
"Teal…" Jasdero gave her a tight hug.
"Ch-Choking, not breathing."
'To be a real human… I forgot how it felt. But just being with you two that helps me get an idea of what a real human is.'
A few days later… The Night of the Ball
'Ah great. Here comes my worst nightmare.' Devitto thought as he slouched over the balcony to the dance floor. He was extremely moody in the past couple of days up until today due to ball preparation. He didn't know what was worse, getting his tuxedo prepared or listening to Sheryl rant on and on for hours about the ball. 'Can't even breathe in this thing.' He fingered his bow tie trying to get it a little bit loose.
"Might as well get this over with. Hey, Devi, maybe we could end things with a bang. Then next time we aren't allowed to come!"
"Don't even think about it boys. We need to keep good relations with the nobles. To support our cause." Sheryl said as he was fixing his glove.
"Craaap." They said at the same time.
"At least we get to dance with some pretty girls. Hee!"
"Speaking of pretty girls, you know where Teal is? I thought she came with you and Road." Tyki turned his head to the twins.
"Uh… Dunno. She said something about running a last minute errand…"
"And she might've mentioned that maybe we should've told you that she'll meet up with us later." Devitto and Jasdero shrugged their shoulders.
"Good lord, that girl can be useless some days." Sheryl sighed. "Go downstairs now, all of you!"
'And the nightmare begins.' Devitto thought as he was walking behind Jasdero. 'In the very least, please, please, please PLEASE don't let me dance with that girl I met the other day.'
"Hi there~ Oh, I just knew you'd be here." The red haired girl sighed enthusiastically. "Oh, you look so much more handsome without your make-up!" She said as she grabbed Devitto's arm.
"Oi, oi, oi! What are you doing?"
"We're going to have the first dance, silly!" She giggled.
"Oh god." Devitto muttered. "Wait, I have to go… somewhere to do… a thing. Jasdero!" Devitto turned his head but he wasn't anywhere to be found.
"What are you sulking about? First dance with the host's daughter is an honour." A voice came from behind Devitto. It seemed faintly familiar but there was a boy who was shorter than him and his dark red hair tied back in a small tie.
"Do I know you?" Devitto raised an eyebrow.
"Is he a friend of yours? He looks very handsome. But not as handsome as you." The girl purred.
"I'll save introductions after your dance. Don't want to keep your partner waiting, do you?" He smiled. "Speaking of, I shouldn't keep mine waiting." He disappeared into the crowd. The girl led him to the center of the room, where everyone was keeping their anxious eyes on them.
'Oh god, oh god, oh god. I'm totally not used to this. Tyki's the one who should be doing this kind of thing. Then again, wouldn't that make him a pedo?' As soon as they heard the conductor tap his stand, Devitto and his partner automatically positioned themselves. As soon as the orchestra started, Devitto led the girl in a semi-graceful dance. He was taught try to please the girls as best as possible but he tends to do a half-ass job. His dance got approval nods and whispers in the very least.
"So, Devitto's got the first dance, eh?" Teal stood beside Erin and Shishou behind the crowd. "He's got guts." She chuckled.
"I know that you want to dance with him badly~" Erin grinned. Teal blushed furiously. "Sh-shut up." Teal had kind of been avoiding Devitto since that kiss and the way she acted towards him. Other than when Jasdero is with her and Devitto, she finds it somewhat difficult to be alone with him. She really did like him and Jasdero but she felt something more towards Devitto and it seemed awkward being around him.
"You two go on the floor as soon as other people are allowed. Present yourselves instead of acting as wall flowers." Shishou smiled.
"Shishou's right. Besides, you look beautiful, Teal. You should present yourself and dance with others."
"Okay. I should sooner or later." She looked down at her long light blue dress and adjusted a flower on her skirt. Shishou and Erin bought her a fairly simple light blue dress as an early birthday present and Erin helped her dress it up a little bit by adding bead streamers and real flowers to her dress. Teal decided to keep her hair down and two parts of her hair were pulled back, tied elegantly and braided.
"Also, try not to look too down, okay?" Shishou gave Teal a reassuring smile. "It was unfortunate that it wasn't there. You'll find another way to get it. Have patience. Remember what I usually say? You can't complete your journey…"
"Without having some fun along the way." Teal beamed at her father. 'Although it's easier said than done.'
Erin linked his arm to Teal and moved towards the crowd. Everyone slowly went towards the center to have their turn to dance. Teal could see Tyki and Lulubell dancing gracefully and beautifully with other people. When the bystanders were fewer in an area, they were able to make their way on to the floor.
Teal looked around and everything was dazzling. Some ornaments were hanging from the ceiling and a skylight gave one of the best views of the stars that she's ever seen. The out of season flowers and ribbons that were hanging everywhere gave the room a nice light touch of beauty. The music was fairly new to her and she wasn't sure how she felt about it. Suddenly there seemed to be a quiet lingering wave near them. Teal looked around as she and Erin were getting into position and some people had interested and watchful eyes on them.
"Erin, people are staring at us…" She silently whined.
"We're newcomers so that's normal." Erin smiled and started to lead Teal. Teal carefully followed Erin's lead and tried to watch where her feet were going.
'I stepped on his foot already. Even though I'm dancing with my best friend, I'm extremely nervous.'
"Take your time." Erin smiled again. Teal returned the smile and after a couple of times of accidentally stepping on his foot, they were able to dance smoothly. The music stopped a short time afterward and there was applause from the bystanders. The dancers bowed and curtsied. As Erin and Teal were about to leave the floor to rest a little bit, they ran into Jasdevi.
"Hey, Jasdero, where'd you go?" Teal asked.
"To the food table. I never dance on an empty stomach. Hey did you see Devitto's dance?"
"Uh... Well… In all honesty, I was looking mostly at my feet, trying to make I'm not stepping on his foot." Teal said nervously as she pointed at Erin then she turned to Devitto, thinking he was expecting her to say something. "But I do admire that you have guts, Devitto. Well, uh… in good way. I wouldn't dance alone in front of that many people for anything."
"Thanks… I guess. You want to know the truth? It was horrible. And who's this guy?" Devitto pointed at Erin.
"I thought you might figure it out by now." Erin smiled. "It's me, Erin!"
"Say WHAT?" Jasdero and Devitto's jaws dropped. Teal tried not to laugh at them.
"Pfft. Sor- Sorry guys. I had to keep my mouth shut. After all, a lady never reveals her deepest and darkest secret until the time is right." Teal was mocking Erin's voice.
Jasdero nudged Devitto and rolled his eyes towards Teal when she turned her head to Erin.
"Hey, Teal. D-do you…"
"Ah, here you all are." Sheryl approached them. "Devitto, that dance was wonderful! I believe I taught you better than I thought. And to dance with the host's daughter no less!"
"Shut up." Devitto hung his head.
"And Jasdero, why aren't you dancing?"
"Um… Well…"
"I'll be your partner." Teal volunteered.
"Oh Teal, there you are. Where were you?"
"Sorry. I had to do something that couldn't wait. Have some faith in me will you?"
"C'mon, let's go, Teal!" Teal followed Jasdero to the dance floor.
"Haven't really gotten a chance to talk in the past couple of days, have we?"
"No, not really. Ah! Sorry!" Teal said as she stepped on Jasdero's foot. "I waited until the last minute to find a dress. And I haven't seen Shi-Dad in over a year and I want to spend some time with him. That's why I've been gone."
"Okay. So where did you go to buy a dress like that?" Jasdero asked.
"I found this at a second hand store and Erin helped me decorate it a bit. Talk about having a fairy godmother." She giggled.
"Hee! It's pretty!" He smiled. "Also, did you and Devitto have a fight or something? You two seem kind of distant." He and Teal stopped dancing and moved to the side to talk.
"Uh… Well… Not exactly… Would you believe me if I told you that I'm still embarrassed,"
"About him groping you?" Jasdero whispered.
"He did WHAT?" Teal said not too loudly but was still horrified and crossed her arms on her chest.
"He kissed you. Isn't that groping?"
"No. That isn't but-Wait a minute, how do you know about that?" She was turning even redder. "Oh. Twin telepathy. Right."
"You know about that too?" Jasdero was looking surprised.
"Who knows what about what now?"
"Let's change the subject, we're making me dizzy just thinking about it. So: I'm thinking that maybe you and Devi should have some time alone."
"Eh? Why?"
"C'mon, please? Devi really likes you and I'm sure he wants to spend some time with you."
'Kinda weird for Devitto to ask Jasdero to set me up with him but, Oh good Lord, he's doing the puppy eyes.' "Okay." She agreed. "Not really gonna ask too much but okay."
"Good enough for me." Jasdero smiled. 'I think she could really help Devi. Other than me, he doesn't really open up to a whole lot of people.'
"I believe the purpose of this ball is to be dancing." A boy with a British accent stood behind them. When Teal turned around, he was towering over her and Jasdero. He had sandy blond hair and everything about him was screaming 'do not approach' because he had an atmosphere like a ming vase. Look but don't touch because he was so… valuable, like a champion athlete that was revered from afar.
"May I have this dance?"
He dragged Teal on the dance floor before she could accept or decline.
"I must say, Devitto, you're quite the star here. I never thought it was possible." Sheryl beamed at him. "After all, you are coming of age in a few mere weeks so I suppose it is normal for a boy to act like a man now."
"How old were you when you became a man? Oh wait, hell hasn't frozen over yet."
"You should respect your elders." Sheryl steamed.
"Devitto, please show some courtesy while you're here." The Millennium Earl said from the shadows.
"Yes, Lord Millennium." Devitto returned to slouching on the banister.
"Hey Devi. You tired too? Hee!" Jasdero joined Devitto on the banister.
"Hell yeah. I had to dance with the du- darling host's daughter for most of the night." He just noticed that the host was behind him talking to Sheryl. "It's only a matter of time before she finds me." He said in one breath.
"Hey, have you danced with any other girls tonight?"
"Only her friends and this ugly girl. I'm the one who's supposed to be blackmailing."
There was a heh-hem behind him.
"N-not that I was doing any." He laughed nervously.
"I know a place where she won't find you: the west garden. The one with the ponds. Hee! I'll lead her away to get some peace and quiet for you. Also, maybe you should-"
"Thank YOU!" He caught a glimpse of that girl and bolted down the stairs out on to the patio so he could try to find the door to the garden. Before he went back in, he heard some hushed voices under him.
'So much for peace and quiet.' Then something darted over the wall and the voices were gone. 'Better get down there before anyone else does.' Devitto jumped over the edge of the balcony and landed right next to a large koi pond. He whipped his head around and there was nobody around yet.
'Well, what do you know? It actually is quite nice here.' He sat on the pond's edge and started to untie his bow and unbutton a couple of buttons on his shirt. 'I can't breathe in this damn thing. It's hard to breathe in there anyway.'
"Oh THERE you are." That girl came out of nowhere and came up to Devitto. "I was wondering where you were. Don't want to keep me worried, do you?"
"Do I look like I want to?" He retorted.
"If you can look that way at another girl, surely you can look that way at me." She said in a seductive purr.
"Okay, listen, I admit you're 'hot'," Devitto bent his fingers. "But get lost. I don't like you. Mainly because you remind me on someone I hate." The girl glanced at one of the pillars under the balcony with a quick, acid gaze then went back to Devitto.
"So, Teal," Her father approached her after she stepped outside for a breather. "How are you enjoying your first ball?" He smiled.
"It's… interesting. Definitely the last place I would be. But it's survivable."
"True, but I'm happy for you."
"Eh?"
"From what I can tell, you've opened up to more people than just me an Erin. You've become more sociable other than when you need to and I'm proud of you."
"Dad…" Teal smiled and blushed a bit.
"Now, come and dance with your daddy!" He had a big goofy smile and was about to lead to the dance floor.
"I-in a bit. I need to talk to Devitto first before I forget with all this dancing. Okay?"
"Alright." He smiled. "And you know what to do if he gets a LITTLE too comfortable, right?" He whispered.
"Shishou…" Teal couldn't suppress a laugh. "I'll see you in a while."
"I just love a man who plays hard to get." She giggled.
"Okay then. I'm not a man."
"Hey, Devitto, are you-"
'Uh. That commoner. What I want, I get.' The red haired girl rammed her lips on Devitto's and Teal saw it. That girl kissing him, and he didn't put up much resistance. She should've been okay with this. He was a FRIEND in the very least. But she was not okay with this. He wasn't just a friend to her.
She kept a calm façade until she went into a dark corridor where no one in the ballroom could see her. She leaned against the wall and felt like she was about to cry. A painful feeling was coming back. She liked someone. That someone liked someone else and she got hurt when she found out the hard way. But maybe she was wrong this time.
'Okay, just pull yourself together. Maybe I didn't see the whole thing. I mean, this is Devitto; he doesn't do well with girls. But I don't even know half of who he his, so anything is possible. Avoiding him doesn't help much either. But I guess I could just talk to him later.' She thought as she wiped her eyes on her sleeve.
"Oh, goodness, are you alright?" The girl came up to Teal with a fake sympathetic look. "You should know, he's way out of your league. Which is why he chose me over you."
"Says who? You should stop living in your fantasy and start in reality. Makes you look like a total bitch."
"Ohohoho." She slammed Teal against the wall and looked at her with her acid green eyes and a dangerous glare. "Reality. A place where dirty little whores like you take what is rightfully ours. My father has a group of private assassins and if you don't go where you belong, you'll wish that you have never been born. And your father and your friend too."
"Oooh hiding behind daddy and living in a fantasy. That makes you a spoiled little bitch. Oh, and I got something to tell you." Teal shoved the girl to the other side. "You threaten those who are dear to me," She used her right hand and grabbed the front of her shirt. "You're death won't be pretty."
"Help! Help! Murderer! Murderer! She's going to kill me!" The girl screamed at the top of her lungs. Teal immediately let go and backed away. The girl had an evil smirk on her face and continued screaming.
"Please tell me it's not- Teal." Devitto stood in the doorframe and was looking at both girls.
"Oh, Devitto. It was terrible." She sobbed.
"What did you do to her? Get out of my sight. I want nothing more to do with a puppet that doesn't do what they're told." Teal couldn't say anything. This stabbed her right in the heart. She told him what she was afraid of how everyone saw her. It was exactly like saying she's worthless. She just took off, barely fighting back her tears.
"Hey Teal, wait! Where are you going?"
'She was crying again? I didn't say anything this time.'
Back at the Mansion
"Ah, another ball, well done." Sheryl sighed in relief. "Except for the small commotion at the end. That gave me quite the scare."
"Luckily it wasn't an akuma that went berserk. Otherwise, we'd all be in trouble." Road said.
"Plus, there are too many memories to erase. Not a whole lot of our supporters know about the akuma."
Devitto moved away from everyone else and made his way to Teal's room.
"Hey, Teal?" He knocked on the door. "Care to explain what happened back there? You just took off." There was no answer. "Are you mad about- Oh. I think I know what happened. You saw us. It wasn't what it looked like." He leaned against the door and it just opened. The room was absolutely empty. He looked around and he noticed that the drawers were emptied and her bag was nowhere to be found.
"Oh shit. Please tell me you weren't stupid enough to run again."