TAoP Chapter 18
Parties and Nightmares
In front of the group was a huge castle, bigger than the trees around them. The wagon stepped out of the forest and followed the bridge to the gate. There was a crowd of people in elegant ball gowns and suits. They stopped a few feet behind and listened to the excited voices in the air.
"Seems like a party is going on," Illiana observed.
"I don't think we have an invitation," Jayden said, "but I suppose we should look the part." He waved his staff and his clothes changed to a suit much like what the men were wearing. "Not too bad. But still a bit awkward."
"Hey what about us?"
"Oh right." Illiana's outfit changed to a purple ball gown with white gloves.
"Hmmm…nice. I can see what you mean by being awkward," Illiana twirled around. "This party had better be worth it."
"And what are me and Penny supposed to do?" Max asked getting out of the wagon.
"Find another way in. I don't have enough magic to give us all a costume change. You guys find the Heart. We'll see if there's any trouble going on around here." Jayden and Illiana left to go stand in line.
Penny petted Buttercup as she felt the Heart move in the castle, "So how do we get in?"
"I have no idea. You?" Max asked completely stumped.
"We could climb…"
"We can't climb the castle! Do you know how long that will take us if we don't fall!"
"Sorry did I say climb? How do you feel about flying?"
When Jayden and Illiana entered the castle, their jaws dropped to the ground. They couldn't even see the ceiling and the hallway was extravagant. There was a double staircase leading to a door which held the ballroom. All the people seemed to be heading in there so the two followed the crowd.
"Okay, how are we going to do this?" Illiana whispered as she got a drink.
"I don't have a clue. Idle chitchat?" Jayden suggested.
"I suppose that will do."
They walked around to find people to converse with, but no such luck. Everybody seemed to be avoiding them or they didn't like new comers.
"Well, this went well."
"Bonjour! And welcome to our annual party, mademoiselle." A tall gentleman in yellow came over to them. "I hope everything is to your liking?" He took Illiana's hand and kissed it. She blushed slightly and gave a nervous laugh.
"Yes. This party is most excellent. Thank you," Jayden answered stiffly, putting his hand on Illiana's shoulder protectively.
"That is good! I was hoping that the lovely mademoiselle would like to dance? You have the most beautiful eyes I have ever—"
"Lumiere! Don't bother these people!" A smaller but bigger man came over to them. He had a pocket watch swinging from his neck.
"Oh come now, Cogsworth. I was only welcoming out guests," Lumiere said innocently.
"Yes, yes, yes I know exactly what you were doing. Now go see if Prince Adam needs help with anything." Lumiere left, but without blowing Illiana a kiss first. "You must excuse my friend. He is very fond of parties."
"There was no harm done. All is well," Illiana reassured both the man and Jayden, who has not taken his hand off.
"That's good, but I must say, I have never seen you before. Have we met?"
"Ah…no we are new around here and my relatives invited us here for the evening to meet new people," Jayden lied swiftly, nervously fidgeting with his glasses.
"Oh and who are your relatives?" Cogsworth asked interested.
"Ummm…well, they…"
Before Jayden could say an answer, the little boy from the town came up.
"Cogsworth, my mom needs to see you right away."
"Oh yes, okay thank you Chip. If you will excuse me I am needed." Cogsworth left them at a brisk pace, but the boy stayed behind for a bit. They looked familiar, but he was wanted in the kitchen.
Jayden sighed in relieve, "That was close."
"Too close. C'mon, let's see if we can find out anything," Illiana suggested, leading him to the dance floor.
"Are you sure I'm doing this right, Penny?" Max called as he flapped his arms like a bird.
"Umm…not really, but it will have to do," Penny said from above him.
The two of them snuck around to the back of the castle and started giving flying lessons to Max. They had to convince Buttercup to stay behind and it took tons of convincing Midnight to stay behind. He didn't like the idea of it but he also didn't like the idea of flying. So he sat in the wagon watching them.
You had better stay in contact with me or else, he warned Penny.
I know, I know and I will. No worries! She called to him.
Max started to turn upside down when she grabbed his hand to stop him.
"It's more of a lean. You have to lean forward to move. Relax your arms. Use them to turn. Hold them out like this," she spread out her and showed him how to turn. "See it's easy!"
"Yea, easy for you to say. You've been flying your whole life," Max grumbled.
"C'mon! I'll guide you!" Star flew around them both, happy to be flying. They flew up to the windows and peeked inside. Most of them were rooms that held servants cleaning and bedrooms; nothing interesting for them to see more. The presence was growing stronger as they traveled up until they reached a bedroom with two people, a man and a girl. The girl was sitting on the bed and the man was standing in front of her. She had a long yellow ball gown and he had a blue suit. The windows were open, so Penny listened in as she gestured to Max to stay still.
"…thought these dreams were done?" the man was saying.
"I know, but they keep coming worse and worse. It's been a year since everything happened, Adam, but they just won't stop." The girl was nearly in tears.
"Maybe you shouldn't come to the party."
"No, I'll go. I'll come in a little while." The man, Adam, kissed her forehead and left. The girl sat in silence until, "I know you're there. Please come out."
Penny immediately flew in the room and landed in front of her. She bowed, waiting patiently for her to say something.
"Who are you?"
"I'm Penny. I protect the Hearts, which you are one. I was only looking for you," Penny answered.
"But in my dreams, you always attacked me. And now with you being here, I feel safe."
"Dreams?" Max asked as he attempted to come in.
"My nightmares. They always begin with me running away from Gaston and then you show up and create a ring of fire. That's when I always wake up, but I could never forget that smile you gave and the bright green eyes."
Before anyone could say more, the door opened and the elderly lady entered carrying a tray with a cup of tea.
"Now Belle dear, here's some tea to help you—oh!" she dropped the tray, but Penny sprang forward and caught it before it spilled all over.
"Mrs. Potts! It's okay. These people won't harm us," Belle said going to the lady's side.
"But, but the girl has green eyes! What if she attacks? Oh I must tell the Master," she turned to leave.
"No, please listen. It's all been a misunderstanding. This girl is to protect me. She is meant to be here. I'll explain everything more but it will have to be tonight."
"Maybe you should have some tea?" Penny offered holding the tray out to Mrs. Potts.
"Why don't we go to the party and talk to all of our guests?" Belle suggested as she lead her to the door. She looked back at Penny, "You will come won't you?"
"Of course, Belle. Anything for you." Penny and Max followed them down to the party.
The song ended, so Jayden and Illiana stopped dancing and clapped for the band. So far, for their investigation was not going as planned. The only exciting thing that happened was a browned haired man coming in and everyone clapped for him.
"Well, this has been very insightful," Illiana said, sipping her drink. She was watching everyone, seeing if anything was out of place.
"At least nobody is asking any questions about us, but nothing really seems to be wrong with this place. I hope the others have had more luck," Jayden sighed rubbing his eyes from tiredness.
"Introducing the belle of the ball, Belle!" the man in the blue suit announced and a girl in a yellow ball gown came in. she curtsied to everyone and the two of them started to dance.
"So any luck with anything?" Penny asked from behind them.
"Gahh!" Illiana spilled her drink in surprise.
"Oh, sorry Illiana. I thought you saw us."
"So did you get anything?" Max handed Illiana a napkin to wipe the drink.
"Nothing at all except I made Illiana look to beautiful," Jayden said. "You?"
"The usual: found a Heart, met her, found out she has nightmares, and soon to get a bead," Penny explained also taking a sip of the drink and talking to Midnight.
"You can't drink that Penny! It's wine!" Jayden ripped the drink from her hand.
"But it's good! I like it!"
"Anyways, nightmares?" Jayden finished the wine before Penny could grab it back.
"She's been having those more recently. Apparently, Penny has been featured in some," Max stated eating some of the food with Penny, who has moved on from the wine.
"Oh, interesting. I guess we will have to talk to them after the party."
"Until then, shall we?" Illiana asked gesturing to the dance floor. She and Jayden headed back out, blending in with the crowd.
"How long do these usually last?" Penny asked randomly, watching the dancers.
"How should I know? Balls aren't my thing," Max said.
"I believe she was talking to me, sorry," Belle came up from behind them, "And these normally last a long time. Mostly through the night."
"I don't understand parties, why do people have them?" Penny continued, trying to understand the different worlds.
"This is a special party. It has been exactly one year since the curse has been lifted from this castle, so this is a huge celebration for everyone here. Won't you dance?"
"I don't dance. And I'm watching everything to understand and learn. But if I could take a moment of your time…" Penny pulled out beads and explained what they were. Pretty soon, she was tying a yellow bead in her hair.
"If you would like, I can set up some rooms for you and your friends for the night," Belle offered not wanting the girl to leave.
"I think we would like that. They look like they are having fun." Jayden and Illiana continued to dance, not noticing the group was watching them. It was only them tonight.
"I'll have Mrs. Potts show you some rooms. We can talk more in the morning."