It was around halfway into Kill Bill when I heard the beginning of activity downstairs. Outside the storm had well and truly started to hang over us- the rumbles and flashes obvious- but the rain had yet to really set in. It came and went,hard but short lived, and so the sound of cars and excitement downstairs did not get drowned out.
I could see from my window the same as earlier- servants using the side garden to reach the front. They all had umbrellas now, massive things that kept getting caught by the wind, and I felt bad for them. They were probably the ones instructed to keep 'important guests dry'. Hopefully they'd get the day off tomorrow with that kind of job... if I had any idea about these kinds of parties, and I had a little experience now, they'd probably go till late. Very late.
"Dinner, Miss Sophia."
I turned around slowly to see a wheeled service cart left behind in the room. Complete with a Kenshi from the Black Foxes. He winked, his face hidden from the security guard, and he made a point of taking his time as he 'served' things, uncovered things, and I had this distinct sense that he was partly taking his time to make me feel better... and maybe partly to size up that guard.
He must have been a nice guy. I wasn't sure I'd ever really find out. But he stood there, sorting out food, taking his time, ignoring the guard's grunted codes for 'Get out already'. Kenshi left only after a good five minutes of fussing over food.
I had to admit- even if he'd done nothing else than 'fix' my dinner up... I felt a little better. Like I wasn't really alone in this place with my Father. There were friends around every corner. I ate on my own as the start of the ball started downstairs, somewhat okay now with being excluded, and could actually enjoy every bite.
It felt kind of rebellious. Enjoying my food when Father was mad at me. Enjoying it when he'd tried to hurt me. He couldn't touch me... even if he did bruise stuff. I returned to Kill Bill with a hell of a lot more energy than I'd had before.
As the hours dragged by and the movie ended, it really started to rain outside, so the noises of cars and music downstairs vanished. Feeling full and warmed up by the company, however distant it might be, I was now actually able to ignore the bodyguard. Even if he did try and follow me into the bathroom at some point. Shesh. The one thing that I couldn't shake, however, was that underlying thread of anxiety that hung around somewhere in the back of my head. I was sure it was partly because Roberto was anxious... so naturally I was as well. I'd have loved to use that laptop. Call him up on the video chat. Reassure him that I was fine. Last time we'd chatted I hadn't been so sure of that.
Finally when I had just about decided I wasn't going to be there tonight after all... I was summoned downstairs. Wheeled down in that ball gown that Hiro/Bella had so painstakingly … or obsessively... chosen, I still felt pretty out of place while sitting in a wheelchair. Okay. Maybe I'd have felt out of place no matter what- the place was glittering with celebrities, politicians, rich heir and heiresses, business tycoons, nobles, royalty... basically everyone and anyone who had power, money or both. The last ball had just been a dress rehearsal compared to tonight. And apparently the biggest jewels of the ball hadn't even appeared yet.
The building itself was incredible. It was literally lit up by candles within crystals, sending rainbows and soft warm light everywhere, with only the dancing floor itself lit up enough for people to be seen clearly. It made the entire focus on who danced, because as the women danced, their dresses would billow out and catch the hundreds of rainbows from the crystals, their jewellery glittering and winking in the carefully planned lighting, this kind of surreal fairy like atmosphere happening. Complete with roses and plants used as screens in some areas of the ballroom.
I couldn't believe Father would have planned this. It was too... too pretty.
On top of that there were also reporters inside the building. Approved ones. Dignified ones that didn't flash cameras at people. They were discreet, sliding around, probably instructed to report on the event tonight rather than the people themselves. You couldn't get into this place as a reporter if there was even the slightest chance you'd gossip about the people... no, they were here to promote and celebrate the big party.
I thought that was a bad move- Oriens was still in a pretty tense state from the first cyclone. Now they'd find out about another expensive party during another bad storm? Not something anyone would want to hear about.
"Miss Sophia." A waiter offered me a drink and I accepted. Why not? I wasn't driving my own wheelchair tonight.
As I sipped the rose wine I was pushed into one of the 'VIP' areas... a bit of a joke, really, given that this entire place was VIP... my Father greeted me with that neutral expression. As if before hadn't happened at all. Hiro/Bella was beside the fake Prince Glenn, Riki... I wasn't really sure... but it was probably a sure bet that he was somewhere around here.
"Sophia." My Father greeted me cooly.
"Father." I responded, almost in the same cold even tone, and stared up at him.
"You'll sit here." He informed me. "Without speaking to anyone."
Big shock. 'Hey, my Father is a terrible person' wasn't what he wanted me to share tonight. I was shocked suddenly by... by how much I really disliked him. My dad. My Father. The only one I'd ever have in my life. I'd grown up hoping for him, found him, and … then learnt to hate him. I was so stunned by this light bulb moment... that I didn't answer and he took this as compliance. Father vanished into the crowd.
I sipped the rose wine slowly, watching the stunning display of wealth, ignoring the fake Prince Glenn. He was so... obvious to me now. There were just so many things that were wrong, things I could tell even out of the corner of my eye, that made me wonder why no one in here had noticed him.
Hiro/Bella and Fake-Glenn didn't remain long beside me in that little separated area. They were off to the ballroom floor, dancing, with so little chemistry between them that it was kind of funny. I was sure that Hiro was working on this fake Glenn even out there, seeing their lips moving, Hiro probably probing him for confessions or something. And it wasn't long before I saw Father with Riki. They almost seemed to be getting along. I supposed if they were still here though... then they hadn't gotten what they wanted.
"Sophia." A soft hand grasped my shoulder, suddenly, and I found myself so relieved to see Edward's warm purple eyes. He knelt beside me and smiled up at me, grasping my hand, squeezing it very tight. There was sadness there though. "You're hurt."
"It's not bad." Had he found out? Probably. I squeezed his hand in return and smiled a real genuine smile. "You shouldn't be talking to me."
"I could not pass by you." Edward's face fell a little. "Do you wish for me to leave?"
I felt so bad suddenly. Woops. I explained quickly, "No, it's not that. Father doesn't want me talking to anyone..." and added, "...but I'm so glad you did talk to me."
"The last thing I could do was get you into more danger from your Father..." Edward hesitated at that.
Edward and I both looked in the direction Father was. Father had seen us talking too. I tensed somewhat as he started in this direction and expected Edward to leave. He stood up slowly, his shoulders tensing, this strange expression crossing his face. I couldn't picture him confronting my father... but he did stand there, as if refusing to move, this sudden mountain of Prince that seemed torn.
"You're tired." My Father demanded, trying his best to ignore him, adding, "And upsetting the guests. It's time for bed. I'll take you."
I suddenly had this … sense that he was angry. Again. I'd never known him to loose his temper so often before, like he really was loosing control somehow, and it made me nervous. His fingers were twitching beside his hip. Or had something else set him off? I didn't know... his face gave no clues. But instinctively I sensed it. Father was angry again. I sensed that I shouldn't go anywhere with him.
"Bed?"
Edward glanced back at me. Then he spoke. "She'll be leaving tonight, right?"
"...Leaving?"
Oh god. Why did Edward have to tell him? My entire body seized up with fear, all of a sudden, as those 'get away' instincts got stronger. Father … was tenser. I didn't know why, I couldn't explain it, but I was certain he was going to loose his temper. "She's not leaving."
He actually made an attempt to grasp my wheelchair, his mouth tight, eyes narrowing at me. Warning me.
"Did Miss Sophia not tell you the wonderful news?"
"News?"
"She has agreed to travel to Charles tonight- I will personally see her there- after achieving a full scholarship."
"I..." I was what?
My Father seemed stunned, angry, suddenly unable to hide it. He turned on me and demanded, "I forbid that. You... have not asked..."
"But she's an adult." Edward had this quiet strength in his voice, this strength I'd never have expected to see in him, and he probed, "Are you not happy for her? Such an award carries respect amongst her peers. I personally promoted her at the request of her Prince, that is true, but it was her mind that won her this."
"H..." Father was lost for words all of a sudden. I knew that he didn't like the idea of getting a Prince angry- he wanted that powerful connection- but he didn't want me to leave again either. "How can I be happy when my daughter leaves again? What are you studying?"
I wasn't quite... sure myself. First I'd heard of this as well. Edward was smooth as he spoke for me, "A degree in Education."
"Education? To be a teacher?" Father's voice rose a moment, drawing attention, and he stood up straighter. "No. She's already done one wasteful course."
"I'm doing it." I spoke up finally. I felt suddenly threatened, like he was going to snap later, because... I was defying him. In front of people. A number of people were staring at us now.
"A teacher is always needed." Edward agreed, his hand remaining on my shoulder, squeezing somewhat. He glanced down at me and smiled at me. "Her fiancee is very proud of her goals."
"Fi..." It was as if my Father had forgotten about Roberto and that article. He frowned... and left.
Edward's smile increased as he sat back down beside me, taking up his glass of wine once again, and relaxed.
It was a win, I knew that, but … I seriously doubted that Father would go away and forget it. I muttered, "You shouldn't have ..."
"I will never sit by and allow a lady to be intimidated or threatened, however sweet the words, and allow her beauty and spirit to be crushed." Edward responded softly. He was still straight, almost a little older all of a sudden, and then he turned to me and smiled. "Please- smile again."
"When no one is danger." I muttered. I was worried a little. Father was talking to bodyguards again now. I was concerned that Edward would be targeted or … or something. I couldn't tell what Father would want to do. He wouldn't want me to leave again right now. "I can't leave tonight... as far as he is concerned."
"You will leave." Edward's voice hardened, suddenly, as he shifted on his seat restlessly. Once again he seemed taken back by his own emotions, so obvious and written all over his face, the anxiety and anger barely hidden. He glanced at me, concern adding to it, asking, "I … I fear I may be giving too much away, however... am I not?"
"I..." What did I say? Lie? "Maybe a little."
"I cannot pretend that it makes me furious and sad." He had twisted away from the party all of a sudden as if he was hoping to hide his own expressions. Edward's eyes slid down to my legs as if he could see marks below the skirt and the emotions increased on his face. "I swear, upon the beautiful moon that pales in your presence, that I will take you out of here toni-"
"Moon? Come on, Ed, stop hitting on my darling."
We both froze.
Roberto swaggered into the little area, suited up, glass of wine in hand, a rose in his jacket pocket. Like he was supposed to be here.
He wasn't.
"Ro..."
"Hey, honey-doll." He winked. At some point I'd have to put a stop to those nicknames... but right now? I was just shocked. Roberto dropped into a seat beside me. He'd come with an audience- a group of young eager women that looked pretty miserable and jealous when he draped an arm around my shoulder.
Father noticed him as well. He was heading straight for here. Suddenly my anxiety for Edward turned into fear for Roberto.
"Wha... what... get out!" I hissed, shoving at him, though it was really too late. My heart pounded as Father approached.
"No." Roberto's arm tightened. He smiled brightly at the ladies and shrugged. "Sorry, ladies, but tonight I spend with my fiancee."
There was a collective kind of 'aw', protests, ladies reluctantly moving away several feet. They didn't go far though- hovering around nearby like a bunch of hopeful seagulls. I might have felt jealous at any other moment.
"Shall I leave?" Ed offered, suddenly, but Roberto shook his head.
"No. Stay. We're her bodyguards. Wils is on his way."
W...Wilifred? No way. I stuttered, "But..."
"What's he going to do?" Prince Keith appeared, looking fairly bored, dodging around the women as a fresh wave of 'please dance!' chimed out. He didn't even bother to hide his dislike of it as he slid down into a chair. Perfect posture. Perfectly handsome face scowling. Why did these Princes even come to dances if they didn't like them? "Shoot us?"
From the look on Father's face... probably. Father had to come the long way around, clearly getting frustrated as he lost control over the people surrounding me, and I was certain that more 'big' men in suits were starting to crowd around us.
"Relax. They're all Keithstar's friends." Roberto whispered against my ear. Suddenly he grabbed me, dragging me out of the wheelchair, and settled me into his lap as his arms came around protectively to circle me.
"That's hardly the behaviour a Prince should show." Keith scolded, shooting a look at Roberto, who made a point of ignoring him.
"It's the behaviour a husband shows. I'm practising." Roberto responded. He squeezed me tightly. "Hey."
I leaned against his neck a moment as his smell washed over me. Internally I responded with my own 'hey', shutting my eyes a moment, because however frustrated and worried I was... I'd never say no to this. Who cared how it looked to others?
"You'll have to teach Prince Keith one day. First Prince to marry has to teach the others." I whispered... loud enough for Prince Keith to hear... and Roberto was clearly delighted that some part of me was still willing to tease and joke.
"Mmhmm." He agreed, suddenly smooching me, and laughed as Prince Keith made a reasonably loud complaint. "It's a new rule."
"It'll never become a rule." A dry voice cut in. Prince Joshua had showed up flanked by Wilifred.
Wilifred knelt before us both and kissed my hand. "Sophia." He gazed up at me a long moment as his blue eyes searched mine. "Are you sore?"
"Does everyone know?" I muttered. "Of course." Somehow though... it was fine. I didn't care if they did. They were the closest thing to brothers that Roberto had... and it didn't bother me in the slightest what he shared with them. Mostly. We'd have to talk about what he COULDN'T share.
Later.
"Good." Wilifred stood up. He actually stood in front of us as Father finally made it to us, his body blocking myself and Roberto, and his greeting was formal and stiff.
"Is my daughter bother-"
"Nope!" Roberto called through Wilifred's back. He was clipping something around my neck, something cool and heavy, but I didn't get a chance to really look at it before he'd suddenly stood. With me in his arms. "We're going to dance."
"Prince Roberto, she is-"
"Dance?" I exclaimed, accidentally cutting my Father off, but Roberto strode past my Father for the floor. "I can't walk!"
"Stand then. I'll support you... but I want everyone to see you." Roberto strode into the middle of the ballroom floor, the warm light and rainbows cast across the both of us, his face coming into clearer view under the stronger lights. We were being watched by everyone, the crowds parting as he strode past them, his back straight, confidance all over his face. He completely ignored the fake Glenn, ignored Hiro/Rose, and dropped me right in the middle.
We were causing a bit of a commotion. People were staring. Spotlight appearing. Roberto slid his arms under mine, lifting me up so that not so much weight was on my good leg, his nose bumping against mine as he dropped his forehead against mine.
"Love you, Phia." He whispered, gazing down at me, squeezing me when my eyes drifted sideways to the staring people. "Don't worry."
"We're …"
"Dancing. That's all. I don't want to run away just yet- I want them all to see you. Us." Roberto lifted me up suddenly, my feet completely off the ground, and added, "Hold onto me like you did with Ed."
"Um. Okay..." I glanced down at something, some kind of incredible necklace with blue stones, as we 'danced', more or less just standing there as Roberto swayed around. It didn't matter if it was real dancing or not... I could feel his heart pounding hard against my chest, his arms secure, and shut my eyes. I was going to let it happen.
It took me a few long minutes to realise it was a modern song playing and no one seemed to be finding it strange at all. Prince ordered it? Had to be normal.
"I heard it and thought of us." Roberto responded, sighing softly as our eyes met, and suddenly emotion washed over his face. It was hidden from everyone except me. "Mother would have liked you."
"Mother would have liked you too." I responded, as the song reached a peak, and felt my own tears prick in my eyes at that. Oh god. I suddenly wanted to cry... because, right here, in front of Father, I was fine. Safe. They were all standing up to him. These strange men. Princes. It was madness. "God. Don't make me cry."
"Don't make me cry!" Roberto protested, shutting his eyes as he squeezed me, "I'll cry if you cry. Then we'll both be crying."
"Then stop it."
"We can cry on the plane home." Roberto smiled down at me and lowered me down so that I was back on one leg again. He stroked a piece of hair out of my face, sighing once again, a soft sigh that made his face soften as we gazed at one another.
"Will your Father cause a scene?" HE asked, very softly, suddenly.
"Um. I … why?"
I found out two seconds later. Bodyguards. The kinds that'd been guarding me before. Father was with them, smiling faintly, and the next thing I knew I was more or less rammed by the wheelchair.
Apparently he had reached the point of 'scene'. It was not a good sign. Even Hiro/Bella, just a few feet away, seemed to be a little taken back.
"She's got to pack." Father said, voice risen somewhat, as he stared at Roberto. There was obvious anger there... even the guests saw it... and I saw something. He slid it out of his pocket inside his jacket, this concealed thing that only I and Roberto saw, this metallic object.
It was fairly obvious it was the handle of a gun. "Time to leave, daughter."
It was at that moment that I heard Atsumu's voice reappear in my ear. There was also several other voices, Kenshi, Riki, and none of them sounded even remotely relaxed. Had something gone wrong? Hiro/Bella, behind my Father and the bodyguards, seemed very tense all of a sudden too.
"All right, Sophia... you better go along with it." That was Atsumu.
"Just stay calm. Do what he says. We're right here listening." Kenshi, I had to assume.
"Don't panic. We're leaving the earpiece open now."
A/N
MY PHONE BROKE.
So basically I'm in mourning. ;o;
Ahh, I don't know how Sophia can be so ... so... uninterested in phones and stuff. Seriously.
Also- I'm still around, still able to post. :) It's been a crazy few days and it'll be a few weeks before I can get my hands on my phone again.