Rainy Night and Rose Gardens
Bloom wandered the hall of guests with annoyance; she was not enjoying the ball, AT ALL. She had failed with Stella and Brandon and now she had Flora and Helia to worry about and she knew if Riven was being his usual self, it would be a bitch to work out. It had been hours and it was getting pretty late, for a long time she had spent it with Sky and they had talked and laughed, she had enjoyed that part. Catching sight of Stella she sighed heavily and stalked over to her "Cindy...are you okay? You just ran away like that and I couldn't find you, I thought maybe you ran home or something...why are you smiling?"
Stella had the biggest smile on her face and she was positively glowing "I don't care about the prince, I don't need him. Because I already met someone"
Bloom dropped her drink and gasped in rage "You what?! How? When?"
Stella laughed "Just now. I was out on the balcony and he came and spoke to me, cheered me up. He was so charming and funny, I really like him. He told me I was beautiful and that I was better than all the nobles put together!"
Bloom shook her head, in shock "So you just met him? And he said all that to you, what happened next?"
Stella smiled dreamily and swayed on the spot "We sat down on a bench and we talked for hours, he told me about his childhood and I told him about my father and we just kind of connected" Bloom stared at her with a dead pan look, Stella rolled her eyes "It's true! I'm serious, we have something! It's not just the fact that he's the first guy I've ever really liked, there's something...magical about him and me that just feels...right!" She threw her hands in the air and yelled happily, people glanced there way as Bloom tried to pull her out of the spotlight.
...
"She's the one!" Brandon yelled happily as Sky and Flora watched him walk back and forth across the study, the fire lighting the room. Brandon had been speaking like this for ages since they found him. Both Princess and squire had found him almost skipping as he came prancing back into the party, he'd been sporting a huge grin and as soon as the couple had seen him they'd dragged him away. Obviously fearing for his sanity and the possible issue that he'd been poisoned or cursed...with glee "She's beautiful and smart and kind and she doesn't even know I'm the prince! That means she likes me for me! A girl that sees past my title, my looks and my money and just sees me, the real me. You don't know how this feels, I feel free and happy. Just by being with her" Brandon sat down on an arm chair and stared at the floor in wonder "And I don't ever want to leave her again"
Sky and Flora both had their mouths wide open in shock, Flora recovered first "Well that's grand...umm" She whipped her head to the side to glance at Sky "Love spell?"
Sky turned to her with the same shocked expression "I don't think so...I think he's serious"
Flora turned back to Brandon "You're sure that this isn't just some infatuation? A crush? Maybe you're just...is this the real thing?"
Brandon looked them both in the eye with a serious expression "Yes"
"So you're gonna...marry her?" Sky asked carefully, Brandon thought for a long time with that same serious expression; he stood up and looked through the window where the colourful fireworks were exploding in the sky "This is real guys, I can't live without her"
...
Bloom and Stella stood off to the side of the room, laughing and smiling "I can't believe this is happening" Stella gushed as she nibbled on a chocolate tart "This has been so much fun Bloom; I can't thank you enough for getting me here"
"Well I'm sorry it's almost over, I just wish I could have met him" Bloom spoke in a friendly voice but inside she was panicking; she needed Stella and Brandon to be together. Trumpets suddenly sounded throughout the hall and the whole crowd turned toward the steps leading upward where a small crowd had gathered. Bloom immediately recognised Flora, Sky, Brandon and Queen Icy standing on the steps, looking down at everyone. Beside her Stella froze and had to grip Blooms arm to stay upright "Bloom, that's him" She whispered faintly and Bloom could have done a bloody dance of victory right there. She sighed in relief and turned to Stella "See, I told you. You guys are meant to be"
Stella looked back up toward the stairs with wide eyes "Why didn't he say anything?"
"Probably for the same reason you wouldn't have told him you're a servant. He didn't want you to judge him on his lifestyle" Bloom smiled and took another bite of tart and Queen Icy stepped forward and addressed the hall in complete silence.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the grand royal ball where tonight, we are celebrating the birthday of Princess Aurora and the engagement announcement of Prince Brandon!" the crowd cheered loudly as everyone in the room tensed up, this was the moment everyone had been waiting for. At the back of the hall Bloom and Stella were the only ones not smiling, Bloom watched icy with a sour expression while Stella was still in shock over the Brandon thing.
Icy continued proudly "Before we announce the engagement of the prince, I would like to take a special moment to congratulate Aurora" She turned and held her glass up to the princess "On eighteen wonderful years of life, I wish you many more in your time to come" Everyone raised a glass and Bloom couldn't help but feel the double meaning in the toast, fear for Flora ran through her when she felt for sure the queen was up to something. Turning back to the crowd Icy smiled "I would now like to present the king of the realm, who is going to announce the Princes bride to be, we would like to publically welcome her to the family and wish her and the prince a life time of good wishes" Yeah right! Bloom thought as Icy stepped back and the royal party parted as the trumpets started up again, Bloom watched anxiously as the red curtains opened at the top of the stairs to reveal a tall handsome man in red and gold, standing proudly at the top. The crowd applauded and even Stella smiled and clapped, Bloom beside her was frozen to the spot, nothing had prepared her for this.
Sweet fancy fucking Valtor...
"Son of a bitch..." Bloom mumbled as she tried to process this new information into her brain that refused to work. The clapped died down as the king himself descended the steps proudly; he reached the royal party and smiled, clapped Brandon on the shoulder and leading him forward. He turned to Brandon and chuckled "Well, have you made a decision?" This inspired some laughing although Bloom couldn't think why, she still couldn't believe it. Beside her Stella gasped.
"Oh my...Bloom? You don't think that...I...me...?" Stella stuttered out, her grip tightening. Bloom nodded and Stella started to breath more heavily, looking up she saw Brandon across the room look directly at her "Oh my god, he's gonna pick me"
"Called it" Bloom mumbled, Stella turned and grabbed her shoulders "What do I do?"
Bloom was looking off into space "Marry him, have kids, be happy. Valtor will be your father in law..." She trailed off slowly.
Stella gave Bloom a concerned look "Are you okay?"
Up the front Brandon turned back to Valtor and smiled "Yes I have" Beside him Valtor nodded and smiled "What's her name?"
Stella shook Bloom "Bloom I need you to snap out of this, Please! I can't do this on my own...Bloom!" Stella did the only thing she could think of and slapped Bloom across the face, she gasped and shook her head roughly. Eyes looking around the room wildly Bloom gripped Stella by the shoulders and asked "Cindy...what time is it?"
The clock tower stuck loud and final throughout the whole kingdom and as it thundered through the halls Bloom and Stella made a break for it. Both girls ran fast and terrified through the halls and down the steps of the castle. Back inside Brandon waited until the chimes stopped to turn and smile at the audience and say loudly "I just hope she'll have me, her name is Cinder-where'd she go?"
...
"Run run run!" Stella yelled as she bolted down the stairs, her dress making it incredibly difficult, Bloom ran next to with a panicked face. Once they were nearing the bottom both girls were caught off guard when bells started to sound throughout the castle "What is that?" Stella yelled frantically.
"That's the guards who are going to come looking for us!" Bloom yelled as she reached the bottom.
Stella at the last second tripped terribly over her skirt and fell mercilessly down the last of the steps, it looked quite painful and Bloom nearly fainted at the sight of it. So many things were happening at once she couldn't keep it straight. Valtor is king! Sky is a squire! Brandon is marrying Stella! Miss F is my fairy god mother! The wolf killed my parents and we have got to get the frick out of here! "Cinderella, are you okay?"
Bloom rushed over to Stella at the bottom of the steps and lifted her head up to see her open her eyes and smile lazily at her "It's Bloom...Hi Bloom...Where are we?"
Bloom breathed hard with relief "We're in the castle, running from the guards!"
Stella looked eerily calm "Oh really...Why? Are we in trouble?"
Bloom nodded frantically "Yes yes! It's terrible, Fairy God mother said we can't stay out past midnight and the prince just asked you to marry him but you don't want to so we're running for our lives!"
This got Stella's attention "Well of course I don't want to marry the prince!" She shot up into a sitting position, looking outraged at Bloom "You know the only guy for me is Brandon! Why are we here? Whose ball is this, my father's? Are we in Saloria?...Where'd you get that dress its fabulous?!"
Bloom laughed hysterically and tackled her friend to the floor "Oh Stella! It's you!"
"Ow, Bloom get off me, you crinkling my dress!" Stella mumbled under her, Bloom rose to her full height and took a few steps back, once there she lifted up the bottom on Stella's dress and proceeded to try and pry off one of her glass slippers "Hey that's my shoe!"
"Sorry!" Bloom yelled happily as she finally tugged it free "But the prince is gonna borrow it!" Bloom turned and threw it onto a nearby step. Gripping Stella by the wrist she tugged the girl up and dragged her from the hall, smiling as she went.
...
The events after the ball were fuzzy and strange, the only thing Bloom knew for sure was that she had a hell of a time trying to fly back home on the broom with a hysterical Stella holding onto her for dear life. Bloom woke the next morning with a splitting headache and by what she could feel around her she knew for certain she was lying on the rough wooden surface of her floor. Peeking through one eye she looked right up at the incredibly annoyed face of her fairy god mother. Bloom bolted upright and squealed as she crawled away from the older woman "Oh my god, staring at someone inches from their face while their sleeping, who does that? Seriously!"
Miss F looked cross, for once. Her hands planted firmly on her hips and her eyes piercing down on the sleepy girl "And what time do you call this? I waited for you last night after I specifically told you to be home before midnight and what time do you get home? Ten minutes past! What do you have to say?"
Bloom rubbed her eyes and yawned "Maybe your watch is ten minutes fast?" Bloom squealed again when a feather pillow hit her face. Miss F had gone a slightly darker shade of red; she began pacing the floor "Red darling this can't happen again, you know how dangerous the world is. You can't just go running off and staying up late because you think nothing bad will happen. Magic is dangerous and most importantly, it always comes with consequences. There are prices to be paid and rules that you have to follow-"
"Okay okay" Bloom held up both hands and gave her god mother a sincere expression "I promise I won't bend the rules again. I'm sorry" Bloom picked herself up off the floor and found herself back in her old clothes. Sighing she wobbled over to the wooden table and seated herself, pulling her head into her hands "Ugh, I don't feel good"
She heard the older lady seat herself next to her "What is it?"
Bloom slightly shook her head "I have a pounding headache and I feel like my insides have gone all...wobbly"
"Oh lord, you didn't eat anything while you were there did you?!"
Bloom's eyes snapped open; she remembered the chocolate tart and the funny drinks. Jeez, somebody could have warned me! "Umm, maybe"
Miss F sighed heavily "Oh I swear you could go into one of those parties and come out a bullfrog wearing a pink tutu!" Bloom smiled widely, she had a feeling that Miss F was a bit different in this world than back in Magix "Granny, you don't agree with things here in town do you?"
Looking up she saw the woman's expression go sour "No I don't! Red dear I despair at the whole idea of bartering magical goods in plain daylight and simply conjuring up cheap tricks to get you through day to day life"
"You don't like the magic?"
"It's not the magic dear; it's the way it's used. Back in my day we used to stick to the old ways, ancient magic done in the forest with incantations and markings. These kinds of spells always were more powerful than the ones you use today. Why back in my day you could awaken someone from a sleeping spell just like that!" She clicked her fingers and a spark of light erupted from her nails, sending smoke into the air "But today it's all glass coffins and towers guarded for three hundred years by plants, I mean have you ever heard such nonsense!"
Bloom laughed through sleepy eyes, slowly coming back into consciousness, beside her Miss F shook her head and smiled "But that was five hundred years ago, too much time has passed"
Bloom almost choked, her eyes going wide. Crap, just how old is she in this universe. I couldn't even tell back home, after all the woman wore hoop earrings! The faint groaning made Bloom turn her head toward her bed and she almost hit the roof when she laid eyes on Stella, sleeping soundly. Bloom tipped out of her chair and next thing she knew she was hoisting her friend upright and hugging her "STELLA!"
The blond girl groaned against her shoulder and muttered "Bloom, I had a bad dream. I dreamt that we attended some crazy ass ball and that we were being chased out because Brandon was gonna propose to me, why would I run from that? And even weirder, we rode home on this stick thing...a broom...whatever that is" Bloom smiled and held her friend tighter "Don't worry about it. We'll get through this Stella; now that you're here I know we can win this thing"
Miss F cleared her throat and the two girls glanced over at her "I thought her name was Cinderella, or Cindy?"
Bloom lurched back from Stella in fright as the girl began to speak "Jeez Miss F you look like something out of an old-" Bloom did the first thing she could think of and roughly flicked Stella right in the throat, the girl bent over while chocking and coughing. Bloom spoke over her loudly "Sorry got confused. Wow it is a beautiful day isn't it? Cindy, let's go pick some apples for breakfast" Bloom hoisted the girl from her bed and dragged her from the house. Once outside Stella pulled away and glared at Bloom accusingly "Ah, what was that?! God why the throat? You know if you ever did that to Musa she'd kick your ass-"
"Stella you can't say things like that! Not here, not anywhere. You don't understand, you're Cindy here and Cindy doesn't act...at all...like you! Do me a favour and suppress everything!" Bloom walked over to the apple tree and started to roughly pick red apples from its branches, Stella stalked up next to her and whispered "Fine, I'll play. Who's Cindy? Where is here? Why can't we talk in front of Miss F and holy hell what am I wearing?! Are these rags?!"
Stella was back in Cindy's old brown and black clothes and Stella looked like she wanted to strip and burn them from her body. Bloom grabbed Stella's wrists and gave her a serious look "Forget the clothes! I'll explain everything just as long as you don't freak out everything should be fine"
"Cinderella!" A seriously pissed of Countess Cassandra screeched from her front porch, the two girls glanced over to her with wide eyes. The woman began stalking toward the front gate and Bloom had just enough time to whisper in Stella's ear "We're in a fairy tale, you're Cinderella. A slave girl who works for Cassandra, your stepmother. You're shy and a total pushover and remember...suppress everything!"
The woman had reached them and they saw that she was even uglier angry and up close "How dare you!" She pocked a finger in Stella's face and Bloom could just see the blonds girls eyes darkening "How dare you ruin your sister's chance at the crown, who do you think you are? Waltzing around with the prince and dressing above your station, the whole town thinks you're a harlot. A slut! When I saw you try and sneak out of the ball unnoticed I almost ran you down along with the guards, did you think you could get away with it? You!" She pocked Stella in the chest roughly "A servant girl! You're nothing compared to your sister and you'll never be anything more than a common and cheap piece of trash who takes orders fr-AH!" Stella's fist connected with the lady's nose with a sickening crunch and behind her bloom screamed aswell, she hands rushing to her face to cover the fact that Stella had done the opposite of what she'd asked.
Countess Cassandra hit the ground with a thud as a smug Stella stood over her; the older woman was out cold. Bloom lost it "STELLA! WHAT PART OF SUPPRESS EVERTHING DID YOU NOT UNDERSTAND?!"
...
This is without a doubt the most boring moment of my existence. Musa thought as she wandered the halls of the great creepy ass castle, the walls were dark blue and the floor almost black wood, candles lighting the way from holders hoisted up on the walls. Musa eyed them as she walked, she had been walking for ages now and she was pretty sure that this castle was even bigger than Stella's. She was still very confused about this whole world and her place in it, Bloom had made it pretty clear that no one would be getting out until they all found their happily ever afters' and well...that presented a problem for Musa. There was the fact that she had no idea how much time she had until the spell was permanent and even more troubling was that she had to find a way to make a certain someone fall for her.
Riven.
She sighed annoyed as she recalled the events of last night after he'd let her into the castle. Dripping wet and freezing to death he didn't exactly give her the warm welcome some of her friends would have expected, in fact she barely saw him again for the whole night. Resolving to not dying of cold she walked through the dark castle and into a long passageway with lots of doors, entering the first one she found a richly furnished room with silks and lace everywhere, it was something she expected Stella to live in but not her. Going to the next room she found a bigger room with twice the silk, she was almost afraid to try the third but it turned out to be exactly what she wanted. Medium sized with cool purple and blues everywhere with long windows with window seats, even a medium sized fireplace. It took her a while to light a fire since she didn't seem to command that much magic herself anymore, so after a ridiculous amount of time she was able to light it up and huddle down in front of it. After a while she got up and checked the drawers and found a large selection of clothes but as Musa was probably a little on the small side she couldn't even dream of fitting into any of them. So she selected a plain cream coloured night dress that reached the floor and had three cute little buttons in the front holding it closed, for a while she sat in front of the fire and tried to sort out the muddle of her thoughts, her fingers twitching to hold a flute or something. Music had always made thinking easier but that probably wasn't an option here, she could see Riven storming into her room and snatching it off her for all the noise she would make.
Her ears picked up a soft creaking of floor boards down the hall that came closer within a few seconds, she knew immediately that it was Riven from the way the steps were light but very powerful. When the footsteps paused right outside her door she could almost see him eyeing the door in that curiously disapproving way of his, after a moment she heard the footsteps pick back up and continue on their way. That night she had trouble sleeping, the rain had really picked up and she swear she could hear the sound of a distant wolf.
Sighing again Musa continued on her way down the dark blue hall, a spot of sunlight had caught her attention and she made her way over to a tall window and looked out to see a small garden, the house curved around it and made it into a sort of courtyard slash jungle. Hundreds of red roses bloomed in all the bushes and even the ones that had sprouted up from between the pavement were in full bloom. She didn't miss the tall figure walking absentmindedly among them and Musa felt a spark of something go through her, now was her chance to talk to him. She quickly rushed downstairs and after a little trouble found her way to a door leading out into the rosy courtyard, she was quickly overtaken by the glorious smell and beauty of it all. Slowly walking through while gazing up at the tall tree Musa felt a warm sort of peace settle in her that she didn't even notice the figure standing in front of her until she bumped into it.
Startled she took a step back and smiled awkwardly up at Riven "Huh, walked right into you didn't I?" he said nothing but continued to stare down at her with that same annoyed and curious expression, Musa felt even more awkward than before and quickly tried to think of something to say "So ah...you one of those guys who secretly like to plant gardens huh?"
She wasn't surprised when he walked away from her without a word, rolling her eyes at herself she tried again "Okay fine, good morning. How are you today? It really is a lovely day isn't it? So sunny and bright" Great, I'm talking about the weather. Just keep talking, just keep talking "My friend Flora would so love this garden, she one of those plant people. Did you do all this?" No answer as she watched him walk over to a table and look up to the sky with his back to her, completely ignoring her "I happened to notice you don't have an servants...is that normal or do you just really like being alone"
She walked over to him and looked up at his impassive face "No really, why are you up here all alone?"
Musa detected a slight shard release of breath from him until he turned to look down on her again "You talk too much"
Musa was startled silly. She blinked up at him "Alright then" She bit her lip to make sure she didn't say anymore and raised an eyebrow at him, waiting for him to speak. He didn't. He just turned his back and walked away, Musa felt a spark of anger at him go through her so she stalked after him "I was just trying to be nice, you know what that is don't you? Maybe my question was a little personal but at least I'm trying to make an effort!"
She was startled again when he whirled around with the speed of lightening and looked down on her with slight annoyance aswell, they both stood on the threshold of the door to go back inside, he hands gripping either side of the door frame "Why are you here?"
"Didn't I tell you? And why should I tell you again when you won't even answer my questions?" She tipped her face up and gave him a stubborn expression.
"I have my reasons" He said shortly.
"So do I" Musa replied back with the same voice. Riven gave her a once over and after a long time asked "You payed your way into this castle, how long are you going to be here?"
Well jeez, I've been here one night and he's already sick of me! Musa sniffed and tried to look not so offended "If I have my way, as little time as possible" true she had sneered the words and she was annoyed that he didn't even seem to flinch in the face of her insult. He let go of the doorframe and leaned against it, much like he had last night "There are rules if you want to live here"
Musa nodded "I thought so, lay em on me"
"You'll have to do your share of the work, clean your own room, cook your own meals" Musa nodded "You can go anywhere except the upstairs study, understand? Not even a toe in the door" Musa furrowed her eyebrows but nodded anyway "Lastly, whatever..." he stuck a finger in her face "Whatever happens, no going into the woods at night. This is important, no matter how much you might want to no leaving this castle after sun down. Disobey and I throw you out myself" He then walked away quickly, she poked her head in the door and called after him.
"But why?"
He spoke without looking back; Musa could see the slight tightening of his fist "Because I don't want to be the one who has to scrape up your dead carcass when the wolf gets you"
Musa felt a chill go down her spine "How kind of you" She mumbled and turned back to the garden, the sun had disappeared somewhere behind the clouds. She walked through the red roses deep in thought.