Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon or any of the characters
Don't think that posting two chapters a day will be that common. The first chapter was establishing characters and where everyone is. This will set up the story more. Think of this as part two of the first chapter.
Yellow sat in front of the mirror, staring at the mask on her lap as Blue pulled at her hair, arranging it in an artful coiffure for the ball that night. She placed jewelled pins into her hair to keep her long blonde hair in place. Yellow brushed her finger over the golden design edging the black mask. She could see that man clear as if he was standing in front of her. She needed to find him and get her paintings back!
"That's a beautiful mask," Blue spoke and Yellow could see her smirk in the mirror. Her knowing smile made Yellow wonder if she knew what was plaguing her mind. "You know, you should wear it for the ball! I know that someone might be intrigued by the mysterious woman in the mask."
"But it's not a masquerade ball," Yellow protested. Blue only waved away her words and took the mask and held it against her face. Yellow saw the excitement in Blue's eyes and nodded. She knew that her family would most likely push her back to her room, she might as well wear it.
"I must ask you something… have there been anything strange these past couple days? Have anyone told you about any burglaries or something of that nature occurring as of recent?"
"Have something happen?" Blue asked worried on where the mask had come from. She just hoped dearly that she wasn't pushing herself too much. Yellow was her sister and the most fragile such that she was always on the edge of losing a part of her family. She had been alone so long and she was afraid that she would be like that again.
"Nothing that you need to be worried about," She assured her. She smiled, hoping it would fool her. "I would like for you to help me find a dress to match this mask."
Blue stood at the head of the stage, smiling proudly to the audience. It didn't matter that she smelting in her dress and wig, she just enjoyed that for an hour she gave the crowd an escape from their daily life. They were able to inverse themselves in a story through her. For a moment, they, and herself, were able to escape reality and enjoy the world a playwright made.
She gave one last bow to the crowd before the curtains fell and she could finally relax. She let out the breath she was holding and went backstage with the other performers. But her act didn't stop there.
"You were great Aqua!" White, the owner of the theater, congratulated her. "I have your pay but there's someone I want you to meet. He's an investor and wants to meet out star-"
"I'm sorry," Blue said with a thick French accent. "I must return to me Poppa. He's sick as I've told you."
White gave her an understanding smile and handed Blue several gold coins. In fact it was more than her commission but Blue pocketed it, thinking of Ruby. White patted her hands, "Send your father my regards. I'll tell my investor that you're busy and can speak with you later."
"Thank you," Blue said before she went to her dressing room. There she slumped into her chair and pulled off her blonde wig. She had adopted the persona of Aqua de Bisque a year ago to acct in White's theater. She couldn't act under her real name due to her station and the fear of causing a scandal. Actresses were seen as whores, expected to become the mistress of some nobleman. Hell, in the past women weren't even permitted to act, the role of women given to men.
But she needed the money to help Ruby, she would just have to endure the prejudice. Pushing the words away, she stood and went to the wardrobe. She shrugged on an old maid dress but hesitated to put on her wig again. She knew that no matter who she pretended to be, her occupation would be a black cloud on her character.
She sighed and pocketed her coin, before she once again donned her wig. She opened the door and her eyes were drawn to the man speaking with White. It was more his coin bag that drew her eyes. Old habits die hard and reasoned herself that the money would help Ruby. Anyways, the man was well off so he wouldn't miss a few coins. She solidified her resolve and made her way toward the man, a letter opener tucked into her sleeve.
"Pardon me, monsieur." She spoke delicately and kept her head low when she bumped into the man. He reached out to steady her and she looked up into evergreen eyes. She was stunned for a moment but regained her senses quickly enough to cut the coin bag from his belt and tuck it into her skirt pocket. With another quick apology, she scurried away from his eyes.
"Aqua, I would like to speak to you about your father." She was almost out the door when he called out to her. She tried to move quicker to escape him but knew running would draw too much attention. She subtly moved to the shadows but he was already next to her. He placed his hands on her shoulder which caught onto her wig so when she turned it fell off, letting her brown hair fall free.
He stared down at her in shock and she took advantage of that by ducking under his arm and running out the door. Luckily no one seemed to notice the sudden change in her, most likely thinking that she was someone else. She didn't stop to worry and ran to the front of the theater where the carriages waited. She searched for the one with the Jhoto crest.
She found it easily and climbed onto the back knowing that it would ride close enough to her home. She had snuck a ride on carriages and it became second nature long before Lady Berlitz took her in. She closed her eyes and drifted off as the carriage was set into motion. She held her breath when they neared her home and carefully jumped off.
From the lights and music, she knew that she was late for the ball she had planned. She cursed and went in through the kitchen door, knowing that with the crowd she could possible enter through the front door as she normally would. She waved to the help and went upstairs so that she could change into her gown.
When she went into her room, she found Crystal already waiting for her, herself in gown of indigo. "I was wondering when you would return. I know you would need help with your dress."
"Thank you," Blue nodded. She knew that Crystal was chastising her in her mind but didn't voice her disdain. At this point, Blue didn't know how much Crystal knew about her coming and goings. She was by far the most serious, not one to take risks.
"Blue, you are the oldest and you need to be a better example. These adventures of yours are dangerous and this family can't risk a scandal. Look at how Lyra is running around without her slippers! Please think before you just run off like you did this morning, leaving me to keep everyone organise."
"And you've done a wonderful job," Blue gasped when Crystal tightened her corset a little too much, a clear warning. Blue cursed at being forced to wear a corset, it was well known that several women had suffocate in that silly thing. "You don't have to worry about a scandal from me."
"It's not the scandal I'm afraid off," Crystal said more softly. "You're my sister and I don't want society to shun you and send you to the country. We need you here and I just wish that you took this more serious. It's hard trying to keep this family together all by myself."
"This family isn't going to fall apart," Blue gave her a forced smiled and jumped to her feet. "You've always loved to dance so let's go downstairs and dance. You needn't worry so, just have fun tonight."
Crystal nodded and followed Blue who all but floated down the hall. Blue tried to reassure herself that Crystal was just looking too much into their situation and sent the footman a radiant smile. Her smile was perfected, a mask she used to give other security. If she didn't break down, they would have the sense that they didn't have to worry.
"I've invited the lost lord, the lord that went missing as a child." Blue said to fill the silence as they walked down the hall. "His cousin recently found him after the previous marquis of Johto died in some pub. They're saying that he was raised by gypsies!"
"You should not listen to such gossip," Crystal told her just as they reached the entrance.
She held her hands together as the footman announced their arrival but no one even turned her head. Blue wasn't at all surprised by this since her time had come and gone and at the age of twenty six she was considered a spinster. It was saddening to think of Aqua that was loved in the theater yet in reality no one turned an eye for her.
She shook it off and placed a smile on her face again, walking down the hall with Crystal at her side. She kept her head high, their silence wasn't going to hurt her pride when she knew that she had fooled them all. She was accepted in society despite that fact that they would shun her if they knew the truth. She scanned the room, looking for a gentleman for Crystal to dance with.
A gentleman found her, taking her arm none too gently, pulling her away. Blue gave an unladylike cursed under her breath and tried to pull away but his grip was much too strong. She looked back at Crystal who was coming towards them and held up a hand, not wanting to draw too much attention to herself. She could outsmart this brut that was taking her towards the terrace.
She was about to slip out of his grip but he turned familiar evergreen eyes at hers, taking away her will to fight. It was him, and wasn't happy. She couldn't believe that this couldn't be how her acting career was to end. His cold whisper was like a knife, "Come with me, Aqua. I wish to speak to you."
He dragged her out to terrace and turned her so that she was pressed against a pillar, hidden in the shadow and away from prying eyes. She stared mutely up at him, her eyes a glowing ocean in the night. Her long brown hair was styled in a tuto coiffure. She came to his chin and had to tilt her head up to glare at him though she was a rather tall woman.
Blue watched the man she recognized from the theater, trying to read his eyes and predict his next action. She waited for him to say something but he seemed to be waiting for the same so she raised her gloved hand and slapped him.
"Sir," She made her voice shaky to play the innocent. "You must know that if we are found that we will be forced to marry. I do not know you but you must see that this isn't right. I am not the kind of girl to sneak a midnight kiss with a man I rarely know. Please play the gentleman and bring me inside."
"We both know who you really are, Aqua. And we both know that this is a dangerous game you are playing. To think I felt pity for this father of yours!" She saw the controlled fire in his eyes and knew that it was going to be difficult to outwit this man. She almost smiled at the challenge.
"Why sir, I'm quite certain I have not met you before. Also, I'm too much of a gentle lady to even go to a theater so you couldn't have seen me there. You can even speak with my sisters, they'll tell you that I was here today, helping with the ball."
"I never said anything about you at a theater," Green challenged and she tried not to flinch visibly. "I am Sir Green Oak, an investor for White's theater. I've put my money into that theater and I'm not going to let a little lady ruin everything. If you're discovered to be a lady, White will be forced to shut down the hotel and I'll lose that investment."
"And sir?" She challenged him with her eyes, "I already told you that I've never seen you before. I am Blue Berlitz, not this Aqua. But let me humour you and say that I am this Aqua of yours, what makes you think that you can make me stop acting?"
She pushed at his chest sharply and turned quickly from him so that she could run into the ballroom again. Green swore as he watched her run. The moment he saw her come down the stairs, he had recognized her as the woman from White's theater. He had followed her and came to the estate. He tightened his hand into fist. He would have to keep a close watch on her.
Crystal bit her tongue and tried not to draw too much attention to herself as she walked to her sister's rescue. She knew that Blue wouldn't want for her to intervene but she couldn't just leave her sister to fend for herself, even though Blue was stronger than she could ever wish to be but the man looked so angry.
"I told you fate would bring up back together, my dancing nymph." She turned to see a man come towards her, pushing past the crowd inadequately.
"It's you!" Crystal glared up at laughing amber eyes. Why was he here when he dressed in such common clothes the previous day? Now he wore an extravagant tailcoat but his hair was still windblown. Who was he? She hadn't seen him before and with his dress, she knew that he was of a high station.
"So you do remember me. Grace a poor man with a dance," He grinned down at her. He leaned down and she could feel his gaze on her card hanging from her waist. She tucked it behind her skirt knowing that it was empty and will most likely be like that by the end of the night. She looked around them and saw that people were staring at her.
"Just one dance, my lady." He gave her a lopsided smile and she was tempted to agree. She felt someone nudged her and looked over her shoulder to see Lyra standing there with a large smile.
"She would love to dance with you," Lyra took away Crystal's choice and placed Crystal's hand in his. Crystal protested but Gold easily turned her in a circle until she came closer to his chest. Crystal sighed and told herself that this might be her only chance to dance tonight. She placed her hand on his arm and let him lead her onto the dance floor.
She faced him and placed her hand on his shoulder. She was taken back when he said suddenly, "Teach me how to dance."
"What?" She gave him a skeptical look and he gave her a foolish smile before she realized that he was serious. And to her dismay the next dance was a waltz! She took his hand on her hip and moved it higher and ordered, "Full shoulders and elbows straight. Now move to the left when the music stop and follow my boxed steps. Then turn when I signal you."
He nodded and did as she instructed, not at all shaken by her ordering him in such a stern voice. It seemed like he didn't seem like he took anything that seriously. He followed her steps easily and pulled her closer to him. She ignored the little feelings of doubt and closed her eyes, letting the music wash over. There was something comforting in the familiarity of the simple seven steps.
"Why were you at the lake yesterday?" She asked him, sending him an accusing look.
"Running," Was his only answer and distracted her quickly. He suddenly performed a three eighth turn just as the music stopped. She had only been showing him simple steps but that turn would be complicated for a beginner.
"I thought you didn't know how to waltz." She accused, thinking that he lied to her.
"I don't," He told her honestly. He was still holding her hand fingertips from the edges of hers as he led her out of the crowd. He raised her fingers to his lips and she gave him a skeptical look. She watched him return to an elderly woman before she went back to where her sisters sat.
Yellow had always been a wallflower and Lyra was sitting next to her, talking excitedly. They both looked up at her when Crystal walked towards them, taking her seat next to them. Lyra gave her a prodding look and she knew that Lyra expected her to tell him about her dance.
"So who is he?" Lyra asked, her eyes glowing. "Is he from another time, come to the future because she's so brutish? Then again, he's a fine dancer so he might not be a knight from the past. Or maybe he's a golden wizard? Think of all the adventures he could take you on."
"I am not allowing that man to take me anywhere," Crystal folded her arms and sat next to her sisters. From the corner of her eye, she saw the man speaking excitedly to the woman who looked nervous at his words. "And he's not a wizard. Please don't turn our lives into a novel for you to write. You need to stop looking through rose coloured glasses and see the world for what it is."
Maybe I see the world clearer than you do, Lyra thought to herself.
"Ladies," Crystal looked up to see the man she danced with earlier come in front of them and bow exaggeratedly, almost mockingly. He brought the elderly woman forward and see looked over Crystal, as if she was little more than a dolt. "I'm afraid I haven't properly introduced myself. I am Gold."
"You are the Marquis of Johto," The woman corrected. "You must've heard of my nephew, he has finally returned to us after being taken as a child. Sadly his life among the poor has affected his manner and has a great deal of work needed to civilize him again. I have heard about you, Lady Berlitz, about how you've chased away all of your suitors."
"I do not see how my poor season came into discussion," Crystal tilted her head stubbornly. "I believe there is a reason you've graced us with you presence. And I congratulate you on finding your nephew; I believe they have dubbed him, the lost lord."
Gold grinned at her but her gaze was still icy toward the woman. She snorted at how a woman of such a woman of a lower class could speak such a way. Even though they walked the same circles, this woman was related to a marquis, a far higher status than her brother's Viscount and since every Berlitz daughter fail to marry in all their seasons, it was believed that they were mad.
"I would not ask this, knowing your parentage, but you are still well known for how…proper you are. I need someone to cultivate my son, and he insists that it be you. Since he's been fighting me on this for a long moment until now, I do not think that he has given me much of a choice. I will pay you generously for your time while you teach my nephew how to conduct himself properly."
Crystal stood and faced Gold instead of addressing the woman. What was his game? Whatever it was, she knew that she wasn't well verse in it but the aspect of money tempted her. She had thought about dancing in the streets to gain money for her brother but this was the much safer and more profitable as well. But she didn't like giving some control to this man.
"If I agree, you must come to my home for the lessons. As I know, your estate is quite a distance from us and I am wary about leaving my sisters alone for a long period of time. Also, if I am to join you to any events because you wish for me to make sure he conducts himself correctly, that time shall also be a part of my pay. Also, a formal contract shall be drafted for the both of us."
"Lady Crystal, you should know that the Johto family is very powerful and that you cannot speak such a way to us."
"Yes your family is powerful, but I doubt that you would find a decent woman to reform you nephew after all the time he had spent among the gutters. Now do we have an agreement?" She held out her hand and Gold took it before his aunt could say anything.
"I'll return in a fortnight for our lessons." His smile was so wide and his eyes sparkled so that she thought that she could fall into them. Had she just signed a deal with the devil?
Dia watched Platina dance with the man and felt sadness harden in his chest. This was the first time he had seen her beside the small sketch of herself she had given him. He couldn't give her a picture in return, knowing that he wasn't her intended.
He thought back to the first time Pearl had come to Gold's pub, where Dia worked for. He still worked for Gold, but now as a valet. Pearl was reluctantly fingering a letter that day years ago, as if contemplating what he should do when Dia asked him about the letter.
He had told him that it was from his fiancé, a woman he barely knew, let alone loved. He had read the words several times yet couldn't find the words to answer it. Dia, someone who couldn't read or write because of his status, had asked Pearl to read it to him. The sad words of a young girl, left behind on Christmas day, just looking for someone to talk to.
Dia had felt as if the letter was written to him, a foolish thing since she didn't even know him. Even with that, he asked Pearl if he could write a reply to the lady. Pearl was hesitant at first but didn't want to just leave the letter so he agreed. Because Dia couldn't write, Pearl wrote it for him. Eventually, Gold had found out about the letters and offered to teach him how to write so that Pearl didn't have to and the content of the letter could be more private. Of course his employer teased him to no ends about the letters.
Dia had asked if they could call each other Knight and Missy since he always felt guilty signing Pearl's name. Dia could knew full well that he was falling in love with her but he also knew that she would hate him for deceiving her.
Now he watched her, feeling guilty about the way he deceived for her the past five years.
"Introducing the Earl of Kanto," The footman introduced and Yellow looked up to see a man at the head of the stairs. There was something about him that drew her interest, something familiar about his structure. Lyra was already gone and she was able to walk after the man.
The man ignored the woman that flocked around him and continued to walk past them. His dark hair was cut unevenly but she couldn't see the colour of eyes. She made her way through the crowd and wondered why he came since he clearly looked uncomfortable. He was well over six feet tall and his shoulders were broad.
Red saw the eager mothers of debutante come towards him and changed his direction to the gardens. He had no wish to be married to anyone and knew how those mothers could be. Red didn't plan to attend even though he was invited but Green, a close friend of his, had asked to come to Platina's coming out ball to confront some woman.
Now he was here and already he felt the need for fresh air. He went out into the garden and passed several couples as he stopped at a fountain. He sighed and sat at the edge feeling guilty. He shouldn't be at the estate only a night after he stole from the Berlitz family. But he knew that there was nothing he could do, the painting belonged to his family anyways.
Something gold reflected in the water that made him paused. He stood and looked at the woman on the other side of the fountain but the water distorted her so he couldn't see her clearly. But he knew who it was. No one's hair flowed in the night like the woman he stole from the previous night. He expected her to scream but she only stood there, no doubt trying to see him as well.
Yellow moved around the fountain, holding her dress so it didn't drag on the ground. She breathed deeply from the simple walk to the garden and tears gather at the edge of her eyes at the pain clutching her heart. The fresh air helped and she willed herself to ignore the pain. She had to be strong and confront this man and have him return her paintings.
No one could confront him for her, not without losing her own pride. She held her head high, glad that the mask would hide her tears. "I want you to return my paintings."
Had to cut out Lyra's and Platina's part T^T but it made this chapter 6k long so I need to place them in the next chapter. Review if you liked.