It was finally Saturday, the time for the art showcasing was drawing near. Allen wore, per Anita's request, a royal blue, knee length A-line dress. It was sleeveless with a mesh neckline and a black, a bolero jacket was placed over it and black gloves. Black lace tights were underneath along with a pair of black and white Bordello B/W Vegan ankle boots with a one and a half inch heel. Her hair had been curled slightly but it started falling into loose waves.
Anita had gushed over her appearance and took plenty of pictures before she and Cross left for the event. Apparently there was a museum that the school rented out for events such as these. It was more formal than most events the school held but it was understandable. The school had to have a balance between the formal and informal events and this fell underneath the formal category.
"Allen, I'll be coming by again later to talk with Froi. I know his little brat is gonna be guarding you but that doesn't mean you can slack off, okay." Allen huffed "I know, I haven't been practicing as often, but things have been rather hectic since we came back." Allen replied. Cross smirked "I get that, but you'll have to fall back into routine sooner or later, you know that." He pulled up to the back door of the museum, Millenia. "I will Uncle, I will."
She stepped out and Cross drove away. Walking to the door she found it was unlocked and poked her head inside. The first person to see her was Tyki Mikk, the man who saved her from falling her first day.
"Allen?" he said confused, "Tyki." she said in a greeting type of tone. "What are you doing here, not that I'm not happy to see you here." He asked with a small smile. "Mr. Tiedoll asked me to play at this event." She took in how he wore a black tuxedo with a dark purple bow tie. On the sleeves were purple butterfly cufflinks, and his hair been combed back.
"Really, I wasn't made aware of that." He said checking the clipboard in his hand "I was told Neah Campbell would be playing." "My uncle is playing?" "Neah Campbell is your uncle?"
Suddenly Tiedoll appeared. "Ah Allen you're here." "Hello Mr. Tiedoll, I wasn't aware that my uncle Neah was playing as well." "Oh you found out, I did too to be honest." He said with a sheepish smile. "I checked with the owners of the museum and they said they were very sorry for not saying anything earlier. However depending on how Neah feels both of you may get to perform today."
"You mean like a duet?" Allen asked. Tiedoll nodded to which Allen shrugged, signaling that she didn't mind. "Well I'm glad that's settled, I'm sure Neah will be thrilled." Tiedoll said before disappearing.
"You look really good, Allen." Tyki said, Allen nodded and gave a 'mask' smile. "Thank you, Tyki. You look very handsome yourself." Allen replied before following Tiedoll through the curtains. On the other side Allen found a lot of students, especially art students, walking around the gallery. Some were setting up artwork and others were helping to direct workers.
"Moyashi?" Allen's face twitched and turned to look at the long haired male. He had a dark blue tux, he went without a bow or tie and left one of the buttons undone. His shoes were black and looked freshly polished, probably due to Tiedoll. His normally high ponytail was tie at the nape of his neck for a change.
"It's Allen." She said through grit teeth. "There are more people here than I expected to be." She said looking around and noticing Angel hanging up her various pieces including the one of Allen. She even saw Link and Lenalee there, dressed more appropriately than she does at school, with Komui and Bak.
"Allen, I was wondering where you were." Neah walked over to the duo. His, apparently, favorite trench coat still on his body and a black suit underneath it. "Tiedoll told me about the mix up and when he said you were here I immediately went to find you." Neah explained with a large grin. "You don't mind sharing then?" Allen asked. "Of course not I want to play music with you for as often as I possibly can." Neah replied with a sincere smile.
Not long after their conversation the event started and many spectators walked around with drinks and small plates of finger foods. Neah was playing Für Elise and Moonlight Sonata. When they switched out Allen played Chopin's Raindrops then decided to play Good Enough and then My Immortal both by Evanescence. As it turned out many people from her school knew the band and she also wanted to try something a little less classical.
Some of the spectators had paused in their admiration to listen to Allen and Neah play. Lenalee was the only one to try and ignore her but it was hard to do so when everyone was commenting on how well Allen could play. Even her brother and Bak thought so. It annoyed her to no end that they thought she was so wonderful.
The songs ended and the audience clapped as both Allen and Neah took bows. "Allen, Neah you both did really well, feel free to break for now and take a look at the artwork." Tiedoll said. Allen almost immediately went to table that held the snacks. She paced herself luckily or else everything would have been gone.
"Allen, feel free to walk around a little bit longer with your friends okay." Neah said, Allen nodded and started to examine the portraits and paintings. She stopped a moment at Angel's portrait of her and stared at it.
It was beautiful, not because of the subject but because of the style and technique it was done. Allen never considered herself pretty, with her scar and disfigured arm, but Angel made her look graceful.
"Allen." Crossed called, a white suit on his body. "Cross, you made it." Tiedoll exclaimed. "Of course I made it, I came to see my niece after all." They continued their conversation while Allen just watched them. Then someone bumped into her.
"Hey freak." It was Lenalee. "You know I saw your file last week, and that arm of yours is probably the most disgusting thing I've ever seen." Lenalee spoke. "I suppose you haven't seen much in your life have you?" Allen retorted. The pigtailed girl scoffed and rounded on her "Don't get smart with me you white haired bitch. Just because the people here and at school think you're adorable doesn't mean I will too. There's nothing special about or your little music ability."
"Really, most everyone at the Order seem to think the opposite." Allen said with a fake smile. "Listen to me you bitch-" "Ms. Lee is there a problem?" Link asked. "No there is no problem, Link. We were just discussing the artwork." Allen answered quickly. Lenalee huffed and stomped away towards the snack table.
"You shouldn't lie for her, she doesn't deserve it." Link stated blandly. Allen shrugged "She also isn't worth the effort of an argument or fight. Yet she still comes after me despite my passive attitude towards. I don't know why she hates me, nor do I care. I know her as well as she knows me, therefore I cannot decide whether I like or dislike her."
"That's rather logical for some someone your age." Link muttered, Allen snorted "I'm only 15 and I attend a high school where I take junior level classes. Being logical is a given." Link gave her a small smile. "The painting is beautiful, I'll sure to tell Angel that she picked an excellent model." With that he walked away.
Allen continued to examine more of Angel's paintings, apparently she is a big fan of acrylic painting. All of her works were done in great detail, it reminded her of Tiedoll's drawings. "I see you are real cozy with Link." It was Lenalee again.
"I don't know what you're talking about. We were simply admiring the artwork." Allen replied in a smooth tone. From the corner of her eye she saw that Lenalee had a cup of punch in her hand. "Oh really, because he seemed to be standing a little close to you in my opinion."
"I do hope you realize that your opinion means very little to me." Allen said and turned to walk away. Lenalee grew angry "Don't turn away from me you little whore!" She exclaimed gaining the attention of many, including her brother, Cross and Bak.
"Whore?" Allen growled out, her normally light gray eyes turned steely at the insult. "I do hope it wasn't me you were referring to, Ms. Lee. It's not becoming of a young lady to use such foul language or to be a hypocrite." That was the last straw as Lenalee slapped her hard, luckily not with the hand she had her drink in.
Everything had stopped at the sound of flesh against flesh and glass hitting the floor. Allen's head was whipped to the left from the force of the smack. Lenalee's face showed her rage. On Allen's face was a red mark that would surely bruise.
"Are you done?" Was all Allen said as she wiped away the small bit of blood on her lip. Lenalee snarled and pulled her fist back intending to hit her again only to have her fist stopped by Tyki.
"I think that's enough Ms. Lee, I don't think you want to embarrass yourself anymore than you already have." He told he in an even voice. Lenalee snatched her arm away and proceeded to stomp out of the gallery.
"Allen are you okay?" Tyki asked, concern laced his voice. Allen wiped her lip to see if it was still bleeding and it wasn't. "I'm okay, I've met five year olds that could hit harder than her." She replied jokingly. Tyki gave her a smile which fell when he saw Komui approaching them and Bak leaving to find Lenalee.
"Allen, I'm so sorry are you okay? She didn't hurt you I hope." Komui asked as he saw the darkening bruise on her face. "I'm fine Komui, it's nothing more than a bruise and I barely bled."
"You should have her arrested for assault." Neah said calmly, Kanda snorted in agreement and Link nodded his head. The other attendees were slowly agreeing. "That would only give her a legitimate reason to hate me. Calling the police would not solve anything but would only make things worse."
Allen said, silencing many and she turned to face Komui. "I'm not going to put your sister in jail for this because it's not that big a deal. But you need to explain to her that she can't keep doing this. I may be path it it is wearing thin with her and one day I won't be as forgiving if she attacks me again." Allen's said in an even tone. It sent shivers down many people's spines but Cross simply smiled.
A/N: Angel's painting of Allen is similar to this: pin/422564377518715957/.