CHAPTER 48

I do not own skip beat. Yoshiki awesome devilish Nakamura does. And we thanks her for that.

Okay, here is one of my pet dreams. A masked ball. Enjoy.

~The Christmas ball~ part one ~

Half an hour before Kyoko prepping, it's 7.30pm.

The masquerade begins

A soft and light melody lets hear its distant echoes everywhere through the however thick walls of the great mansion leading countless guests; enthralling them to progress toward the bewitching tune not the less strained by the ballroom. No, it's free of restraints, all focus as it is on spreading the great joy that song contain.

It's speaking, whispering to any ear around its life and grabbing the heart of the people catching it until they are overcome by the promise excitement of the night.

Hushed steps begin to rush their advance, in a hurry. And as they wander in long corridors, the awed eyes catch the gold and velvet red hue plastered in every forms possible. The furniture are a deep burgundy, the handrails of the stairs a used golden, little touches of golden paint can be seen here and there, white and red poinsettias seat at several places, other flowers and candles are floating on clear water in vases and bowls and; bright yellow lights are everywhere. Around the ramps, fixed to some walls, in the entering hall on the Christmas tree; everywhere. Tinsels are pathing the ways along the otherwise dark halls in the only illumination provided, main lightning removed, and highlighting white and silver glasses balls hang, dangling to the ceiling of each corridor.

Rustles of dresses brush on the obsidian carpet sprinkled with golden sparkling as muffled snapping heels and boots gain ground.

And then;

Brightness.

Albescent slabs forming the flooring of the whopping rectangular ballroom went noticed when the reawaken hard heels snapped on those.

White light is coming from lampposts fixed to the walls every two meters and leading to a black carpeting dais where enthroned a gigantic magnificent pine Christmas tree.

The new guests penetrated the half full spot, standing under the brilliant teardrops garlands launching from the centre of the high ceiling to spread in every direction covering the full roof vaulting in an alighted crystal alike web.

And by stepping into light the costumes get their reveals; the corset dresses, the princesses, pirates, shipmasters, officers, earls, kings and duchesses attires shine under the Christmas lights. The ball is to take place on 1800-1900 theme after all.

But there is a catch and that's the sheen masks sported by everyone and concealing their identity. Most of the guests now presents, Lory made a short speech explaining the rules of tonight in a few short sentences.

You could not tell your identity to anyone or remove the mask unless someone guessed who you are. The game of the night was to unveil as many people as you could. The more make-up, the better. The better you disguise, the better your chances. There would be several organized dances between free ones and you would be assigned random partners. You couldn't come with one. You could not know anyone disguise in advance. If anyone didn't respect those rules told in advance, that person was disqualified.

Once a dance would end, you would have to take a guess on who is the person behind the mask. Presents would be given to the ones with the most right guesses.

If one wasn't unmasked through all evening, that person would win the game and a special prize. Everyone would get from a small present to bigger one depending of the number they discovered and if some of those would be brought by the guests themselves, most would be given by the president or the agency.

"You will also be able to bet before the dances continued Lory, and the money of the bets will be reverse to charity to give more chances for foster children to have presents, the bet will only serve to add you points if you guessed right"

"Whether or not you recognized someone and want to unmask him, try to blend with other than your usual acquaintances. The point of this game isn't to stay with your usual friends but to have fun. Do not worry, you will have time where you will be able to talk to your friends once the first part of the evening ends and the game is finished"

"Everyone will get one round to The-Wheel-of-Gifts" declared the president switching to the prizes, and as you know in her reside the second and third trips of a week to win for the ones who wouldn't reach first place. The destinations will be contained in a large pre-selected panel of choices"

"The four and fifth place winners both get a spa day and tickets for a concert/ representation of their choice and 2 runs of The-Wheel-of-Gifts each the president continued. The third place wins 3 days in one of the resorts partners with LME and 3 runs of The-Wheel-of-Gifts"

"Now to the fun ones" and the president smirked as he continued.

"The second place wins a 15 days leave without any condition to cash between January and February, Lory raised a hand to cut any form of protestation already starting, do not worry everyone, all the directors and agencies are warned and the rescheduling will be taken care of without any risk once the winner is chosen. I must add this isn't an optional gift, people do not take their holidays driving themselves to the edge rather than taking a leave; we must change that. It's not only a problem in entertainment and I'm sure you all know this. Thus, if the winner of the second place do not choose a date before the middle of February, that person will be force to take the last of that month off whatever the objections"

"In addition to the leave, the second place will also get two spa days and five chances at The-Wheel-of-Gifts. Also, the winner of the second is the first that will have a taste of The-Wheel-of-Trap" grinned the president as he gestured to another big wheel, all pink this time. It was designed by my hands and some of you might even remember it as it's the second time we use it"

A few people nodded with pale faces or chuckles under their hands.

"The person who wins the game said Lory raising his voice with emphasis, gets three rewards. First, a chance to promote himself to directors, producers and publishers supported by LME, the third trip of a week given tonight, to go somewhere with a friend of his/her choice, will be immediately hand to the winner and that person will have 3 months to use it, again it's not optional stated Lory. And finally, six runs of The-Wheel-of-Gifts said the president showing the majestic silvery wheel laying on the dais once again.

"And,

Lory chuckled some more, in complete mirth,

"The winner will also have two runs of the Wheel-of-Traps. Yes, I'm sure at least half of the people here are wondering what it is" laughed the president. "You see, it's a trap because though technically the winners are receiving, they are the ones that will have to give something of themselves. The first person to be discovered will have a run of the Wheel-of-Traps I won't say more until the time of the night come"

"Ah, yes, sorry, one last thing on this matter corrected Lory, When the time come, you will be able to choose in advance to who, a stranger or someone specific, you would want to give whatever your forfeit will be but you won't know what it will be before choosing the person"

"My granddaughter is participating to the game square-fair this year said the president closing the subject of prizes for now, and as such I myself do not know in what she will appear but around eleven, unless she hadn't been unveiled by anyone, we will take a short break to eat the cake. For eventual presents or private ones between the guests, we will do it after the game, past midnight. Refrain from giving any presents to anyone until then"

"As you are all aware now finished Lory, the party will be going until at least 3am and the set-up dances won't begin before 9pm and will go on until midnight. Please enjoy yourself freely until then. I hope everyone also remembered to take a second more comfortable outfit for the second part of the night and please inform Ruto if it's not case so that he can find arrangements until then. You can also go outside, the garden of the mansion had been especially decorated for the occasion but I have to warn it might be cold, snow had even been announced for the middle of the night. Now everyone, let's the ball begins!"

8.30 pm.

Ren pulled his collar once more and placed his cap back on his head. He made the most of the opportunity by surreptitiously shifting to the right, sticking a little more to the side of the president. The music, rousing and inviting when he arrived were now making him want to vomit. And the simple look of the dancers wheeling on the dance floor made him dizzy. It was louder. But he was sure that even a quieter tone wouldn't have settle well with right this moment.

The president shoulders slumped for the countless time tonight and he took a large step further on the right thus skipping away from Ren.

The president twisted on his footing, the mouth opened savagely and the risen matured fingers clutching and plucking at the air with clear repressed desires of violence. Ren grimaced internally but kept his positions.

After a long pregnant pause, Lory fell back on his stubs and shoot an irritated glare in direction of Ren.

"Dear godson, you know I love you, right?"

"You tell me every day since the birth of earth" Ren said, batting exaggeratingly his lashes.

The president groaned.

"Sorry" but as he said that, he still came closer again.

Lory swore some English insanity and Ren was suddenly glad most people couldn't understand English here.

"Now, now, president, no need to be rude"

His boss turned back to him, a self-explanatory look on his face as he gestured at Ren's behaviour.

"Would you please stop gluing me like some scared child!" demanded the president.

"But boss, look, it's working"

"What is?!"his boss exclaimed making twirl his numerous robes of Sultan around him.

"Repel potential dance partner from coming" said Ren with a matter-of-fact tone in the voice.

"What am I? A bug repulsive?" grumbled incredulously the president.

Ren pinched his lips to avoid speaking the blatant truth and shifted his eyes' direction.

"Why don't you go dance with someone rather than being on my tail all the time when we are not even chatting?" His boss said.

"I already danced"

The president arched a brow.

"I danced with ten partners and out of them, seven stepped on my toes. I'm done for the night "grumbled Ren. "So, I apologize in advance he continued and suddenly looked intently at his life saver of the night, but I'm going to follow you around like a little dog the evening ends"

The face of the president was a mixed of shocked and horror combined when he answered: "Absolutely not, I'm going to throw you to the ladies. I plan to dance and you are breathing my air" stated the president without any pity and already strutting away.

Ren followed.

"You are going to dance? With a lady?! Asked Ren, that's new"

His boss glared at him.

"Yes, with a lady said the president, not with a dog" and he glanced at Ren.

"Rude"

"Plus I know from safe sources you are not against all women prodded the president, I'm sure you would dance with her"

"She isn't there" he said to his boss, shaking his head. And he was pretty sure she wouldn't come. It was an evening starting early and she still wasn't there and just two days ago, she was still saying she would do her best but wasn't sure. He shook his head again. No, he better not hope for it. Something must have come up and she wasn't able to attend.

He had even sent her a few texts at the beginning of it when he was still hoping she would come. He glanced at the place his phone was supposed to be settled in the inside of his so heavy calves-long costume coat. Not even the beginning of an answer. He would call her later but right now the only reason he was staying was for Maria.

He suddenly realized he was alone and frenetically searched for the president but he was only surrounded by feminine threats. One smile sweetly at him, asking if it would be imposing to ask for a dance and he resigned himself to his fate. Those women didn't do anything wrong, besides stepping on his toes of course. They just weren't the person he wanted to dance with.

He lifted his palm to the young damsel.

"May I?"

The over-the-knee flat slick boots rubbed on the carpet as she entered, and she staggered her foot-steps out of daze ecstatic trance. The decor was plushy and sumptuous. Everything gleamed with beauty and atmosphere and the garlands as unique lightening shaded a fairytale magical sparkle to absolutely anything Kyoko laid her eyes on.

Nose risen to not miss any details, she lost herself in this wonderment and stumbled around as she make progress, barely remembering how to walk and difficultly resisting the urge to stay right here twirling by herself. Once more she felt propelled in the infantine joy where only heartiness amazement laid. For the first time in years, she saluted the fairies flying and giggling by her side. She didn't of anything but feeling, rejoicing.

A late-arriving guest was the only thing that permitted her to remember herself in time and not tumbled in the ballroom not really there. The invitee outstripped her without even noticing she was standing close and she finally saw the bright light the compelling music was coming from. She had just stepped in this last corridor, the lane to reach the gathering room was some sort labyrinth land's pathway, and she was still 50 meters away. But she slowed down. She felt pressed by the desire to slow, to enjoy every step progressing, every detail. She lost herself again in the enchantment, Christmas much more appreciated by her after having taste some of the ways. Now, Christmas was not only love but family and magic for her. And the rare times she let herself fantasize unrealistically; Christmas was the one thing that could temporarily make her wish to have a family, children.

Using her experience, when she reached the ballroom, she checked her mask and slithered inside as unnoticeable as an irrelevant outsider could be. Her eyes blinded by the sudden extravagant lights, she had to give it some time before she was able to go in search of Maria.

And true to her vision for once, no one really did pay her mind right away in her attire.

But if they did, they would have remarked some very important details. Fortunately they did not. And through and out the night, the only ones that would take notice of the person that just entered would be all too focused on the wrong thing to shed mask away. A reporter would later even note that there was more than one mask wore in this ball.

Directing himself to the drinks, Koga passed by a late guest and stopped to admire the care taken to details; he was fond of old times and his outfit attracted his attention. It was interesting attire.

The waistcoat was all the way classical but it was the frock-coat reaching low on the calves of the man that was the more bold choice. Silver buttons going from head to waist at the left and fasteners purposely on right side tweaked things in front the usual centre attaches pick. It was nice. Counting the boots, all of that was black.

Then followed what he thought might be navy silk shirt, white modern bridge pants, that he was sure of it, and a light scarf to tie at the front. A dark felt Cordobes hat looking shamelessly of period, pale smooth gloves and a brown belt with a sword on the side completed the look.

He would have love to be able to see the man's mask and eyes but the dude turned to the opposite side before he could take a closer look.

He admired briefly his butt as the guy walked away, because, really, he had a nice one. He was intrigued. Maybe he would ask the guy for a dance tonight.

PS: Hi everyone. So yes, I was planning to make it longer but it's a nice way to cut it and I already know there will be several parts to this so it seems like it's all good. Plus, I like to tease. And no, I don't know yet how many parts but at least three, maybe five. We'll see.

I hope you will all enjoy this one. It took me a lot of time and thinking to find the right atmosphere for this Christmas ball without making it too heavy but still magical. I hope you will all like it.

The stage and mood is set, let's the faery begins.