((This was such a fun chapter to write! And now we get to see who Louis is stuck on... *snickers*))
The stage was set high above the polished floor, and away from the balconies. It was circular, with a long and winding staircase leading down to the floor where most of the people were gathered. Guards were stationed at the foot of the stairs, as well as halfway up, to keep anyone not part of That Band away.
Louis was wearing a long, flowing black shirt with sleeves that billowed as he moved. They were tight around his wrists, but loose up to his shoulders. When he waved his arms, they caught the air and almost resembled wings. Black jeans, and black leather boots completed his look. And if the jeans were just the tiniest bit tighter than appropriate, he had mostly followed Lady Dumisa's request as far as dress code...
Sabine had left her indigo hair down, and in precise ringlets. Half fell over her right shoulder, the rest flowing down her back. The left side was shaved of course, leaving her tattoo on display. But she was wearing a modest, for her, dress. It was a metallic lilac to match her eyes. It had no sleeves, but had a high collar and fell to just past her knees. The fishnet stockings and black leather ankle boots would not be easily seen as high up as they were.
As the shadows cleared from the stage, revealing them to the crowd below, a spotlight clicked on, catching Louis in the bright glow.
Louis' lilac gaze was piercing, it passed over most of the crowd before finding Harry and his group and seeming to stall. His eyes narrowed, almost imperceptibly, as he took in Rialyn's dark red braids with their amber beads.
As the spotlight widened, showing Sabine and Diana, he smiled and gave a slight bow.
"Ladies. Gentlemen." His light tenor rang out across the gathered crowd. "Your gracious Lords and Ladies. Allow us please, to entertain you." He flung out his right hand in a wide sweeping motion, and winked in the direction of Harry and his group.
As That Band began to play, Rialyn rolled dark red eyes and crossed his arms. But he couldn't help swaying slightly to some of the songs. How he had gotten talked into babysitting, he still wasn't sure. But at least the music was decent he supposed.
He glanced over at his charges for the night. Harry was laughing as he watched Fred and George dancing with Fionn. They were staying together, and nearby as he had told them to. Scanning the crowd, he didn't see any signs of the Warriors, and he just caught a glimpse of Djuran as he melted back into the crowd across the room.
They were all certain that something was going to happen tonight. They just couldn't pinpoint exactly what. His Gift had been very clear that he needed to be here, but beyond that, there was nothing. It was most vexing. Giving his blood-red braids a toss, to get them behind his right shoulder, he suddenly realized the music had stopped.
Looking around, he saw the stage was cloaked in shadow. It must be intermission or something. As he went to turn back to Harry, a flutter of black wings caught his attention. A black crow landing a few feet away from him, before shimmering with a lilac glow and transforming into Louis. The indigo-haired Fae was twirling a dark red rose in one hand.
"Hello, pretty one."
Rialyn's eyebrows shot up, and he tilted his head, a slight smirk curling his lips.
"A crow? I would have guessed something more flashy."
"Ah, but flashy is what draws attention. I had no wish to be mobbed, and crows blend in everywhere." Louis' voice was soft, eyes never leaving Rialyn's face. He bowed, and offered the rose with a little flourish.
The red-haired Fae laughed, but did not take the rose. "You will have to do better than that. Fame and parlour tricks don't impress me. Not with the company I keep. But I suppose, as I have nothing better to do at the moment, I shall let you attempt to dazzle me." Rialyn was highly amused. It had been some time since he was the one being pursued, instead of the other way around. His sharp tongue usually sent would-be suitors scurrying away. His Gift suddenly flared with the strong sense that he was exactly where he needed to be.
"For a laugh like that, I will make it my life's work to hear it again. Every day, if it is not too forward for a first meeting." Winking, Louis twirled. When he faced Rialyn again, the rose had vanished and a microphone appeared in his hand. And then he began to sing. To Rialyn.
I would climb any mountain
Sail across the stormy sea
If that's what it takes me baby
To show how much you mean to me
As the crowd realized Louis was singing to someone, and not just performing to the crowd, they backed up. Leaving Louis and Rialyn in a wide ring of empty space.
And I guess it's just the Fae in you
That brings out the Fae in me
I know I can't help myself
You're all in the world to me
It feels like the first time
Feels like the very first time
It feels like the first time
It feels like the very first time
The indigo-haired Fae never dropped his eyes from Rialyn's red ones. And suddenly he realized this must be a new song. Not a single person in the crowd was singing along. The only voice he was hearing was Louis' own, and Sabine's for the chorus. His eyes widened slightly, but he kept to his usual lazy stance. One hand on his hip, one toying with one of the amber beads on the ends of his braids.
I have waited a lifetime
Spent my time so foolishly
But now that I found you
Together we'll make history
And I know it must be the Fae in you
That brings out the Fae in me
I know I can't help myself
You're all my eyes can see
And it feels like the first time
Like it never did before
Feels like the first time
Like we've opened up the door
Feels like the first time
Like it never will again
Never again
It feels like the first time
It feels like the very first time
It feels like the first time
Feels like the very first time
(Feels Like The First Time by Foreigner. I changed "woman" and "man" to "Fae" to fit what I needed, but all copyright belongs to them.)
As the final words left Louis' mouth, he reached out and lightly trailed the back of his fingers down Rialyn's cheek. Causing the other Fae to blush ever-so-faintly in surprise, and jerk back slightly as his eyes widened. He didn't understand his reaction at all. It wasn't like flirting was anything new to him. But something felt different. As though reading his mind, Louis laughed softly.
"You asked to be dazzled, pretty one. It's not my fault I do it so well." Bowing with a flourish, and the soft glow of lilac-colored magic, he became a crow once more. Flying back to the stage. Sabine did not look the least bit pleased with her brother. But before she could say a word, he had started another song.
"What happened to keeping a low profile?" Djuran's voice had the all-too familiar tinge of exasperation to it as he appeared from thin air beside Rialyn.
"Like I did that on purpose?! How was I to know I had a fan? Especially when I've never met him before in my life?" The red-haired Fae scowled and crossed his arms. "And don't you even mention my Gift! You know better than anyone why I lock it down."
Holding his hands up in surrender, the tall Djinn sighed. "Will you at least check to see if there are any further hints? I haven't spotted anyone who shouldn't be here, and the Warriors say they haven't seen anything suspicious either."
Throwing his hands up, even he didn't understand why he felt so unsettled and grumpy. Rialyn took a moment to close his eyes and breathe. Speaking the unlocking word, he focused on Seeing. The gold runes around his eyes glowed, and he sorted through all the images that flashed before his eyes. Narrowing his focus to tonight specifically, his eyes suddenly snapped open and the runes went flat and dim again.
"Apparently it's over. Whatever was going to happen has either already happened, or won't happen. It feels like both, but I don't understand how it could happen and not happen at the same time."
"Maybe you were supposed to meet your future Mate." Djuran's lips curled in a teasing smile. "And being the center of attention scared off our poisoner."
"Don't be ridiculous! Love at first sight doesn't exist. He was just being a show off and a flirt. I should know, since I am both."
"As you say. I am going to let the Warriors know nothing else is happening tonight. And then we can leave anytime you can corral the youngsters, unless Winters is willing to take over." Becoming a pillar of smoke, the Djinn was quickly lost to the crowd.
Rialyn pointedly did not look towards the stage, as he went to round up Harry and the others.
((
So Louis and Sabine are Centaury Fae, the Shapeshifters. Which leaves only the Lotus Fae (Voice Magics) to not have appeared as main/secondary characters. Next chapter is the completion of the Courtship with Laric. Do you want to see the claiming studs for all the mates when it happens, or would you rather it as a Dreamscape and leave only Fionn's as the main fic?))