The Honorary Ball

[Zacke]

Zacke smirked when she ruffled his hair. Much to the relief of his nerves, she moved herself from his lap over to the seat beside him.

He lifted a hand and ran it through his hair in effort to tame down the ruffled-ness.

"Err--maybe you should go talk to him?" He didn't sound confident in his advice at all, speaking out mainly because he felt like it was expected in this sort of situation. He really had no idea what to say. Should she go after the guy? He barely knew either of them, much less their relationship.

He looked at Jun.

[junkuroki]

Jun looked back at Zacke with raised eyebrows.

"You're asking me for opinion?" She wanted to laugh. "I'm as clueless as the next baby about how men think, especially playboys like Rayden. I usually just stay the heck away." She rolled her eyes. "But he probably wants to be left alone? He's not a woman."

[raydensharpola]

Rayden settled himself into one of the high stools at the bar, motioning the bartender with two fingers.

"Bitter Venom." He said curtly, keeping his head bowed and his arms resting against the counter. Meh, you knew she wasn't interested already, why should this affect you? Seriously Rayray...you're cooler than that.

When the blackish drink arrived, Rayden swallowed it in one gulp. It was just as the name suggested, bitter and burning as it slid down his throat.

"Hey." A tinkly female voice spoke to him from his left. He lifted his head a tad.

His mouth started turning up into a slow grin.

Yeah, I'm Rayden the Irresistable. How can I forget? There's other babes waiting to twirl with me in the dancefloor.


"Hey yourself." She had pretty, if a little snobbish features, and her dress expensive. "You look familiar. Have we met before?"

[Lex]

Brooke smirked and lifted an eyebrow. "Met before?" She came up beside him and leaned against the bar, placing her elbows at the edge and pushing her chest out a bit. "I doubt you've met me--it's something you wouldn't forget." She winked.

She wheeled around with a flourish, facing the bar. "Umm, excuse me?" Her tone took on a demanding whine that even the busiest bartender would find hard to ignore. "Excuse me? Screaming Orgasm, please." She batted her eyelashes and flashed an obviously fake smile, before quickly facing Rayden again.

She was not at all discreet about the way she was looking at him--up and down and with eyes that appraised. She finally met his gaze. "So where's your date, cutie?" She grinned.

[Stella]

Stella watched as the girl sauntered up to Rayden. She was a pretty thing in a dress that probably cost a fortune. It looked like something right out of those fancy shops in Deling that she used to stare into as a child. All of a sudden she felt very frumpy in her green hand me down dress. It was an unusual feeling, she wasn't used to feeling so not confident.

Just shrug it off, Stella, seriously. He's just a boy and not even one you like...

Her wine was almost gone but she didn't want to go anywhere near the bar at this moment. Instead she gave Zacke a small little smile and headed out towards on of the empty balconies. It was a cool night but it felt good on her flesh. Leaning against the balcony she gazed down at the grass below watching it move in the wind.

"Hello there" a smooth voice said behind her. Once she didn't really recognize. She turned quickly knocking her wine glass off the railing.

A SeeD was standing there wearing a rather expensive black suit that seemed to fit him perfectly. She recognized him from a few of her classes. He had the darkest hair she had ever seen and eyes that just smoldered when they looked at you. Rumor was that there was a fan club for him much like there had been for Quistis back in the day.

"Bastian, funny seeing you alone" she responded raising a delicate eyebrow. He just grinned and moved forward taking her hand and lifting it to his lips to give it the softest of kisses.

"You outshine every girl here" he said to her as he held onto her hand. She blushed not really knowing what to say, finding it rather strange to be so flustered by a boy.

"Would you like to dance?" he asked softly. Before she could even answer he was pulling her back inside and out on to the dance floor.

"Just don't trod on my dress" she whispered to him as he spun her into his arms. He was making her heart race.

"I think you'll find I'm a rather fine dancer" he said with a grin that was almost as sexy as Seifer's.

"Perhaps you should show me then" she said unable to stop from grinning back. He spun her around and brought her close into his arms.

[raydensharpola]

Rayden smirked at the girl's choice for a drink. Not many girls could call out "Screaming Orgasm" and not be the least bit flustered. This was the kind of girl that was suited for his "patronage", especially with the blatant way she appraised him.

This was the kind who wouldn't give a damn if they parted ways tomorrow and never saw each other again. It would be based purely on physical reasons and that was just the thing he needed to get his mind off...

His gaze landed on Stella outside one of the balconies, led by a guy he didn't know.

He turned back savagely to look at the girl.

"I'm Rayden." He said smoothy, all charming grin and suave manner. "Care for a dance?"

[Hadrian D'arcell]

"Behave?!? I'll give you behave."

Hadrian watched as Blaze hacked up a loogie and almost spat it on his shoes. She wiped her mouth, smudging her red lipstick a bit, and wiped it on some passing cadet. Hadrian noticed that Blaze seemed to be a terror symbol amongst the SeeDs here seeing that he didn't even see some complaint.

Just now, he wanted to laugh. He couldn't help it. A girl on a cocktail dress wiping saliva on a random person and getting away with it---without bribes? That was just too wrong in more ways than one. So she doesn't sit well with containment, eh..? He had to remember that if he wanted to survive tonight.

His urge to laugh died when he heard her next words. Something about what she said had a bad foreshadowing written all over it. She was going to change what she wants? Is that right? Well then, he would just have to change his strategy in dealing with her once it comes to that.

"Yes yes....Whatever floats your boat," Hadrian said nonchalantly. He definitely would deal with it. He wouldn't let her beat him in his own game. He thought defensively.

He hang his suit over his arm.

"And also, don't be so sore over the fact that Deo ratted you out over by the elevator. Whatever you're gonna say about him I know is just to get revenge so don't even bring him up." Blaze continued.

Hadrian flinched a bit. Did she say not to bring him up? But that was supposed to be the whole purpose of this date.

"Let's get going already we're going to be late."

/Corpora Quadrigemina Requesting---/

Speak normally.

/You are on your own./ That was helpful. He grunted and looked down on Blaze beside him, waiting for him to get a move on. If she would just stand still like a statue and would stop opening her mouth, escorting her to the Ball would be somehow tolerable.

"You really think I'm that much of a loser?" he told her, coming closer to her and offering her his arm. "Aight, you win. I'll tell you that something good."

Like hell she'll take my arm. Withdrawing his arm, he walked ahead of her instead expecting her to follow. He didn't say anything to her next until they arrived at the Ballroom entrance.


Before entering, Hadrian decided to speak up. "Here's the gist, Blaze," he started. "Did you know Deo was acting weird over you this morning?" He had a feeling Blaze wouldn't buy this, but he still went on. "Sounds weird, doesn't it? That guy from the Opps who has his eyes closed 80% of the time, getting flustered over you?" he said, trying to be descriptive. "I thought it was interesting, so I looked it up a little." That was probably the best euphemism he could come up for hacking through her SeeD profile and tracing her citizen's profile. Blaze would thank him later for this.

"And...check out at what I found accidentally." Hadrian pulled out a small printed photo and put it in level of her eyes. It was a picture of a middle-aged woman. "I found out that your mom is hot."

[Lex]

"Care for a dance?"

Brooke's eyebrows raised. She turned and lifted the cocktail the bartender just placed on the bar beside her, tipped her head back, and drained the dainty glass.

Setting it down, she flashed him a dazzling smile. "Well ya don't have to ask twice." She offered him a prim and manicured hand.

[vanesse]

Vanesse tried to put two and two together. First, she was appalled by what Jaime said, then Lawric showed up out of nowhere, and they looked like they were okay again. Was that a false alarm?

/You heard her. Go back to the HQ with Deo and watch him watch people./ Paridge said. Vanesse didn't want that. Watch Deo watch people. Isn't there anything more special to do here? She wanted to socialize. Socialize, atleast. But that was the thing, other than Deo, there was noone to....

Her gaze lingered to where Jax and her date was. She was aware that Jax randomly said hi to them a while back; however, this was her first time noticing what his date looked like.

S-Signe?? Her mouth opened partly. She looks like my friend, Signe. Did she come back to life? Or what...what is going on? She weaved through the dancing couples and pulled Jax's date away from him, making her face her. She did look so much like Signe.

"Signe!! Is that really you?!" Her eyes started to water. "You...you're alive?!" She hugged her tightly. "They brought you back from the dead too??"

"H-hah? What are you on about?" Calliope Trepe exclaimed. Vanesse wouldn't let go of her and continued squeezing her. "Who is this Signe? Get...get this girl away from me!" She looked around for help. "My hair---ahhh!"

[Jax Ridean]

He didn't realize that he was interrupting their conversation and didn't And so, he was slightly taken aback when Jaime implied that the rest of the heroes were sitting at the Trin tables and then abruptly left to join her date.Lawric..was that his name?

Slightly embarrassed at being brushed off in front of his date, he stole a quick glance at Calliope to see if she had noticed. Fortunately, she wasn't even paying attention--wait, that wasn't good either. He was about to excuse himself and her when suddenly he heard Van shriek, "Signe!! Is that really you?!"

What the hell?!

Vanesse rushed past him and hugged the girl. "You...you're alive?!They brought you back from the dead too??"

Wait...from the dead....too?

Calliope seemed to be sharing his same confusion as she tried to pry herself away from Vanesse's embrace. "H-hah? What are you on about?" she exclaimed. "Who is this Signe? Get...get this girl away from me!" This time, she appealed to him for help. "My hair--aahhh!"

He decided he had better step in. Gently placing a hand on Vanesse arm, he tried to pull her away from Calliope. However, this proved to be a difficult task as Vanesse didn't even seem to notice him and continued to ramble and cry about some girl named Signe. Meanwhile, Calliope was seriousy freaking out and the moment he got a hand in between them, she let a piercing shriek and clutched on to his suit lapels in order to distance herself away from Vanesse.

"Wait! I think we should all just--" Someone's hand smacked him across the cheek. Narrowing his eyes, he decided that enough was enough. He roughly shoved the two females apart. "Alright now. Can we--" Calliope was still trying to claw at him. "Stop--stop JUST STOP!" She finally got the message and removed herself from his side.

"Now then." he said, as he tried to catch his breath. "You. Vanesse. Explain yourself."

[Lawric]

Lawric grinned.

"I don't know if I specifically remember the words 'I'm really glad,' but I will never forget the look on your face when I opened my eyes Jaime." He laughed. "I think the look expressed very well how glad you were." She was a very endearing creature, his friend. He couldn't help but shake his head in amusement and plant a kiss down on the top of her head.

"So," he pulled back. "Deja vu? I feel like we're always leaving poor little Van stuck hauling Deo around. You find the girly and I'll find the sloth?"

[vanesse]

"Now then." Jax firmly said as he tried to catch his breath. "You. Vanesse. Explain yourself."

Now that she had calmed down, she took a good look at Jax's date again. She did resemble Signe, but if one would look at her for ten seconds straight, then it really was a different person. For one thing, Signe wouldn't wear make up that thick. She blinked a couple of times. That was right, it was a different girl.

Now...what do I do? She couldn't move.

/Time to move to move back to HQ?/ Paridge suggested. /I mean, you've humiliated yourself here and all.../

"I...uhm....er..." Vanesse's gaze shifted from side to side. A lightbulb lit up. All of a sudden, she laughed out loud and scratched the back of her neck. "Ooops. I thought you were my friend haha! My bad." She widened her grin. "You see? My eyes don't work too well." She pointed to herself. "Medically, I'm really legally blind." She looked at Jax and squinted. "Oh, didn't see you there, Jax! Cuz you know? My eyes are all screwed up. Was she your date? I'm really sorry to interrupt." She bowed her head.

"You're sorry?" Calliope said, annoyed. "You just scared me to death---"

"Aww, nothing but a cold glass of vodka couldn't solve," Vanesse said dismissively. "Jax here, our comrade who is also very gentlemanly, will treat you to one. He can't stand to leave his date like this, afterall." She raised a thumb at him as if to say 'you handle this'. "I'm really sorry. This handicapped person will take her leave now." Once again, she bowed her head to them and turned towards Deo's table in a hurry.

/That...was awful./ Paridge said. /Awful acting. Awful excuse. Awful--Just awful./

Sitting again beside Deo, she slumped on her seat and buried her face on the table. The table shook slightly at the gesture. Her face was red in embarassment.

"That was completely awful..." she said in a muffled voice.

[Jaime]

Jaime slightly stiffeneed when Lawric planted a kiss on her forehead. The reaction was only a tiny indication with what was really happening inside. Her heart jerked forward from being a placid, grass-knawing cow to a steed galloping across the racetracks, running neck to neck with some kind of foreign emotion fighting for her attention.

GETAGRIPGETAGRIP! What's wrong with you? It's just a little peck what's with this? You WANT to make a fool of yourself?

She decided it must be Lawric's death and subsequent resurrection that caused the change...it wasn't normal circumstances, she must've been overwhelmed by what had carried over from there.

"Hey Lawric." She smiled, resting her chin slightly on his shoulder so he couldn't see her face. "Are you trying to induce some kind of schoolgirl swooning reaction from me? If so you're failing horribly." She lifted her head and looked at him, shaking her head. "Did you forget that little speech you made about my flirtatious ways? What are you doing now?"

The hand on his shoulder tensed a little. It just required a little more effort to keep up this casual bantering.

"Is this payback for annoying you?" She teased him. "Meh think of something better next time, kay?"

When he mentioned something about, she realised she had abandoned her poor friend in the company of smarmy Jax and that arrogant looking Calliope. Whose features really resembled Signe...now that she thought of it. Except Signe has much more class than that. She smirked to herself.

She glanced around, saw Van returning to the bar and muttering something to Deo.

"There's Van. And Deo. We should get to them before Deo goes a-snoring again." She lowered her hands and grabbed one of his by the wrist. "Come on."

------------

Blah post -_-

[Jun]

Jun was bored. None of the girls whom she wanted to see in beautiful dresses was turning up (namely Blaze, Stardust and Gemma), and she was just sitting around with Zacke. Maybe he was waiting for her to make some move. So she would.

"Zacke do you want to dance?" She asked, peering at his face, which had subsided from its earlier awkwardness. "We're just sitting around doing nothing."

[Blaze Sanaku]

Blaze stared blankly at the photo Hadrian was flashing at her. It was a middle-aged woman with sharp features and short black hair. She could have been pretty if she didn't have such a sneering look on her face. It was face Blaze had never seen nor cared about and to this moment she still didn't care.

"Your something good was to tell me that you think my mom is hot?!??" Blaze asked incredulously, her temper rising. "And what does that have anything to do with Deo?"

Blaze stared at Hadrian with skepticism. Wasn't Deo flustered earlier because Melvin had gotten the wrong idea that he wanted to ask her to the ball when it was really Hadrian who wanted to? Why did Hadrian have to search into Deo's history then? But he did search Deo.. and he accidentally found a picture of Blaze's mom?

huh?