The Honorary Ball, Part II

[Lawric]

"I just...don't really know how to react...it's the first time I've ever been kissed by a guy."

Lawric barely had time to react to the words before she gasped and brought a hand to her mouth, all wide-eyed and adorable. He couldn't help but grin. Apparently she hadn't wanted him to know that.

Looking at her, he found it rather hard to believe she had never been kissed before. Not that he thought she was lying to him; she wasn't a liar--just... she's so lovely. I'm her first kiss? Surely other men had tried. She was too smart and pretty, too kind. Other men would have tried. What set him apart so much that she had been willing to let him?

"Well... now I don't know how to react, either." He confessed finally, with a laugh. "I feel sort of guilty, though. Like I've stolen something." He paused, and then smirked. "Did I really steal your first kiss?"

He felt a little guilty, yeah, but something was very appealing about the idea, too.

[Blaze Sanaku]

Gemma?... GEMMA destroyed those seeD cadets?? No. way.

Blaze looked around in confusion, trying to catch a glimpse of the girl but Deo and Vanesse were blocking her view and Hadrian was gabbing away, being sarcastic as usual.

Blaze wondered why Vanesse expressed so much concern about her. She only remembered talking to Vanesse once when they had first met and Blaze was trying to convince everyone to kill her instead of spare her life.

"Isn't that cute, Deo? Blaze is thinking about the people now. She's matured overnight." Hadrian nodded, causing Blaze to frown. "I'm proud of her, you are too, aren'tcha?"

"harharhar and you've become a insolent stalker who likes to break into people's dorms. I still don't take back what I said earlier you know! You can light those retarded candles yourself, I'm not going to be your partner anymore." Blaze said defiantly, "Vanesse you take him. You can have two dates."

[Diego Stanton]

The last thing Deo wanted was for Vanesse to drag him right into Ifrit's lair so of course that's exactly what she did. He inevitably found himself standing in front of Blaze and Hadrian trying to make "friendly chats." Deo didn't do awkward small talk. He liked to stand there idly while Vanesse did all the talking and occasionally impose a nod or a "yep" to keep Vanesse's mouth running. Sometimes if she was being particularly talktative to a stranger Deo would slip away for a couple minutes to eat something and return half an hour later to find Van in the same spot, still making friendly chats and not noticing Deo had left.

He probably wouldn't be able to wander away without Blaze or Hadrian noticing though, so he stood there. Hadrian had asked him something but all Deo could notice was his new horribly styled hair.

".... What the hell happened to your hair?" Deo asked him.

[Jun]

HAHAHHA DEO IS SO CUTE XD ;D *HUGGLES HIM TO PIECES*
----------

"Y..yeah." Jun forced herself to admit. "It's not something I'm proud of though...that I'm still so inexperienced at the ripe age of 23. But I've always been a late bloomer in this respect." She sighed. Maybe she was giving too much information and he would find some excuse to leave her alone or something, but Jun couldn't find it in her heart to lie. Especially to him.

"Would if be unreasonable if I asked you to pretend you didn't hear my confession?" She asked, a hopeful smile on her lips. "Then you wouldn't have to feel guilty at all...just pretend I'm a pro at this and react as you normally would...?"

[Rayden]

Rayden could barely stifle a groan coming to his lips. Stella was standing so close to him and running her hand down his arm, it was impossible not to have any reaction. He quickly turned, grabbing his drink and emptying it in one gulp, but the acceleration of his heartbeat both from her touch and the alcohol pumping in his blood made everything worse.

He fidgeted uncomfortably, trying not to look at Stella, but it would only be rude as the girl was staring straight into his eyes. He could barely remember what she'd whispered into his ear...something about Zacke and Gemma going to dance and something wrong with him. Yeah there was something wrong wtih him alright. He couldn't control his inner male pig from having wild imaginations.

He crossed his legs quickly. And thankfully rescue came in the form of Brooke Coroniere.

Rayden threw a nonchalant glance at the spoilt little rich girl, then smirked across at Stella.

"Yeah well I'm sure that diamond studded dress would look better on some other floor, not this idiot's." He grinned at Brooke's retreating figure, then returned his eyes to Stella.

"It's nothing to talk about...really." He said softly. "I'm alright now, so just let it go, okay?"

[Stella]

"Oh, for the great mercy in Hyne," Brooke said making Stella stiffen instantly. Any minute now Stella was sure Brooke was going to make some scathing remark and completely embarrass her. Hyne, how she wanted to put some distance between herself and this girl.

"Every stone on this dress is a real champagne diamond. It could have been on the floor of your dorm tonight." Stella raised an eyebrow as Brooke spoke. Did she really think guys cared about that sort of thing? Please. I only see one idiot here... , She thought at Brooke's retreating form.

"Yeah well I'm sure that diamond studded dress would look better on some other floor, not this idiot's." Rayden's words brought her attention back to him and she looked away from the other woman. I wonder... would he really have slept with her?...

"It's nothing to talk about...really. I'm alright now, so just let it go, okay?" He carried on before Stella could even open her mouth to ask about it. Oh really?... The Gentleman doth protest too much... Very well, if he didn't want to talk about it she wasn't going to push the subject.

"Okay Rayden, whatever you want" she said waving her hand as she grabbed her wine glass again and down the rest of it in a few long drinks. Good stuff...

[Gemma Ridean]

"Come on, come dance with me. I promise to keep my pants on around you this time."

Instantly upon hearing those words, Gemma felt her back stiffen and her lips parted slightly, but no words came out. Through the corner of her eye, she could see Stella grinning deviously back at her.

"What did you say to him?" she mouthed. But before she could get a esponse, she felt Zacke suddenly clasp her hand.

And then...it was like she was simply floating on ice. She felt weightless, her thoughts were all blurred together, and everything around her was falling away. Following behind Zacke as they weaved through the crowd, she tried to control the shaking in her knees and the frantic beating of her heart. Now and then, he would look back at her, and she nervously smiled back, hoping that he wouldn't detect how the corners of her mouth were slightly quivering.

As they stepped onto the dance floor, Gemma looked around the room and saw couples amourously clasped in each other's embrace.

Immediately, she knew that this was a bad idea. For the both of them. After all, Stella had obviously put him up to do this. Plus, she hadn't exactly "slow-danced" with a guy before. Sure, she had gone to several fabulous balls growing up. But that was waltzing! And her partner was either her father or Jax! This was a completely different situation. She didn't even know where to put her arms...or-or how close they were supposed to dance together...

Looking up at Zacke, their eyes met and her face began to heat up.

Get a hold of yourself! Is it so hard not to turn into a big tomato every time he looks at you!

"I'm sorry. I--I don't know why I'm like this." she mumbled, her fingers slightly fluttering as she twisted the folds of her dress. She could feel him staring at her, even though she was avoiding to loo at his face. Gazing towards the floor. she mumbled even softer, "Thank you. But you know..you don't have to do this if you don't want to."

[stardust]

"But I guess you wouldn't know anything about actually choosing battles, since you just take every one that comes... " LMAO XD
-------------------------------------------------------------------------


Stardust smirked at the ground. That sounded more like him, all right. Gloominess was unbecoming of him. Her image of Reese was far from that. Despite the fact that the DoTNA officials and some members were in their custody, they still had to locate their HQ. There was more unfinished business to take care of. Who knows what kind of underhanded plot the rest of the members were cooking just to get Weiss out of here.

"Sounds fun," Stardust said, "Even more fun than being in a SeeD mission." She pictured herself out on the road again and meeting random lowlifes, but this time, she wasn't alone. That was right. Having Reese on her side would make it more worthwhile.

"Once you get to it, can you take me with you?" asked Stardust. She remembered that incident at the table again and continued. "I'm getting tired of this place."

/Nooo, what are you crazy?? I am Garden's property! Are you going to steal me? I'm not letting you leave me. And what about Jun and your teammates? They even gave you medals!/ Diwata whined. /Whatever. I know Reese is going to jail and your delusions are not going to work. So, hm...hah. Take that. I'm not going to be worried about it. Not at all. Hmph./

[Hadrian D'arcell]

Hadrian's eyebrows raised at Blaze's words. What's the meaning of that? he wondered. He thought he had salvaged his date, and now this? "Huh? Don't tell me you're backing down on our..." He coughed. He couldn't blurt that he bribed her in front of Deo. "...you-know-what."

"Uh..." Hadrian heard Vanesse hesitate. He figured the girl didn't want anything to do with him after what he did to Carmi.

".... What the hell happened to your hair?" It was Deo this time.

Turning to Deo, Hadrian tried to comb it back with his hand, but to no avail. "They're on strike because Blaze here hella sucks," he mumbled gruffly, facing her. "Heh, fine. I'll be Vanesse's partner for the ceremony and I'll still honor our..." He lowered his tone again. "....you-know-what...." He straightened up. "Only if you go with this guy here." He pointed to Deo.

"You don't care Deo, right?"

[vanesse]

Sometimes if she was being particularly talktative to a stranger Deo would slip away for a couple minutes to eat something and return half an hour later to find Van in the same spot, still making friendly chats and not noticing Deo had left. AHAHAHAHAH
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Hey..." Vanesse frowned, placing her hands to her hips. "How did everything come to this? Why must me and Deo have to exchange dates with you two?"

But wait...maybe it's a good thing for Deo and Blaze...? she thought. But wait...Deo will not agree and it'll just be more suspicious if I insist....But wait...ahh! Never mind.

"Can't we all get along here and have a friendly drink together?"

[Jax Ridean]

As the subject turned to his date, Jaime suddenly became very animated. "You know...she really looks like our dead friend, Signe." she scrunched up her face like a six year old. "How can two people look so alike? If she was less haughty, wore less make up, changed her clothes and her loud voice, I wouldn't be able to tell them apart. THANK GOODNESS SHE'S SO...UMMM...SO SHINY, JAX!"

Jax almost choked on his own saliva. Shiny? Now that was a new one...

"...piss his pants thinking Signe's come back from the dead. Or do you think Signe's spirit possessed her?" Her mouth opened with a scandalous gasp. "Do you believe in ghosts?"

Where did this girl come frome...?

It was almost incredulous...the things she said were so bizarre..However out of everyone in this joint, she was by far the most entertaining to talk to.

And so, he calmly replied. "Of course. How else do you explain why there's so many "new" faces showing up here tonight?"

[Lawric]

Having her confirm it seemed to make her even more self-conscious. It was cute, but it made him feel a little bit worse.

Jun...

"Unreasonable?" Lawric smirked. "No, I don't think it's unreasonable. I have to admit, though, it's a little silly that you're so worried." The smirk briefly became a grin. "Silly in a cute way, I mean. I don't mean to be insultive... " He turned to lean his lower back against the railing, crossing his arms over his chest and looking at her from the side.

"I don't have to pretend." he said quietly. He gave a little shrug, smiling. "I couldn't care less that you're not experienced." He locked eyes with hers for a moment, before he looked away again. "Most guys wouldn't. Shouldn't, anyway. Any guy who's kissing you should be too preoccupied with how lucky he is to think about much else."

He stopped and looked at her again, suddenly flashing another grin. "Hah, I'm so charming... " He rolled his eyes at the words and looked away, amused.

[Zacke]

Zacke turned and faced her amidst the other couples, touching the sides of her arms lightly and closing some of the space between them. He chanced a furtive look downward, admiring the way her dress clung at her form. She was a tiny thing. She looks amazing. His eyes traveled over her adorable features and he smiled in a friendly manner. "I'm sorry. I--I don't know why I'm like this." She was blushing furiously. His smile became a disarming grin.

She must be shy about dancing...

"Thank you. But you know..you don't have to do this if you don't want to." She mumbled, looking downward.

His smile faded a bit. "Hey, don't be silly," he remarked lightly, taking each of her hands and placing them on his shoulders. He pretended not to notice that they were trembling a little. "I don't bite!" he laughed. "Of course I want to dance. And you don't have to thank me for it."

She seemed so self-conscious. It was cute, but at the same time it made him feel a little bad for dragging her out here. He rested his hands at her hips and ducked his head a bit, trying to lure her back into eye contact. "Ridean, right? Err, I remembered the 'Gemma' part. I thought it was pretty." He smiled again. "I'm sorry if it was really awkward for you when we met. I usually try not to make a half-naked first impression, but I guess shit happens,"

He balked suddenly, realizing he'd just used the word 'shit' when speaking with a lady. Well, he didn't really know Gemma, so he couldn't personally attest to how ladylike a girl she was. But everything in the way she carried herself just screamed of dignity and grace. Her voice even had a bit of an 'Estharian money' accent to it. He could almost feel the presence of his mother's ghost haunting him; Zackery Alexander! Clean up your language!

"Heh, sorry," he added quickly with an embarrassed sort of smirk. "Hanging around with mouths like Blaze and Reese has apparently rubbed off on me." He rolled his eyes. "Sorry."

/Oh, sure, blame it on them./ Iris echoed. /Like you never had a dirty mouth before... / She snorted.

[Reese]

^{HAHAHAHA Diwata!! she is bomb XD I love her.}

---

"Once you get to it, can you take me with you?" She said. Reese looked over at her. "I'm getting tired of this place."

He arched one eyebrow. "So you're going to resign from SeeD, then?" At first he was surprised, but then after a moment of thought, it sort of made sense. She had been a part of this in order to exact revenge. With Adel dead, she had accomplished her ambitions. What more was left for her here, but a bunch of rules and regulations and annoying people like Zacke and Blaze? Of course she would want to resign.

"You're always welcome company with me." he said. "If you think you can handle it." he added with a smirk.

Deep down, he still didn't believe he was really going to get his freedom. It was still nice to talk about it, though. Toy with the thoughts. Playing pretend with Stardust... It was sort of sad, he felt like it's all their interactions were. Playing pretend. He was starting to get kind of good at it.

[Jun]

Jun was incredibly glad to hear that he didn't mind her inexperience. She wanted to hug him on the spot. But her old sense of decorum had returned by then, and she had to hold back all her gladness and channel it into a happy beam that bordered on blinding.

"Maybe I am silly, but I don't believe about that lucky part..." She shook her head, very flattered and a little self-conscious at his words. "Most of the guys that came to me for a relationship were either too bored by my nagging or they wanted a mother-substitute for a girlfriend." She paused. "I don't mean to bad mouth them or anything, it's just that I hadn't met anyone with the capacity to tolerate me..."

Until you came along...



"And oh, you are charming!" She quickly attested. "You're the most charming person I've ever known." She said, meaning every word she said without the slightest hint of sarcasm. "Maybe it's all that chivlary training gone to fruition." She grinned. "But I'm sure at your very core you're the kind that many girls would fall in love with once they get to know you."