The Honorary Ball, Part II

[Gemma Ridean]

"So how many guys have dragged you out here for a dance? I must be number ten or eleven, at least... " he joked."

Tilting her face upward, she tittered, “Try number one.” Realizing the little confession she had just made, she quickly clapped her mouth shut. Ducking her head bashfully, she confessed, “It’s strange. I’ve always felt so awkward about this sort of thing. Not just dancing I mean. Being around other people. For some reason, socialization doesn’t come naturally to me.” She carefully looked up at Zacke, her eyes traveling over the lines on his face. She liked the way the curves of his smile were slightly crooked and how she could detect faint creases etched on the surface above his mouth.

It must be nice to be able to laugh so readily, so effortlessly.

And his eyes…His eyes fascinated her. They were a piercing shade of steel blue, and yet there was never a single look of coldness in his gaze. Instead, they smiled and winked at her, as if tiny shards of light were radiating from within. It puzzled her. This wasn’t the look of SeeD. SeeDs were mercenaries, most of whom had already seen the gritty face of Death before they became adults. Such exposure can often destroy any bit of optimism and hope inside of a person.

We all carry our emotional baggage…

It was this fact that made it so hard for her to connect with someone else. She always felt like an intruder, trying to pry herself into another person’s world. How does one cross that threshold of trust? There were so many things she needed to learn….about life…about love…about death…

“How do you make it seem so easy?” she blurted out.

[Zacke]

She looked up at him. "Try number one."

Zacke's eyebrows raised just a bit. Number one? She quickly brought her parted lips together and turned her face away shyly, leaning her head against his chest again.

He smirked, glancing down at the top of her head.

No kidding... wow. The Ball had been going on for a while now. How could she have come wearing that beautiful dress, hair and makeup all fixed, sweet disposition in place, and manage not to be harassed for a dance by somebody? It just didn't make sense. Were all of these guys blind?

Well, even though he knew she could fetch someone much more 'dashing' than him if she really wanted, he was glad she had accepted dancing with him. It was much better than such a pretty girl going to waste as a wallflower.

He glanced down at her again. Her shyness was very endearing--sort of like the feeling you get when you see a kitten, or something. The 'Aww!' Everyone knows the 'Aww!' That was the feeling she gave Zacke. When she blushed, when she turned away, when she stuttered through her words. It had been so long since he'd been around a girl like this, he was conditioned to working with the violent and/or emotionally detached variety. And while he tended to treat them all the same regardless of their personality--girls, that is--he also tended to get attitude from a lot of them for it. But Gemma wasn't giving him any attitude whatsoever. It was nice not to be belittled or resented for his friendly efforts, for once. He pulled apart his loosely laced fingers and wrapped his arms around her body, just enjoying the serenity of the moment.

"How do you make it so easy?"

Huh?

Her unexpected demand snapped him out of his thoughts immediately. He glanced down at her, frowning his confusion. She had such a curious look in her eyes, gazing up at him. A wry smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "Make what seem so easy?" he asked with a soft laugh.

[Diego Stanton]

"Wha--... I am NOT exchanging dates!" Deo frowned. "Van, you don't really want to go with that.... guy thing do you?"

Blaze shot Deo a menacing look complete with Xu's signature flaring nostrils. For a moment, Deo was sure flaming balls of snot were going to shoot out at him if he didn't agree with exchanging dates.

"Uh.. I mean I don't really care. Sure, Blaze I'll be your candle lighting partner and Van.. I guess Hadrian's your new date."

[Hadrian D'arcell]

Man, Love is in the air, except around the area where these 4 are at XD AHAHAHAHA
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Hadrian's grin widened when Deo changed his mind and agreed to be Blaze's date. Right now, Blaze could think of him as a jerk, but in the long run, she would want to thank him for this public service.

"Aight, now that that's settled." Hadrian slung his arm around Deo's neck and dragged him away from Van and Blaze's earshot. There was something his ego wanted him to confirm.

"'Fess up, dude, I won't hold this against you." He brought out the printed photo of Blaze's mother once again. "Is this your mom or not?"

[vanesse]

"W...what?" Vanesse's mouth parted at Deo's decision. Is he serious?

/Hey, maybe this is for the best, as you said....fufufu.../ Paridge interjected. She knew that was a good thing, but she guessed she was just...surprised with the immediate response. Besides, she was sort of scared the hacker would act like a jerk to her. Afterall...why would Blaze not want to date him anymore?

Oddly, Hadrian dragged Deo a few feet away from them to say something, leaving her and Blaze standing side by side. Her eyebrow lifted. This hacker...he's shady...

"Hey, uhm...Blaze..?" Vanesse mumbled, her eyes fixed at Deo and Hadrian. "Is Hadrian that unbearable to be with?" She pressed her lips together.

[stardust]

"You're always welcome company with me." Stardust heard Reese say. "If you think you can handle it." He smirked.

A welcome company.

That was exactly what she wanted to hear. Lowering her eyes, she nodded. "Then...it's a deal." She pulled herself to her feet. "Wherever you want to go, you'll let me tag along." Smirking his way, she offered her hand to him.

Stardust wanted nothing from him. Even if there was, it was probably just the sense of having somewhere to go from where her journey was supposed to end. She wanted someone who could reach out to her. She knew if there was someone who was able to do that, it was him. That was why, she wanted to go with Reese. Only Reese Amaerick.

"This makes us..." she trailed off, feeling a bit embarassed of her next words. "...genuine friends, right?" Her lips pressed together on their own. She had forgotten the last time she had said those words to someone.


---------------------
I never thought the day will come that Stardust will literally SAY "Let's Be Friends" in the actual world of RP x.x The world has ended. LOL

[Reese]

^{o_______o WHAT HAS GOTTEN INTO STARDIE XD}

---

"This makes us..." she trailed off, for a second, looking a little hesitant about what she was gonna say. "...genuine friends, right?"

Friends?

Reese glanced down at her offered hand, then back at her. It was strange--this conversation. It gave him so much strength and reassurance just to talk to her, and yet at the same he felt like he was just setting himself up for a lot of heartache.

Regardless of the storm cloud hovering over his thoughts, he reached out and took her hand without any more hesitation, mustering a bit of a smirk. "Whatever you want to call it," he replied airily. He wasn't going to waste his time acting like an idiot. Whatever heartache he was going to feel later would be ten times worse if he had regrets about the way he lived his last free days. If this was really going to be his last few weeks with Stardust, he was going to make them worth remembering for when he found himself rotting in a prison cell.

"You should come back inside," he said. He flashed a devilish smirk. "I was just going to yell at Mercutio later, but I've just thought of a really good idea for how we can actually get back at the little dickwad. Trust me, you'll want to see this. I want you to be with me for it."

[Gemma Ridean]

"Make what seem so easy?"

This small interjection startled her and Gemma let out a small gasp. Had she said that out loud? Tentatively peering up at Zacke's face, it was quite obvious that he had heard her and was now looking back at her, naturally confused and somewhat amused as well.

Well you've already opened your mouth, might as well ask him.

Nervously, she licked her lips. They felt dry.

"Um..." she paused, searching for the right words. "It seems like you're always joking, laughing..you know...having a good time with the people around you...and most people seem to enjoy your company as well. It's an enviable gift, you know?" She smiled sadly. "Anyways, I was just curious..how all that seems so easy for you."

[Jax Ridean]

"CAN YOU SPEAK TO THEM TOO? CAN YOU???" She asked, breathless with anticipation of his answer. "CAN YOU SEE ABLE AND SIGNE TOO? WHAT DID THEY SAY? ARE THEY OKAY? QUICK TELL ME!"

He didn’t want to hurt her. She was such a precious little thing. Glancing at Jaime, he could see eyes anxiously beseeching him for a response, her mouth hanging half-way as if her excitement prevented her from closing it. It made him feel a bit guilty for raising her hopes up. Who were Signe and Able anyways? Returning to his memories of the final battle against Adel, he vaguely recollected Deo and his wish to the sisters…something about not being able to choose…Lawric…..s-s--SIGNE AND ABLE!

His mouth flew open.

How could he have been so insensitive? Seeing the body of Lawric materialize and that stone floor, he remembered the Opps…they were hugging, tears were streaming down their cheeks…at the time, he assumed they were tears of happiness. He hadn’t even considered the others…

Lost in his thoughts, he hadn’t even realized that Jaime was still clutching on to his hand, eagerly awaiting a response.

He shook his head disappointedly. “Nah, I can’t see them anymore. But I’m sure they’re having a blast, wherever they are.” He felt some of the old fire returning to him. “Although I think I heard one of them say that Lawric shouldn’t be leaving his pretty date alone at the bar.” He patted her hand affectionately and winked. “Even if she is keeping a drunkard like me company.”

[waterlily43]

Jaime's mouth turned down in disappointment when Jax said that he couldn't see them anymore. She would've been so happy to know for sure that they were really alright..when she thought of the way they were shot, her chest would become really tight and she wanted to cry.

She smiled slightly at the term pretty date. "If you're a drunkard then your'e a dashing one too!"

She opened her mouth wide as she thought a little belatedly about Lawric.

"Oh no, I left Lawric at the table! He's gonna be soooo mad at me!" Her brow creased with worry. She quickly turned to Jax.

"We have to go back to our table, they would wonder where we've been." She quipped, and began to take him by the hand dragging him towards the Trin tables. When she reached the place where Lawric had sat before they went on stage, it was empty.

"Have you guys seen Lawric?" She asked looking at Stella, then Rayden. "Tall guy, brown hair white tux?"

[Stella]

"Well hello to you too" Stella quipped looking up at the bubbly blond woman. Her and Jax certainly looked like they were having a good time.

"Umm I think I saw him on the dance floor with Jun earlier, don't know where they've gotten to now" Stella replied looking around to see if she could spot either of them.

[jaimelewis]

"Oh sorry. Hi Stella, Rayden." She stuck out her tongue in embarrassement. She probably seemed Rude with a capital R to Stella just barging in and asking a question like that. "I was just afraid he would be angry at me for leaving him alone here."

She frowned.

Dancing with Jun? I didn't know those two knew each other enough for a SLOW DANCE.

There was an unpleasant, sour feeling rising up from her chest. There she was worrying about him being neglected, and he's off dancing with Jun?

"Excuse me." She muttered to Jax, Stella and Rayden.

She turned, meandering through the crowd, looking for Lawric's attention-grabbing white suit. It shouldn't be that hard to find him, he was a spot of white amongst the sea of coloured and dark suits, but he was no where to be found. She hadn't seen him at the bar, since she had been there just earlier, nor the tables near the bar.

WHERE THE HECK IS HE?

She had not given any thought to why she just had to find him, but she wanted to drag him away from Jun. Jun was an attractive woman, she was so very afraid of what kind of effect she would have on Lawric. She had seen the way they conversed outside Xu's office, or when the admiring glance at her in that dress. She thought those were things to be ignored, but it was all fitting together like pieces of a missing puzzle.

She poked her head into each of the balconies. Some were empty, some had couples making out in them, some had people smoking in them, one even had an inebriated blonde...oh that woman who looked like Signe. When she got to the one at the end, she hid near the entrance like a ghost. She had found him.

He was there, and he was holding Jun so close to him, their lips hovering inches from each other, her hands circling his neck. He was looking at Jun with an expression that Jaime had wished for so long, but held back because they were 'just friends" and this woman who had only known him for a few days managed to snag it.

What did she have that Jaime didn't? She wanted to yell out at them, but no words would come to her throat. Then she suddenly realised she didn't want to hear the answer. She didn't even want him to see her there. What kind of reaction would he have?

Nothing that she would've wanted to see.

Clapping a hand over her trembling mouth, she turned away from the balcony and ran weaving blindly through the dancefloor, almost bumping into a few people along the way. She had to get to the ballroom exit. She couldn't stay here.

Anywhere but here.


She slammed the ballroom doors open, running out and resting on one of the pillars, finally resting there, her strength running out as swiftly as air escaping from an unfastened balloon. Her tears came out hot and fast, dripping onto the marble floor like raindrops.

[Jax Ridean]

Watching Jaime walk off to go search for Lawric, Jax found himself feeling very unsettled...almost resentful...He had seen the furtive glances exchanged between Jun and Lawric throughout the day...and now this Lawric guy was no where to be found. What right did he have to abandon his friend like that?

He could still a mass of blonde curls swimming through the crowd of people on the dance floor.

She's still looking for him..

And for some reason he didn't want her to. He didn't want her to find out what he suspected was already going on.

/Why do you care? You don't even know her./

"Excuse me guys," he roughly announced to Stella and Rayden, and quickly followed her.

The massive horde of bodies were blocking his view, that he suddenly lost sight of Jaime.

The thought quickly occured to him to check the balconies. Jax tried to apologize as he pushed past, hell even knocked over a couple of dancers. Finally clearing the chaotic dance floor, he headed for the nearest balcony.

No sign of Jaime, except for a couple that looked like they were try to eat eachothers' faces. Delicately taking a detour around them, he leaned over the side in order to get a better view of the side balconies.

And then he saw them. Jun and Lawric. They were standing so close...perhaps they were just having an intimate conversation...until Lawric leaned in and their lips were locked together.

He turned away. Who the hell did Lawric think he was? Suddenly, he caught a glimpse of gold out of the corner his eye.

He felt a crushing feeling in the pit of his stomache. She had seen them. He waited to hear for the firestorm that was sure to come. Strangely enough, silence lingered in the air. She was just watching them...as if she was too stunned to speak..

All of a sudden, she was gone.

Not even aware of himself, he sprinted out the door back into the ballroom.

"Jaime! Jaime!" he called out, but to no avail.

He heard the main door slam.

Moving as fast as he could without causing a scene, he exited the ballroom doors.

Catching his breath, he circled the marble pavilion, trying to catch any glimpse of blue.

A loud sniffling caught his attention. There she was, sitting in the corner, her knees curled up close to her body, her arms wrapped around herself, her face was covered in her hands.

Carefully, he approached her. Removing his suit jacket, he tenderly wrapped it over her bare shoulders. He crouched on the floor in front of her. He knew not to say anything yet. Having an older sister taught him that sometimes it was better to listen.

[Diego Stanton]

"Wha--- where'd you get this?!" Deo demanded when Hadrian flashed the photograph in his face. He pushed Hadrian's arms off of him. "Don't tell me you told.... Blaze! She doesn't need to know."

Deo wasn't exactly the kind of "My long lost sister!! I've missed you so!" type of hugging nostalgic guy either. Sure they were related but right now they were nothing more than strangers. How long had he known Blaze now? Less than a week? And all during that time he had barely even talked to her. She had tried to convince her teammates to kill him, Jaime and Vanesse for Hyne's sake!

Besides, he could guess Blaze wouldn't exactly be thrilled by the news. He and she were complete opposites, so was there even a point in letting her know? He could imagine the scenario now. Him saying, "hey... I'm kinda like your older brother." and she saying, "oh." and that was it. What else was there to say?

"You'd better not treat Vanesse like you do Blaze or I'll blow your head open." Deo said to Hadrian blandly just as he felt Jaime push them aside and rush out of the ballroom floor. She seemed to be in tears. The pilot guy was rushing after her.

Deo threw a concerned look at Vanesse. "Where's Lawric?!" He yelled over at her since they were standing quite far apart.

[Blaze Sanaku]

LMAO Deo, Blaze, Van and Hadrian are sooo romantic *sighhh* You can feel the love in the air *_*!!!

---

"Hey, uhm...Blaze..?" Vanesse mumbled tentatively, as if afriad of asking the question, "Is Hadrian that unbearable to be with?"

"Yeah, he's such a douchebag!!! You don't know what you got yourself into agreeing to be his date!" Blaze fumed, even though it was she who suggested that Hadrian take Van on as a date. After she had calmed down a bit, she thought of something. Something that made the corner of her mouth twitch.

"But you know what, Vanesse? The one thing I've learned is that Hadrian really really loves dancing. Not slow dancing, but like the real kind. Waltzing and such. He'll be on your good side if you ask him for a dance! How 'bout it?" Blaze asked her, with her eyes wide and innocent. "Oh and no hard feelings.. you know.. earlier when I wanted to kill you guys. Just forget all that, kay?" Vanesse would eat this up, she was so gullible.