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“I’m not so sure about this Arin, we look… uh…”
“Spectacular! That’s how we look”
As Arin tightened the back of Sora’s dress she could just keep thinking about how silly this entire thing was. Not the sneak, definitely not, it wasn’t the first time they sneak out of the temple to the Crossroads. But the ball? That was definitely new.
At the crossroads, events weren’t a weird thing at all, festivals, tournaments, racing; you name it, it has already happened there. However Arin was never interested in coming to the balls, and Sora couldn’t care less. Formalities weren’t her thing. Yet there she was, wearing a pink and golden dress while waiting for Arin to get ready.
She felt weird at the sight of herself against the mirror, it has been long since the last time.
“And ready. How do I look?” Black suit, with fake golden jewelry and a yellowish-orange tie.
“Classy, where did you even get this stuff? Did you buy it?”
“Nope. Mr. Froghicky managed to do some clothes in some spare time at his sewing classes, as an excuse that we needed to “expand” our closet” He turned around searching for something in his closet “I did some touches though, you don’t really believe he would do such great job, did you?”
“I’m afraid I don’t. He doesn't have your taste.” a small chuckle left her.
“Exactly! Here” he turned towards Sora and handed her 2 well done Barocco masks, WAY too well done.
“Guessing Mr. Froghicky didn’t make these too, huh. What are these even for?” She touched the small cat ears that hung over the eyes and small pink accents along with more golden and white details. Gatto Barocco if she recalls correctly, so pretty. “You don’t want people to recognize us or what?”
“Yes but” said while trying on his mask in the mirror. He had a Columbina mask with Oni related theme, interesting. “It’s supposed to be a kind of anonymous ball. Seems that they went for a theme this year.” Sora lifted her head to look at Arin “Aren’t they cool?”
A smile grew on her lips as she closed her eyes “Pretty cool.”
It didn’t matter the reason, she would gladly do anything along with her friend, even something as silly as a ball in the middle of the street.
へ ♡ ╱|、
૮ > <) (˚ˎ 。7
/ ⁻ ៸| |、˜〵
乀(ˍ, ل ل じしˍ,)ノ
The “ball” (if you could even call it that anymore) was more like a party, people dressed nicely but not nicely enough, the band was playing loud and energetic music.
And ‘Not nicely enough’ was an observation. She and Arin were way a bit’ overdressed' and starting to get more attention than she would’ve desired.
“The flier stated a more formal wear, huh.” Arin looked nervously at Sora, cracking a broken smile. They both felt awkward when they caught people looking at them. Good thing the masks were covering their faces, otherwise she probably would’ve begged Arin to go back. “Let’s uhh, enjoy this. Ok? We worked hard on our outfits and we are already here” He tried to give her a small warm smile “Let’s have fun.”
“Yes” She shakes her head “Yes, you’re right. We are here to have fun, and we will!” She then grabbed Arin from his forearm and dragged him to the center of the dancefloor as colorful lights and loud music became their environment.
They were gonna have a great time and enjoy the night.
へ ♡ ╱|、
૮ > <) (˚ˎ 。7
/ ⁻ ៸| |、˜〵
乀(ˍ, ل ل じしˍ,)ノ
Jordana leaned to the wall as she took a sip to the cranberry juice and looked to the dancefloor. She read two weeks ago about the ball and was excited about the idea of a formal dance. She worked on her suit the entire time, trying to make every single detail matter. A navy blazer along with navy pants that hugged her body perfectly. An eggshell ruffle blouse with small embroidery with Ultra Violet #645394 (handmade) that make her pop and some shining black derby shoes. Finally, a sapphire-wolf themed corsage, small detail that she felt it added the spice needed in her suit. The perfect attire for such an occasion.
But as soon as she got there she noticed that nothing was like the flier said, surely it didn’t state the type of the environment that would be there, but it was a ball! for Imperium’s sake! It was on the name!.
A groan left her.
It was such a disappointment. She took the time to craft her entire outfit and an ungodly amount of time to style her hair just to be standing at a wall in a corner drinking cranberry juice? Absolutely not! But there weren’t many options, even the music choices were limited enough to enjoy.
She recalls Cinder calling her out, ‘It’s not what you think it is. Those are way more informal that you think they are’ and he was right, but she didn’t think he would be right. Yet Jordana wasn’t gonna return to their lair just to get annoyed by Cinder’s ‘Told you so’, ugh.
She took another sip and locked her sight to the dance floor. Covering the centre of the crossroads a wooden platform was there to keep all the dancers in the same space, successfully failing since many people were dancing along to the energetic music outside of it. Most of them were kids just jumping around with their parents or grandparents, some teenagers dancing in groups and just a small number of couples enjoying the fast moves.
And among the entire crowd there she was. A girl. A pretty light pink apron, way puffier than the usual, golden accents at the bottom and top along with pink and white accents just to pop the dress even more. Some tulle hanging from the sides creating a dream-like silhouette. And the sleeves were almost translucent, pink with small gold and white embroidery at the wider ends.
A sight one may think was only available in a dream.
That girl, tan skinned with striking pink hair pulled down by gel, only leaving her tips curl in such a perfect way.
Sora.
She didn’t even have to take a second look, she knew it was her. Of course it was her, she would never forget the sight of her rival even if she tried to hide.
She felt flush cover her head, anger flooded her blood as she looked at her having so much fun around that boy, Arin.
Looking so over the board of fun with her pretty dress and pretty hair- but sloppy dance moves if you asked her. Sora thought she was just so much better than the rest huh, how dare she, looking that pretty in such a dress and with that pretty mask, as if she had the entire world in her palm. As if she owned it.
Her plastic cup crushed under her claws and the cranberry juice splashed to the floor.
She thought she was that good, huh? Jordana was gonna make her the word ‘lame’ definition.
へ ♡ ╱|、
૮ > <) (˚ˎ 。7
/ ⁻ ៸| |、˜〵
乀(ˍ, ل ل じしˍ,)ノ
Sora and Arin gulp down each bottle of water. They were probably no more than 30 min dancing but they were already made a sweat mess. Song by song they both knew all by heart and couldn’t stop dancing until the band gave them a break.
“Ohmygodi’msotired” Arin muttered fast, trying to catch air. Pulling his tie down so air could go through his blouse.
“Agree” muttered tiredly Sora, grabbing a napkin and getting the sweat out of her neck. “This is more tiring than i would’ve thought”
“At least it’s better than training with Wyldfyre, right?” both barked laughing, remembering the times they got to battle against the child and unable to even breath among the intense heat that radiated the elemental master.
As they waited for the band to start playing again (and for their bodies to get cooled down) they went for a flavored drink.
“A mangonada please” said Arin, giving himself air with his hand.
“What about you, pink?” asked the Serpentine while her tail worked on serving her friend’s beverage.
“Cranberry juice.”
The band was slowly gathering again, some members were leaving, some stayed and some were arriving. So far it’s been really fun. It has been a long time since she and Arin have shared such fun. Sora was really enjoying their time there. It wasn’t what they expected, nonetheless this will become a core memory of their friendship.
“Ready for another round?” asked Sora playfully as she looked at her friend literally melting in his tight suit. Thanking the first master that Mr. Froghicky didn’t choose to make her a suit and wasn’t suffocating. Her dress was more light and breathable than it looked like.
“Not sure,” said the boy breathing heavily. “If you hadn’t figured it out yet, I'm dying.” Said while frowning to his friend, cracking a laugh from Sora.
As they chatted some more the band started to gather around and a more slow melody started to sound. Not less energetic, but more melancholic, reverb, prolly gothic. They both got up to stand up to the side of the dancefloor, more people started to gather too. No one but some couples dared to go along with the more slow paced melody.
“What about that? A slow dance, you good for that?” said Arin in an exhale, still not getting enough air and sweating.
“Yeah, sounds good. Long time since I've- ACK!”
Out of nowhere and without really acknowledging at the moment, Sora was grabbed from her forearm to the dancefloor, almost falling due to the unevenness of the floor. Hitting against the chest of a person.
Then she felt a hand grab her waist and looked up, hooking in those hazel eyes with a spark of red in them, couldn’t really tell if they reflected the lights or if she was imaging them at the back of their Colombina Barocco Terra mask.
Sora turned for a second to her friend, not sure if she should push and run back to Arin or dance with this insistent stranger. Arin pointing two thumbs up and a big smile watching his friend dancing with the stranger that totally forgot to ask her. But oh well, once in a lifetime, right? The song will end and she can calmly go back with her friend, dancing again to a fun song. Sure.
This will be fun.
へ ♡ ╱|、
૮ > <) (˚ˎ 。7
/ ⁻ ៸| |、˜〵
乀(ˍ, ل ل じしˍ,)ノ
Her eyes never left Sora. She couldn’t help but to follow the pink dot among the crowd, popping as if she was meant to never leave her sight. Eating with her eyes the silhouette, imagining her on her knees crying pitifully, as she deserved.
Planning how to make Sora feel embarrassed in front of all the people, as the failure she was, as the mess she knew the girl was.
Millions of ideas racing, trying to decide which would be the best to tear her soul apart in such a non-menacing event. Pushing her towards a food or drink stand, tearing her dress, pouring cranberry juice, grabbing her by the pink curls and leaving a bruise in her face; ruinning her night was Jordana’s objective and she couldn’t stop thinking about her rival looking at her with rage and sadness after spoiling her night.
Slow paced melody was floating through the environment, an upgrade in music. People gathered around the dancefloor yet not actually dancing, just curious by the music choice and the few brave couples around that were barely moving, just pressed against the other.
Jordana’s sight went straight to the pink dot again, watching the girl’s curiosity as well.
She didn’t know what happened, red’s body walked fast towards pink’s and grabbed her forearm. Now she was dragging the girl to the centre of the dancefloor while stumbling on her own steps and tugging the other’s waist harshly against her own body.
This was a plan sure, they will dance and- stumble, yes! She will make Sora fall and embarrass herself in front of the whole crowd, no- she would make Sora fall MANY times. As if it wasn’t gonna be easy, pink’s moves were so sloppy and open, it wouldn’t take much to show the whole people around how pathetic the girl was. Let’s ignore her head getting dizzy and warm. Yes, Jordana you’re so smart.
へ ♡ ╱|、
૮ > <) (˚ˎ 。7
/ ⁻ ៸| |、˜〵
乀(ˍ, ل ل じしˍ,)ノ
Sora figured she had to put her arms around the mysterious person but had barely the time since the person dragged her closer to the centre, scary but that’s ok. There weren’t many people around if she did embarrass herself. Back to reality when she felt an even stronger hold on her waist and a hand searching for hers, they had some small cuts and burns.
I wonder what this stranger’s job is.
They started to move, back and forward slowly, starting to distance the other a little more. Back and forward while orbiting the other, lights dim over them.
Then faster, red started to do spring while holding pink, lifting her slightly over the floor. Lighter than I thought.
Sora started to make mistakes while dancing due to the stranger’s fast pace and when they lifted her she felt like in a movie just to stumble when she landed.
A more intense beat, they got closer. Pink started to get the pace, getting close and far from the person while holding hands and as the beat talked to her. Letting the music speak to her body.
Fast moves, knees buckling while running in circles feeling the music guide them. Sora even let herself to slightly touch red’s cheek, spun around and fell into the taller’s arms, keeping rhythm with the song. Twirling around their arms while spinning in their own orbit. Just swirling over and over and over, she even let a grin and laugh come out while looking at the hazel gems.
Jordana long into the dance was planning the exact time to start to spoil it and make her rival fall to her knees
She wasn’t falling at all! She just kept stumbling and laughing and swirling around her arms! Her plan was crumbling apart, Jordana’s heart was shaking a while back, the adrenaline she guessed. She had to find a way to crumble the girl’s confidence and finally let her fall so horribly from the top of the platform.
The more they danced the more people started to gather around, some couples left and some others joined them, watching the two strangers engage in such moving choreography.
She couldn’t wait anymore, it was now or never. Jordana stretched a leg between Sora’s, provoking the girl to be about to crash against the floor.
Sora suddenly felt like falling, dread filling her insides and instinctively grabbed the stranger’s blazer.
Jordana felt a strong tug in her blazer and immediately bent towards the floor. Big black pearls shining through the dim lights. Adrenaline through her veins; surely that’s why she felt sick and dizzy.
Her plan failed.
Sora was barely over the floor. The beat dropped as they did and the small crowd went wild at the perfect dancers-music timing.
Red didn’t think twice before grabbing pink’s waist and pressing her against her own body before she could actually reach the floor. Then she lifted her, starting to slowly dance like the beginning, back and forth, left to right slowly. The song was slowly ending.
Sora was feeling so bad about the strong tug, before she could speak she felt the person’s heartbeat through their pumping wrist veins. It went pretty fast, they got scared too.
Suddenly she felt a hand pulling her small curls down, face up as her waist was squeezed more harshly than the other times. She froze, not understanding what was happening.
Suddenly their face bended to her left side, feeling the stranger's breath. Cranberry juice. Their breath also felt warm, it sent her shivers down her spine. The tension was killing her as the other pressed their bodies more, not wanting to let go apparently. Then a whisper.
“...I wanna fucking tear you apart.”
Then Jordana walked away, her steps sounding loudly on the wooden floor while Sora was standing there, fazed and frozen in her position.
Right under Sora’s ear was a plum colored kiss mark.
The end.