Re: Shall We Dance?
Chapter Three
Truth lies Within
His boots pattered slowly, fearfully, up the stairs. He whispered curses in his native language as he watched the blades of grass sway in the wind’s gentle embrace, eyes downcast. I can’t do this. I just can’t. The message swirled in his mind, pinpointing itself between each lobe of his brain, throbbing with each pulse. I can’t do this.
“Yes, you can. Just go up and give them your name.”
Harvey had left the werewolf on his own now, to fend for himself. After all, the man was twenty-six years old. If he couldn’t take care of himself now, how did he expect to get anything done in the years that followed? He therefore left the lycan to care for himself, having taught him everything he could think of. Strangely, Raziel seemed to have a great idea of how he could act like a prince, but would not reveal it. This surprised Harvey, but the man decided to let the werewolf do as he wished.
“I can’t…” Raziel mumbled, glancing up towards the warm glow of the indoors and the emanating light through the sparkling glass. “I just can’t.” The lycan was understandably shaken by the thought of a formal gala, especially since Raziel had always been a down-to-earth person.
A great sigh erupted from his mind, and the voice charmingly replied. “Then move over, idiot.” Raziel clutched his chest, falling to his knees for a split-second until the white enveloped him. A dim light, so as not to attract attention, but the guards and guests were much too involved to even notice the new figure brushing himself off.
Standing taller than Raziel by a few inches, the White Knight blinked calmly, fixing his gloves and cape, his attire completely composed of dark blue and ebony white. Even his shoulder-length hair was a bright, clear, and white. His icy orbs were well-concealed behind the standard white jeweled mask, nearly feminine in appearance. He approached the guards, intricate fluidity in his steps, and every flicker of his eyes was reeking of royalty or some nobility. He glanced with a bit of a bored glazed look in his eyes, raising one eyebrow. “The Lunar Prince is here.” He stated, sounding not the least bit interested.
While one man began to check the list hurriedly in his right hand, flipping pages, the other just stared at the White Knight. “You don’t seem to be in here, sir. May I have your name? Your real name?”
After a moment pausing, The White Knight chuckled. “Not on the list?” He erupted into a full-hearted laugh. “My good sir… do you know who I am?”
“No, it couldn’t be!” One guard remarked. “Sir Terry? You really had us fooled, sir.” Both immediately acted to open the door, neither bothering to question any further. “We should have known, sir. You did hint that you would be unrecognizable this year.” He nodded after a few moments.
“Thank you, gentlemen.” The White Knight brushed through the doors, only pausing for a moment to hear a carriage rattling up behind him. This was undoubtedly containing another couple just waiting to enter and take part in the festivities. Once inside, the White Knight took in his surroundings, sure to gain his bearings in case of needed escape.
“Who’s Terry?” Raziel asked, voice becoming dim. It was time already?
How should I know? He’s some random guy that apparently likes to flaunt his looks. Don’t worry so much. Sounds like you’re getting weak already. After we get done winning this dance contest or whatever it is, we’ll switch again. As much as the White Knight hated to admit it, he wasn’t strong enough to take over the lycan’s body. Not yet. For now, just rest. Let yourself fade back into my consciousness. No reply came, so The White Knight relaxed, gazing about the huge interiors.
A chandelier hung gingerly from the top of the building, diamonds dangling to reflect the different patterns of light upon the marble floor. Several couples were already dancing, even if the contest hadn’t officially begun yet. Food lined dozens of banquet tables, so delectable-looking that the White Knight could hardly help himself.
He headed over to the wines, picking a bottle up and popping the cork with ease. The entire scene of the ball nearly seemed like a dream, vast colors and swirling dresses flowing about the feet of the women that wore them. Each woman was beautiful, especially one that caught the White Knight’s eye. Obviously they had just entered, as she was new to his eyes. He knew every woman before but this one.
She danced with a grace severely lacking in the other couples, the man forming somewhat of a backbeat with the music due to his polished sword tapping along his waist. The White Knight eyed the intricate sword nearly nervously. This man was obviously a fencer, or something along the sort. Something about his stance, the way he held himself, told the White Knight that he knew fighting techniques, and he had fought before. Obviously very young as evidenced by the youthful sparkle in his eyes, the White Knight wondered what he was doing with an older woman. Well, a little older, anyway.
She looked to be in her late twenties. His eyes once again drifted to the sword; he had forgotten he was staring. What did he have to worry about? As he looked closer, the stranger’s vibrant green hair stood out to the man, complimented well by the dark green suit he wore, completely green. Well, it was easy to guess what color the man favored the most. Strange, he nearly felt in his gut that the man had met him before. No, impossible. He turned his sights from the man to the woman he was dancing with.
The delicate flower whirled nearly effortlessly, the bottom of her dress flowing out. The White Knight liked this woman already, not just because she was the most radiant one he had seen so far, but because she wore all white. Thin gloves on her hands and a tight blonde bun formed from her hair accentuated her figure well. She laughed from across the floor as her partner twirled her. The two looked to be the perfect couple; their smiles both said that they adored each other. The White Knight faded out of reality for a few moments, deep in thought about his own past and if there had ever been a girl he loved.
“I’ll take some of that.” The White Knight turned, blinking in surprise. There was a new girl staring at him, arms crossed, and a rather irritated look on her face. “Well? I said pour it, waiter man, or I’ll take my wine from your…” She cut off, pausing before putting a smile on her face. “Just pour it.”
“I’m not a waiter. If you want your own wine, you can damn well pour it yourself.” He said, watching her expression erupt from its previous fake smile to an angry glower. “Ah. That’s what I like to see. A woman who knows what she wants, huh? Allow me.” He snatched two glasses up, balancing them in one hand and equally pouring an amount of the sparkling red wine into the shiny goblets.
“Well.” She accepted it, giving him time to look her over. She wore a lovely emerald green dress, thin straps just covering her shoulders and two slits up the sides of the dress to reveal her thighs. “It’s nice to see some people take orders.” She accepted the glass, sipping. Her brown hair hung beautifully about her shoulders, even if she probably didn’t mean it. She was slim, pretty for a woman, even so much as to possibly rival the other one. However, unlike the other woman, this one didn’t seem to have a partner.
He sipped his own glass, tasting the wine and sloshing it around his tongue. “What’s your name?”
“New Blood Wake.”
“Suits you.” He watched her glance towards the shadows. “Lunar Prince is mine.”
“Lunar Prince?” She repeated, glancing back at him. Both watched the dancing for a few moments. “You seem to know what you’re doing.” She replied after a moment. “Why are you here, anyway?”
“To win the money for the dance-off. Only one problem remains. I have yet to find a dancing partner. You seem to be free. What about you, why are you here?”
Why am I here? To find Raziel and kill him. He’s close, but I can’t smell him. I know he’s here, though! He has to be! “Same.” She replied, not wanting to reply with her true reasons.
“Then it would seem we are in good conditions together, are we not?” The White Knight replied, holding out a hand after giving a sweeping bow. “Please do me this honor, New Blood Wake? Either way, I’ll win. Seeing your face behind that mask at midnight will be worth it.” Of course, by that time, The White Knight knew Raziel would be in control, but it was alright with him. He felt attracted to this woman, yes, but it was good for the werewolf to get some contact with women every once in a while.
“Yes. I will.” She whispered, taking his hand after glancing towards the shadows once more. Her eyes met her mate’s, as he stood in the corner, staring straight at her. She took her hand from the White Knight’s for a moment, looking to his puzzled expression and back at the shadow. He was gone. Sakume glanced around, but did not see him. He knew, didn’t he? That she didn’t mean it. She hoped so. She didn’t want anything to stop them. Not that she felt extremely attracted to Shinu or anything, but she knew he was… well, a good provision for her goals. Now that she was close to achieving them, she would have time for things like possible romances and feelings.
They walked out onto the dance floor, twirling in time with the music. Time flew by, the couples one by one fading out, leaving finally The White Knight and the couple he had seen enter at first. Midnight was nearing, and neither couple showed any sign of weakness. The blonde woman equaled Sakume in every move.
Outside, people crowded to see what would happen. If midnight came first, the couples would remove their masks and kiss. It was tradition, and it was not easily broken. The driver of the carriage that had taken the green-haired man to the ball also peeked through the window in curiosity, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. Two couples left. What a beautiful sight. After he finished rubbing down his horse, Raz, maybe he would see what remained, and who the winner was.
The clock ticked away the minutes until finally, there was the loud bonging of the twelfth hour. Everyone, including the couples, still remaining equally matched, stopped. The White Knight turned as the final gong sounded, seeing the woman in white and the man in green already kissing, looking very blissful. He turned back to his partner, and reached a hand gently up to her mask, she doing the same. He lifted her mask, exposing her dark eyes, and she revealed him, the two watching one another.
Sakume noticed Shinu once more, most likely just watching her for now, and glanced down. The White Knight noticed this, and tilted his head. “New Blood Wake, may I ask you a personal question?”
“Yes?”
“What is your name? Your real name?” He grimaced, knowing it would come soon. He had to tell her!
Sakume paused for a moment, leaning up and taking his head down towards hers to whisper. “Sakume. Sakume Oscuridad.” Before he could reply, she leaned forward, pressing her lips to his for just a split-second, to keep the tradition as the people chanted for them to do so. A bright light shone as the White Knight lost his control, flashing to blind all nearby. The woman staggered back, her brown hair falling with her figure as she slumped to the floor in confusion. “Wha… What happened? Lunar Prince?” She glanced up, and silently inhaled.
“Sakume?”