The ball took place in the biggest building on the Trinity campus: The Hot Plate. Only they emptied and moved the tables to the side and opened the moveable walls that surrounded the internal open space inside the two-story building. Aleodei looked around, everyone who wasn't on the front lines or on shift at the front gates was there. She noticed the decorations she helped create. There was a small orchestra and Aleodei narrowed her eyes at how well these people all of a sudden forgot there was a war going on. She felt grim and angry that she was succumbing to this foul celebration. She wanted to begin screaming and throwing things. She stuck her hand in her pocket to keep herself in control and felt around for the small stone, which she gripped tight. This was an elestone. A physical representation of a core that the Drigenife created to be able to share and pass on their core. Her master gave it to her just before he was struck down and she has closely held onto it since, not wanting to completely absorb it and lose one of the only things left of her master. She looked around as people murmured and slightly pointed at her. May'Qli had made her a special mask for the ball and she wore Belm's black suit tearing its sleeves and leaving her muscular thin arms exposed as she wore a cape on her back as long as her calves. She tightened her tie and walked on, ignoring the pointing people. Normally she wouldn't have come to this ball, but a week before, one of the generals visited her while on a trip to the prisons. Pyro General Florius invited her on behalf of Lady Monarch, who in many undertones of threats and warnings, invited her as a "special guest." Aleodei sighed and moved upstairs to look for an uncrowded corner to stand in.
She arrived at the top of the stairs and moved forward before a certain little lady tapped her shoulder.
"Aleodei,"
"Duin," Aleodei called out, slightly pleased and gently smiling behind her mask. The girl gave a toothy grin.
"Look! I got to serve!" she said excitedly, holding a plate of fizzy drinks, gleaming with her little green bow tie and all white attire. Aleodei chuckled lightly and shook her head. She didn't like this ball, but Duin always made things brighter.
"You look elegant," Aleodei commented holding a thumbs up. Duin smiled and bowed her head.
"Thank you thank you, esteemed guest," she said offering the drink. Aleodei raised her hand denying politely.
"I think those gentlemen want a drink," she said gesturing to a group of men looking over and calling for drinks. Duin smiled sheepishly and nodded quickly dismissing herself to go attend to them. Aleodei moved to a small corner and looked around. All around were soldiers laughing and enjoying themselves. That anger she felt before welled up again, that hatred and bitterness for this damn place.
"Mind if I ask for this dance?"
A voice called out from behind, Aleodei turned and saw it was a woman. Alluring, tall, thick, and dark, her hair in a beautiful afro, and she wore a velvet dress with a leg slit. Aleodei narrowed her eyes behind her mask and stood without a response. The woman smirked and grabbed Aleodei's hand and pulled at her.
"I don't bite," she said getting closer. Aleodei held her breath in uncomfort. "let's dance," her husky voice said leading Aleodei to the center where everyone else slow danced.
"Who are you?" Aleodei asked stiffly swaying with the woman. she wasn't much older than Aleodei, maybe around twenty-five years old. she smirked and leaned in,
"I'm General Florious-" she whispered calmly. Aleodei's body pulsed and she forced herself not to tense up. "-but you can call me Disha," She whispered. Aleodei took in a breath and leaned in closer.
"Why would a general like you be showing your face in a place like this?" she asked sternly. Disha shrugged.
"I like not being recognized, plus I can flirt with pretty girls," She pulled at Aleodei's waist. "Like this," she finished with a smile in her voice. Aleodei stopped breathing.
"What constitutes me as a pretty girl?" Aleodei asked daringly. "You haven't even seen my face." she was well aware that this was the highest pyro core in the land, and while she herself could control fire, she didn't know if she could even go toe to toe with this general. Disha chuckled lowly.
"Despite the mask, I can see into your eyes, and I can tell that you're one of those pretty girls with lots of baggage, my favorite," she said in a low husky voice. Aleodei got shivers and Disha chuckled. "not used to compliments? I can change that," she said gently nipping Aleodei's earlobe. Aleodei fought the urge to react. this was a dangerous situation.
"What do you want? are the other generals here as well?" Aleodei said trying to sound not affected. Disha separated herself a little understanding she wouldn't get to Aleodei with seduction.
"No. The others find this dumb, boring, and dangerous to go against Lady Monarch in such a way," she said with slight annoyance in her voice, but then leaned back in." but make no mistake I'd give my life if Lady Monarch asked, I just like going to balls without being flocked or stared at." Aleodei waited to see if she'd answer her first question. Disha sighed. "I wanted to meet you personally. You intrigued me," She said closely. "To see if you're really a Drigenife," She said whispering in Aleodei's ear. "and also to see if you would dance with me," she said grinning. Aleodei looked around. this is one long ass song.
"I'm already dancing with you," she replied simply, Disha laughed.
"But you haven't danced danced with me," She said suggestively. Realization sunk in Aleodei and she narrowed her eyes and made a grossed out face.
"OH," she replied, Disha laughed in response.
"You are a Drigenife aren't you?" She said in her ear. Aleodei stayed quiet and just swayed, as the song ended and she tore apart from Disha in seconds. Disha glanced at her with amusement in her eyes.
"It's been- interesting meeting you Disha," Aleodei said stepping back with panic. hope we never meet again. she thought as she backed into the crowd and watched Disha disappear with a smile. She sighed and moved to a corner looking around cautiously.
Then a velvet-colored hair caught her eye and she saw Claire and Belm closely together.
Aleodei glanced at Claire and Belm and saw them look at each other with such an intense love that it astonished her. Claire in her beautiful pink dress and Belm in a suit. How could such a love survive such a disgusting and hideous war when hers couldn't? Her heart sank and she looked down. Anger and bitterness met their limit and then suddenly dissipated and all that was left was sadness. She hated being angry, she hated feeling this constant agony watching Claire and Belm interact she wanted it to stop. She turned away, a tear dropping from her mask as she walked out to the balcony looking into the sky. When was this to end? This anger burned her and now she was like a lifeless candle, unable to give anymore. If she had to continue this fight if she had to continue trying to end the war she couldn't do it on just pure hatred and anger. Her people needed to be avenged. The world needed to be saved. So many things she had to do but right now all she wanted was to be held. The classical music faded and all she felt was tired. tired and moist because she had cried with her mask on and now her face was damp. She looked off into the dark forest looking at the floating castle farther away in the distance. She sighed and wished May'Qli was here, she wished this ball was over, she wished her love held her but knew that that wish was stupid.
Suddenly a dark malicious feeling interrupted her thoughts and she swiftly turned toward the inside of the party, just before she heard a scream.
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