They were approaching the temple. Tadashi had one last thing to say before they got off the train. "We need to act as if we are a casual couple. So linking arms and being proper and careful. We will go by aliases, English ones. You are Ivy Clementine and I am Silas clifton. Don't say anything and just smile until we get past the guards. I will do the talking." Tsukiyomi agreed without any questions. The train stopped and they got off, making their way towards the temple. It looked like a mansion without walls. Huge marble pillars holding up balconies with vines and flowers all over. A line of people, quickly moving, led straight into the temple. Tsukiyomi and Tadashi linked arms, Tsukiyomi lifting his dress so it wouldn't drag. It felt strange wearing something he would never wear. They stood in the short line of people until they made it up to the guards of the temple. "Names and wall origin?" the guard asked, Tsukiyomi remembered to stay silent. "Silas Clifton and this is my…partner, Ivy, Ivy Clementine. We're both from wall Whither." said Tadashi, both of them taking a bow. The guard stepped aside, letting the two in.
It was beautiful inside the temple. Enormous white marble walls with floral designs carved into them. A large dance floor was in front of the entrance, two other hallways by the gate. A large staircase led up to a balcony. On the balcony above the dance floor was a throne, a golden on. A man with long blonde hair sat on the throne, a woman on his lap, maybe his wife? No, it couldn't be. His reputation would be trash if he had a wife. But that was definitely the leader. An orchestra was in the corner of the ballroom, playing slow waltz music. As the two walked in, Tadashi pulled Tsukiyomi aside. "This would be a good opportunity to practice before we go out on the dance floor. Since you don't know how to dance." Tsukiyomi looked nervously at all the men and women dancing.
"Do we really have to go out there and do this?" he asked, trying to make it obvious that he didn't want to do this. Tadashi smiled.
"Don't worry about it, it's easy. With your feet, step in a square pattern. Then, the man takes the woman's and with his other hand, he puts it on the woman's waist. May I?" Tsukiyomi nodded as Tadashi took his hand and put his other hand on Tsukiyomi's waist. They took it step by step. One, two three, one, two, three. Tsukiyomi stared at Tadashi's feet. He messed up and stepped on Tadashi's feet. But Tsukiyomi got the hang of the stepping. Tadashi then spun him around, his dress twirling around. Tsukiyomi was actually dancing. It felt…nice maybe? "Now this is just what they're doing plus a little more but do you think you're ready to go out on the floor now?" Tadashi asked, Tsukiyomi felt anxious but nodded his head anyway. Tadashi held out his hand and smiled, waiting for Tsukiyomi to take it. They were only trying to blend in. Tsukiyomi took his hand and Tadashi took him out to the dance floor amongst all the other people. One, two, three, and a spin, each step felt like he was walking on air. Every step was careful, everything was synchronized. The music was slow and mellow. Tsukiyomi looked up at Tadashi, Tadashi looked back at him. "What?" Tsukiyomi questioned the staring. Tadashi shook his head but never looked away from Tsukiyomi's eyes. "I never really noticed how blue and bright your eyes were."
Tsukiyomi chuckled as they continued. "Is that supposed to be a compliment? Or..are you flirting with me? Either way, I don't mind." Tadashi looked away for a second. Was he embarrassed? His face was slightly red. The music suddenly stopped and everyone turned to the balcony. The leader, Nicholas Fawnhigh, stood above everyone. "Thank you all for attending to this years Jasman Temple Ball!" He said, "As the Jasmanium leader, I'm happy to see that the human population is growing larger and larger. We will soon be able to over power those other species thanks to the Hunter Corps. And those lovely women!"he joked, while other men down below laughed with him. Tadashi and Tsukiyomi didn't. "Now, without further ado, the Moon dance!" everyone began to get into position. Tsukiyomi nervously looked at Tadashi. Tadashi didn't teach him the Moon dance. Tadashi leaned into Tsukiyomi's ear and whispered, "It will be alright now. Just follow along and I'll guide you." This surprised Tsukiyomi but he went along with it anyway.
The music started slow, Tsukiyomi looked down at Tadashi's feet. It was different from what they did before. Left and right, then left again and right, swaying. Tadashi then spun Tsukiyomi around twice. Tsukiyomi's hand rested on his torso, Tadashi's hand on top of his hand. Tsukiyomi's back faced Tadashi and his left arm was held by Tadashi's hand. It felt almost wrong, but if it had to be done then so be it.
The music sped up and so did everyone in the room. Tsukiyomi was nervous that he would mess up but when he glanced at Tadashi, he didn't feel as nervous anymore. But within minutes the dance was over. Tadashi led Tsukiyomi off of the dancefloor and to the stairs. The leader who stood at the top of the balcony was now gone. "I'll be close by in case anything goes wrong." said Tadashi, the two nodded as Tsukiyomi made his way slowly up the stairs. He almost didn't want to do this. He thought of going back but he couldn't. He reached the top of the steps as the two doors of a bedroom opened and out ran a crying woman. Tsukiyomi nervously entered. The leader, Nicholas Fawnhigh, laid on a bed draped with golden mesh and white sheets. Tsukiyomi gulped as Nicholas glanced at Tsukiyomi, his eyes moving up and down. Tsukiyomi approached him. "You were the one down below who caught my eye! Although, for someone so pretty, how could you be so flat? And you can't possibly be from the English region either." Nicholas said, pulling Tsukiyomi's arm only for him to land on Nicholas's lap. He wanted to slap the shit out of Nicholas but had to be casual. "What's your name? And your age and what wall did you travel from?" he asked Tsukiyomi who had to add a stupid story to his alias name.
"My name is Ivy Clementine of wall Whither. I am twenty, your highness. The man I danced with was..my brother," Nicholas grinned as Tsukiyomi continued, the grin of a disgusting man. "I saw you on the balcony and knew I didn't have to be alone anymore." Tsukiyomi glanced at the brooch on Nicholas's coat.
"A wise mindset you do have, my dear!" Nicholas said, Tsukiyomi leaned in close, placing his hands on Nicholas's chest. His fingers searched for the brooch but he flinched as he felt Nicholas's hand rub his legs under his dress. If he found out Tsukiyomi was not exactly a girl, he was screwed. "Why don't you tell me about yourself." Tsukiyomi suggested and as Nicholas spoke he found the pin and undid it, taking it and hiding it in the frills of his gloves. After he finished hiding the pin, he tried to get away. "I need to get back, my brother must be worried!" said Tsukiyomi, struggling to leave Nicholas's lap.
"Oh, But Ivy, my dear," Nicholas said, grabbing Tsuki's wrist and throwing him to the bed, pinning him,"We've barely gotten to know each other yet!" Tsukiyomi was terrified, struggling and squirming around.
"Get off of me!" he exclaimed, trying to kick at Nicholas's crotch area. He knew what he had to do and yelled, "TADASHI!" A commotion was heard from the other side of the doors as Tadashi burst in, his sword in hand. Nicholas immediately got off of Tsukiyomi and yelled for his guards. Tadashi took Tsukiyomi's hand. "Come on, we have to run!" Tadashi said as the two started running back down the stairs as the Jasmanium guards chased after them.