"I'm very sorry but I don't like dancing," Leon says while lifting the goblet to his lips. He had lost count of the times he had said this sentence throughout the night, and who knew it could be exhausting to say?
The person he had rejected was beautiful. Long luscious hair that fell down her shoulders, and a petite figure that could make any man turn their attention to her. But no matter how attractive they may look, Leon had no interest in moving from his position. And just like the rest, this person reddened at his rejection, frowning before turning around to leave to save face.
"You should at least be polite…" Lance watched as the poor celestial being fled with the last kernel of dignity left in her. However, the demon remained unfazed as he took a sip of his beverage with eyes glued to the ceilings and decorations. Certainly, he found it more interesting than the people glancing at his way.
Lance though couldn't blame them for trying to approach him.
His sister and the girls did a magnificent job of dressing Leon up. With the right shade of color, it emphasized his beautiful features. He emitted a mysterious aura, one eye covered by his shiny silver locks. His gaze looked sharp under the bright lights of the celestial palace. His posture blended well within the circle of etiquette among the Celestial beings, if it weren't for the black mask it would been hard to believe that he was from the other realm.
Celestial beings were intrigued by his presence. Eager to make acquaintances with the latter, however, Leon treated every celestial being with no interest. Finding ways to converse with his fellow race rather than make small talk with them.
"I was already being polite by responding," Leon sounded uninterested. He could hear Lance sighing but he chose to ignore it. "Even if I did accept their invitation, what can I possibly do and say?"
"Well, you would know when you accept one first."
"...Not the answer I was hoping for."
However formal celebrations rarely happen for the Infernal beings. He was familiar with festivities, and it looks like private ones are quite dull compared to public ones. He couldn't fully judge it as he understood the cultural differences between the two realms. But he couldn't help but wonder.
There was music, no doubt, but it felt like it wasn't enough for infernal beings. And glancing around he could tell that some infernal beings felt the same. To suddenly enter an unknown place, this kind of reaction was bound to happen for them.
The only ones who brought out the color in the air were the girls of the teahouse with their laughter blending into the ambiance within the sea of people.
"I never knew this was a masquerade ball…" Leon says while observing every person around them.
Lance glances at him, half his face covered by a red velvet mask, "Good thing they distributed masks for those who couldn't bring one right?"
"I suppose." He could tell it was purposely left out for a thrilling and unexpected night.
When the music started to change, they caught sight of Lily returning with a dashing gentleman escorting her elegantly. Under the lights of the Celestial Palace, Lily had a soft smile on her red lips. As the gentleman led her towards them, he pressed a gentle kiss on the back of her hand before leaving.
"6th?" Leon lifted a brow while glancing at the man who couldn't help but glance back at his sister.
"Oh so you've been counting," Lily laughs at Leon's words before accepting the goblet being handed to her by Lance. "The 7th. Quite a gentleman that last one is."
"It's worrisome to see you have poor taste." Leon snorts causing Lance to hold back a smile.
But instead of getting offended, Lily joins in the laughter, "It runs in the family after all, seeing that you haven't accepted any invitations to dance. Why don't you loosen up and enjoy the night?"
"I don't like dancing."
"Or none of the people had caught your eyes?"
"I have a feeling that it's too boring," Lance nudges at Leon who narrows his eyes at him. "Leon loves to dance but if the music isn't to his taste, why bother? Isn't that right?"
"Sometimes it's hard to hide things from you Lance…"
"Ahaha." He laughs at him, his eyes turning crescents.
As the music changes again, the three of them start to converse in hushed tones. Taking note of every detail they could find within the Celestial Palace. But before Leon could say another word, he felt a tap on his shoulder. The latter couldn't help but sigh internally but applauded.
A different approach this time.
But, unlike the other celestial beings that had tried to ask for a dance, this person had caught his curiosity.
This person had a white flower covering one side of his face, right above where the eye should be. A white lace ran across to cover the other side of his face, almost holding up the flowers so they wouldn't fall.
That's a creative way to make a mask.
Leon thought as he watched this person lift a hand, waiting for his own.
"May I invite you for a dance?"
Lily and Lance both glanced at one another, expecting Leon to reject the kind latter, but they were both rendered speechless when Leon placed a hand over the strangers'.
Not only did this person look like he belonged to the celestial race, but he was a man.
Even the other infernal beings that were silently watching couldn't help but watch in curiosity. But more mixed with shock, seeing him being led to the dance floor.
"Do you know this dance?" The stranger had a pleasant voice, assisting Leon's hand on his shoulder while holding the other.
"No," Leon couldn't even believe he was here. He was surprised he accepted his hand. He could've rejected him like the others but for some reason, he couldn't, "No, I don't. I am not familiar with songs of the celestial realm."
"This is a beautiful piece, it's to welcome the Celestial King."
"Oh, then it's special. Only proper to dance it with a special person instead, don't you think?"
"Exactly... I couldn't agree more."
"Oh," Leon felt the corner of his lips curl in amusement at his words, "We've only known each other for less than a minute and now suddenly I'm special? Flattery is best used in the right way and at the right moment, my good sir?"
Unexpectedly the smile on this person's face never left his lips. Leon suddenly felt uneasy under this person's gaze.
"You are quite interesting," He hears the man mutter, "Tell me, what takes you here if making new acquaintances isn't the cause?"
"You could tell?" Leon asks when he is twirled around. "You're sharp."
"Of course."
Leon weighed the pros and cons with him. Telling him wouldn't harm him either if he lies or not. This was just one night in the Celestial realm. And seeing how this person was not what he expected, Leon hums.
"Mildly curious," Leon admitted and added, "Of the structures."
Hearing his answer made the latter laugh. "Interesting…"
This was strange. Leon was used to strangers trying to create different forms of friendship with him, but this stranger didn't quite look like the type to be interested in that kind of stuff. Instead, it looked like Leon was entertaining him with his answers.
"How about you? Surely my looks had nothing to do for you to ask me for a dance…"
This stranger chuckles while guiding him through the dance floor, "Would you believe me if I said that I was just making sure."
"Making sure of what?"
"Whether my judgment is right or perfect. And it seems like I shouldn't be too worried about it."
"What do you-"
The dance came to a stop because the music suddenly changed. There was a little commotion that followed causing everyone to turn their heads. And they were greeted with the sight of the musicians being interfered.
Leon could tell it was his kind seeing their demeanors and their attire. Knotting his brows at the sight of the demon's actions, he wanted to excuse himself to deal with the matter. But before he could express his concerns, a new song erupts the whispers.
The people who were enjoying the mellow music before were now frozen in place, unsure of what to do in the situation. And before Leon could come to his senses, Lance hurried through the crowd and came to his side, "Do you want me to stop them?"
When Leon noticed his worried face, the other man that he was dancing with suddenly disappeared. But he was sure he could see the stranger's back disappearing into the crowd when he turned around. Leon knew he had failed to ask for the man's identity and, more importantly, the meaning of his words.
But there was no time to think about trivial things.
"What happened?" Lance asks, noticing his strange gaze.
"Nothing…"
"Here… Let's talk over there."
Leon felt his warm grip circle around his arm, thus he allowed himself to be pulled away from the dance floor and return to where he was moments ago. Seeing Lily's frustrated look, he begins to ask again. "What's wrong?"
"Those folks!" Lily says through gritted teeth, "You know the musicians by the town center?"
"Of course…"
"You know how daring they are, they didn't like the music so they took over…" Lily sighs while trying to hide her face from others, "And—"
As if a switch had been made when the music started in a familiar tone, the awkward air around the Celestial Palace livened up. And a series of laughter soon followed along with loud clapping.
The celestial beings started to avoid the lively actions and even left the middle of the dance floor. Soon the infernal beings swarmed the middle, their movements following the flow of the song that was being played.
"Should we stop this?" Lily sighs, feeling a small headache crawling to her temple.
"Wait…" Leon who was watching the crowd, lifted a hand while starting to feel a sense of thrill in the air.
"What's wrong?" Lance questions.
He will admit, now with the change of pace. He was starting to feel comfortable. The music and aesthetics before were too boring for his mischievous pallet to enjoy.
"Leon, don't even think about It," Lily found his silence to be concerning, "I know that look…"
With his shoulders now unraveling and seeing the odd looks from the celestial beings. He was quite satisfied. But before he could move, Lily grabbed his arm to stop him. "You told us to behave. You must set yourself as an example…"
"You told me to dance earlier…"
"I never said that!"
Lily could only catch the smile on his face as he joined in the noise. The infernal beings all jumped in unison at the beat of the music. And when they all saw him coming he was welcomed with ease, creating a path for him all to the way to the center.
Lifting a hand, Leon waits for the music to sink in before closing his eyes to indulge.