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From the corner of his eye, Aldous could see Mayhen's nostrils flare with anger; he knew how much he cared for her.
"Will do," Aldous said with a polite smile. "I'm sure she'll find a way to find you anyway, so don't be surprised if she is in your closet or something." Mayhen laughed mockingly, then pushed his way from the building, getting out before her had time to get more angry, and snap. "Like I said Ezekiel," Aldous warned again. "No drinking, remember, you don't want to wake up an animal in the morning." (sorry it's so short.) |
"I'll try not to," Ezekiel said.
He shook his head slightly and went out. Veronica followed him now that she did really have a job to do besides just babysit him. He looked even more depressed than usual and when he got in the car he slouched down. Veronica slid in a few moments later and let out a sigh. He handed the box to her and she slowly began to treat the wound. He drank a tiny vile of liquid that tasted putrid and then leaned his head back as the driver pulled away. "Where to now?" he asked himself. "A restaurant near the bar I usually go to. Take us to that one restaurant by the bar I always go to. They should be open all night." |
Verona had actually already received a formal invitation to the masquerade through the family, considering they were quite important.
It was needless to say that she was over excited about it, and as usual she could not contain herself. These were the occasions that she'd purchased ball gowns for, and she already had the perfect one in mind as she rummaged through her clothes, trying to find some sort of small jacket to replace her missing one. She had it. The perfect outfit, and the perfect mask to match; she planned for these things. For the remaining hour before she needed to wash up, she bustled around her room, looking for jewelry that she could make match, or something like a purse to occupy her hands at the ball. |
"You're going to the masquerade whether you want to or not," Veronica said sternly. "I'll make sure you have vodka so that you don't go completely berserk though and get locked in your room for changing into a cat."
Ezekiel groaned slightly as he attempted to ignore her. They were nearly at the restaurant and he was guessing that if he made a run for it he could get away from her. It was that or he could wait till she got out, shut the door, and tell the driver to go back to the house. That would be dull though. He was thinking about what to wear at the present moment. He usually wore a tux to those things but the main distraction on his mind was the mask. He could easily get away with a plain black one since that was nearly expected of him. Something more intricate my throw them off a bit but if Verona would be looking for him then he would most definitely wear the black mask to blend in more. If he got there though and found many lavishly decorate masks he could always change his. He'd done it multiple times before and no one had actually noticed. The car stopped though, interrupting his train of thoughts and Veronica got out. "Ah sweet alcohol-less night," he grumbled as he too got out. |
Everything was set. The perfect dress, mack shoes...
And then she knew Ezekiel would be there, so that was a plus of course. This masquerade ball would probably be the social even of the year, an she would attend. Stepping from her room, Verona made the short walk into her master bathroom with pride as she primped herself in the mirror. "Breska," she called. A moment later, a short girl with brown hair dashed in, "Yes Miss Byers?" "Please fetch me some boiling water please, so I can wash of course." "Yes ma'am," Breska said smiling as she left just as quickly as she'd come in. Though Verona was the sweetest you could get, she didn't see anything wrong with having a maid around the house. Sometimes, Verona even helped them with their work, but only when her father wasn't in. After a moment, three women with large steel pots her in the room with her, and dumped the steaming water into a plain white porcelain bathtub. "Thanks," Verona said smiling. After the maids left, Verona stripped down, and slowly slipped her way down into the hot water, her body burning.. But after she was used to it, it felt soothing against her small body. |
Once inside the restaurant they found it to be quite pleasant. There was a fire going on one side of the room that seemed to attract both Veronica and Ezekiel. As they made there way over a few people moved out of the way and a waitress came quickly behind them.
"Sir," she said. "Would you like to order something tonight. We have much that you would enjoy." She had meant alcoholic beverages of course but then Veronica took the menu out of her hand and looked over the non-alcoholic beverages. She let out a slight sigh and looked up at the young girl who looked completely overwhelmed with what to do. "We'll have a water and coffee," she said clearly. "Also something to eat for the boy. He's hungry. Make it your best." The coffee was for Veronica while she'd be forcing him to drink water so that he'd actually be doing something while there. |
(should we do another skip?)
Verona lay sill, her eyes closed, her body seemingly lifeless. She was meditating as she'd once put it. She meditated on a regular basis, just to clear her mind, and keep herself stress-free as she possibly could. That was the reason for her happy disposition.. After another hour or so, Verona had washed, and pried her body from the steam, and wrapping a towel around her body, and then a light pink bath robe. In a bit, she would sleep, preparing for the day ahead. |
((All right, so we go to the masquerade))
Ezekiel hadn't taken much time to prepare since he was fairly interested in what they were going to be serving at the bar tonight. He was unsure if he should actually go still but his father was insisting that he come for at least an hour. Maybe he'd come for an hour in the middle. He was pacing in his room when Maria knocked, and then entered. She was wearing a stunning dress and a mask was in her hand that was equally stunning. She was smiling slightly because her father was looking out for a good suitor for her to eventually be wed to. Ezekiel just shook his head slightly, ignoring any thought of Verona, or at least attempting to. His air was combed so that it was neat, most likely assistance from the maids, and everything seemed to be in order. He escorted Maria at that point down the stairs and to the limo that was waiting outside. Their parents had already gone to the party to make sure they would be seen by every person that entered. These occasions were more of a way to elevate themselves and to be known to society. The leaders were there also, though they were much less showy, the easily blended in with the Singston family. The air of the masquerade buzzed slightly from a spell that had been cast over it. The spell was usually used to calm down any tense feelings so that everyone could have a decent time, without any unwanted arguments taking place. The buzzing would go away soon and was only ocuring due to how recent the spell was cast. The floor was cleared out and there was a small band made up of a bass, a cello, and two violinists. There was a singer who would later come on stage with them but it wouldn't be till much later in the night. Along the sides of the Opera house halls there were tables and chairs where people could stop and talk in more private areas, usually for business deals. |
When Verona arrived at the Opera house, things were already buzzing. She stepped out of her limo to the immediate sound of elegant, but loud music leaking from walls of the massive building. She already was excited as she approached the steps, mask on, with Mayhen who had successfully become her date for the event.
Opening the door, Mayhen stepped through, with Verona attached to his arm. When the various guests had spotted her, most stopped their current activity, their eyes wide with amazement. Verona had picked something truly extravagant for this night, something she knew would grab attention, but something she loved nonetheless. She wore a pure white gown, with a train that fell upon the floor. It was laced with light pink ribbons, and small strings of diamonds which ran around the waist and train. Then, to make things better, she had a loose, light pink jacket on that strung down over her waist, with light pink heels to match. Her mask was just as beautiful. Of course it incorporated pink. It was a classic half mask so to say, with the elegant design of a butterfly within itself, it also had the occasional diamond on it. Her hair was gently curled, and tied up into a bun again, with a few strands intentionally left down, just for the framing. When Mayhen had first seen her, he was astounded, but eventually the feeling sank in as he led her onto the dance floor. Mayhen's appearance was just as spiffy as Verona's. He wore a black tuxedo, normal, with a creme colored tie. His short brown hair was slicked back, clashing with his lanky and thin figure. His mask was a classic black, with white trim, and classic but small diamonds around the rim. Though his attire was more simple than Verona's, he still cleaned up nicely. |
As the limo pulled up the opera house Ezekiel glanced at his sister. She was wearing a burgundy gown with a touch of what looked like a violet color. It had been made specially for her by a designer that was frequently known for making ball gowns. The final touch was her mask that highlighted both her luxurious auburn hair and deep brown eyes. The mask was made mostly of feathers from exotic birds and signified the bird she changed into when she went under the curse. It was a good suit for her.
"Well," Ezekiel said before getting ready to get out. "This should be an interesting night indeed. I'll be at the bar." He nearly got out without assisting her but recalled what his father had said and waited. She took his arm as usual and they began the slow procession up the stairs, she purposefully pausing to catch the attention of any potential male suitor that would be out there. When they were inside Ezekiel immediately saw Verona with Mayhen. He walked to the edge of the room and found his way along the wall towards the opposite end of the hallway. He reached the bar sooner than expected and immediately asked for the strongest liquor. He could not stand seeing Mayhen with Verona and he didn't understand why. The spell that had been cast over worked on him for the most part but he couldn't chase away the nasty feeling. "Ezekiel," his fathers voice called as he approached him. "I thought I told you not to drink here." Ezekiel didn't respond really. His father was much larger than him, which essentially meant no back talk because he'd most likely regret it later when his father when into a fit of rage. He was a slightly heavy set man with dark brown eyes and brown hair. He tended to be a more calm person, more out of need than anything else. |
Verona did not notice Ezekiel's presence as she spun around the dance floor. She was more concerned by keeping up with Mayen's fast dancing. Though Mayhen looked uncoordinated, he was quite graceful on the floor, as he put to shame every other dancing man in the room.
Verona felt proud to be dancing with such a fine man as they swayed along. She smiled under her mask. Mayhen was indeed a fine man, but not the one she wanted. Actually, Verona didn't quite know what she wanted. She did rather enjoy being with Mayhen, but he just seemed so... She couldn't think of the right word. He was so, unsteady. He had bad habits, but also good ones just as well as any other man. He had qualities to him, that most men didn't have. Most men, even with Verona, would have straying eyes and hearts, yearning for someone else. While Mayhen, no matter how many times rejected, only had eyes for her. She'd helped him with much, and he her. But still, he just didn't hit the spot quite right. As their dance continued, the music grew quite a bit more in more intense as a heavy string of violins played their part, an enchanting and feverish speed to them. |
Ezekiel's father looked to what he was watching and grinned slightly. He laughed after that and patted his son gently on the back.
"Apparently you've taken an interest in the Byres daughter," his father said. "Verona is interesting though she seems to be taken at the moment." Maria came over to them at that moment pouting slightly and their father looked confused. She just stared at him as if she were about to die and he shook his head as if frustrated. "I'll find one soon enough dear," he said taking her hand gently. "But for now dance with your brother. He needs to do something other than drink." Maria took her brother's hand and walked him out to the floor. He seemed extremely stubborn and almost insisted in not dancing. She forced him to though and soon he blended easily with the crowd. He kept glancing towards Verona when he got the chance. |
Mayhen continued his fast paced movements as they swung past Ezekiel and Maria. It seemed as though Mayhen had noticed the two of them, and kept Verona's back to them at all costs.
Verona was still unaware of the people surrounding them as they pressed on. The music began to sink its way into Verona's body as it dragged on with a roar. She was still having a good time though, even as the song ended, everyone clapping and screaming for a slow song. The new song included a singer this time, as it began into a slow set tempo. The lyrics were beautiful as Verona and Mayhen stood for a moment. Verona could tell that Mayhen was hesitating at the fact that it was a slow song, but only because of the boundaries that she'd put between them. Taking the liberty of starting herself, Verona wrapped her arms around Mayhen's waist, and began to sway. Mayhen immediately began to dance with her again, this time in a calm, and more content pace as Verona's dress twirled in slow circles with her body. He continued to keep Verona's back to Ezekiel, but began to get seemingly caught in the moment when Verona rested her head against his chest. |
Ezekiel was getting sick of watching them and could tell the vodka he had wasn't quite strong enough for his taste. Maria sensed his agitation and made to keep a conversation flowing between the two of them at a steady pace.
"So I heard," she began. "They had to put down that poor cat yesterday. The SUC one. It's tragic isn't it." "Quite tragic," Ezekiel agreed. "It's a shame I got so close to the poor thing. Scratched my face up a good deal before I could actually get away. A girl behind them gasped when she heard this an immediately passed this news onto a few other people. Both Maria and Ezekiel grinned slightly. When the music had changed without Ezekiel's noticed he saw out of the corner of his eye how close the two were. "I can't stay her," he whispered in Maria's ear. She merely nodded and was led to a gentleman that was willing to dance with her. Ezekiel glanced at Verona again and could see her face now. The mask was elegant and he could help but pause, if only for a moment. |
When Mayhen spotted Ezekiel by himself, he smiled, and only pulled Verona closer and then he stopped dancing.
"Verona," he whispered. Looking up suddenly, Verona smiled, "Huh?" With one hand around her waist, Mayhen moved his other up to her face, gently pulling her mask off. "Verona," he whispered again. "I love you," he said. Verona hadn't heard him actually say this to her before. He had told people such as Aldous, but never had he told her to her face how he felt. But before Verona could even respond, it was too late. Mayhen had pressed his firm lips to hers, and did not seem intent on letting go. "Mmmm-ff!" Verona mumbled trying to push herself away from Mayhen. 'Let go!' She was trying to say, but it didn't quite work as well as she'd hoped. After getting loose, Verona stared in awe of Mayhen and what he'd just done. "How dare you," she screamed at him as he tried to keep her from walking away. "Verona I'm sorry." "No you're not," she challenged back as she stomped away from him, and sat behind the bar counter, hiding. He still had her mask, and her dignity as she hid away, waiting for potential witnesses to leave. |
((that was smooth))
Ezekiel had walked away before he could see Verona's reaction. He looked heartbroken for the most part. He ordered a Long Island Ice Tea, two actually and took them to a table that was a bit aways so his father wouldn't be able to find him. His mother had spotted him though and she went to his father. He'd seen the whole affair between Mayhen and Verona so he thought it would be best to find Verona and see if she was all right than take care of his own son, that was what Veronica was for. Ezekiel's father did just that and he went towards where Verona was hiding. When he reached her, he ordered a glass of water. "Excuse me Miss Byres," he said. "Was that man bothering you out there?" Maria in the mean time had spotted Mayhen alone and became interested. She approached him slowly, leaving the less tasteful dancer behind. She curtsied slightly and waited for him to bow. When he didn't bow immediately she pouted slightly and crossed her arms. |
Mayhen smiled. Even though she was a Singston, she was a beautiful girl, and he couldn't say no to that.
Bowing to her, he took her hand and smiled again, "May I have this dance?" Verona had no idea who this man was. She didn't know he was a Singston, much less anyone important. "Um," she began. "Not bothering per say, just being mean to me.." Looking down, she realized that she was the one being mean, and not Mayhen. "He knows I don't feel for him that way.. Sometimes I think he only does those things to make people think I do..." Getting up, she smiled, "I'm sorry for dragging you into my business Mister.. Uh... I'm Verona Byers," she finished with a laugh. She realized how truly childish she must seem for hiding behind things. |
Maria was pleased with herself for the most part due to the fact she had a somewhat worthy dance partner. She smiled slightly when he asked the question.
"It would be my honor," she said looking up at him. Ezekiels father, or Winslow Singston, as many knew him only smiled. He wanted to have his son be happy for once but he wasn't sure how. He was always frustrated with his son for the most part which led him to completely ignore him. "Well Miss Byres," he said with a slight smile. "I'm Winslow Singston, owner of Singston Corporation. I am very pleased to meet you." He bowed slightly due to customs whenever a man introduces himself to a young lady. It was in that moment that Ezekiel came from where he had been. He looked a bit drunk at the moment and he was coming for the bar. HE didn't really see Verona due to the fact he was a little distracted at the moment. He'd leave after one more drink and then sleep off the rest of the night if he could. |
Nodding, Mayhen took Maria by the waist, and led her across the floor at at pace pace he'd kept with Verona.
He spun her round and round to the music, smiling down upon her ever so often, and then re-keeping the pace. A big, and astonished smile crossed Verona's face as she quickly grabbed Winslow's hand to shake it. "Oh no, it's my pleasure," she said quickly. "I had no idea you were Ezekiel's father!" And then she saw him stumbling over, and her current excitement over threw her. "Ezekiel," she squealed as she closed the distance between them. Jumping at him, she threw her arms around him, squeezing him tightly; too tightly for his own good. Mayhen of course spotted this and cringed; he didn't like Verona to be so close to him. |
Winslow just smiled slightly when he saw his son though the drunken state was bothering him. He would need to make an exit to calm himself down for a while. He made his way towards the doors at that point and exited as quickly as he'd come.
Ezekiel looked confused and gasped for air when he felt arms wrap around him. He was utterly confused. His drunken state didn't help his confusion either and he looked very helpless for a moment. "I need another drink," he said to himself, words not quite slurred. "I must be dreaming. There's no way... of course she likes him." He pushed her away slightly, or at least attempted to and tried to make he was over to the bar. When eventually reached the area he ordered another Long Island Ice Tea. |
"Hey!"
Running back over to Ezekiel, Verona wrapped her arms around him again, this time from the back. But this time, her grip was not as tight as before. "I was hugging you," she said in a fake annoyance voice. What had he said about liking someone? She didn't hear all of what it was. Luckily though, his speech wasn't slurred; yet. Spotting the drink that was now in Ezekiel's hand, she snatched it away, and moved away from him. "And what do you think you're doing," she asked poking her finger in it. Sticking the finger in her mouth, she wrinkled her nose like before,"Ew. How can you drink this stuff, it's horrible." |
He was frustrated when he got the drink taken away. He noticed Verona then and was even more confused. He was calm at the present moment and drunk enough to not get excited over anything really.
"Why aren't you with him?" he asked. "You two look perfect together." His words sounded venomous as he tried to walk away from. Her grip was tighter than before and he was getting frustrated. Maria was watching them out of the corner of her eye laughing slightly. She enjoyed dancing and the singer was absolutely splendid. When another person cut in to ask Maria for a dance she accepted and left Mayhen where he was. |
Frowning up at Ezekiel, she pursed her lips, "What is that supposed to mean? Anyone could have clearly seen me push him and then run away. And besides, why would you care so much?"
Handing the drink off to some random man walking by, Verona crossed her arms, waiting for a decent answer in all of her pink and white glory. Meanwhile Mayhen stood propped against a wall on the other side of the dance floor, watching every move that Verona made, just as well as Ezekiel. He'd never liked men that Verona hung around, but Ezekiel especially ached his nerves to the bone. He couldn't stand him and all of that arrogance. He hated him, and would give anything to see him lose everything. |
Ezekiel was shocked by her frown and her question. He looked even more confused now. He tried to gather his thoughts with a blank expression.
"I guess I didn't see that," he admitted. "It.. I just... saw you two together like that and I got this feeling.." He seemed to be at a loss for words to explain his jealousy without being outright blunt about it. He didn't want to tell her he was interested at the moment and he certainly didn't want to embarrass himself by getting slapped by her, if she chose to do so. "I'm sorry I ran away again yesterday," he said changing the subject again. "I would tell you but its a secret." Maria looked like she was having a problem and she ran out of the room towards where her father had went. Ezekiel shook his head slightly before dropping it. |
"Oh," was all she said before looking down.
And then she heard what he'd said about getting a feeling, she smiled. Skipping over to him when he was finished, she lifted his chin up, and looked up towards him. "I can keep a secret," she said smiling widely. Verona liked it when people told her secrets, because it meant that they trusted her enough to want to tell her something important, that no one else knew. She actually was quite good at keeping secrets too. Mayhen felt himself compelled to go interrupt their little party, and whisk Verona away to apologize more or something, but before he could, he was asked to dance again, this time by one of his friends. He couldn't refuse unfortunately. |
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