A New Chapter...

[Animebella]

Tadashi looked over just as Yuffie was lost in the crowd, he smiled to himself as he continued down the pathway and found his way to his parents who were waiting for him. "Ah Tadashi, it's sbout time." Ryou said as he clapped him on the shoulders lightly. Tadashi looked up at him and smiled, "Yeah, a bit of a delay sorry." Lillie smiled, "No worries, now to see to that little charm of yours we have arranged for a.... hmmm get together if you will." She looked over at the crowd which had all eyes on the three of them waiting to see what would happen next. "Mom.. what are you getting at?" He asked turning as all the girls giggled, or squeaked with cute comments once again, some about the dance. He looked back at Lillie, "What did you do this time?" He asked when Ryou laughed, "Ah, Tadashi my boy, you need someone to share your life with much like Raidon has found Harumi." He cringed seeing where this was going, it wasn't the first time they had pulled something like this. "Ohh no.. I won't." He said backing up a bit. Lillie grinned, "Come on love, it'll be fun!" She said happily grasping at his arm to take him off to the dance floor. "Mom, people are staring!" He said in a harsh whisper, "Oh come come, hush, the attention is perfect." She said as the music began and she started to dance with him in the proper position to court a lady.

Raidon looked up, the blush had faded, she was happy about the whole matter? Then perhaps it wasn't as bad as he had figured it to be. Maybe he was just overreacting like he was so good at these days? He sighed in relief as he hugged her close, "Only another aspect of why I love you so very much." He said kissing her cheek. "I suppose your right though, only a silly little matter. I should be greatful it's not having to sacrifice anyone." He smiled, and rested his head on her shoulder lightly.

[Anjel]

Yuffie and Samuel went over to talk, but hid in the crowd as they watched to see what would happen. “Whoa, this party must really suck for him.” Yuffie laughed. Samuel nodded and turned to Yuffie who suddenly had a glass of wine in her hand. “W- Where did you get that??” he asked taking it. Yuffie frowned a bit and tried to get it back. “I dunno, but I’ve only had three! Give it back!” she cried as Samuel turned into an adult to take advantage of her height. “No, besides you’re technically under age… I better drink this instead so you don’t go to prison…” he said quietly. He drank the entire glass and pulled away from it with a frown. “Nooo! Bear, that was my last one!” she cried as Bear put the glass away. He smiled and grabbed Yuffie’s ear. “Come on Yuffie, let’s go dance too! It’s more fun than drinking.” He said.
Harumi smiled a bit, seeing as Raidon calmed down again. She sighed with relief, happy to be at peace with everything. “You know, it’s probably my fault, but I wish you wouldn’t worry so much. Everything will be fine okay?” she said, happy to be his shoulder to lean on. She listened to the sound of the wind, but it started to make her sleepy from the day's events. As if all of the things that had happened seemed to blow away with it. She took his hand gently and smiled. “So, there’s nothing else right? Everything’s out in the open, there’s nothing left to be stressed about? If not... well I guess that leaves us open to go to the party... unless you had something else in mind.”

[Animebella]

Ryou smiled as he watched the two wondering how everything was with Raidon and Harumi, he hoped they would join in soon enough, it seemed as though Tadashi was in it for the night though. He sort of felt bad, but it was one of the few ways to get himself out there to get to know all of the girls around, he needed someone. Lest he hoped that was all that he needed, aside from a bit of outside time instead of cooping himself up in the library all day long. He watched them for a bit before a few females came up and asked him to dance, being the way he was he took one on each arm and paraded out to the dance floor having a grand old time.

Raidon stayed as he was for a bit longer as Harumi spoke of it partially being her fault, but he didn't blaim her in the least. He supposed it was Cloud being uptight about such matters considering he was her gaurdian and all. Like a normal parent would be. He felt her hand sl;ip into his and her nudging him asking if there was anything else. He shook his head, "I think everything is covered now, I assume they will be wanting us down at the party." He lifted his head from her shoulder, "I should warn you ahead of time about a few things. For one it's in the ballroom, and for two you'll have to stay close unless you want to be bombarded with questions and such.. I know how the people can get, but just be careful if you do wander off. I want you to get to know everyone, just not in a bad way." He smiled and inched her off gently as he stood up, helping her up with him.

[Anjel]

Samuel and Yuffie danced a bit, or rather, Samuel danced and Yuffie took shots at stepping on his toes. Finally though, he gave up and went to sit down to soak his feet in ice. “You’re such a witch.” He grumbled, almost unable to stand. Yuffie stuck her tongue at him and snickered. “Serves you right for taking my-“ she paused as someone tapped her shoulder to dance. “Oh… no thanks, I’m next for karaoke! Don’t worry though, I don’t dance very well. I’m much better at singing.” She said proudly. Samuel smiled rudely. “How wonderful, first my toes and now my ears are going to bleed too?” he called. Yuffie’s mouth dropped open, but she slid out of view towards the back of the ballroom in embarrassment.
Harumi hesitated before convincing herself to get over her silly fears. She thought about the many terrible things that could happen, but she had Raidon now, and she was much more powerful. Unlike Ketaro, he would be able to save her if someone was to attack and if not there was nothing wrong with fighting for one’s life. She knew however there would be no need for it: these people were his guests. They weren’t dangerous like H-Townians were. “Right… um…. Should we just go like this because technically…” she looked at her gown and laughed. “I’m dressed for bed.”

[Animebella]

Ryou was having fun as he danced with the countless females. Tadashi on the other hand wasn't so lucky, unlike his father he didn't inherit the want to have fun twenty-four-seven. Especially with the female race, but he was making the best of it as the females started to take their turn dancing with him. He was being curtioeus(sp?) and only making matters worse for himself as they all in turn fell deeper in love with him. Once their turn had finished they went off giggiling with their friends all happy to have had any time with him. Lillie was watching from the sidelines like a hawk, but deep inside was giggiling up a storm.

Raidon looked her over, "I think maybe we should get you changed up. Not to worry though, we should have tons of time.. the way my parents party they could be out all night long without one rest." He chuckled before leading her back into the castle and up to her room, "Now, your not scared right? I mean I'll be by your side the entire time while we're down there. I can't have you running amuck causing mischief you know." He grinned as he was only joking. Once they arrived at her room he allowed her some privacy to get changed.

[Anjel]

Yuffie waundered around the ballroom making short conversations with people who seemed interesting enough to talk to. After some time she got up to sing karakoke and drink occasionally, until she felt dizzy. "Yup, that's my limit..." she mumbled sadly. She was a bit off, but still Yuffie nonetheless. "Hey, what's with you? You seem a bit sad suddenly." Samuel said. Yuffie looked up at him sadly and sighed. "I wanna dance with Tadashi too." she mumbled jealously. Samuel blinked, noticing his sore feet and shrugged. "Ha, well that's never going to happen." he laughed.
"Y- Yeah, I'll be fine." she said giggling a bit nervously. "It'll be cool to meet the people you know... you haven't exactly told me much about your childhood..." She walked into the bathroom and changed into another dress. She looked it over cheerfully and sighed. It was a bit more fitting than the last one, but it was also a bit less revealing. She twirled around, more comfortable in the new red dress. She giggled and opened the door, wondering if she'd taken too long to come out. "Okay, I'm ready! ...you awake?" she asked almost hoping he was asleep again. She liked messing around with him. A typical delight when she'd been treated that way by Samuel, but Raidon was different. He didn't growl at her when he was too tired or mistake her hand for a fish. She smiled grimmly thinking about it and continued out of the bathroom to meet him.

[Animebella]

Tadashi made his way through the few girls that decided to have enough courage to ask him to dance. It seemed as if it was never ending, but he was bearing it, afraid of his mother. It was silly yes, but he didn't like to upset anyone, let alone his mother. Lillie on the other hand was making her rounds of the drinks, snacks, and what not. Ryou was still having a ball with all of the lucky ladies.

Raidon leaned against the doorframe outside as if standing guard, but more so in a more relaxed form. He leaned back and sighed lightly, closing his eyes for a few seconds, hearing her as she called from within the room. He grinned to himself curious to know if she would be tempted to play around with him if it shall look as if he was sleeping once again. She was always full of surprises and he loved it. So he closed his eyes for a bit longer and slacked his position a bit more, hearing her as she closed the distance from her room and the doorway.

[Anjel]

Yuffie’s mouth dropped open as Samuel laughed at her. “But, I’ll dance with you if you don’t step on my feet again…” he said quietly, extending his hand to her. She took it, less aggressively than she had before and accepted the dance. She smiled, seeing as she had nothing really left to do and allowed Samuel to lead her. She blinked, half asleep already, and when she opened her eyes again she was in a dark room with her chocobo staring at her peacefully. “What the-“ she paused, noticing Samuel in her doorway. “Good night you little snot.” he laughed.
Harumi looked around curiously before spotting Raidon against the door. She smiled going up to speak, but suddenly going silent seeing as he was asleep again. She looked over him, unsure and afraid to repeat the situation again. “Hey Raidon, you awake?” she asked quietly. She waited a moment before smiling, not really worried enough to check his energy levels. “Raidon kun…” she sang lightly. She stood in front of him, careful not to wake him too much until she wanted to. Looking over him one more time, she guided her middle and index fingers up against his tie and had them stop around his neck. “Wake up… Raidon kun…” she whispered so softly that she wasn’t exactly sure if it was even loud enough for him to hear her. With a light kiss on his neck, she giggled before she backed away from him a bit and turned away. “Wow, if I could only be like that when he’s awake…” she mumbled, pushing her hair back in a pony tail. She sighed, blushing a bit as she began to actually try and wake him up.

[Animebella]

Tadashi finally got to escape for a bit to take a small break. He made his way over to the drinks table to quench his thirst, then over to a chair to sit down. Not soon after a few shy girls made their way over to him and he had to promisee them a dance in a bit. He looked around wondering if Raidon and Harumi had arrived yet, but even still they were absent. He wondered where Yuffie got off to as well.

Raidon was grinning on the inside as he felt Harumi's touch, and cute voice around him. He blushed at her kiss, wondering why she was never so bold when he was awake, maybe there was something he could do to help her. He noticed she had started to try to really wake him up now and he smiled to himself, before peeking at her with one eye. "Harumi, babe.. why are you so timid when i'm awake as opposed to being asleep?" He asked as he opened both, seeing as she was wearing a beatiful dress. "Simply beautiful..." He hugged her and kissed her cheek, "Come on gorgeous... let's go join the party shall we?" He asked pulling away slowly to take her hand, he'd have to court her into the ballroom but for now they could be less formal.

[Anjel]

Yuffie sat up and rubbed her eyes. She was more awake now, but as she tried to get up a chain kept her in the room. “Bear!” she gasped, realizing she couldn’t leave. “Go to sleep I said. You’re not embarrassing them! It was bad enough you passed out and freaked even a few people out!” he said, leaving the door and going off to the party. “Potatoe?” she asked, looking to her friend for help. She sighed, seeing as he’d fallen asleep. “Useless.” She hissed.
Harumi whirled back to Raidon, realizing she’d made the same mistake twice. The deepening blush on her face was inevitable, as he kissed her, and led her seemingly dazed self off towards the ballroom. She couldn’t tell, as she stammered to answer him. “I- well… you wouldn’t know that if you didn’t pretend to be asleep like that!” she sputtered, more embarrassed than she was the last time. Still she sighed, trying her best to forget the downsides of not being sneaky. “Ah… so… have you been to one of these before?” she asked, her best chance and worst try at changing the subject. She paused; knowing that being a prince meant he had to have been to at least one before. “B… because I don’t know… I almost went to one once but had to leave early so… so…” she glanced at him and smiled gently. “So, what kind of party is this?”

[Animebella]

Ryou came over and found Tadashi after a few minutes, his face was red from all of the dancing but he looked like he was having so much fun. He grabbed a drink and came over to Tadashi, "What's the matter boy? You should be having fun, not being sluggish in the corner, moping around." He said as he leaned against the wall next to him. Tadashi looked up at him, "What's the matter? I think mom has gone a bit overboard is the matter. Introducing all of these girls or what not." He sighed as Lillie was at it again, making some announcement that could be heard all through the castle of choosing one lucky girl at the end for Tadashi to kiss goodby or some nonscense. Ryou chuckled, "Maybe she has, but even so, she's only worried about you."

Raidon chuckled at her feeble attempt to answer his question, "Well sooorry, I suppose I wouldn't know, but perhaps that treatment only comes to me when I pretend." He grinned, seeing as she tried to change the subject too readily, "Yes well, just a few. I assume Tadashi has been to a few more, but that I am unsure of." He shrugged it off, "Just another attempt to get my brother a girl I suppose... she's like that a lot. She worries that he's sick of being alone and cooped up all day. Not being able to catch up to me or what not." He frowned slightly as they reached the stairs. "I'm not sure it's a big deal, or anything to really worry about, more or less a party just for a party sake.. something before the wedding or what not." He kissed her cheek before they started down the stairs. "Don't worry about the whole bold part alright hun, I think your shyness is adorable. But a bit of bravery will do you well.. we can work on it." He said before changing his pose so that his hand and arm were under hers just for show.

[Anjel]

Samuel made his way back to the ballroom and changed his form a bit. He coughed a little, deepening his voice and took his place among the other karaoke singers. “Hmm. I’d like to sing any jazz songs you have for men! Because I am an adult and I think it would go well with my reputation for being cute. Cute in an adult way of course! Because I don’t want to sound like a kid, I’m an adult!” he said smugly. He smiled at the strange looks he got from the other singers as they let him pick a song to sing.
Harumi smiled a bit, though she really wished against her shyness around him. She wanted to be the way Yuffie was, so free spirited and fun, but she couldn’t bring herself to act out with him. “You know, if you wanted me to act like that you should have asked… but even so, it’s a bit far out of character for me. I mean, could you imagine me like that? Seducing you and such, it’s a bit uncomfortable I guess.” Her thoughts were broken as she noticed Raidon change a bit. “Oh… so I guess it’s really formal too…?” she asked giggling a bit. “Weird… I haven’t had to act like this in years… It sounds like fun though.” She said, feeling them get closer and closer to the ballroom.

[Animebella]

Tadashi sighed looking away from his father as he swird his drink around in it's cup. "Maybe so.. but even yet, I think she's gone overboard." He mumbled to himself as he stood up and walked away slowly, seeking out someone he knew. In the end he gave up, tossing the rest of his drink and making his way back to the dance floor. Lillie finally noticed him and grinned, "I know you may hate me now, but sooner or later you will be thanking me." She said to herself as she watched him. Ryou's eyes followed him to the floor before he disappeared and he sighed.

Raidon smiled, "Not to worry hun, I wouldn't wish you to be any other way. I don't want to change you, I only want to help you become a bit more outgoing so you don't have to take any stupid stuff from the people if it should happen." He knew she was strong but couldn't help but be worried for her sake. He started down the stairs slowly to make sure she was still with him. "Yes, well only until we can get in and my mother will have our way with us. I assume she will announce to everyone that we've arrived or what not." He shrugged lightly as they reached the bottom step, "Only around the corner.." he said stopping breifly, "are you ready then?" He asked politely to be sure that he wasn't taking her to her grave or something.

[Anjel]

Samuel hogged the stage as he sang song after song. He’d occasionally stop to take a break, and on his last one he went and found Ryou. “…You know, I kind of feel bad for him though… maybe you should just send him out on trips… you know, let him find his own girlfriend rather than girls finding him. It’s just… the whole ‘ballroom love’ usually only works in fairytales…” he said.
Harumi smiled and agreed. “I’m ready… trust me, I’ll be okay… I am okay… okay?” she asked, looking up at him. She kissed his cheek lightly before going down to the next step and frowning a bit. “Oh… sorry, you should lead then right?” she asked, thinking quietly to herself. She nodded, thoughtfully and looked over to him. “And anyway if I do start freaking out, I’ll just need to get some air or something. Everything should be fine.” She said cheerfully. Though she really wasn’t sure if she was going to freak out or not, she decided that she wouldn’t allow herself to act in such a manner. Repeatedly, she tried to find the logic of being afraid of an actual room and continually came to the same conclusion. She wasn’t afraid of ballrooms, or the excessive amounts of people, it was of the darkness that took over as her captives dragged her away. Her shouts devoured by the loud conversation of people who just didn’t care. Even though they didn’t get very far until Aria came to save her, but it was still scaring. “I’ll be fine…” she thought to herself. “There’s no one here that can or want to do that…”

[Animebella]

Ryou was watching the floor when he heard Samuel come up behind him and start talking. he turned to see the logic in the suggestion. "Perhaps, but we never had expected a fairtale ending for either of our sons to say the least. On Raidon's case.. well i guess we should just be lucky he grabbed on to someone that loves him so much. We were afraid he would be treated poorly because of his wings, being permanent and all it's not to easy to rid of them. On Tadashi's case.. well i suppose that is what he needs, but we can't just send him out into the world alone you know, not when he hasn't a clue about the dangers that lurk around." He sighed, wishing it were just that simple.

Raidon smiled, grinning at her kiss and reassurance that she would ba alright. "Good, then you will be fine, and I won't leave you alone even if you need some freash air. This'll only be the start of the parties, so I suppose you'd get used to it sooner or later anyways." He kissed her cheek back before he took one last glance at her and began around the corner. The guards opening the doors and bowing to allow them entrace. "Prince Raidon and Miss Harumi, please do come in everyone had been waiting." One said as the other nodded and Raidon smiled, "Thanks guys." he walked on, as the room went silent as heads turned, bodies scrambled out of the way to clear the path and Lillie grinned. She stood where she was on the dancefloor as Tadashi and the lucky lady parted to await for Raidon and Harumi to reach them. All around whispers were heard, of how beautiful Harumi was and how handsome Raidon still was. Though Harumi's name wasn't mentioned due to most not knowing it.