Chapter 12 - Emily's Inaugural Ball

            The loyal and proud Mare Leah led Emily to the carriage, and then back to the courtyard to drop her off for the ball. As she was halfway down the arcade, a girl ran into her. The girl wore bright blonde curls, a golden dress consisting of a tight brocade bodice and floating layers of chiffon, and was very dismayed at being late. She knew that the young girl was Blossom Zoisite, only 19, the Commander of Europe, had been in training a week, and did not know who she was or that she had gained psychic powers as a result of her initiation. She simply engaged in polite conversation.

            "Good evening, miss, how are you doing?"

            "I'm doing fine, ma'am." (Emily knew Blossom was nervous when meeting new people, especially ones dressed as her.)

            "No need to be so formal with me. I don't bite people's heads off."

            Blossom was relieved at her dry wit, and giggled a little bit. She seems nice, thought Blossom. Not a complete bitch like Beryl.

            "You'd better be careful with such thoughts running around in that head of yours. Queen Beryl is a very needy lady, and I have known this since my initiation."

            "How did you know that-"

            "Shhh-! It's a part of my new powers. I've had trouble trying to keep people's thoughts out, but I know I will soon find training to learn how to control it."

            Blossom began getting nervous at Emily's mention of powers.

            "Well, I'm running late for the Inaugural Ball. Hope to see you there."

            "Don't worry, you will."

            Emily smiled as she watched Blossom run off to get to the ball. She was fashionably late, but as long as Emily was not there, Beryl did not seem mind.

            When Emily arrived at the Great Hall, the woman who captured her was ther to greet her. Emily looked in her eyes and said, "I understand your ambitions. Lead me to where I need to go."

            The youma, whose name was Ninjana, led Emily back to the Doorway of the New Citizen, where she timed her to enter, and Queen Beryl spoke.

            "To all of those who brought this young woman down here, she has been quite a challenge, but as you all know, I have made this woman the Commander of the Middle East, and the Supreme Commander. Her name, is Emily Victoria, of the vein of Kunzite."

            Emily Victoria pulled off the mask she wore. Blossom thought she was stunning, as did the shy Prince Heliodor, who waited to dance with her, excitedly.

            "As is the custom, the first dance the Commander has is shared expressly with the Queen, or the Crown Prince, whomever is the more appropriate partner."

            Prince Heliodor came out. He was a vision in blue and gold, with his hair flowing, his eyes blue and his new dress uniform. Emily sensed Heliodor's excitement as she let him lead the dance. It was a waltz, and he wanted to dance with her.

            "I have always dreamed of you, my dear. When I slept after my love consultation I dreamt of this night."

            "That's nice." Emily smiled, brushing off his clumsy come-ons. She did not want to appear too easy.

            "So, are you tired? You've been running through my mind for days!"

            "Silly boy-I'm not impressed."

            Heliodor stepped on her left foot. It hurt, but Emily still smiled.

            "Let's just face it, Emmy. I think we're meant to be together."

            "You're pushy. I've only known you for fifteen minutes."

            Heliodor again accidentally stepped on her left foot.

            "I'm looking forward to the day we will be married."

            "Don't call the preacher yet; I'm not impressed." And with that, a step on Emily's right foot.

            The dance was over, and Emily, leaning into Heliodor's ear, whispered, "I'll teach you how to dance while I have breaks in training."

            Heliodor blushed. He was embarrassed, but appreciated the gesture.

            Many people danced and ate, and Emily herself got a love consultation from one of the youma who did them. He said Emily would dream about lovemaking to her soul mate. It was the only way that she ever would.

            When the party was over, she had a day of breaks to rest, since she had gotten her consultation and thereby had to dream. Beryl was not at all happy about it, since Beryl wanted to put her plans of reviving Metallia from her giant lava lamp state in action as soon as possible. (Of course, Beryl did not want to offend her new Supreme Commander, so she never revealed this.)

            She pulled the dress off, buried the white shoes in the back of the closet (Heliodor's clumsiness was cute) and went to sleep.

            As the dream got under way, she was laying on the beach in St. Petersburg. It was nighttime, and the moon shined bright, casting a blue glow on the sand, the waves, and then the mysterious man whose presence was announced by the arm with the perfect amount of muscle.

            "Do you want to?"

            "Of course."

            "Close your eyes."

            She did, and the man kissed her deeply, soulfully. It was just perfect the way he moved close, and delicately pressed his body to hers.

            She then opened her eyes and found out--it was Heliodor! The man who stepped on her toes while dancing...but she was happy....

            When she awoke, she was sad, because Heliodor was perfect for her in her dream. But he could easily turn into a monster if she let him in too easily and quickly. Her best friend in high school was taken from school by gunpoint because her boyfriend was a monster. (She survived; he recently died in Afghanistan.)

            She would not let Heliodor know about this to keep this quiet.