Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ A Knight's Work Is Never Done ❯ Party Surprises ( Chapter 14 )

A Knight's Work Is Never Done

Chapter 14: Party Surprises

 

By: Ginsan

 

 

 

The shower turned off, and Jordan emerged from the bathroom a few minutes later, dressed in a pair of jean shorts, and fighting a losing battle with trying to dry his hair. No matter how much of it he toweled off, there always seemed to be more wet hair to deal with.

 

"I really should think about cutting this this crap. Would make life so much easier."

 

He paused long enough to flip the TV on in the Penthouse Suit, and listened to the news report as he fished around one handed for his clothes for the night, and used his other to continue drying his hair.

 

"In local news, two joggers were found in a coma like state tonight in Rinefeld Park. Wounds found on their bodies suggest an animal attack, though authorities are unable to identify what kind of animal could be responsible. Local Medical experts claim that their condition is similar to recent Youma attacks in Tokyo, and an investigation into the matter is underway. If this turns out to be true, this will be the first Youma attack outside of Japan in over five years. As more information comes to light, we will keep you informed."

 

Jordan's blood turned to ice, as he looked up at the report, and caught sight of the scene. There was only one kind of 'animal' that could send someone into a coma-like state. And the fact that they had already linked it to a possible Youma attack cinched it. Either a Soul Devourer had emerged nearby though chance, or, more likely, they had been followed.

 

"I knew I should have canceled this trip. This, is going long vacation."

 

His cell phone went off as he flipped of the television, finally drying his hair out enough to put it back into it's topknot style ponytail.

 

"Jordan speaking."

 

"It's Ami. Did you hear about the attack?"

 

"Yah." Jordan sighed. So much for keeping this a secret. "I just watched it on the news. I wouldn't worry about it right now. Until they attack again, I can't track them. I need an trail to follow. Once we catch it, we can fix the victims, but for now, just leave it to me. As soon as I can track them down, I'll let you all know."

 

"If you say so. You still haven't told us how you seem to know where these things are going to attack. About tonight. Why exactly are we getting our hair and makeup done?"

 

He knew it was rude, but he went ahead and hung up. He couldn't risk her finding out what he was up to. It would completely spoil the surprise.

 

He quickly changed into a pair of jeans, and an older t-shirt, before slipping on a pair of sneakers, and grabbing his suit bag on the way out. The car should be waiting outside for him. If he timed it right, he'd make it back to the Office before Rush Hour.

 

* * *

 

"Everything is all set to go Jordan. The entertainers are already set up, and are warming up. The Caterers have all the buffets set, and are waiting in the storage are, ready with more if needed. All Servers have arrived, and are escorting the first of the guests inside, and seeing to it that they are comfortable. All we're waiting on now, is the arrival of the girls from the dressers, and your Grand Entrance. That is, you really are going to go through with it that is."

 

Jordan finished tying the final touches to his outfit, before he flashed Susan with a smirk. She couldn't help but smile back. It was good to see him starting to behave like normal again.

 

"Of course I am Susie. I wouldn't want to deprive all out many, many clients of my fabulous musical skills. Besides, I can't remember the last time I performed. Should make for a good start to the party."

 

"Your show Boss. I'll go back down, and inform your Mother. She'll be amused at the least."

 

Jordan smirked again as he reached over and picked up a neon green Electric Bass Guitar from his desk. Yes, it had been far too long since he'd performed. This would be so much fun.

 

* * *

 

"Ladies and Gentlemen. If we can have your attention. As you are all no doubt aware, Mallone Fashions holds this event once each year, to showcase our up and coming Fashions. While this Gala is also a Fashion Show, we would still like you all to appreciate the show for what it is, and the party for the bash it will be. And now, without further ado, we present to you, Mallone Fashions 5th Annual Fashion Gala."

 

The announcer quickly hopped off the stage, and took a stand nearby, to be out of the way. The lights dimmed down, and a series of spotlights lit up the stage. Instantly, several smaller, colored lights came on, and began slowly rotating across the curtains. Starting out softly, but quickly getting louder, a rather catchy melody began playing.

 

There were plenty of murmured appreciations throughout the banquet hall, as the models began strutting across the stage, showing of various new styles that Mallone Fashions was currently getting ready to put on the market. Once Thomas Contias came out to accept what everyone assumed was the final congratulations, the lights dimmed even further, and a haunting guitar solo began playing.

 

"Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a special treat for you tonight. Since these are her personal designs, I'll now be turning things over to Mrs. Vanessa Mallone."

 

The announcer handed over her microphone to Mrs. Mallone as she emerged from backstage.

 

"Thank you Mia for a lovely job tonight. I know this is a little unusual for me to do this tonight, but I've waited so long to find the perfect models for these fashions, that I just had to jump at the opportunity. Tonight, I present to you all a collection from my earlier years. A Collection that I have never before shown anyone outside of my own family, or the Senior Designers. Tonight, I present to you, My Ultimate Dress Collection, Fantasy Princess."

 

She stepped over to the side just a bit, and the lights changed again. A prism type effect, shooting sparkles, and stray colors all over the stage and the curtains.

 

"First up, we Ms. Trista Meioh modeling Princess lost in Time."

 

Pausing just long enough to take a deep breath, Trista gave the girls a big smile as she walked out onto the catwalk, and showed off her dress. It had been a very long time indeed, since she had worn this dress, something she'd have to remember to thank Jordan for later.

 

Looking much like an elegant evening gown, it was dyed a deep, smoky black. It was sleeveless with the main part of the gown loose, and flowing about her body as if made of air, sweeping down to just barely be clear of the floor. The neckline swept across her bust line, arching up in the middle to be caught by a thin, metal necklace with a jeweled broach at the center, a Black Onyx the same smoky black the dress. At the shoulders, it was double strapped, leaving a thin swath of pale skin visible between each set. The straps themselves, were covered in small, jeweled studs, and ran from the neckline, to arch over the shoulders and end at the back line, that was just shy of the small of her back. Her arms were encased from the elbows down, in a pair of gloves, the same material as the dress. A thin, gossamer material arched out at her hips, and flared around the back, from side to side. It was a faint, smoky gray, giving the illusion that she was surrounded by smoky fog. Tied around her throat at the back, was a black ribbon, the ends trailing off to the sides, nearly to the floor.

 

"Next, we have Ms. Amara Ten'oh modeling Princess riding the Wind."

 

Amara nervously bit her lip before grinning wickedly at the girls, and dashing out onto the stage. She may not wear dresses often, but that didn't mean she didn't know how to. If she was gonna go through with this, she might as well enjoy it, and show off.

 

Her dress was very similar to Trista's, though hers was dyed a deep sapphire blue. Also sleeveless, the shoulder straps reached around to join side straps just under her shoulder blades, clasping together with small, golden studs. Around her neck was another jeweled broach, with a large sapphire set inside it. Her neckline wasn't attacked to her broach, but instead plunged down just a bit to show off a hint of cleavage. She also had the Bow tied around her neck, the same sapphire color as the rest of the dress, also trailing down to nearly touch the floor. The thing, gossamer material around her dress was dyed a light shade of blue, so thin, as to make her seem to be covered by clouds.

 

"Now we have Ms. Michelle Kaioh modeling Princess floating on the Waves."

 

Michelle smiled as she boldly stepped out onto the stage, not even pausing to gather her thoughts. She'd modeled a time or two before, years ago before she had even met Amara. She enjoyed the thrill and the rush of once again walking down the stage, and made sure she'd savor this feeling. There was no telling when the next time would be, when she could do so again.

 

Once again, her dress was similar to the others, though her was dyed a delicate, sea-green color. She also had a jeweled broach around her neck, with a milky green jade stone embedded in it. her neckline plunged just a bit lower than Amara's, though she didn't seem to mind. The thin straps of her dress were joined at the back by a pretty green jeweled stud. She also had a sea-green bow tied around her throat, similar to the others. The gossamer of her dress dyed a sheer, sea green, giving off the illusion that she was walking through waves.

 

"Here, we have Ms. Hotaru Tomoe modeling Princess rising from the Dark."

 

Hotaru paused nervously behind the curtains, but with a cheerful assurance from Morgan, stepped out to the catwalk and slowly walked down it. At first, she was nervous, but slowly, she enjoyed it, and found herself having fun as she showed off the dress. A dress she could faintly remember wearing in a dream, a long, long time ago.

 

Similar in design to Trista's, hers was dyed a deep Amethyst purple. It included the same arching neckline as Trista's had, though it was held up by a single set of studded shoulder straps. A large Amethyst was set in the broach that attached to the neckline. The purple colored bow around her throat also stretched out to nearly touch the ground. the thin gossamer around her dress was dyed a light purple, giving the illusion that she was walking through shadows.

 

"Up now, is Ms. Lita Kino modeling Princess growing from the Woods."

 

More nervous than she could ever remember being in her life, Lita took courage in the fact that the other girls had done a stellar job so far, and stepped out from the curtains. She took comfort in the fact that no one was laughing at her, or calling her names like Giant, or Amazon like back home, and managed to smile as she showed off the dress that she hadn't worn in so long. Though she could barely remember that Last Ball from so long ago, she could remember the dress perfectly, and took pride in the fact that she could wear it once more.

 

Taking a slightly different course than that of the other dresses, hers had a style all of it's own. Dyed a deep green color, the skirt was made of layers of fabric, and the lighter dyed gossamer material, giving the illusion that the dress was made of flower petals. At the hips, fist sized, green flowers were attached, and certainly gave the dress a very garden-ish feel. She also had a broach around her neck, with a large emerald in the center. Instead of her customary ponytail holder, her hair was held up by a green ribbon, the same color as her dress. Also around her throat was a green bow, that stretched down to just a few inches above the floor. Simple shoulder straps held up the plunging neckline, which showed off a generous amount of her cleavage.

 

"Here, is Ms. Rae Hino modeling Princess consumed in Flames."

 

Not wanting to admit to the nervous butterflies fluttering about in her stomach, Rae stepped boldly out onto the stage, showing off her dress, and amazing the crowd with her fiery personality. Once she started showing off, she forgot about the butterflies, and simply enjoyed the moment.

 

Dressed in a sleeveless ruby red dress, she truly did look like flames. Especially with the thin gossamer strip down the center that shifted as she walked, giving the dress the illusion that the colors were constantly shifting like flames. A ruby rested in the broach about her neck, and the red bow around her throat trailed gracefully behind her.

 

"Now, is Ms. Mina Aino modeling Princess radiating Love."

 

Mina was in her element. She had started off modeling, and entering Beauty Pageants since she was old enough to walk. Add in her years as a movie actress, and the girl was simply unstoppable. She knew how to show off her dress, and did so with gusto, charming the already enthusiastic crowd, and simply having a blast.

 

Also wearing a sleeveless dress, hers was dyed a brilliant sunshine-yellow, mesmerizing everyone who looked at it. A large citrine nestled firmly in the necklace, a thin yellow choker was around her neck instead, while yellow bows were tied to the shoulder straps, and left twin trails flowing along behind her. Pale-yellow gossamer flared around her, to join at the front, giving her the illusion that her dress was shining light from underneath.

 

"Next, is Ms. Ami Mizuno modeling Princess shrouded by Frost."

 

Ami stood nervously behind stage. She'd never done anything like this before, but some inner voice prompted her, saying that she could do it easily. All she had to do was remember what it had been like so long ago, when she'd last worn this dress. Smiling with a confidence she didn't really feel, Ami stepped out onto the stage, and let the moment sweep her away.

 

Wearing a sleeveless dress of pale blue, with the shimmer waves of even paler gossamer flowing at her sides, she did look like her dress was made of gentle frost. Fragile, and easily broken with a careless motion. A pale blue piece of turquoise sat in her necklace, while the blue neck bow trailed at her sides. The shoulder straps were studded with small gold diamonds, and seemed to enhance the over all color of the dress.

 

"Here, we have Ms. Rini Tsukino modeling Princess guided by Dreams."

 

Taking silent joy in the knowledge that she now knew who made this wonderful dress for her in the future, Rini eagerly rushed onto the stage, wanting to show off the dress as though it was the first time she had ever worn it. If some of the other girls had seemed a little off in their performances, Rini definitely out classed them, showing off the dress she knew was made just for her.

 

Seemingly made of layers of thin, wispy pink material, the dress flowed around her like a rippling wind. A delicate piece of Morganite sat in her necklace, and drew attention from the relatively high neckline of the dress, compared to the others. Thin puffy sleeves covered the shoulders, while a delicate chain of pink material wrapped around her waist, and joined with the lacy frill at the back of the dress.

 

"And finally, we have Ms. Serena Tsukino modeling Princess of shimmering Hope."

 

Serena stood nervously behind the curtain. All the other girls had already gone, and now it was her turn. Fighting down a sudden fit of anxiety, she allowed herself to relax, and was surprised to find herself casually walking out onto the stage, as though someone else was guiding her. With each step, she felt a surge of confidence, and exultation. Like this was right, that she could do this effortlessly. She paused for just a moment, as the audience gasped at her emergence, and took in the site of her attire.

 

Wearing a sleeveless white dress that encircled around her chest with wide gold brocade, the waistline high, just underneath her breasts, and gathered there by a string of beads. The skirt was double layered chiffon, the first ending at her calves and the second pooling the floor. There was also a wide bow in the small of her back, the ends ribbon-like and thin, floating down nearly to the ground. Also the gown came with lacy cuffs that slid up her arms, separate from the gown but appearing to be part of it if her arms were down at her sides. To finish it off she wore a pair of pearl-topped pins in her hair and her golden spiral ear bobs. All in all, she gave off an air of deep maturity, and tugged at something deep inside the audience.

 

The audience was stunned speechless for several moments, before they erupted into applause, and congratulated Mrs. Mallone on a truly stunning collection, and ensuring a bright future for Mallone Fashions.

 

Just as the lights returned to normal, and the guests began to drift off to enjoy the buffet and other treats being carried around by the Servers, the Guitar Solo picked up again, began to take on a more ferocious tone. The odd, haunting melody changed form, to become a raging cry. The notes blared from behind the stage, quickly picking up in speed an intensity, before with a loud final chord, a form leaped out of the curtains to land and skid across the stage on his knees.

 

Holding the neon green guitar above his head, was a very oddly dressed Jordan. He had on what looked like a emerald green suit. Around the high collar, and down the front seam was worked silver , shooting off every so often in down swept curls. Long sleeves with the same silver design joined at the shoulders with an elaborate worked silver design. The Pants were the same color as the jacket, and the cuffs were the same silver design as the rest. Sharply pointed, black boots covered his feet, disappearing under the pants.

 

For several minutes, all any body could do, was stare at him as he held the pose. Various adults in the room had looks of horror on their faces. Some merely stared, unable to grasp it. The Scouts all stood off to the side, and several were giving Ami odd looks, as she was lost in thought, seemingly mulling over something.

 

"Bravo Mr. Mallone. I believe it's been several years since you gave us such a spectacle."

 

Mr. Contias began clapping his hands, and laughing at Jordan, who instantly cracked up in a grin, and laughter of his own. Slowly, the rest of the crowd began clapping, very few knowing what the whole scene had been about. How ever, a certain, red-headed 14 year old knew exactly what to do.

 

"Idiot. You'll scare the guests."

 

Running up behind him, Morgan smacked Jordan in the back of the head, hard enough to send him rocking forward slightly. In the same instant, the tight cloth wrapping holding his hair gave out, and Jordan was covered in a curtain of strawberry blond hair. There was so much, and since he was still kneeling on the ground, the hair pooled around him, completely covering him from view.

 

"Gee. Thanks Morgan. Do you have any idea, how long it takes to fix this mess?"

 

All the girls, including Ami now just stared, as Jordan carefully stood up, and set the guitar on the ground. As he stood up, the hair parted slightly so his face was visible again, and his bemused grin was visible. Even standing, the hair was long enough to brush against the ground. He carefully grabbed the cloth tie as the whole room continued to stare at him, and retied the hair as best as he could. It was still rather long, but it now only reach to his knees, instead of dragging the floor.

 

Jordan gave the room a once over, and noticed everyone still staring at him. Morgan promptly humped and walked over to where their Mom was gesturing for her to come over.

 

"Come on folks. I've had my fun. Now, this is a party, so lets start partying!"

 

Deciding it was time to bite the bullet, Jordan headed over to where the girls where gathered, several of them still staring at him. The others seemed to be teasing poor Ami.

 

"So, what'd you all think of my solo? Personally, I think I was a little slow on that last chord."

 

People slowly began dispersing about the room, more than a few whispering to each other and pointing at Jordan. He ignored it as he stood, waiting for a response from the Scouts. After several minutes, Lita finally elbowed Ami slightly, and knocked her towards Jordan. Suddenly put on the spot, she blushed slightly, and avoided Jordan's gaze.

 

"It was... interesting."

 

"Forget that. What I want to know is, why'd you have us all go through with this circus?"

 

Jordan smirked at Amara as she jerked out of Michelle's grip and glared at him.

 

"Simple. I thought it was time I made up for being such a jerk to you all when we first met. Besides, can you really tell me you didn't like being pampered all day at the Companies personal Spa, and being waited on hand and foot?"

 

Amara sputtered as she tried to think up a response to that, but seemed to come up short. Mina stepped forward and gave Jordan a once over, before thoughtfully tapping her chin.

 

"Jordan. I know I've never seen you wear that outfit before, so how come it seems so familiar. And why does that hideous thing seem to be perfect for you?"

 

Jordan smirked again as he gestured at his clothes, then at the dresses they were all wearing.

 

"Simple really. I designed this thing, oh, five years ago, when I though about actually doing the design part of this job. While I did have fun designing stuff, ultimately, it was just a colossal migraine. As for why it's so familiar, it's my Formal Uniform from the Old Days. I figured, If I was gonna make you all dress up, I might as well go for it myself. Morgan's back. Let's see what Mom had to say about my performance."

 

Morgan ran up, neatly dodging around a blond haired Server who seemed to be frozen in place, staring at their group. Jordan ignored him for the moment, to hear what Morgan had to say.

 

"So midget. What'd Mom have to say?"

 

Morgan glared at him a moment before she finally decided to talk.

 

"That while she enjoyed the show, next time clear it with her. She wants to make sure the sound system is properly set up."

 

Morgan sighed, and rolled her eyes at the whole thing before grabbing a hold of Rini, and Hotaru, and dragging them off to the buffet tables.

 

Once they were gone, he had to finally answer the barrage of questions the girls launched at him about the clothes. Most were easy to answer, now anyway.

 

"The main reason I can think that Mom made these dresses, is that she was probably a Royal Seamstress back on the Moon. And don't let that innocent smile of hers fool you. I think she knows exactly who you are all. Morgan may have told you lot stories of how I can read her mind. It's just a party trick, compared to Mom. I think she may have a touch of Plutonian Blood in her. Highly diluted after all this time mind you, but I think it's there. Anyway, she'll keep her mouth shut. Now that she knows your all my 'friends', she'll want you all later on, for another of her design lines, I'm sure of it. Now, I have to go do some socializing, and mingle with the Elite of L.A. You girls go enjoy yourselves. There'll be dancing later, if any of you are interested."

 

Jordan leaned over and gave Ami a quick peck on the cheek, before straitening his outfit, and putting on a nervous face that made a few of the girls laugh. He stopped at the still staring Server, and shoved him towards a group of people who looked like they could use some Non-alcoholic Champagne. After that, he disappeared into the crowd to rub elbows, and everything else he was expected to do. He made it to his third group, before the inevitable happened.

 

"There you are Mallone. I quit enjoyed your spectacle. Been awhile since you made a fool of yourself in public."

 

Jordan winced as he heard the voice, and slowly turned around to confront the owner. Standing around six and a half, maybe seven feet, he was a giant of a man. Tanned skin, a shade of dark bronze. Long, platinum blond hair, held back in a ponytail. Topped off with a set of steel blue eyes, that gave most people the creeps, and made them stay out of his way. They served to piss off Jordan, and insure that he stayed in his way as much as possible whenever they met.

 

"Ah, Colfax. I see that Hit-Squad has still failed to take you out."

 

"Laugh it up Mallone. Least I don't look like last season's Fashion Reject."

 

Jordan gave Malcolm a once over, admitting to himself (after much internal debate), that might indeed have the better outfit. Then again, a two-thousand dollar Armenian suit could do that.

 

"One of these days, I'm gonna lose control, and I will spill punch all over one of your suits, just to see what you'll do."

 

"Sure Mallone. And immediately afterwards, they'll find your corpse in... a ..."

 

Jordan stared at Malcolm for several seconds, wondering why he'd suddenly stopped talking. In a moment, he spotted the source of Malcolm's attention. Mina had walked up to them, and had paused in mid step, once she had spotted Malcolm, and the look on his face.

 

Not one to resist a chance like this, Jordan waved his hand in front of Malcolm's face several times. He even started to poke him in the shoulder, and only received a half-hearted swipe in return.

 

"OK, this is boring." Just then, he could hear the Musicians starting up for the dancing, and a smirk crossed his face. "Mina, so nice of you to stop by. Mina, this is Malcolm Colfax." He gestured at the still stunned Malcolm, as Mina blinked at them a few times, before tilting her head slightly at Malcolm, and a strange look appeared on her face. "Malcolm, this is Mina Aino. She's once of my friends from over in Tokyo."

 

Malcolm blinked a few times himself, before his upbringing finally kicked in.

 

"A pleasure to meet you Ms. Aino."

 

He nodded his head slightly at her, still a put off for some reason. Jordan smirked again, as he grabbed them both by the elbow, and pushed them towards the dance floor.

 

"I've got a crazy idea. Why don't you two kids get better acquainted over a dance or two? OK? OK. Have fun."

 

Before either of them could protest, Jordan had pushed them out into the middle of the floor, where they quickly became trapped by the other dancing couples. After a few awkward seconds, Mina seized the imitative, and grabbed Malcolm, taking the lead.

 

Jordan smirked again as he watch Malcolm unwind a little bit, and actually took the lead from Mina. Ah, so nice when a plan got a pain in the ass out of his hair. Speaking of pain in the asses.

 

"Hey you. Why aren't you serving drinks like your supposed to? You're supposed to be out handing out glasses to people, not staring at the models."

 

The man in question, was the same blond haired man from before. Golden blond hair, curly, and kept close cropped. His piercing brown eyes, moved from staring at a group of models, to look at Jordan.

 

"Sorry pal, I'm on my fifteen. You want a drink, you can go get it yourself."

 

Jordan watched in confusion as the Server disappeared through one of the doorways, after showing the drink tray into his arms.

 

"That guy is so fired."

 

Jordan turned around, and shoved the tray at a passing Server, and went off to find Susan. Once his back was turned, he missed the Server re-enter the room.

 

Now, he had replaced his Server vest, with what could only be the Sports Jacket of one of Guests. Who in their right mind would but a Sport's jacket in that hideous green color?

 

He walked straight across the room and right up to the girl he had been staring at all night.

 

"Excuse me Ms. Hino was it? May I have this dance?"

 

Rae looked away from the girls she had been chatting with, to stare up at the stranger. Taking a look at his messed hair, and the very familiar jacket she was wearing, just rubber her the wrong way.

 

"You're not excused, I was talking. Personally, I don't dance with thieves. I believe the owner of that jacket wants it back."

 

Rae smirked as she looked over the mans shoulder, and grinned at someone behind him.

 

"I think you have my Jacket. Could you kindly hand it over, before we cause a scene."

 

The man spun around, and smiled, pulling off the jacket at the same time.

 

"Sure thing friend. Just borrowing it. Don't worry, I didn't wrinkle it."

 

He handed over the jacket, and then tried to make a hasty retreat, when a bundle of blond hair streaked past him in a white dress.

 

"DARIEN!"

 

The bundle of blond hair slammed into the jacket's owner, and nearly knocked him over. Several of the girls she had been with saw what had happened, and quickly resumed their conversation, while those no used to such an occurrence stared.

 

Pulled over by the commotion, Jordan walked over with Susan in tow, trying to sort out what was going on. He spotted the wayward Server, and was going to reprimand him again, when Serena snagged his arm and dragged him over to where a perplexed Darien still stood.

 

"Jordan, I want you to meet Darien. Darien, this is Jordan."

 

Both perplexed now, they looked at Serena.

 

"Serena, we've met before. He used to work part time from Mallone Fashions back in high school, and his earlier college days."

 

Serena's eyes bugged out as she looked up at Darien.

 

"Really? You two have already met?"

 

"Yes Meatball. I told you before I used to work for Mallone Fashions."

 

Rae decided now was a good time to butt in with her two cents, and walked past the still bewildered Server, and stood next to Serena.

 

"You were probably too busy stuffing that pig face of yours, to hear anything he said."

 

"RAE! That was mean! I'm gonna make you pay for that one."

 

Serena took off after Rae who had already ran away, and proceeded to chase her all over the room.

 

Darien and Jordan watched them for a few minutes, before Jordan finally clapped Darien on the shoulder.

 

"Well man, it's been a while. What brings you to the states?"

 

Darien shrugged as he watched the two girls. Hopefully they wouldn't actually hurt themselves. Or someone else for that matter.

 

"I've been going to medical school over here. I got an invitation in my dorm mail the other day, and decided to pop in, for old times sake. I brought a friend with me, but I don't seem to see Nathan anywhere."

 

Darien looked around, and finally did spot his friend. Seemingly trying to hide off in a corner, with a plate of food. Oddly enough, he seemed to have frozen, with a bite of something halfway to his mouth. Following the trail of his gaze, he spotted him staring at Lita of all people, who was completely oblivious to her admirer.

 

"Never mind, found him. So how are things going for you in Tokyo? I hear the Devourers have scaled back slightly, since you took out Floran."

 

Jordan blinked a few times as he stared at Darien.

 

"How do you know about the Soul Devourers?"

 

Darien glanced around, making sure that no one was within easy hearing.

 

"Simple. Serena is my fiancé. When I'm not around to help out, she tells me what's going on over the phone, or in her letters."

 

Jordan looked at Darien for a few seconds before frowning, and giving him a cool look.

 

"If you're her fiancé, then I can assume you are Prince Endymion?"

 

At Darien's curious nod, Jordan simply turned around, and walked away. Not knowing what that was all about, he cast around again for Serena, and saw her and Rae currently piling plates of food over at the buffet table. Apparently, food won out over their argument.

 

 

 

Several hours passed, and a few of the guests began to leave. Once the crowd thinned out a bit, a disgruntled Jordan finally caught up with Ami, and gave her an apologetic shrug, before gesturing to the dance floor.

 

"Sorry about all that, but when you're the heir to a major Company like this one, you have to suck up to as many people as you can. Never know who's favors you might need later on. Now, before the Musicians pack it up for the night, how about a dance or two?"

 

Ami nervously looked over at the dance floor, and then back at Jordan.

 

"I'm not sure. I mean, I know how to dance of course, but I've never actually danced with anyone."

 

As she looked down at her feet, and blushed slightly in embarrassment, Jordan merely chuckled.

 

"That's OK. All you have to do is follow my lead. You'll get the hang of it."

 

Nervously, Ami finally followed Jordan out to the dance floor, and blushed slightly as a slow song began, and Jordan placed one of his hands on her hips. Possibly just a little too low for modesty's sake.

 

"Jordan..."

 

"Relax, the whole part of this party is to have fun. Here we go."

 

Before she could say anything else, he swept her into the dance, and they slowly began circling the dance floor. After a few minutes, Ami finally did relax, and got into it, leaning a little closer to Jordan, as yet another slow song began playing. At one point, she felt, more than heard Jordan laugh, and looked to see what was so funny.

 

Nearby, Mina was dancing with a rather handsome, if a little overly-large man. they both seemed to be caught up in the dancing, and people were constantly forced to step out of the way, or be trampled by them.

 

"I tricked Malcolm into dancing with her hours ago. Can't believe they're still at it."

 

The two continued to watch Malcolm and Mina dance for a few more minutes, before she felt Jordan suddenly go stiff, and Malcolm suddenly stopped dancing, his eyes suddenly widening.

 

Jordan and Malcolm both looked at each other, with mixed looks or fear, and utter horror.

 

"Malcolm. All the hair on the back of my neck just stood up straight, and my blood just turned to ice."

 

Malcolm nodded, indicating that the same had just happened to him. Jordan quickly turned to Ami, and gave her a quick kiss.

 

"Sorry about this, but I'll explain later." He turned to Malcolm and nodded with his head towards a set of doors. "We can hide in my office from her."

 

Both of them quickly disappeared through the heavy doors, just as a girl with thick, curly blue hair rushed onto the dance floor, seeming sniffing the air.

 

Mina and Ami both stared at her for a few minutes, completely taken aback by the whole situation.

 

"Nuts. They escaped my clutches again. Next time, I will snag one of them. I'm gonna marry a millionaire if it's the last thing I do."

They watched the seemingly crazed girls wonder off, apparently looking for either Jordan or Malcolm.

* * *