Weiss Kreuz Fan Fiction / Yami No Matsuei Fan Fiction ❯ Black Velvet ❯ Pretty ( Chapter 4 )

 

 

Aya stood in one of the recessed doorways staring in awe at the room everyone else had just walked into. Taking in the parquet hardwood flooring, graceful marble columns, and floor to ceiling windows. When he stepped a little further into the room and looked up he found cut crystal chandeliers and skylights set with stained glass windows at evenly spaced intervals. With the early afternoon sun shining down the stained glass made magnolia and rose patterns on the floor.

 

“This is magnificent!” he said, still trying to take in so much beauty in one place. “It isn't too over done but it's breathtaking.”

 

Belle nodded and smiled. “I think Granddad would be happy to hear that.”

 

“I'm sure he would be,” Star said. “He designed and had the place built specifically for me and Skye.”

 

Schuldig, who was holding Skye's hand, looked oddly at her. “Why?”

 

“For our coming out party,” Skye explained. “Though I was pretty much engaged by that time. It's why the roses and magnolias are part of the décor.”

 

“Everything is almost ready for the Harvest Ball,” Belle said. “You all arrived just in time. Hmmm. Wonder what Ceile and I can throw together as costumes for you men? The women are easy.” At Aya's puzzled look Belle clarified. “The Ball is a Masquerade and the costumes sometimes take weeks to make because they're very ornate.”

 

“They can always make do with a nice tux and a mask,” Dee pointed out. “I don't think they were really expecting to attend something like the Ball.”

 

“No,” Crawford said from the doorway Aya had vacated a few minutes earlier. “I'd completely forgotten about it being time for it.”

 

Belle looked pointedly at him. “You will attend this function, Bradley Crawford. Don't you dare try to worm your way out of it either.”

 

“Belle, I am not going to put half the Parrish in danger by attending. And I won't give anyone a reason to start hunting Rory and Dee again.”

 

“They won't be hunting them again, Brad,” Ben said quietly from behind him.

 

“You can't know that, Ben,” Crawford said, turning to face him.

 

“I can and do know it.”

 

“How?”

 

Ben looked levelly at Crawford before saying, “I'd rather discuss this in a more private setting.”

 

Cassie rolled her eyes and grabbed both Rory and Star by an elbow. “He means he wants to do the boy talk thing with Braddy away from us nosy women.”

 

“Never mind, Cass,” Ben said, clamping a hand around Crawford's wrist. “We men will retire to the drawing room for brandy and cigars while you women discuss dresses and such.”

 

“That had better have been sarcasm, Benjamin,” Aurora said to her husband.

 

“Anything else would be designed to get me killed or at least make me wish I were dead,” Ben said as he dragged Crawford along behind him and out of sight.

 

“You do realize that there are six people in this room that have telepathic abilities,” Cassie called after them. “Nothing stays a secret in this house.”

 

“Why the hell do you think I worked so hard on my shielding for all those years?” Ben called back. “Because I have the nosiest sister in the known world.”

 

“Sooooo,” Yohji said, looking at Aya and Schuldig, “Since we weren't included I guess that means we aren't men.”

 

Everyone laughed at that. Then Cassie grinned at the room in general and everyone except for Skye, Schuldig, Aya and Belle shot for the door.

 

Belle shook her head. “Bet good money on the fact that they're listening at the door to whatever room those boys are in.”

 

“That is a sure bet,” Aya said, offering Belle his arm. “May I escort you?”

 

“At least one of this bunch has manners,” Belle said laughing as Aya led her out of the room.

 

“Hey! I have manners,” Schuldig complained. “I know which fork to use and everything.”

 

Skye laughed. “I know that. I've seen you do it.”

 

Schuldig was quiet for a moment, looking thoughtfully around the room before wandering over to the grand piano and plunking a few keys. “So this was built for you and Star. Your dad must have really loved you.”

 

“He did,” Skye said, walking over to him.

 

“Did he know what happened to Star?” he asked.

 

Skye shook her head. “No. He died the year before she was married otherwise it never would have happened.”

 

“What makes you say that?”

 

“The first time he hurt her he'd have been dead.”

 

“Go, dad!” Schuldig said. He looked around the room again. “Star said this was built for your coming out party. Does that mean you had your first real dance with your husband here?”

 

“Yes. I had my first kiss right . . .” she took a few steps to the right, pulling him along with her. “Here.”

 

Schuldig wrapped his arms around her. “If that's the case, I think you need your next kiss here too,” he said, leaning down and kissing her softly then pulling back to look at her. “Gods, I love you so much. I don't want to do this, Skye,” he said, burying his face in her shoulder.

 

“Don't want to do what?”

 

“I don't want to let you go.”

 

“Schu . . .”

 

“I know, I know. You're trying to step back to give me some time with Brad. It's just, scheisse, he runs lukewarm and cold with me on the best of days. I mean, some days he acts like he really wants me around and others I don't think he'd care if I fell off a cliff. I don't know where the hell I stand with him. Which isn't a good thing. Add to that, I find out today he has a real family that I never knew about. And there's something weird going on with the missing sister.” He paused and took a deep breath. “Sorry, lieb. It's been a really fucked up day.”

 

“Yes. It has been rather stressful. It's always so odd for me to be back here. Seeing how my great grandchildren have aged when I stay the same.”

 

“Is that another reason you're pushing me toward Brad?” Schuldig said. “Hell, Skye, with what I do for a living added to being a telepath, I probably won't live much past thirty anyway.”

 

“You'll live to be quite old, Schu. I've seen it.” At his dubious look she smiled. “You should know by now that anything one of us sees is subject to alteration at any given moment. When Bradley took it upon himself to direct the demon's attention to him instead of you it changed a great deal for both of you.”

 

“How do you know it's me? Could be any old foof on the planet.”

 

Skye smiled. “Because even as an old man you'll still have that smart alleck smirk on your face.”

 

“Just as long as I stay pretty.”