The last few months had been mostly relaxing in the capital. Auna and the girls had bought five uniforms each. Auna would have a class on the weekend, so they made sure she didn’t have to worry about doing laundry until her day off.
Females had two uniforms they could use, one with pants and one with knee high skirts. The girls got three sets with skirts and two sets with pants. They would need to use pants for combat training and other physical classes.
Both the females and males would wear either a short or long sleeve white dress shirt. Over that they had a black blazer, with cufflinks in your years colour. They then had black long socks. They wore closed toe black combat boots, regardless of their classes. Their ties also had to be in their colour.
The girls each got five short and long sleeve dress shirts. Their clothes were a bit big, as recommended for their age so they could grow over the semester. Aunas’ uniform would be very restricting for her. The Bloodwaves would have to get special permission for a uniform adjustment.
They also got many other clothes for their free time. Their books would be delivered to the campus dorms for them.
Now all that was left was the new year winter festival. The girls were getting dressed.
Auna had her wings out wearing a very simple but heavy long sleeve open backed dress. It was white with blue flowers reaching her ankles. She had warm socks on with white combat boots laced up with silver laces. She had a mantle matching her dress. Of course, she had her sunglasses on as well due to all the snow and light.
Ciela had on a long heavy green dress with yellow flowers on it. Her shoes were slip on with warm socks. Both girls preferred their hair down though as tradition they had it half up. Meredith had a blood red dress on, with many accessories befitting a noble. Her dress nearly touched the ground. Her face was full of makeup as well.
“Are you girls sure you don’t want any accessories or makeup?” Marybeth was holding a makeup kit.
“No thank you.” Auna and Ciela took a step further away from the woman.
“Fine, fine. I still don’t know why you would be like that though. All noble children will be dressed up properly with makeup. Do you want to stand out?” Sighing she put down the makeup kit.
“Mom, leave them alone. Not all young noble girls are so focused on looks anymore.” Gary, Merediths’ 12-year-old brother was adjusting his red tie. Why are there so many Gary named people in this world? Auna thought to herself.
“Yeah, mom sheesh” Mathew, Merediths’ 10-year-old brother was tugging his black blazer on. Both boys were in black suits with blood red ties.
They arrived at the noble ball; the commoners were in the streets celebrating while the nobles were above that. They would simply hold a ball. Auna rolled her eyes at Mr. Voice.
“Come on girls.” Marybeth led them through the doors of the hall.
“Announcing Mrs, and Mr Bloodwave alongside their five children.” A guard on the door spoke in such a loud voice Auna covered her ears making him soften slightly towards the end.
“I’m going to say hello to my friends, go ahead and mingle.” Meredith smiled walking off in the opposite direction her parents and brothers had gone moments earlier.
“All alone in a big room of people.” Sighing Auna looked at Ciela who was eyeing the food tables.
“Let’s go grab a snack.” Ciela pulled Auna with her to the food tables.
Soon both girls were a little disappointed. The food before them was classy, but they really just wanted something more festival like. They did find the cakes section which eased their disappointment a bit.
“Do you want to dance?” Gary asked Auna as she was debating jumping out the window off to the side of the ball. Ciela had taken to following around Marybeth as she didn’t know what to do either.
“I might not know a dance you know.” Auna replied.
“I am a great dancer, if you lead, I will follow.” Garys’ reply caused Auna to roll her eyes making him laugh and drag her to the dance floor with him.
“Why are you being so nice?” Auna asked as they began her moon waltz to her surprise Gary was keeping up, although a little clumsy. Even in combat boots she was less clumsy than him.
“You are basically my sister, why would I not treat you well?” Gary spun with Auna stepping on her foot. “Sorry.”
“We aren’t really though; we are just being sponsored by them.” Auna giggled as Gary stepped on her foot again. It was obvious to anyone watching Auna was leading, and Gary was unable to match.
“Yeah, I guess but in noble society if you are being sponsored as a child to go to the academy it is an unofficial adoption. Usually, the children marry into the sponsor family after they come of age. Though with you and Ciela I don’t think that will happen. Dad and Mom say they think you will run your own house one day.” Gary sighed as he stepped on Aunas’ foot again.
“I won’t ever be allowed to run the Jade estate; I don’t know what they are talking about.” Auna lead them off the dance floor. Her combat boots were thick but not thick enough to shrug of a 12-year-old stepping on her foot that many times.
“Sorry about that, I am good at the waltz, but I guess not your style. You could teach me.” Gary was going to continue however a smaller white-haired boy interrupted him.
“May I have this dance?” Jensens’ eyes looked calm. He was wearing a white suit with a red and blue tie. His wings were not out. Auna felt a bit odd for having hers out.
“Um, sure Jensen. Gary is that okay?” Auna was being led by Jensen to the dance floor as Gary nodded walking towards his mother.
“Why did you follow me to this world? Who are you?” Auna rattled off questions as she led them through a waltz of her old world. It was still different from this world, but Jensen knew it well. They had both learned it in class together in their last life.
“Hmm well I followed you because you fascinate me. You always have. I can’t really say much more than that though.” Jensen smiled as he began leading them instead.
“Why can’t you?” Auna was glaring into his red eyes.
“It wouldn’t be fun.” Jensen laughed at Aunas’ sigh.
“Do you know what would be though?” He continued.
“What?” Auna had retaken the lead.
This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.
“Let’s sneak out from this ball, I don’t want to spend all day here. Why not participate in the festival the proper way? Like back on our last world.” Jensen lead them off the dance floor near a balcony.
“Okay I’ll call over Ciela.” Auna quickly asked Ciela to come with her. Marybeth did not think anything of it.
“Ready?” Jensen pulled the girls to the balcony pulling his blazer off. His undershirt was backless, like he had planned this. Grabbing one of Cielas’ hands he motioned for Auna to grab her other one.
“Are you crazy?” Auna whisper screamed at him. Ciela was small but still a bit much for Auna to carry while in flight.
“Only as crazy as you my dear moon.” Jensen pulled Ciela with him over the edge causing Auna to scramble to grab her other hand going over the edge with them. They easily carried Ciela in flight over the wall of the garden into the street.
“See?” Jensens’ laugh was quiet as Auna hit his shoulder; He had left his blazer inside. Auna readjusted her mantle.
“Let’s celebrate.” Jensen tore off his tie stuffing it into his pockets.
They had spent about three hours at the ball, it was now time for lunch. Auna had money and so did Jensen, so they headed to a restaurant nearby getting greasy food.
“It’s so yummy!” Ciela smiled as she ate a burger and fries.
“Why thank you little lady.” The waiter smiled pouring them juice.
“So, what should we do next?” Ciela asked between bites.
“I’d love to walk down the market, if it isn’t too cold for you Jensen?” Auna was enjoying her own burger. Auna didn’t mind the cold anymore.
“It’s fine I use fire magic, so I have a warm body skill. Very hard to make me cold moon.” Jensen slopped on his white shirt. “Though I think this might give us away.” He looked almost confused as he stared at the ketchup stain.
“Why are you calling me moon?” Auna simply used water magic to remove the stain.
“What is more fascinating than the moon? Nothing, what is more fascinating than you? Also, nothing so simple math.” Jensen grinned as a couple of girls near them giggled visibly taken by his remark. Auna sighed rolling her eyes.
“Weirdo.”
“Not any weirder than you, moon.” Jensen winked that time causing Ciela to laugh.
The kids left the store, walking through many stalls. They ended up in a small alley away from majority of stalls.
“So pretty.” Auna was looking at a silver bracelet. It had runes engraved in it.
“What does it say?” Jensen leaned in for a better look.
The shady looking merchant in this dark alley tilted his head “I don’t know, no one knows that’s what makes it unique.” It was selling for ten coppers.
“I’ll take it for seven coppers.” Auna held out seven coppers to the merchant.
“See fascinating, why would you want that?” Jensen was watching Ciela lead the way into a more well-lit area.
“I am not sure, I felt I would need it. I usually try to trust my gut you know?” Auna watched Ciela as well.
“I understand.” Jensen was oddly serious.
The kids had rented a room to nap from 2pm to 6pm, they got up eaten dinner then walked around the market some more. Now they had six hours until the ball would end. They would have to slip back in before that though.
“So, we got some time before the ball finishes.” Auna pointed to a square with people dancing in the moon light.
“How about you dance while we watch?” Jensen grabbed Cielas’ hand due to it being more crowed.
“Sure.” Auna didn’t hesitate, she took off her mantle and sunglasses handing them to Jensen. She also threw her boots and socks off, smiling at the cold stone under her feet.
Auna danced her moon waltz, mesmerising the people of the square. Soon the music changed to better match her moves. People were clapping and laughing asking each other who the girl was. A few people would enter the circle to dance with her for a while, leaving the circle to let another try to match Auna. Jensen joined her a few times as did Ciela. Soon the moon was high, and they needed to head back to the ball.
“My moon, we must head back now.” Jensen was louder than the crowd, Auna slowed down to a stop.
“Okay my ember.” Auna startled herself with the nickname and Jensen smiled brighter like he had been waiting for it.
“You’re going?” A man on the drums asked, the music had stopped.
“Yes sir.” Auna was handed a sliver ribbon with three small silver bells on the end.
“It would suit you, my wife asked I give it to you should you stop dancing.” The man turned away. “Have a safe trip home.” He began playing the drums again which caused the rest of the music to play as well.
“Thank you!” Auna yelled over the drums before leaving for the ball.
“Even they didn’t think you would stop.” Ciela was teasing Auna as Jensen planned their re-entry point into the ball.
Auna had placed the bracelet and hair ribbon in her storage. She also placed the toys Ciela got inside. They couldn’t let anyone see them, or they would be found out. Jensen had bought food, and a few items he stored in his own storage.
“Hey, I found a spot no guards are guarding right now hurry.” Jensen peeked over the wall holding his hand out to Ciela.
Ciela reached up to him taking his hand, all three of them then flew to the same balcony they had left from. Jensens’ jacket was still stilling in the corner, he quickly pulled it on as they looked into the ball room.
“I think we should re-enter now.” Auna pulled them into the room to a quiet corner. It was nearly midnight now; people were beginning to wrap up a few having already left.
“Girls.” “Boy”.
Both the Pearls and Bloodwaves were all looking at them. They had watched them re-enter having had kept an eye on the balcony since they noticed they left.
“I can’t believe you. I knew you would sneak out but to take the young ladies with you?” Duke Pearl looked sickly pale.
“She didn’t have to come you know.” Jensen elbowed Auna.
“Yeah, I wanted to go, and I brought Ciela.” Auna glared at the spot Jensen had elbowed.
“I had much more fun! Auna danced for hours while we played games with the other children in the streets!” Ciela yawned.
“I agree much more fun than standing in a corner.” Auna nodded patting Ciela on the head.
“I understand you are not comfortable in this setting. You can’t just leave without permission though.” Marybeth scolded Auna.
“I am grateful for your sponsorship; however, you are not my mother. I have no mother or father I make my own decisions I thought you understood that?” Auna was calm.
“Still, we worry.” Marybeth scolded more.
“Did you send anyone out to find us?” Auna asked.
“Duke Pearl said Jensen would bring you back.” Marybeth eyed the small girl in front of her.
“Then you could not have been that worried?” Auna tilted her head. She was not use to parents taking an interest in her.
“Look, I understand you feel like an adult due to your upbringing. However, you are just a little girl. You will listen to us and let us know your whereabouts form now on. End of discussion.” Marybeths’ eyes were daring Auna to argue. Auna however did not.
Instead Auna stared back in silence, she was not going to say another word out of spite. If Marybeth wanted a seen not heard unless talked to child, she would get one.
“Fascinating as always. I’ll see you in classes, moon.” Jensen bowed dramatically walking away from the group. His father apologised again and followed after him.
“That man has a lot on his hands with that boy.” Edward was shaking his head, pity obvious in his eyes.
“Well girls did you buy anything neat?” Edward tried to ease the tension between Auna and his wife. Auna refused to speak and Ciela seeing that copied her.
“Really, you have nothing to say?” Marybeth asked.
“No ma’am.” Auna had a wry smile on her face.
“Let’s go home honey.” Edward was rubbing Marybeths’ back.
They arrived back at the villa. Auna and Ciela were told to go to their room and go to bed. They crawled into a bed and went to sleep.
“You know it wouldn’t be so bad to have parents.” Ciela said as they fed their laying birds. They told the butler that asked what they wanted for breakfast that they would be in the crater doing chores.
“I know, I guess. I’m not sure how to act as a good kid that’s all.” Auna picked up a few eggs putting them in her storage, she would probably give them to the kitchen staff again.
“Probably start by saying sorry.” Ciela was being cheeky.
Auna was pacing in front of Marybeths’ study. She had checked Edwards’ first, but they were not there.
“Oh, my Gods.” Gary pulled a stunned Auna into his mothers’ study. “Someone is here to see you mom.” He gave Auna a thumbs up on his way out.
“I’m sorry for last night.” Auna said after about three minutes of silence between the two of them. They were the only ones in the room.
“I’m sorry as well. It must be hard to adjust, but you lived in another world do you not have memories of good parents?” Marybeth had put her work back down.
“My curse taboo child has been with me for many lives. I have had very few parents that showed me love. At best they ignore me, sometimes they abuse me, at worst they kill me.” Auna was monotone as she watched Marybeths’ face twist in shock.
“I see. We’ll have to change that.” Marybeth held Auna in her arms tightly. Auna was still, she didn’t know how to respond. Edward found them like that, joining in on the hug.
“You feel a bit warm? Are you sick?” Edward asked as they pulled away.
Auna was still getting sick so easily, she couldn’t understand why. She merely shrugged at him. A doctor was soon called, who told her to rest until school.
She had been put on bed rest basically, much to everyones surprise she actually rested. She was tired, and sick. Taking her shoes off was not a smart move. She enjoyed the cold usually though. She spent many cold nights looking at the moon on the surface of her old world, and moons.