Reincarnated Into A Dead Woman's Body In Another World-Chapter 200: Arc 4, Act I, - 45: Party Like it’s 979
"Announcing, King Akimitsu, the Fragmenting Lightning, the monarch of Luxinor, the Kingdom of Scintillating Wind," the herald stood inside, watching the guests pass into the ballroom.
The king wore extravagant clothing similar to the morning, flanked by his guards now more so loosely following. The king picked up the quill on the lectern at the entrance and signed his name.
One by one, nobles, ministers, ambassadors, representatives, political leaders all entered down the protocol-appropriate decorated halls.
Stood outside, was a wolf-girl holding a clip purse of bright blue. She smiled to those who arrived, before their names were announced into the ballroom.
Soft pink lipstick, mascara and sparkling blue eyeshadow. Her hair hung in a bun above her nape while a thick braid crowned over her head behind her ears; her bangs swept to the left and tucked gracefully into the hairdo.
She checked her bluish-silver watch, watching the hand tick to a minute past seven. Her sleeves were of lace, soft blues going up tightly till her shoulders and around her neck were blue gems that made up her jewellery.
The lace blue gown, drifted till it covered her feet; the blue from the top of the dress, mixed and flowed into light pinks towards the bottom, creating a gradient for the flowy dress that domed the floor.
Shadows appeared at the front of her, causing the Royal Guard to raise their halberds and the guests to gasp and come to a halt down the hall.
"Sorry!" Fumeko yelled. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦
"Fumeko, no magic," Hotaru glared, the eyeliner only inducing more fear... The guard sighed and the guests continued to walk, eyeing the two by the side.
"Yeah, yeah, I remember," Fumeko averted her gaze, blushing to the sight of Hotaru. The brunette wore a collared purple dress made of satin-like material, going till it blocked her feet as well; less puffy than Hotaru’s.
The light makeup and reddish lipstick accented her small face well. The brown hair was tied into looped pigtail braids to her shoulders and she wore a dark purple cocktail hat tipped to the side, dark orchid gems around it.
"Well don’t you look charming," Hotaru scanned over.
"You look... nice too I guess... At least, I actually sort of like this look. Still hate it though. Anyway, I was kinda looking for Asobi."
"Was she your date?"
"No, but I know she’s not going in with anyone and I’m not, so might as well."
"Sobi’s already inside, preparing for her show at eight."
"I thought she would at least make an entrance. Where’s Jotou?"
"Hasn’t arrived yet, must be late."
"Or she’s been attacked..."
"Don’t, don’t put ideas in my head! I’m sure she’s fine."
"Just saying," Fumeko shrugged. "I’ll go inside then..."
"I’ll see you."
"Announcing, Ms Fumeko Namora."
"Shut it will you?" the microphone blared in her ear while she was writing her name in the registry.
"Ms, it’s my job..."
Hotaru rolled her eyes. "Where is she...?" Was she, no, not in a million years... Was she being stood up? No, that could not be it... "That’s ridiculous," she glanced down the line of incoming guests, not recognizing anyone in particular.
Every second felt like an hour, every minute like a day... She curled her right hand around a left finger, gripping it over her purse. But then, her brilliant blue eyes jolted—was that the sight of a golden blonde?
She tipped her head right, looking past the guests... Her ears pricked and her lips parted. With pupils dilated and, a combed, yet uncontrolled tail she gawked.
There she was... The spiteful little housecat, her golden knight, the Thundering Blade, in what could only be said to be a dress made of pure stars...
Her collarbone was exposed, only two thin straps went over her shoulders while short sleeves circled around her upper arms, exposing the moon-like pale skin.
The black dress wrapped around her frame till right below her knees; her legs were exposed as she walked down the hallway in block heels with a cat-like grace.
Every centimetre of her dress sparkled with specks of white, twinkling to every light that hit her form. Eight thick straps crisscrossed down her bare back till her waist where the dress continued.
The golden blonde hair that ended in black was indeed cut and was tied half up in a loose braid, while her half down wavy hair caressed her shoulder blades; a few strands of her bangs were swept right, clearing way for her face.
Four thundering blitzes had been tucked into the braids going from the forehead, two on each side.
Her hair’s hue matched well with the pale yellow eyeshadow and the gems of bright yellow around her neck. A pair of golden full-ear earrings dangled from each side like tiny gold tassels.
The curling eyeliner, the light lip-gloss, the blush across her cheeks, the volume of her hair, the bright yellow-painted nails, the everything—simply everything.
Everything made the redhead’s heart jump, nearly melting into a puddle where she stood. The guests behind her could only imagine who that was, while those in front would turn their heads.
Jotou walked up to Hotaru, standing now taller than her crimson ears by a smidgen. "Hey, you look... really, beautiful," the blonde tilted her head, blushing red.
Her jaw still hung ajar, "Uh, thank you! You, wow..." she chuckled, "You’re gorgeous..." the intoxicating, nitrogenous scent of thundering blitzes permeated her lungs, making her hairs stand on end.
"Thanks. Here," Jotou put out her hand and in it lied a small bouquet of bright red sea dandelions, "A corsage for you."
"You got me this? I, didn’t even get you anything."
"I didn’t expect you to, I just wanted to, you know, get you something; not like this is gonna make you more ethereal than you are right now..."
"You’re the ethereal one," Hotaru gawked with her right arm out. Jotou gently wrapped in around her wrist.
"Thanks, but I don’t think I’m dropping people dead. I’m glad I’m, p-pretty enough for you though," she tightened her lips with a slight scowl...
Her tail finally calmed... Same old Jotou in those brown eyes. She steadied herself, "Don’t sell yourself short."
"I think I’m a little too tall for that."
"Hilarious. Now, shall we?"
"I would like nothing more." Both of them put their arm out for the other to hold.
"Uhm."
"Uh, this way."
"N-, no, just."
"I-"
"Hang on," Hotaru adjusted their arms for the last time, pulling Jotou’s left arm down with her right and interlocked their fingers below, "There."
"Shall we?"
"Hand in hand."
The two stepped in, "Announcing, Ms Jotou Howllett, the Thundering Blade of Kria and Ms Hotaru Kinoshita, Royal Advisor of the Undying Princess."
The grand ballroom—bronze chandeliers emblazoning golden light, cream-hued panels making up the walls, brown tiles and countless decorations.
Large bouquets sat on every table that circled around the centre made of dance tiles. Cushioned seats, doors to every side, plates and cutlery arranged and a long, long table with so many delicacies.
A fountain of chocolate poured out with several fruits to be skewered—meats, vegetables, rice, noodles, appetizers, seafood, desserts all to be open and available at certain periods throughout the night.
A separate bar area was set up, with several bartenders mixing drinks for those who had arrived, and up front was quite possibly the blandest stage anyone had ever seen, simply carpeted purple.
Soft music played from the small orchestra, playing into a large phonograph while they tested out new symphonies. "Temporary," Hotaru turned from the registry to correct.
"Ms, it sounds better. I would appreciate not being told by everyone who passes, on how to do my job."
"Yeesh..."
Jotou set the pen down, only to feel the gaze of a hundred eyes down her spine. She turned to see those who gazed in awe, those who gazed in a sneer and those who turned back in indifference.
The two held hands and walked further forward. "Jotou...?" a shadow appeared in front of them, the brunette’s gaze transfixed.
"Meko, what did I say about magic?"
"..."
"...Detective?"
Fumeko stared, without blinking. "Meko!" Hotaru snapped her fingers.
"What, who."
"You look pretty," Jotou smirked, "Shorter than usual too~"
Fumeko’s hypnosis broke, "Just because you two are wearing heels. I uh," she averted her gaze, "Found our table, it’s with Daiyu’s. And you’re sitting next to me..." her face flushed.
"I, think it’s more apt for me to sit next to Hotaru..."
"No, I mean there’s plaques paranoiac! I don’t even wanna know what you were thinking...!"
"Well, I’m sitting next to her as well, it’s a circle."
"It’s at the front, come on."
There, Daiyu stood and bade her most recent chat with a glass of white wine in her hand. Tiara atop her beautifully braided hair done up; soft brown art went from her fingers to her wrists below her bangles.
Golden and amethyst piercings, chains and jewels, and a violet and gold dress patterned like broken glass that shifted hue with every shade of the light. In heavy makeup, she turned to see them approach.
"Ah, Meko you’re here. No food yet."
"I’m aware..."
"Hotaru, you look amazing-ah-woah, woah, what the hell... Who the... Why the... goddamn you’re beautiful," her face scrunched to admit.
"Make fun of me all you want, yeah I’m wearing makeup and heels whatever. I knew walking into this it was inevitable," her eyes glazed over.
"Make fun? Make fun of you!? No, you don’t get to have self-esteem issues tonight when you’re dressed like that!"
"You’re, fully serious...?" Jotou turned to all the guests; many eyes still lingered on her.
"Have you seen yourself in the mirror?" Hotaru faced her.
"Not really, I kinda zoned out when they were doing all the things. More worried about my eyes being poked out and hell, this mascara feels heavy, it’s like my eyes are constantly drooping."
"You’re a hundred out of ten. And you looked fine before, even with the overgrown bangs and the weird adventuring gear."
"Hey." Daiyu stuck her tongue out and Jotou responded in kind. "Where’s Feyan, Arabella, the Royal Ministry, anyone?" the blonde surveyed the large table with cream cloth.
"They’re all around mingling, maybe you can see a head poking out. Show’s only starting at eight, guests aren’t all here. Split up, go mingle, make friends. Ain’t no one resisting you looking like that," Daiyu pointed to Jotou.
"Fine, fine, I look good alright," Jotou laughed. ’I feel, weird... Weirdly good that is.’
"You better be feelin’ yourself, it’s about time."
"I think I’ll go talk to the king. Thunder to lightning, hardest conversation then I’ll go to the smaller fish, then go back to a bigger fish."
"Stop planning you paranoiac," Fumeko broke out of her trance again, "Take me with you, maybe I can figure out something."
"Is that why you want her to take you with her?" Hotaru glared, still holding Jotou’s hand.
"Obviously, it’s the team that works to get info."
"Too bad, I got her first so we can go talk."
Daiyu clocked it in her head, a grin crept up; only now realizing Hotaru to be Jotou’s date. Watching the sudden jealousy was oh-so entertaining...
"Actually, why don’t I go talk to people myself? You two can team up for this one."
"Jotou, are you sure?" Hotaru leaned in.
"For once, I am absolutely sure. I’m feelin’ myself and I gotta give it a shot. I know how to escape if I need; as long as I don’t get mobbed, but you can save me, right?" Jotou gave a wink.
"I will," Hotaru let go in a smiling blush.
"I’ll save you too..."
"Counting on it detective."
"Go on Thundering Blade, you got this," Daiyu took a sip of her wine. With that, Jotou set foot into the music and chatter, finding her target like a predator stalking prey.
