◤𝕊𝕙𝕒𝕕𝕒𝕞𝕪◢ - It Started With Vomit!

Chapter 32 | "Happy" Family Reunion

Laughing-all together this time-the women engaged in several more pleasant and contentious conversations for another fifteen minutes, sipping aged, expensive wine while enjoying the soothing, soft effects of jazz coming from the front of the grand venue.

Amongst a floor of couples dancing below its beautiful vaulted ceilings and people chewing the fat about business topics, a luscious villain suddenly emerged, causing an explosion of loud mummers. Every guest donned an uneasy expressions as her blue eyes darted across the expansive space, wondering with nervous excitement-both from the electrifying thrill of returning to a familiar environment, and knowing that she would likely to be isolated because of her long-time estrangement.

The infamous lady's white fur, outstretched ears, and heart-shaped face turned heads as she ascended a grandiose bifurcated staircase, sashaying into the middle of the room. Her notoriety spread like wildfire. Accented by a crimson red evening gown-her hourglass form, tanned skin, and commanding presence were unmistakable.

"Isn't that..." piqued by an eerie awareness of dread, Lucy turned in everyone's direction of interest. Maria and Cosette traced her perspective.

All three instantly recognized who the crowd spoke about and clandestinely settled their glasses when Miss Bat's warm regard startled them. Compared to her previous comfortable pace, Rouge's feet pressed toward the familiar faces. With a reverential 'la bise', she greeted Madam Hedgehog before turning to embrace Lucy, then Mariah.

If everyone had formerly been gasping, now, they were all positively wailing.

"It's been so long, hasn't it?" Rouge smiled, just like she had rehearsed non-stop for the entire week. Faltering because of a certain tenrec's killer stare, "Who would've thought this is how we'd reunite?" Rouge's voice quieted as she continued. "And on a merry occasion, nevertheless."

"Certainly not me," Lucy said in a friendly yet pernicious tone. However, she bit her tongue, swallowed her words, and unravelled her tense shoulders when Maria's elbows nudged at her, gently reminding Lucy about the workings of public perception.

Allowing the other (unphased and collected) women to handle the situation, Lucy schooled her expression into an agreeable one but excused herself from the conversation altogether. "I must ease myself; I'm sorry I can't stick around longer."

"That is alright; it can't be helped."

"Yeah... Just like your bitch-ass attitude-"

"Ma chère Lucille!" Cosette chided, turning to Maria. "Go with her, please."

"B-but I can't leave you."

"Go. Please, ma chère."

Reluctantly, Maria acquiesced and moved away towards the front entrance, where she saw Lucy headed. She hastily yet elegantly caught up with the hot-headed Tenrec, who she found arms crossed and harshly scolding a towering dark figure, arriving too late. Before Maria could even holler her friend's full, maiden, or first name, Lucy threw her hand in the air and landed a hot slap on the person's left biceps.

"Putain de crétin!" she yelled. "What are you doing showing up now?"

"Ow."

"And where is Amy?" Lucy punched him in the chest. "Why are you showing up without your fiancée, dipshit?"

"Hey! Hey! What's going on?" Mariah pulled back her hysterical friend, taking in the dishevelled, bedraggled stranger undergoing the brutal assault. Not believing her eyes, she gasped. "Why... What are you doing dressed like that?"

"Like what?" Mr. Hedgehog responded with a skeptical expression, then regarded his open suit jacket, untucked collars, missing cuff buttons, bare neck, and lipstick-bedazzled skin. "I thought I cleaned up pretty well."