The morning of the Recruitment Ball, I was the first awake. I staggered up before decided to awaken. I coaxed around the oddly silent house. My breath in sync with my footsteps, a warm aura filled the air. I skipped down the steps and poured myself many glasses of fruit juice. I waddled around the backyard. Studied rocks, plants, watched the sun peek it's shining head in the pale grey sky.
That was a few hours ago.
As of now, the house is alive with life. I hear a glamorous sound of makeup brushes brushing. I hear the idle palaver and yelling of the boys of the house. Along with that, some sexual remarks that make me not want to look them in the eyes. Echo has released a sound bubble of energetic beats into the air. All the girls decided to help each other get ready. We curl hair, braid it, pull it into up-dos, and all the in-betweens. Imogen straightens the lengthy mess of my hair flat. It sits like a white, silk sheet down my spine. It floats and flicks in the wind. I apply a bleached red lipstick, it makes the green in my eyes stand out. Everything matches with the dress and I really feel like I'm at home. I feel more beautiful, but this all feels familiar. This is a better feeling, I must admit. I'm being surrounded in beautiful people with tragic stories. Beautiful people with equally beautiful personalities. I've longed for companionship and love with people for a long time. If the closest I've gotten to that was Flint, then it's not a relationship. What I have presented at Rave Tempest is real. A real feeling, a real connection, a real happiness.
•••
"There are," I begin, my eyes boggling at the ballroom, "so many people!" I grin like a fool at the sight of about a hundred nicely dressed individuals seeking opportunity in our Team. Around me is Thorne, Evian, and Echo. Sweetly enough, Fawn and Rune have broken off into a pair. Then Maude joined them and they became the likes of a trio. Maia carries Ky around, Lain and Ophelia follow shortly back. Ophelia, eight months pregnant, looks like she's worth the world. She's stunning and Lain has cleaned himself up, as well. Imogen waited by the door all night for Vera. She did show up and Imogen basically wet her pants with excitement. Vera asked me if she could join the Team. I laugh at her stupid question. She is an honored individual in my book. I welcome her as a member of Rave Tempest in that second. Simon stayed clear of Rune and chats with guests. I call this a success. The night had calmly dwindled down. I chatted with multitudes of people, convincing them to fill out an application, explaining the comfort of the house, really pepping the whole deal up. I have a second to recollect with my friends.
"Thorne," Evain says, and pulls out a single flower from his jacket, "Will you dance with me?"
"Yes," Thorne answers. She reaches for his hand, and Echo thrusts himself between the pair.
"What the hell, Evian!" Echo interjects. Evian pushes Echo with his palm. Echo is tall and basically refuses to move.
"You said this is how to pick up a girl!" Evian argues.
"I didn't mean my sister!" Echo snaps. I wedge my hands in between Echo and Evian. I push them in opposite directions and fail to pull them apart.
"Echo, stop it! He's a good kid, let them dance," I whine. Echo softens and backs off of Evian. Evian shoots me a thankful look. Thorne giggles and takes the hand Evian has extended out for her. He pulls her, gently, and they follow the music to dance. Echo glares, eyes glass and fire, at Evian. He continues to dance with Thorne, unaffected by the Lullaby Boy's failed laser vision. I'm left alone. Standing next to Echo, is awkward. I wish I could step away. It's like I don't know him. I don't understand him and I'm actually very afraid of him. He's a new person, someone I never met. I don't know what to say, I search for words, but nothing pops into my brain.
"Hey," he says to break the silence.
"Hello," I reply.
"So, I was," he begins and I loose attention from his words. My eyes dart to the swinging door. He continues to talk.
