The Survivors

Seven

The next day Moon Pie didn't wake Yellow, Cream did. Her little hands pulled open the curtains to let light into Yellow's bedroom. "Miss Yellow? Please wake up!" Little Cream was only a child, no older than twelve.

She rubbed her eyes
"Cream..? What are you doing here?" She smiled softly at the girl, admiring her milky eyes and white hair.

"Emperor Red says I'm Your helper now. Your personal handmaiden!"

"Oh, and what happened to Moon?" She yawned and got up, still rubbing her eyes.

"She's with the garden staff!"

"Ahe is with Tofu?" She raised a brow and began to get dressed.

"Yep!" She helped Yellow dress and smiled. "You have dancing lessons with Pumpkin!"

"Oh? I do? I though I was going with Jello...," the woman trailed off and brushed her hair softly.

"Jello is your dance partner, but Pumpkin teaches. That's what I'm told!" Cream was large on gossip.

She nodded softly and smiled. "Oh, I see." She put her shoes on.

"Good luck. Red's learning too!"

"He is? I think he dances very nice already." She walked outside and traveled down the halls. Double doors opened as she pressed on them, she gasped as she looked around. Pumpkin danced with Red in the ball room, a long, sleek gown of orange silk framing her figure. The sleeves fell off her shoulders and a beautiful necklace adorned her neck. It looked like a ruby hang from the silver chain. The Village of Food held annual balls celebrating the harvest, which always fell on Red's birthday. Yellow never was celebrated, for she barely remembered her birthday. She barely remembered Red Wine was her twin, perhaps she didn't want to remember.

Everyone there was in their best gowns, the most popular cooks had foods enough to serve them all three times over. Peking Duck was doing palm reading to all of the girls there, telling them their futures in love. Red danced happily, watching his sweet Pie move her body. She was hypnotizing as she spun and shook her hips, letting him dip her.

"Are you happy today, Emperor Red?" she purred in his ear and let him spin her. Diane walked around, searching for the older twins.

"I am. Today is special indeed." He pulled her close and smiled.

"A birthday ball to celebrate you. Who's Yellow, again?" She laughed a bit and kissed him.

Yellow was busy searching for her darling Moon Pie when Diane grabbed Yellow's wrist and smiled at her. "Happy birthday, Yellow. If you weren't so humble about it, everyone would know today's about you and your twin- not just him." Her gaze was steady and kind, meeting Yellow's eyes. Her eyes were full of fire, two white hot circles of ever changing colors. Red, then orange, then yellow, then white. Constantly shifting and flickering. She really was a flame.

She blushed softly and smiled "I'm just happy that I'm here, alive and well. I know I shouldn't just yet but, can I dance with you?" She shyly offered a hand, her freckled cheeks were beetroot red.

"I'm sorry, Yellow. I'm not sure I wish to dance right now." She looked around and spotted Red. A box was in her hands, something Yellow hadn't noticed. She felt stupid. "I need to speak with your brother. Mind dragging him over?"

"I'll try to. Be right back." She smiled and wandered off to where Red was. "Red?" she spoke quietly.

"What is it?" he snapped at her, angry to be shaken from his dazed state.

Pumpkin didn't seem happy, either. "Is that the Empress you were speaking too, Yellow?"

"Yes. She wants to talk to you," she whispered.