"Sorry, I didn't mean to offend. It' a lovely outfit."
Pegasus straightened up and continued smoothly on his way. He knew when he should leave well enough alone. The poor girl probably thought he was trying something unseemly.
And yet he was left now without anything really to do. He spotted Croquet standing beside the main doors and headed over to him to see if there were any problems he hadn't heard about before the entertainment began.
"Is everything alright Sir?"
"I was about to ask you that."
"No problems yet."
Croquet frowned slightly and took a discreet look at his blackberry.
"Mr Kaibas security chip is in this room, in case you were wondering Sir. We haven't identified the individual close up. Are you expecting trouble from that quarter?"
"No... I don't suppose he'd send anyone like that, unless it were stolen."
Pegasus replied, casting his eye once more out across the ballroom, only to have his gaze fall once more on the pretty blue eyed girl he'd offended. She always seemed to be close at hand, didn't she?
Croquet had followed his Masters gaze and was starting to almost smile. He wasn't sure if he should say anything or not but that surely wasn't a woman, and when he checked 'she' was also right where Kaibas signal should be coming from.
The lights were lowered just then and the music brought up for the start of the fashion show and Pegasus decided to delve back into the crowds to see if he could get closer to his little 'Alice' once more.
Kaiba breathed a huge sigh of relief when Pegasus did leave him be. he hoped to hell no-one caught him on camera like this and realised who he was, or he could be ruined. This was such a risky game he was playing, but he couldn't trust what he was doing to anyone else. To be honest, he was starting to wonder if he hadn't gone quite mad. He made a dash for something to drink, not to calm his nerves, he didn't have nerves, don't be stupid. But he was feeling a fair bit strained that was for sure.
Though Zeigfried was loudly voicing his delight as the lights were lowered and the fashion show was about to begin, taking his seat, having a wonderful time.
Shaken as he was by his near miss, Kaiba was trying to blend with the crowd, without getting too close to anyone, unaware that Pegasus was somewhere behind him, searching him out.
Pegasus was an expert at moving through crowds at parties. Eventually he found his target even in the dim lighting, and he sidled up to her casually at one of the long buffet tables around the outside of the room. She was there for more champagne and he reached for a glass at the same time she did creating a casual and 'accidental' meeting of their hands.
"Oh, I'm sorry, you go ahead Miss Alice."
Pegasus smiled at her kindly and used the obvious but hopefully polite nickname for her.
"You are old enough to drink alcohol, are you not? I'm hosting this party and I wouldn't want you to get me in trouble."
He told her in an almost fatherly tone. But he kept looking at her eyes, or trying to. The false eyelashes and bangs did get in the way, but they was something very familiar about them, about her.
"Would you like to sit down and watch the show?"
He held out a hand to escort her towards the velvet chairs since there were still many open near the back.
Kaiba swore he felt his heart stop as Pegasus bumped into him again. He was dry mouthed to be sure, and wondered if Pegasus had caught him out. he was hoping to slip away again, but two things became very clear quite quickly. So far Pegasus was oblivious as to who he was, and quite possibly his real gender, and he was not going to just walk away this time.
There was nothing for it, he was going to have to play the game, even though it had his stomach in knots. He was grateful that he was not sober, otherwise he might just keel over in indignity at the ruse he was trying to pull off. Speak soft, say as little as possible, don't be gruff, and act shy. Kami-sama help him.
"Of course." He replied to the question about his age, denying eye contact in what he hoped was a shy manner, not wanting his eyes to betray him now. He was offering to escort her, and he couldn't think of a way of saying no to Pegasus without needing to say a lot and possibly blow his cover. Joy. hesitantly, he took the offered hand, and genuinely prayed he would get through this without his identity being figured out.
Well, at least if she answered honestly he couldn't be counted as a pedophile for having his picture taken with her. Pegasus was honestly just trying to be nice to a lonely looking girl. He hadn't seen her with anyone, which was somewhat strange for such a shy little thing to come to a party alone.
"Are you enjoying yourself this evening? There will be an early boat leaving at nine o'clock when the show is over if you feel you've had enough by then."
"Of course, I'd be happy if you stayed longer. You've brightened up my day and made it much less boring here. I keep watching to see where you'll turn up next, why it's almost as if you were following me."
He smiled at her gently. Perhaps she had been and was simply too shy to come over. He knew what that was like from his younger days. Why the first time he'd met his dear Cecilia he'd almost fainted and died of blushing on the spot when she was the one who came over to him at their parents encouragement after he'd been peeking at her around tables and hedges all night.
Kaiba took a deep breath and steeled himself to answer.
"It has been... eventful." He answered honestly, concentrating hard on keeping his voice soft, and feminine, but without putting on any falsetto or the likes which that could easily clue Pegasus in.
As Pegasus admitted he'd be happier if 'she' stayed longer, he coughed a little in panic. He really thought he was a girl.
"I... I'm not sure when I'll leave." Again honest. "I never meant to give you that impression."
That was for sure, he'd obviously not been so smooth as to have his movements be missed.
The show was getting louder now and Pegasus had to lean closer to hear her over the music. He nodded politely to her answers.
"Do you know Ziegfried well then, or are you just here for the fashions?"
She was a hard one to figure out, and she seemed very nervous to be with him. Perhaps she did have a date he was intruding on?
"I'm not keeping you from your friends am I?"
There was something so terribly familiar about her, if only she didn't keep looking away. And the way her layered lace petticoats were peeking out from her skirt when she sat down, he did spare at least one glance to appreciate the innocent charm of that view.
Kaiba was glad for the music masking his voice a fair bit, it was saving him a lot of problems to say the least.
"I know him, in a manner of speaking. I like to keep tabs on him."
That was exactly why he was here in this predicament.
He shook his head, still keeping his bangs as a barrier to Pegasus really seeing his face.
"No, not at all. I'm... not used to gatherings like these."
he was grateful the truth was so convenient. Lies were more likely to get him found out. Though that was actually the least of his problems right now. Unknown to anyone, men in dark suits were on the move, on the search for Kaiba and the knowledge only he now held. They were waiting for an opportunity to strike, and get their hands on power.
"Oh I see. Yes, Ziggy-boi does have quite a few fans."
Pegasus nodded again as if it made sense now. She was really here to be close to her idol Ziegfried. All the times he had seen her, she was usually around him as well.
"I must admit, I don't know him all that well myself. His mother asked me to host this party for him. She's such a charming woman, and it's been so long since I've had a reason to throw an event here. It seemed like a fun thing to do... You are having fun, aren't you Miss Alice?"
Pegasus was still scrutinizing her, trying to find out what it was that was off about her, aside from the fact he found being so close to her to be mildly attractive. He usually didn't spend time considering the attractiveness of others at all, but here she was beside him smelling of strawberries and vanilla perfume and looking as cute as a little china doll. And those pure white stockings and petticoats were making him want to slide a hand across to her pretty knee.
But he held back, as always. Besides, they had only just met.
That he certainly did, and Kaiba wondered what the hell the group of giggling morons saw in him to be perfectly honest. He was a cheating little bastard, and he knew that for certain. Though Pegasus was revealing exactly why he was hosting this party and inwardly he groaned.
Oh Kami-sama he was such a prize idiot. he thought there was something more to this event, that it implied that Pegasus and Zeigfried had some secret deal going. Instead, it seemed that Pegasus was simply being too kind when asked by a lady he knew. Fabulous. He could have avoided the corss dressing and the party, but no, he'd just had to come spy. He was suddenly determined to come up with a way of not making tonight a total loss, maybe mess with Zeigfried's head a little somehow...
He took a deep drink of the champagne. He was hoping that maybe he could blot the memory of his little drag act out with enough of the stuff. Though answering the question was awkward. He remembered to cross his legs, in proper ladylike fashion, making his petticoats shift and rustle as he moved.
"The evening is looking up." He admitted.
He didn't have to worry about his company and secret deals between Pegasus and Zeigfried, he could get off the island on the early boat... yes it was looking up.
Pegasus discreetly looked away back to the runway show when she recrossed her legs, too much a gentleman to be caught staring no matter how alluring the sight. He glanced back in time to see her downing her champagne almost in one gulp.
"Ah, you may want to go easy with those? They do make you tipsy rather fast..."
Pegasus warned a little, he hadn't yet touched his own champagne which was odd for anyone who knew him. He was honestly still fighting a migrane and knew drinking would only make it worse in the long run. And there was also something to be said about keeping in control when being a good host to so many young and innocent ladies. Or at least innocently costumed...
Kaiba inwardly sighed. How did he answer that? Did he play innocent and then drink carefully till he could slip away, or protest that he was a seasoned drinker. The latter was the truth, but in this get up, it was going to look very odd. He was trying to think of a way to get away, and to be honest, he was more than a little drunk as it was, and ideas were not coming to him easily. He had far too much to concentrate on to plot effectively.
"I... I think its nerves." A half truth.
He looked at his hands in his lap, lace fingerless gloves on his hands disguising their masculinity, and good grief, those nails. Giselle and her friends were seriously scary. Okay, something to say, something to say.
"Excuse me for saying, but you don't seem to be enjoying your own party that much."
"Don't worry my dear, it usually takes me a few glasses to be around this many people too. But being the host isn't about having fun. I'm actually quite tired from all the work that's gone into organizing this little soiree, and the nights still young at that."
Without the usual vibrancy of his red suit Pegasus did look paler and easily frail. But he still turned a lively smile towards his guest.
"You're my break for now, and I don't think I've ever found a lovelier excuse to play hookie from work. As long as you don't mind of course?"
Kaiba really couldn't quite believe the fix he was in. Pegasus was looking tired in his opinion, and most likely hiding the bruise beneath his hair if he knew him at all. But despite all that he was... well... rather charming. Certainly, if he had been a woman, he could see him finding Pegasus sweet and endearing, As it was, he wasn't quite immune to the charm, and was finding Pegasus rather good company. Though he was rather concerned that Pegasus was evidently finding him attractive and good company right now.
What was even more worrying was the fact that on the receiving end of that charm, he didn't even really mind. He was thinking that perhaps he'd had too much to drink if he was enjoying Pegasus working his charm on him. Couldn't possibly be that he was at least a little open to the idea of relations with another man, no, certainly not. Yes, a right royal mess that he was in.
He looked down at his hands, with a touch of genuine shyness and plenty of confusion in his mind. Yes he was pretty damn afraid of being found out, but...
"I hope you don't mind me saying, but you do remind me a little of my wife when she was younger. I think it must be the piggytails..."
Pegasus smiled more brightly both at 'miss alice' and at his own memory. This was usually the part in any conversation where the lady either left knowing she was wasting her time, or careful questions started to see if he wanted an affair. Unless of course they already knew the answers and wanted to play the sympathy game.
For his part he was just trying to dispell some of the girls nervousness and let her know he wasn't here for anything unseemly.
"May I ask if you wear these 'lolita' style fashions often, or it it only for this particular event? They do seem to suit you well."
Kaiba's eyes widened as he absently watched the fashion show, which held no interest for him. Oh. That explained a lot. How the hell he had not seen that he didn't know, and had picked the blonde wig in all innocence because he had the eye colour to make it look natural. He should have known, he really should have. He cleared his throat a little.
"I know she was very dear to you. I wonder what she would think of all of this." he mused.
he doubted she would have seen any of the women here as a threat, Pegasus was obviously devoted to her. Though at that last question he laughed a little, he had to.
"Oh no, just tonight. In fact some girls decided my outfit was too plain. I was rather set upon in a bathroom and found myself covered with daisies."
Pegasus straightened up and continued smoothly on his way. He knew when he should leave well enough alone. The poor girl probably thought he was trying something unseemly.
And yet he was left now without anything really to do. He spotted Croquet standing beside the main doors and headed over to him to see if there were any problems he hadn't heard about before the entertainment began.
"Is everything alright Sir?"
"I was about to ask you that."
"No problems yet."
Croquet frowned slightly and took a discreet look at his blackberry.
"Mr Kaibas security chip is in this room, in case you were wondering Sir. We haven't identified the individual close up. Are you expecting trouble from that quarter?"
"No... I don't suppose he'd send anyone like that, unless it were stolen."
Pegasus replied, casting his eye once more out across the ballroom, only to have his gaze fall once more on the pretty blue eyed girl he'd offended. She always seemed to be close at hand, didn't she?
Croquet had followed his Masters gaze and was starting to almost smile. He wasn't sure if he should say anything or not but that surely wasn't a woman, and when he checked 'she' was also right where Kaibas signal should be coming from.
The lights were lowered just then and the music brought up for the start of the fashion show and Pegasus decided to delve back into the crowds to see if he could get closer to his little 'Alice' once more.
Reply
Though Zeigfried was loudly voicing his delight as the lights were lowered and the fashion show was about to begin, taking his seat, having a wonderful time.
Shaken as he was by his near miss, Kaiba was trying to blend with the crowd, without getting too close to anyone, unaware that Pegasus was somewhere behind him, searching him out.
Reply
"Oh, I'm sorry, you go ahead Miss Alice."
Pegasus smiled at her kindly and used the obvious but hopefully polite nickname for her.
"You are old enough to drink alcohol, are you not? I'm hosting this party and I wouldn't want you to get me in trouble."
He told her in an almost fatherly tone. But he kept looking at her eyes, or trying to. The false eyelashes and bangs did get in the way, but they was something very familiar about them, about her.
"Would you like to sit down and watch the show?"
He held out a hand to escort her towards the velvet chairs since there were still many open near the back.
Reply
There was nothing for it, he was going to have to play the game, even though it had his stomach in knots. He was grateful that he was not sober, otherwise he might just keel over in indignity at the ruse he was trying to pull off. Speak soft, say as little as possible, don't be gruff, and act shy. Kami-sama help him.
"Of course." He replied to the question about his age, denying eye contact in what he hoped was a shy manner, not wanting his eyes to betray him now. He was offering to escort her, and he couldn't think of a way of saying no to Pegasus without needing to say a lot and possibly blow his cover. Joy. hesitantly, he took the offered hand, and genuinely prayed he would get through this without his identity being figured out.
Reply
"Are you enjoying yourself this evening? There will be an early boat leaving at nine o'clock when the show is over if you feel you've had enough by then."
"Of course, I'd be happy if you stayed longer. You've brightened up my day and made it much less boring here. I keep watching to see where you'll turn up next, why it's almost as if you were following me."
He smiled at her gently. Perhaps she had been and was simply too shy to come over. He knew what that was like from his younger days. Why the first time he'd met his dear Cecilia he'd almost fainted and died of blushing on the spot when she was the one who came over to him at their parents encouragement after he'd been peeking at her around tables and hedges all night.
Reply
"It has been... eventful." He answered honestly, concentrating hard on keeping his voice soft, and feminine, but without putting on any falsetto or the likes which that could easily clue Pegasus in.
As Pegasus admitted he'd be happier if 'she' stayed longer, he coughed a little in panic. He really thought he was a girl.
"I... I'm not sure when I'll leave." Again honest. "I never meant to give you that impression."
That was for sure, he'd obviously not been so smooth as to have his movements be missed.
Reply
"Do you know Ziegfried well then, or are you just here for the fashions?"
She was a hard one to figure out, and she seemed very nervous to be with him. Perhaps she did have a date he was intruding on?
"I'm not keeping you from your friends am I?"
There was something so terribly familiar about her, if only she didn't keep looking away. And the way her layered lace petticoats were peeking out from her skirt when she sat down, he did spare at least one glance to appreciate the innocent charm of that view.
Reply
"I know him, in a manner of speaking. I like to keep tabs on him."
That was exactly why he was here in this predicament.
He shook his head, still keeping his bangs as a barrier to Pegasus really seeing his face.
"No, not at all. I'm... not used to gatherings like these."
he was grateful the truth was so convenient. Lies were more likely to get him found out. Though that was actually the least of his problems right now. Unknown to anyone, men in dark suits were on the move, on the search for Kaiba and the knowledge only he now held. They were waiting for an opportunity to strike, and get their hands on power.
Reply
Pegasus nodded again as if it made sense now. She was really here to be close to her idol Ziegfried. All the times he had seen her, she was usually around him as well.
"I must admit, I don't know him all that well myself. His mother asked me to host this party for him. She's such a charming woman, and it's been so long since I've had a reason to throw an event here. It seemed like a fun thing to do... You are having fun, aren't you Miss Alice?"
Pegasus was still scrutinizing her, trying to find out what it was that was off about her, aside from the fact he found being so close to her to be mildly attractive. He usually didn't spend time considering the attractiveness of others at all, but here she was beside him smelling of strawberries and vanilla perfume and looking as cute as a little china doll. And those pure white stockings and petticoats were making him want to slide a hand across to her pretty knee.
But he held back, as always. Besides, they had only just met.
Reply
Oh Kami-sama he was such a prize idiot. he thought there was something more to this event, that it implied that Pegasus and Zeigfried had some secret deal going. Instead, it seemed that Pegasus was simply being too kind when asked by a lady he knew. Fabulous. He could have avoided the corss dressing and the party, but no, he'd just had to come spy. He was suddenly determined to come up with a way of not making tonight a total loss, maybe mess with Zeigfried's head a little somehow...
He took a deep drink of the champagne. He was hoping that maybe he could blot the memory of his little drag act out with enough of the stuff. Though answering the question was awkward. He remembered to cross his legs, in proper ladylike fashion, making his petticoats shift and rustle as he moved.
"The evening is looking up." He admitted.
He didn't have to worry about his company and secret deals between Pegasus and Zeigfried, he could get off the island on the early boat... yes it was looking up.
Reply
"Ah, you may want to go easy with those? They do make you tipsy rather fast..."
Pegasus warned a little, he hadn't yet touched his own champagne which was odd for anyone who knew him. He was honestly still fighting a migrane and knew drinking would only make it worse in the long run. And there was also something to be said about keeping in control when being a good host to so many young and innocent ladies. Or at least innocently costumed...
Reply
"I... I think its nerves." A half truth.
He looked at his hands in his lap, lace fingerless gloves on his hands disguising their masculinity, and good grief, those nails. Giselle and her friends were seriously scary. Okay, something to say, something to say.
"Excuse me for saying, but you don't seem to be enjoying your own party that much."
Reply
Without the usual vibrancy of his red suit Pegasus did look paler and easily frail. But he still turned a lively smile towards his guest.
"You're my break for now, and I don't think I've ever found a lovelier excuse to play hookie from work. As long as you don't mind of course?"
Reply
What was even more worrying was the fact that on the receiving end of that charm, he didn't even really mind. He was thinking that perhaps he'd had too much to drink if he was enjoying Pegasus working his charm on him. Couldn't possibly be that he was at least a little open to the idea of relations with another man, no, certainly not. Yes, a right royal mess that he was in.
He looked down at his hands, with a touch of genuine shyness and plenty of confusion in his mind. Yes he was pretty damn afraid of being found out, but...
"I don't mind." He replied honestly.
That did it. He had to be drunk.
Reply
Pegasus smiled more brightly both at 'miss alice' and at his own memory. This was usually the part in any conversation where the lady either left knowing she was wasting her time, or careful questions started to see if he wanted an affair. Unless of course they already knew the answers and wanted to play the sympathy game.
For his part he was just trying to dispell some of the girls nervousness and let her know he wasn't here for anything unseemly.
"May I ask if you wear these 'lolita' style fashions often, or it it only for this particular event? They do seem to suit you well."
Reply
"I know she was very dear to you. I wonder what she would think of all of this." he mused.
he doubted she would have seen any of the women here as a threat, Pegasus was obviously devoted to her. Though at that last question he laughed a little, he had to.
"Oh no, just tonight. In fact some girls decided my outfit was too plain. I was rather set upon in a bathroom and found myself covered with daisies."
Reply
Leave a comment