EverScript: Can I?

“Can I get you a drink?”

At the sound of a familiar voice, I looked up, bewildered, only to stare into a pair of mesmerizing emerald green eyes. “H-huh?” I stuttered out, unable to recall what the man had asked me.

“Why, I was wondering if I could get a beautiful lady such as you a drink.” The man repeated, grinning slyly. He had raven black hair and a matching dark mask adorned with jewels decorated on the side that were the same shade as his eyes. His suit was still black, though the style of it was European ― Italian, to be precise ― as opposed to the typical American style I usually see. While he had on a red tie, it was loose around his neck, adding a hint of allure to his overall mysteriousness.

Why did I think he sounded familiar? I thought, perplexed. After analyzing the man, I was quite sure I’d never seen him before. And yet I couldn’t shake the feeling…

“No no, it’s alright.” I replied awkwardly as I came back to my senses, wondering why a man as good looking as him would ever approach me. Beautiful? Me? I wondered, hands automatically flying to my most-definitely-red face. 

While everyone wore elegant dresses matched with beautifully decorated masks, all I had on was a plain, strapless hi-low dress with lace across the chest and edges of the dress. My mask too, was equally uninteresting, since I opted for the pattern of the pelt of a Siberian tiger as the design instead of garnishing it with jewels. Both were white, making me feel like a winter spirit at an autumn party.

“No, I insist.” He said, giving me a wink, and before I could stop him, he had already turned away to get me a drink.

Oh boy, I thought, wondering if the man thought I’d be an easy girl to pick up. At least, after so many attempts by different men, I’ve learned to keep an eye out for the troublesome ones. This one, though, seemed ok so far.

“Rikki! I saw that! Someone was chatting you up, huh?”

I turned around to see an excited Hinata, her brown eyes sparkling through a very comparable creamy beige mask. She was wearing a chocolate coloured cake dress that stopped at her knees, giving her a very childish look. “So, found a man already I see. Who is he? Got a name yet?”

“What?! No! And I don’t know!” I whispered hastily, but before I could say anything more the guy had turned back, drink in hand.

“A cosmopolitan for you?” He suggested, setting the drink down while giving Hinata a nod of acknowledgement.

Hinata waved excitedly at the man and, after getting in a painful prod to the rib, left us alone for the dance floor with Em.

“Wow, what a nice crimson red colour.” I commented, eyeing the drink to see if he popped any pills in there.

“Mhm, matches my tie.” He smiled, and before I knew it, he had reached over to take a sip of my drink. “Don’t worry. I didn’t drop a pill in there or anything. You’re safe with me.”

I blushed furiously, realizing that I got caught. “I wasn’t worrying about that…”

He only smiled, making me feel that much more awkward. Struggling to find something else to talk about, I blabbed. “So uh, I like your mask. The jewels match the colour of your eyes.”

“Thank you.” He replied, “I quite like yours as well, kitty.”

“Huh?” I blinked, puzzled. Did he just call me ‘kitty’? I thought, narrowing my eyes at the man sitting in front of me. There was only one person who would ever call me that: Kaede.

“I meant your design.” He clarified, seeing the question yet not the suspicion in my eyes. “It’s that of a Siberian tiger, isn’t it? I have some knowledge on felines of all kinds, you see.”

“Oh, haha.” I chuckled, hoping I wasn’t acting too weird again. How could I have suspected this gorgeous looking person to be Kaede? I chastised myself mentally, Focus, Rikki, focus.

“Well, that’s enough about me.” He concluded before standing up. “If you don’t want to drink with me, then would you at least dance with me?”

There was a small moment of silence between us as I deliberated. He however, had an odd look on his face, as though seemingly unsure of what to do next.

Slowly, he bent at a 45 degree angle while opening his palm in front of me. “Can I have this dance?” He asked politely, looking up earnestly.

No, this can’t be him, I thought, shaking my head to clear my previously mistaken suspicions. Kaede would never be this gentlemanly. I smiled then, and accepted the man’s hand. “Why, I’d love to.”

Gently, he led me off my feet and onto the dance floor. All around, I could already see  friends having a great time. Hinata was laughing while Em learned how to waltz. Akira was twirling Cho around, much to her protest of how dizzy it could be. Even Dai was dancing, pulling a seemingly-reluctant Chika, but I could tell that she was having fun trying to stomp on Dai’s feet when she had the chance. Akae and Katsu were so graceful that all other couples twirled around them, allowing them the center.

Me? I started out a little awkward, stepping on my partner’s feet every now and then ― even almost tripping over my own ― but not one word of complain came from his lips. Instead, he had a smile on the entire time, like this was the first time he’s ever done this and he was reveling in it.

“Umm…if you don’t mind me asking, is this the first time you’ve ever been to a ball?” I asked curiously, all the while trying to focus on not tripping over myself.

His eyebrows raised in surprise as he replied, “Yeah, this actually is the first time I’ve come to an event like this. Dancing like this too, is something I’ve never done before. I’ve only ever read about this in books.”

It can’t be, I thought incredulously. How could a grown man not have attended a ball? Ever? And still be so good at dancing?

Realization hit me, and I struggled not to laugh. "Is um...is that why you were pausing before asking me to dance? Were you not sure if you were doing it right?"

The slightest hint of red that creeped into his cheeks told me that my guess was spot on. "I'd rather not say..." He mumbled, clearing his throat.

How cute, I thought, chuckling. So he wasn't sure of how to ask for a dance.

“Oh but it's ok though," I said quickly, hoping he didn't think that I thought of him badly because of it. "You’re very good at it. Dancing.” I praised, smiling. “Obviously better than me.”

“With practice,” He promised, and as the current song blended into a new one, he suddenly pulled me close to him. “You’ll get better if you keep practicing with me.”

“Bring it.” I beamed at him, excited by the challenge and thrilled at knowing that he still wanted to keep dancing with me.

On and on we waltzed and twirled, time passing us by. He didn’t lie though, as I did indeed get better. We flitted across the dance floor, our grace only second to Akae and Katsu’s until finally, I was spent.

“Wait, wait… let’s take a break.” I laughed, a little breathless. “I’m tired.”

“Hmm? But I’m not.” He smirked, his feet continuing to move perfectly to the music.

“Well then, my accompanying you comes at a price.” I grinned back at him, a sudden idea popping into my mind. “I want to see your face.”

“Oh, so that’s how it is.” He commented at the sound of my offer of trade.

“Yes, that’s exactly how it is.” I smiled, my voice full of conpiracy. “Oh come on, only a peek?”

“Well…” He began, clearly considering this development. “Do I get another dance if I give you a small peek then?”

“Deal.” I agreed immediately.

“Don’t freak out though,” He cautioned, and ― after a small pause ― added, “and don’t fall in love with me.”

We both laughed together, and I promised him. “I won’t.”

As we continued to dance, he broke his left hand away from mine while still keeping his right on my waist. Reaching up to his black mask, he tugged it down just a bit.

My jaws dropped the moment he slid his mask down.

“Kaede?”

“Hey kitty.” He smirked, giving me a slight pinch on the waist as we continued to twirl in circles. Quickly, he put his mask back into place. “Took you long enough to recognize me.”

I was about to push away from him when his left hand gripped mine tighter, and his right brought me even closer to him. “Ah ah ah,” He said, giving me a reprimanding look. “You made a promise. One more dance.”

I groaned inwardly, scolding myself for having agreed so easily without giving that promise even a moment’s thought.

“Why are you here?” I asked him finally, giving up and following once more as he led the dance. “We’re enemies.”

“Why can’t I be here?” He countered, obviously having fun answering my question with one of his own. “We are enemies, but for now, we’re just two people behind masks. You have nothing to worry about.”

“But ― ” I began, “Wait, did you lie to me?”

“What?” He blinked, and now it seems he was the one caught off guard.

“What we’ve been talking about from since you approached me until now,” I stated, “have you been lying to me just to play with me the whole time?”

“No.” He answered, and the solemn tone of his voice convinced me of his innocence right away. “I haven’t spoken a single lie since talking to you tonight. I swear it.”

Another twirl, and back into his arms he pulled me. “I told you that you are safe with me and I meant it.”

I debated this for a moment, and laughed in realization.

“What are you laughing about now?” He asked, not liking how he wasn’t in control of the conversation anymore.

“So when you,” I continued to laugh as tears started welling up in my eyes. “when you said that you’d never been to a ball, never danced before, you were telling the truth?”

“That’s what mattered to you?” He remarked incredulously.

“Hey, it’s pretty odd for someone of your age to have never danced before, ok?” I defended, half curious and half ready to start laughing again.

Except his laugh brought me up short.

“W-What are you laughing about?” I stared at him, bewildered.

“What am I ever going to do with you, Rikki?” He smiled, and the way he looked at him caused my heart to flutter.

“You wanna get out of here?”

“Huh?”

“Well, weren’t you tired from all the dancing?” He pointed out as we moved deftly off the dance floor. “It’s getting late anyways. I’ll walk you home.”

“Just walking me home?” I clarified.

“Or we could go somewhere else.” He grinned, hinting, and it was only then did I realize that he hadn’t yet let go of my hand. “So, wanna get out of here?”

I hesitated, my brain telling me not to leave with an enemy but my heart telling me to follow. After only a second longer, I let out the breath I didn’t know I was holding, and, looking straight into Kaede’s eyes, gave him the biggest grin I had.

“Let’s.”