Warning: Profanity and mature readers please
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The man leads me down the hallway and makes a turn to the left. This hallway was aligned with many portraits of the ballroom and people dancing. There were more windows down this hall too. You can see the people crowding below buying tickets. They should be close to selling out.

     He stops in front of a large, gold door. He pushes it open to reveal other arts who came here to compete. They had artists come in to help with their make up and dresses. Boys on the left and girls on the right. Everyone turned their heads towards me. Some even scoffed. I can hear girls whispering:

"Her eyes are so weird. That yellow eye makes her look like a reptile."

"Shhh! She'll hear you!"

More giggles came from the girls, but the guys on the other side were the opposite. One of them even yanked on my dress.

"Look at those beautiful legs~"

"What're ya hiding under that dress? Hahaha!"

Disgusting. Adeline paid no mind. She was too busy looking into the mirror. I was taken to the back of the room to get ready. They already had an outfit picked and closed the curtains to get me changed. This time it wasn't a dress. I wore a sort of tank top and short pants. They take me to a mirror besides Adeline's and start on the make-up and my hair. It was really simple. Just tied make in a neat pony tail. Adeline's hair was down. Her outfit was a bit.... revealing.

She turns her head towards me once her artist left and smiles. "So, you think you can win this competition?"

I did not respond. I put my focus onto the lady finishing my make-up. Suddenly, the doors open and a beautiful woman strides through to the middle of the room. Her outfit was a long, flowing red dress and she carried a small white card.

"Greetings everyone! Welcome to the City of Thalassius. We are very excited to hold this competition for you all. I have come here to announce the first event."

Hushed whispers reverberated through the room and the same man who escorted me here claps his hands. Everyone quieted down and was ready to listen.

"The first event is dancing. You may choose whichever song and dance style you choose, but there's a catch. Your dance should express love. There are about 20 of you. Out of the 20, you will choose partners for this round. One boy and one girl."

The girls began to giggle and chatter whispering who they wanted to dance with. Looking over at Adeline, I knew she wanted One. However, One paid no attention to her. His gaze was fixed on the lady.

"Oh, where are my manners. My name is Janette and I will be here to announce every event that is to come."

I felt my eyes bulge. That's the girl from the prison?! She looks so different. Why is she here?

"Now then, some men will come in here later to escort you all to assigned rooms with your chosen partners. Good day to you all."

She spins around and leaves us all. Everyone stood up and began to quickly look for partners. One guy cornered me to a wall and smacked his fists above me.

"Hey~ I wanna know if you're naughty or nice~?"

Oh god. I huff out a laugh and push against his chest in order to get away from him.

"Sorry, I'm not interested."

He puts his hand on top of mine and smiles. I'm trying my best not to cringe.

"I'll take that as naughty~"

I grip his hand and create a fearful aura.

"Why don't you take your 1980 pick up lines and fuck off?"

He shivers and quickly scurries away. I cross my arms and sat back down. What is wrong with guys these days? From here, I can see girls just crowding One. Begging and asking him to be their partner. The other guys just stood there cussing and glaring. Then, realization hits.

These people are older arts. They don't have abilities like me or One. Now that I think about it, Adeline has already gotten her name. Why is she here? I look at the time. It's almost time to leave. I sigh and stride towards One. I push away the girls from the front and grab One's neck tie.

"Sorry, but he's mine."

The other girls barked nonsense and said how they were here first. Noticing the situation getting worse, One just waves the others away.

"I've already chosen her to be my partner. Go look for another."

The door opens and men in suits escort us out the hallway. One and I were taken to another separate room where a man and lady in sports clothes stood at the center of the room.

"Hello. We will help you choreograph your dance."

*****     *****

Practice was exhausting. The moves were very complicated and, in my opinion, very embarrassing to dance to. I can't believe I have to dance like that in front of the entire audience. We will be practicing for the next two weeks before going out there. Apparently, the first event is to show an art's elegance and passion. We were taken to our separate dorms to take quick showers before coming down to eat dinner. Instead, I asked to eat dinner in my room.

I don't want to eat with angry, frustrated people. After taking One away, all of their hostility went towards me. I dry the rest of my hair before hearing a knock. I open it and a servant comes to drop off the meal. She bows and disappears into nothing but mists. So there are some people here who have abilities. I took my meal to the balcony outside and ate in the night.

The moon was out and brightly shining, so it wasn't too dark. The air was nice and it wasn't too cold either.

"Two?"

Startled, I whip my head towards the voice and see One on his balcony besides mine.

"One? How come you're not eating with the others?"

He sighs and sets his meal on a table.

"I don't want to eat with those angry men. It'll just make me more uncomfortable."

I hang my head. It because I probably made a scene down at the hall earlier.

"I'm sorry. I made a scene and now everyone is-"

"No no no, it's not your fault. I'm actually glad you saved me from the crowd of girls. Especially Adeline."

"Do you and Adeline have some kind of history together?"

He nods and began to tell me how they were both from the same prison. Not like my prison, but from a  different district. Adeline was the first to go before One. He met her years later and she developed feelings for him. I've come to understand that she came to this competition just to see One. To be even closer, she wanted to compete and be his partner.

"Well how come you don't like her? She's beautiful and I heard she's very talented."

"I've never had feelings for her. Besides, I have interest in someone else."

The conversation becomes and awkward silence. I decided to leave it there.

"Well, I'm gonna head in now. You should too."

I shut the door behind me and close the curtains. I take my meal tray towards a slot and deposit it through there where it'll transport to the kitchen. I fall back in bed pulling the soft, thick covers over me. The door to my room knocks again and I groan.

I have get up and walk over to the door again. I open it and a bloody but light body falls on me. I gasp and quickly lay whoever it was on the floor and locked the door. Using my aura, I burn out the lights in my room and silently listened.

Footsteps. About 3 or 4 people.

"How did you lose him you idiot!"

"It's not my fault. It was YOUR job-"

They hit and smack each other along the way. I waited until I couldn't hear them before lighting the small fireplace. I run over to the body.

"Sir? Can you hear me?!"

I turn his body over towards the light and gasp.

"Sans!"