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"Now, now, my darling!" Zain laughed, petting his little love on the head inbetween giving another random a whack around the kaboos, "What on earth gave you the impression I wasn't being nice?"

No matter how lightly he spoke, though, the glint of a dark kind of michief was in his grey eyes. Zain wasn't as stupid as he often appeared. He knew exactly what he was doing.

"Zain! Hey Zain!"

Could it be...?

The dulcet tones of his favourite bestest friend in the universe caused him to slam the head of the sturdy mop he was using as an "oar" of sorts into the ground in front of the tub, pulling back with his powerful arms as the tub continued to speed past in order to grind them to a halt. He then immediately began stroking in the other direction, bringing them gradually backwards and towards Alexi.

"Alexi, mah dahling!~" he sang as they drew near. They were still attracting stares from around the room even several minutes after their grand entrance. Well, it wasn't every day you saw two extravagantly dressed mermen in a mobile bath pedalling themselves around with the use of a household utensil.

"You've met Shinichi, haven't you?" he said casually, gesturing to the shy merman snuggling up self-consciously at his side as if he'd just sat down at an ordinary tea party. He petted him gently on the head again. "My darling beloved. So how goes, my friI LOVE YOUR DRESS!" he squealed, finally taking account of Alexi's attire. "TRES FABERGE, mah belle peche! What do you think of mine?" he said, self-absorbedly extending his arm to show her the fine layers of peacock-like and blue cape, and tossing his long hair, loose for once underneath his over-the-top gold-and-jewel-and-peacock-feather headdress.

Wrapping his free arm - now that it WAS free from paddling - around Shinichi's shoulders, Zain cuddled him close in return and gave him a big kiss on the forehead. Not because anything in the conversation called for such attention. Just because he could.

Giggling and nuzzling at his hair, Zain gave a couple of little inhuman clicks and whistles, and then realised that he was being complimented and therefore needed to pay close attention to the person talking to him.

"Thank you, dahling!" he answered graciously, using the term for the fourth time already since entering, "But I must say, you pull off that dress fantastically well. THE REST OF YOU COULD LEARN SOMETHING FROM HER!" he suddenly shouted to the crowd around them - who were pressed inadvertently close due to lack of space. He eyed one man in particular, who was a stranger from the town wearing quite a smart suit, and snorted in derision at his choice of attire. "Yeeeah, not brave enough to wear a big gown, eh?" he said, poking the man in the side with his broom handle, "Well ALEXI DOES BALLS THE RIGHT WAY!"

Luckily, most of the people around them looked blatantly confused at being chastised over their dress sense by a fish in a bath wearing a ridiculous hat rather than offended, and the man he'd picked on amused more than anything, so Zain was allowed to escape confrontation and turn back to his conversation. Then again, who the hell would be stupid enough to challenge a muscular three-hundred-pound fish armed with a mop he obviously wasn't afraid to stick in some very uncomfortable places?

"Sooo are you here with that guy we were talking to yesterday? He was kind of nerdy to be honest. Kinda gangly. Pretty short. Not your type at all, dahling. Very poor decision on your part. Wait, he's not here. Is he?"

Oh, if only some fish could think before they spoke.

Zain had no idea what Alexi was talking about.

None at all.

"Alone?" he cried, "UNACCEPTABLE! And surely not, anyway? You have your dahling little plant-creature!" he sang happily, not realising that he was about to tread on some toes, and it wouldnt be the bath's fault.

Zain's expression fell faster than the Dow Jones.

"NO! The little plant is MISSING...?!"

He fell into a solemn silence. "This is truly tragic news. Please give me a moment."

....A moment of silence passed. Then, his expression shot back up quicker than petrol's price per litre.

"Okay! Poor little guy, though. I loved that little guy. That little guy was epic. I mean, how many times do you meet a walking, talking plant in your life? Let alone one as little and cute as he was?"

He heaved another deep sigh, falling into another moment of depression.

"...So, anyone hungry? I hear they've got spanakopita!" he cried, rubbing his hands together eagerly.

For someone like Se who had learned to take joy in people watching, the ball was exciting. Part of herself wanted to approach the beautiful mermen and partake in the high energy that one in particular was giving off, but the other part was a bit afraid she'd be devoured alive. The prince gave out such a powerful presence.

It was strange that she felt out of place in a dance of all things, when prior to her trip to Durem with Imaru, clubs were the only place you could find her (if she wasn't sleeping in the Order's prayer rooms avoiding other acolytes). She just needed to relax. A few sips of her 'juice' bottle ought to do the trick.

Se slipped under the punch table when she was sure nobody would notice and had herself a sat, pulling out a bottle from her purse and having some sips. This gave her the chance to check out everyone's pretty shoes, while letting calm wash over her.

Odin gave her a small smile and patted her on the back. This was becoming quite the depressing conversation. She decided to play her part as date better and tried to cheer Steff up again. She wrapped an arm around her friend's shoulders and rested her chin on one, their cheeks almost touching.

She made an effort to deepen her voice when she spoke. "Mmm, I don't know. What do you want to do, my dear?" Odin had to laugh at herself, breaking the concentration on her acting.

From any spectator's view they looked just like any couple enjoying the night, it was fun leading them on so far. She squeezed her friend a bit more with light laughs still lingering when she spoke. "My prince, never in my life did I dream anyone would call me that!" She beamed.

For some reason she thought she caught a glimpse of the battle instructor somewhere in the distance as the crowd moved about. And for a second she felt a shiver creep up her spine.

Almost invisible over the heads of the crowd, the door to the stairwell open and shut again as another person entered and skirted their way around the throng. It was only when a familiar - or unfamiliar, seeing as she looked so remarkably different with her hair let down - head of green hair began rising up the steps to the banner-adorned blue stage that people began to take notice. She stood, stunning in her elegant, enchanted dress and smiling at the crowd, for a few moments, to allow people to notice that something was happening. When pockets of Order members caught on, they broke into smatters of excited applause and cheers, which bemused the visitors to no end. They knew there was going to be an opening, but... surely this young girl, no more than twenty, in her low-cut dress which parted into panels at the skirt to reveal her legs as she moved, couldn't be the High Priestess...?

The hall fell into a sort of consensual semi-silence, and she took the opportunity with a big, welcoming, smile on her face, stepping up to the mic. "Good evening, everyone, ladies and gentlemen! Some of you know me, some of you obviously don't, from the perplexed looks on your faces. I am Lorika, the High Priestess, and on behalf of the Overseer and the Order I welcome you all to our Christmas Ball!"

More cheering broke out among the Ordonians of the room. Zain settled back into his bathtub, mop in his hand held with the gait of a regal sceptre, his arm wrapped tightly around Shinichi's shoulder.

"Ahhh, our moment of glory approaches, mah dahling. Glory. Approaches."

"Well, I'll try and make this short, seeing as I know none of you came here for a sermon. If you did, I'd be seeing all your faces in here every Saturday instead!"

She cast looks of mock-disapproval about the room, hands on her hips, and scattered laughter sprang up here and there among pockets of the Order members. Damien and Sam high-fived and whooped, jubilant in their lack of piety.

"Seriously, though, it's wonderful to see so many unfamiliar faces here, because it means that you've all decided to come down here, totally of your own accords, to support us and our cause. You're all free to look around the ground floor of the Temple and the site of the explosion - anywhere you're not meant to be has been warded off.

There's food here in the main hall, and shortly my place on stage will be taken over by our band, along with our special guest singer, Mirassou Cabernet!"

She paused, allowing everyone to clap.

"WOOP! Take off your clothes!!" Damien hollered, earning him a fist to the back of the head from Gloria. Lorika, up on stage, barely batted an eyelid, though she did raise a hand to her mouth to giggle. Almost as if she'd heard it a thousand times before...

"Now, now," she laughed, wagging a finger at the crowd as they also tittered and giggled, "No public nudity tonight, I'm afraid, but if you'd like you can come see me later and I'll see what I can do!"

The response of laughter this time was much more widespread, as the perhaps-skeptical one-night-only newcomers loosened up and realised that they weren't going to get lectured at by a pious lady of the Order. The whole atmosphere seemed to soften, and the rest of her speech was greeted by whoops and cheers by strangers as well as Ordonians.

"Anyway, you can find a map of the Temple and its grounds on the announcement board near the door, and you can pick up copies of it for yourself in the Practise Hall, which is the next door on the right after you go out through this door here," she said, gesturing to the door at the audience's left like an air hostess, "That's also where you'll find the hot buffet and more drinks, so you can grab a plate and sit down if you want to fill up!"

She hadn't mentioned the word fundraising once yet - neither here, nor in her interview. And she wasn't going to. The evening wasn't going to be tainted by grubbing for money... especially not with Johnny Gambino himself meant to be making an appearance later on. Not only did she not want to offend their guests and the spirit of the occassion, but she couldn't hint to her financer that they needed more money, either. It wouldn't be proper, and might land her in some trouble.

"Also, later on, we're going to be having yet another guest performance by trained circus actor Yugai Koneko - yes, exciting, isn't it? We've got a really fun-filled evening for all of you!" she laughed as the hall erupted into excited applause, "And I know his performances have a certain... element of surprise to them... I'll leave you to figure out what I mean by that later, hehe!"

"I WOULD like to thank everyone who's worked so hard to put this wonderful idea into motion - The Gambino estate, particularly Johnny and Gino Gambino, without whom of course we wouldn't be here; Yokuan Nyodoron, our main coordinator; Brennivin for his helpful finance; Adeline Fairflower, our very own enchanter, for tailoring many of the drapes and streamers you see around you, as well as my own dress; Lacine, as my second-in-command; Mettanere Burobel and her team of kitchen staff, who for once did not oversleep; our felid band, our performers, and of course, all of the other acolytes who dedicated their time and love to make this something really, truly special - something we'll all remember for the rest of our lives. Thank you."

Applause filled the hall, but it was less enthusiastic, and more... pensive. it seemed everyone had absorbed what Lorika was trying to say - the true gratitude in her voice. A few people nodded their heads - solemnly, but smiling.

"So... without further ado... I'd like to welcome Mirassou and the band onstage, so please give it up for them, enjoy your evening - and never forget who you are! Merry Christmas, everyone!"

"...She forgot me!" Zain said, incredulous, from his and Shinichi's bathtub-on-wheels. The pompous feathers on his ridiculous headdress shook as he turned to his mate and hissed. "SHE FORGOT ME!"

Oh, she wasn't going to get away with that. He brandished the mop that was his paddle, and, with grim determination, pushed the end of the handle against the floor. They were off, the bathtub bulldozing its way through the crowd, and towards the unsuspecting priestess.

Half a minute later, Lorika was hobbling back on stage, having been run down by a runaway bathtub. She lunged in front of Mirassou before he could take the mic, and spoke quickly over the chatter of the crowd. "We would also like to thank our Royal Emissaries, His Royal Highness Prince Zain and Shinichi of Antium, for, um, blessing us with their... noble presence. Now, have a good evening! Merry Christmas!"

She breathed a sigh of relief, and stepped aside so that the singer could reach his platform. As she retreated, she flashed him an apologetic smile, and mouthed the word 'Sorry.'

Zain, meanwhile, reclined in his bathtub with Shinichi in his lap as if he were sitting in the most regal of thrones. He was appeased.

"Ahh, this shall be a ball to end all balls," he said, giving a swift clap of his hands. A terrified and obviously threatened Oz appeared at his side, a pink martini shaking slightly on his silver tray.

He took the drink without a sideways glance, and sipped the liquid with all the pomp and importance demanded of his station.

"Thank you, Jeeves," he said importantly, replacing the drink on the platter, "Do not stray far, and go and fetch me some salmon fillets. Mmm... salmon..."

A ball to end all balls indeed.