SEVENTY-FIVE: Reuinited

A circular floor began to rise up in the center of the tables.  People began to trot to their assigned seats.

“Arous, they want us understage now to be ready to announce us.  We’re one of the first couples presented.”

“Oh, I have to go too,” said Siobhan as she started running toward the stage. “I’m introducing you!”

Simon led Arous understage until they were ready to be introduced.  When Ricci went onstage with his entourage the crowd went wild.  He could hear all three Idelles saying something a little bit different about the Ambassadors Ball and how all the Ambassadors and MOTA from each Pangaea were welcome to Pangaea Canadi. Each of the Ephors from each of the Pangaea’s was introduced along with his Idelle.  The Prime Ephor was introduced last.

MOTA Hodges-Baire was announced onstage and his new title, Ambassador Hodges-Baire to Canadí, was granted.

“My Uncle, as the only other living member of my family, he’ll be there when my Captainship is announced to the public.”

“Question,” said Arous. “Aren’t there lots of Captains in the Spartan Guard?”

“Yes,” said Simon. “Each hundred men has a Captain.”

“Why are then announcing you?  Why is your appointment different? Does it have to do with your uncle?”

“No, Arous. I’m not just any Captain.  I’m going to be Captain of a group of men that Ricci has had trained and readied himself.  I’m the Captain of Ricci’s Grey Guard. I’m the first and only one. Ricci is passing the reins to me. The Grey Guard is an elite force.  There will be only one hundred Grey Guard.”

A stage manager came up to them, “You’re next,” she said.

“Announcing, the youngest ever, Captain of the Grey Guard: Captain Simon Hodges-Baire.  Welcomed by Ambassador Hodges-Baire. Knighted by Ephor Ricci. Escorted by Ladoiselle Arous.”

The crowd cheered and went silent.

There was a full moon out.  At MiJin’s request, Arous had used a little make-up to tone down her skin but neither of them had anticipated a full moon.  With the stage lights reflecting off her and the moon pouring iridescence all over her, Arous shone.  The crowd was captivated. Then as one person they all jumped up and cheered for them, as if an electric current ran through all the chairs.

Right on time, they all exited stage for the dancing part of the Ball.  Mijin walked up behind Arous and grabbed her arm.  Siobhan whisked away Simon.  When Arous-as-Mijin came out of the kitchen, she saw Jellina walking arm-in-arm with Ricci.  She didn’t see Simon and Siobhan and she didn’t care. A candidate-in-training for the Gray Guard asked Jellina to dance. She turned and saw MiJin walking toward them so Jellina jumped at her chance for freedom for a dance. Arous-as-MiJin walked up to the other side of Ricci and grabbed his arm.

“Mijin,” he said. “I was beginning to think you’d abandoned me.”

“Never.”

“You are the loyal one, aren’t you?”

“Of course,” Arous didn’t know what else to say.  Ricci laughed.

“Why don’t we walk to the Rose Gazebo?  Jellina and Siobhan seem to be having their fun somewhere else.  That’s what you get when you have teenagers for Idelles.” He laughed again.

They were followed to the Rose Gazebo by two of the Grey Guard.  All along the way, people stopped to compliment Ricci on his entourage, his new Captian, and of course, Mijin herself.

Ricci sat inside the rose and vine covered gazebo but Arous stood with the two Grey Guard beside her.  Ricci nodded to one of them and, before Arous knew what was happening, a grey fog engulfed her.  Her Mijin shimmer faded and she stood there as Arous.

Ricci clapped his hands together at his hear and exclaimed, “Reunited at last!”