The Rainbow Pearls: Part Two

"What the heck is the matter with you? Sure it's your best friend's birthday but it's nothing to lose your mind over. It is just a party," said Trevet as Lucrece was trying to grasp what had just happened.

     "Just a party!" she squealed. "This is one of the biggest social events any girl my age would dream of going to! Plus, Rina's my best friend--"

     "I just stated that," Trevet huffed.

     "--And I haven't seen her for the longest time. There's so much to do! Trevet, I'm going shopping so you just keep to yourself for a while, okay?" Lucrece said as she was pulling on a sweater and rushing out the door.

     So, for the next two days every dressmaker was busy designing, and fitting dresses right, left and center. Each dress made from the finest cloth, being every colour you could imagine, with ribbons, lace, glitter, sequence, embroidery, everything. There was no identical dress, and every seamstress had a brunt out brain from trying to come up with enough designs to satisfy every shape and everyone.

     Finally the night of the ball arrived. Noble faeries and the richest Neopians were going to attend, in the most inventive contraptions known to neopet to reach the Faerie Palace. Inside the castle, a couple dozen crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, making the ballroom glitter like a pile of gems. A faerie Kacheek dressed in the royal livery was acting as the doorman and announcer, presenting each guest as they arrived at the entrance.

     Our heroines were wearing some of the most beautiful dresses. Esne was wearing a sleek, black dress with a fire pattern licking at the sides, matching black gloves and sporting a very stylish ponytail and was escorted by Faris.

     Kirra arrived with Jovan by her side, in a deep violet dress in a similar style to what Maelstra was wearing, who wasn't so happy to be attending. Whereas Maelstra chose not to come, or more accurately was not officially invited, but her excuse was that she had other 'things' to do. Never the less, Kirra was still ecstatic that she was going to her first party.

     Chailyn appeared with her fellow housemates, who were all included in Nereid's invitation. She had corroded her golden hair into a thousand braids and was wearing a white spaghetti-strap dress with a colourful embroidery design gracing the bottom. She carried Sammi, Verdi, Trory, and Misae; all wearing silk ties in matching colours to their colour, in a straw basket decorated with silk ribbons on her arm.

     Quenelle and Illusen arrived in elegant silk green dresses; Quenelle in a sleeveless turtleneck that flowed sleekly to just above her knees, and Illusen in a strapless one that fell to her ankles. Shalin had insisted that she attend too, because she was considered family and now had a good excuse for Quenelle to buy her a dress she had been admiring in the front window of Uni's Clothing.

     Last, but certainly not least, Lucrece arrived. She had spent so many hours, way too many to count, going in and out of a hundred different shops before choosing the right dress. Her final decision was a long, slim, sun-yellow dress with slashed, see-through sleeves that joined only briefly at her elbow and wrist. Trevet was wearing a midnight blue tie he received as a Winter Celebration gift and gently nudged Lucrece when she hesitated at the doorway from fright that she'd do something dumb.

     All of the present guests were dancing, chatting, and nibbling on snacks, when the faerie Kacheek left his post and stood at the top of the staircase. He cleared his throat to get the guests' attention. Then the band started to play some sort of waltz music and the Kacheek disappeared from view.

     Fyora, the faerie queen, became visible at the top platform and started to walk gracefully down the stairs. She was wearing her traditional purple gown, circlet and carrying her signature wand in her right hand. The procession that followed her consisted of the uber faeries and her personal entourage, walking behind another in a practiced formation. Lucrece stood on her tiptoes, trying to see if she could get a glance of her mother over the taller heads and elaborate hats/head-dresses in front of her. Then, the music changed to another tune. The Kacheek appeared again.

     "Ladies and gentlemen, faeries and Neopets, Her Majesty Princess Rina, crown princess of Neopia!" cried the Kacheek so that he could be heard all through the hall.

     Everyone gasped as Rina emerged with her pets: Makani the Pegasus Uni and Tenchi the faerie ixi, on either side of her from the entrance doorway and appeared at the top of the carpeted staircase. She was wearing the most magnificent, pale blue ball gown. It had lace trim, a large bow at the back that formed her train, and glitter; everyone started whispering to each other in awe. However, the glitter on her wings and cheeks made her dazzle in the candlelight, giving her the look of a true princess.

     But what really caught everyone's attention was the circlet that was placed on her head, strategically keeping her curls in its place. It was made out of pure silver with rare rainbow pearls adorning it, and the only precious stone on it was a single, humongous purple amethyst. Little Neopians and faeries had been told tales of this crown but very few knew it existed. It is said that the Space Faerie gave it to Fyora just weeks before her own coronation, and Rina was the honorable heir.

     Princess Rina stopped and stood at the top for a few seconds then descended down the stairs, taking small, flowing steps as she went. Nodding left and right to acknowledge someone, as she was to be a polite hostess. Once on the main platform she broke the silence, a small smile embracing her lips and said, "Welcome to the party!"

     After those few words, everyone went back to socializing. Rina walked through the crowd, through the people wishing continuous happy birthday, when she found who she was looking for. Through the crowd she saw Lucrece at the snack table, trying to decide which to taste first, and practically sprinted toward her. "Lucrece!"

     "Rina!" exclaimed Lucrece when she noticed her and they hugged. "It's been so long!"

     "I know, Crece," replied Rina. "I missed you. Look at you. I can't think of anything proper to say. You look almost prettier than me. Please don't take that personally." Memories of playful afternoons with Rina came flooding back to Lucrece, the memories of fighting over dolls and playing Attack Sloth.

     "I won't. Look at you," Lucrece responded. "I'm sure you've been busy with your faerie queen lessons, like what, knowing when to smile?"

     The princess chuckled. "Don't you know it. But I really miss all of my free time with you. Best friends?"

     "Of course."

     So the night went on when the Kacheek stepped out again and gave a short, "Dinner is served."

     So, the guests turned toward the vast dining room. Platters of all sorts of exotic foods were already laid on the tables; dishes from Mystery Island to Grundo's Cafe decorated the table. Course, after delicious course, was brought to the immense table. Fyora sat at the head of the table with the uber faeries seated on either side her. Rina sat at the head of the youths' table as the hostess, Lucrece beside her and watched most of the young faeries, boys and girls alike, eat happily and greedily. Well, almost everyone was happy except the dark faeries, which were glowering at a corner table and sneaking food into their pockets for future midnight snacks, sniggering as they did it, too.

     When suddenly all lighting in the dining hall went out. Evil cackles filled the room as startled guests screamed and panicked and tripped over each other. Lucrece quickly had a little ball of light glowing in her palm so that she and Rina, who was rubbing her head from someone's foot, could see a little. The other fire and light faeries were flying to the chandeliers and torches to put some light back in the room. The laughter could still be heard but so far, no one could be seen.

     Several minutes later, when Fyora did finally restored peace Rina gave a tremendous shriek. Fyora immediately flew over to her distraught daughter, soothing her and cooing gentle words.

     "Sweetie, what is wrong?" whispered Fyora, trying to calm her.

     Rina pushed away from her mother, "The circlet! The circlet! It's GONE!" cried Rina, looking at the guests frantically and trying to restore her composition by smoothing her dress.

     However, over in the other side of the room, Kirra trembled with fear because of her knowledge. She knew who cackled that terrifying laugh and whom it belonged to. She knew who stole the circlet. It was her mother, her supposed savior, Maelstra the darkest faerie in Kirra's meek life.

To be continued...