Masquerade (part 4)
The music started, the song seemed almost perfectly suited for tango. Grabbing Nina's hand we started to tango a moment before everyone else caught on. Nina danced like an expert that had been dancing for hundreds of years, the women I enjoyed the company of all loved surprising me time and time again. Grace Jones, I've Seen That Face Before played in the background as we both continued to feel familiarity.
🎵♪🎶Strange, I've seen that face before
Seen him hanging 'round my door
Like a hawk stealing for the prey
Like the night waiting for the day
Strange, he shadows me back home
Footsteps echo on the stones
Rainy nights, on Haussmann Boulevard
Parisian music drifting from the bars
Tu cherches quoi, rencontrer la mort ?
Tu te prends pour qui ?
Toi aussi, tu détestes la vie🎵♪🎶
While the French song sang by a French black woman continued, Nina couldn't help but search the man in front of her for clues as to why he felt so comfortable. Looking up at his face, she focused on each detail like she was some kind of master detective.
She knew this man somehow, but for whatever reason she just couldn't place who he was no matter how much she thought about it. Nina had lived a lot longer than most humans due to her vampirism, so assuming the man in front of her was similar to her when it came to age, she could have met him many decades ago. How else could she have possibly forgotten such a man?
🎵♪🎶Dance in bars and restaurants
Home with anyone who wants
Strange, he's standing there alone
Staring eyes chill me to the bone
Dans sa chambre, Joël et sa valise
Un regard sur ses fringues
Sur les murs, des photos
Sans regret, sans mélo
La porte est claquée, Joël est barré🎵♪🎶
The song was ending and Nina still didn't have any answers to her questions as the man in front of her leaned in and spoke. "You are fun to dance with". His words made her realize, she too was having fun. The last time she had fun dancing was with the man she had fallen in love with at first sight and sound in Moonlight City.
Feeling somewhat guilty to her one sided crush like she had betrayed him somehow even though they weren't really even in any kind of real relationship, Nina pulled away and spoke. "I should tell you now, that I am spoken for. I don't know your reasons for inviting me to this dance, but I am only here to have a bit of fun and then I will probably never see you again".
The Hero/King in front of her chuckled before replying to her words. "I understand, your boyfriend is a lucky man. May I ask what his name is?"
Nina hadn't expected the question. Boyfriend? She wishes, but it just wasn't the case. Having already lied, she decided to go all in. "His name is Aeric and he is extremely handsome and talented".
The man chuckled again at her words before he spoke. "Mhm I see, well it was nice dancing with you Scream Queen".
Nina didn't like how this king seemed to arrogantly laugh at her words as if he saw through her lie. The man made her feel like a little girl even though she was older than most women. Somehow at the same time she also kind of liked it. Nina knew she needed to get away from this man before he fascinated her anymore. The guilt in her non beating heart rising.
Just as she was about to go, the music suddenly changed and a beautiful purple haired woman came into the ballroom wearing a white dress and green mask that was beyond dazzling to the eyes. Before she could leave, the man in front of herself, King Moonlight let go of her hand and slowly walked to the woman in question. For whatever reason, Nina didn't like it, but she tried to reign in her odd emotions that continued to puzzle her.
Queen Mera smiled down at the scene, she knew how much her sister Hila was infatuated with King Moonlight and was happy to see the two walk towards each other. Her sister Hila hadn't known King Moonlight long and although their meeting was brief, he had made a lasting impression upon her heart. Queen Mera understood her sister a bit as she had watched King Moonlight dance with a number of beautiful women before he had approached her sister, the man was both charming and bold.
Unfortunately Queen Mera also realized the man liked to play with women's hearts, he seemed cruel in this way as she looked over to the small group of women he had danced with as they followed him with their eyes seeing him approach her sister for yet another dance. Each of the girls obviously pining for him in their own ways. 'Oh my lovely sister, why do you have such awful taste in men?' She thought, but it was too late. This days events had already long ago been set up for this moment.
Hila watched as King Moonlight had seen her arrive and made his way to her. Seeing the man she liked come her way, made the butterflies in her stomach go crazy. The music had started when she walked in. Music had started to flourish ever since King Moonlight had left Atlantis and Hila had not only paid, but also taught a female Atlantean singer how to sing the song Ocean Eyes for this occasion. A song that was engraved upon her very soul from the moment she had first heard King Moonlight sing it to her.
Looking at King Moonlight who was heading her way, she could tell he realized what the song was the moment it started. His smile in her direction let her know her hard work had paid off. He didn't think it was weird and instead liked it. With newfound confidence, Hila made a vow on the spot. 'Today I will make this man mine'.
At this moment King Moonlight had found his way in front of her. "You look stunning, unless you have another dance partner in mind, why don't we give it a go?"
Hila gave a small curtsey as she replied to his words. "I would love to dance with you".