Chapter 7 - Day Dream Fever Dream

'So you're telling me you asked that hideous creature to be a model for you.'

The External Affairs Director of G.E.A.R. stood in front of the large mirror. Its stainless surface without a single kink or scratch. His muscular figure stood laterally inverted, just like all the furniture and decoration behind him. Arrays of interactive screens covered the walls with various clothing choices. Yes, this was Enzo's closet, a room larger than the kitchen right beside it. The airconditioning on full blast, Mariah on the speakers.

Revan eyed the veins on his hands, feeling better that they weren't the clotted black color anymore. His eyebags were almost completely gone, his hair back to a saturated blonde. His clothes were simple. He didn't want to overdo it

'I'm a bitch for crazy stuff. I mean…' Enzo fanned his hands over his face, gesturing at himself. Revan couldn't disagree on that, Enzo sure was one of the weirdest people he'd ever met.

Enzo was seated in a corner of the closet, in front of a much smaller mirror, with bright pink LEDs surrounding it. A large, grey bathrobe hiding his figure. In front of him was a small table, cluttered with a mess of various makeup tools. Enzo's face glistened in the pinkish highlights. His skin was like that of a Barbie, not a single blemish on the smooth cocoa butter skin. The makeup brush in his hand just flew all over his face. His nose was enhanced and looked sleek and sharp. His jawline stood out exquisitely. His eyelids were covered in gorgeously blended green-blue eyeshadow. His eyelashes, already unnaturally long, looked even longer with the mascara on. His small moustache brushed properly into thin streaks, his minor stubble nearly invisible.

'Are you really expecting him to show up?' Revan was busy folding his tie.

'I mean… I did lob his head off but… my probabilities weren't exactly agreeing that I'd survive the incident without a hitch.' Enzo placed the brush down, checking his makeup at different angles on the mirror.

'What's that supposed to mean?' Revan's finger slipped, opening the knot. He grumbled. Enzo ran to his rescue.

'Well…' Enzo's fingers flew around the fabric, his shimmering eyes stared right at Revan's stern ones, which returned the gaze, 'My probabilities said the chances of me surviving that encounter were 100%, and the chances of me not surviving that encounter were 2%.' He pulled the silk tighter around the bulky figure's throat. Revan didn't flinch.

'That doesn't mean anything. Could've been referring to illnesses, infections, slipping and falling.'

Enzo jumped in argument, tugging at the tie, 'I know I know, the chances of the occurrence of any event is never never and never always, and you also know my probabilities are rounded off, who knows the actual value could be more than two as well. And I can't help but feel that there's something more!'

'What could that be?' Revan massaged Enzo's shoulders with his rugged palms. Enzo was encased from either sides. Their stare didn't waver.

'I- I don't know.' Enzo pulled the final knot. Revan didn't let go of his grip. Enzo's lip gloss shimmered in the pink light. He finally blinked, his vision now shifting to Revan's neck, where he arranged the tie in its proper place. He tugged at the shirt lightly, removing any minor creases, before returning back to staring at the man towering over him.

'You're looking gorgeous.' Revan's smile made a sudden appearance, switching the topic. His dimples stood visible. Enzo couldn't help but admire Revan's facial features. Sleek eyes showing gritty determination, beautifully curved nose, lips perfectly curling on his skin. His dirty blonde quiff set perfectly. Enzo gently place his hands on the other's maroon suit, with unchanging attention on Revan's perfectly sculpted face. Mariah continued stressing her vocal cords.

Revan on cue, swivelling to the beat. Enzo clicked his tongue, 'No, Revan… I need to get ready.' But Revan didn't stop. His grip firm on Enzo's shoulders, he dragged the lighter man in different directions. A hunky man in a tuxedo, and a plastered man in a bathrobe, dancing to Mariah. What kind of a daydream was this? The music and the pink lights, all coming together. The smell of lipstick and deodorant emanating from them both, making the air addictive.

Enzo tried to object again, but Revan now proceeded to grab Enzo's left wrist. Enzo was taken aback. The director's fingers slowly slithered along Enzo's palm, smoothly latching onto it. Their fingers, interlocked. Their feet, synchronous to the beat.

'Can I please get ready now?' Mariah's final chorus was about to end. Enzo couldn't waste anymore time.

'Only if you promise to dance with me at the ball.' Enzo had never seen Revan smile so beautifully. Was this the same person who was known as "Papa Pokerface" at the headquarters?

The younger man sniffled, nodding. He was trying his best to hide his smile. Revan, on cue let go, giving Enzo a perfect landing on the chair in front of his makeup set.

'I'll be waiting.' Revan switched the playlist to Gaga. Her melody bringing energy to Enzo. He however, could feel the coldness return back in Revan, who was walking away now.

'I also invited the boy uh... Wazir, right. I invited Wazir.' Revan blurted as his feet moved non-stop. Enzo dropped the brush he'd just picked up.

'Why?' Enzo yelled. Revan halted in his tracks, right before the exit and swiveled, facing the grey poodle.

'What do you mean why? He's your responsibility now.' Revan cupped his cheeks and answered. Proceeding to exit the room looking classier than ever, 'You better hurry!'

.

This place felt like a fever dream to Wazir. This "ball" was some place he'd only imagine to see in his dreams, or the televising of the Met GALA. In his relatively simpler attire of grey suit and pants, Wazir couldn't help but feel degraded around celebrities standing all around him, dressed in clothes he couldn't even imagine the costs of, holding drinks in fancy glasses, chattering about problems he could never relate to. White satin draped the walls of the hall, which Wazir had heard through conversations was a hall in Enzo's house. The floors were polished clean, and covered in sparkling boots and stilettos higher than Wazir's self-esteem. Flowery garlands and wreaths spread across the ceiling, making a forest appear above his head. A tiny blue butterfly flew in the mass of giants. Wazir definitely found it hard to believe that the flourishing beach outside the window was the Malibu beach.

From the stairs in the corner made of fine Oakwood and a stainless aluminum railing drooped the lavish model and actor, Revan Karmic. All eyes turned and mouths cooed. Hands that didn't hold glassware clapped and those which did, raised them above their forehead in a toast.

Revan stood atop the industry of personalities. His godly maroon velvet suit and complementing pants shone in the natural lighting. The green silk tie with black embossing contrasting his figure, highlighting his face. He looked miles better than how Wazir had seen him a few days ago. His hands devoid of bandages, his eyes full of gleam. His black shirt matched with his black shoes, further exaggerating his entire figure. His hair parted into two bouncy quiffs, a smile patched on his face and a dwarf glass of transparent liquid in his grip.

After the cacophony died down, Revan's mellow voice graced upon the public, 'Welcome dear folks, to the Glamour Ball.' He paused a little, patiently waiting for any hyper-person to clap,' This event was first hosted the year I got my first gig. I remember that role in Midnight's Mask where I played that uh… Arnold, idiot got killed before the title card even showed up. I got, I remember this very well, I got eight hundred and sixty dollars that day. I called all my friends together and asked them to pitch in fifty dollars each as charity, I dont know, I bid in too. That small beer party at the small rented flat in Los Angeles has turned into… well this. Back then there were what, twenty, thirty something people in here, now I can't even count. A big thank you to everyone who's made it. Just like always, any and all charity fund collection will go to betterment of orphans and development of charity houses. Cheers to children, the future of our world.' Revan raised his glass.

In symphony, all with the glass in their hands bellowed a cheer too. Others with empty hands just raised them high in praise. Calls for "Amen" and "Bless you" were audible. Like raindrops, each glass lowered, the last one being Revan's. Small murmurs grew into louder conversations as people returned to their previous talks. Wazir could only stare in envy at how royal Revan looked. How was it possible for such a chiseled man to be alive.

A loud clobbering of boots slowly grew louder as Revan descended the stairs with cameras flashing him from all directions. Another figure now walked down the stairs on which Revan previous stood, a male diva. His hair flying out his head in spikes, obscenely large sunglasses covering half his face. His large, dark, netted shirt hung loose off his pale skin, with two large leathery puffs on either of his shoulders. His pants were black leather, clinging to his twiggy legs. Matching black leather gloves and leather boots with five inch heels adorned his figure. Enzo, draped in black, howled into the crowd. The crowd cooed in return, yet again. Revan could only look back in awe, all these years, was Enzo able to dress so quickly?

Enzo raised his hands in the air, showing off his gloves, 'Hello my darling darling beauties. You all look so stunning today. Remember tonight is anyone's night. Grab that pageant and awe me with your glamour at the Glamour Ball for this year. The winner's prize, shall stay a secret.' Enzo winked before peeking a glance at Revan, who mesmerized by the former, 'But now, let's get drunk! Turn up the music DJ woohoo!' The crowd went crazy on cue. Enzo jumped off the stairs, almost tripping once, falling right into Revan's arms. He grabbed the drink out of Revan's palms, swallowing it in one go.

'Why hide all that makeup?' Revan grabbed the glasses off Enzo's face exposing his gorgeous face, before shoving him back to his feet. Enzo could only let his leather gloves grab hold of Revan's wrist as he slowly guided the hunk into the crowd, 'You can let go of those probabilities for the day atleast.'

Figures shook to the beat all around Wazir, who found it more and more uncomfortable. A firm tug on Enzo's wrist sent an alarm through his body, alerting him. He saw Beast's pink bowl cut reaching out for him in the shivering crowd. Finnegan was a few steps behind him. Both in spotless white suits. Wazir shifted through the crowd following them out the perspiration filled hall.

This day was definitely a fever dream. Some hallucination, Wazir could only hope.