Autumn Ball

When Helen and Naoko arrived at the ball, the latter couldn’t believe his eyes. The emerald green doors sang to them to come closer. The stairs shined in the high moonlight above. He shouldn’t have been surprised by now, but this Heaven never ceased to amaze him.

“Come with me,” Helen instructed him. “The ball’s about to start.”

“Uh…” the mouse boy said.

“What is it?” his guide asked. Naoko sheepishly looked down at his feet.

“I can’t dance,” he said.

“Well, that’s fine,” Helen said. “You don’t have to dance. Just mingle with the people. You’ve got two more days until you can take the Ruby train to Sapphire City. So, why not enjoy your stay here?” Naoko lowered his shoulders. I might as well, he thought.

“Fine,” he said.

“Good,” Helen said. “We always have this ball once a month. You’re going to love this.” She hummed as she walked him up the stairs. Naoko’s mind went back to Midori.

-------

The warm air walked the pair inside. Naoko looked around at all of the light and dark shades of green. Walking into the room made him feel like he had walked back into a royal party from the movies. A diamond chandelier hung from the ceiling. Couples were dancing to soft jazz. Off to the side was a fancy long bar. Another taste was covered in the richest foods that autumn had to offer.

“You have this every month?” he asked.

“Yes,” Helen replied. He turned when he heard a hint of sadness in her voice.

“What’s the matter?” the mouse boy asked. The guide smiled and shook her head.

“This ball is beautiful, but I find it lonely,” she said.

“Why is that?” Naoko asked.

“My husband isn’t here,” Helen said. “But maybe he will show up tonight.” The mouse boy walked over to pull her into his arms.

“You are so sweet,” Helen said. “But don’t worry about me. You just enjoy the night.”

“You sure?” Naoko asked.

“Yes,” she said. The mouse boy reluctantly let go of her. Helen waved him off as she set him further into the dancing people. Naoko looked around as she was out of his view. Throughout this whole journey, he hadn’t met a single familiar face. Then again, this Heaven was a big place. Maybe, they were in some of the other circles that he had been in last. He wondered if they could visit them again after he found Midori.

Naoko walked over to the bar. A bartender in a sparkly black dress turned to him with a pearly white smile.

“Good evening, stranger,” she said. Naoko gave her a little wave.

“Hello,” he said.

“What can I get you?” she asked. The mouse boy looked at the menu above.

“Uh… could I have some sparkling apple cider?” he asked.

“Coming up!” the bartender said. As she got to work, Naoko took another look around. A loud woman’s laughter caught his ear.

“Wait…” he said. “I know that voice!” The mouse boy turned to see a woman with bright blonde hair dancing with a young man with dark brown hair.

“Billie?” he asked. The woman and her dance partner looked up. She gasped and covered her mouth.

“Naoko?” she asked. The mouse boy rose to his feet.

“It is you!” he said. “How have you been?” Billie giggled.

“I’m great,” she said. “Have you seen your Midori-chan yet?”

“No,” the mouse boy said. “But I do know where she is.”

“That’s good,” the blonde woman said. She rested her head against the chest of her dance partner.

“This is my husband, Derek,” Billie said.

“Nice to meet you,” the young man said. Naoko stood up and shook hands with him. He handed to look behind Derek to see Helen being approached by a man with jet black hair. The way her face lit up before she went onto the dance floor told him that she finally found her husband. Naoko broke into a little smile. Good, I’m so glad you found your husband.

“Hey, let’s all have breakfast together in the morning,” Billie suggested. “I found a wonderful waffle bar on the first day I came here. Oh! Their waffles are like heaven in my mouth! What do you say, honey? Naoko?”

“That sounds lovely,” Derek said. The mouse boy shrugged.

“Why not?” he said. “I’m going to be here for another two days.” Billie clapped her hands together.

“Perfect!” she said. The bartender returned with Naoko’s drink. The mouse boy smiled and took a drink. Yeah, he and Midori would have to come back here once they reunited.