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A Voice In The Stars

Chapter 35: What Kind Of Man?

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Shortly later, I pull away from the blonde, immensely grateful for everything that she has done for me.

"Honey, this journey that you're on is a tough one but you've managed to overcome the worst parts all by yourself. You don't need to worry at all whilst you're here especially with Leonora and I by your side"

"Yeah, thank you once again Dove. I guess addressing the issue here would've brought me back to reality in a way that I thought would be really confusing and hard to deal with. However, you and Nora have completely proved that to be wrong in so many ways" I smile as I lean into her side, bathing in the body heat and also the warmth from the fireplace not too far away.

"If there's anything you need, and I mean anything at all, don't hesitate to ask honey" Claire coos beside me.

I nod gently into her stomach, the blonde absentmindedly running her nails over my scalp in a soothing manor.

After a couple of moments in peaceful bliss, I break the silence by starting up a new conversation.

"How did the meeting go?"

"Oh yes!" The dean recalls "I'm very sorry my dear. The faculty mostly came to the consensus that to plan and execute a ball in this short amount of time would be too difficult. I tried my hardest honey, so after the failed attempt for the Halloween ball I suggested one for Yule and the winter fest, which they were more than happy to go ahead with, only if you were the one to lead the committee that is" She says wholeheartedly.

I am a little saddened by the news that a Halloween ball would be unobtainable. However, it's really sweet how the faculty have still continued to flow with the idea and that I should be the one to lead it.

"Dove, that sounds really great. We definitely have enough time to get prepared and I think with that extra time we could achieve something far better than the Halloween ball would've been" I reply with a smile.

"Well, that's wonderful news my dear. I'll get everyone informed and we can get started maybe sometime next week? Would you also be interested in opening a committee for the students to join in helping in the preparations? Or would you rather have it be exclusively for the staff?"

"How about it be an extracurricular that I run? I know you mentioned it in the briefing a few weeks ago and I hadn't really come to a final decision on what I wanted to do" I propose to the blonde.

"Y/N that's an amazing idea. I don't know how many students would apply so we can always add either myself or Leonora to help you if the number is rather high"

"I'd love that" I reply with a warm smile.

I really do hope there are quite a few volunteers. I'd love the chance to spend more time with Dove or Nora, especially doing an activity that I'm quite fond of.

"Well that's settled then. I really hope you're okay with the consensus. We can always do something else for Halloween on a smaller scale?" Dove compromises.

"It's okay Claire. I think I might just spend the evening with Nora. Maybe a nice walk in the woods with some food and then we could go back to our room and indulge in loads of sweet treats" I chuckle, the blonde doing the same.

"That sounds really lovely, I'm sure Leonora wouldn't oppose to it" She giggles.

"Definitely not, she really has a sweet tooth. Not many people know it but it's quite adorable. You can't tell her I said that though" I laugh.

"Your secret is safe with me dear"

~Time Skip~

The plan for a Halloween spent with my love ended up following through. The whole day was blissful and we enjoyed every second of it.

Now, the festive season is rolling around and preparations are in full swing!

I set up my extra curricular for planning the ball and I got an overwhelming amount of volunteers. So much so that I have both Nora and Dove helping me out.

I couldn't be more grateful for their input and effort. Every single detail of this ball has been refined and tweaked to absolutely perfection. It's also great to have the deans of both schools working with me on this so no aesthetic will outweigh the other.

The concept we have come up with is a darker overall tone but the hall is filled with light that reflects all above, creating a very harmonised and also cozy feel.

The glitz and glamour is still there though, I mean how could I say no to shimmering white centrepieces and a faux snow entranceway?

Well, with everything being prepared and ready to go, I'm in the main hall currently helping out with some final touch ups.

"Y/N, are you sure you're okay with this?" Nora asks concerned as she makes her way over to me.

We weren't able to get any florals that had a frostbitten glow. I had tested a spell on a few from the garden to preserve the glow, but I didn't last as long as I would have hoped.

I really wanted to add this design detail though, so I had the brilliant idea of using my magic to coat the flower garlands myself; they are artificial and won't melt.

"Honey, I'm completely fine" I reassure her as I let my hands run across each individual petal, the coating manifesting at my fingertips.

"There's a lot of flowers darling, are you sure you don't want my help?"

"I need all of them to be the same, my love. No offence but I don't think you could take the exact crystallisation in my head and carry that on for all of them" I chuckle.

"I'm good, but I'm not that good" She huffs, a little bit annoyed.

"It's okay honey, I'll be fine. Just check with Claire if everything else is done. If so, you can head off and get changed and I'll come up once I'm done here" I smile as I finish up on the first garland.

The benches in the main hall have been moved, so the pillars in the centre will need some sort of decoration. Thats where these huge garlands come in, I really think they will look gorgeous running up and around the pillars, plus some of the support beams if the lengths are long enough.

The whole place is completely adorned with fairy lights, another idea coming directly from me. I absolutely loved how they looked at the teachers party after the archery competition, so I might have splurged a bit and got my hands on a bunch more.

"Okay darling, I'll see you later" The redhead muses as I turn my attention away from the flowers and see her stalking over to the dean of good.

I see them both have a brief conversation before noticing Nora leave the hall, from that fact I can assume everything else is done.

I draw myself back onto the task at hand, really happy with how the first garland turned out.

As I begin the second, I come to realise how satisfying this is to do. Watching the crystals materialise in a gorgeous purple glow before settling on the petals of the flowers, slowly spreading until the full flower is coated.

I spend about thirty minutes doing this, at some point getting my laptop to play music in the background.

Everyone has gone to get ready for the evening, so for about half that time it was just myself in the hall.

All the main lights have been dimmed, the space being illuminated by the soft cool glow of the string lights.

After finishing up the final one, I use my magic to entwine them delicately around each post, allowing them to flow up into the support beams so it gives the illusion that they are part of the schools infastructure.

Satisfied with my work, I pack up and get ready to go and get dressed myself. However, I can't seem to leave before admiring the beautiful sunset that basks the whole room in an orange ambience, with rays of purple and soft pink flickering throughout.

With a satisfied smile, I do one more final check on everything and then head up to our room to get changed for the night.

~Time Skip~

Upon my arrival back at the room, Nora is no where to be found. After checking inside the walk in wardrobe, the en suite and her office, I eventually notice a note on the foot of the bed along with a rather large black sparkly box.

~~~~
My Darling,

I'm sorry for my abrupt disappearance. However, I hope you can forgive me for wanting to see you in this for the first time at the ball itself. I hope you like it my starling.

All my love

Nora x
~~~~

I peel my attention away from the parchment and delicately unlace the bow on top of the package. It unfolds all on its own, pretty much taking up half of the bed.

All I can do is gasp in awe.

I reach down to feel the material of this garment, the areas of silk running through my fingertips contrasting to other elements that are a different, rougher, sparkly fabric.

The outfit itself is a gorgeous two piece suit, quite modern for this eras standards.

It's structured, like Nora's usual attire, but aspects and details make this garment far more intricate and distinctively different from the deans own wardrobe.

It also makes it more 'Me'.

I pick it up out of its protective casing and hang it up in the door to admire the full silhouette.

The blazer is cropped, unbuttoned slightly to reveal a gorgeous corset underneath. The overall colour is a beautiful cold plum purple, meshing my style with the theme of the winter ball.

The pants and wide fitted and long, just asking to be paired with some gorgeous stilettos. Attached to the waistband, a mesh overlay. Very much reminding me of Lesso's suit but also the dress Dove made me on my very first day here.

The train is crystallised in so much intricate beading and glitter, the slight silhouettes of snowflakes poking through the sheer material.

Smiling joyfully, I immediately have an idea for my hair and makeup, so I gather all my supplies to execute the look I'm envisioning.

Throughout doing these tasks, I remember mine and Nora's conversation from a couple of months ago, just before Halloween.

During our talk about Viola, we also ended up talking about if and when we would formally announce ourselves as a couple to the whole school.

Leonora didn't mind, I think the reasoning behind that being is if that anyone dared to question her about it they would be sent to the doom room within the blink of an eye.

As well for me, I don't mind it too much either. I've come to know the staff and students really well over the past few months, I don't believe any of them would be disapproving of our relationship.

So, I think to just rip the plaster off, I'll announce it at the ball. Nora won't mind. Plus, I have the perfect song in mind for this exact situation.

~Time Skip~

After I'm ready to go, I make my way back down towards the School for Good. I'm alone at this point, sadly realising that my time spent on touch ups to the hall meant that I would be late.

I'm fine with that I guess, I just hope everyone is having fun. It would've been nice to be able to greet everyone as they went inside, to be fair that's a very American stereotype. I'm as British as they come, I need to get all that American bullshit out of my head.

Lost in my thoughts, I arrive at the hall. The Ever and Never doors are both still open so I can hear the music blasting and the reflection of lights bouncing through.

For convenience, I walk in on the Evers side, I doubt anyone will notice me come in anyways.

Scratching my arm a little awkwardly, I turn the corner into the hall.

The music screeches to a halt.

I panic when every single person in the whole entire school turns to face me. However, that panic fades when I see my Nora in the middle of the chaos with her finger lit and a cheeky grin plastered on her face.

Suddenly, everyone begins to clap and cheer. The volume alone startling me once again. However, I realise they are all cheering for me? This can't be right, what have I done that would warrant this?

Out of nowhere, Claire appears on my left gesturing towards me.

"Miss Y/L/N, on behalf of the whole school we would like to thank you for organising this fabulous evening. This is unlike any ball we have ever held and we are all so grateful for your creativity and kindness"

I smile warmly as I pull Dove into an embrace. Hearing a soft click from Nora, the music blasts back out and the whole space comes alive once more.

Now with a bit of privacy, Dovee drops the professionalism and I'm able to express my own gratitude.

"Seriously Claire, you didn't have to do that. I'm guessing cutting the music was Nora's idea? Scared the shit out of me" I laugh out.

"Oh obviously it was her idea, there's no way I could tell her no either, you know how stubborn she is" Dove grumbles.

"I know Claire, I'll have a chat with her later. But seriously I really appreciate it, thank you so much"

"No problem at all" The Dean quickly glances over her shoulder. "I think I might be keeping you from someone, now go and have fun" Claire chuckles.

I'm practically pushed by her into Leonora's arms. By far the most graceful ball entrance I'll ever have.

"My goodness Miss Y/L/N, you look absolutely stunning. May I ask, who are you wearing?" The redhead asks playfully as she swings me around the floor.

"Why don't you tell me?" I fire back. I am genuinely curious, this outfit is stunning so I'd definitely need a look at the rest of the designers collections.

"Well, the outfit is a Fairy godmother original, with the help of the designer Leonora Lesso" She smiles.

"You designed this?!"

"Yes I did, I've had it in the works as soon as the winter ball was announced. Of course I'm no seamstress, so Rissa did all the sewing and detailing"

I'm completely stunned, I would have never thought that Leonora would be this good of a designer. I learn something new about her every single day.

"It's absolutely gorgeous, thank you so so much my love" I gleam.

"I'm glad you like it. Now, let's start this night off right with a drink!" She smiles.

"I agree!"

~Time Skip~

It's about a third of the way through the evening. As planned, a few drinks are down the both of us and the party is getting livelier by the minute.

I feel like this might be a good time for my announcement. So, I begin by pulling Leonora to the middle of the dance floor and raising my hand with a purple spark.

~~~
Play What Kind Of Man by Florence The Machine
~~~

I bring my arm down slowly as the first verse begins, Nora's face reading confusion but also intrigue.

I smile at her softly as I begin to sensually circle around her. Obviously nothing too sexual as there are students present, but enough to draw their attention.

They are teenagers after all, of course they'd be interested in some frisky touching from two of their teachers.

I run my nails along the back of her shoulders and slender arms, making my way a few paces in front of the redhead once completely circling her.

You were on the other side, like always

You could never make you mine

As the tempo changes, I extend my hands before me and allow little purple wisps to float up in the air and around the hall for everyone to see.

I have conjured these balls of light to project different moments from our relationship, from our first meeting to our date at the secret lake.

What kind of man loves like this?

As the beat kicks in, I command the lights to pulse along with the heavy drums.

I encourage everyone to clap along, running around the front of the hall forming a crescent shape between the students and Nora.

I'm really giving myself the the music, allowing the rhythm to flow through my body and really displaying the energy it gives me to everyone else in the room.

To let me dangle at a cruel angle

Oh, my feet don't touch the floor

Sometimes you're half in and then you're half out

But you never close the door

I slowly make my way back towards the redhead, pointing at her with slow, smooth motions whist aligning my steps with the tempo.

It's been a while since I performed so why not give everyone a show?

What kind of man loves like this?

What kind of man?

I take her hands in mine, I've seen how amazing she is at improvisation so why not show that to everyone?

I guide her slowly into a ballroom hold and enthusiastically pull her with me as we twirl around the open space.

She's able to keep up with me effortlessly. I stare into the eyes of the woman I've fallen in love with, the hue being more blue than usual because of the cooler lighting that surrounds the both of us.

It almost feels like it's just us two here. She's also really giving into the music, leading me in a rigid manor and keeping up with the pace. The hold feels very strong and that is exactly how this song makes me feel.

What kind of man loves like this?

What kind of man loves like this?

What kind of man?

What kind of man loves like this?

What kind of man?

As she guides me across the space, I realise how important this is for her. I remember her telling me about her time in Gavaldon and how she wasn't accepted there for being herself. Going through that is hard, so I'm honoured that I'm an essential part of that liberation for her.

I don't think she'd have it any other way.

What kind of man loves like this?

What kind of man?

I spin out of the hold and signal for all the students to come over to us. Everyone is having the time of their lives and I'm so happy to see it.

Immediately, the both of us are completely surrounded. I'm jumping and singing along with the students whilst my Leonora holds my hands in support with a very clear smile.

Even though she isn't bouncing and screaming with us all, I know I have definitely made the right decision to tell everyone tonight. She's happy and that's all I could ever wish for.

I don't think I'll ever forget this moment, the day I tell the whole world who is my whole world.