A/N: Oooookay! So here's a 'new one'. Well, I told you guys it was coming so I'm nt sure if that still counts as new or not XD... lol anyways! I know this chapter is reeeeeally long, but it's the first one and I had to put it all in there. :P In any case, the others won't be this long, I swear. :P I'm working on the next one there now so hopefully It'll be out ASAP. I'll do my best! lol.
PS: This story is a sequel to "Innocent". Usually I say you don't have to read the prequels but in this case, I think you'll be a little confused if you don't. You still might catch on though, I duno. Anyways, hope you like this one! Please R&R!
Disclaimer: I own Villikosto and Breal and nothing more... :( unfortunately.
"Ya know what would be way awesome right about now?"
Victoria peered over her reading glasses at her redheaded best and gave her a questioning look, waiting for her to continue. Not looking at the blonde-streaked brunette as she starred thoughtfully at the ceiling, Keisha continued without missing a beat.
"A party!" The redhead said enthusiastically.
From the other side of the room, the girl's team Captain snorted humorlessly, not looking up as she tweaked her black and red beyblade.
"That's ridiculous." She stated bluntly. "We just got back from America a few days ago, that was break enough. It's time to get serious! We've all got some serious training to do!"
Victoria rolled her eyes and reached up to remove her cute designer glasses as she spun her chair away from her laptop and gave the Captain of Villikosto a weary look.
"Lighten up will ya, Demi?" She said casually, placing her glasses on top of her computer without looking away from her Captain. "School hasn't even started yet and tomorrow is New Years eve! A party is just what we need!"
Demetra's hands ceased their movement as she looked up at the friend she didn't always see eye-to-eye with.
"It's ridiculous." She repeated bluntly.
Victoria rolled her eyes but before she could say anything else, the aqua-marine eyed blader caught sight of movement in the corner of her eye and turned to see the fourth and final silent member of the team silently communicating with them. The brunette grinned at the purple-touched blader when her hands stopped moving.
"Well... I'm sure lost of people would come!" She replied cheerfully to the ameythist-eyed blader's question as to who would come that far for a mere party.
"Yea!" Keisha added enthusiastically, her fists clenched in front of her excitedly. "The past month or so has been stressful and tiring. We need some time to ourselves and to relax! We could invite all the teams from the tournament!... And tell them to bring friends! It'll be great!"
Victoria's grin widened as she watched her redheaded best.
"There's no harm in asking." She replied in agreeance. Keisha turned a mischievous grin on the brunette at this.
"You're only agreeing cause you want the Europeans to come! Namely a certain greenette!"
Victoria's cheeks flushed horribly at this.
"I do not!" She denied quickly. "Or well.. I do but... that's not the reason I'm agreeing to this!"
"Riiiiight." Keisha cooed.
She then casually approached the brunette, and Victoria eyed her suspiciously. When the redhead was nearly upon her, the brunette finally realized what she was up to and her hands shot forward to close her lap top. But Keisha was too quick and Victoria's glasses went flying as the redhead grabbed said electronic device and snatched it away.
"Ah-ha!" Keisha exclaimed loud and triumphantly. "I knew it!!"
The redhead turned the lap top to show Kage the image on the screen and the dark-haired blader closed her eyes and smiled in amusement at the contents displayed on it. Victoria bent over in her chair, allowing her hair to fall around her face to hide her flush as she reached out to retrieve her glasses from the floor.
"I knew you've been talking to him!" Keisha accused with a wide grin, pointing to the reply email the brunette had been writing to the aforementioned greenette. "How long have you guys been talking?"
Victoria bit her lip and straightened, turning away from Keisha to place her glasses back on her desk to once again avoid the flush still staining her cheeks.
"Since our first battle with them at the beginning of the tournament..." The brunette mumbled. Keisha gaped at her.
"That long??" She asked in astonishment. "How did that happen?"
Victoria finally turned back around to face her best and gave her a heated stare before reaching out and snatching back her laptop. Placing it carefully back onto her desk, she closed the top before taking a deep breath and finally looking at the redhead with a cheeky grin.
"I knew he was upset after his battle with Demi and I heard from some ditz in our hotel's cafe that he was staying at hotel Rauza just a few blocks down. I also heard her say he was spending a lot of time at the cafe next door to the Rauza but only the beyblade teams were allowed in. So, I decided to make a little visit to the cafe and after waiting for a while, sure enough he showed up. I ordered him a latte and asked if I could join him. He agreed a little reluctantly but after laying on a little charm and apologising on my team's behalf, he warmed up to me and we just hit it off from there." Victoria winked at the redhead across her, whom was now grinning from ear to ear. "And we've been chatting ever since."
Keisha laughed and placed her hands on her hips in a playful manner.
"You little flirt!" She accused with a laugh. Victoria laughed too and shrugged.
"That's where you disappeared to the night we put out the Majestics." Demetra said suddenly from her widow seat. Her voice was flat but there was a rare hint of an amused undertone there as well and Victoria couldn't help but grin.
"Yep!" She admitted truthfully. "Guilty as charged!"
Demetra shook her head but again there was a rare hint of amusement on her face as she looked back down at the blade in her hands and proceeded to polish it's parts.
Victoria turned back to Keisha then and the redhead's grin was wider then ever.
"So! Party it is!" She said enthusiastically.
Victoria nodded before looking over at Kage.
"Whatcha think, Kage?"
Kage shrugged indifferently, her arms crossed and eyes still closed as she leaned against the wall. But despite her attempt, the younger girls didn't miss the ghost of a smile on the ameythist-eyed bladers lips.
Turning away from the silent blader, Victoria turned her attention on Demetra.
"Demi?"
"Why are you bothering to ask me?" The Captain replied bluntly, not looking up as she continued to polish her blade. "You've already made up your mind."
Victoria grinned again and finally looked back to Victoria.
"Yep! Party it is!! Grab your cell Ki-ki! We've got invites to send!!"
Victoria grinned excitedly, a giddy feeling overcoming her as her blue-green eyes starred out one of the huge sitting room windows.
"They're here!" She almost squealed excitedly to her redheaded best.
Keisha smiled and moved beside her best friend to look out the window as well. Her smile widened a little when she saw the handsome group of Europeans exiting their limo and approaching the ancient Finnish mansion.
"Yes they are." She said with a small laugh. "And Oliver looks very handsome."
Victoria felt a flutter of butterflies inside as she looked the greenette over. He was dressed handsomely in a pair of white trousers and expensive looking black shoes. He was also wearing a white button-down dress shirt and a blue blazer, accompanied by a red cravat and an adorable blue barret.
"Yea... he does.." Victoria said softly with a smile.
The brunette then looked over the others and she had to smile at their appearances as well. Robert was also dressed nice in a pair of black pants, black shoes, a deep green shirt and a white jacket, his hand inserted cooly in the right pocket of his pants as he walked with a an air of confidence.
Victoria's eyes shifted to the side again and had to laugh lightly when she noted Johnny pulling at a tie around his neck. She had a feeling the offending object hadn't been his idea and that it certainly wouldn't last very long. Victoria's suspicions were quickly proven correct as she watched the redhead eye Robert carefully with narrowed eyes, wait until the German blader had reached the front steps of the house, and quickly whipped his hand back up to yank the tie off his neck with a look of distaste. Stuffing the tie into his pocket, the redhead visibly sighed in relief before reaching back up to unbutton the top few buttons of his shirt, a new air of confidence around him as he stuffed his hands into his pockets and smirked. The brunette watching had to admit that the absence of the tie certainly did the redhead justice as she looked him over. Unlike his teammates, the redhead had chosen to wear dark denim jeans and expensive looking sneakers. But the Scot had managed to dress the look up with a white button-down of his own, untucked casually around his hips and a tan blazer over-top. The band he usual wore around his head was absent now and the brunette smiled again as she admitted to herself that the usually ruggedly handsome Scot looked damn good right then.
Aqua-marine eyes shifted to the side once more but this time the smile dropped from her lips and she made a face as her gaze fell upon the blonde strolling confidently up the walk-way. Enrique was walking with all the confident air his teammates held and then some. His chin was held high and his head on a swivel as he took in the scenery around him approvingly. Victoria scowled at the blonde, refusing to admit that he looked as good as the others, though it was certainly true. The Italian playboy was wearing a yellow shirt underneath a green blazer and on his lower half he wore a pair of form-fitting white pants, taking a page from Johnny's book and finishing the look with a pair of expensive looking sneakers.
"Hn.." Victoria snorted moodily, looking away from the blonde.
Suddenly Keisha squealed excitedly and Victoria jumped, turning to her with a stunned expression. She blinked however when she realized the redhead was now gone. Blinking a few times in confusion, the brunette turned back to the window and starred out it blankly. It only took her a moment however to spot the new arrivals and she smiled again as she watched them approaching the house some ways behind the Magestics. With a shake of her head, Victoria pulled back from the window and decided to follow her best to the front hall to greet their new guests.
Victoria entered the main hall in time to see Keisha flying through the now flung open heavy front doors, past the Majestics, whom were now walking up the large marble front steps, and into the waiting arms of the blonde who had just arrived with his team. Max laughed as he caught the redhead in his arms and lifted her by the waist, her white, floral-print dress flaring around her as he spun her around. Her brunette best friend smiled and turned away as their faces met for a sweet kiss and turned towards the handsome European boys who had now stopped at the top of the stairs. Victoria smiled at them as she stepped past the threshold and out onto the steps before them.
"Welcome!" She said cheerfully. "I'm really glad you guys came!"
Oliver gave the brunette a warm smile and she felt the butterflies from earlier return, double in number, as she watched him watching her.
"Of course, we came, Cherie!" Oliver said sweetly. "Who better to spend New Years with then your friends and people you care most about?"
Victoria watched the greenette before her and gently bit her lip as his amethyst eyes subtly looked her over. The feet in her green pumps shifted a little nervously as Oliver's eyes scanned her over. The hem of her dress started just above her knees and proceeded to slant downwards until the back barely brushed the ground. The skirt was light and flowing with many layers, and further up, the top of the dress hugged the brunette's hips flatteringly. It reached up and tied around her neck, a little low in the front but not too much, and quite low in the back, revealing elegant and beautiful shoulders. To complete the look, Victoria wore just a touch of make-up to enhance her features, a pair of subtle emerald earrings with silver backing and a simple silver bangle on her left wrist. Her hair was a cascade of curls, framing her face and brushing her shoulder prettily. When Oliver's eyes again met hers, he smiled approvingly at her and reached out to take her hand.
"You look beautiful, cherie." He said truthfully, pressing a sweet kiss to the back of her hand.
Victoria felt her face heat pleasantly as Oliver released her hand and her smile widened slightly. Opening her mouth to reply, her aqua-marine eyes shifted to the side when someone else spoke before her.
"That's right!" Enrique said suavely, stepping forward to give her a charming smile. "And of course, we simply couldn't resist an invitation from such a beautiful girl."
Victoria made a face as Enrique picked up her hand and lifted it like Oliver had done. She yanked it away from him when he bent his head forward to press it lips to the back.
"Ugh. Get over yourself, playboy!" The brunette replied indignantly. "It's been done. The same corny line only works on me once, and not at all from you!"
Oliver lifted his hand and pressed his thumb to his lips as he chuckled softly. Johnny laughed openly and Robert simply smirked in amusement while Enrique looked completely shocked that his 'line' hadn't worked.
Ignoring the boys' reactions, Victoria took a calming breath before smiling again and turning slightly to gesture inside.
"Shall we? No sense in freezing our butts off outdoors when the party's inside."
Robert gave the brunette a small, polite nod before walking past her and into the house. Enrique gave the brunette a small smile but when she chose to give him a flat look instead of returning it, he simply sighed and walked past her into the house, no doubt deciding to try again later. Johnny snickered at the blonde before turning to the brunette with a still amused grin.
"So." He said casually. "Is Kage here?"
Victoria grinned knowingly and tipped her head slightly to one side as she observed the redhead.
"Yea. I think she's in the sitting room." Just for effect and to test her suspicions, a slightly devilish glint shone in Victoria's eye before adding; "I'm pretty sure she's waiting for the White Tigers. A certain neko-jin seems to have caught her eye."
Just as she expected, a little green monster reared it's ugly head behind Johnny's eyes, but just as quick as it had appeared, it was gone.
"Oh." The Scot replied absently. "So they're not here yet?"
Victoria bit the side of her lip to resist a laugh and shook her head with a wide grin.
"Nope. Not yet. They should be here soon though."
"Cool." Johnny replied. "Maybe I'll keep her company 'til they get here."
The comment was casual, but the Scot was a little too eager as he swiftly moved past Victoria in search of said room.
Victoria pursed her lips together until the redhead had disappeared and when she finally turned to Oliver, the both of them laughed at the Scot's expense. Finally the greenette gave her a small warm smile and held out his arm.
"Shall we?" He asked politely.
Victoria smiled and took his arm before finally stepping forward with him into the house.
Aqua-marine eyes scanned the massive room happily as she looked over the many people inside. It was somewhere around one o'clock am, not long after the "new Year" had rang in, and by now many teams occupied the room along with quite a few friends they'd brought along. Because of this, and quite a few locals the girls had themselves invited, the room was rather full. Thankfully however, all rivalries seemed to be forgotten for the time being and a good time was being had by all. Some of the teams present included G-Revolution, F-Dynasty, The All Stars, The Magestics, the White Tigers, Battalion (formerly known as Barthez Battalion) and surprisingly, even The Blitzkrieg Boys.
Looking around, Victoria's eyes scanned the room curiously for her team. Off to the side of the room, Kage was sitting on a couch, still accompanied by a handsome redheaded Scot. Johnny seemed to be enjoying the fact that the amethyst-eyed blader was keeping his company but he also seemed to be missing the fact that her eyes kept darting towards a particular group of Chinese bladers in the room every so often. Victoria knew the silent blader wanted very badly to go talk to them, but she also knew Kage was too kind to simply snub someone off. The brunette was a little surprised that the Chinese bladers hadn't spoke to her either, seeing as they'd all kept in contact since the tournament, but she guessed that as soon as Mariah actually spotted the amethyst-eyed girl she'd be over by her in a blink. Victoria suspected that this was what Kage was waiting for.
Moving on, Victoria's eyes found Keisha and smiled to see her, not surprisingly, chatting it up with Max and his team. They all seemed to be enjoying each others company and he brunette was quite glad to see the couple in each others arms. She firmply believed they were the most perfectly-matched couple she'd ever met and seeing them together seemed to be the most right thing in the world.
Once more, Victoria's gaze moved on but no matter how many times they scanned the faces of the crowd, she couldn't find her Captain anywhere. With a heavy sigh she closed her eyes and pressed her fingers to her temple.
"That grouch." She thought moodily. "I'll bet my beyblade she's in that damned training room! We're all out here having fun and being good hostess' and she's in there being a loner! Damn it! What will it take to make that girl relax!"
Victoria's brows furrowed as the image of her captain challenging random guests to beybattle appeared behind her closed lids.
"Oh, God!" She thought wearly. "PLEASE don't let her ruin this for us!"
"What's the matter, Cherie? Are you sick?... Do you have a headache?"
Victoria's eyes opened and she smiled as she saw Oliver's face before her, his head tipped to the side slightly as he eyed her with a concerned expression.
"I'm fine." She assured him kindly. "Just thinking about Demi.... and really wishing she'd learn to unwind a little."
Oliver smiled and straightened.
"She's just one of those people." He said kindly. "I'm sure she will one day. In any case, I don't think you have to worry about her, she seemed to be able to take care of herself quite well."
Victoria smiled at this.
"Yea, she does."
"Such a sweet and compassionate person!"
Victoria turned to see Enrique looking at her with an expression of admiration. She raised an eyebrow at him when he took her hand in both of his and gave her his best charming look.
"You know, I love a girl who cares so much about her friends! You're such a wonderful person, bella! And wonderful people deserve to be treated well. Please allow me to show you how you should be treated!'
Victoria rolled her eyes as the blonde lifted her hand to his lips for a lingering, tender kiss. When he looked back up at her again her expression was, as always, an unamused one as she slipped her hand from his.
"Thanks but no thanks." She replied bluntly. "Obviously you're a very persistent person, Enrique, which I usually admire. But in this case, let me make myself clear."
The brunette gave the blonde a serious look before continuing.
"You're wasting your time."
Apparently undeterred, just like all his other failed attempts that night, Enrique's smile brightened. Victoria found this amazing; it seemed the blonde was fueled by her rejections and only seemed more and more determined with each one she served him.
"Must be one of those 'want what you can't have' kinda thngs." The bruntette thought wearily.
"But time is never wasted while in the presence of someone so close to perfection as you."
Victoria sighed heavily, getting extremely annoyed by the blonde now.
"OK, stop." She said firmly. "Now you're gettin on my nerves!"
"Oh, my beyblade for a distraction!" The brunette thought almost desperately.
As if in answer to her plea, an almost deafening explosion was heard from some ways across the house in the neighbouring wing, powerful enough to shake the house and cause tiny bits of debris to flutter down from the ceiling.
"What on earth was that?!" Oliver asked with slightly wide eyes while Enrique looked like a frightened rabbit.
While everyone else in the room looked around in confusion and alarm, Victoria groaned loudly.
"Oh no!!" She thought miserably. "Me and my big mouth... please don't let it be what I think it is..."
But even as she thought it, she knew she was right. Meeting her teammates' gazes, Keisha looked worried while there was a deep and knowing look on Kage's face. With a deep sigh, Victoria hiked up the skirt of her dress before following the crowd and running with her teammates towards the source of the sound.
Victoria and the other two girls elbowed and excused their way through the crowd cluttered around training room door and when they finally reached the front, they gasped at what they saw. The entire side was out of the room, the door nowhere to be found as said room was completely demolished. Where once there were training aids, supports for the room, walls, and other various objects, now there was nothing but ash and solid blocks of ice among the barren waste and ruin. Walls and remains of walls were charred in some places and frozen in others. Nothing was recognisable as the place looked like it had lived through a thousand wars before the dawn of the next ice-age.
Wide aqua-marine eyes scanned the room in shock before finally reaching what was apporximately the center of the room. There she saw, not to her surprise, the source of the ruin and frowned at the two people still heavily involved in their beybattle, not even noticing the huge crowd that had accumulated.
"TREA!!! PILLAR OF FIRE!!
"WOLBORG!!! NOVAE ROG!!"
Victoria's eyes were wide as saucers and her jaw was nearly to the floor as she watched her Captain and her biggest rival and made-enemy shred each others hides. She swallowed hard as a sickening feeling came over her upon looking the two over. Both were beaten and bloodied and while Tala's body was smouldering from multiple harsh-looking burns, Demetra's looked frostbitten and half-frozen. Down Tala's back was a huge, angry set of claw marks, deep and gruesome looking. A matching set was carved into Demetra's chest and stomach and just one look told the seer they were going to be angry, life-long scars. Still, despite their multiple wounds and injuries, the two rivals battled on.
"That's enough of this!" Growled and angry and irritated voice from beside Victoria.
She turned to see Kai Hiwatari beside her with his launcher and blade raised. Next moment he released the blade and in a blink a black and white one had joined him. The brunette didn't need to turn to know that the second blade belonged to her silent teammate. She watched as both blades shot towards the still batteling ones. Victoria bit her lip as Kai's blade took out Tala's and Kage's took out Demetra's. When their blades landed at their feet with a clatter, the two rivals whirled around to face the people who dared interrupt them as they called back their own blades.
"How dare you?!" Demetra screamed savagely. "This battle is far from over!!"
"It's over NOW!" Kai snarled back just as savagely as he approached the two.
"The hell it is!!" Demetra yelled heatedly.
"No, he's right; this is over." Tala said turning a confident and cocky smirk on the tall brunette. "You know which of us is better by now, no need to embarrass yourself any further."
"You cocky bastard!!" Demetra snarled as she made to lunge at the redhead. But before she could manage, Kage had appeared before her and held her back.
There were flames in Demetra's eyes as she starred at Tala with the utmost hatred, her face red with furry.
"Let me go!" She yelled furiously. "It's time I finish what I stared! That weak frosty pup is no mach for Trea!! I can take him!!"
Now Tala's expression darkened and a wild look took a hold of him as he suddenly jumped towards the brunette some ways away.
"Bring it on you bi-!"
"THAT'S ENOUGH!!" Kai screamed furiously, a wild look in his eyes as well as he pushed Tala roughly backwards. "I'm sick and tired of this!! Will you two just GROW UP?!! You're supposed to be professionals! Start acting like it!! If I have to split this childish, temperamental feud up again, I swear on my life, I'll kill you both!!'
Tala's expression was nothing short of a wild rage as she glared a hole right through Demetra. Across from him, her chest was heaving as she starred wildly back at him as well, her fingers flexing savagely, itching desperately to finish the fight.
Through the silence, two figures stepped up from the crowd. Brian approached Tala's blade and after skirting around the debris and ruin of the room, Victoria stooped down the same time he did to pick up her friends blade as well. Both bravely made their way towards their Captains and when in front of them, their hands lifted to offer the beaten and thoroughly trashed blades to their owners. Demetra took her blade from the other brunette, her eyes not leaving Tala as she scowled at him through clenched teeth. Across the way, Tala snatched his blade back from Brian, causing the other Russian's hand to jerk to the side from the force.
"This sin't over." Tala hissed dangerously. "Next time there won't be any interruptions!"
"Looking forward to it!" Demetra hissed back.
Tala gave her one last glare before turning a scathing glare on Kai. The blunette crossed his arms and lifted his chin in the air, looking down his nose as if daring the redhead to test him. Tala scowled at him, his clenched teeth visible as his lips curled up into a snarl. But instead of saying anything more, he whirled around and left, the frightened crowd parting for him as he approached and stormed past them.
Without a word, Kai straightened his head and uncrossed his arms before heading after the redhead. There was no doubt among anyone that there would be a heated fight between the two Russian's later, and obviously their other teammates sensed it too as the exchanged a look before heading after the other two with deep frowns.
A heavy silence plagued the room for a long time, and for the time, no one seemed able or brave enough to speak.
Finally, Victoria forced a smile and laughed convincingly.
"Wow! Now there's entertainment for ya!!"
This seemed to lift the tension in the room and most everyone seemed to relax.
"Come on, everybody, let's get back to that party!"
Completely agreeing with the brunette, the crowd turned and left the demolished training room behind. When they were gone, Victoria turned back to her Captain.
"Come on... let's get you cleaned up."
The brunette reached out to take her captain's arm but the taller brunette yanked her arm angrily away. Without a word she left the room, and her teammates behind. Victoria looked at Keisha to see the redhead biting her lip and then Kage to see a deep frown on her face. With a heavy sigh, Victoria followed after Kage as she made after her captain and took Keisha's hand comfortingly as they followed suit.
Victoria reached up to rub her cheeks, her face being sore for her excessive smiling -- not that she was complaining. At three in the morning, most everyone had left now, all having thoroughly enjoyed themselves, despite the tense moment Demetra and Tala's bettle had brought on. By now all that was left was Max, having decided to stay a few days with Keisha, The Magestics and the White Tigers, though Kage was currently seeing them off.
"Never thought there'd be so much mess..." Victoria commented absently as she leaned over to set a toppled lamp straight.
Her and Keisha, along with the help of Max, Oliver and Enrique, were all doing a little tidying; the girls feeling bad for the huge mess left behind and deciding to help the maids a little, and the boys wanting to help them. Demetra, after bandaging herself up, had stalked off to her room and barred the door. No one had seen her since.
"Well, that looks to be about it." Keisha said eventually, straightening from picking up a can from the floor. "We've done a lot, the maids can do the rest, they don't mind. They always fuss whenever we help saying it's their job and whatever... they're so sweet."
Victoria smiled at her best friend's ramblings, an obvious attempt to keep things light and fresh.
"That's true." She replied with a smile. "And we did do a lot."
"Well, that's what maids are for." Johnny replied moodily from his spot on the window sil. "I can't believe you even bothered! That's what they're paid for!"
The others laughed and Victoria rolled her eyes with a smile, choosing, like the others to ignore the redheads moody exclamation.
"Anyway." She said in amusement. "It's late and you guys should get some sleep before your flight tomorrow."
"I agree." Oliver replied. "I think it is time for bed. Thank you so much for inviting us mademoiselles, I had a wonderful time."
The greenette gave the girls a small bow and both giggled a little as they playfully bowed back.
"You're quite welcome, monsieur!" Keisha teased, causing the others, even Oliver, to laugh. With a smile and a wave, the redhead turned with her boyfriend then and left the room.
"Goodnight!" Both Keisha and Max called over their shoulders.
"Night!" Called the people left in the room.
"Alrighty then!" Victoria said cheerfully, turning to the Majestics boys in the room.
"I suppose I should show you boys to your rooms."
"Don't bother." Johnny replied moodily, standing from the window seat and walking past the other three. "I know where it is, Kage showed me earlier."
"Okay." Victoria said, tilting her head slightly as the redhead left the room. "Night, Johnny!"
The redhead merely gave a wave over his shoulder without turning before disappearing around the corner and out of sight.
Victoria smiled and shook her head, then looked around as a questioning expression appeared on her face.
"Where's Robert?" She asked in confusion.
"I believe the last time I saw him, he was sizing up your library." Oliver replied thoughtfully. "Kage showed him his room earlier as well, so my guess is he's borrowed some of your books and gone to bed already."
"Oh." The brunette said simply. She then smiled and shrugged. "Oh well, guess it's just us three! Follow me boys."
The brunette lifted her arm for Oliver to take and when he did, Enrique's face fell a little. Feeling a little guilty, Victoria sighed lightly, deciding to give the blonde a break, and held up her other arm as well, even going so far as to offer the blonde a small smile. Grinning brightly, the blue-eyed bebe took Victoria's arm, ignoring the small chuckle from Oliver, and both allowed themselves to be lead from the room.
"Well, this is it boys." Victoria said, stopping in front of a large handsome oak door and releasing the boy's arms. "This is your room Oli, Enrique, yours is the next one down."
The amethyst-eyed blader turned to the brunette with a warm smile and gave her a slight nod of the head.
"Thank you, Cherie. See you in the morning."
Victoria smiled before leaning in and giving the greenette a light kiss on the cheek.
"Night." She said a little shyly, a slight pink tinge dusting her cheeks.
Oliver gave the brunette a warm smile.
"Goodnight, Victoria."
Victoria watched the handsome French blader turn then and disappear into his room. Turning around, she wasn't really surprised to see a particular blonde still standing behind her.
"Do you know which room is yours?" She asked as politely as she could, still a little annoyed by the blonde. Enrique gave her a small smile. "Do you want me to point it out for you?"
"It's alright, I know which one it is. I was just wondering if I might have the pleasure of enjoying your company a little longer? I'm not really tired, and since you've been such a good hostess all night..."
Victoria sighed at the blonde's playful and cheesy words. She didn't really want to be left alone with him, but her conscience refused to let her leave him alone in a strange place. So, being the person she was, she had to agree.
"Alright." She said simply. "I'll stay up with you on one condition; drop the phony act, drop the theatrics and lame and corny lines and talk like a normal person. Don't treat me like a piece of meat and don't act like I'm some kinda princess whose ass you've gotta kiss in order to get in her good graces. It doesn't work! If you can do that, then I'll be happy to keep you company."
Enrique blinked at her for a few moments with a blank expression and for a moment Victoria thought he was going to go against her. But despite what she expected, the blonde closed his eyes and smiled in amusement. When he finally opened them again, his eyes were no longer clouded with false acting and a veil of charm. Now he looked sincere.
"Promise." He replied. "No more theatrics or corny and chesy lines. Just me."
Victoria eyed him suspiciously for a few moments until finally she smiled and gave him a single nod.
"Good." She said in approval. "So, how can I entertain you?"
Enrique gave her a small smile before looking around the area.
"This house is very beautiful, I'd like to see more of it."
Victoria, a little surprised but pleased, gave the blonde another nod and again offered him her arm.
"Sure. Come on, I'll show you around."
Enrique took her arm with a smile and allowed himself to be lead away once more.
"I want to apologise for earlier."
Victoria looked up at the blonde before her as she poured up a cup of hot chocolate for him, now having finished their tour of the house.
"For what?" The brunette replied curiously, putting the pot down and handing the blonde his mug. Enrique accepted the mug with a smile and thanks before looking down thoughtfully.
"Well, for the way I acted and the things I said. I really didn't mean to upset or annoy you, it's just... those things are usually the things girls wanna hear."
The blonde smiled then and looked up again.
"At least, the girls I usually encounter." He finally looked back at Victoria again and gave her a warm smile. "It took me a while, but I finally realized you're not like other girls."
The brunette starred at him for a minute before furrowing her brows.
"What do you mean?" She asked, not sure if she should be offended by this or not. Enrique laughed lightly.
"I mean, you're classier. You've got taste and style and you don't care what others think of you. You're sweet and kind and you care about others. You don't like people for their status and you see people for what they are. I've never met a girl like you before, Victoria, you're different." The blonde gave her a warm smile at this and tipped his head slightly to one side as he observed her. "You make it hard to understand you and win you over. And even though you know who I am, you still don't fall all over me like some of the other girls I've dated, which means you're not shallow... I guess that's why I like you so much."
Victoria starred at the blonde for a long time, studying his face. To her surprise and approval, he starred back at her, inviting her to study him and letting her know he was serious and had nothing to hide. She was surprised to find that the blonde was so observant but the idea pleased and impressed her greatly. She couldn't for the life of her figure out why he acted the way he did, not when the real him was so much more attractive.
Eventually the brunette realized he was actually telling the truth and being himself, and for that she was grateful. Now, finally, she offered the blonde a real, genuine smile.
"Congradulations." She said softly. "You've finally managed to impress me."
Enrique laughed lightly as he lifted his mug to his lips.
"About time." He replied playfully before taking a sip of his cocoa. "Mmm... this is delicious."
Victoria smiled brightly and lifted her own cocoa to her lips as well.
"Thank you. I'm rather proud of my hot chocolate making skills!"
The blonde laughed again, his eyes sparkling happily as he took a nice, long drink of the hot beverage. Victoria mimicked him to hide her wide smile. Perhaps the blonde wasn't so bad after all, once he dropped the overly cliche facade.
"Hmm... maybe playboy's got some potential after all.."
"Okay then. I think I've entertained about all I can do for one night!"
Enrique laughed lightly as both him and Victoria stood in front of his guestroom door.
"Yea, you did. Thank you. And thank you for inviting you to your party, I had a lot of fun."
Victoria smiled at the blonde.
"Sure, no problem. I'm glad you had a good time."
Enrique reached out and lifted her hand, and this time the brunette didn't pull away as he lifted her hand to his lips and pressed a delicate and feathery kiss to the back of her fingers.
"Goodnight." He said softly. Victoria gave him a warm smile.
"Night." She replied softly as well.
And with one last smile, the blonde finally turned and disappeared into his room.
Victoria smiled to herself as she turned away from the door and headed off towards her own room.
"Well, that was a surprise." She thought happily. "Who knew the playboy was actually a real gentleman after all. Hmmm... maybe Kei was right, maybe he really does just need someone to 'see' him, someone to care about him for him not because of who he is... Maybe I could give him a chance after all."
"Morning!"
Victoria looked up curiously from her breakfast as she heard her best friend's greeting from beside her. Seeing who the redhead had been talking to, she smiled at Enrique, the last to join the little breakfast club.
"Morning." She repeated, a little quieter then her best as the blonde sat down beside her at the table.
"Goodmoring." The blonde returned with a smile of his own.
"Toast? Eggs? Waffles? Bacon?" Victoria offered with a small laugh. "We've got it all! Oliver was a very welcomed guest among our chefs in the kitchen this morning! They loved him!"
Enrique laughed as he reached for a couple slices of toast being offered to him and an egg.
"They always do." He replied with a grin before adding; "Thank you."
Victoria smiled and nodded before placing the bread basket back on the table.
There was cheerful chatter around the table for the most part as everyone chatted and talked happily amongst themselves. Eventually, Oliver leaned forward in his seat a little and looked down the table at his blonde teammate.
"Enri, did you get Jenelle's message? She returned your call sometime around four this morning."
Enrique paused with a piece of egg to his mouth and tensed when Victoria turned to him with a questioning look.
"Who's Jenelle?" She asked casually, lifting a slice of toast to her mouth for a bite.
"Uh... no one!" The blonde replied hastily, quickly popping the egg into his mouth.
Victoria paused in her chewing and lifted an eyebrow at him.
"She's his girlfriend." Oliver said absently from down the table. "And you really should return her call Enrique, she was worried about you. She said you were supposed to meet her somewhere last night but you never showed up. You didn't tell her your were visiting in Finland?"
Victoria starred at the blonde unblinkingly for a long time and he seemed to squirm under her gaze. Finally she swallowed the food in her mouth and blinked at him.
"His.... girlfriend..." She repeated softly, a blank expression on her face. Across them on the other side of the table, Johnny snorted.
"Yea. One of 'em." The redhead scofted as he reached for another piece of troast. "I duno how he keeps 'em all straight. I'd get all their names mixed up."
Victoria blinked at the redhead for a long time before turning to stare at Enrique, who had shrunk in his chair a little since the last time she'd looked at him. Finally her expression turned angry.
"One of 'em??" She repeated angrily, sitting rather straight in her chair as she glared at the blonde. "Just how the hell many girlfriends do you have?!"
"I-I... um.. well, it's not really... I mean.. um-"
"Lots." Oliver said wearily form down the table. "I keep telling him he's going to get himself into trouble one day. But of course, he never listens to me... or anyone for that matter!"
Victoria's breath hitched and she suddenly found it hard to breath. Why? Why did this sudden truth send a sickening wave through her? She didn't even like Enrique! Why the hell should she be hurt by it?
Unable to understand why she was feeling the way she was but knowing she did, Victoria frowned and angrily pushed her chair back from the table.
"Where are you going??" Enrique asked suddenly as the brunette picked up her plate and moved to walk away.
"I've suddenly lost my appetite." Victoria replied angrily. She then walked away and deposited her plate into the dish washer before leaving the room.
Enrique jumped up from his seat, intending to follow the brunette, but a cold voice from the other end of the table stopped him.
"Sit." Demetra growled icily.
His face paling as he remembered the state the Finnish blader had left Tala in the night before, the blonde quickly sat back down again. Turning towards the place Victoria had disappeared to, he frowned deeply as he remembered the look on her face when she'd left.
Victoria's eyes were a little misty as she stood in the main hall, reluctantly seeing the last of their guests off after everyone had had their breakfasts.
"Bye!" The brunette said sadly as she stood before Oliver. "I'll miss you!"
Oliver gave her a warm smile.
"I'll miss you too, Cherie." He replied sweetly, reaching out to pull her into a hug.
The brunette hugged him tight, and Oliver smiled as he closed his eyes and placed a hand on the back of her head, holding her tightly to him until she was ready to let him go.
Finally the brunette pulled away from the handsome French blader and gave him a watery smile.
"Have a safe trip home." She said kindly. Oliver smiled and nodded.
"Oui, I will. Don't worry." The greenette turned then and gave the other occupants of the house a small wave. "Farewell! Take care everyone."
After receiving a positive response, Oliver turned to Victoria one last time and lifted her hands to his lips to press a delicate kiss to the back of her fingers. After giving her hand a gentle squeeze, he gave her one last sweet smile before bending over to pick up his suit case and exit the house.
Victoria watched the greenette walk down the front steps and into the waiting limo to join Robert and Johnny.
"Have a safe trip back, Enrique." Came Keisha's soft voice from behind Victoria. The brunette made a face upon hearing his name.
"Thank you..." The blonde replied softly was well.
Victoria closed her eyes as she heard his footsteps softly padding towards her and stop in front of her.
"Victoria-"
"Goodbye, Enrique."
The finality in the brunette's voice told the blond she had nothing to say to him and at the moment she wanted to hear nothing he had to say to her. So, with a deep sigh, the Blue-eyed blonde finally turned and left the house.
Opening one eye, Victoria watched as the blonde walked down the front steps and into the waiting limo. When he was inside and the door was closed, one of the windows rolled down and she saw Oliver smiling and waving at her. With a warm smile of her own, Victoria lifted her hand and waved back. When the window beside his rolled down to revel Enrique, lifting a cautious hand to wave as well, Victoria frowned and turned away. She walked away from the door and past her friends, neither of whom said a word, knowing she was upset and all of them believing that she had reason to be a little ticked off at the blonde.
Victoria watched Breal as he spoke in his usual cool and calm voice. He had called a 'meeting' in the meeting room upstairs and for this, the brunette knew he had something very important to say.
"As you all know, the battle between Demetra and Tala completely destroyed the training room last night, which means you will have nowhere to train until it's fixed."
"How long will it take to get it fixed?" Keisha asked with a frown. Breal gave her a serious look.
"Months." He said bluntly. Keisha gasped.
"Months?? But how can we train for the worlds!? We can't wait months to train!"
"No, you can't." Breal agreed. "That's why I've called you all together."
On his right side, Demetra sat at the table with closed eyes and crossed arms. Her usual intimidating expression looked even more so now that she practically looked like a mummy. With bandages all over her chest, hidden by her black tank top, all over her shoulders and arms, hands, neck and around her forehead, as well as a big square patch on her left cheek, the Captain if Villikosto looked like she's just been through world war three.
"I know what you're going to say." The silver-eyed blader said tonelessly.
"Good." Breal replied. "Then it won't come as a shock to you."
Looking around at the other girls in the room, ignoring Max sitting by Keisha's side, he looked each one of them in the eye before continuing.
"Your teamwork is excellent but your individual skills need a lot of work. That's what I want you all to work on."
Victoria furrowed her brows.
"How?" She asked in confusion. "We don't have anywhere to train."
"You're going to spilt up." Breal said bluntly.
Victoria and Keisha's eyes widened and they both gasped. Demetra hadn't moved a muscle, having anticipated this, and Kage seemed completely unaffected as she sat patiently and waited for Breal to continue.
"Split up?!" Keisha repeated in a panic. "But.. but I don't wanna split up!"
"Our team's not splitting up. " Demetra explained calmly without opening her eyes. "He want's us to go to separate places for a while to hone our individual skills."
Breal nodded at this.
"That's right. I want you each to pick a place to go, somewhere that will be good for your skills. That's where you'll spend the next year and you'll meet up at worlds."
"Russia." Demetra said without missing a beat. "The cold climate's the best for Trea and I to train. It'll be the biggest challenge."
"And this has nothing to do with wanting to be closer to Tala to exact revenge." Breal wearily stated rather then asked.
"Of course not." Demetra replied calmly, but every soul in the room knew better.
With a slightly aggravated sigh, Breal spoke again.
"Alright. Russia for you. Anyone else?"
"America!" Keisha immediately volunteered.
This caused Demetra to finally open her eyes and look towards the redhead wearily. But before she could speak, Breal cut her off.
"Fine." He said with a nod. "You seem to work well with the All Stars and I've seen some of your best battles with Max around. Just make sure you take lots of time to train by yourself, Keisha. That's the point of this separation."
Keisha nodded enthusiastically.
"I promise!" She replied excitedly, reaching out to take the blonde beside her's hand. Max smiled and gave it a gentle squeeze, the happiness he was feeling clearly visible in his eyes.
Everyone turned to Kage as the purple touched blader spoke and when she lowered her hands, Breal again nodded.
"China." Breal said. "Very good. China has much unmarked and untouched terrain. It'll be an excellent train ground.
Breal turned to stare Victoria.
"What about you?"
Victoria grinned, loving her coach's idea.
"Paris!" She said immediately.
Breal seemed to consider this for a few moments and when he opened his mouth to speak, he was this time cut off.
"No." Demetra said bluntly. "You'll spend all your time and money shopping and you won't train at all. It's a bad idea."
Victoria gave her Captain a heated glare and opened her mouth to argue when she was cut off as well.
"What about Rome, Italy?" Keisha suggested innocently. But when Victoria's aqua-marine eyes turned her glare on the redhead, she could see a familiar mischievous glint in the redhead's eye.
"I don't think so, Ki-Ki!" The brunette replied angrily, knowing how much the redhead hated the nickname.
"Italy is a good idea." Demetra said, ignoring the other brunette. "They've got lots of bey stadiums and top notch training. It's perfect."
Victoria turned her glare back on her Captain again.
"I don't want to go to Italy!" She argued heatedly. "I want to go to Paris!"
"Good." Breal said, gathering up some papers on the table before him and inserting them into a black folder before standing up. "So it's decided; Demetra to Russia, Keisha to America, Kage to China and Victoria to Italy. Go pack your things, you leave first thing tomorrow morning."
Victoria's mouth dropped open as Breal headed towards the door.
"But I don't wanna go to Italy!!" She yelled desperately, jumping up and turning to Breal as he reached the door and opened it. "Breal! I wanna got to Paris! Breal!!!"
But the handsome blunette had already disappeared.
Starring at the door for a long time, her jaw working angrily, Victoria finally turned an angry glare and her supposed-to-be best friend.
"What'd ya go and say that for!?" The brunette demanded angrily.
Keisha laughed and shrugged.
"Who knows, maybe you'll thank me one day."
Victoria scowled as she plopped down into her seat and crossed her arms.
"I doubt it!" She grumbled moodily.
"Awe! I'll miss you, Tori!!" Keisha said as she hugged her best friend tightly.
"I'll miss you to Kei!" Victoria replied as she hugged the redhead back. "Make sure you always keep your cell on! And check your email daily! And you better make time to chat on messenger from time to time too!"
Keisha laughed and nodded.
"Promise!" She agreed.
The two laughed and pulled away and Victoria turned to give Max a quick hug.
"You take care of her blondie or I'll be after ya!"
Max laughed as he hugged the brunette back.
"I swear on my beyblade!" He promise with a grin.
When they pulled away, the three waved at each other before Max and Keisha turned and walked away.
Victoria watched anxiously as the couple walked away from her and through the large archway that would lead them to their plane. She shifted her weight back and forth on her feet and watched until her best friend and Max had disappeared, them being the last of the group to leave before Victoria. When finally the brunette could no longer see the two, she grinned wide and turned around before bolting back to the ticket wicket.
"Hi! I'm Victoria Reid! I need to change my flight please!" She blurted hurriedly.
"Alright." The lady behind the desk replied kindly. "Which flight are you on now?"
"648 to Italy." Victoria replied hurriedly.
"And where did you want to go instead?" The lady replied calmly.
"Paris!"