Title: Mezzanine
Fandom: Magic Knight Rayearth
Rating: G
Length: 1200ish words
Content notes: None
Author notes: Clef POV, post-canon. (Clef/Ferio pre-relationship, technically set after another snippet-fic but it's a stand-alone thing too.)
Summary: The masquerade ball that Ferio dragged him to wasn't as terrible as Clef had figured it would be.

oOo


The masquerade ball that Ferio dragged him to wasn't as terrible as Clef had figured it would be. No one recognised him, so no one came over to demand his attention on some new problem. Instead, Ferio steered him up onto the mezzanine which looked out over the ballroom, and got them both a drink, and they leaned on the balcony watching people pretend they didn't recognise each other and have fun.

"What are you going to tell people when they start asking why you're hiding up here with me?" Clef asked, curious, as Ferio waved down to Caldina. She seemed to stare up at Clef a moment, but didn't recognise him - his newly-restored height plus the mask was more effective than he could have imagined at confusing people. He was pretty certain Lantis had worked out who he was, but Lantis had stayed about ten minutes, then left.

He probably also needed someone to drag him out to 'relax', but he was due on the next ship for Autozam, so someone would probably take care of that.

Ferio shrugged. "Tell them I'm catching up with an old friend," he said, with an easy grin. "Has the bonus of being true."

"Don't you want to do something more than just stand up here with me? You're the one who organised this thing, aren't you - don't you want to enjoy it?"

"Well, if you want to dance or something, I'm willing, but otherwise I'm yours until you leave." Ferio shrugged, turning so his back was to the room, elbows on the balustrade. "I told you no one would recognise you. They won't just looking, but your voice hasn't changed much; I figure I should probably stay here while you do to do any talking that comes up, to make sure that's true. Anyway, I helped Caldina get this organised because I thought it would be fun to watch. Which it absolutely is."

"That can't be all you want to do this evening, surely."

Ferio looked at him, smile turning wry. "Is it so hard to think I might enjoy time in your company?"

That stalled Clef's protests - he didn't know how to respond, turning away, hoping that his mask did a better job at concealing his expressions than Ferio's. "Anyway," he blustered. "Lantis recognised me, so-"

"I am fully aware Lantis actually knew you when you held this shape, even if not for many years. He doesn't count."

"And didn't you say that all the Guild Heads were required to attend? If no one recognises me, I would seem to be failing that."

"I might have overstated the requirement to attend a little, but if anyone asks I'll swear that I saw you here." Ferio looked back to the dance floor. "You're certain you don't want to dance?"

"I don't think my legs are steady enough for that," Clef admitted, folding his arms on the balustrade beside Ferio and looking down.

"Next time, then," Ferio murmured, and Clef nodded absently - then blinked, realising he'd somehow agreed both to come to another of these things, and to dance with Ferio at it, neither of which had been his intent-
But he wasn't having a bad time. It was... strange, having this measure of anonymity, but being able to watch the dancing and not worry about anyone approaching him was relaxing.

Instead of protesting, he just shook his head at Ferio's grin, and nudged Ferio's elbow with his own.

"You could get us another drink, if you're going to be lurking about with me for a while yet," he said, as close as he could come to admitting this wasn't a terrible idea.

Ferio patted him on the arm, and wormed away between the flock of people, heading downstairs to the bar. Clef tracked his progress across the floor - Caldina did accost him, at one point, and aside from what appeared to be a fast discussion about getting some of the tables moved around so there was a bigger walkway between them to the drinks from the dancefloor, there must have been some question about him - he caught Caldina's hand waved too-casually in his direction, and Ferio turned to wave up at him, grinning, and made some comment which satisfied Caldina's curiosity.

Ten minutes later, he was back at Clef's side, two tall glasses in his hands. "I couldn't remember what you'd had before, so I asked for the two nicest non-alcoholic things on the drinks menu. Hopefully one will appeal?"

Clef picked one, and it was a clear tangy hit of fruit with the faintest hint of - tea? And some herb he couldn't place. It was very much nice, at any rate, and he said as much, eying the last of Ferio's drink with curiosity. He could see some puragu in that one, and a few green leaves, but...

"Here, you can have the last, if you're that curious." Ferio offered his glass up, trading it for Clef's empty one.

That was good too, though a lot sweeter. Clef liked the first better, and had no idea what either of them were. "How am I going to order one of those again?" he said, pondering the glass.

"Apparently it's a 'bright clear morning', unless the bartender was teasing me by making stuff up. I'm glad you liked it. I don't normally see you drinking anything but tea you've made as strong as possible..."

"Is this the moment where you lecture me on noticing and enjoying life's small pleasures like a good drink?" Clef shook his head, suddenly smiling. "I take your point, thank you, I will remember I can order other things to drink. And even eat."

"That's a start," Ferio murmured, sounding a little smug. He wandered about the corner with the glasses, came back empty-handed, and eying Clef's newly long legs. "...So, tomorrow..."

Clef looked at him, then away. Not refusing to answer, just - thinking it through. "Not tomorrow," he murmured, eventually, and Ferio sighed heavily.

"Why not? You look so much more relaxed-"

"Because no one knows who I am to pounce on me and ask me a dozen questions," Clef pointed out. "If they know who I am, that's not going to be the case anymore. And I did unwittingly say I would dance with you at the next ball like this. I would rather be your... anonymous friend."

Lips pursing, Ferio considered that, then shrugged. "Caldina's probably going to ask if you know who my secret lover is, that I brought along tonight." He stared out over the room as he said it, rather than looking at Clef, but it wasn't exactly a surprise people were going to start some rumours, with the lurking together on the balcony all evening in a quiet but thoroughly visible corner, Ferio not seeking out any of his friends.

"Well, that sounds far more exciting than being the person you dragged out of their room for their own good."

"...Really?"

"Absolutely." Clef grinned. "Want to sneak out for a walk in the gardens and make the rumours worse? It's years since I've been able to wander about without people taking the chance to accost me with some question or other. ...And I would appreciate the chance to stretch my legs without having to remember any dance steps."

Ferio laughed, then held his arm out, and Clef took it; together, they headed down and out of one of the side doors, and into the quiet of the night.