Prologue: Grand Ball room
Sprinting was not the activity noble ladies were supposed to engage in. Duchess Valentine had been on the vast second floor mezzanine that overlocked the grand ballroom. Had being the importance of the former statement. In a flurry of shredded cloth, she ripped her ornate ballgown to shreds, the puffy frilly sleeves, gone. Lace and frill underskirt and petti coat, lace snow that followed in her wake. There wasn't an ounce of hesitation as she vaulted over the mezzanine railing.
Not stopping despite the shrieking nobles that she fell on, she sprinted in the direction of the main entrance hall. Despite her belief that they would never see each other again, there was Iris Xie, Supreme Heavenly Blade Saint, the Rainbow Saintess. The gown would have got in the way of her soft stone steps technique, free of it she hoped across the crowed, using whatever head or shoulder that was convenient, as if stepping across river stones.
"IRIS!" Despite the music and the people chatting, the sheer noise of the dancers' feet, Iris swept around as she had once done in their first meeting. Stumbling and the dazzling smile the women gave her, she kicked the poor Baron Shevil into the floor to maintain her momentum. Her long black hair glistening, her face radiant with warm exotic glow she fell for, eyes sparked like the rainbows she was named for.
Without even questioning why the duchess was barreling down on her., she threw her arms open in greeting, long sleeves billowed. Despite being the rainbow sage, she couldn't foretell how the duchess was planning to greet her.
It was a total shock to the martial master that her friend and companion had wrapped herself around her neck and planted a kiss on her lips. Like a cat, the sages dark hair stood sky-high. Alarmed, she allowed it given their last meeting made it appear that Iris was going to die. After a few tense moments she gently wrapped her arms around the duchess. Soft curls bounced, as the taller girl rested her head on her shoulder after breaking the kiss.
"I love you" She whispered breathlessly, tickling the shorter girl's ear. Fighting panic at the scene still shocked by her first kiss, Iris was at a loss. Valentine collapsed into her, refusing to stand or relinquish her hold. Most of the nobles about had already begun gossiping and several had called the guards. Lightly sweeping the girl up to cradle her in her arms, she started to make for the nearest exit.
Delighted the girl beamed at some of the snobbish brats who would be lucky to avoid political marriages. Steaming at the gaze the duchess gave her she quickened her pace in the direction of the main ball room doors.
Shiny pairs of men, in stout plate with short pikes began to approach the two girls. One look at the royal plums atop their helms and everyone gave wide berth. Unconcerned, Iris focused a whisper of qi to whip up a few ornate paper fans. Idly striding forward, she ignored everything else except the uncontrolled blush on her face and the looming main doors. Swept up in gust of wind like dust bunnies from her materialized fans, they left the hall unimpeded by the guards.
Shifting to remove her sword out of her storage ring, Iris stepped on the naked blade and sored off into the night. Restraining a squeal when the girl in her arms snuggled closer in the cool night air, she pretended to be far more interested in distant lights of the imperial capital below.