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[h2][color=7ea7d8]Lisa Goldheart[/color][/h2]
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Day 1 [color=734e66]◈[/color] [color=7ea7d8]Time:[/color] Night [color=734e66]◈[/color] [color=7ea7d8]Weather:[/color] Drizzle[color=734e66]◈[/color][color=7ea7d8]Location:[/color] One of several balconies, hiding from the main event. [color=734e66]◈[/color] [color=7ea7d8]Participants:[/color] Lisa Goldheart [@Frettzo] & Manny Ryi [@Ebil Bunny]
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[center][b]I[/b][/center]

Lisa’s scowl vanished as soon as she heard those familiar footsteps far below the balcony, and she grinned when she saw a young girl no older than 13 float up into view. She took quick note of the butterfly mark and opened her arms just in time for the girl to practically lunge at her. One second, Lisa had been lonely and stewing in her annoyance and the next, she felt like her chest was full of fluff as a pair of arms wrapped around her neck. She returned the young girl’s embrace, partly because she wanted to make sure she didn’t suddenly drop and hurt herself, but also because the girl, named Manny, just plainly deserved the affection. Still, a few seconds later and Manny clearly had let go of her, so she did the same.

[color=blanchedalmond]”You know the answer to that first question Manny, too many losers around to really enjoy myself. As for the second one-”[/color] Lisa’s knuckles tapped against the wooden, featureless mask she had left on the railings of the balcony, [color=blanchedalmond]”It’s here. Had to take it off to breathe in the fresh air. Anyway… I gotta say Manny, you’re looking adorable. Make sure you have enough fun for the two of us, yeah? Dance like there’s no tomorrow, sis-”[/color]

The melody faded in. Lisa struggled to keep her goosebumps and breathing under control. 

She’d only heard that melody, the real melody, once before in her life from a recording kept in the Goldheart family vault.

Even if she hadn’t been attending the DANS class for the last few months, she would’ve recognised it.

The Hunting Melody of the Ni-Seraphi. 

The air seemed to still. The rain felt like oil. The temperature dropped. In Lisa’s eyes, everything suddenly seemed to lose colour and the world slowed down. 

In the distance, she saw a storm brewing. It wasn’t a natural one. 

This time it was Lisa that rushed to embrace Manny, to make sure she wouldn’t panic and run away.

By the time Professor Grune’s voice rang out through the Academy Lisa had already snatched Manny, and by the time the explosion’s shockwave reached the ballroom, Lisa had already jumped from the balcony and was mid-air. The turbulence disabled her flight and so instead of landing gracefully she found herself headed straight into an old Oak, where both Manny and her crashed and tumbled until they found their way down to the muddy ground, their dresses much worse for wear than before but their bodies mostly unharmed. 

After getting herself and Manny on their feet, Lisa grabbed the young girl by the shoulders and looked her dead in the eye with an intensity that she’d never shown before.

[color=blanchedalmond]”Lil’ sis, I’m taking you to Anastasia. I’m sure that even now, she’s rallying everyone and healing the injured inside of the ballroom. As for me, after I drop you off with the Illuminaires… A few of the students weren’t at the Masquerade, and someone’s going to have to find and rescue them. Y’get me, right? It’s one of the few Goldheart duties that I have no issues with. So let’s go, now.”[/color]