"A what?"
"A rave, of course! Have you ever been to one here in Wonderland?" Bunny gave an innocent smile to my confusion. "Of course, you haven't; this is all new to you, right?"
"Uh yeah.. care to explain?"
We stood outside yet another castle that was rather far away from everything else. This place was like a marketplace but for party houses and other types of things like malls or food stalls. We were at the very end, where nature had stopped, and it was now only a large castle that was sprayed with glow-in-the-dark spray.
The place was odd. It fits into everything else, yeah, but it was still different. The colors and the sudden chaos that I heard just standing outside of it were all different.
The others stood outside with us while Bunny explained what this place was. I could tell that Budget and Seth were confused, like me. The others, including Rory, seemed to know this place.
"The Euphoria Goddess hosts a rave. She made this whole mall place with all these fun activities," she motioned to all around us. A rave itself is a party wholly consumed in darkness. The only light is the glow-in-the-dark paint we splattered all over ourselves.
"How-" I shook my head. "How is that even a party?"
"Because of the music, of course." The cupid looked rather happy to explain how all of this works. She looked even happier to see us confused. "The music this party plays is very different from any of the other parties or other places in Wonderland."
"What type of music?" Seth suddenly said.
Bunny smirked, "it's more hardcore techno music. Even some breakbeat tracks!"
"Wow, that is a hardcore party…" Bridget shook her head, anxiously pulling her hands over her shoulders. Orwell turned to her, his eyes downcast.
"Are you sure it's safe?"
"Safe?" Brick laughed at Orwell's anxious voice. This place is the most joyful in this mall palace, Orwell!" He nudged him, trying to cheer up his friend. "The Euphorian Goddess made this event for us. So you know it will be fun!"
With that, I noticed that everyone's mood suddenly lit up and brightened up. I couldn't help but feel excited, too. That sounded actually fun; the more complex and much more upbeat music and the complete darkness that is so not normal in Wonderland sounded so much fun. There is too much to refuse.
I had heard that the Euthorian Goddess was one of the most upbeat and joyous deities around. Rory mentioned how much she loves parties, and I could tell from the loud laughter and muffled music coming from the other side of the door that it sounded like a lot of fun. My excitement grew, and I just wanted to go in already.
"What are we waiting for?" Rory was basically jumping on their toes. "Let's go in!"
Before we could bolt inside, Bunny put their hands out along with their wings that spread out to stop us. She suddenly looked a bit guilty, her eyes looking down at Casper. "The only downside is that Heaven Pups are not allowed in this party…"
"Why?"
Bunny shook her head at my question, "it's too intense for the pups because of their sensitive ears. The goddess doesn't want to distress any creatures, so they can't come to these types of parties." The cupid then tried to smile, "she also wouldn't really expect Heaven Pup to try and go to one anyway. They don't normally follow angels until now."
It isn't normal for them to follow angels around. I wonder why Casper was so close to me, though. I kneeled to the dog, placing a hand on his head. "Sorry, buddy. You gotta sit this one out." Casper whined, putting his nose on my neck. "I know. I'm sorry…"
As I stood up, Orwell suddenly took my place. "Here, hang out with Sable?" He opened his hand, and his hummingbird came out. She perched on top of Caspers's head, chipring as the pup barked.
When Orwell stood up, Bunny chuckled and opened her hand. I took a step back, and a slight blare flashed at me. A little rabbit suddenly jumped down over to the other animals. "Fairy can hang out with them, too."
"Who-" I looked over to her, seeing the cupid place a hand on the doorknob. "Is that your companion?"
"Yeah, Fairy is a dwarf mini-lop. He will stay with the others to keep Casper company." She turned to walk inside as the others came in soon after.
I followed them, hearing their happy yelps and small sounds coming from the three behind me. The animals moved to the side of the wall, positioning themselves by a few fences that extended off the mall space. He looked content since he wasn't alone. This made me feel less guilty about leaving him; I knew he would be okay with them.
As soon as the door closed behind me, I was suddenly engulfed in darkness. The music blared around me, punctuated by bursts of flashing lights. I wavered slightly, reaching out to grab onto something in the shadows. I ended up holding onto someone as we were pushed into the dance room filled with vibrant lights and swirling colors.
I could finally see something. It was the neon light from the painted bodies in front of me. The music continued to bounce along with the angels and cupids dancing in the room. They all had painted bodies and clothing. The neon lights in all colors were glowing in the dark room as the beings swayed along with the loud music.
I could tell why Heaven Pups weren't allowed in; the music even hurt my ears.
"IT'S SO LOUD!" Bridget had to yell from beside me practically. Seth was on the other side of me. I grabbed onto him as we ventured further into the room.
The cupids in front, along with Rory, began to lead us three down to the DJs. The music grew even louder, but it did get a bit brighter since this was where the flashing lights were coming from.
Bunny waved her hand toward some bright neon curtains, inviting us to step into the suddenly vibrant room. The floor and walls were covered in the same bold paint, creating a dazzling display of colors that felt like a flash mob of brightness.
I moved my hands from my ears, hearing how the light suddenly dimmed when the last of us closed the curtains behind us. Bunny walked over to a child sitting near a few large cans of fluorescent paint. The cupid nodded to Bunny, casting her eyes over to us, who stood awkwardly together.
"They could use some paint.."
"Mind helping us out?" Bunny quirked an eyebrow, causing the other cupid to smirk and stand. She took some cans from behind her, walked over, and gave each of us one separate can with a different color. I was given a bright pink color.
"They gotta all pitch in."
Bunny walked over to us, seeing our confused look. She giggled, "go on. Spray the paint all over yourselves."
"I..? Why do we have to do this?"
"So you don't get lost in the dark." Bunny nodded to the others, looking over to the others who had already begun to spread paint on themselves and each other. "Don't worry about your clothes. The Euphorian Goddess makes sure the paint doesn't stick when you leave through the doors."
"I mean..." Bridget still seemed uneasy about all of this. Seth looked a bit sympathetic to his friend, who held the pai with small hands.
Without thinking, I walked up behind the two of them and tipped the can of paint over their heads. It spilled, and they squealed before running away from me. Seth turned to look at me, his eyebrows furrowed, and the pink neon paint dripped down into his hair.
"Vienna!"
"Come on, have a little fun-"
Bridget and Seth together both tossed their cans of pain at me. I tried to duck, but the green and yellow paint splattered all over me in a heap. The others laughed, Rory jumped over with their hands covered in the blue paint. "Let me join in on this!"
"Rory, hey, don't!" I called out, but they ignored me and approached, running their hands down my front. The blue paint mixed with the other colors already smeared across my body. The redhead continued to spread the paint on me, so I raised a hand and pointed behind them. "Get them! Not just me!"
As soon as Bridget and Seth saw the evil smirk on Rory's face, they were too late to try and run away. Brick and Rue both joined in with their paints to help batter everyone with the neon colors. Soon, me and Orwell were dragged into the paint fight where we had to defend ourselves from Rory.
"They look like a fun group, Bunny," the cupid who gave us the paint nudged the short cupid. "Join in!"
Bunny didn't need to be told twice; she jumped into the group to let the pain cover her as well. Rory showed up to pick the small girl up from behind and twirl her around. She let out an excited squeal; her wings cuffed up as Rory pressed the paint into them.
Rue and Brick were too engrossed in each other, smearing colorful paint on their faces and in their hair. Meanwhile, Orwell was with Bridget, trying to push away the paint that had come too close to her eyes while smearing more paint on her skin. She didn't seem to mind; her gleeful, red face showed just how much she was enjoying Orwell's attention.
When I was looking for Seth, the said angel came up from behind me with his hands falling into my hair. I grappled with him as he ruffled my hair with his colored hands. I couldn't stop him as he covered my hair with a mix of colors.
I did manage to knock myself away and glare at the boy, who was laughing out loud at my expression. "That's payback!"
"You already got me back!" I brushed my hair out of my face since it began to stick to my skin.
Seth rolled his eyes, crossing his arms. "I meant to pay back for sending Rory on me."
I let a smile rise on my lisp, challenging the blonde with a bold expression. "Really? You didn't seem to mind them with you-"
"Shush!" Seth turned before I could continue teasing. He turned over to Bunny, who managed to free Rory and was now waiting by the curtains.
I did notice the music blasting back to me. It was growing louder when Bunny moved the curtain up. "Are you guys ready for real fun?"
"What could be more fun than this?" Rue laughed, her wings snuggling up to Brick just behind her.
Bunny rolled her eyes, turning around to the now fully lifted curtain. "Just wait and see."
As she turned and walked out, everyone in the room rushed to follow her. When we stepped outside, the music blared in my ears, and I had to block it out as we passed the DJ booth. It was too dark up there for me to see who was in the booth; the only thing I noticed was the vibrant colors flashing from the equipment that was blasting the music.
I had to focus on what was in front of me since I was quickly swarmed by the crowd already in the large room. The bodies and wings moved around with no control, and the bright neon lights were blinding as they hit one another in a carefree spirit.
I could taste the excited and intoxicated-free feeling in the air. It was dark and crowded for sure, but I just felt so free. It felt so easy to breathe, so easy to move around at the feeling that was so strong it sent my body down a spiral of thoughts.
They couldn't drag me away just yet; I was being pulled by a strong hand that guided me along with the other colorful figures in front of me. "Hold on to me," Seth said, his grip on me firm. I tightened my hold on him in return.
Bridget was beside me; she was pushed into the body. Of course, it was Orwell; the Cupid had his hood down, and his face was covered in pink fingerprints that I could tell came from Bridget.
"Stay close to me."
The growing music slightly drowned his voice, but I could sense his breathy exhale. Bridget bumped into my side when we suddenly stopped, and Seth was laughing in front of me.
With my hand still connected to his, I turned to Bridget beside me. She was already looking at me, her lips up and curled with a trembling yet joyful smile. "You look happy!"
"Don't we all?" I couldn't help but chuckle.
Seth came over and bumped into us while Rory was on his back. The redhead spread their wings for a moment before tucking them back in. Bunny arrived next, followed closely by the couple who seemed inseparable. Suddenly, we all found ourselves in a circle in the dance room, surrounded by moving and laughing bodies.
I could barely hear the loud music that seemed to be growing more and more into its beat. "Oh, the beat is gonna drop!" Bunny jumped up, her wings opening with the bright yellow paint slipping down in front of her feathers.
Rory and the couple jumped with her as the whole room started to shake at the bodies. I jumped along with them, feeling Bridget and Seth beside me slowly slide into the excited air that grew more and more. We moved and thrashed with one another, my vision going in and out at the bright colors.
It was both blinding and intoxicating. My bare feet hitting the ground began to feel slightly sore. But nothing stopped me. There was too much excitement to distract my mind. So, all I could focus on was the waving of my own body and the figures dancing beside me.
I don't know how long we were out there in the dance room dancing, but the music never dimmed down. I never seemed to lose any of my energy. It pooled over, taking away all of my exhaustion before it even had time to surface.
I did catch sight of Bridget moving away from my side. I reached out for her, seeing the girl swing her braids over to me. "I'm gonna get a drink with Orwell. We will be right back."
I let her go, watching as the cupid dragged her off into the darkness until I no longer had sight of them.
Soon after they went off, both Brick and Rue walked off. They faded away in the crowd, leaving me and the others to continue dancing around. I was over by Seth's side, somehow getting around him so I could see Rory and Bunny. They were talking with each other; even while swaying around, they were talking about something.
As the music blasted in my ears, I couldn't hear anything else, but I watched as a couple of figures were slowly crowned by others. I lost sight of them and felt a dull pounding in my head, reminding me not to get lost in the moment. I thrashed my head back, growling at the annoying pain, determined not to let it spoil this experience. When I finally lifted my head, I stumbled back into someone.
With the music blasting in my ears, I had no way of hearing them, but I watched as they slowly got crowned by other beings. I lost sight of the two, feeling a slight dull pounding in my head that reminded me not to get lost. I thrashed my head back, growling at the annoying pain to not ruin this moment for me. When I lifted my head back up, I stumbled back into someone.
"Vienna! Hey, it's me!" It was Seth, stayed by my side the whole time. With his arms under my arms, he helped pull me up while avoiding the thrashing of my wings in his face. "Control those; you don't want to hit a cupid by accident."
"Right!" I rubbed a hand over the feathers, chuckling softly to myself.
Seth went quiet for a second, looking around behind me with his eyebrows knitted together. "Where's Bunny and Rory!?"
I turned back around where he was looking, shaking my head. "I don't know! I lost sight of them..!"
Seth was quiet after that. The light thumping from the music was slowly dining on my senses, so I could hear a shallow breath escape the blonde. I turned to look at him, seeing the small yet obvious look of stress on his face.
"Seth.." I placed a hand on his shoulder, jumping him back into the present.
"Sorry.. let's continue dancing-"
"Seth!" The male stopped, turning his eyes to me in raised question. I sucked in a deep breath, feeling my lungs feel with acid, and before I could stop myself, I spoke. "You like Rory, don't you?"