Wait it out

The fact of the matter is that they can search everyone. By morning the place will be crawling with security and insurance agents that will take the place and everyone in it apart - literally. If your organization has this skin technology, you can only imagine what other types may be in use elsewhere if not in use or in beta in your own. Therefore, the others plotting against you know that you will make a break tonight. Only a crazed fool would stay.

The maniacal laugh is quashed in your throat, but the smirk can't be suppressed. It beams as you waltz to the music with an invisible partner. They are about to find out how really deranged you are.

* * * *

Quicker than you thought it would be, you get out of Rich and into another high school acquaintance of Alexandra's. She, too, was a nobody back then. From Rich's memories, you didn't even recognize her until you got in her skin and released her memories with the pen. She had been a pimply, chubby, dumpy girl who worked on the school paper and backstage for the dramatics department dreaming of being beautiful and recognized by everyone. That hadn't happened. She was no longer pimply or dumpy, although the flowing salmon dress with a pale-red rose design didn't hide that she still was pudgy. Maybe not beautiful, she definitely had a pretty face and attractive auburn hair that was full and bounced on her shoulders as she, now you, walked.

You contemplated coming back in with Rich, but she had a date, and it might be too obvious that you had switched to be seen with him. Instead when you "found" Rich confused and on the ground when he reinflated, you told him someone said the food was tainted and he should get to a hospital immediately. That sent him off pronto and made him a prime suspect and a distraction since he would be gone before the search started.

In fact, as you re-entered the reception and headed to your date, everything seemed normal - too normal. The young adults were gyrating to the music, and the older ones were around the edges conversing. Holden was now dancing with Alexandra holding her so close that you couldn't see if Clarissa had substituted a fake Bloom or not. Carma was now in the clutches of a short, middle-aged gentleman whose head was perfectly aligned with her chest. She didn't seem to care as he stared into it while they circled to the music.

"Did you miss me?" you asked with a mousiness that could enthrall a cat and scooted up beside Tom Weikert. His eyes were focused at the entrance you came through and followed you all the way, his smile getting a bigger the closer you came.

"Miss Missy, me?" he offered in mock surprise, and you giggled as his arm went around you.

Missy Chamberland was quite a flirt, something she'd developed in college to get men, once her acne cleared up. Tom was a guy who worked across the street she had met at lunch one day and had been sweet on her for the past two months. So sweet that he hadn't even tried to bed her yet, but she was determined to end that tonight.

With the Bloom wedged between your breasts for temporary safekeeping, you leaned over and kissed him, not as powerful as with Clarissa but good enough that you felt his arousal bulging his pants. It was going to be a shame that you would have to deny them both, but business had to come first. He easily followed you into the throng of sweaty, throbbing bodies as you swayed sensually to the music. He began to imitate a drowning duck.

In no time, you maneuvered him so his trip would send him into Holden and Alexandra. Well, it should look like he tripped and pulled you on top of the pile of the four of you. It was the distraction of your finger going from your lips to your cleavage that had him lose concentration while your foot leveraged him sideways and off-balance.

Amazingly, Alexandra didn't cry out as you all fell on her. Only Holden blubbered some cursing. The closest dancers began to sort out the mass of arms and legs, and when you stood, you were wearing the Bloom instead of the fake-antique locket you had come with. That was now in Holden's pocket.

As you anticipated, no one paid it any attention - for about fifteen seconds. Those closest watched Alexandra lying on her back giggling uncontrollably while flapping her arms as if trying to fly. After pulling Alexandra to her feet, both Holden and Carma gasped as she just kept on giggling then flew around the dance area waving her arms up and down. While everyone followed Alexandra, Carma and Holden just stared at you wearing the Bloom not knowing what to do. Obviously, if they brought it to the guard's attention, it would be secured, and neither would ever get hold of it.

Looking so innocent as Tom backed away still apologizing, you just started to dance with him again and ignored the groom and maid of honor who were being dragged off to help corral Alexandra.

With Phase 1 complete, you looked to decide where you should slip the Scarlet Bloom next and whose skin you could use while playing musical Bloom.

(Author: Wordsmitty)