Author stuff: Hey, everyone! I meant to get this up on the first, but... I'm lazy and I sat around rolling on the floor, and then I sewed.
Anyway, this is for valedn. She was one of the winners for the Winter Cover Contest (yay!). Her prompt was about Kai and Cinder going on a dating adventure. It was such a super cute idea, and I fell in love with it the first moment I saw it.
I hope you guys like it!
Disclaimer: I do not own The Lunar Chronicles.
Well, That Could Have Been Worse
By iOc
Chapter One
"It's hideous," Cinder said, her face twisting into a scowl as she looked at her reflection in the floor length mirror. Behind her, Iko twisted up her hair into a messy bun before deciding against it and letting Cinder's hair tumble back down.
"It's not that bad," Cress said, pinning the hem up an inch… or five.
"I look like a lemon. How is that not bad?"
"You look pretty," Iko said, assuring her friend. She rested her chin on Cinder's shoulder and wrapped her arms around her waist. She stuck out her tongue and crossed her eyes, a vain attempt at making the Lunar princess laugh.
"I look like a lemon."
Cress huffed and undid the pins, sticking them maliciously back into the tomato shaped pin cushion strapped to her wrist. Cinder winced at each stab.
"Fine," Cress said. "We'll try a different dress — there was fifteen already, all very pretty on you, but it's your date. Iko, the pink one."
"I think the blue one would look better on her," Iko said, fingering the lacey monstrosity.
"Iko, pink suits Cinder's complexion much better than the blue."
"But the blue will make her seem softer, girlier."
"Guys, what about this one?" Cinder said, plucking a simple red dress off the rack that had been brought to them. Designers from all over the world had volunteered their garments for Cinder and a few other members of the visiting royal court when news spread of their intent — peace talks and furthering the treaties. Cinder had grown to be their favorite.
They had decided to drag the rack of dresses upstairs to Cinder's designated guest room. This wasn't the first time she'd traveled to Earth in hopes of reworking the treaties to benefit both the Earthen Union and Luna. She hated that she was Winter's "best ambassador of all time." That was… pretty much her official title.
She didn't just visit the Eastern Commonwealth — Luna didn't want to show any favoritism, after all — but it was the place that she was the most comfortable in. Almost everyone seemed to understand that, however there were a few very vocal hell raisers in the crowd. She didn't blame them, either.
"No, no, no," Winter said through the portscreen. The connection was still fuzzy at intervals, but it was the best Cress could do under pressure. "Iko-bot, Cress, neither the pink or the blue dress in my Selene's style. Selene, put the red dress back. You'd look orange in it."
Cinder carefully slipped the hanger back on the rack, relieved that someone was finally taking control of the situation. She did glance over the rest of the offenders, hoping Winter would dismiss them as well.
"Well, she can't show up naked," Cress said, folding her arms.
"Well, she could, technically speaking," Iko said, tapping her chin thoughtfully. A smirk crossed her features, contorting them into something reminiscent of a fox. Had Cinder been capable of blushing, she would have. Instead, she settled for tossing a sock at the android. "But, you're right, it'd be improper for a first date."
"I wish I could be there with you," Winter said, sighing dreamily. "Sending my sweet Selene off into the arms of the man who is more than clearly enamored with her."
"I know! I never thought that I'd live to see the day."
"So," Cinder said, dragging out the 'o's cautiously, "if I'm not wearing any of the dresses, what am I supposed to wear? I mean, it's technically my first date with Kai — unless you count the ball debacle three years ago."
"Is that what we're calling it now?" Iko said. "'The ball debacle'?"
"Shut up. It's better than the 'the foot incident'."
"Well, Cinder," Cress said, sitting down on the overly plush bed, "what would you have worn on a date back before all of," she waved her hands around, gesturing to the madness that had become her life, "this?"
"Probably whatever didn't smell the worst, cleanest if possible," Cinder said, sitting down on the ottoman — well, she thought it was an ottoman, and the info popping up in her vision was telling her it was, not that she really cared. Still, it was good to know for future reference.
Everything about the room was so soft and delicate looking. She felt like she'd ruin all of it by simply breathing in the room. ("Sorry about that," Kai said the first time she'd visited two and a half years ago. "It's the only room really available at the moment. We'll get you a better one next time." He never did.)
"I didn't really have much choice in this kind of stuff before," Cinder said, continuing. "And I wasn't really interested in dating anyone, either. No one really caught my attention."
"No one, until Kai, that is," Iko said, giggling. She winked at Cinder, who rolled her eyes. Winter laughed.
"Love at first sight?" Cress said — though, they all knew she knew the story by heart. She'd demanded it be told numerous times before — Thorne often telling it with varied success. He mostly got it wrong.
"Not really," Cinder said, shrugging. "I thought he was kind of… cute, I guess. I mean, it's not like he was unattractive or something."
"What were you wearing that day?" Winter said, leaning forward. Even through the portscreen, the light danced in her eyes.
Cinder frowned and thought. What had she been wearing?
"A stained tank top," Iko said, "cargo pants, boots, and a grease splotch on her forehead."
"Grease splotch?" Cress said, wrinkling her nose. "Ick."
"I think that makes it more special," Winter said. "Oo, maybe you should show up with a grease stain on your face, remind him of that fateful day."
"No," Cinder said flatly.
"Fine. But don't say that he wouldn't think that was adorable and sweet."
"Can we get back to picking out my outfit now? …Never thought I'd hear myself say that."
They'd ended up deciding on a simple blouse and shorts combo with comfy boots. Although, the shorts were a tad shorter than what Cinder would have chosen for herself and the blouse called for an undershirt. ("I don't think these really qualify as clothes," she said, eyeing the outfit warily in the mirror.) The others assured her that she looked good in them. She did have rather nice legs in her reflection.
When that was all said and done, Cress excused herself to attend a conference meeting with Emperor Kai and some of his advisors. Technically, Cinder was supposed to be there as well, but Winter wanted to talk.
"So, how are things, really?" the Lunar queen said.
"What do you mean?" Cinder said, slouching in the chair. She nabbed a pen from the utensils cup and twirled it between her fingers. "Between me and Kai? Friendly as can be for two people who… you know."
"I actually meant with the treaties, but that's good to know."
"Oh, well, the new American Republic leader, Vargas, still doesn't like me and is demanding to see my birth certificate —"
"Which we don't have because Levana destroyed all evidence of your existence after the fire."
Cinder curled the toes of her robotic foot — a gift from Prime Minister Kamin for showing her support in helping the survivors of the Farafrah Massacre. That had been one of the first things she delved into after Levana's demise.
"Yeah, well, there's not much we can do."
"Anything else? Any positive news I can relay to the court?"
"Um… There are no new plans to invade Luna?" Cinder said, shrugging. Winter rolled her eyes. "Well, there's not a whole lot else. They spend a lot of time arguing about my being in the meetings in the first place. One of them actually accused me of using glamor on him."
"Glamor doesn't work over electronic devices," Winter said flatly.
"Yeah, well, explain that to Chancellor… I forget his name. He has that really big nose."
Winter snorted.
Comfortable silence passed between them for a moment. Cinder traced the faux gilded leaved carved into the desk with her real fingers.
"Selene, when are you coming home? I want to play dress up, but Jacin's not being fun."
"When do you want me to come back?"
"Whenever my warrior princess can come back."
Author stuff cont'd.: So, yay! The start of this super cuteness that I hope everyone enjoys!
I have a lot to say but I'm not going to say any of it because, yeah. Brain is tired and wants to watch Parks and Recreation. So, I'll do that.
Oh! Next update will be... Sunday, because I work Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.