ball gown
"Isn't it, I don't know." Terra had frowned. "Impractical?"
Aqua had finished adjusting the ruffles of her side-skirts, and looked away from the mirror. "What is?"
He'd chewed his lip, a thoughtful gesture, and nodded, almost brusque, at her outfit. "This. Your sleeves, and the ribbons."
"Belt," Aqua corrected.
"Isn't it going to get in the way?"
She'd eyed him, the sturdy pants he preferred, the leather guard protecting his middle, the porcupine that seemed to reside on his head. "I guess we'll see," she said, gesturing.
Out of thin air, her fingers closed around the hilt of her Keyblade. She'd raised her eyebrows at Terra, and smiled. He'd leaned forward, waiting and ready for attack.
The Unversed slices the air where she used to stand a moment ago, and she's launched in a cartwheel, two steps, to the left, sliding behind it. Her blade twirls, she plunges, Keyblade deep inside her opponent's vanishing heart, and then again she somersaults to avoid the next attack. Not a second too soon; the second one would've pierced straight through the silky material of her side-skirts. The Unversed chases after the fluttery fabric, floundering with the winds when she escapes, confused. Neatly Aqua slashes through its body.
The side-skirts set slowly down at her sides, and purposeful Aqua walks on, weapon steady.
"Do you dance," Cinderella would ask.
"Let me show you," Aqua would answer.
Terra is sturdy and Ven is fast. Nothing would throw the first off his feet and nothing would outrun the second. Aqua possesses neither Terra's resilience nor Ven's swiftness, so she works on being nimble.
It helps when she thinks of it as dancing. There's a rhythm to fighting; there's a rhythm to wielding a Keyblade, like her heart beats and her blood thrums. They exercise their breathing the same way to fight as when they'd dance or pray.
The boys think her fastidious. They don't understand the attention she pays her clothing, or that some of the trinkets she makes she sometimes likes to wear. Prudently they don't question her, girl stuff written on their faces, that they accept because she's Aqua; Keyblade and skirts both, it works for her.
Master Eraqus approves, he who spends longer perfecting the fall of a fold, the shine of his boots, than Aqua does. It's about respect, he taught her. For yourself and what you defend; for the strength of what you confront. The care you take of your clothing ensures that you will not underestimate your opponents: preventing sloppiness in all aspects of one's existence.
Terra is sturdy and Ven is fast, and Aqua can't take a hit without being severely disadvantaged.
It's dancing, avoiding. She's wearing her best clothes, in fabric other girls like for long dresses, which she spent a long time thinking about. It's a terminally cute outfit and she's very proud of it.
If she's not careful, it will be ruined.
Flimsy sash and fighting boots, Keyblade Master Aqua cuts a fine figure. She holds herself straight and proud, and should she be attacked she will not be crushed down. She knows this, and sure as the Keyblade is in her hand, it is as good an armor as any warrior may wish.