Color

"Kat, pu–leaze!—let me take you shopping!" Syd begs, tugging on the arm of Kat's lab coat. Kat has done an excellent job of ignoring her, but the blond is adamant on this. "The most color I've ever seen you wear is dark blue—please, please, please!"

"Sydney, this is pointless, my wardrobe is fine, and none of your business, for that matter," Kat raises an eyebrow at Syd, somewhat playful but meaning to be stern.

"But, KAT!" Syd pulls away and puts on the most dramatic face she can. "You NEED more color! A palate like yours needs to be brought out! Deep, rich tones, they're so you! You need to give up this whole grey and beige thing, please!" Syd does an agitated little dance before lighting up. "Let me at least show you."

"What would that entail?" Kat frowns at the girl. She adores Syd and the rest of the rangers like her children. However, she never fails to get a bad feeling when Syd looks like this.

"Just, come with me," Syd takes Kat's hand and leads her slowly. "You are so pretty, Kat, you simply must take advantage of it. While I won't deny that black and white works for everyone, you, my dear, need to spice up your look. You have these perfectly green eyes and flawless skin. Your hair means you should stay away from browns unless accentuated with turquoise. Your skin type, though, means you really can do anything but I'd stay away from pastels, they could drown you out. Rich tones, in any spectrum will do you wonders. Earthy tones are a perfect start, since they'll still be subtle, but enhance."

Kat, listening to Sydney's garble, realizes she has been led to Syd's room. She sits on the bed, in a daze after the bombardment of information. "This is a little much, don't you think?"

"Here we go!" Syd pulls out a conservative, deep green dress with long sleeves and a v–neck. "Put this on, with your boots, and see the magic!"

Kat isn't allowed to protest as she's shoved behind Syd's changing screen. A little hesitantly she changes and steps out, fidgeting with the hem, which comes a couple of inches above her knees. "It's a little short, Syd."

"You're, like, five foot eleven, Kat, it's gonna be shorter on you than on me," Syd emphasizes with a shake of her head. "Still, don't you see how beautiful this looks on you?"

"I guess," Kat frowns at herself in Syd's mirror.

"Not sure? I thought you might still try to deny it—come with me!" Syd grabs Kat's wrist and practically runs to Commander Cruger's office.

"Sydney, slow down!" Kat urges, still gripping the bottom of the dress. She's about to dig her heels into the ground when the doors to Cruger's office swish open.

"Commander Cruger—Commander Cruger, don't you think Kat looks nice?" Syd gestures to Kat, who blushes under the scrutiny. It only brings her beauty out more, complimented perfectly by the saturated forest green of the dress.

"I'm sorry, Doggie, I—this—Syd," Kat fidgets nervously in front of her boss and old friend. The dress is still a little short for her – rather conservative – tastes, but she has to be professional, after all.

"She looks radial Cadet Drew, but why did you need me to see it?" Cruger tilts his head.

Syd stands stunned at how liberally Cruger's compliment came. Kat stands by her side, blushing more intensely but no longer fidgeting. Syd grins widely, "thank you, Commander! See, Kat?—I told you! Colors do wonders for you, now let's go shopping!"

Cruger chuckles as Syd drags out Kat, who tries to grab the doorframe a second too late.