Doll

"What happened to you?" Keith asked in disbelief.

"Rhythmi."

"Should have known." Who else could have forced Kate into a floor-length emerald gown, clip-on earrings, and heels? And her hair was even straightened! He was amazed at the older girl's ability to perform miracles when it came to being girly. And transforming Kate was a huge miracle.

"Please say we can stay in the corner for the party," Kate said miserably.

"Sorry, Smartie. The point of this thing is to socialize. And if nobody sees you like this, they won't believe me."

Kate groaned as they entered the throng of Rangers, Operators, and Mechanics; all dressed up for Chairperson Erma's birthday ball. She used her hair as a curtain to hide her face. The entry hall was packed, with music blaring - well, not blaring, although it seemed a bit too loud to Keith. The counters in the back corners of the room were being used as snack bars, and that was where Kate pulled Keith. Her face lit up at the sight of baguettes and chocolate on the same table.

"Kate," Keith intoned, "you have to go out there sooner or later, because I'm going to drag you out if I have to."

Kate swallowed a mouthful of bread. "I can't dance, and I don't want to. I feel like a stupid Barbie doll! All dressed up and nice, but stupid and Mary-Sue-ish and not like myself! I have an image to keep up."

Keith sighed, but, giving in for the moment, grabbed a glass and searched for a suitable drink.

--

Almost an hour later, the two had eaten and talked in an endless cycle, and almost everyone else was dancing, or had danced at least twice.

"Kate, as my date, I command you to come dance!"

Kate stared at him for a moment, then laughed. "Okay, first, this is a friendly date. And second, if we were real dates, I wouldn't listen to that."

Keith rolled his eyes. "Kate, you wouldn't listen to anything I said."

She nodded in assent. "True. And I will not dance. I've never seen Barbie dance, so it works fine for my Rhythmi-made character."

Keith made a sound of annoyance and said firmly, "Listen. You are nothing like a Barbie doll. You are a tough, tenacious, good-looking, bad-ass Ranger who's been granted a night of relaxation. So take the opportunity and relax for once in your life!"

Kate blinked. "Okay," she said slowly. That was all the incentive Keith needed to grab her hand and pull her towards the center of the dance floor.

"Keith?" Kate hesitated, but quickly grinned. "Why'd you call me good-looking?"

He froze. "D-Did I say that? Ignore it. It was an accident."

She frowned. "Gee, thanks for calling me ugly."

"Huh? No, you're not! I mean, saying that makes it seem like - oh, never mind." By the end of the failed argument his face probably looked like a Slumga's in shade.

Kate looked a little confused, but smiled softly. "You get embarrassedat the strangest things, Wise Guy."


Yes, this was short. But the next one is long, and it's one of my favourites. And, on the bright side, I'm back in a writing mood!

Blazie