Hitomi looked around the room. Bed, chest, makeup table, night table, closet... It was really nice, but something was missing. It just didn't have that Hitomi feeling to it. The room seemed... ownerless. There was nothing of sentimental value in it: no pictures, no statues, not even any clothing. It seemed so cold...
The first part of the room was like a little living room: tables and chairs for eating and company. There was a painting of the fields of Fanelia on the wall, and a vase of white flowers that looked a bit like daisies. Another door led into the bedroom, where the Earthy motif had been carried out. Hitomi could see that threw the bedroom was a small washroom. She absentmindedly wondered where she was to bath before returning to the living room to get her bag, which a porter had left there when she'd arrived.
A load knock raped it's way through the air, making Hitomi jump. "Hitomi! Let me in!" Merle yelled. "Van sent me! Stop daydreaming and open the door!"
She caught her blush in the mirrored make-up table across from her. Merle was making it sound like she was thinking about Van! "The door is open, Merle."
Merle stepped in, smiling a catty smile. "Hello, Hitomi. I have something for you!" she announced slyly, bringing a draped hanger into the wooden room as she shut the door behind her. Around her shoulder was a small wooden box. "Van told me how you need help getting dressed. Well, Merle is here to help! First of all, take off those clothes and we'll put them away to be washed. You can keep them should you visit home again." she told Hitomi, she just stared at her. "Why are you standing there looking at me like that, Hitomi?"
"Nothing..." she answered. "It's just... well, I suppose that I'm still adjusting to the fact that you're no longer the little Merle I remember. I doubted that she could have taken charge like this. No, I think she'd have taken charge like this, but I doubt that people would actually listen." she told her. "But... um... can I see what I'm going to be wearing first? I'd prefer not to stand around clad only in my undergarments, even if this is my room."
"I understand." Merle pulled the drape of the hanger, to reveal a beautiful, yet simple (by Gaea's standards) dress. "I know it's not much... It was originally Millerna's, but she outgrew when she got pregnant, so she handed it down to me. She wore it on the day when Fanelia threw a party to commemorate it's new beginning, after the formal celebrations were over. That's why it's in the Royal colours of Fanelia. Unfortunately, I'm too small to wear it, but it might fit you since you're still taller then me..."
Hitomi gently reached out and touched the dress. It felt amazingly soft. "Not much? Merle, it's amazing..." The skirt of the dress was a vibrant red, and the top was golden in sheen. Red string had been sown into the neckline, and sleeve line in intricate patterns, taking away from it's simplicity. It was one of the most beautiful things she had seen.
"Glad you like it, because you are going to be wearing it." Merel told Hitomi as she started taking it off the hanger. "Now, start taking off your shirt, and I'll explain to you how all these things go."
"Okay... just no corset, okay?"
"Korset?" se repeated, puzzled. "What's a korset?"
Hitomi let out a long sigh of happiness. "Good! No corsets.... Those things should all be burned...."
~~~~~
Hitomi sat patiently at the makeup desk. She had managed to dress because too much problem, and now Merle was trying to figure out what to do with her hair. It was long enough now that it could slightly styled, and Merle wanted her to look the best for Van.
Merle hovered around Hitomi, circling her repeatedly as she tried to decide what would be the best way to do her hair. "So, Hitomi, what exactly is a date anyway?" Merle asked curiously.
She saw herself blush in the mirror again. "Well, it's a thing that happens on my world. It's when a guy and a girl who like each other go out and get to know each other better. They get to spend time together, like by going out to dinner or going to see plays."
"I see..." Merle said simply, as she picked up a brush and brushing Hitomi's hair away from her face. "So it's a way for you and Lord Van to get to know each other." she laughed, thinking about Van. "He's really excited that you're going to be his guest... or date... for dinner, Hitomi. He's practically floating an inch over the floor when he walks."
Blushing harder, Hitomi tried to relax as Merle played with her hair. "Merle, tell me about Van. What's he been like since I left? He seems to have changed so much."
"That's because he has. Though not as you being here changed him years. Peace has made Van made laid back, more relaxed. He wants Fanelia to reflect that. Because he's usually so relaxed, he's gotten to be more friendly, joking, outgoing, stuff like that."
"He's certainly not afraid to flirt, that's for sure." Hitomi thought out loud as she looked down at the floor.
"Lord Van only does that with you, Hitomi. Trust me. He may be more outgoing and friendly, but when it comes to girls he's just as stumped and uncomfortable as ever."
"Then why is he so comfortable with me?"
Merle accidentally pulled Hitomi's hair, making Hitomi wince. She hadn't been expecting that question. What should she say? What would be the best course to take. "Lord Van has known you for years, Hitomi, and he cares about you. During the Destiny War he protected you with everything that makes him himself. How could you expect him not to be comfortable around you?"
"How... Merle, how does he feel about me now? Do you know? Please tell me!" Hitomi begged. She just *had* to know.
"That's not for me to tell Hitomi." Merle put the finishing touches on Hitomi's hair. She was glad for the sudden change of topic. "Now, what should we do about face paint?" she asked, more to herself then to Hitomi.
"Face paint?" Hitomi repeated. Make up. "Oh Merle, I don't wear make up! I mean, sometimes I might wear lipstick, and I almost have wear chap stick, but nothing else then that!"
"Lipstick? Chap stick?" Merle looked at her oddly. "Oh, I get it! You mean lip paint and that stuff you had with you last time that made your lips kinda shiny, right?" She went back to the small wooden box that she'd brought with her. In no time after arriving Hitomi had discovered it was full of hair supplies, an now obviously make up supplies as well.
Hitomi remained still as Merle applied some makeup to her lips. She only protested once, saying that she could put her on herself. Merle had just smiled and told her not to move. Hitomi looked herself over int mirror. Merle had done a wonderful job, and Hitomi felt strong. She would make Van proud that she was going to be his guest!
"Van should be here soon." Merle told her, handing her the box. "Here. This is for you."
"Merle... I..."
"No. I insist."
She took the box and put in on the make up table. "That's not what I meant. Van can't be here soon! It's been ages since I ate in Gaea, and now I'm going to be siting beside a King! Please, remind me of everything I need to know! I can't remember! How do I sit in a dress, again? Which glass is the dinner glass? What if I don't want wine, then what do I say? What am I supposed to do when I'm walking in the room? If I'm Van's guest then is there anything special I should know about? I can't remember if the utensils are like back home and I work my way in or not! Do we pass the food counter clockwise or clockwise?"
Merle knew exactly what was happening. Sighing, she reached over and pinched Hitomi sharply on the arm. A good slap probably would have been better, but then people may notice her cheek was slightly red.
Hitomi yelped and jumped back, rubbing her arm. "OW! Merle, what'd you do that for?"
"You were hyperventilating." Merle told her. "Just relax. Van will help you if you need it. He'll be right beside you after all. Okay?"
"Okay..."
A loud rap sounded against the wooden door, and Hitomi felt her stomach flutter. Why was she so nervous? 'Because this is my first real date. Sure, Yukari and Amano set me up on a couple blind ones, but this is the first I'm time I'm going out with I guy I actually like.' her mind told her. Another voice inside her spoke up. 'Calm down, Hitomi. Van doesn't even know what it means if you start dating somebody. To him, you're just his guest for tonight's supper.'
"Hitomi? Merle?" Van called out, knocking again. "Are you two ready? Are you even in there?"
Merle placed a calm paw on Hitomi's back. "Just remember to stand tall, Hitomi. Everybody in Van's Court is nice, but you want them to respect you because of who you are, not because you're hanging off of van's arm, okay?"
"I undertsand...." Hitomi smiled and opened the door. "Of course were ready, Van!..."
~~~~To Be Continued
Yeah, I know that this a real crappy place to end, but I want the date itself to be one part. Which poses a problem. I don't know what should happen on their date! *bawls* I don't what Van should be wearing, where people should sit, what they should eat, what!! Even worse: What the hell are the going to talk about through dinner?!
So, for the love of all that is chocolate coated, please send me some advice in your reviews! Tell me what YOU want to see happen! This story is to make me feel happy as much as it is to make you feel happy, so what do the readers want to see during their "date"?
