AN: Here it is, another chappie!
Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot and Keith.
Once again, Kel stood outside of a door she really didn't want to knock on, lest she release the powerful forces within. But still, the ball was tonight, and she really wanted to make a good impression with her first escort ever. Steeling herself, she raised a fist and knocked on the door once. Twice. Inside, there was faint sound of stumbling and tripping, accompanied with shouts of, "No, the earrings!" and "That dress is expensive and pretty to boot. Don't use it as a carpet!"
Finally, the door swung open, revealing a devilishly grinning Thayet, one arm supporting a box cluttered with various combs, pins, and brushes, all ready to tug and pull at her hair. "Well, well, let's get you ready for your first ball escort!" She just thrived on this sort of thing.
The spacious room looked unbelievably feminine with all the jewelry, dresses, vials, and brushes. Alanna and Buri argued over which jewels matched the dresses perfectly. Daine was rifling through the closet, which she had filled with all the gowns they had bought on their shopping trip. There was a colorful array of ribbons draped on one of her arms, and one of her hands clutched a crystal vial shaped like a swan. Her other hand picked out the ones that were suitable for a ball, laying them down onto the bed, where there lay exactly ten dresses. Lots of them had already been paired with a necklace or bracelet, and nine had crystal vials beside them, presumably scents, paired with the mood of the dress. "What color would you like?" Thayet asked her.
Daine automatically gestured toward the dresses, setting the ribbons by the right dresses, and setting the last vial in place. As she inched forward for a better look, Alanna and Buri also ran forward and set the last articles of jewelry into place, still bickering lightly over the black and green dress.
Kel was absolutely stunned. Never before had she had such a display of dresses before her. Even when she was young, she had never cared for dresses, and so only wore one on the special occasions. Even then, she usually closed her eyes, stuck a hand inside of the dress section of her closet, and pulled one out randomly. "I think you should go with the violet, turquoise, or red one." Thayet said gently, sensing her surprise at the stunning array of dresses.
Kel shook herself out of her dazed state. "I think the red on is the best." She said quietly. As soon as the words left her mouth, they leapt into action. Kel could not help but notice that they seemed to enjoy this opportunity to feel normal. "So, we decided on a rose scent, garnet earbobs, a gold necklace, and no bracelet, because we can't make you seem to flashy, like one of those court ladies who think if they reflect enough light, they can be the belle of the ball." Daine said briskly, already putting away the other dresses.
Alanna meanwhile choked back laughter. "Oh, my dear, you have no idea what you've gotten yourself into."
Her comment was explained minutes later. Instead of just giving her the dress, Thayet told her. "We'll need to help you put this one on."
"Why?" Kel asked curiously.
As an answer, Buri, who was carrying the dress, turned it around, revealing the laces in the back… it was a corset. "What is that?" She squeaked, inching away from it. Giants, wars, and immortals she could take. Corsets were a whole other story. They just weren't something she could fight.
"I'm so sorry Kel, but it's customary." Buri said apologetically.
Looking into the eyes of all the determined women, Kel just sighed and let the deadly contraption be slipped onto her, remembering to blame them if she fainted during the ball. This corset was, thankfully, not as stiff as some of the other corsets could be. At least there wasn't whalebone inside of it, like she had to endure one time. Once it was on her, Buri asked, "Ready?"
Nodding, Kel braced herself. With one swift tug, all of her breath whooshed out. In an oddly squeaky voice, she said, panting, "Uh… I think that's a tad too tight Buri."
"Whoops." Buri said, and the strings loosened a bit, allowing her to breath. The corset straightened her back, making her feel restrained, but it was to be expected. Apparently satisfied, Buri tied the strings in a knot, and assured her that it would not cause any bodily harm.
After that incident, everything else went normally. Her hair was braided and then piled on top of her head in an intricate criss-cross style, with two red ribbons woven into it. Light pink dusted her cheeks and her eyelids were also faintly accented with red. Her lips were a tougher decision, with Daine saying pale pink and Thayet wanting red, but in the end they compromised and did a darker pink. She put on the jewelry and was forced into the horrendous shoes yet again. Last of all, the rose scent was faintly sprayed on her. She felt the mist settle on her skin as the ladies stepped back to admire their handiwork. Everything was perfect. The corset made her appear a bit slimmer and everything else enunciated her beauty without going overboard. Abruptly, Daine leaned forward to give her a hug, whispering in her ear, "Everything's going to be fine. I'm so happy for you!"
Touched by this comment, Kel hugged her back, and prepared herself for the night ahead of her.
AN: REVIEW! Oh, and if you do, I also have a sneak peek at one of my maybe future fanfics that I will email to you (if you give me your email) and let you read. BUT ONLY IF YOU REVIEW! So, just click on that little button down there and get working!