Chapter 13- Parcels and plans
As Cassie was leaving Zaldin's room and idea struck her and no sooner had it entered her mind she found herself running towards the megaship? Once inside she went to find Alpha on the ships main deck to explain her plan to him and DECA.
Completing her plan took the rest of the day. When she returned to the common room that night her most the rangers huddled around three identical boxes. Ashley and Karone jumped out of their seats when she came in.
"Cassie finally you're here! Someone just delivered that one for you, and… well you know us and a closed box; we are all dying to know what's in them."
One of the boys coughed loudly, Cassie thought it might have been Zane.
"Ok so Karone and I were dying to know what's in it, because we'll it looks an awful lot like the box's that Andros and Zane here brought us, but they wouldn't let us open them until you where here to open yours."
"Well I'm here, so let's open them." Cassie said as she flopped down between the two of them.
"On the count of three then" said Karone.
"1-2-3" Cassie counted out for them and they each removed the bows and lifted the lids to their boxes.
"Oh wow" Ashley exclaimed. Inside each box was a dress Ashley stood holding her up, it was a pleated Delphos dress, in a bright yellow with a large sash around the middle. Inside the box was a wrap in the same material.
'Is it alright?" asked Andros watching Ashley's reaction.
"Andros it's perfect!" Ashley squealed. She ran over to hug him. Karone and Cassie gave him the thumbs up sign.
"Ohh let's see yours" Ashley said turning back to the other girls who hadn't been as fast as Ashley in removing the lids.
Karone got the lid off hers and held it up, the dress was a strapless dark purple with tiered layers of fabric like petals. Karone looked up at Zane and smiled. "It's beautiful Zane! It's perfect."
"Really?" Zane asked.
"Really" replied Karone.
They all turned to Cassie waiting for her to open her package.
"Do you know who it's from" asked Karone?
Cassie smiled at Andros. "I think I know…"
"He wanted it to be a surprise, that's why he sent it here."
"Wait, you know who it's from?" asked Ashley
"Of course, you don't think the Phantom Ranger would leave Cassie hanging do you?"
"Wait, you know who he is? Both of you?" TJ exclaimed.
"Cassie you didn't say! You found him?" said Carlos at the same time.
"I only found out today" said Cassie looking at them all sheepishly, "and... well… it's complicated, although I will have to read Andros the riot act for not telling me." She winked at him
"You knew all along?" asked Ashley punching him in the ribs
"It was not my secret to tell" said Andros, "but anyway show us the dress Cassie. I'm curious myself."
Cassie lifted the lid and gasped. Inside was the most beautiful dress she had ever seen. The under dress was light pink and slightly shiny, it was form fitting at the top with long sleeves, the bottom flared out at the hip. Down the center of the dress where buttons covered in the same material, it reminded her of a Victorian shoe. Over to top of the dress, which had a high collar not unlike Zaldin's everyday shirts, was a jacket shaped similar to her space uniform. It was black and silver and looked vaguely like something out of a Hindi film. Its sleeves opened at the ends to give the arms a small flare. She noted at beaded into the design of the jack were small rubies. She smiled at personal touch he had added.
"Oh wow Cassie,' Said Ashley
"It's beautiful" breathed Cassie "Guess this saves me a frantic hunt in the morning for something to wear."
"I'll say" said Ashley
"Look there's a letter" Karone said handing her a sealed envelope.
"I'll open that later" replied Cassie. She felt like a little girl who had just been asked to prom. And judging by the faces of her female team mates they felt the same way.
'He'll be glad you like it" said Andros "and now I think it's time for all of us to turn in, I need my beauty sleep." He flipped his hair girlishly and they all laughed. Zane made a comment of how he would have to put Andros into a Cryogenic sleep for him to get enough sleep to make him beautiful, but Cassie was only half listening, her mind was on the letter in her hand.
Before Cassie could escape to her room Ashley grabbed her arm "Wait won't you tell us who it is?" the others all stopped to hear what she would say.
"You'll see tomorrow I think, like Andros said, it not really a secret you can tell…" with a grin to her team mates she took the dress and letter into her room.