Mr Destiny Islands

Chapter seven: Dress Spheres Part 1

Author's note: Dcal seeks forgiveness for injecting fan girl overtones into this seemingly innocent KH ficcy. For the story to work, please make the following assumptions: Everyone is four years older than original KH (That means they are not as adorable as they are in KH, everyone is a bit more geeky and lanky… for Tidus and Wakka's case, they are more beefy but not yet what you see in FFX…) And the fic requires very active imagination…  And since I have been playing FFX2, Dress Spheres seems like a good title for this particular chapter.

And I would be taking a time between chapters (about 2 more) to carry on another fic I have been doing…

*Advertisment: "Silver Lining" is a KH fanfic that has the characters in an alternate universe. Read what happened to Riku and how Sora comes into the picture. Overt innuendos in this fanfic are intentional.

Disclaimer: I don't own them! I really don't have the rights to KH characters!

Both Riku and Sora were found asleep on the sandy shores of the island.

Selphie had searched the whole island for the entire morning for the two guys. She was filled with irritation and exasperation when she found them sprawled comfortably on the beach. With an angry pout Selphie kicked Sora awake.

"Ah!" Sora woke up with a start.

He gently rubbed the sleep from his crystal blue eyes and looked up to see Selphie stewing with irritation. Selphie's ungraceful wake up call had hit a vital organ and Sora groaned in pain and confusion. Riku was also awakened by Sora's mutterings. The silver haired boy shook his head to loosen the sand trapped in between his lovely locks.

"You boys really made me worry! I thought you two took off and had the guts to let Kairi and my hard work go to waste! Urgh… Spent the whole night putting in the finishing touches to your outfits and I find you two lazing on the beach."

"We did not plan to abandon the competition! So why are you throwing a cow?" Sora retorted in puzzlement, as he sat upright and brushed the sand off his neck.

Riku put a hand onto Sora's shoulder and the latter turned to look at him. Sora read something in Riku's eyes that told him to shut up and not anger Selphie further. Only then did Sora realise the shadows under Selphie's blue eyes. Apparently, she had not been getting enough sleep. Embarrass at not being understanding, Sora looked down, avoiding Selphie's glare.

Selphie did not have a temper and she rarely got angry. In fact, she is almost always the sanguine in the group, with Sora coming in as a close second. But Selphie was not perfect. The lack of sleep and hectic workload was sufficient to put her on a short fuse and seeing the boys snoring on the bench was enough to light that fuse.

"Kairi wants you back at the cave." With that, she turned and stormed away.

*

"Sorry Selphie… I didn't mean to shout at you… sorry for making you anger…" apologised Sora as he looked to Selphie with his watery gaze, seeking some semblance of forgiveness to ease the guilt on his shoulders.

Selphie ignored Sora who was currently clinging to her jumper.

"Oh Selphie! Just forgive him will you? We don't want him looking like his pet cat had just died or something. It will look terrible in front of the judges tonight." Kairi stepped in to be peacemaker.

Selphie brushed Sora's hands away as she walked away to the furthest corner from him. Riku looked from his spot across the cove at Sora looking like he was going to cry.

Shaking her head, Kairi sighed at the childishness the two 'kids' were displaying.

"Okay, gather here. I want to go through the procedure for tonight's competition." Kairi announced and continued only when she got all three friends to pay attention, "We have to report at five and the thing official starts at seven. After we report in, we start with changing, make up and hair. We split into two pairs: Selphie with Sora. Riku and I. Sora's number 2 and Riku 15 so the changing rooms are far from each other. This means that you two would not get to meet till both of you are on stage. Now, we will practise how to handle the catwalk."

And thus, the quartet spent the rest of the afternoon walking up and down the stone walkway on the far corner of the bench.

Selphie forgave Sora only after he gave up his favourite shrimp salad to her during lunch.

*  

By five, almost all the nominees had gathered before the tents that had been set up especially for this competition. After getting the directions for where to go, the quartet broke up into their pairs and headed for their individual tents.

Selphie struggled to carry her industrial size make up kit as Sora trailed along holding the bags that contained the other outfits and accessories. They got lost navigating their tent and stood still for a while to get orientated.

Just as they were about to leave, a familiar figure stepped out of the tent behind them.

"Selphie! Sora! Ya here already? Ha ha ha… Tidus inside also! I am going to help him with make up ya. Wish you luck Sora! But I am sure my mon will win. Hah haha" laughed Wakka as he gave Sora a brotherly pat on the back.

Selphie put down her make up kit on the ground and stood on her toes to tell Wakka, "Ha! Sora will win! Who could do a better job of making Sora look good except me? Tidus is a pretty boy but my Sora will win. Even if he does lose, it would only be because Riku wins."

Wakka just laughed as he picked up Selphie's make up kit and helped the lost couple find their elusive tent.

*

All the contenders for the title of Mr Destiny Island (teen category) had made a unanimous agreement not to laugh at each other. It was a matter of male pride and mutual respect. Even though seeing teenage boys in frilly dresses and pink ribbons was a really hilarious thing, there was not a single disrespectful laugh or giggle.

As the participants gathered in a line to wait their turn to grace the brightly lit catwalk, they took this opportunity to check out the competition.

Sora was struggling to put on his shoes when he saw Wakka walking towards him.

Sora's jaw dropped as he took in the sight of Tidus, who was originally blocked by Wakka, in his competition gear.

The bloke looked like a Snow princess!

White fur trimmings rimed the ends of the long vanilla robe. The rimmed hood framed Tidus' carefully made-up face. Apparently, Wakka is really effective with mascara and eyelash curlers. Tidus' pretty blue eyes looked larger and positively feminine due to artificially lengthened and curled lashes. Lots of light coloured foundation and powder lightened Tidus' perpetually tanned complexion. Light rose blusher was also applied to give him a coy appearance. His lips were made fuller and more feminine by using deep red lip colour glossed over with lip shine. Glitter was sprinkled liberally over his face to create an ethereal feel.

Tidus' sun bleached locks had been straightened, pulled back and tied. But long hair extensions were attached to give him a long ponytail that hung over his shoulders. The winter coloured robe was tied together just under Tidus' powdered chin so Sora was not able to see what else he wore within.

Tidus smiled as he watched Sora's dramatisation of a goldfish, with his mouth opening and closing because of shock. Selphie, who had went down the line to check on Kairi and Riku, returned and stood besides Sora. She too was in shock and was staring at Tidus.

"Selphie, you're drooling." Tidus told the girl softly.

"Huh? What? Oh… ya… hahaha…. Erm…"Selphie turned bright red as she returned to reality.

Wakka waved a hand in front of Sora's face, "Sora, wake up mon."

Sora stopped gaping. He stepped closer to Tidus and picked with his gloved hands. With serious eyes, Sora looked up and asked Tidus, "Will you marry me?"

Tidus was loss for words and turned to glare at Wakka who was choking back his laughter. Selphie kicked Sora in the shin and dragged the boy to line up behind another competitor, who was sporting a gypsy outfit.  

*

Kairi stood up and took a step back to appreciate her masterpiece standing gracefully before her.

Riku was wearing a Lolita outfit that Kairi had put together based on a template she found in a fashion magazine. It was basically black velvet and lots of white ribbons, frills and lace. The dress ended just below the knees and was puffed out with a think layer of petticoats. It was clinched at Riku's slender waist with a wide satin cream ribbon that was tied with a bow at the back. The bodice had to be laced up from the back with thinner criss-crossing ribbons. The sleeves puffed up at the shoulders but straightened and end at Riku's wrist. The whole dress was trimmed with elaborate lacing of cream. 

Riku's hair had been treated to create cascading waves to frame his made up face. His eyes were painted to look smoky and seductive while his lips were painted rose red. Kairi had especially emphasised a deep blush to cover Riku's cheeks as it made him look more feminine and appealing. Kairi also forced Riku to wear a black ribbon choker with a silver coin pendent.

White lace gloves and lace stockings were worn with black ribbons tied to secure them. Gone were Riku's overtly large shoes. Kairi had picked up a pair of knee high lace up boots for Riku to wear instead. 

Kairi was quite satisfied with her creation but something was still lacking. She looked over every detail till she noticed Riku's expressionless face. Riku looked stunning but he would definitely look devastating if only he would smile. She frowned in concentration as she thought of how to melt the block of ice in front of her. Then, a bright bolt of inspiration hit her.

Smiling smugly, Kairi told Riku, "Remember to look out for Sora once you are on stage. Just keep an eye out for him, we don't want him falling down the catwalk or something like that. Okay?"

Riku, feeling hot and bothered by all the lace, nodded unconsciously.

With that, she opened the curtains to let Riku walk into the spotlight.

*