3. Serious Work to Do

"You guys are making me nervous." I confessed.

"Look, you've been at war for months." Bastila, of all people, chided. "You've let yourself go a bit. And we all know that it's not for lack of someone to impress." I noticed that Bastila had an aura around her, which was weird considering it came from Canderous.

"Do I really look that bad?" I asked.

"Yes." Mission smiled. She knew I wouldn't get mad at her. She was too cute. Damn her. "You've got to go from this to looking like a princess, and we only have a few hours to do it." I wondered what she meant by "this," then I remembered the pink interrogation tunic and the fact that I desperately needed a shower. Sure, I'd need something to wear, but that wouldn't take hours to find.

"Oh, it's more than that." Bastila assured.

"Yeah, we definitely need to do something about your hair." Juhani pointed. "It looks a little too dark to be natural."

"I noticed that." I started. It was almost blue-black, a color I didn't see in nature. It had begun fading and got a little dirty and waxy from the trip, but I thought that was nothing a shower wouldn't fix. I was wrong. They pulled me into a salon. Mission pointed to my roots, which were much lighter than the rest of my scraggly hair. I was stunned at what my hair looked like: it was halfway down my back and did, I admit, look like a poorly-groomed Wookiee had hacked up a hairball and glued it to my head. The stylist nodded and got out scarier looking instruments than the interrogation had involved. I cringed. Mission coached me through it, since she didn't exactly have hair. Juhani got her topknot groomed and Bastila got a nice trim, but it was nothing like the torture implements I had on my hair. I suppose I could have brushed it more often, but I had been a very busy woman with no time for her hair. I closed my eyes, afraid to see what the stylist was doing to me, and a while later I had manageable brown hair. It had a kind of soft wave to it, but the stylist turned the wave into full-on curls. I hardly recognized myself.

"See, now your hair has highlights." Mission beamed. "Black hair never really suited you."

"Maybe it was a hint to my true identity." Bastila looked like she was being strangled. "Sorry, Bastila. I'm still trying to cope and humor helps." She smiled forgivingly.

"I never understood that." She shook her head. "No time now, let's go."

The really fun part was picking out clothes. The four of us had far too much fun being girls for once. We joked around, daring each other to find uglier or more scandalous outfits, and then daring each other to wear them.

Mission tried to fill me in on what had happened while Juhani deliberated over a dress for Bastila, but I was unable to catch much before they got back within earshot. Finally, Mission pulled me aside and whispered, "Canderous and Bastila are kind of hooking up. I've caught them a couple times. It's not pretty."

"WHAT!" I shrieked. Mission slapped a hand over my mouth and thrust a dress in my arms.

"Go try this on and let it sink in." She grinned mischievously.

Of all unlikely couples, Bastila and Canderous? I couldn't believe it. They were so… perfect for each other. No wonder I'd been getting weird vibes through the bond with Bastila. I wondered if that's what kissing was like. Did I really want to experience kissing through Bastila? With Canderous, of all people? Even though I did kiss Canderous once, before his duel with Jagi, I was still a little weirded out. I had kissed him on the cheek, though. It seemed fitting, even though it was less stimulating than kissing a droid would've been.

I tried on dress after dress. I wasn't used to clothes that weren't ugly tunics or tight pants for battle. I thought I looked ridiculous, and I was still getting used to having hair instead of a mane. Mission had insisted that I leave it down. I was itching to pull it back, like I was used to, but I wanted to look good. Putting it up again would be returning to the norm, which wasn't right for a party, I reluctantly had to admit. That wasn't the worst of it. I wasn't allowed to touch it very much. I could be very tactile and I was still intrigued by how my hair felt.

Juhani was the first to find something to wear: a stunning floor-length gown that was fitted to her waist. It had a halter top, which accentuated her toned arms and back. It sparkled a yellow-gold like her eyes. The skirt flared a bit, but not too much, showing off her figure. I realized how beautiful she was. So this is what I was supposed to look like? Stunning? I had major doubts. Mission selected something classier and more modest: a knee-length black dress that was fitted without being too tight. It was sleeveless like a tunic, but it wasn't going to cause any scandals. Bastila's gown was light peach, with a billowy skirt. The bodice was embellished with delicate lace. She wore a shawl that gathered around her forearms like sleeves, the folds fastened with decorative pearls. It looked very homely on the rack, and it may have been, had she not worn the shawl so it only covered her forearms, leaving her upper arms and shoulders bare. Of course, I couldn't decide on my gown. I didn't really understand what I should look like.

"What about green? I like green." I offered weakly.

"But green isn't you, not tonight." Juhani sighed. "You need something else, something more dramatic. Stop that." She swatted my hand away from my hair. "It'll get oily."

"Why don't we just pick something out for you?" Bastila was resigned. "We don't have much time."

"All right, but I get veto power." My offer was neither confirmed nor denied. I was shoved into a dressing room and ordered to strip down to my underwear. I realized that I needed some new underwear. As if she heard my thoughts, Mission asked me what size bra I wore. Apparently I'd need a new one. I tried on a simple white strapless bra that Mission tossed over the side.

"It fits!" I called.

"Keep it on and wait a second." Mission replied. I heard her and Juhani talking about something, but I couldn't hear. A few minutes later, Mission came in and clapped her hands over my eyes. Bastila and Juhani pulled me into some kind of contraption that rustled a lot. Laces were pulled, strings were tied, and I wondered if I would ever escape. "Can I look yet?"

"No." Bastila said firmly as my bodice was adjusted. I stood there, arms sticking out at odd angles, anxiously awaiting my destiny.

"How am I going to get back into this?" I asked, astonished.

"You won't have time. We'll buy it and you'll leave in it." Juhani said matter-of-factly.

"Do I get to see what I look like first?" Mission's palms were getting sweaty.

"Maybe." Juhani's voice betrayed a grin. It was torture. I wanted to watch my transformation so maybe I wouldn't faint if I saw someone else in the mirror.

"Alright, there." Bastila said tentatively. Mission's hands lifted. My eyes stayed closed as I took a deep breath. When I opened my eyes, I couldn't believe what I saw. My crimson dress was sleeveless and made me look very feminine. The bodice was fitted, but not tight. It was reinforced with boning to make the lines smooth and decorated with gold cord. As I stared, Juhani arranged my hair so it fell over my shoulders. My skirt shimmered slightly and didn't pouf out as much as Bastila's, but wasn't as tight as Juhani's, making my boyish figure look less boyish. Mission lifted my feet into sandals and tied me into them. They were a darker, browner color than my dress. I was surprised that they didn't hurt. I was under the impression that shoes were supposed to be painful. I much preferred running around barefoot, but I never got to. Mission ran to the clerk and paid for our wares while Bastila powdered my face with some weird stuff that made me look pale and innocent. The bags under my eyes vanished. Juhani tugged my hair into doing her will. Mission tugged at my arm.

"Hurry or we'll be late!" I put a hand up to my hair. Juhani had pulled half of it up into a loose bun and decorated it with the cord that embellished my gown. Bastila swatted my hand and I put it back at my side.

"Am I supposed to look like this?" I stammered, hurrying toward a small crowd gathered outside a building, where the party was.

"Of course!" Mission giggled. "You've got a man to impress." I caught Bastila blushing out of the corner of my eye. She had obviously spent her share of time fussing over her own hair, which had been twisted into an intricate crown on top of her head. Juhani was looking after her looks as Mission was mine. "Oh, we found Griff!" Mission exclaimed. "He may come along with us, if that's okay with you. Maybe you could put him to work."

I laughed. "Maybe." As we entered the party, my attention focused on a figure that was strangely familiar, yet not.

"Ciara!" He exclaimed and drew nearer. "It's so nice to see you under happier circumstances!"

"Dustil!" I hugged him gently. "You look like you're doing very well." I released him. He looked like his father. "I'm glad to see you again."

"Father and I got the chance to talk a little bit after his interrogation." Dustil grinned. "He seems very happy. I haven't seen him like that… in years, if ever. Thank you."

I blushed. "I'm glad you two got a chance to catch up."

"Me too. I'm considering joining the military, like he did."

"Just make sure you're doing what you want. If he pressures you, he'll have me to answer to." Dustil laughed.

"You look wonderful." He said softly. "Anyway, I'm sure Father's looking for you." His attention shifted. "Mission! How great to see you again!"

"Sithboy!" She exclaimed mockingly.

"Don't call me that!" Dustil narrowed his eyes. I tried not to laugh. Bastila was staring at me.

"I wonder who that reminds me of…" Bastila mused.

"Oh hush. So, I wonder where Canderous is…" I said mischievously. She turned as red as my dress. I was grateful for the practice I'd had arguing with Carth. I never thought it would come in handy except against him, but I could use it against Bastila. Juhani laughed and exchanged a knowing glance with me.

"Mission told you, then?" She whispered.

"Yeah, I only wish I knew sooner." I tried not to look at Bastila, who seemed to let us gossip. "How much has happened? Mission said she saw something—"

"I am not sure." Juhani's accent lilted her words. "There is no time to speak of it now." Would there ever be time to speak of it? I thought my life would slow down after the voyage, but it looked like it was about to go out of control again. I thought I'd be able to deal with things speeding around me, but I wanted a break. The interrogation had given me time to think and I'd begun to get used to it.

(standard disclaimer goes here...) Thanks to all reviewers! You people inspire me to spend many sleepless nights writing/editing!