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Ivan's POV
Sitting on the edge of the fountain in Tolbi, I stare at my feet, casually tossing coins into the water without care to take any earnings from the serpent's mouth. Isaac is still recovering, and I used worry because I thought he should be up by now. Our fearless leader rarely shows weakness like this. And Mia has to be dragged away most afternoons. She seems convinced that she's the only one who can heal him. I'm convinced that he just needs sleep.
I wonder what he dreams about. I could… But that would be disrespectful. After all we've been through together. After I already broke my promise not to Mind Read Isaac and Garet again.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see her. Mia has been cheering up a little now that Isaac seems near waking. He even mutters in his sleep, more than you can say for him most of the time. She's buying herbs and seems to have taken a fancy to a new dress. She tries it on and swirls around laughing with joy. She winks as she catches a glimpse of me watching her. A charming sight. The shopkeeper, however, is not charmed, and while Mia is preoccupied with the dress he sneakily raises the price. He guessed, correctly, that she is now quite attached to it and would pay any price for it. Unluckily for him, she doesn't have enough money on her for the raised the raised price. By now the scene is taking up almost the whole of my attention.
She leaves to go back to Babi's Palace for more, and asks him to hold the dress until she gets back. He must have dutifully agreed, because he places it under the counter, out of sight. Of course, as soon as she is out of sight, he pulls it back out and puts it back prominently on display.
With a small sigh, I stand up.
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Mia's POV
I'm so excited! A new dress is not something one goes after often, but this one… Oh, it's just magnificent. Lovely. Fabric so soft in the lightest sky blue imaginable, with creamy white cloud puffs on the body and one strand of clouds winding down the right arm. I just have to get it.
Well, I'm in such a good mood today because we are taking a break from the rigors of saving the world, and each other. I mean, we're staying at a palace for crying out loud! Isaac will wake up soon, so no more worries there.
Well, ok, maybe a little bit still.
When I hurry back from the palace, I pass Garet cooking in the kitchen. They didn't want to accept him at first, afraid he would eat the food instead of cook it, but it was an unjustified fear. He's a great chef, and people have requested his cooking while we were here. It's always nice to have a good cook on long journeys. He seems to be making some sort of cake for desert tonight, and call me prejudiced, but I just know it will be fantastic. I can't wait.
Walking past the fountain Ivan was sitting by when I left, I note with some disappointment that he isn't there anymore. He must have left sometime after I did. I had hoped he could see me in my dress again. Silly whim of mine. He must have better things to do.
It's hard to keep from squealing with excitement as I arrive at the booth. I know that there are other things I should really spend my money on. But I just need this now. Perfection, plain and simple.
The excitement quickly turns to confusion, then sadness. The dress has been stolen! The nice shopkeeper told me that he had it right under the counter and had just went outside for a moment to tend some business. When he got back, the door was ajar and the dress was missing. He says it must have been some miscreant child he knows from around town, and the person always gets guilty and returns the merchandise. Apparently this has happened before.
Strange that the shopkeeper didn't lock the door… And that he doesn't look angry now… And his purse seems a little fatter than when I left…
No.
I will not go around blatantly accusing people for their misfortune. I'm sure he's just a nice man that got taken advantage of, even if his story sounds a little… Funny.
Well, all that's left now is to go back to the palace and hope that the dress gets returned before we have to leave. I'm all depressed now. Everything is just a little bit better when you're wearing something cute. And I was so close to having a perfect day.
The palace seems drab and bleak when I return, not bothering to go to my room and change for dinner. What's the point? I've not got anything much better to wear.
Well, dinner went by as a blur. I think it tasted wonderful, but I wasn't paying much attention. Everyone found a moment or two to ask me what was wrong. Except Ivan. He just winked conspiratorially at me and went to bed early. Not that I said anything about today to anyone. They'd think it silly, me getting so worked up over a dress. They're great people, but they're still guys. Not that there's anything they or I could do now anyway.
Time to go to bed. I've been avoiding my room today. Looking around at my ordinary dresser, ordinary rugs, ordinary blankets, I remember why. There's nothing special here. Nothing extraordinary. Just plain old ordinary tapestries, clothes, bed, dress on bed, curtains…
Dress on bed? That wasn't there when I left… It couldn't be… No chance…
I take a step closer, then a few more.
It is.
It's the dress.
The dress from the market stall today. On my bed. In my room.
There's a note resting on top of the dress. The dress has been carefully handled and folded with all attention to minor details, without losing sight of the larger ascetic appeal of the overall layout. Not a speck of dust or misplaced crease mars the delicately perfect presentation. The meticulously crafted handwriting on the creamy white paper is soft and curly, almost giving the impression of wisps of smoke on the wind.
It read:
Sorry if I worried you. I couldn't bear to see him sell this to anyone but you. You looked so perfect and joyful in this, that I just had to buy it for you when he tried to sell it to someone else. You look perfect anyway, and this simply compliments that natural beauty of yours. I hope this finds you happy and well.
Ever Yours,
-Ivan
Mia cried soft tears of joy as she gently lifted the dress into her dresser so she could wear it tomorrow and tucked away the note for safekeeping. She felt happy, content, for the first time in a long while. For one night anyway, this saving the world business could be put to rest, and Mia could just be a regular girl with a pretty dress and good friends to watch her back.
She fell asleep happy with the memory of her friends clear in her mind. Friends who always came through when she needed them. Even if it wasn't life or death.
Even if she only needed a glance or a wink or a smile or a silly present.
She dreamt joyful, peaceful dreams that night.
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-Kit