Time to get ready for the gala.

I stand in front of the mirror in the bathroom in my hotel room, staring at myself. The large, thin bag on a hanger that Clint had given me a moment ago is still in my hands as I try to decide if I should open it. I know it contains my dress for the evening, but I'm concerned that it will be very revealing. I'm more modest than the average woman, and while I can handle revealing skin, there are some things that go way too far in my opinion. And evening gowns usually take it too far in the front.

I sigh and carefully hang the bagged dress on a hook that was probably meant for a towel, then slip out of my traveling clothes and step into the shower. I turn it on, and can't help but let out a contented sigh as the warm water cascades through my hair and down my back. I haven't had a shower in at least a week, because I didn't know where the showers in the underground facility were and didn't want to ask. I had made do all week with spit baths every night. I close my eyes and let the water run for a few minutes, but I know I have a limited amount of time, so I eventually turn my mind to the task at hand. I scrub every ounce of dirt, sweat, and grime from the past week off my body, and lather my hair with shampoo and conditioner. After twenty minutes, I finally feel clean, and I step out, wrapping my body in a towel and drying off. I grab the smaller bag lying on the counter and open it. Inside there is a small collection of cosmetics, nail polish, some underwear, a hair straightener and curler, and a small box that looks like it's from a jewelry store. I slip into the underwear, trying not to think about how they knew my size, and then pull out the hotel hair dryer.

Once my hair is fully dried, I use the straightener to calm the frizziness, and then pull out the cosmetics. I apply a light layer of makeup, not wanting to go all-out, but leave the eye shadow, blush, and lipstick to apply after I've seen my dress. Walking over to the hook where I hung it earlier, I unzip the large bag and gasp. It's beautiful! The dress is a scarlet red one shoulder that is meant to drape over one's body comfortably, providing a sense of confident ease while still being simple. And it isn't overly revealing, either. I stare at it in amazement. Whoever picked this out knew what they were doing!

I move back to the mirror to finish applying my makeup now that I know what my outfit looks like, and decide to stay simple, using mainly natural colors to accent my cheeks, eyelids, and lips. For my nails, I go with a lovely natural polish that makes them shine, but also covers the evidence of my nail-biting habit. Then I move on to my hair. After staring at myself in the mirror for nearly ten minutes as I consider different possible updos, I finally decide on one of my personal favorites. It's a half up hairdo that is braided across the back of the head, with the rest of my hair loosely curled and hanging down from the braid. I smile slightly, remembering my mother teaching me how to do it. "Not too loose, not too tight," she would always tell me. I quickly blink away the moisture building in my eyes. I can't cry right now; I just applied mascara!

Over twenty minutes later, after having to take my hair down and redo it twice, I finally approve the results of my tedious braiding. Time to put on the dress! With excitement, I slip into the beautiful scarlet dress, straightening, tweaking, and adjusting it until I'm comfortable. I turn around a few times in front of the mirror to make sure I'm adjusted all around, and then stare at myself in the mirror. Something is missing...

The box. I reach inside the bag on the counter and pull out the box that had intrigued me earlier. I carefully open it, and smile with delight. Inside is a lovely set of diamond teardrop earrings and a necklace to match. I don't normally wear earrings, but today I'm making an exception. These are absolutely beautiful! I carefully clean the earrings and slide them into my earlobes, and then clasp the necklace around my neck. The diamond teardrop hangs just below my throat, adding the finishing touch to my already lovely outfit, and I smile at myself in the mirror. The dress suits me perfectly, and it's just what I like- simple but elegant, just like the jewelry set. I wonder where Loki got all of these items. I hope he didn't steal them. My last order of business is shoes. I grab the pair of silver heels that are on the floor under the countertop, and slip them on. Thankfully this pair is easy to balance in...

I look at my watch, which I had taken off before my shower and set on the counter, and raise my eyebrows. Twenty minutes until I have to leave. I guess I'm early. I clean up the bathroom, folding my travel clothing and putting it into the bag on the counter, and return the cosmetics, nail polish, jewelry box, and hair curler and straightener to the bag as well. Zipping it up, I leave it on the counter, and then dry up any residual moisture that has collected on the countertop and mirror with the hand towel. I step back to observe my work, and nod. Then I turn to the door and grasp the handle firmly.

I frown, shivering slightly as I remember grasping the door handle in my Uncle's garage the same way. My horrific dream from four nights ago still haunts me, and I grimace, trying to suppress the feelings of fear and helplessness that have lodged themselves in the pit of my stomach. I take a deep breath. This is stupid, Victoria. You're getting worked up over nothing. Quit being such a baby! I swing the door open a little harder than I intended, annoyed with myself. I walk into my room carefully, trying to get used to the heels, and sit down in a chair near the window. I close my eyes and breathe a quiet sigh of relief as my leg muscles relax after standing for so long. It feels really good to be sitting again.

Now for a plan of escape. I sigh. For the first time since I was captured by Loki, I don't really have the desire to plan an escape. But I have no choice. I have to get away without being seen so I don't change the events that must happen in order for Loki to be defeated. I'm glad Loki taught me how to better control my magic; now I won't have to worry about accidentally revealing myself. If I can somehow separate myself from Loki while he's getting himself captured, I can make my escape in the confusion that follows...but he'll be expecting that. I could try to separate myself from him during the gala before he causes his distraction, but that would be obvious too...

Then I frown. Wait, if I try to escape here in Germany, how am I going to get back to the States? I groan and rub my eyes. I'm going to have to wait until we are back in the underground facility to escape! I growl with frustration. First I don't want to escape, then I can't! I have to admit I don't really want to leave Loki; we're more than just acquaintances now. "Friends" may be a better word, though it still seems too strong a word to define our relationship. But he also is my captor. I am not free to leave, and that is constantly irritating my free spirit. I highly value my independence. I sigh again. I have no choice.

Knock knock.

My twenty minutes is up.I stand swiftly and walk to the door, pausing with my hand on the handle once more. My heart is heavy for some reason. I turn and look at the room once more, taking in every detail. Will I come back here tonight? What will happen to me? So many things could go wrong tonight. So many things...

I draw in a deep breath. I have to be strong. For the memory of my past life, for the hope of my new life, I have to be strong. I won't let my circumstances define who I am, not now, not ever. I will be strong.

I open the door, resolve filling my soul.

"I'm ready."

Author's Note: Hello again, oh fair readers! This may seem like a filler chapter, so I apologize for that...but don't worry, the next chapter should be much more...interesting. Ehehehehe.

Thank you all for reading! God bless!

Signing off, AuthorsDream.