no way out; what should totally be the lightning returns universe

Though Lightning was more than used to doing things alone, she had to admit that being able to communicate with Hope as she traveled through Nova Chrysalia was extremely helpful. Sure, parts were familiar since it was made from the land of Gran Pulse, but it'd been centuries since she'd been there, either.

Luckily for her, Hope had become much more familiar with the land, even before Chaos had broke out. Somehow, he was always able to give her pointers about where she needed to go or what she needed to do next. Most of the time she listened to him, since he seemed to be one of the only people who was still on her side.

She was beginning to wonder if he was now somehow taking advantage of that.

"Are you serious?" she hissed into the communicator, trying to keep quiet. She'd made her way to a new town and didn't want to alert anyone to her presence until she'd gotten more of a feel for the place.

"I'm sorry, Light." It may have been because his voice was skewed by the technology, but Hope didn't actually sound all that sorry. "It'll be the only way you can get that key."

"I'm not doing it. There must be an alternate route - a roof I can climb on, or something."

"The passage you need to get into is considered sacred," Hope explained. "If they caught you looking like you do…I don't even want to think about what kind of punishment they'd dole out."

Lightning grew quiet for a moment, but she still sounded annoyed when she answered. "It's sacred to everyone but…but…"

"Except brides, yes."

This could not be happening. "So you're telling me that in order to get the key that I need, I have to dress up like…like a bride."

"Yes."

Lightning wasn't sure, but Hope didn't sound entirely professional in that one-word answer. She literally couldn't spend the time to think more on it, though - and she couldn't spend precious minutes thinking of an alternate way to complete this little mission, either. Even after all this time, she trusted Hope indefinitely.

If he claimed she needed to look completely ridiculous…so be it.

"Fine," she eventually grumbled. It wasn't as though there was a way out of this - she needed this key to get the monorail back up and running. "I'll just need to dress up and present myself?"

"Yes," Hope repeated. "Luckily, the key is in the passage that's deemed for brides. It's locked in safe, but of course you should have no problems getting that open. After you retrieve it, well…"

"I can't wait," she muttered, tentatively looking around. "Where am I supposed to find the right outfit?"

"I'll help," Hope offered, and of course proved to be very competent and efficient, as he had been this entire time. It made Lightning wish in the back of her mind that she'd been able to physically visit him while she'd been trapped in Valhalla, rather than simply appearing in a dream of his.

It was a reason why she needed to think about the fate of the world first and foremost - she did not want despair and doubt to cripple her if she kept thinking of the 'what-ifs'.

Besides, if things went right, she would have all the time in the world to make amends with him.

Sooner than she would have liked, Lightning had gotten herself into a dress she'd 'borrowed' from an older woman, along with a couple of accessories she'd gotten her hands on that would better help her look the part. According to Hope, anyway.

It was a task and a half to get herself into this outfit. The dress seemed simple enough, with its modest sweetheart neckline and the flowered fabric gathered at the waist, but there was some kind of weird undergarment that was attached. Why did anyone bother?

She also put on some jewelry and the ridiculous-looking shoes. It was only when she was trying to figure out the veil - because apparently it was completely necessary - that Lightning got back into contact with Hope.

"Okay," she grunted. "I look the part."

"Let me see," he insisted. "There's a certain flair brides in this town go for. I want to make sure you'll be able to sneak in without question."

At any other time, Lightning would have protested - especially since setting up a video feed so that they could see each other took time they literally could not afford to waste. But then again, she logically figured that it would take less time to do this and be sure, rather than go in unprepared and get caught, potentially wasting a day or more, so she agreed.

She was in the middle of adjusting the veil when the video finally connected, and she saw the somewhat fuzzy image of Hope's face. It would have been crystal-clear if the Chaos hadn't been interfering with such things.

But she was certain she wouldn't have missed the way Hope's eyes widened even if the video had been mostly static.

"Light…" he said slowly, as though making sure it was really her.

"I know, I know." She finally managed to get the veil on right. This whole headache had better be worth it. "I look ridiculous."

"No!" He cleared his throat after an awkward pause, then continued in a calmer voice, "…No. You don't at all. You look…"

Perhaps it was the soft edge his tone had taken on. Maybe it was the way she could tell his cheeks had grown a little red. Or it could have even been the slightly slack-jawed expression on his face.

At any rate, Lightning's heart began to race wildly. Immediately, she told herself not to be ridiculous, though of course at the same time she was wondering what the cause was for Hope's starry-eyed gaze.

It was almost one of...awe.

"…You look perfect." He finally finished his sentence in that softer voice; the one that held more than a hint of longing. Longing for this to end, for things to be right…for her to come home.

"…Thanks, I guess." Lightning cleared her throat. "Good enough to get through?"

And all at once, Hope was all business again. He nodded, knowing that she had to get going, speaking one more line of encouragement before the video cut out.

"Knock 'em dead."