A/N: Aw, who thinks Light would be sexy in a dress? No? Well, too bad…he's wearing one anyway. XD
Disclaimer: I don't own Light…I just like to torture him. Light really belongs to L, am I right?
With L's help, Light slowly wobbled down the hall. He had decided that the sole purpose of heels was to force people to walk like feeble old ladies. He gripped L's shoulder as hard as he could, wishing that he had sharp nails to dig into him. He had to settle only for a death grip that was probably going to leave a mark later. It made him feel slightly better to know that he was hurting the smug self-righteous little bastard. L didn't say anything directly to him, but Light could hear a little strain in his voice as he talked. L was tough, but it was obvious he was in a lot of pain although he tried not to show it.
Light mostly tuned out L's voice as they walked down the hallway. L was explaining his choice of décor to Light, but Light really didn't care anymore. It was expensive, elegant, and classy but completely meaningless in light of his humiliation. What was the point in living in a luxurious mansion if he was forced to wear a dress? He'd rather be poor and at least keep a shred of his dignity.
At last, L stopped before a large French door. "Through this doorway is the ballroom," L said softly. "You'll meet the rest of the, ah, 'girls' and you can sit down and rest your feet. I imagine since it is your first time in heels, they might be a little sore."
"Why don't you try walking in them?" Light snarled. He shoved L away as he tried to take Light's hand. "I may be dressed like a woman, but I'm not your fucking date, okay? Don't even try to hold my hand."
L shrugged. "I thought Light might prefer to pretend like he could walk on his own and was accompanying me voluntarily. But if you prefer to walk in clinging desperately to me for support, I'll humor you."
"I'll walk by myself," Light said icily. "I think I can manage a few steps on my own. The quicker I learn to walk in these damn things, the sooner I can get out of here."
"Suit yourself," L murmured. He pushed open the door to the ballroom. "Ladies first."
Light threw him a withering look. He held his head high and took tiny steps forward. As long as he didn't fall and break his ankle, he would be fine. No one would dare laugh at him when he looked like he could easily stomp them to death with a stiletto. It would all be fine. He would never see these people again, Light told himself. Head high, keep your balance.
As soon as Light walked through the door, he was greeted by appreciate whistles. It caught him momentarily off-guard. He had expected to be laughed at. But as Light looked around the room at the "girls" seated at the elegant dining tables to the sides of the room, he realized why they weren't. They were all wearing elaborate ball gowns covered in lace, ruffles, jewels, and feathers. They were even wearing make-up and complicated hairdos or possibly wigs. Either way, Light felt suddenly lucky to be wearing the red dress L had selected for him. It was modern and downright simple compared to the elaborate ball gowns everyone else was wearing. Of course they weren't laughing at him. They probably envied him for getting off so easily.
L walked in behind him. "Please find a seat, Yagami-kun," he murmured. "I must make an announcement before we begin our semi-annual ball."
"Sit by me!" a girlish voice called out, immediately followed by several other cries for Light to come sit with them. Several girls got up from their seats and swarmed around Light.
Light looked around uncertainly and took a step backwards. "Do I really have to participate in this stupid ball?" he hissed over his shoulder to L.
L shoved him gently forward into the arms of a delighted blonde dressed as a flapper. "Oh, Elly, you've outdone yourself," the blonde trilled. She threw her braceleted arm up in a dramatic motion. "He's an absolute dream."
Light raised an eyebrow and attempted to struggle away. "Elly?"
"Of course," the blonde purred. "Elly does such a good job finding all the cute ones." She began tugging Light's arm, leading him back towards her table and her group of friends. Along the way, several of the other girls reached out to pat Light's shoulders and kiss his hands.
L cleared his throat. "Ladies, I am sure you are all delighted to meet Yagami-kun, but please do not maul him on his first day here. He will be sitting with Alexa tonight, but you will all have a chance to talk to him later."
"Like hell they will!" came Light's outraged shout from somewhere within the crush of girls.
L ignored Light's outburst. "As it is Yagami-kun's first day here, I expect that you will show him around and be courteous to him. Yagami-kun is lucky that he arrived on the day of our dance. I know many of you will be eager to be his dance partner and he will not feel alone on his first day."
"I'll dance with him!" someone shouted. "He's cuuuuuute!"
"I get to dance with him first!" Alexa shouted back. She pushed Light down into one of the formal dining chairs and plopped into the chair beside him. The other girls at her table smiled warmly at Light. They were also dressed as flappers. It was hard to believe that even one of them was actually a man. The façade was very convincing.
"Welcome to our table," Alexa announced. "We'll tell you all about your new job and life here."
"So, you're all men, right?" Light asked nervously.
"Of course," Alexa said cheerfully. Her voice dropped to a whisper. "If you'd like, I can show you."
"That's okay," Light said hastily. "But, uh, why do you all dress like women?"
"It's Elly's vision," Alexa said softly. "He took us in off the street and gave us all food and shelter and a well-paying job. I'm happy to do it."
Light wrinkled his nose. "You're happy to wear corsets and three pounds of frilliness?"
Alexa giggled. "Don't be silly." She smoothed down her short, beaded skirt. "Haven't you heard about flappers in school? We don't wear corsets. We're liberated women."
"Why dress like a woman at all, liberated or otherwise?" Light demanded.
"You should ask our Elly," Alexa murmured. "He had to do it, you know." She pulled a compact out from under her chair and began powdering her face. "Elly takes good care of us. You shouldn't judge."
Light rolled his eyes. "Yeah, I shouldn't judge a guy who likes to see men in drag."
Alexa leaned over suddenly, still wielding her powder puff, and began powdering Light's face.
"Cut that out," Light growled. He held up his hands to protect his face and Alexa cheerfully powdered them instead.
After Light finally lowered his hands and shook them off, Alexa sat back and surveyed her handiwork. "Hmn, maybe it's not your color," she murmured.
"Thanks a lot," Light growled.
Alexa shrugged. "I'm not very good with make-up. I'm only good at my own face. But Elizabeth is really good at make-up. She teaches all of us when we first get here."
"No," Light said emphatically.
"Well, we can worry about that after dinner," Alexa said cheerfully. "Dinner, dancing, wine, cake…I think you'll like it here."
Light rested his chin on his hands. "I doubt that," he muttered.
"Are you allergic to fish?" Alexa asked. "We had poached salmon with dill sauce last time. It's really good. And you must try the wine. I just love the chardonnay. If you're not old enough, I won't tell." She elbowed him in the ribs.
Light groaned and sank his head down onto the table. "No," he growled. "I don't think I'll like anything here. I hate make-up, I hate fish, and I hate wine. Damn this place and damn your precious L."
"Oh," said Alexa quietly. She looked down at her lap and wrung her hands uncertainly. "If you're not feeling well, Jenny can help you find your way back to your room." She indicated a heavily rouged brunette across the table.
"No," Light said icily. "I'll be fine by myself." He was about to get up when he felt a pair of hands on his shoulder, pushing him back into the chair. He looked over his shoulder to see who was behind him and sighed. "You again."
"You must stay for dinner," L murmured. "And try some of the wine. It'll settle your nerves."
Light scowled and crossed his arms over his chest. "I guess if I fucking have to."
"Yes," L said pleasantly. "You will socialize with my staff and if at the end of the night you have not enjoyed yourself, you may leave."
Light rolled his eyes. If he had to stay and talk to the idiots who enjoyed dressing like women, he would do it but he didn't have to be happy about it.
"I'm so happy you're staying," Alexa cried.
Light rolled his eyes. "Yes, overjoyed," he muttered darkly.
He longed for the evening to be over. He could only handle so much torture. If L still wouldn't let him leave he was sorely tempted to resort to murder. Stabbing him to death with a stiletto would be nice. Perhaps that fantasy would be enough to get him through the rest of the night.