AN/
If you want to see what Nadeshiko and Lenalee's dresses look like so you know what I'm talking about when I (try) to describe them, the links are on my profile. It will say 'Keeper of the Keys – Undercover Ball Mission:' then 'Nadeshiko's Dress: (link)' and 'Lenalee's Dress: (link)'. It's right after the stuff about me, at the top of my bio.
Chapter Four –
Lenalee and Nadeshiko sat in their room at the hotel Komui had gotten the group of Exorcists reservations at. Allen and Lavi were in the room across the hall.
Right now, the two girls were staring at the dresses that had been laid out on the two beds. One had a deep golden-coloured skirt which flowed smoothly, and a lighter, tight gold corset with a sweetheart neckline. Across the skirt were silver beaded designs, while white thread was used for the embroidery on the corset. Where the corset and skirt met was a strip of white beads that looked like a belt. A golden flower made of fabric was attached to the 'belt', and a fresh orange rose lay next to it.
The other dress was made entirely out of a dark purple material that was tight at the top and gradually flowed out at the bottom. The skirt's fabric was gathered in some places, pinching pieces together to create dimension. Sparkling silver beads adorned the sweetheart neckline of the dress, and shined in the light.
"…Wow, Komui went all out on this…" Nadeshiko murmured, staring at the golden dress in awe. It had a tag attached to it, where her name was written.
Lenalee nodded and picked up her own purple dress. "…It's gorgeous…" She breathed, holding it to herself and looking in the full-length mirror.
"It'll look great on you, Lenalee." Nadeshiko smiled faintly as she watched her friend continue to stare at the dress. "Come on; let's go see if Allen and Lavi want to get something to eat." It was about noon, and time for lunch.
"I'm sure Allen will." The two girls laughed as the exited their room, dressed left on their beds.
They went across the hall and knocked on the door to the two male's room.
"Allen? Lavi?" Lenalee called. "Nade and I were going to get something to eat – do you want to come?"
The door opened to reveal Allen, who smiled at the girls. "Sure – just let me get Lavi." The white-haired teen turned around and yelled back into the room. "Lavi! Come on! Lenalee, Nade and I are going to eat!"
The red-head came into view, smirking at Allen. "If there any reason why you said Lenalee's name before Nade-chan?"
Allen started to blush. "W-What? I –!"
"Okay, boys," Nadeshiko interrupted. "Let's act our proper age here. I'm hungry – and I know Allen is too."
The other three Exorcists chuckled at that, and headed out into the town of Rostov for lunch.
-:-
After lunch, the group of four had gone sight-seeing since they had eight hours to spend until the ball started at nine. They had window-shopped and done little random things until it was eight and they had to return to the hotel to get ready.
Lenalee and Nadeshiko changed into their dresses and shoes that they found under the beds. Nadeshiko's shoes were a pair of golden heels with an orange rose on each to match the rose that was supposed to go in her hair. Lenalee's shoes had a smaller heel – probably because Komui didn't want to risk his precious sister falling – and were silver with a white rose on each. The girl couldn't help but laugh when they saw how similar they were.
After changing, Nadeshiko straighten her friend's hair – which was removed from its normal ponytails – so that it fell to the small of her back, before Lenalee curled the brunette's hair into ringlets that bounced when she took a step. When that was done, they looked in the mirror.
"…I haven't worn a dress since I was six… Not even a skirt…" Nadeshiko murmured.
Lenalee twirled around once. "We look amazing!"
"Aren't you worried… about how awkward it will be?"
"Yeah, I guess I am… But I know Allen and I will still be friends after this, so it's alright." Lenalee replied, a smile on her face. "What about you and Lavi?"
Nadeshiko shrugged, which caused her hair to bounce again. "We've only just met, so it won't affect us." She sighed. "I'm more worried about my performance…"
"Oh! That's right!" Lenalee exclaimed. "You have to sing tonight… Which song are you doing?"
"It's a song my mother taught me when I was younger… It's called 'Key to my Heart'."
"I'm sure you'll do great." Lenalee encouraged as she picked the orange rose up from Nadeshiko's bed and placed it behind the brunette's ear. "There."
Nadeshiko chuckled, picked up the white rose from her friend's bed, and placed it in Lenalee's hair. "Perfect." The two laughed quietly, before someone knocked on the door. "Hm? Oh, that must be Allen and Lavi…"
Lenalee nodded and went to open the door, which Allen and Lavi stood uncertainly on the other side of. Both males were wearing black tuxes with white shirts underneath, but Allen wore a dark purple tie while Lavi had an orange one. Lavi's hair was also down so that it covered his eight eye enough that people wouldn't see the eye patch that he had refused to take off. Nadeshiko noticed their uncomfortable, awkward looks.
"Hey, I'm the only one who should be uncomfortable here! I just met you boys, and I'm in a dress." The brunette chided in a joking tone. The other three laughed, and the tense atmosphere disappeared instantly. Lenalee smiled gratefully at her friend over her shoulder as the group of four once again left the hotel, heading for the castle at the center of town.
AN/
Okay… It's a bit shorter than normal, sorry! It just works better if I save the actual ball for the next chapter…
Reviews are greatly appreciated!