Hello all. In case you were wondering, Bruixe's shopping experience is based on the one I went through last year before prom. And yes, mine was every bit as bad as Bruixe's.
I was going to try to post links to Bruixe and Kairi's dresses, but the computer's being stupid. For all you people who care, check my profile bio, I'll see if I can get it up there.
Hey, this chapter marks Bruixe and Sora's first civilized conversation! Yeah! And now, enjoy.
The disease is growing, it's epidemic
I'm scared that there ain't a cure
The world believes it and I'm going crazy
I cannot take any more!!!!
I'm so glad that I'll never fit in
That will never be me
Outcasts and girls with ambition
That's what I wanna see
- Pink, "Stupid Girls"
Bruixe prided herself on being a woman of strength. She had faced unsurpassable warriors, withstood agonizing torture, even eradicated an entire army.
It was kind of funny how easily that strength could be rendered completely useless.
"What do you think?" Kairi asked.
Bruixe stared at the monster in the department store mirror for a few minutes, then simply said, "It's pink."
"Of course it's pink!" her friend exclaimed. "It's such a great color on you!"
"It's got lace on it," Bruixe pointed out.
Kairi pouted. "You know, it wouldn't kill you to display a feminine side once in a while."
"I never said I didn't want to be feminine!" Bruixe argued. "But seriously! Lace! Frills! Not gonna happen! Who ever came up with skirts anyway?"
"You ran around wearing a cloak for a year," Kairi retaliated. "That's pretty much the same thing."
"We wore pants under that," Bruixe told her.
Kairi scowled but reluctantly handed Bruixe another hanger. Bruixe pushed it back at the redhead without a second glance. "No more pink," she growled.
"Do you like any colors?" Kairi wondered.
"Black," she answered.
"That doesn't count," the island girl said with something like pity.
"Um… purple?"
Kairi raised an appraising eyebrow. "I might be able to pull that off," she said. "Wait here."
Bruixe extricated herself from the ridiculous pink dress and then rested her forehead against the dressing room wall. Shopping, she thought with disgust. Yuck.
Kairi returned a minute later with a broad grin on her face, carrying a single dress. "I found one," she half-sang, holding it out.
Bruixe held it up. "I'll never fit into this!" she wailed.
"Of course you will," Kairi disagreed. "My fashion eye is never wrong."
"Not all of us have microscopic waistlines," Bruixe pointed out.
Kairi shook her head, smiling. "Trust me."
Despite her misgivings, Bruixe did in fact manage to wriggle into the dress. Kairi walked around her once, checking the dress from all angles, then clapped approvingly. She turned Bruixe to face the mirror. "Hello, gorgeous," the redhead remarked.
Bruixe's mouth fell open with a little pop.
It was gorgeous, she had to admit. Deep violet satin hugged her form, fishtailing out at the bottom. The top was a simple halter, the straps made of a silver chain studded with sparkling crystals. The neckline was a little outside Bruixe's comfort zone, but not unreasonable. Bruixe turned and looked over her shoulder; the back was low-cut, at the small of her back, and a good two feet of train trailed behind her.
"I'll kill myself on that," she pointed out, but she was smiling.
"Not while I'm around," Kairi promised. "Now, let's see… shoes."
Bruixe groaned.
Two hours later they were collapsed on Kairi's big house, surrounded by shopping bags.
"My feet hurt," Bruixe complained.
"I love shopping," Kairi sighed.
Bruixe threw a pillow at her as the doorbell rang. Kairi ran to get it, and led Sora into the living room.
"That's my cue," Bruixe said, getting up to leave.
Kairi stopped her. "I don't think so," she said wickedly. "After all, if we're going to a ball tomorrow there are some things you need to know."
An uneasy feeling blossomed in Bruixe's stomach. "Like what?"
"Like dancing," the redhead answered.
Sora waved cheerily.
"No," Bruixe said flat-out. "Not going to happen. You're wasting your time."
"I know you don't want to embarrass yourself," Kairi sang sweetly.
Bruixe glared at her, but had to admit the princess was right. "Can't I learn with Riku?"
"No!" Kairi gasped, horrified. "That would spoil it! Besides, Sora's a good partner. He already knows how to dance and all."
Bruixe didn't even want to know that story. "But he's shorter than me," she pointed out.
Sora scowled. "'Scuse me," he muttered. "Hey, I'm doing you a favor."
Kairi shoved her towards Sora, and the Keybearer held out his left hand.
"Well, this is weird," Bruixe mumbled, but took the hand, placing her other awkwardly on his shoulder.
"Tell me about it," Sora agreed.
Despite her grace on the battlefield, Bruixe soon found that she was a complete klutz on the dance floor. But Kairi's patient guidance soon had her somewhat capable, if not comfortable. Bruixe was actually able to stop worrying about her feet and just let them move on their own. Sora was a good partner, guiding her effortlessly across Kairi's living room floor, and if she stepped on his feet he didn't mention it.
"Is Riku this good a dancer too?" Bruixe wondered as they spun across the carpet.
"I dunno," Sora shrugged. "I've never danced with him."
Bruixe rolled her eyes.
"You know, he's a little worried about you," Sora said.
Bruixe fixed her silver eyes on a spot somewhere over Sora's shoulder. "He shouldn't be."
"He thinks you're hiding something from him," the Keybearer went on.
Bruixe wasn't a good liar, so she didn't even bother trying. "I'm allowed to keep things to myself," she told him.
"But he thinks you're upset about it," Sora pointed out.
"It's not his business."
"Why not?" Sora pressed.
Bruixe groaned. "I'm not getting into this with you."
"I won't tell," he promised.
"Doesn't matter, because I'm not telling you," she argued.
Sora smirked. "Can I guess?"
"No," she replied flatly.
"Can I guess why you won't tell Riku, then?"
Bruixe frowned. "I suppose."
"You're afraid he'll laugh?" Sora guessed.
She shook her head. "Nope."
"Hm…" The Keybearer screwed up his face in an exaggerated thinking-look. "You're afraid he won't like what you have to say."
"Pretty much," Bruixe admitted.
Sora nodded understandingly. "Well, I can respect that… but don't assume. That's the thing about Riku: he'll always surprise you."
"I'll remember that," she said, and they slowed to a stop.
Bruixe realized that it was probably the first real conversation they'd had, and she smiled despite herself. "Thanks," she told him.
"For what?" Sora wanted to know.
Bruixe shrugged. "For listening."
He grinned. "You're welcome."
"Bruixe, you were great!" Kairi exclaimed. "Dancing, I mean. Ooo, I can't wait for the ball!"
"Contain yourself," Bruixe remarked dryly. She gathered the bags that were hers and swung them over her shoulder.
"Thanks for the lesson," she said as she left, but she was pretty sure neither of them heard her, already preoccupied with each other.
If only Axel and Demyx could see me now, she thought with a smirk. I own a dress.
.com/shop/homecoming-dresses/pinkrose-ballgown-F10_
.com/2007/09/alfred-angelo_
