The dress was something else.
Chapel would have said waking up in it had to have been just about La'an's worst nightmare, but she was acutely aware of the particular horrors that haunted that title. The expression La'an was wearing said it was close though. Angry didn't even begin to cover it. Fuming was more like it. Jaw-lockingly enraged.
"Well, princess Thalia." It was unmistakeable, Chapel had read the picture book. She didn't even try to reign in the grin she knew for certain would be pissing La'an off, because it was a losing battle. The thing was just so… sparkly.
"And what are you supposed to be?" La'an spat, dumping the dog on the nearest biobed.
"Lady Audrey, keeper of the forest." Chapel made sure to do the voice, swooping and mystical. She bowed low, adding as much dramatic flourish as she could while keeping a straight face.
"Captain wants you to scan that…"
"Dog." Chapel supplied unhelpfully.
"Possible alien entity from the sentient nebula." La'an finished through gritted teeth.
Chapel flicked the biobed on. "It's a dog." She concluded after a moment. It was a pretty cute dog, as dogs went. Well behaved. Wearing a matching dress. That really couldn't be helping, La'an was never going to live this down. She gave the thing a scratch behind the ears. "You must be Runa." She did the voice for that one too, just to see La'an's face.
"So there's nothing…"
If she'd been carrying Runa around all day, presumably the captain had been concerned the potential alien intruder had affected her somehow. Though perhaps he'd had an ulterior motive for sending her all the way down here to find out. Or Una had, more likely. Because while the rage was electrifying, it didn't take a genius to work out what lay just underneath. Chapel shook her head, taking La'an's hand to twirl her around full circle, making sure she got the full effect. "You are perfect."
"I look ridiculous."
"You look lovely." Chapel waited a second, watching a little more of the defensive anger drop before she brought La'an into hold, swung her a few gentle turns around the room. The dress was surprisingly giving. "You know the book says princess Thalia likes to sing."
La'an dropped her forehead onto Chapel's shoulder, the ornaments in her hair scratching against her skin. "I don't sing."
"Shame. You're wearing the perfect dress for it." Chapel spun her out again carefully so she could take another look. It was properly spectacular, sequined to within an inch of its life but mostly, by the feel of it, made of tulle and viscose. She smiled at La'an's flint-like uncertainty. "It suits you."
"It's all…"
Well, yes. After the sparkle it was mostly cleavage. But really that wasn't what drew the eye. "I don't think that's what people see."
"What do they see?"
"You." La'an frowned, the soft dip creasing between her brows in a way Chapel always found irresistibly kissable. Not that now was the time. She drew her through another turn under the chime of the mystic crystal harmonies lady Audrey apparently favoured. "Usually, they see the uniform." And the glare. And the braids that were somehow intimidating all on their own.
"So now they see the dress."
Now you saw the eyes. Which were devastating, suddenly, under a fringe of pastel flowers, framed by soft dark hair.
"Now they see the face."
La'an considered that, offering no resistance as they circuited the room again. "I'm not sure what that's supposed to be."
"It can be whatever you like."
La'an smiled, just barely, pulling closer, finally challenging her lead. "I think you might be taking this whole mystic healer thing a bit too seriously, Chapel."
Chapel shrugged, grinning. "Hey, I have the outfit. May as well take advantage." She'd come to treating an arrow wound with willow bark and spagnum moss, rough linnen dressings that proved surprisingly effective. There was even a cauldron in the corner, bubbling with something she hadn't yet tried to identify but which smelled excitingly suspect. It was one of the better scrapes they had ended up in recently, she was damn well going to enjoy it.
A throat cleared over by the door. Spock, wearing a beard that made him look dark and dangerous and more mysterious than ever. Chapel's breath caught. La'an's hands tightened around her, bringing their movements to a controlled halt near the front of the bay.
"It's officially a dog." La'an informed him levelly.
"Indeed. Most curious." He studied Runa for a second before bringing his attention back to La'an. "Some of the crew are in possession of blades and primitive projectile weapons. The captain would like them secured in the armoury until their derivation can be determined."
"Fine." La'an growled. "But as royalty I reserve the right to have anyone executed who laughs at the dress."
"That would be unwise. The crew complement may be greatly reduced."
Chapel grinned.
La'an scowled, but the uncertainty had vanished. She wouldn't be beheading anyone for staring anymore. "Right." She drew herself up to fill the dress with a sudden, uncanny air of authority, striding towards Spock in a way that made even him straighten unconsciously. "You, lead me to the weapons. I want this whole stupid thing over with. And you," she turned back towards Chapel, all belligerent confidence and lucent, lofty disdain. The sight was magnificent. "Look after Runa."
"Of course, your majesty." Chapel dropped into a hasty curtsey.
La'an glared down at her. It was beautiful.