category: Gundam SEED

disclaimer: I don't own it.

TWENTY.

Cagalli set her tea cup back onto the saucer, very carefully so as not to make the porcelain tinkle loudly. Nevertheless, the impact brought Galliano out of his reverie. He glanced up from his notepad immediately.

"Yes, Miss Athha? Has one caught your eye?"

Cagalli grimaced and pretended to shuffle through the photos she had been sent earlier. Galliano was the stylist the council kept on hand to help with preparations for special functions. Today, he was helping her prepare her attire for the celebrations that the Eurasian Federation's president was hosting the following week, for one year of peace after the war.

"All the selections are pulled brand-new for this season. You shouldn't hesitate; any one of them would be fine."

"I don't know!" Cagalli threw her hands up exasperatedly. "To be honest, they all look the same."

A horrified gasp escaped from Galliano, but Lacus, whom Cagalli had begged to come over to help, quickly covered for her. "Oh, yes, they're all so wonderful." Lacus passed Cagalli a sympathetic glance and flipped through the photos herself very quickly. "Why don't you tell us about the pieces?"

Galliano looked relieved that at least one of the women sitting in front of him was sane. "Let's start with fabrics. How do you feel about organza?"

"No, unless it's woven in silk." Lacus answered easily.

"Chiffon?"

"As long as it's not an overlay."

Galliano set a few photos aside with each suggestion that Lacus vetoed. "Well, there's a nice fully embroidered gown with flower appliqués, in this vivid mango. Extraordinarily pretty color."

As Lacus inspected the corresponding picture closer, Cagalli made a noise from the back of her throat. "It's so…bright. I don't want to stand out." It seemed so incredibly frivolous to be sitting there, wasting three hours looking at dresses when she had a government to run. Twelve months of peace meant little when the PLANTs had elected Gilbert Durandal into power a while ago and she had yet to meet the man face-to-face. She'd read that he was part of the radical faction of the PLANTs; not a supporter of Patrick Zala, but decidedly fundamental nonetheless.

"If you have the complexion to pull it off, you shouldn't shy away," Galliano shot back, offended. "However, if that doesn't suit you, there is one this designer released only last week which I found particularly interesting." He pulled out another photo from his briefcase and laid it on the glass-topped table in front of them. "Tulle and lace, a unique lace boat neck. High-waisted grosgrain belt and the skirt gradates naturally into a slim line." He jabbed his head in Cagalli's direction. "And it's dusty rose, a far cry from attention-grabbing."

Lacus studied the snapshot of the dress approvingly. "The criss-cross bust is very well done. And it's the perfect muted color to not wash her out. What do you think Cagalli?"

Cagalli met both their eyes miserably. She shouldn't be here. Lacus was the kind of person who fit in at these ridiculous parties, who didn't mind chattering and being sociable and drinking glass after tiny glass of diluted champagne. Cagalli Yula Athha didn't waste time with useless niceties and dancing like a practiced doll.

"Sure," she answered, because she was tired and felt so very much a failure at being a girl. She should know these things – lace and embroidery and skin tones. "I really like it."

notes: I'm still sick, unfortunately. Today I bordered on deliriousness, so writing anything new is definitely a no. It's funny: when I first started posting SPTW, I always had written at least ten chapters ahead. Now, I'm working only two chapters in advance, which is a pity. I hope I can keep up.

For those of you interested, the dress Cagalli ends up approving is from Elie Saab's spring/summer 2011 collection. You can go to her website, go to the couture section, choose the season, and it's the first dress. It is truly beautiful.

NEXT PHASE: Lunamaria, Shinn, and a question that is never answered.