Warning; this one's a doozy. 2 parts! (God, this one took awhile)
Many merchant carts entered the kingdom O'khasis heading toward the castle. There, the carts were unloaded by servants. The carts were filled with decorations and flowers for the ceremony. Aphmau had a great view of the castle entrance and could see all the decorations entering. She would be lying to herself if she said that she wasn't a little bit excited about going to a big party. Nirvana then entered the room.
"Oh, Nirvana." Aphmau greeted, "Good morning."
"Looks like you're excited for the party tomorrow."
"Uh… maybe just a little."
"Lords and Ladies from across the kingdom will be coming here. While O'khasis has done some wrongful things in the past, they know how to throw a party."
"Wait, how many people are we talking here?"
"Well, anyone who currently affiliates themselves with O'khasis. That would be about over thirty different towns which means up to sixty or more people."
"Woah…"
"Wait. Don't tell me you came here not knowing any of this?!"
"I didn't expect to be here long."
"Oh my gosh! You don't even have a dress! This isn't good, you can't go out like that. We have to get you some new clothes, maybe get your hair done. This is a royal party! Not to mention you're the lord that will be representing the guest of honor. AND WHAT ABOUT HER! This is a real problem."
"Is it? I mean I don't even have the money to buy fancy clothes."
"Not to worry! As your friend I will take you and Katelyn out shopping and get you ready for the party tomorrow."
Horses could be heard neighing at the front of the church. Aphmau looked back out the window. "I guess she's here."
Katelyn unmounted her horse and walked into the church. There she was greeted by Aphmau and Nirvana.
"Ah, Aphmau." Katelyn said, "See you got here safely."
"Not, really. I'll tell you later."
"Who's this?" Katelyn asked looking at Nirvana.
The priestess began to drop forward but Aphmau held her up. "No, no, no. We're not doing that again." Katelyn stood there in confusion. "Remember what I said about apologizing." Aphmau said to Nirvana.
"B-But I need to apologize."
"For what?" Katelyn asked.
"Oh, you shouldn't have asked that." Aphmau muttered.
"I know that Zane was once high priest, under his command he abused his power and caused many grief upon you and your friends. As current high priestess I would like to apologize for the church's actions."
Katelyn gave a patient smile at the girl. "It's fine. You shouldn't feel sorry for the actions of a man who lived fifteen years ago."
"Thank you for your forgiveness. And sorry again."
"Huh?"
"Nirvana here is taking us shopping." Aphmau said.
"Shopping?"
"Yes," Nirvana said, "As the guest of honor at the oath ceremony tomorrow you need to look presentable. The ceremony is formal gathering, so you can't enter with armor, especially blood stained. So we're going to get both of you proper dresses."
"Isn't that misusing church money?" Katelyn asked.
"I would never use that money, I'll pay for everything out of my own pocket. We should get going!"
Nirvana began to push the two out of the church and took them to the streets of the kingdom. After a while Aphmau and Katelyn stood near a restaurant waiting for Nirvana who had went off somewhere.
"Where is she?" Aphmau said.
"It's only been a few minutes."
"I know but, she just brought us here and said wait here without telling us what she's doing."
"Have some faith."
"Oh ha ha. Very clever."
Nirvana came back a few moments later and she had changed from the white robe she was wearing to common clothes you would have seen a normal girl wearing.
"Ok, I'm ready."
"What's with the outfit change?" Aphmau asked.
"I'm the high priestess after all and well people tend to respect me a little too much. I just thought with would be more fun to walk around without people lowering their heads around us. Oh and with would be nice if you would refrain from using my name. Also avoid any of the church guards I kind of went out without telling anyone."
"O…k...?"
"Thanks! Now let's find you some clothes."
"Great…"
The girls went around the town shop to shop buying fancy clothes, jewelry and shoes. As they walked Katelyn talked to Aphmau. "You never told me about what happened with Zane." She said.
"Not much to tell, we got here, we saw the king and they took him away. Haven't heard anything since."
"Hopefully he's rotting away in a jail cell."
"…yeah…" She wanted to tell her about how Zane saved them but it wouldn't have mattered. And Katelyn would still not change her mind about Zane.
"Something wrong?" Katelyn asked.
"N-No it's nothing, let's just focus on getting you ready for the party."
Nirvana then came at them racing and panting. "KATELYN! APHMAU! You got to follow me!"
"Huh?" They both said in unison.
"I just found the PERFECT dress for Katelyn. COME ON!"
"Oh, ok!" Nivana grabbed their arms and dragged them to the store.
In the store Nirvana forced Katelyn to try dress after dress. Aphmau couldn't help but giggle at her friend's situation.
"Not, funny." Katelyn growled.
"It's pretty funny." Aphmau said.
Nirvana came back with another dress. "Try this one!"
"Um, Nirvana." Katelyn said quietly, "I would like to pick out a dress myself. If that's fine."
"Oh, um ok. That's fine."
"Thanks."
Aphmau and Nirvana waited outside for a few minutes before Katelyn exited the shop.
"So what did you buy?" Nirvana asked.
"You'll have to wait for tomorrow."
"Come on, show us."
"I would like it if my dress wasn't soiled before the party."
"Alright fine, let's look around a few more places and then head back."
The girls continued their shopping spree till evening.
About eight hours later…
The girls had gotten the guys dress clothes too. Lawrence was in front of a mirror putting on his new suit. It was a regular black tailcoat but the girls also gave him a green tie and small shoulder cape.
"Have to admit, the girls do have good taste." Lawrence said to Garroth who was staring aimlessly at a window. "They got one for you to you know." Still no response.
Aphmau ran across the halls and looking for someone. She entered the room. "Guys have you seen Katelyn and Nirvana?"
"Wow!" Lawrence said wide eyed. Aphmau was wearing a light purple gown and had her hair braided nicely, she also wore a silver necklace and earrings. "I thought this party was for Katelyn, but if I didn't know any better I would consider you as the guest of honor."
"You look good to Lawrence" she said, "But seriously where are they? We're going to be late."
"Saw them go up to the next floor, probably Nirvana's room."
"Thanks. Now come."
"What?"
"We need a guy's opinion on Katelyn's dress."
"Um, ok?"
Before she followed Lawrence out of the room she walked to Garroth who was still staring out the window. "Are you sure you aren't coming?" Aphmau asked.
"I'm sure. Sorry."
"No I understand."
"Thank you. That place. Fifteen years and it still looks the same from when I was a boy. I'm afraid I'm not ready to go back there yet."
"Take as much time as you need."
"H-hey that shouldn't stop you from having a good time. "
"If you do decide to go later, I'll save you a dance."
"I'll be sure to remember that."
Aphmau left the room where Lawrence was waiting for her. "Damn, I really thought you talking to him would cheer him up."
"He has a lot of history with this place. It makes sense that he needs some time before he can go back."
"Yeah, I guess."
"We should get Katelyn and Nirvana before we're late. What is taking them so long?" Aphmau and Lawrence made their way upstairs and entered Nirvana's room. Inside Nirvana was sitting in a chair looking a little angry. "Where's Katelyn?" Aphmau asked her.
"Behind the curtain, she won't come out."
"WHAT?!"
"As far as I know she put on her dress but she won't get out and show me."
"Katelyn!" Aphmau went to the curtains, "Come out or we're going to be late."
"I'm not used to wearing things like this so forgive me if I'm A BIT NERVOUS!"
"It's fine, you'll look great."
"You sure?"
"Yes. Now come on!"
Katelyn hesitantly pushed the curtain opened and revealed herself to them.
"Woah…" the three of them said in unison.
Katelyn wore a simple silk white backless dress, her hair was braided nicely like Aphmau's, and wore a gold necklace and earrings. She stood there blushing, worried about what her friends thought.
"Maybe I should change…"
"NO!" Aphmau said, "You look great! Right guys?!"
"Y-Yes." Nirvana said, "It's simple but it looks great on you, I mean, really good."
"Lawrence?"
"W-well I-I Uh…" Aphmau then kicked him in the leg. "Ow! Oh yeah she look's good." She kicked him again. "OW! OK! Well I have to admit you do look more like a lady than when you are not in your armor." Nirvana and Aphmau then face palmed at his response.
Her blushing cheeks disappeared and she angrily walked toward Lawrence. She lightly pinched Lawrence's cheek and smiled. "We don't you showing up to the party with bruises, do we?" She said nonchalantly.
"N-No mam."
"Good." She patted him on the cheek and looked to the girls. "Shall we get going?"
"Y-yes!" Nirvana and Aphmau said.
Garroth looked out the window and saw the four of them enter a carriage on their way to the castle. He sat there looking at his arm that was once severed and struggled to clench his fist. But nothing happened.