The Chronicling of a Relationship
Daine was wandering in the general direction of her rooms when she was cornered by a very excited Alanna.
"Come on," she called, "we're going to the Dancing Dove!" Daine followed, laughing.
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Sitting in the Dancing Dove awhile later, Daine was feeling suspicious of Alanna. The girl knew that the Lioness wasn't one for idle chatting; Daine know she had to have some sort of point.
"So what is the Ball for?" Daine was sure that Alanna had at least some idea.
"Oh…" she replied, a look of innocence on her face, "nothing special."
"You can't fool me, Alanna. I know that look. And, I might add, I know several of your fellow comrades who say you are an atrocious liar, and I think I believe them."
Alanna laughed heartily, then quickly sobered as her kind face grew serious. "Well, I better start explaining. You probably have some questions." Daine grinned in agreement, and Alanna continued, "King Jonathon and Queen Thayet announced that a royal Ball, by invitation, is to be held tonight. Several very important couples have been asked to attend."
"Couples?" questioned Daine, unaware that Numair was asking the same thing.
"Yes. Numair is to be your escort." Seeing the blank look on Daine's face, explained, "You know… date?"
"But… I though…"
"Daine, please! You live together!"
"So?"
Exasperated, Alanna shook her head. "You know, everyone thinks that since you live together, you would, well, you know…"
Daine shook her head.
"You mean you haven't slept together?"
Another shake of Daine's head was her reply.
"So you have?"
"Alanna, do I need to spell it out to you? We've slept together, but that's it. That's all we do. Sleep."
Alanna raised her eyebrows, and muttered, "Now that's complicated."
"You tell me. And with half the palace talking about you…"
Alanna slung her arm around the younger girl's shoulders, and led her out of the Dancing Dove.
"Come on," she said as the stepped out onto the streets, "we've got some people to meet."
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Daine steadfastly tried not to giggle as Alanna muttered and cursed under her breath, fumbling with the ties of the dress she was trying on. Alanna had drug Daine to some dressmaker's in the city, where the met up with Onua, Buri, and Thayet. They had been trying on dresses for the better part of the morning.
"Purple," Alanna moaned, "Why always purple?"
Thayet laughed. "It's because of your eyes. And your hair. Red and purple. What a cursed combination to try and dress. Though we could try…" She moved off, one finger tapping her lips as she browsed further through the dresses.
Alanna growled towards Thayet's back, "You could at least be glad that it isn't flaming orange like it used to be!" She was referring to the fact that her hair color had deepened to a cherry red as she get older.
Daine glanced in the mirror at her own reflection. She twirled lightly, and the skirts of the dress swished.
"You shouldn't be complaining Alanna. I always get stuck with light powder blue. Or grey."
Onua, who had been watching the proceedings with Buri, called out to Daine, "Off with that dress and into the next one!" A dress shop maid stepped forward, and began to unlace the blue dress.
Daine was just stepping out of the skirts when Thayet arrived back with another dress for Alanna. She handed to the Lioness, who began to step into it. It was a sheath dress, and as she was about to pull the straps over her shoulders, Thayet tutted.
"Cone on, off with the breast band! You can't wear it with this dress."
Alanna looked incredulous, and grumbled, "Then what am I supposed to wear under it?"
In a lofty voice, Thayet answered, "Nothing."
During the friendly rapport between the Queen and the Lioness, Daine had been stepping into her own dress. It was similar in style to Alanna's; the color, however, was pale champagne.
Ever the dress judges, Onua, Buri and Thayet began appraising the dresses. There were large amounts of approval for Alanna's, but Daine's was received with less enthusiasm.
Alanna's dress was a cherry red, similar to her hair. The material was satin-like, and very beautiful. It flattered Alanna amazingly. The straps were about the width of two fingers, and the back plunged very low. It might have been considered completely backless, except for the fact that the straps continued over Alanna's shoulders, and crossed at the back. The color complimented Alanna's hair beautifully, and the slight satin sheen made just enough difference that her long hair didn't blend into the dress.
"Keep that one, Alanna. I'm pretty that will be the one you will wear. Try some others one, just in case." Thayet commented. Alanna wrinkled her nose at the last part, and turned to see how Daine was faring.
To Daine, Thayet added, "Definitely not that one. It's way too pale. Make sure you set aside the last dress. It did look nice on you."
Buri, who had been uncharacteristically silent so far, stepped up and handed Daine a dress. Obediently, Daine began to slip into the dress, with the help of one of the dress shop maids.
Onua looked quizzically at Buri, and questioned, "Two colors?" in a puzzled voice.
Indeed, the dress was two colors. The skirts were a deep brown that complimented Daine's hair. The top was, again, a beautiful powder blue.
Seeming to sense Daine's thoughts, and also in answer to Onua's question, Buri spoke up, "Having two colors in a dress seems to be the fashionable thing this winter, and blue goes beautifully with Daine's eyes. The brown balances it out and matches her hair."
Thayet nodded in agreement. Daine turned and grinned at Alanna. "So I guess these are it, then?" she asked. Alanna grinned back. With similar gusto, the two stripped out of there dresses, and hurriedly changed into their breeches.
They sat down in nearby chairs, and Alanna called out with an evil grin, "Right, your turn!"
So sorry about re-adding this chapter so many times! The first time I forgot completely to go over it for errors, the second time I realized I had missed some (ther are still probably some that I missed), and the third time I realized I had forgot something really important!
So: The important thing! Please, go to my profile and go to either one of my homepages. There will be posted up some pictures, which are what I fancy the dresses to look like. They are my own drawings, based off other pictures. (Those pictures were just for the body shape. I'm not very good at that yet!) The dress design is completely mine, and I would appreciate it if no-one tried to take it as there own. Thank you!
Kennedy