Lina gave a deep breath, wondering for the hundredth time if she was crazy for letting Zelgadis talk her into doing this. Yes, she wanted to go to the ball, and yes, she wanted revenge for the way the nobles had made her feel, but this was going way to far! If this plan didn't work, Zelgadis was going to severely regret it...not that she know how she could make him pay, because it wasn't as if she could hit him (his skin was stone, after all), and most spells just bounced off of him. Still, she'd be able to think up something.
"Are you sure I have to do this?" Lina moaned.
He sighed and said, "For the hundredth time...yes, you do, if you want revenge on the nobility for their comments." He looked over the source of her aggravation again, and couldn't help but be struck by how beautiful she looked in the dress. Her fiery, red hair was left loose to swing down to her bottom, and for once she'd taken off her black headband. The dress itself was a rich crimson, with long, baggy sleeves that were tightly cuffed at her wrists, a low neckline that ended just above her bust, and at her ankles. Gold ribbon trimmed the bottom of the dress and the cuffs of her sleeves. Over the dress was a bodice made entirely of gold cloth, with red embroidery at the edges. On her feet she wore crimson, ankle-length, high-heel boots with gold lacing. Completing the outfit was a gold choker with a crimson ruby in the center. Her beautiful, wide red eyes sparkled with annoyance.
Frowning, she asked, "How come I have to wear something like this, and you're staying in your normal outfit?" She pointed toward his figure, sitting casually on the edge of her bed in his everyday, white clothing and cloak.
"I'm not trying to prove anything, and you are. Wouldn't you be going in your regular clothing if this little revenge streak of yours hadn't come into play?" Zelgadis pointed out blandly, nodding at her sorceress outfit hanging up in her wardrobe.
"Well...yes, but...that's just me. You seem like the type that would get dressed up for these kinds of things," Lina said. Plus, I'm really curious about how you'd look in something else, she added silently. Somehow, she didn't think Zelgadis would find that very amusing.
The chimera stated warily, "I'm not the type to get dressed up. Besides, the nobility would have an even stronger reaction to me if I didn't cover as much of my body as I can tonight, and people with sorcery are notorious for their eccentricities, so I'll be able to get away with it." He got up and walked over to her, putting a hand on her shoulders. In a softer, warmer voice, he added, "Don't worry, Lina. I'll be there when you need me; you won't have to face this alone."
As usual, he was right on the mark. Never mind that he was as dense as a brick with anyone else; for some reason, he had always been very adept at sensing her emotions. It was disconcerting, to say the least....not that she was going to let him know that. "I'm not worried at all. I just wish we could get this over with! I hate wearing dresses on a good day..."
An annoying, high-pitched voice rang out behind the door just a few seconds later. "Miss Lina, how do you look in the dress? I'm dying to know!" Amelia called out. Lina could almost see the perpetually cheerful smile on her friends' face as she said this.
"Come in, Amelia," Lina called back.
The door burst open as if a storm had just thrown it ajar, and Lina was hard-put to keep from jumping three feet into the air. In walked Amelia, radiating happiness and energy. It was obvious she was looking forward to the ball that was to begin in a few minutes. The sorceress couldn't help but feel a little put out; after all, how could anyone want to go to one of these things?! She felt like groaning as she remembered her own previous excitement. Well, it seemed Amelia hadn't been the only one who wanted to go. Zelgadis quickly backed up against the nearest wall, conveniently in the shadows.
"Hello Amelia," Lina greeted, smiling. "How are the preparations coming along?"
"Swell! Everything's ready and waiting," Amelia answered, giggling. She glanced at Lina, taking in the beautiful dress, and grinned heartily. "Miss Lina, you're going to break hearts tonight," the girl said. "I can't wait till Mr. Zelgadis sees you."
A tenor voice floated over from the shadowed wall. "I already have," Zelgadis stated calmly.
Startled, Amelia jumped and whirled to face the voice. She sighed, relaxing when she realized who it was. "Mr. Zelgadis, you startled me!" she scolded delicately. A simple shrug was all she got in return.
"Don't mind him. He's going to be my escort tonight," Lina explained, pointing back at the chimera.
"...Oh..." was Amelia's witty reply. "Um...that's nice..."
"What, did you expect me to go down there alone?" Lina struck an intelligent pose and said in a stern, lecturing tone, "Even a wolf must bring a friend if he is to hunt successfully."
Zelgadis raised a stony eyebrow, and managed to say in a calm voice, "And what does that mean?"
For a few seconds, Lina stood there, as if pondering how to answer that. Then, just as seriously, she stated, "I have no clue." She shrugged and added, "It just sounded appropriate." Zelgadis's mouth twitched as he surpressed an amused smile.
"Come, let's go down to the ball," Amelia urged, ignoring Lina's comment. Lina and Zelgadis gave each other quick, serious looks, silently asking each other if they were ready, and turned back to Amelia. Lina nodded. It was time to implement their plan.