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After beating the coat to no avail, Ariel gave up and laid it across the bed. Rubbing her bare arms, she began to think longingly of a nice hot shower, but another, less pleasant thought pushed its way into her mind. Her gaze slipped over the days’ worth of clothes strewn all over her floor.

What am I going to wear? she wondered, a sense of foreboding creeping over her.

Her eye caught sight of something blue. There, lying discarded in a heap in the corner of her room, was none other than Noah’s aunt’s dress. With a resigned groan, Ariel dragged herself into the bathroom.

Well, it could be worse; I could go wearing what I have on now.

After scrubbing until she was nearly pink, Ariel stepped out of the shower considerably less dusty and much more refreshed. Wrapping herself in a thin towel generously provided by the inn, she glanced at herself in the mirror and frowned.

She hadn’t felt it before, but its existence was made obvious when she saw its deep purple hue. A bruise, roughly the size of her fist, had spread across the better part of her shoulder. Biting her lip, Ariel ran her fingers along it and found it was more than a little tender.

I must have landed on it when we fell through the hole...

Once she finished drying off, Ariel walked back into her small room and picked up the dress she would be stuck wearing for the night.

Maybe Noah won’t propose to me if he sees what terrible fashion sense I have?

Reluctantly, Ariel slipped the satin gown on. Back in the bathroom, standing in front of the mirror, Ariel resisted thinking about what decadent dress Mandy might be trying on at that very moment.

That Mandy.

Running a brush through her hair, Ariel half-heartedly entered her room once again. She blinked, gazing around at the golden tint cast across the walls by the sun’s fading light. So, this was it. In a few hours, she would be on her way to a proposal.

With a sigh, Ariel sank onto her bed and stared out the window, which afforded a meager view of an unattended garden at the back of the inn. Muffled voices talked in the next room. They sounded excited through the thin walls.

Maybe they’re waiting for a proposal instead of dreading one?

Just then, a new sound drew Ariel out of her thoughts. Someone was knocking on her door.

“Just a minute,” Ariel called, trying to untangle her hair from her brush and adjust the straps of her dress, the bruise on her shoulder acting as a large purple accessory.

“Come in,” she finally said, rubbing her head where the brush had been stuck.

The door slowly opened, and Mandy stuck her head in. “Am I interrupting anything?”

Smoothing her frizzed hair and further straightening her dress, Ariel answered, “Mandy? Oh, no, nothing...”

Mandy allowed herself a small smile and stepped fully into the room. Ariel swallowed her next words when she saw what her rival was wearing.

That Mandy.

For starters, it wasn’t just a dress. It was a dress made of a light rose-colored fabric that looked so delicate it seemed as if it might blow right off her. Its style fit the medium perfectly, putting Ariel and her secondhand dress in a right irritated mood.

Mandy stood for a few moments in silence, her smile growing as she observed her rival’s jealous expression. However, the triumphant moment was slightly spoiled when she went to cover her smile with her sleeve—only to find she didn’t have one.

“Ahem,” Mandy said, clearing her throat, her smile fading. “Here.”

Ariel, who had been pointedly ignoring the medium and her indulgence in vanity, blinked and reluctantly looked back at her. Held in Mandy’s pale outstretched hands (one wrist now bandaged) was a rather large white box. With a mixture of surprise and suspicion, Ariel took the box.

“What’s this for?” Ariel asked, setting the box on her lap and looking up at Mandy questioningly.

The medium looked slightly uncomfortable for a moment, but then her expression cleared. “For you,” she answered simply, taking a seat on the edge of the bed beside Ariel.

Ariel raised an eyebrow at her rival. “For me? What’s in here...?”

Mandy made a face and went to take the box back. “This is so typical of you, Kinsley. Fine, if you don’t have the decency to accept a gift—”

It was Ariel’s turn to make a face. “Wait, I never said that,” she protested, taking the box back.

Mandy smoothed her dress and glared at her rival out of the corner of her eye. Ariel pretended not to notice and instead offered the medium a small smile. “I mean, I’m sorry, but I’m just not used to getting gifts—”

“I wouldn’t get used to it,” Mandy cut in. “Just open the box.”

Ariel shot her rival a look but obeyed, pulling off the lid. Inside was a dress, perfectly folded and crisp.

“Don’t get too excited. This is only for tonight,” Mandy interjected before Ariel could get a word out.

Ariel ran her hand over the purple brocade, feeling the smooth fabric beneath her fingers. “Sure, fine...” she answered, studying the gleaming silver threads woven into the dress.

“I mean it, Kinsley. And if anything should happen to it—”

“I know, I know...” Ariel responded absently, pulling out the dress to examine its full-length splendor. Mandy sighed, giving up on her threats as she realized they were useless. Suddenly, Ariel let the dress down and looked back at the medium.

“Why?” she asked, curiosity piqued.

Mandy made a sort of shrug. “You didn’t panic today. You got us out of that hole.”

“So this is a...thank you?”

The medium looked uncomfortable, her eyes warning Ariel not to push it, but at last, she nodded. “Yes, I suppose you could think of it that way.”

Ariel nodded, looking over the beautiful dress folded on her lap. “You’re welcome, and thank you. It’s perfect,” she said, looking up to smile at Mandy sincerely.

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The two exchanged a pleasant moment. And then it was over. Mandy stood, fingering her hair. “It’s as much of a favor to me as it is to you anyway. Just look at that thing you’re wearing.”

Ariel’s cheeks flushed red. “What’s wrong with it? Retro is in. You’re just jealous you don’t have a dress like this,” she argued, forgetting that she had been ready to throw it out moments ago.

Mandy laughed, habitually bringing her elegant hand to her mouth. “Jealous of that? You wish...”

Ariel stood with her hands on her hips. “And what would you call what you’re wearing? A flamingo?”

Mandy promptly pursed her lips. “As much as I’d like to, Kinsley, I don’t have time to stand here and argue with you. I have a festival to get ready for,” she said, promptly heading for the door.

“Thanks for the loan!” Ariel called after her.

Mandy merely gave her a silent look and shut the door. That Mandy, Ariel thought, gathering the dress in her arms.

With more eagerness than she’d admit to, Ariel entered the bathroom to change. After several minutes of struggling to get the dress on, she finally managed it. Ariel observed her reflection. The shimmering lavender brocade was so smooth it appeared to be made of liquid instead of silk, and the silver threads that wove intricate flowers gleamed as they caught the light.

Ariel laid a hand on the sleeve covering her bruised shoulder, satisfied that it could no longer be seen. Seeing herself this way, Ariel felt a surge of gratitude towards the medium. Thank you, Mandy, she thought, allowing herself a small smile.

With distaste, Ariel bent over and picked up the dress she had worn before, its blue satin fabric looking dull and faded next to the vibrant dress she now wore. She took one step and found herself falling forward. With a cry, she snatched at the sink and caught it just in time to slow her fall. Sliding to the floor, Ariel frantically looked over the immaculate dress for any rips or tears, and thankfully found none.

Letting out a relieved breath, Ariel sat for a moment, thinking over her predicament. She felt a surge of respect for Mandy; it wasn’t easy getting around in a dress. Slowly, Ariel stood up and then, little by little, hobbled into her room, nearly falling twice before reaching her bed. By this point, new thoughts were surging through her head concerning Mandy, and none of them were of gratitude or respect.

This is just like Mandy; she can’t do anything simply for the sake of doing it. She knew how hard it would be for me to put a dress on and how awkward I would be in it. I bet she’s laughing into her hand right now! It doesn’t matter how beautiful this dress is if I walk around like an idiot in it. That Mandy.

With fierce determination to have the last laugh, Ariel began practicing walking around her room. After a while, she gained some balance and learned to take small steps, attempting to ignore the ugly but easy-to-move-around-in blue dress lying on the bed.

Soon, though, Ariel grew tired of walking. Seeing the graying sky outside her window, she decided she should finish getting ready before it got too late. With a sigh, she found herself in the bathroom yet again, looking over her small selection of makeup. She had just brought the lipstick to her lips when there was a sudden knock at her door. Startled, Ariel jumped, and her hand slipped, leaving an unflattering pink line above her upper lip. Ariel shot the door a frown.

“If you were hoping to find me tied up, Mandy, I’m sorry to disappoint you, but I got into the dress just fine,” she called from the bathroom, struggling to remove the lipstick mark.

The door opened with a confused voice answering, “Tied up? What have you got yourself into now?”

Glaring, Ariel turned to see Taylor enter the room. The priestess, a large bag in hand, glanced around before catching sight of Ariel. The priestess raised an eyebrow critically.

“I guess I came just in time.”

“Just in time to leave,” Ariel answered, rubbing at the lipstick mark resentfully.

“I see how you are. Maybe I will then,” Taylor said, crossing her arms and turning for the door.

“Wait, what is it, Taylor?” Ariel asked, her curiosity piqued as she saw the priestess examining her well-manicured hand.

Taylor’s eyes sparkled with a mix of amusement and mild exasperation. “I thought you might need help, which clearly you do, but if this is the welcome I get—”

Ariel stepped back from the mirror and set down the tissue she was using to remove the lipstick mark. “This is your fault. Can you get it off?”

Taylor, dressed elegantly in a long black evening gown with straps criss-crossing over her back, marched over to Ariel, her black stilettos clicking against the bathroom floor. She brought with her a large bag that seemed to hold endless possibilities. “Here we are,” she said, opening the mysterious bag. Inside was more makeup than Ariel imagined could fit in such a space.

“Hold still,” Taylor ordered, opening a bottle of makeup remover. Ariel did as she was told, and moments later, the priestess announced that she was finished. Ariel blinked and looked into the mirror, satisfied that the mark was gone.

“That’s a nice dress,” Taylor commented, retrieving the blush.

Ariel gazed at her reflection. “It’s from Mandy,” she admitted, adjusting the sleeves.

“Really? I guess the new dress she’s wearing has her feeling generous,” Taylor replied with a significant look.

Ariel frowned. “She looks like a flamingo.”

Taylor began dusting Ariel’s cheeks with blush. “You look like a plum.”

“Hey—” Ariel objected, bumping Taylor’s hand.

The priestess drew back, a smug smile gracing her red lips. “What? I can’t help it if I’m the only sophisticated looking one.”

“I don’t suppose age has something to do with that?” Ariel countered with a small smile of her own as Taylor resumed her work.

The priestess narrowed her eyes and made a huffy noise as she hunted down her eye shadow. “So, I wonder what Jasper likes best? A plum or a flamingo?”

“I am not a plum—” Ariel began, but Taylor cut her off, applying a shimmery violet eye shadow to Ariel’s eyes.

“Stop that,” the priestess scolded as she switched eyes. “And no, I don’t think he’s a bird person either. I think Jasper is a man of sophistication.”

Ariel actually laughed at this. “Jasper with you...”

A sudden poke was administered to Ariel’s eye. “Ow—” she protested, reaching up to soothe her eye, but Taylor batted her hand away.

“Oops, slipped. Don’t touch it; you’ll ruin my hard work.”

With a frown, Ariel dropped her hand as Taylor reached back into her bag for mascara. “Ah, I almost forgot. It doesn’t matter whether Jasper likes plums or not; you’re taken.”

Ariel’s cheeks heated up. “Excuse me?”

Smiling, Taylor began to trace Ariel’s eye. “You can’t forget about Noah. He’s due to propose anytime, isn’t he?”

“He is not going to propose. Why does everyone keep saying that?” Ariel demanded, feeling flustered at the mention of it.

Taylor’s keen eye didn’t miss her distress. Teasingly, she replied, “He’s head-over-heels. Of course, he’s going to propose.”

“You’re wrong. We’re just friends,” Ariel objected.

Wisely, Taylor said no more, but shook her head. “How about you then, hm? Who will be proposing to you tonight?” Ariel asked after she had somewhat recovered.

Taylor smirked. “No one, thank you very much, although it might be nice coming from Max.”

Ariel snorted, but quickly covered it with a cough when she noticed Taylor was now applying mascara. “What about Leroy?” Ariel wondered when she felt safe to speak again.

Taylor raised an eyebrow. “What about Leroy? If he even thought about getting down on one knee in front of me, I’d kick him over.”

Ariel blinked her newly finished eyes and gazed up at Taylor’s reflection. She looked beautiful with her smoky eyes, red lips, and her long red hair done up in an elegant bun with a few strands left out to frame her face. Ariel was sure she would receive many admiring glances that night...as long as she didn’t open her mouth.

“Well, what do you think?” the priestess prodded in Ariel’s silence.

Ariel blinked and returned her gaze to her own reflection. For the second time that night, gratitude surged through her. Her cheeks were a soft pink, her lips a rich magenta, and her eyes shimmered with the same lavender as her dress.

“Not bad, considering—” the priestess began, but was cut off by folds of fabric suddenly embracing her.

“Uh—Ariel...”

“Thank you, Taylor,” Ariel said into her ear.

Recovering, the priestess allowed herself a small smile. “Well, there’s the thanks I was looking for.”

The two of them released each other, and Ariel began helping Taylor clean up.

“I think it’s getting on time for dinner. I’m going to head for the dining room. Are you coming?” the priestess asked once she had zipped up her bag.

Staring into the mirror, pulling on a strand of unruly hair, Ariel shook her head. “No, it’s okay. You go on without me. I’ll be along in a minute.”

Taylor paused uncertainly. “Are you sure? You know what happens if you’re late...”

“It’s fine. I’m sure Noah will be there, if you know,” Ariel replied, a slight blush, not dusted on by Taylor, spreading across her cheeks.

“Uh-huh...” Taylor said, shaking her head as she left the bathroom.

A moment later, the door closed behind the priestess, and Ariel sighed, gathering her uncooperative hair and then letting it go in defeat. Mandy had provided the dress and Taylor applied the makeup. Now it was up to her to fix her hair. Unfortunately, it didn’t seem to want to be fixed. Attacking it with the brush again, she found that it was only making it frizzier.

Resignedly, Ariel left the bathroom. She had spent the last hour getting ready, and aware of her empty stomach and the encroaching night, she decided to be finished.

There. I can be happy with this.