Her New Doll (Completed)

Chapter Twenty One: In Preparation

A few days later Miranda calls to announce that Alcina is holding a Masquerade Ball at the end of the week.

At a party with costumes the lords can pass as regular human beings and spend some time among the populace. It also appeals to Heisenberg, Dimitrescu, and Miranda's sense of pride to wander through a crowd of people in fear of them.

Of course Donna is required to attend. To the couple's surprise, so is Natalya. In fact Miranda had been strangely specific.

"Make sure to bring your toy soldier."

"Natalya is not, a toy."

"Bring her, Donna."

The strict tone would have made Donna shiver at one point. Instead it added some stiffness to her shoulders.

Defiance.

It's a new emotion that Donna has only just now labeled with Natalya's help.

With only a week to prepare Donna has costumes for all four lords to prepare. Some, like Salvatore's, are obviously a little more difficult. The fabric is tougher and resistant to fluid so it doesn't become wet and cling to his mishapen body. This also makes it a bear to work with. Of cours the difficulty with Alcina is the sheer amount and size of it. Then of course there is Karl. Donna hates making an outfit knowing he'll take great pleasure in torching it as soon as he gets back to his lair.

Natalya stirs the pancake mix, something that's taken months and trial and error. She never realized the amount of shortcuts she took in preparing food until they were no longer an option.

"Donna!"

Silence answers. Eventually it's Angie who floats in.

"Donna's busy! Shh!"

"Donna breakfast is ready!"

"She's busy!"

"And you're about to be taped to a chair," Natalya fires back, setting the mixing bowl aside.

With her new legs Natalya is back to her regular, long legged stride. Donna isn't particularly good at anticipating how fast her housemate moves, or how quietly. When she turns she bumps softly into Natalya's chest and finds herself trapped in her steely embrace.

"You need to eat."

"I need to work," Donna mumbles, accepting defeat and leaning her face into Natalya's chest.

"Breakfast is almost ready."

Looking down at Donna's face buried in her chest Natalya smiles knowing that the smell wafting upstairs will win the battle for her.

"Pancakes?"

"Crepes, your favorite."

Back downstairs Donna helps set the table. Usually meals are slow and quiet while the two eat. Donna all but inhales her food, thanks Natalya, kisses her cheek, and almost runs from the room. This leaves Natalya with a slight blush on her cheeks smiling. Donna showing affection openly is still relatively new. She's not against it, obviously.

Come dinner, once again, there is no sign of Donna.

Rather than call and go through the motions Natalya fixes the meal and brings two plates to Donna in her workroom.

Donna is slumped over on the table dead to the world asleep.

"Donna?"

Natalya sets the plates down, safely away from Donna's arms in case she startles, and touches her shoulder. When no response comes Natalya checks that her housemate is breathing. Her breath is warm and quick and erratic. As usual without sleeping together Donna is deep in the throes of a nightmare.