Sister Knows Best

A Sister's Help

Slowing to a stop right outside of her door, I knock and the walk in without waiting for an answer. Hearing movement behind her changing screen, I immediately sit down on the stool at Erza's vanity, and wait for her to finish changing as I try to level my breathing.

When Erza emerges from behind her changing screen a few minutes later, she looks at me with a very concerned look and inquires, "Sister, are you alright? You look like you ran a marathon while running from a fire bird."

I smile softly and reply, "I'm fine. I just ran into the Ki- I mean Mystogan...."

Erza nods in understanding and heads toward me while motioning for me to turn around. Swiveling the stool around, I look at her through the mirror as she picks up a brush and starts to run it through my wild hair. She's prepping me for the ball that will be happening tonight.

Erza looks at me with wisened eyes and softly states, "You will need to tell him soon, my dear sister, before you lose him to another forever."

I sigh, "I know. I just don't know how I can." Erza starts to style my hair into beautiful, yet simple curls (refer to media), and I continue speaking, "I'm not as strong as you are when it comes to men. Not after what happened for all those years before Mystogan came back..."

My eyes begin to tear up as I think about what happened. Erza finishes my hair just as I begin to cry.  Swiveling me around to face her, she places a bobby pin in my bangs to keep them out of my face and kneels down in front of me.

Gently drying my tears, Erza laments, "You don't know how much I wish I could reverse what the previous king did to you... What I did to you..., but the past cannot be changed. We can only fix what happened through forgiveness, letting go to make the present happier, and remembering the past so we do not repeat our mistakes in the future."

Hugging my sister, I reply, "You're right. You know I don't blame you for anything that happened to me, and you did what you thought was right at the time."

Retracting from the hug, we both stand. Erza nods, "I know, Aria. Now, do you know what you're wearing to tonight's ball?"

Blushing red from embarrassment, I shake my head, "No, I couldn't find something I thought was appropriate."

Erza smiles, "I figured as much. Which is why I had an outfit custom-made for you."

She walks over to her screen and produces a beautiful red dress. (Refer to media.)

Gasping softly, I whisper, "Erza, you shouldn't have.... It's beautiful, but you shouldn't have..."

Erza smiles and brings the dress towards me. Handing it to me, she replies, "I know I didn't have to, but I wanted to. You deserve to be pampered, Aria. Now go change."

I nod and head for the changing screen, but turn to face Erza first and say, "Thank you, Erza. You're the best."

Erza laughs, "I know. Now go, or we're going to be late." She pushes me towards the screen and then follows after I start to move. "You're going to need help with dress. It's a corset-back."

I nod, "Okay. What about your dress?" We walk behind the screen and see the matching red and black heels. I also see a second dress with matching heels to one side (refer to beginning media and ignore Lucy).

Erza points to the second dress and heels, My dress is over there. Mine zips up, so let's worry about getting you into yours and getting it laced up before we worry about mine.

I nod, "Alright, Erza."

~Time Skip brought to you by Happy (Aye-Aye, Captain!)~

Erza and I finish getting ready as we put on our shoes. The dress she got me fits perfectly, and hers fist her just as perfectly. Walking out from behind the changing screen, we walk over to the vanity again. Erza hands me a tube of lipstick while picking out one for herself. After applying some subtle make-up with the lipstick, I put on matching jewelry (refer to media). Stepping back, I feel like a different person.

I look at Erza and nervously ask, "Erza, what about my problem? I still don't think I can face Mystogan...."

Erza smiles, "I can help with that." Erza opens the top, right-hand drawer of  her vanity and pull out a beautiful masquerade mask (refer to media). It has a ribbon that ties at the back of my head so that I can dance without having to hold the mask.

I gasp softly, "Erza, it's beautiful! Where did you find something like that?!"

Erza chuckles, "I didn't. Coco made it for you. She seems to have a talent for these kinds of things." Erza walks behind me and ties it into place for me.

I take one last look in the mirror and then turn to face Erza. Hugging her tightly, I exclaim, "Thank you, Sister! You've done more than I could have ever asked! I hope you know how much I appreciate all of this!"

Erza pulls away from the hug and replies, "Yes, I do know. And you are very much welcome, my sister."

Taking a deep breath, I know I'm ready. I look at Erza, determination shining in my eyes, and say, "I'm ready. Let's do this!"

We smile at each other, leave the room, and head towards the ball room.

~Author's Note~

Hi, reader! I hope you're enjoying the story so far. I apologize for the cliffhanger, but that's where the chapter 2 ends. I know that the picture of Erza and Lucy is of Lucy Heartfilia and Erza Scarlet, but that is truly what I pictured Erza Knightwalker's dress to look like. She also had long hair when you fist met her, so I figured that in this story she would have let her hair grow back out. We may be seeing Coco in the next chapter. And some of the other characters from Edolas. ;) Well, Buh-bye and Happy reading!~