The Dance of the Keepers

Chapter 18 A Perfect Fit

The next couple of days passed without fanfare. Kyle made me practice for several hours each day in the training facility but did not ask me to work on one on one combat. Instead, he pushed me on the climbing wall, the targets, and swimming laps in the pool. Building my endurance I could handle, but the idea of real combat still had me bothered, despite my talk with Jasper. I wished I could be as analytical as he was when it came to the guilt involved in killing someone. It seemed no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't talk myself out of the unreasonable fear.

I was pretty well stuck in my thoughts which is why I came as a surprise to me when Wade Denton appeared at my door, ready to dress me for the Summer Gala that evening. I wasn't exactly thrilled but I grudgingly let him in and braced myself for whatever fru-fru creation he had whipped up. While he and his assistant Thomas were setting up, there came another knock at the door and I found Nina waiting with a pleasant smile on her face. This brightened my mood at least, seeing as I was fond of the servant.

"Are you ready for the big day?"
Nina asked cheerily, arranging her makeup.

I shrugged and leaned against the counter.

"I suppose."

"Well try to sound a little more excited, the Summer Gala kicks off the whole Magna Season! All eyes will be on you and the other competitors."

I made a face.

"Wonderful."
I stated dryly.

"Oh come now, it won't be so bad."

I wasn't convinced but I didn't argue the point. Nina shooed me off to shower in with rose water soap while they finished preparing for me downstairs. When I re-emerged, Nina sat me down and blow dried my hair while she and Wade argued about the style it should be fashioned in.

"An up twist would be lovely."
Nina said, pointing a finger at the little man.

"She needs something more spectacular!"
He argued back.

"What? You want to dye it blue?"

"Um, no, that's most definitely not happening."
I interjected.

There was no way I was going to even remotely resemble Winter Klipel.

"We need something stylish but flamboyant."
Wade told Nina, his eyes getting a far off look.

"Flamboyant? She's not a circus performer!"

And so on the argument went for what felt like ages.

"Why don't you just curl it and leave it down?"
Thomas suggested after a while.

Wade and Nina both turned to him to protest, then paused.

"That's actually not a half bad idea."
Nina told the boy, scratching her chin.

Wade frowned and seemed to dislike the idea of taking the advice of his assistant.

"I suppose it could work."
He finally conceded.

Nina busied herself with the curling iron while I breathed a sigh of relief that some conclusion had been come to. It didn't take too long to have my silver hair falling in graceful ringlets. Nina then began the process of makeup which Wade took pleasure in arguing her choices at every turn. Hours ticked by on the clock and I felt like banging my head into the nearest wall. Finally, they agreed my face was perfect and Wade and Thomas retrieved the first layer of the dress.

The top of the dress was a shade of navy lace with a silk binding around the chest. The skirt of it was long and flowing, a perfect sky blue color. It was lovely, though decidedly not me. They all assisted me in dressing, to my great mortification.