Volume Up

Ch. 18: Red Wine Dress

"You better not be wearing 6-inch heels, Tigris." Shota sat on her couch waiting for her to finish getting ready.

When needed, he cleaned up nicely. He wore a tuxedo, shiny black shoes, black pants, but his coat was pure white. The collar folded down to the button was completely black as well as his bow tie, and his dress shirt white as well. It would be the most white anyone would see him in but Mic had picked it out after all. His hair was freshly cut, not short of course, but slicked back giving him a classy look. Hell, he even looked less tired for once.

As he waited he pet and held Kokumotzu to which he nicknamed Koku.

"Do you have a lint roller?" He asked out.

"Are you covered in Koku hair?"

"I'd rather get it off now than here you complain later. Are you almost done? We should have left a while ago." He checked his watch.

"Okay, okay, just making sure everything is in order. I kind of need your help —"

He let out a groan, "With what, Tigris?"

Heels clicked on the hardwood floor as Tigris made her way out of her room and into the living room. Shota looked up at her, eyes wide.

Her dress was completely black, complimenting her eyes. For once her hair was tamed and straight showing its full length, her bangs tossed to either side of her face shaping it well. She did her own makeup which was also a rare occurrence that highlighted her over all-natural look.

The dress was the money maker. The soft black material slimmed against her body. Near her midsection the fabric split each side coming up over her breasts and connecting at the back of her neck, leaving an open back.

Lastly, she produced two large black wings from the open back.

As she entered the living room she placed her dangling earrings in with a small container in her mouth.

"hake his," She mumbled.

Shota shook his head coming back to reality, "What?"

"Hake huh hottle."

"Take the bottle?"

"Hes!"

He reached up and took the small container with sparkling material in it. "What's this for?"

"My wings! I can't reach," She turned around and spread them, looking back at Shota. "Will you pour some on?

"Uh, yeah. Sure." He opened the container and began to sprinkle it on. "There."

She turned towards him, "Thank you! Let me get my purse and necklace and we'll go!"

__________________________

Nature's leg bounced as their car bulled up to the ball location. There was a gold carpet for the media to take pictures. She felt like she was at a movie premiere.

"Is it always that crowded?" She asked, biting her knuckle.

"Every year," Shota sighed. "Don't they have these in America?"

"You have to be like — top of the line hero to go to those."

"Your country sucks."

"I don't know if I can do this..."

"That doesn't make any sense. You have to do it."

"I can — leave..."

"And the media will have a field day with your abrupt leave." He looked over at her. "Nature you're loud, optimistic, and annoyingly happy all the time. Get the pictures and get inside, that easy."