eat your heart out, henry higgens | for ringlette

[fujimaru]

[ Most of the time, life at Chaldea is predictable, in its own way: when there isn't a crisis situation, there's daily missions that need to get completed like any regular set of chores, there's training simulations running 24/7, and by this point, there are regularly scheduled movie and game nights, because it turns out that a surprising number of Chaldea's population can be placated for a couple of hours by boardgames. Certainly that's not something Ritsuka would have ever expected, when she first signed onto this venture, but it's still something she's pretty grateful for.

But once in a rare while, curveball situations come up. Summers usually fall into that category, and this year is no exception. A disturbance has started in a glamorous seaside resort, the sort of thing where very possibly the world might end if left to percolate, weird occurrences, the occasional seaweed-infested skeleton rising out of the deep to claw at the ankles of all the beautiful people gathered. The usual stuff.

Some of these beautiful people include Ritsuka's Servants, and while she's kind of proud of that... she does kind of feel like she stands out like a sore thumb a bit more than usual. Especially when, one way or another, they manage to obtain invitations to a masquerade ball. Not staff passes, to sneak into the back, but actual invitations. Ritsuka is going to die.

But at least she's going to do her best to not be an embarrassment to everyone else!

So it's three days before the ball when she knocks on Marie's door. ]

Marie? Are you in? I need to ask you a favor...

Comments

[ringlette]

[ Summer. A season represented by the brightest sun, the funniest parties, the longest holidays, and the most annoying bugs. It's also the period in which the craziest shenanigans tend to break out and completely flip the life in Chaldea upside down, for the better or the worse. Marie is deeply in love with summer, and she wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. Nothing about past incidents would change her mind.

Any worry about the current disturbance is completely blown into smithereens the moment she caught wind of an incoming masquerade event. She spent the entire time shopping for fancy outfits and make-up to try and then discard once she found her best look. Despite how she would probably magnetize the attention of many people even without anything too flashy on her. She's pretty extra, alright.

It was yet another day of fussing over the perfect clothing combo when there's a knock at her door and Ritsuka's beautiful voice resounds from the other side. Marie literally drops everything, her gaze shining luminous as her Master's unprompted visit fills her with rapid happiness. ]

Oui, oui! I'm here, Master~!

[ She rushes to the door and swings it open, regarding the other girl with a super wide smile. ]

You looks stunning as always! Come on, come in, we'll talk inside!

[fujimaru]

Are you sure you're talking about me?

[ She grumbles it, but good-naturedly, letting herself be ushered in. It takes her a moment to register the piles of clothes, the way Marie looks extra dewy and pretty... and then Ritsuka laughs a little, rubbing the back of her neck. She feels slightly more like a potato than usual, but at least she knows Marie won't think so. ]

I was actually hoping to get your help. For the, you know.

[ She flops a hand, gesturing to Marie's room at large. ]

The party. I don't actually know what I'm doing, here.

[ringlette]

There's no one else here except you and I, silly Master! Even in your normal clothes, you are precious!

[ Unprompted, she grabs a hold of Ritsuka's arm and pulls her more into the hurricane aftermath her room has become. Unfortunately the floor is not unmarred and both have to be careful stepping around. Marie doesn't have much control over the state of things when she's urgently looking for the perfect clothing combo. ]

But I can perfectly understand the woes of dressing up. I have yet to find what I want for the party. Maybe if I help you, inspiration will strike!

[ Her current outfit begs to differ, but no one can be blamed for seriously believing the Queen when she says this is still Not Enough. ]

[fujimaru]

"Precious," more like "potato"--

[ She says it lightheartedly, definitely as a joke as she lets herself get dragged in. On the other hand, that's about as long as it takes for her to register what Marie's wearing, and jeeze! Jeeze. Talk about an insurmountable gap! Marie radiates beautiful elegance like it's second nature, and Ritsuka, on the other hand...

Maybe it's not too late to back out? Surely not every mission needs the Master there at all times, right?! She's definitely going to bring the quality level down! Have mercy on her poor ordinary human limitations! ]

--you look amazing?! [ Not just like the queen she was, but like the sort of fairytale princess that would make Disney jealous. ] If you can get me even halfway to that level, I'd call that more than good enough...

[ringlette]

[ Oh, she knows she must look beautiful right now, a faraway goalpost only few people can reach. But even then, Marie thinks it's still far from perfection. Moreover, she also believes Ritsuka could get to her level more easily than the self-depreciating girl thinks. She squeezes her hand encouragingly. ]

Thank you, but with your natural beauty you can achieve more than halfway.

[ It's a serious statement, despite the brightness of her gaze directed at her Master. ]

Well, then! [ With a huff, she looks into the dreadful pile of clothing around them. ] We have similar measurements, don't we? How about I let you borrow something of mine?

[fujimaru]

Naturally persistent, maybe...

[ But okay. Ritsuka takes a deep breath, straightening up under the weight of Marie's regard. She wouldn't say that she slouches, exactly, but here and now, she's compelled to at least try for better posture. ]

--Are you sure that's okay? I've never really worn stuff like this before. [ Before Chaldea, most of her wardrobe had tended more towards the cute(ly practical) than the elegant or the stylish. ] I don't want to mess anything up.

[ But even as she protests, her gaze also darts over to that pile of clothes. She's not sure how well any of this might suit her, but at the same time, she has absolutely had fantasies of a Cinderella-style makeover before. It sounds like fun to at least try, even if nothing works out. ]

[ringlette]

[ A firm shake of her head, as she begins plucking at this or that article of clothing and trying to assume a match or lack thereof with her Master. ]

No worries. Ruined dresses can always be fixed, and besides, I don't think you'll mess up at all!

[ With that, she starts straight out draping the dresses in front of Ritsuka, tilting her head and humming pensively, discarding what she thinks doesn't fit. ]

With your hair color, I think pastel colors might look good on you... hmmm...

[fujimaru]

Pastels, huh...

[ She remains standing up as straight as possible. Thanks, Da Vinci, for insisting she take at least some proper lessons in etiquette. She could probably remember the basic steps of a waltz at this point.

Probably.

She can worry about it later. She's more interested in watching Marie go through the options. They're all so fancy. Is it really okay for her to borrow one of these?! ]

Just not pink, I guess. There's some kind of rule about it, that redheads shouldn't wear pink.

[ringlette]

I've heard of a rule like that, but it sounds a bit too strict in my opinion.

[ The Queen will smoosh various clothing against Ritsuka as they talk. White, green, purple, some shades of blue...

She stops and looks it over, humming. ]

Blue looks flattering on any hair color, I believe!

[fujimaru]

You'd know better than me.

[ She looks down at herself again, lips pursed. It's difficult to imagine herself wearing any of the things that Marie has held up to her at this point, but she has to trust that one of them will work, somehow. ]

I like blue! If it looks good on everyone, maybe we could match...

[ Is that weird? Is that somehow gauche?? Hopefully not. It's not like she means the same dress, even if Marie somehow has two of the same one, but having some unifying color would be kind of nice... ]

[ringlette]

[ At the suggestion, a more mischievous smile plays on her lips as she leans in slightly, batting her eyelashes. ]

Like a real couple, you mean?

[ Though she's teasing, Marie is easily swayed by the idea and adds a set of shiny eyes on top of her grin. ]

In that case, I must find a proper blue dress for you!

[fujimaru]

I-I mean!

[ Well. She'd kind of meant it. It'd been a fleeting, impulsive sort of comment, one that she could have easily brushed off if Marie had either not taken that subtext or treated it as a complete joke. Haha, who would think that someone this glamorous and elegant would be interested in someone so comparatively ordinary on her arm?

But if it's a joke, she's responding in a way that flusters Ritsuka more than expected. ]

I just thought it'd be kind of nice... y-you know, if you really wanted to do anything like that...

[ringlette]

I understand completely. That's why we're going to definitely do it now!

[ Marie claps her hands loudly as if to seal the deal, and then twirls one-eighty to face the cloth pile, figuratively rolling her sleeves. With her target narrowed down to one single color, it's quicker to filter through her wardrobe and pluck fabric after fabric to confiscate off the floor and furnitures, with the common denominator being various shades of blue.

She pays attention back to Ritsuka once one fifth of the pile has been depleted, the amount of which is now hanging on her arm. ]

So, this is it! Feel free to use the bathroom as you try them all and show me.

[fujimaru]

A-all of them?!

[ Even if the pile has been whittled down, that's so many?! (Though honestly, even three dresses would have been Too Many, no matter how prepared Ritsuka had thought she was in coming here.)

But even as she protests that, she takes the dress and does her best to pretend she isn't blushing almost as brightly as her hair. This is ridiculous, and she knows it; it's just trying stuff on! There's no need for her to be so embarrassed!

...There's no need, but at the same time...

Before Marie can say anything, whether it's teasing or reassurance, Ritsuka snatches up the top two dresses on her arm and flees to the bathroom. ]

--I'll be out in a moment!

[ringlette]

[ Barely registering the protesting tone, Marie beams at her Master until she notices only a handful of her pile has been plucked out instead of the whole thing. Confusion crosses over her face. ]

Oh? Are you sure you're fine with—

[ And then the bathroom door is closed shut, leaving her there to stand alone in her room. Her sentence is resumed, but in a quieter mutter. ]

... just those?

[fujimaru]

[ It's fine, this is absolutely fine, nothing to worry about here.

It's maybe about five minutes before the door creaks open and Ritsuka pokes her head out again. Her face is definitely almost as bright red as her hair at this point, and her voice is on the higher squeaky side. ]

A-are you sure this is okay for me to wear? People are going to take one look at me and know I'm not supposed to be at a fancy party.

[ Sometimes, it's easier to face down monsters and maddened gods than it is to dress up fancy. At least the dress is cute. ]

[ringlette]

[ Her Master's self-depreciation is cute, although Marie definitely thinks it needs to be cut down, especially when she looks spectacularly gorgeous in that dress! ]

It's more than okay! Not only people will love it, I bet there will be a slew of them immediately asking you for a dance!

[ She wouldn't be jealous of that eventuality. After all, a Master must bond with all their Servants in order to strengthen their team. It's inevitable.

...

On a second thought, being human and selfish as well, Marie would indeed feel a tad jealous of the idea. ]

[fujimaru]

They're going to be disappointed, then. I'm pretty bad at dancing.

[ There were those two instances in Shinjuku, and boy had she been self-conscious about it the whole time. The sort of square dancing that appears in Japanese PE curriculum isn't going to cut it at an actual formal event.

Bit by bit, Ritsuka creeps out of the bathroom, still absent-mindedly fiddling with the skirt of her dress as she does. ]

I know there's not enough time for a lot of lessons, but... I don't suppose you'd mind giving me a little crash course?

[ringlette]

[ Ritsuka's luck is off the charts today. Marie has the entire concept of dancing wedged in her brain, particles flowing along with her bloodstream. It's an essential part of what makes her the Queen of France. If Marie Antoinette couldn't dance, that would the first clue that she's a dirty impostor.

Her response is also apt with the abovementioned paragraph. She basically squeals in overjoy and immediately reaches out to seize her Master's hands, sparkles flying from her eyes. If she could shoot beams from her eyes instead of her ring, Ritsuka would be as good as a pile of ashes. ]

Oui! Oui! Of course! I can teach you everything I have, within the time we have left! [ She briefly looks down, nudging one bunch of clothes scattered like landmine on the floor. ] But we should do it somewhere else. Perhaps outside? Unless you give me a bit of time to clean my room so we won't trip on obstacles!

[fujimaru]

Outside is...

[ Outside means that people are more likely to stumble upon them, and an audience to see just how bad Ritsuka is at this. At least in Marie's room, there's a modicum of privacy. Even if Ritsuka doesn't have a ton of pride, she still doesn't really want to put herself on display for that. She squeezes Marie's hands, managing a weak smile. ]

I don't mind waiting. I can help you clean up a little.

[ At least if Marie is going to laugh at her, she knows it'll be nicely. ]

Call it a preemptive thank-you, in fact.

[ringlette]

[ The Queen understands. Not because she sympathizes with Ritsuka not wanting other people to watch her fail, but for the fact that things like dance lessons should be explored in the privacy within four walls after all. What a foolish mistake she was about to do!

Overjoyed by her Master's handsqueeze, Marie will swing their hands together cheerfully before letting go. ]

D'accord! We'll finish the job faster if it's the two of us!

[ With that, she'll let the thorough cleaning of her cloth-devastated room commence. ]

[fujimaru]

[ Here's the thing: Ritsuka is hardworking in many aspects of her life; she's not above pushing herself to dropping if it's in the name of a mission, or in helping someone out if they come to her for (most kinds of) help.

But she's really, really bad about staying on task when it comes to tidying. There's a reason that Mash has to help every time Ritsuka's own room needs cleaning, because she's the person who will pick up books to leaf idly through them without putting them in their proper place, or dig through a box just to see what's inside, or -- in a case like this -- hold up the clothes that she picks up to examine those as well. The blue dress she has now is more flattering than she'd expected, even if she does still feel self-conscious, but... it's still nice to look, and pretend she's fancy enough for most of these...

She's still helping, and she isn't going to complain, but this is definitely one of those scenarios where her attention wanders more than not. ]

[ringlette]

[ Every piece of cloth she picks up is treated like a small treasure, dusted off gently and draped straight over her bed to avoid giving it wrinkles. Kind of weird, since she had no qualms dropping those to the floor when she thought they didn't fit the party's theme, but as they served their purpose now, she's going to save their image for future use.

Sometimes she watches Ritsuka with the corner of her eye, noticing her Master takes a longer time helping than necessary. Marie won't chide her for it, on the account it's free help and getting stingy about it is not really nice of her, although things proceed slower than she expected because of Ritsuka's stalling.

When they've almost finished, and Marie is starting to hang her dresses back into the wardrobe, she turns to the other girl. ]

Have you perhaps changed your mind about what to wear?

[fujimaru]

What? No, no, nothing like that, just--

[ Just there is that part of her, in her heart of hearts, that misses just trying things out. Casual shopping isn't something they manage very often outside of events like this. It isn't guilt, precisely, that crosses her face, though she manages a small embarrassed smile as she hands the dress in her hands over. ]

I was just thinking, "this is kind of nostalgic, huh..." I haven't done something like this in a long time. When I was -- my old friends used to love trying stuff out all the time, and I always got bored fast, but... I guess I kind of miss it?

It's kind of silly, right?

[ringlette]

[ Oh. That turned kind of sad.

Before the entire plot kicked in, Ritsuka was still a normal girl living a normal life. Now such mundanity would be near impossible to obtain except during events like these.

When she's handed the dress back, Marie delicately straightens it out without even looking at it, lost in thought. Then, after placing it on the bed with the others, the lightbulb in her head lits up brightly. ]

First of all, it is not silly.

[ She wants to get that out of the way, first! Master's feelings are never stupid or deserving of neglect. ]

And... if we ever find a mall around, would you like to accompany me? [ A chuckle. ] So you'll get bored while I go around trying every article of clothes in this or that shop.

Wouldn't that be cute?