Interlude I

Seiki was NOT feeling good. She could feel her whole body start to quiver as she stared at her reflections in the three-way mirror. She could feel the seamstress poke and prod at her with measuring tapes and pins.

She figured that she was probably still in shock since Merle gave her absolutely no time to think after they bandaged her up. All she wanted to do was lay down, feel like she was dying for a little while and wallow in self-pity for her poor abused ribs.

Ah, but the aggravating cat-woman had other plans.

After enduring about a half and hour lecture, Seiki was whisked away to the seamstresses for a fitting of a new dress. When Seiki tried to protest, the look Merle gave her positively made her cringe.

"Not even a word from you! How could you scare me like that? And not say one word to me that you got hurt earlier? If anything you OWE me! You're coming to the dinner and no...don't say anything or I'll shred all your clothes!"

Seiki felt her mind growing numb as she saw the seamstress pull out the frills. Oh god, she whimpered to herself, frills...I can't handle frills.

She watched Merle's reflection in the mirror as Merle discussed colour palettes with the stupid woman. Merle seemed oblivious to the fact that the very idea of frills was causing Seiki to have an intense migraine. Instead, Merle seemed to think it was a good idea to up the ante and give Seiki a heart attack as well.

"Oh Clarissa, I think the ribbons would look fabulous on her. The green to pick out her eyes, but pink would look so sweet on her..."

Ribbons?

"AAAAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHHH!"

Van looked up from his papers when he heard a high-pitched wail echoing along the halls outside. Puzzled, he glanced over at Allen who was leaning back in his chair with an amused expression on his face.

"Sounds like someone is torturing a cat or something." Van commented casually.

The ambassador's smile grew.

"I believe Celena mentioned something about taking Seiki in for a fitting."

Van blinked as he digested the new information. He shuffled some papers and picked up his pen.

"I see." He paused. "Kind of like kicking an injured animal, isn't it?"

Allen shrugged. "Well, Merle was rather pissed off, wasn't she?"

"Yup. Ah...I see."

Van scribbled something on a sheet and then stopped again. He shot his companion a sheepish grin.

"Remind me never to piss Merle off."

Allen laughed.