I will be updating weekly now so make sure to add to your library to get the notifications!

S. A. A

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"Wake up, it's time!" Ayla said in a sing-song voice and I opened my eyes, groggily, looking around the light filling the room.

"What time is it?" I asked croakily and Ayla let out a chuckle.

"A while after noon, you sure slept in today." She let out and I sighed heavily.

Last night, the dreams had come back with a vengeance, after having disappeared for 2 months. I couldn't sleep after; the nightmares had felt too real and I lay awake, looking into the darkness, hoping that sleep won't overcome me.

Slowly, I got up and grabbed my towel and toothbrush, making my way out the door. I also grabbed a perfumed oil that Ayla had instructed me to rub on to my body after washing.

"I'm going to have a wash." I called out behind me and Ayla let out a hum in response, continuing to brush her hair.

I tiredly trudged down the stairs to the first floor where the showering chambers were situated.

"Someone's finally awake." Arun teased as he walked past me down the stairs, carrying books.

"Shut it." I muttered, walking past, not feeling quite awake. I heard Arun laugh at this as he descended down the stairs.

Walking into the showering chambers, I shut the door with a loud thud.

***********

"What's this?" I asked, looking around at the plate of fruit and bread.

Ayla smiled from where she was on my bed, cross-legged as she picked up a piece of fruit before popping it into her mouth.

"What does it look like? I brought you breakfast. Well, more like lunch." She deliberated, a look of thought on her face and I smiled gratefully before settling myself down next to her.

"You didn't have to." I let out honestly and she rolled her eyes before picking up fruit and bringing it to my mouth.

I chuckled at her actions before taking a bite and relishing in the taste of food. Ayla spoke as we ate.

"The boys are leaving any minute now to help with any last minute preparations. We'll be leaving after we're ready." She explained and I nodded at her words before getting up and dusting my hands.

"Well, let's start, we don't want to be late." I finalised and she smiled before getting up also.

"I'll go put my dress on and I'll be back after that. Put on your dress first." She said hurriedly before leaving the room and shutting the door with an aching thud.

I turned my gaze to the dress draped across the chair. I hadn't spared much of a glance or thought to it, but now having to put it on, increased my anxiety.

I breathed out through my nose before removing my clothes, picking the attire up and slipping it over my head. Arun had taken everyone's measurements a week and a half ago and it was evident now when I pulled the dress down to it's full length just above my ankles.

It hugged my figure, tightening at the waist before flowing out. The halter neck was lace with strips of gold joining the material between my cleavage. I moved my leg forward to see a slit in the dress that travelled up to my right thigh.

I looked in the mirror in awe. Never once had I worn anything that I could call my own. But, standing now, looking in the mirror, I felt a warmth run in me. The dress hugged me perfectly like a second skin and I finally felt as though I wasn't just ordinary.

Ayla chose then to come in and I turned to her with a smile, gazing at her attire. Her dress was of the same flowing shape, but was army green with cape arms that flowed past her wrists and had no golden rings in her outfit, but rather lace that linked the material.

"You look beautiful." I murmured in awe and she gestured to me with flailing arms, shutting the door behind her with her leg.

"Says you! Look at you! You're so gorgeous!" She complimented and I laughed, thankful for her praise before turning to her with a sly smirk.

"I bet Abrax will appreciate this." I said jokingly and she gasped, moving forward to slap my arm. I laughed at her actions and she just shook her head before placing all the items she brought onto her bed.

I looked around at the various things, in confusion.

"What is all this?" I questioned curiously and she rolled her eyes at my words before ushering me to sit down on the bed.

"That is why I am here to help you get ready." She said simply before grabbing golden bangles that weren't a complete circle, but rather more like a three-quarter circle with leaves at the end. She clasped one on to my upper left arm and then a larger one, she attached to the right thigh that was exposed by the slit.

I let out a small noise at the cold feel of the metal and Ayla raised her eyebrow at this jokingly before picking up a brush. She gave me a determined look.

"Next- hair and makeup."

***********

"Ayla, I'm pretty sure it's fine now, right?" I whined as Ayla stood behind me, tugging at my hair. Ayla tutted at my words.

"Nearly, your hair is super long." And I let out a hum in agreement. We had been sitting for around an hour now in which Ayla had done my makeup first and then hair. In the time, I had looked through the book that Negus had given me and we chatted idly about various things.

"Done!" Ayla said and I groaned loudly.

"Finally!" I said, making way to move to the mirror but Ayla stopped me before I could, picking something else up.

"Last thing- footwear." She promised with a smile and I looked to the papyrus material embedded with gold embroidery, something I could liken to Earth's ballet flats.

"They're so nice." I said, slipping them onto my feet and Ayla chuckled.

"You'll find they're comfy too. Have a look now." She said and I stood up, my legs feeling numb from sitting too long. I moved to the mirror to see my reflection.

The gold bangles accentuated the attire perfectly and I looked to my hair which was running down my back in slight curls. The front was clipped back slightly, save for a few tendrils that framed my face. Perched on my head, was an embroidered headpiece. I reached out to touch it.

"It's called a Diadem." She answered as I felt the beads of it.

"Looks like a crown." I replied back before gazing at the makeup she had done.

My lips and cheeks were painted rouge, with a pigment she called ochre and kohl darkened my brown eyes. My face appeared more sleek and slender because of it and I smiled at how much I liked it before turning to her.

"I love it, thank you." I said honestly and she laughed at my words before grabbing the brush yet again.

"Now, help me with me."

*************

"Hand me one last one." I instructed and Ayla passed me another one, humming as she did so.

I clipped the lotus flower into her hair, smiling at how much it complimented her blonde hair.

"That's it! Go take a look!" I said, dropping my aching arms to the side. Ayla slipped on the shoes, excitedly before making her way to the mirror.

Ayla had led me through how to do her look and I had followed what she had said with the makeup, jewellery and hair. She had adorned the same gold bangles and hair style. But, instead, chose to have lotus flowers in her hair, instead of a diadem and her kohl was outlining both the top and bottom of her eyes.

She squealed when she looked at herself, turning to me.

"I look so good!" She said before moving closer and I smiled at her confidence.

"You look more than good. You look beautiful." I said as we made our way to the door. We walked down the steps and I looked to the sky where the sun had long past the halfway mark, giving everything a stretched shadow.

I heard the courtyard fountain before I saw it, the sound bringing a familiar peace.

"Took you long enough." Maya's figure finally came into view from where she was sat by the fountain-side, standing up sharply. She donned a plain white, sleeveless dress that reached her knees, her long toned legs on display. The neckline of the dress was the only embroidered bit, with golden beads in a 'V' shape. I looked to see that her hair was still in her trademark braid as she walked over to us. Her face was bare, save for her sultry eyes that were outlined with long lines of kohl that stretched out to just before her temples.

"You could have joined us; it would have made the wait seem far shorter." Ayla said teasingly to which Maya snorted, giving me a quick glare.

"I'd much rather give birth to a hippo." She muttered and I cleared my throat with a cough, turning to look at Ayla. I couldn't look at Maya properly, not after our previous encounter.

"Shall we leave?" I asked and Ayla nodded before jutting out her hand to me.

"Don't forget this." She reminded me and I looked to her hand to see the burgundy lace eye mask, chosen for me.

I smiled meekly as I had forgotten to bring it and I moved to put on the mask. Ayla wore a similar one that was army green and Maya wore a golden one that sparked as it was hit by the sun.

Ayla jutted out her hands again, but this time for us to hold. I placed my hand in hers, taking deep breaths before closing my eyes. Ayla's familiar whispering began again and I willed the anxiety in me to calm down.

I waited for the all-familiar feeling of dread that overcame me whenever we did this, but it never came. Instead, Ayla released my hand and I opened my eyes to see we were stood on the outskirts of the village yet again.

"I didn't feel anything." I said, surprised and Ayla smiled smugly at this.

"I told you that would happen eventually." She gloated and I rolled my eyes.

Maya sighed heavily, her arms folded.

"Can we get going already?" She said, but didn't wait for an answer before walking towards the village. Ayla and I exchanged a smile before making our way and I still couldn't quite take in the beauty of the adorned village. It was simple yet picturesque, lined with lanterns, blossoms and silk ribbons.

We walked towards the centre and I grinned involuntarily when I heard the music. Ayla placed her hand in mine as we walked side-by-side, looking to the dancing villagers all concealed in masks.

"Care to dance?" She said loudly, her voice barely reaching over the music and I looked to her tepidly.

"I've never danced." I said and she pulled my hand, weaving us through the crowds of dancing people.

"Just mirror my movements." She instructed, facing me and I nodded, feeling slightly nervous of making a fool of myself.

We faced each other and I watched Ayla carefully as she raised her hands, her hips moving in intricate patterns. Her hands moved as thought they were weaving silk and I looked on in awe as she moved to the music. She nudged me, urging me to follow her and I laughed before dancing along. Soon, the nervousness faded away and all that was important was that I was having fun with a friend.

As the music went on and became more jaunty, our dance moves increased in spirit until we were just jumping, holding hands and laughing. The heat of the bodies wasn't a concern anymore, not one I could care for. I was panting and my cheeks were aching from how much I was smiling. Some villagers had joined our small circle and we joined hands, dancing along. When the beat hit, we clapped, yelling out something in a foreign language before repeating the steps. Ayla laughed before pointing to the side and I nodded, walking over to her as we stepped out of the dancing circle.

My chest was rising heavily from the dancing as we walked over to a table. Ayla handed me something to drink before grabbing her own and I downed all the contents before muttering out a small 'thanks'. We stood in silence for a minute before Ayla looked my way.

"You can't dance, eh?" She joked and I waved her off with a hand, too tired to speak. She laughed at this before pointing back to the dance circle.

"Round 2?" She questioned and I bit my lip in mock thought to which she groaned. I laughed before hauling her towards the circle again.

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Hope you guys liked it! Let me know how it was!

I will be updating weekly now so make sure to add to your library to get the notifications!

S. A. A