It isn't.
"Surprise!"
"Shiozu? What are you doing here?"
The petite girl grins. Atelier notes that she's holding a turquoise gift box in her hands. "I bumped into Karen this morning and she told me you're home. Asked me to check on you and make sure you aren't sick. You aren't sick, are you?"
"No..." Atelier begins, but her friend has already moved on to something else.
"I hope you're not missing out on anything important today. The ball is tomorrow, after all, and I'm here to make sure you're going."
She hates to disappoint, but it has to be done. "Shiozu, I –"
Shiozu shushes her. "Before you say anything..." She raises the box and holds it out to her. "I have a special delivery for you."
Atelier never knows how to respond when receiving gifts. She always feels like she doesn't deserve any, and it's not like she gets presents often. "Why all of a sudden, though?"
"Well, it's Sharity season and the cities sent over some stuff. This one is... special. It's meant just for you."
"Why would anything from the Sharity be just for me?" Atelier asks, suspicious.
Shiozu pulls a face. "Can we save the questions for later? My hands are sore from carrying this. Just take it!"
To say that she isn't excited would be lying. Atelier takes the box from Shiozu and holds her breath as she removes the lid to look inside. Her gaze falls on a shimmery white material folded into a square. She pulls it out, and the beauty of the dress quite literally takes her breath away.
"Wow... This is beautiful."
"Isn't it? I was stunned when I first saw it," Shiozu says, sighing dreamily. "Oh, there's a card at the bottom of the box."
Atelier picks it up and reads the content:
[Hope this reaches you safely, Atelier.
I think you'll look exquisite in this.
Looking forward to seeing you at the ball.
Sincerely, Jungkook]
"Ah, how sweet..."
Atelier puts the card away quickly, blushing. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Save it. I read what it says earlier. How else would I know it's for you?" A mischievous look crosses Shiozu's face. "So, who's this Jungkook guy, huh? Love interest, or /potential/ love interest?" she teases.
Atelier turns even redder, if that were even remotely possible. "He's a friend."
"A friend! I see." Shiozu crosses her arms and raises a brow. "How come you never told me this friend asked you out to the ball, Atelier?"
"He asked me yesterday," Atelier sighs. It isn't like she was deliberately keeping it from her friend.
"You've accepted, haven't you?" Seeing her hesitation, Shiozu stomps her foot on the ground, not unlike a child who demands something she can't have. She pulls her hair in frustration. "You have to! Atelier, please."
Atelier lays the dress on the dining table – which she has cleaned very well, so no worries about stains – and feels the soft material of the fabric with her fingers. Did Jungkook really pick this dress out for her? Her heart is doing jumping jacks, and she can't breathe properly.
Yet, she wonders. "Why the Sharity, though? Why didn't he just mail it over to make sure no one else would snatch it up?"
"Does he even know your address? Come on, /think!/"
Atelier mumbles under her breath, unconvinced.
"Oh for God's sake, Atelier. Go put it on and show me, will you? I'm sure you'll look like a princess!"
She doesn't need to look like a princess. She doesn't need to be the centre of everyone's attention either. She only wants to be the centre of /Jungkook's/ attention. That is, if he still wants her to be his date, of course. She wonders if he has changed his mind, but she knows it isn't helpful to doubt him. Or herself.
After another push from the impatient Shiozu, Atelier obediently goes into her room to put on the dress. She clicks the door shut – "Are you sure you can wear a dress on your own?" Shiozu has said in her attempt to wiggle herself in, so Atelier is /not/ taking chances – and takes off her clothes before gingerly stepping into her new dress. It ends just slightly above her knees and is a perfect fit, as though it is tailored just for her.
She opens the door, prompting a high-pitched squeal from Shiozu. "Atelier – my goodness, you're gorgeous!"
She's right. She does look stunning. The sweetheart neckline is adorned with rhinestones. The bodice accentuates her figure and makes her look more feminine than usual. She doesn't know what material the fabric is, but it's as if glitter is woven into and between each and every strand. The skirt spreads out and makes her feel like doing a twirl. Or two.
Shiozu looks like a proud fairy godmother. "You're going to be a stunner at the ball, and this Jungkook guy will fall in love with you, if he hasn't already. This is the start of your fairy tale, I'm so excited! And you know what? We can wear some flowers in your hair. It's perfect!" She clicks her tongue and slaps Atelier's shoulder. "Don't slouch!"
"I'm not used to this kind of attire."
"I know, but you will grow to love it. Anyway. Flowers, in your hair. Did you know I'm good with hairstyling? I'll come over to dress you up before you head to the ball, okay?"
Atelier isn't really listening. She tucks her hair behind her ear so she can see her whole face clearly. "You really think I look good?"
"Of course! I never lie."
She can definitely remember a few instances in which Shiozu /did/ lie, mostly to get herself out of trouble with her strict parents, but she makes no mention of it. She can't stop staring at her reflection in the mirror, and smiling.
In spite of herself, she is already dreaming of having a good time at the ball. Enjoying herself, dancing with Jungkook, although she doesn't quite know how to dance. She just wants to be with him, even if it's the last time they'll see each other.
Especially if it's the last time.
---
Time is running short.
They must go. They must find her. She isn't safe, wherever she is. Her powers are undeveloped, raw; she doesn't stand a chance – all on her own – against the enemies, if they ever get to her first.
That can't happen. Nothing can happen to the sorceress this time. Lucem made that promise centuries ago.
They /know/ she is alive. They sensed the calling; faint and distant, though Lucem heard it the loudest. But what if he wasn't the only one who heard her? What if the Shadow Army heard her too?
"You are sure?" one of his comrades asks, crossing his arms in front of his chest as he waits for a reply. "You really think she's there?"
/There./ Terra, Exotreia's sister world – the Titan's Second. The Great Cataclysm that had robbed Tierra Gloriosa of its queen and shattered Exotreia would no doubt have left a scar on Terra all the same. Lucem shudders to think about the fate of Terrans and what has become of their Aether-scarce world.
But the Titans saw fit to protect Terra with a shield, such that no harm from Exotreia could ever fall upon it. As long as the shield remains intact, Terra has substantial protection and is the safest place for the sorceress, at least for the time being.
And "time being" isn't very long. They must go.
"We don't have much time," he says to no one in particular. He looks at the brand etched onto his forearm; a reminder of their duties and responsibilities as guardians. Of the promise they once made. To protect her.
But first, they must find her. And they will.
"I hope you're right."
Lucem hopes so too.