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Skies tugged at her bow tie, the second she does her friend War came in to fix it, it felt like both a blessing and a mistake to ask her friend for getting an outfit for this event.
"You keep messin with this and you're gonna get it lopsided" Her fellow trainer mumbles.
"Well, I don't do these things often I never wear ties" Skies bit back, which was true, she didn't always like something around her neck, was restricting so she usually didn't wear one (She was also pretty sure a certain someone would tug on it for her attention)
"you're going to a fancy ball, you gotta look good"
"I 'look good' in my normal trainer attire as well" The trainer huffs, tail swishing behind her
"Yes, but this isn't a trainer meeting you goof, this is a dance" War poked her chest "And you were asked to attend with Fuji"
Right, Skies remembers Fuji asking her one day when they both had a day off. Skies had noticed there were things on the entertainer's mind and asked what was up. That was when Fuji asked, taken aback it took her a moment to respond she would be happy to attend with Fuji, this lit up the trainees' eyes, and she was so happy she hugged her. Skies ear flicks and she was blushing alittle at how nice the embrace was.
"Are you thinking about your date?" War teased, this earned a smack on the shoulder
"Shut up" She grumbled with her arms crossed, tail swishing this way and that, not wanting to admit but she is looking forward to spending an evening with Fuji, so she has that silver lining to look forward to.
War laughs and looks her friend over "Looking sharp Skies" She gives a thumbs up
"Are you sure you can't come along?" Skies asked
"Sorry Skies, Creek has a race soon and extra training is necessary" She pats her friend on the head
"Hrmm...."
"And don't just keep to the drink table the entire night"
"I won't I won't" she waves a hand, batting it away from her head.
"So, are you meeting Fuji there? Or is she coming to get you?"
"Uhm..." She looked in another direction, suddenly her table in her room was more interesting than the question.
".... Did you forget to ask?"
She felt a bead of sweat travel from her brow to her neck. "I'm sure she texted to me details" she quickly looked at her phone, thank the goddesses there was a message Fuji was going to meet her at the ball soon "I'm meeting with her there"
"Did you ever see what she's going to wear?"
Skies thought back before shaking her head "She said it was a secret" she pulled at the tie a little bit.
"Stop tugging on your tie" War chided and readjusted it "You can have it taken off after the dance"
"What makes you so sure I'm gonna be dancing?"
"Skies, you are going to a ball, with Fuji Kiseki, you are going to be dancing at least once tonight"
The trainers' ears perk, not much of a dancer but.... If it's for Fuji she'd do anything for this woman "Right" She looked herself in the mirror, it was a simple black suit and tie, a bright blue rose that fades to white in the center rests in the pocket, she hums to herself while fixing her glasses. She takes a deep breath "Alright then" she claps her hands together "I'll seeya later"
"Do text me how things go~" War says more as a joke than anything
"Har har" Skies leaves.
~~~~~
Once at the place of meeting Skies can't help pacing alittle. Was Fuji okay? Did something happen? Skies tail swishes around a little anxiously until she heard a familiar voice
"My apologies, I was double checking some things before meeting up with you"
"Oh, no need to-" Skies had turned and her words died in her throat the second she saw her date, to say Fuji looked beautiful was an understatement, Skies felt like she was looking at the embodiment of beauty, the royal purple of her dress adorned with silver decor complimented each other well, right up to the accessories drawing her eyes from the dress to the necklace Fuji was wearing. And Skies could not help being enthralled by the sight.
Fuji felt a blush creeping up her cheeks, ears flicking and she fiddled with a lock of hair "You look rather handsome"
Skies blinked and inhales, her brain finally registering that it needs oxygen "You-" she clears her throat "You look amazing..."
"You would say that quite often about me when we're together"
"Fuji" Skies steps forward, closing the distance between the two, she can see a flicker of something in her trainees' eyes she couldn't pinpoint (curiosity maybe?), and ears perked at attention "You look like a goddess who blessed a mortal with her presence"
The statement left the entertainer at a loss for words. Sure, Skies would complement her on and off when they were around each other in private, but comparing Fuji to a goddess of all things? She stifles a giggle "You are too kind"
"I only speak the truth" The trainer beams, taking a moment to look at the building before offering her hand, taking the role a proper date would "Shall we head inside?"
Fuji can't help the giggle before taking Skies hand "We shall"
As soon as they stepped into the hall Skies felt eyes on them, she knew Fuji drank up the attention with little issue but herself? It felt almost like she was being watched by beasts who would devour her as the slightest sign of weakness. On instinct she stepped closer to Fuji, who put a comforting hand on her shoulder, it eased her tension if only somewhat, but it helped.
This started simple, with something to drink and small talk, Skies watches form the sidelines while people who were enamored with Fuji spoke of her praises and accomplishments, and the trainer can't help feeling a pang of something settle in her chest, it felt hot and ugly, but she bit her tongue instead of saying anything. Then bristling when someone touched Fujis shoulder for the entertainer's attention. Skies downs her drink and gets another, foot lightly tapping in.... Impatience? She averts her eyes to ignore the sight before her, taking in the drink felt so much more interesting than people getting close to her partner (partner? Already?), her ear flicks at fuji laughing and she looks towards the sound, seeing Fuji always made her happy, she finishes the second drink and music started picking up. Stepping over she noticed Fuji look her way and approaches, they meet in the middle and Skies bows, Fuji curtseys in return and the trainer takes Fujis hand, placing a light kiss on the other woman's knuckle before glancing up with a smile, she felt the eyes on them, some burning with envy, some wide eyed in surprise. That jealous feeling from before simmered into a smug energy thrumming in her chest; her tail swished behind her "May I have this dance?" She knew the answer already, but it was polite to ask was it not?
Fuji smiles, she's always been aware Skies wasn't one for big fancy events such as this, but she was taking to it surprisingly well. She holds her partners hand "You may"
They stepped onto the dance floor, fingers interlaced with one hand, Fujis hand rests on Skies shoulder, and Skies rests her other hand on Fujis waist.
The entertainer can't help the grin on her face and saw Skies apprehension "You're so used to being the one taking the lead normally, how about I take that burden off your shoulder tonight?" Finishing the question with a wink.
Skies felt her ears go straight and tail swish behind her, face heating up before giving a slow nod "Lead the way, My evening star~"
Fuji took lead in this dance, Skies following her steps to the best of her knowledge till she could get the hang of things. "People are staring"
"I feel like they're trying to burn holes in my back" The trainer mumbles.
"I felt your eyes earlier; you looked like you wanted to bore a hole in a wall"
"Ah- I-" her ears flattened for a second "I didn't like those people fawning"
"It was cute"
"Fuji glaring at people in a jealous fit is not cute"
"Did you say you were jealous?"
"I-" Her step falters for a second, Fuji felt the loss of balance, Skies acted fast in managing to catch her date and changing a potential fall into a dip, she isn't sure she has seen Fuji so red in the face before, their spectators "ooo" and "ah" at the sight, some applauding while Skies quickly pulls her partner upright (the temptation to lean down and kiss WAS there but she was too flustered to follow through, maybe after they dance when they are alone would be better) "Are you okay?"
"Fine- I'm okay, that was quick thinking..."
"Yea... The trainer felt breathless "Uhm...." She felt the temptation to pull on her tie, it felt stifling "I think I need some air, want to join me?"
"That sounds like a good idea" The response was immediate.
Once the two were standing out on the balcony and feeling the crisp night air certainly helped. Fuji could see Skies visibly relax, which in turn helped her relax
"This feels nice..."
"It was beginning to feel a little crowded in there..."
"I dunno how some people do it, I mean... I remember when I raced before feeling the crowd and eyes on me was elating, but now... I feel I can't handle it like I used to"
"That isn't a bad thing, there are those that thrive on it, and those who rather have less eyes on them"
Skies gives a small chuckle "What a pair we turned out to be hm?" she rests her arms on the balcony railing and looked up at the starry night. "Guess I became a bit of the latter; how do you manage?"
"At the end of the day, seeing people smile is what motivates me"
"Sounds exhausting, no wonder you'd come to me often after big gatherings for me to spoil you" Skies teases, this earned a bat to her shoulder and a laugh
"I, may have a weakness for your massages" Fuji admits, face aflush
"Oh, is that what you want to call it?" She avoids another bop and chuckles "It's okay, I don't mind spending time with you"
"As do I enjoy spending time with you..."
Skies gave a small hum, there was that feeling of stares on the two of them, she takes a quick glance and sure enough there were a few looking their way. Her tail flicked to one side before she moved closer to Fuji, the entertainer put an arm around her.
"Someone is feeling affectionate"
"With you it's hard to resist" she nuzzled her side, she was sure the admirers were trying to burn a hole into her, but she didn't care. Her hand moved and wrapped around her date's waist, a silent claim to the ones glaring her way, it was clear what she was conveying 'this is mine, none can have her" Eventually the glares grew less before they were completely dispersed "Do we go back inside?"
Fuji hums to herself in thought, the dance was lovely, the company was fine, however the idea of spending the rest of the evening with her trainer sounds much more tempting "I think I have had my fill of the ball tonight"
"Sounds like we should sneak our way out of here then"
The two of them managed to leave the ball, away from prying eyes and the whispers. Away from the people Skies finally sighs and tugs at her bow tie as they walk down the empty streets, loosening it where it hangs around her neck "Finally"
"I'm surprised you had kept that on this long without tugging on it"
"War had to fix it several times and said I could take it off after a dance, I danced now it comes off"
"you looked rather dashing with it on though" Fuji giggles.
"Don't get any ideas, this was a one time thing"
"You say that now... But I'm sure I could convince you to wear one again"
"I fail to see benefits from this-" she was tugged forward by the loosened tie, taking a moment to realize she was being kissed her hands went to fujis waist and she kisses her back, a hand resting on her cheek before they pull away "IT may need more convincing"
Fuji stifles her laugh "Did you at least enjoy the dance?"
"I admit... I did have a pleasant time as long as I was with you"
"Does that mean you would consider being my date to another dance?"
Skies hums as she walks beside her date "I would be honored if it means I see you in that dress again"
They spend the rest of the evening talking, enjoying the night sky, until unfortunately they had to return. Skies gives another bow, kissing Fujis hand (taking a moment to enjoy seeing her trainees face a deeper shade of pink) "Until we see each other again, my evening star~"
"Of course," Fuji smiles, the same gentle smile that the trainer would fall head over heels for as they went their separate ways.
Once skies returns to her room she flops on the couch, exhaling before rolling onto her side, before she can close her eyes and take a mini nap, she hears her phone go off "huh?" She picks it up and it was a message from friend and fellow trainer Dani, the text said, "nice job with the dance" and attached to it was a picture of herself and Fuji before a potential fall turned into a dip "When was- ?!?" She rapidly messaged where she got that. A ping meant a quick answer.
'Me and City were invited, didn't think we'd find you there, glad you had fuuuun~'
Skies covered her face and groaned. "I'm not going to hear the end of it in the morning, am I?"