She sighed a little, grateful for Peony bailing her out-despite how her words sounded, Peony had always been kind to her-and was great at appeasing her mother and sister. Without her and Iko, Cinder didn't know what she'd do. She dashed Peony a small, grateful smile
Adri: "Why are you back early."
"The market shut down-it's all over the news-"
Adri: "I see."
"So I'll just get changed and then we can start on my fitting?-"
Adri: "Did you replace the magbelt on the hovercar yet?"
She froze up
"They're too expensive!! If you would just supply me with some money instead of having all of my wages at the shop go directly into your bank account-"
Adri: sighing as if Cinder were a stupid, niave girl "Oh Cinder, we don't have enough money for your magbelt AND your dress-you'll just have to get creative, won't you~?"
"...But if I find the magbelt-a-and manage to find a cheap enough dress-you'll let me go...?"
Adri:"...Yes Cinder. If you somehow manage to do those things, I'll let you go."
A small orange light flickered on in the corner of Cinder's vision. She'd seen it many times before-it meant someone was lying.
"..."
She gritted her teeth and forced a smile
"Well then...I'd better get to it..."
She went to leave, Iko trailing behind her, but before she did she said
"And Pearl-you have a zit on your forehead."
She ran downstairs to the basement, taking a small sense of satisfaction in hearing Pearl's shrieks.
Peony came downstairs a little while later as Cinder was gathering up her tools into her messenger bag, huffing and keeping herself busy. Iko clapped her prongs with delight
???: "Cinder, did you hear what she said!? You can go!! Oh, we'll find you a beautiful dress-we can look at those adorable thrift shops on Sakura-a-and you can dance with the prince!!!-"
She sighed dreamily. Cinder slammed the second drawer of her work table shut with a thud, being forceful since it stuck.
"I'm not going."
???: "What-what do you mean!?"
