k_a_webb | October Prompted Fiction: 'Astral' World collection: Amber - Samhain Dance

Written for [livejournal.com profile] forgottenspirits's prompt on Samhain in the 'astral'.

Amber stared at Christophe. He shrugged and held the dress out to her. With an eyebrow raised, she poked it with one finger, wondering why he had done something so out of character. Sighing, he put it down on the bed.

“I thought you might like something new,” he said. “You've been here for six months now and those clothes are getting a bit old.”

“What's the catch?” she asked, looking at the dress and then back at Christophe.

“Why does there have to be a catch?”

“It's you.”

Christophe shook his head. “I could have done it out of the goodness of my heart.”

“You didn't though.”

“There's a dance tonight for Samhain. I have to go and I refuse to leave you here alone when I know how much you still want to go home.”

“Things would have been so much easier if you were just honest with me in the first place.” Amber looked at the dress again wistfully. “I'm not going and I'm not wearing that dress. Ever.”

“Come on, Amber. I don't have time for this. You're coming whether you want to or not and any argument we have is totally pointless.”

“Exactly how do you plan on making me this time?”

“You're the one who won't make this simple. I know you wanted to learn how to use the power properly and you couldn't. All I wanted to do was help you.”

Amber laughed. “What you actually wanted was a pet female magician and for some unknown reason you came to the conclusion that I was the best candidate for the job.”

“If you let me teach you I believe that you could be the strongest female magician that has ever been seen.” Christophe bit his lip, something Amber had seen him do whenever he got nervous. “Maybe I went about things the wrong way, but all I want to do now is help you.”

“Forcing me to stay here against my will isn't the best way to show that you want to help me, Christophe.” Amber stared at him. “I really don't believe a word you say, so you can attempt to sweet talk me all you like. When I get a chance I will go home and there's nothing you can do to stop me.”

“Believe what you want. Right now I really don't care.” Christophe looked down at the dress and then back at Amber. “How about a truce, Amber, just for tonight? I want you to come to the dance with me and have fun. Tomorrow we can go back to arguing.”

Amber looked at the dress. Part of her wanted to grab Christophe's offer of a truce with both hands because it had been years since she'd had a chance to go to a dance and wear a beautiful dress. The other, more rational part, knew that he would expect something from her if she did go. Finally she looked up at him tiredly.

“I don't trust you.”

Christophe smiled. “I don't trust you either. Truce or no truce?”