Despite Everything. I'm me

Olive green eyes focus on the paper, desperately trying to wake up quicker. Odd, most of the Feles dorm would wander right in if they needed to give him anything. He made his way over and picked up the note.

An Evening of Celebration & Honor

In recognition of the courage, dedication and tireless efforts shown in the fight against the corruption threatening our lands, the Guard Staff cordially invite all riders, cadets and honored guests to a night of music, dancing, and a well-earned respite beneath the glow of the grand hall.

When: Tonight! Don't be late!

"T-tonight?!" Legs gasped, absolutely mortified. He turned his attention to Gadget who tilted his head to the side, eyes full of wonder and curiosity. "Well they're cutting it a little close don'tcha think?" He laughed nervously, only to clear his throat when obviously his dragon didn't respond. "Y-yeah, yeah. You're right. I probably slept through some sort of announcement, that's on me."

Well, shoot.

With a sigh, Legundo took one look at himself in the mirror that leaned against one of his several chests. Okay, a ball. A ball shouldn't be that intimidating. He's read about them, people go with others and they mingle and have a good time. Everything should be fine. Maybe he'll ask Sausage to go with him, at the very least he might be able to help Legs dress better for the event.

...

"What do you mean you're going with someone else?" Legs warbled. His one and only life line for this ball, and he was already going with someone else. “Who?”

"I'm going with Zam, she asked me a week ago, I'm sorry, what am I supposed to do? Tell her no?" Sausage exasperated with a flourish of his hand.

“No!” Legs sighed, his voice dropped, “Of course not… that would be mean.” Legundo flopped pathetically on his friend’s bed. “It’s just… I’ve exhausted all my options.”

“Didn’t you just find out about this not even an hour ago?”

“Uh yeah, and you’ve apparently already known about it for a week, which, rude that you didn’t bring it up.”

“My bad my bad I forgot. Wait, does that mean I’m at the bottom of your list?” Sausage gasped, “I’m last?”

“No, no. I came to you first.”

“How did you exhaust all your options if I’m your only option? Isn’t there someone else… you could ask.” He waggled his eyebrows at Legs who threw a pillow weakly in his direction. 

“I know what you’re implying, but she’s probably going with someone else anyway… like Water, or Avid… goodness knows maybe both.” He groaned as he ran a hand down his face.

“¡Oh, por dios!” Sausage groaned in time with the mechanic, “Legs, you haven’t even asked if Graecie wants to go with you, how would you know if you don’t ask? Love is just around the corner and you’re denying yourself it!” Each word seemed to cut Legs deeper. He was right, how would he know if he didn’t ask? He huffed, a whine escaped his lips.

“I don’t know… I just– Graecie’s so pretty and I’m… I’m me.” He finally landed on the admission.

“Exactly! You’re you, so why don’t you–” Sausage grabbed at Legs arms pulling the man into an upright position, “wipe that frown off your face, hold your head up high and go take Graecie to the ball and tell her how you feel!” Legundo rolled his eyes only to have his cheeks smushed by his friend. “I mean it, Legs, you have nothing to worry about. Graecie loves you! You’re her friend! Okay?”

“O-Okay.” He nodded, face still being held by his dorm-mate. The longer the prolonged eye contact the more Legs repeats himself. “Okay.” He cleared his throat. It shouldn’t be too hard. It’s just Graecie. Sweet, pretty… Graecie. “Okay!”

Sausage grinned witnessing his friend gain confidence in real time. “There you go! Tú puedes, mi amigo!” He laughed, as Legs got to his feet.

His friend took him by the hand and pulled him along, finding an outfit he could borrow for the night. Albeit a little big, Sausage gives Legs a whistle when it’s all put together.

“Very handsome my friend. She’s going to love it.” Legundo grins at the statement, and quickly makes his way back to his dorm, rummaging through one of his chests and throwing together a quick bouquet of flowers.

He could do this!

…

With combed hair, a hastily made corsage pinned right to the lapel of a blue suit a size too big he stares at Graecie’s dorm. Blue was in fact a good color on him, at least it's what Graecie told him anyway.

And like a deer in metaphorical headlights he freezes.

“Nope!” Instantly he started to walk off without a single attempt at the door, only for Sausage and Zam to stop him in his tracks, turning him right back around and practically pushing in at the door.

“You got this, Legs!” Zam’s quiet voice whispered from behind a pillar and Sausage gave an enthusiastic thumbs up.

“Uh, uhm… I don’t…” The feeling of anxiety sinks in the pit of his stomach, what if this was a bad idea? What if she laughed at him, or worse, she says no, and then laughs at him? “I can’t do it.” He whispered as he raced back to where his friends were hiding.

“Oh, of course you can!” Sausage and Zam both try to be as encouraging as possible.

“This whole thing is silly,” He vocalized his complaint. He ran a hand through his hair as he continued, “I shouldn’t really go to a ball anyway, and even if I did Graecie’s probably going with someone or by herself cause she’s cool enough to do that sort of thing…” Rather than being interrupted by Sausage or Zam, his fellow Feles allowed him to ramble on. In doing so Legundo misses the click of a dorm room door opening and shutting. He also miraculously missed the tell-tale jingle that accompanied Graecie’s footsteps. “Graecie’s really pretty, and these flowers are pretty just like her… and I feel so stupid. What am I supposed to do? Just say ‘Hey Graecie, want to go to the ball with me?’”

“Oh! I would love to go to the ball with you, Legs!” Graecie’s voice called out from behind him. In the most Legundo-like fashion, he practically jumped out of his skin. A yelp accompanied by a squeak as he turned around.

“G-Graecie! Hi! Uhm, how… How long were you standing there?” Was it hot in the halls? Suddenly everything felt very– close, warm, and suffocating. Either he was having a panic attack, or he was bound to pass out. Potentially both.

Oh good.

“Long enough to hear your question! I would love to go to the ball with you!” She giggled and grinned brightly.

“Really?” He almost couldn’t believe this was happening, as his hearing starts to ring and his vision begins to blur.

“Mhmm! I thought you would never ask.” Her voice is soft, gentle and most importantly kind. It quickly lulled Legundo back into a sense of security. It’s only then Legs realizes the dress she was in wasn’t her standard white dress. Granted, it was still white with red accents, but it was a classier version, the contrast against his blue was somehow both complimentary and clashing. 

It didn’t matter though, because the main hurdle was over. He successfully asked Graecie to the ball.

“These are for you.” He handed over the bouquet of flowers to which she gratefully smelled and took into her arms.

“They’re beautiful, thank you Legs.” She leaned in and placed a small kiss upon his cheek.