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e towels from the rail and wrap Rhubarb up in it.
"Can you deal with drying him?" I ask her from the doorway of the bathroom, holding out the squirming kitten cocooned in the towel.
"Yes. Though if he scratches me..."
"There's some aloe balm in the top drawer." It's the best thing I've found for healing kitten scratches, so I always make sure to have plenty on hand.
"Great. Thanks."
I don't say anything else, and close the bathroom door. I'm nervous about this shower. Not because of the water. I normally find it very relaxing. Just because it's all part of what I'm supposed to do to get ready tonight.
The water beats down on me, rinsing my hair of the sage. That's not the only thing, though. Thomas said I needed to use all natural things in this one. I pick some of the lavender soap my Grandma gave me before I came to Grimalkin. At the time, I thought of it as a bit of a rubbish going away present, but now I'm grateful for it. She spends a lot of her time on researching and practising with herbs, and I know this soap will be as natural as possible, even if it's not a smell I particularly like myself.
My whole body feels raw by the time I've finished scrubbing. It might be because I've cleaned myself better than normal, or potentially something to do with getting rid of the guilt over the upcoming magic. I don't want my friends getting into trouble. Especially not when they have nothing to gain from this.
Which is something I'm wondering about. If the intent behind this spell is pure, then why is it black magic? I've been over it several times since getting back from the library earlier, and so far, I haven't found anything that even approaches sounding like it's bad.
I suppose it's just something that I need to get used to. I shut off the water, and step out of the shower. The other towel is waiting for me, and I twist it around myself. I need to buy some more. My spare towel is just one of the many possessions I've lost to the existence of kittens.
Steam escapes with me as I step out of the bathroom and back into the bedroom. Daphne is lying on my bed, Rhubarb curled on her chest but still under the towel. Good to know that he hates baths. I'll remember that in the future. Though it's his own fault, so I'm not sure what he's so mad about.
"You ready?" she asks.
"Erm..." I wave to my towel. Apparently it's not obvious that I'm not quite ready to go out into the world.
"Other than needing to put some clothes on," she corrects herself.
I nod. "What do I wear?" It's a question that's been plaguing me, though admittedly one of the ones that seems less important.
"Pretty underwear."
"What?" That's the last thing I'm considering.
"Just think about it. You'll be in a room with three guys you like a lot..."
"One of whom is your brother," I point out, trying not to think about the rest of what she's saying.
"Ew. Just, why, Mona? Why?"
I shrug. "You seem to think I'm seducing them."
"You're not. But imagine your toga slips, do you want to be caught in an old sports bra and Grannie-knickers?"
"Oh." I guess she has a point there.
She moves Rhubarb off her chest and makes her way over to my wardrobe, pulling it open and rummaging through the shelf I keep my underwear on.
Sometimes, her lack of boundaries amazes me. But maybe it's just because I'm not as confident around her yet. If I give it time, perhaps the roles will reverse and it'll be me looking for her outfit.
"Here." She hands me a pretty black lace bra and the matching knickers.
"Thanks." Despite not wanting to initially, I can see her point, and slip them on.
"You can just wear this over the top." She hands me a sheath dress. It's nothing special, but I'll be taking it off soon anyway.
I slip it over my head and let the smooth fabric fall down. I want to tie my hair back, but don't. It's one of the things that's specified on the list. I need to let it dry naturally, and not tie it up or put anything else on it that might interfere. I don't get it myself, but that's just something I'm going to have to live with.
"Right, okay. I guess we go, then?" I can hear the nerves in my voice, but she doesn't call me out about it, thankfully.
