291 Skollwood Adventures Part 13: This Isn't A Date

She turned around to look at the back of her velvet maroon cropped jacket, hoping the outfit looked as good as she had imagined. For one reason or another, something just did not feel right about it 

"Aether. Is it just me or does this not look right," Vy readjusted the leather corset around her chest. 

Aether was resting on the tabletop next to the mirror. He didn't even bother to look at her outfit. He had been trying to assure her for the last thirty minutes but it was not working. 

-It looks great as is, just stop fidgeting- 

"You're not even looking." she pouted as she pulled down her long white sleeves so that they rested on her wrists. 

Aether sighed as he took to his human form and stood between Vy and the mirror. He traced the fabric of her jacket, carefully inspecting each and every gold embroidery to make sure none of them had loose strings. 

He moved to her corset, making sure each of the buckles was in place. He readjusted some of them that were too tight so that Vy would be more comfortable. Aether helped her into her leather belt and strapped on the rapier that was to match her outfit. 

Noticing that there was a bit of dust on her boots, he picked up the feather duster on the side and dusted her boots. Once all the adjustments were complete, he stepped to the side and allowed Vy to see herself in the mirror once more. 

"There, perfect," he declared. 

Vy readjusted her hair a little, hoping the curls would stay in place throughout the day. She put up the hood of her cropped jacket and placed the vintage goggles on her head to complete the look. 

She placed her hands in her pockets and admired herself from the right side, then the left. Aether's expression remained neutral, he knew what was coming next and he was not fond of it. 

"Something still doesn't feel right," she groaned. 

Aether let out a sigh as he placed both hands on her shoulders. She was distracted, still looking down at her outfit. Annoyed at her lack of focus, Aether placed both his hands on her cheeks. That forced her to look directly at him.

"What is it?" she asked her Familiar. 

"This isn't a date, you don't-"

He could have ignored the sudden increase in her heart rate the moment those words left his mouth. But the speed in which her face blushed beet red was undeniable. Vy swat Aether's hand away and turned to the side in embarrassment. 

"I know that!" she turned to him with a death glare in her eyes, "Do you seriously think I was dressing up for him? Are you crazy?!"

Her Familiar knew that would trigger her, after all who would know her better than him? The evil grin on his face was more than enough to confirm her suspicions. He was toying with her! He knew she would react in this way. 

"Sis, you don't even need to put rouge on your cheeks anymore! It looks natural enough," he teased. 

Knowing he had incurred her wrath, he quickly escaped from the side. But he was not quick enough to escape his sister's grasp. Vy caught hold of him with ease and immediately began to tickle him relentlessly. 

This sent Lycster into an endless bout of laughter as he struggled to get out of his sister's grasp. 

"Let's see if you'll ever dare to make fun of me ever again!" Vy declared as she continued to tickle him. 

"I'm sorry! I… I learnt my lesson… spare me!" Lycster admitted defeat. 

Finally, Vy released him and dusted off her outfit. She readjusted her outfit once more before helping her brother up. 

"I never knew laughing could hurt so much," he lamented as he stood up slowly. 

"That's what you get for trying to mess with me"

Vy took a good look at Lycster's outfit. It could not be more fitting than this, he was a swashbuckling pirate boy with one arm! He was wearing a simple white blouse that was tucked in, black pants and thigh-high boots. 

He had a sheathed cutlass sword on his waist and had a matching black pirate hat. 

"Now that's a cool looking one-handed pirate boy if I have ever seen one." Vy praised. 

Lycster grinned with pride as he stood up straight and held out the cutlass in his hand. He pointed it at his sister playfully and shouted, "En garde!"

Vy smiled as she drew her rapier and they had a mock fight with one another. Bonetimer, their butler, walked in on them clashing swords.

"Miss Blackfire, you have a guest at the door," Bonetimer announced. 

"A guest?" 

"Ah! We were supposed to meet Dygo!" Vy exclaimed as she recalled what they were supposed to do. 

"Thank you for reminding us, Bonetimer!" 

Vy rushed to the door, opening it without looking where she was going. As a result, she walked straight into Dygo. Vy took a couple of steps back after bumping into him, apologising as she looked up. 

As soon as she realised it was Dygo, Vy blushed and was lost for words. Aether and Lycster peered from the side, watching their awkward exchange. Dygo had waited for them at the door for a while, but seeing that they were not coming out of the cabin made him worried that he was at the wrong place. 

He had rung the doorbell and was greeted by Bonetimer the butler. Little did he know the next time the door opened, Vy was there and she walked straight into him. She lightly bumped into him but he did not mind as long as she was alright. 

"Are you alright?" Dygo asked, concerned for her well being. 

"Ah I'm alright, thank you," Vy replied flustered. She was desperately trying to avoid any form of eye contact. 

It was at this point that she noticed he was holding a bouquet of roses in his hands. They were unlike any flowers she had ever seen. 

"What's that?"

Dygo looked down at the bouquet he held in his hands. For a moment, he had forgotten why he was holding them altogether. He stared at them blankly for a moment before gathering his thoughts together. He stretched out his hands, handing the bouquet to Vy. 

"These are for you."