Why Always Purple?

“Purple,” Aurora said. “I can't help but notice that everything you're giving me to wear is purple.” She looked over the pile of tights, robes, jewelry, along with a few unidentifiable bits. They weren't all quite the same shade, but all undeniably purple.

“It's rather important,” Raeth said. Their face was flat and unexpressive, except for the very edges of their mouth. That always meant they were hiding something they found amusing. Did any other members of the Council see Raeth as such a prankster? “It's the only way to be seen with any level of respect on Oic.”

Aurora sighed and yanked off her well-traveled boots. For some reason, Raeth always waited until right before to tell her about a new world's customs. It's possible they wanted to teach them to always be prepared for the unexpected. Aurora found it more likely they just liked to see the look on her face.

She started shedding her clothes, even as Raeth did theirs. Ever since Galavaria, it seemed a rather moot point to hide or turn their backs on each other. As usual, Aurora tried not to stare. Raeth's world was - had been - close enough to Earth that their body was mostly human. But damn if they weren't pretty in some very unique ways.

Stripped down, Aurora reached for the petticoat-like object that most resembled an underthing. She was fiddling with it for a while, trying to find which way was right-side-out, when Raeth held up a hand.

“Not quite time for that, yet,” they said. “First, we need to apply the dye.”

“What?” Aurora said. “For my hair?” That's what she got for thinking it couldn't get any more ridiculous.

Raeth could no longer keep a straight face. Their smile broke open until a laugh. “For starters.”