(Collab with @medalliah)

The hallway was long. It felt winding but perhaps she wasn't walking in exactly straight lines, she walked up to the wall and dragged her hand beside it, touching along the doors on the way - it was a decent enough anchor for her. She perked up as she heard footsteps going the other way, that familiar falling feeling that knotted itself into her stomach. The aura of dread brought by a Daughter of Hades. Despite the uneasy feeling, she couldn't help but beam a smile. She called out, unsure exactly of where she was - "Daughter of Hermes!"

Hayley hadn't walked far - the noises around her had distracted her more than once. First a loud bang from the floors above, then some shouting in the rooms around her. She'd kept very central, not reacting to any but not getting closer to the rooms. Then a different shout - someone calling out for a daughter of Hermes. She recognized the voice immediately, the one that had paused when speaking before. Daughter of Pelasgia. Hayley turned round, and noticed the woman kind of looking in her direction. Talking to her perhaps... "Hey, Saranja, right?" She replied, testing to see if it was for her. There was enough people around, and Hermes had a lot of children after all.

"You remembered. I wondered if you wanted to talk, I understand first days can be daunting, and I'd like to see some dread lifted off your shoulders. - I don't think I got your name." The satyress wasn't really of the mind of speaking normally- but her smile was genuine at least. She stepped a little closer toward the familiar voice from before. She was certainly painted weird, with those thin red trails coming from behind her the middle of her lip and from her blindfold down, as if she bleeding tears. An odd choice in makeup.

"Hayley...my name is Hayley" The girl said shyly - the makeup had distracted her. It seemed really unusual, and almost directing the eyes towards the blinds across the Satyr's eyes "I only arrived today here, I guess I'm kind of nervous. And um well, I'm sorry about the..." She trailed off. How do you apologize for making everyone around you uncomfortable? "I think my room is back there, but I can't go in right now it's too bright. Everyone is glowing, and it kind of hurts my eyes. Did you find your room?"

She paused a moment. She wondered - "I did. We could go back there, though you've already got your own disposition toward one of my dormmates. We could find the library- or perhaps head outside. - And a deal, I won't apologize for being blind if you do not for your own condition, as hardly comparable as they are." She flashed a winning smile. An unlikely child of Hades, to be so apologetic, but she saw plenty in this girl.

"Oh I don't have an issue with your roommate" Hayley quickly said as she shook her head "She is just kind of rude, and I don't like that." She paused there, thinking if she knew where the library actually was, before continuing "I think we should find somewhere outside to sit. It's nicer out, and we don't have to whisper." She smiled more now, actually feeling more confident with the woman being so nice to her. Although she still remained wary - what did she know? "Do you need help going outside? There's an exit around the corner towards the courtyard. And um, yeah that seems a deal, although being blind doesn't usually make everyone as uncomfortable as filling them with death." She held out a hand, in case the woman did need help being guided.

"I think she is as nervous as the rest of us. She just shows it differently." In reply to her quesiton, she stepped forward with that lilting clip clop of hooves and took her hand, holding it quite firmly in agreement of going outside, and being guided there. "But neither of us can change what we have. I don't believe that many people still apologize or believe in original sin. You are your father's daughter." She pursed her lips after she said it, how much of a comfort was that comment, really? "Was it the schools idea to keep your blood a secret? I can't imagine there being much issue if you wore it on your sleeve- it is where the veins are, after all." Was she prying too much? Her curiosity got the best of her. It wasn't every day she got to scry for someone new, much less someone this interesting.

Hayley's hand was very warm to the touch - Not a nice heat though, but closer to a scolding flame. More unnatural. Hayley hadn't really considered that feeling, it was just a part of her like the dread aura that Saranja didn't seem scared of. Listening to her words, she considered what was said. It was true, she couldn't change who she was...but was she really like Hades? That didn't seem like a good thing. she almost missed the question though as she lead them to a bench beside a giant oak tree. She allowed Saranja to sit before she sat next to her - she didn't pull her hand away. Plus she wasn't speaking, which was rude. "I don't know my father. I've never met him. To be honest...I don't even know my mother" A slightly nervous chuckle at that "I've been passed around and hiding for a long time. My father though...there is rarely any children of his, and they're not regarded as well loved. Bad Fortunes and bad luck follow his children, so I was told to hide it."

Her hand shifted in her grip multiple times, from holding it lightly to holding her arm in a dainty, two fingered grip. The dread she could deal with - the heat was anathema to her. In a reverse, the satyress was pale and quite cold to the touch. "I grew up in an orphanage. I do not know my parents either - but I know that I am like them, for better or worse. I know that you are like him, for your reservations. Someone needs to be there - it isn't all hellfire and schemes." That was definitely too far. She evened the score quickly, flustered as she spoke. "Sorry. I shouldn't have pried in the first place, and would that I couldn't - I wouldn't have. I just look at people and all of these things are so eager to talk to me, like a secret kept too long, bursting at the seams -" She paused a moment and continued in rhyme, as if it was just another facet of conversation you could shift to. "To all the things you tell in dreams, a name, a god, a dreadful heat, in fame, in pain, unwanted seat- the Fates are kind but crueler still, loneliness no minor ill."

Hayley again listened as Saranja spoke. She did frown momentarily at the mention Hellfire, but it went away quickly. Eventually she started to smile and she laughed after a moment. "You know, you're really nice to listen to. So thoughtful, and quite poetic" She gave Saranja's arm a squeeze "I've always been quite lonely. Passed around from family to family, nobody wanting me. It wasn't until I met the principal that I found out why. It didn't help" She shook her head "But listening to you, well...I guess I might have some hope. But not as a child of...Hades" She whispered the name "Maybe Hermes will be more acceptable, huh?" She went quiet for a moment, looking down at her lap, before adding "Why do you accept it though? You see so much of everyone, surely you see what will happen in the future? I...I'd like to have friends, and be normal, but I'd accepted that for someone like me it's normal to not have friends. Sounds really silly doesn't it, after your elegant words" She laughed again "I'm not really very good at that though. Never did well in school, or at home, or anywhere."

She flinched at the soft squeeze of her arm. She wasn't really expecting it - but her expression shifted from surprise to an easy smile. She listened in return, the smile turning sad and sympathetic as she did. "I know how you feel. It's hard to fit in, isn't it?" She didn't really need to explain herself, her legs, horns and the bleeding paint underneath her blindfold was probably enough. "Whatever you are, you are a child of the universe no less the trees and the stars. You've a right to be here. Be at peace with your god, whatever you conceive him to be- I see many futures ahead of you. I see ones where you grow bitter in your loneliness, you disregard your father as you disregard people who would be your friends. In others, I see you brandish him like a badge, unafraid of what people think, unafraid of who you are. Further still, I see you proud in secret- would that oxymoron work well enough. You don't want to cause trouble, but you've reconciled over Him, and who He is and what He does." She paused a moment, moving a hand to hold hers, despite the heat. "In almost all of them I tell you to be gentle with yourself. The path is long and winding, but remember that when the road is easy, the destination is worthless."

Hayley nodded, looking more sadened now. "I can't imagine how you would have found it, but you seem stronger for your experiences at least" she offered, accepting the Satyrs hand in her own and squeezing it gently "And it's good to know that at least in some of my futures, I can accept Him as my father. I guess I was destined to meet you here no matter what future it was" There was a small smile at that, and a tear rolls down her cheek as she whispered "Thank you." She just held Saranja's hand for a short while, not speaking, just considering the words. Almost in prayer, except for the single tear on her cheek. Eventually, she asked "What do you tell me in the other futures? I hope in the others I'm a little less tearful and a little stronger."

She squeezed, despite the uncomfortable, scolding heat. "I say the wrong things in a lot of them. I might be saying them now, I'm unsure. But I've learned to be sure of myself, whatever it is I'm doing. I see so many possible futures that to get stuck and anxious for just one doesn't seem like a good use of time. - If you really want to know, in some of them I advise too strongly. I tell you to hide or be proud - when its never my decision to make. You're always strong, in the ones I've seen. Strength isn't measured in a single lonely tear. I've found it much easier to tell from the way people talk, and what they do. You offered a hand to guide me along - you're polite and apologetic, maybe too much so, or maybe you just feel you've a lot to make up for. Good souls do that, not poor ones." Her voice was soft, and she offered something in the way of a reassuring smile, her stare close to Hayley, though looking through more than looking at.

"How do you face all these futures, don't they become overwhelming? Painful? Confusing or overlapping?" Hayley asked quietly, as if concerned her questions would just add to the overwhelming ideals of what Saranja had to deal with "I...I don't think I'm a nasty person, although I've been told I am, so I'm glad that you see a good soul in me. You've been kind to me, and your words are as much of a helping hand as I have me" another squeeze, her smile warmer even though the Satyr couldn't see it "So if you need help, I'm happy to help you. I've never had a friend though, so forgive me if I'm terrible at it" She laughed, but it was a warm laugh. The aura of dread that normally circled her seemed so much weaker than usual - barely noticeable in her happy state "If you don't mind me ask, how did you cope with all this growing up? You grew up in an orphanage..did they know about who you are, what you are? Ah, sorry, don't mean to be rude" A slight blush, suddenly worried that she may have offended her only friend.

She might not have seen the smile, but it was something that could be heard in someones voice when they spoke, the lines that were set in their face. She didn't have a smile on when she spoke, her brow furrowed and her lips pursed, a subject quite close to her, but not uncomfortable to talk about. "They do. They are. I forget I'm talking to the same person sometimes - I get wrapped up in what I see its so easy to forget that I'm still here. I forget to eat, on occassion. I see them when I sleep and I struggle to differentiate them from what's real." She paused a moment, thinking of home. "It was an orphanage for the supernatural. Similar to where we are now. I had no friends aside from my carer. He read to me when my eyesight left, told me about books, about how to act, he's my father, really." She smiled at a few unspoken memories, sharing the expression with Hayley. "If I've not been rude in what I've said to you, you'll never be rude in prying things from me."

"Let's hope you're not mixing my future up with a son of Zeus then!" Hayley laughed, but fell silent as Saranja told her story. It was so lovely, so sweet. She was envious of the Satyr, who had grown up with a caring person and a world where she belonged. It wasn't fair that Hayley had experienced the total opposite - rejection and revulsion, passed around like an unwanted child. Saranja could feel that aura of dread starting to increase again. "You were so lucky. I...I only remember being read to once. It was in my third foster home, Alison was the womans name. She collected horror stories, and read one to me. About a monster who terrorized a family. When she finished, she compared me to the monster...I was only seven at the time, but that story has always stayed with me" She brought a hand up to wipe a tear away "Sorry, I didn't mean to ruin the moment. I'm really jealous of you I guess. I won't let it mess things up, I can enjoy being with like-minded people now, instead of being moved around all the time with normal people."

She nodded, and paused after she spoke, struck silent for a moment. When she did finally talk again, she echoed what she had said before. "The Fates are kind but crueler still, with hurt your every thought did fill - they mete their justice as they may, and leave the broken where they lay. But Fate - and her sisters true, are just a truly lonely few, their hands can never reach as far, as Asteria and her shining stars- but giving man the sight of true, to see things that will bear anew, pass duty on and let it stay, into heart and tender way." She had some self awareness however, summing up the spontaneous form with something easier. "She has given me the eyes to see, and with them I would do well to impart some of the kindnesses she's missed." She softened some. She couldn't rightly shrieve Hayley of her past, it was filled with broken homes and relationships that had fallen through before they had started. Even now, that dread was seeping into her. It tinted everything in a navy grey and the thought of returning to her room alone was there.

Hayley sighed gently. The poem was lovely, and full of wisdom that she herself was lacking. My first friend and all I'm doing is pouring my life onto her She thought mournfully to herself. She let go of Saranja's hand after placing it back onto her lap, and spoke quietly. "I don't mean to go on. I...guess I've not had someone to confide in before. Maybe...a happier topic, before we both get upset? Hobbies, things you like? I want to get to know my friend better as you know so much about me I'm sure. Also you mentioned forgetting to eat in the past...are you hungry? Um...what do you eat?" She wasn't sure if meat would be an ideal meal "I guess it's too early for lunch but..." She trailed off. She was babbling to cover for her own feelings but it wasn't helping and the aura was as strong as ever.

"If you have truths to tell, I'd offer an ear to hear - but if you want to know about me, I'm fine with indulging you." She paused a moment but continued, hoping to comfort or at least distract with a few facts about herself. "I enjoy talking to people, as poor at it as I am. I like music. Rachmaninov's Italian Polka is so wonderfully heartbreaking everytime I listen to it and I wish I knew why. I want to learn how to bake - and I do well with gardening. I really like reading, but they don't often have the books I like in braille." Her life on a page, she decided, was quite small. She realized she was hungry. She hadn't eaten this morning. She hadn't eaten the day before. She was ravenous and hadn't realized. "I'd love something. I'm a vegetarian, if...that wasn't a given." Thoughts drifted to an awkward surprise birthday meal of a beef burger from a fast-food restaurant.

"Um...Rachawhat?" Hayley asked with a confused look "I've never heard of that musician before, is he good? I can cook. I had to learn to cook when I was young, never made a cake but I make a pretty good spaghetti if I do say so myself! I'm making myself hungry now, let's get some food" She hopped up at that, smoothing her skirt down before turning and taking Saranja's hands to help her up "As for gardening...don't ask. Really. I think plants hate me, but I'm good with soil. Really good! Well...as long as it doesn't need to be really fertile anyway. I may just have to do the cooking while you do the gardening. What's your favourite book? I adore ' To Kill a Mockingbird', I've owned it about four times. Well...borrowed about four times" A slight blush "Never really owned it." Once Saranja was up Hayley squeezed her hands gently "Do you have food in your room or do we find the cafeteria?"

"Rachmaninov. He was a russian composer and pianist. He wrote some wonderful music. I'll have to show you sometime." She stood a bit slower, smoothing out her own skirt and the fur on the top of her legs. She gave a thought. She'd read so many books, it was horrible to have to declare one a favourite. "I enjoy poetry collections. I suppose Emily Dickinson's collected works would have to be my favourite. I've never read 'To Kill a Mockingbird' though I'm told it is good.- I only have books in my room." Hyperbole, but she was sure she brought no food. It completely slipped her mind, as it often did. "Guide me, Hayley of Hades, and I will trust us not to cross the Styx." A poor joke, but at least she was trying. She gave a small smile that made it obvious that it really wasn't her strong suit.

"I'm...not going to try and say that name" Hayley replied sheepishly "But I'll give it a listen. Classical music, right?" There was a look of surprise though at the confession of never having read it. "You've never read To Kill a Mockingbird? Ok, that will have to be changed. I'm sure I can find a braille version, it's a quite famous book after all!" She tried not to frown at the joke though, taking the girls hand again and forcing a chuckle "There's no entrance to the Underworld near here, don't worry. I'll cover the fare though if I find one, family discount!" A small giggle at that, before she added "Please don't say that around other people though. I...I'll tell people in time but not yet. I want to know who I can trust...like I trust you. Now let's get some food" she started moving towards the building once again "Although I don't actually know where I'm going, so this will be a bit of an adventure. Watch out for the door" She added as she opened the door and lead the Satyr in.

(Collab with @medalliah)

Saranja ate in silence, for the most part, contentedly munching on her assorted salad pieces and biting through an apple with enough fervor that could've given a proper goat a run for its money. She was 'seeing', though, and her eating was, almost as always, just something she'd set in motion as if she was barely even there, viewing the different futures that made themselves available to her. Some of them were of people they'd passed by in the day, a fiery red-head who she recognized as a Son of Ares, another as a Daughter of Athena - they were lovers in one of them. They had their differences but his passion for battle translated well into their relationship, while her cool-head and penchant for crafts made for a few treasured gifts that he would wear for time immemoriam.

An empty fork was placed into her mouth and she bit into it. She'd finished her food. She winced some at the metallic epiphany and realized she was still in someone's company. She saw futures of sad, tearfilled nights, alone or in a pair. She saw small smiles that existed for miniscule moments of time, she felt that aura of dread, still as pronounced as ever in her visions as it was in her presence. But more importantly, she saw a dance. She spoke before her head caught up enough to think to explain. "Something with frills."

Hayley honestly had enjoyed the silence over food. Her sandwiches had been nothing all too exciting - growing up she'd eaten the same kind of brown bread cheese sandwiches so often it felt wrong to even consider anything else. But there was something else - someone else in fact. The kindest soul the girl had ever known, and despite all Saranja knew both of her and the future she still seemed to want to spend time with her. Daydreaming away, the Satyr seemed adorable in the world of her own.

Until she bit her fork. Hayley winced, hoping the girls teeth were quite strong. She moved Saranja’s drink closer to her, which made her statement about frills even more strange. "Um...well I can ask if they make the drink with frills but that sounds more like a decoration" She commented with a slightly confused frown "Or very alcoholic, which they don't serve. Are you ok? The fork can't have been all that tasty."

She stared blankly at Hayley for a few moments, as if she'd said something odd, or if she'd said nothing at all. She was still busy 'seeing' until she returned to earth and recognized her again, (at least her voice) and nodded. "I'm fine." She waved off the fork-biting like a bad memory before continuing, her not-so-tasty accident wasn't the focus of the conversation. "I meant a dress. For you." She organized her thoughts a bit better, holding her head with a hand a moment in exasperation and frustration. "I meant- There's a ball. A welcoming ball. You don't have a dress for it. We should get something. Something with frills." She finally finished that started sentence. She herself, only had one dress, a red thing that had a frilly and exceptionally pretty skirt, sleeveless and perfect to show off, and not chafe against her legs, and as willing as she was to lend it, she was sure Hayley would refuse if she knew it left the satyress with nothing else to wear.

Hayley started to go very red when she mentioned a dress - Saranja couldn't see the past, could she? It would be embarrassing! But then the Satyr continued. A ball? That meant dancing...and dresses? She gulped down her drink of coke a little too fast, and coughed. "A-ah...um...what? I don't understand, there's a ball? A ball of what? Wait, do you mean a dance?" She gulped again, nervously "Um, you don't have to get me a dress or anything...I could not go, or I could like...just hide in a corner or something." She was very excited about the idea of going shopping - clothes were her guilty pleasure - but she couldn't take from this new friend...could she?

While she wasn't rich by any sense of the word, her hobbies had earned her enough money to treat herself every once in a while. Some people paid plenty when you read enough about them - and while that did seem like a bit of an abuse of power, her curiosity was too much sometimes, she needed to know, and if she got paid while indulging her own habit it wasn't too bad, was it? "It’s a welcoming dance. You'll need a dress for it." Not seeming to take no for an answer, she left the rest of her food on its plate and stood up, offering a hand over. "Fair warning that I can't really help you with what looks good or fits." Not without touching it (and them) excessively and that was a milestone she was yet to cross with anyone.

Hayley, realizing she had little choice in the matter, took her hand and rose as well. “I don’t know how to dance either, so this will be really embarrassing” she said as she bit her lip, imagining herself tripping someone over trying to dance or stepping on peoples’ feet “And I can’t pay you back for the dress. Like…ever. I don’t have any money. None at all, I have some clothes and a bag, that’s it. I can’t afford a dress.” She sighed, shaking her head “I…don’t want to steal one either. It doesn’t feel right, even though I could easily do it. Is this really ok?”

"I can't teach you rhythm, but I am able to gift you a dress. If nothing else, Hayley of-" She stopped herself. She had a habit of naming names and she was told to keep quiet. "If nothing else, Hayley, you'll look pretty when you fall over." She smiled coyly, it was one of those comments that was half-true and half-jest. She seemed to entirely gloss over whether or not she cared for it being paid back, making it seem like she very much didn't. "I'm often told that first impressions matter, and while I get many 'first' impressions from people, I think they'd often make better ones on all counts if they were in a dress." She began walking, guiding Hayley this time. Before she'd entirely lost her guide, the nice (if slow) man did make passing mention to their being a few stores close enough to the university; a walk of nondescript length.

“Well, I can certainly do falling in style” Hayley laughed, giving Saranja’s hand a squeeze – both in amusement, and in thanks for her not saying Hades. She allowed the blind woman to lead her, not sure where the Satyr was leading them. After all, she couldn’t see where she was going. The slow pace was nice though. “So, um, I’m guessing you saw a dress with frills in one of your visions, right? Why frills? Or what frills?” She gave Saranja a small tug as she got closer to a wall, moving to walk next to her instead of behind her “Do you want to tell me where you’re going, and let me lead? Walls and door hurt after all” She pushed a door open to allow Saranja to get through.

"I didn't see you in frills but I would see you in them with my 'meddling'. Frills are pretty. You'll look prettier in them." She edged closer to the wall but was saved for the grace of Hayley intervening in time to prevent a concussive accident. "A store near here. There's apparently a few shops close to the university. My guide said something about it though I wasn't really listening too much. He had a few wonderful futures about him. A son of Leto who carries this wonderful maternal nature about him-" She caught herself. She did this too much. "He said there was a store near here." She explained, realizing the sentence again. "Could I get you to guide me there?"

"Maternal nature?" Hayley laughed at that, pulling Saranja closer so she could link arms with her, the unnatural warmth almost radiating from her body "You see so many interesting things! So, a store close to the university, that sells frilly dresses that suit someone like me. As long as I'm not expected to dye my hair that is, as...well, I can't. I don't know where this store is, but I'll get us there somehow" She pushed another door open, although she misjudged the door and caught her arm on it as she slipped through next to Saranja with a small wince. "Ok, we walking towards the main entrance of the university, do you remember which way from there?"

The warmth was still something that she didn't enjoy, especially if they were going to have to walk, but it was a nice gesture, and she had to humour it for that reason alone. "Motherly and doting. He's sweet." She walked with her, arms linked together as she smiled. "It's a way away, but as long as we just follow the path..."

***

It wasn't too far of a walk. Around twenty or so minutes down a cut of path toward the city center with help from the signs and other such clues helpfully realized, they were near where they wanted to be. Saranja mostly walked in silence, she wasn't wrong about being poor at conversation though whenever she realized she was being too quiet she gave a soft squeeze of Hayley's arm in a quiet reassurance that she still cared she was there.

It was strange how two people walking in silence could be comfortable instead of awkward, but it was. Hayley, never the most conversational person with her upbringing, enjoyed simply having company with her - it was an unusual and quite amazing situation that she hoped wasn't a dream. The occasional squeeze from the girl reminded her that it was indeed real, and she smiled more with each one when it happened. Even the ever-present aura of dread had reduced to mere background feelings - going shopping with a friend brought no dread, only joy. Hayley spied an interesting looking shop down the road they just turned into - an older shop, the front having an older look about it with oaken framework and a very elegant looking sign that she struggled to be able to read. The dresses on display ranged from smaller dresses to full length gowns, almost like out of a movie. It looked expensive! "Hey um...there's a store here that has dresses. I can't quite read the name, the writing's worn away a little and is quite fancy. Does that sound right?"

Another soft squeeze of the hand as she faced toward the dresses. She wasn't really sure about whether or not it was the 'right' place since she was much more looking through her guide than talking to him. This was something she was yet to see in her visions, having rested herself on the walk rather than looking into the aether and seeing what might just look back. "There's much more excitement in finding out than wondering." Taking the lead some, she felt for the door (and after almost tripping over a step), opened and walked in, tugging Hayley along with a hand. The inside was much more pretty. It wasn't a large place, but cozy, a specialty place with expensive, hand-made dresses in mind. She turned back to face Hayley, obviously at some loss for what to do since she couldn't rightly judge a dress without having them painstakingly described to her. "Something with frills." She ordered again, though it was something teasing and done without being entirely serious.

Hayley, while knowing the step was there, hadn't expected the extra tug and stumbled into the store after Saranja. That was a little awkward...and unlike the blind girl she had very little excuse. She chuckled nervously as she looked over the dresses, idly imagining herself in a full ball gown with her hair done up, walking out to dance...she shook the thought away. It was really rather silly. However it meant she heard Saranja say and noticing she was being stared at. "In black?" She added, before saying "Oh, do you mean for me to find it or the serving lady? Also...do I need to do anything? I've not been in a store like this, all hand-made. They....do they need my measurements?" She bit her lip, nervous now. She had expected some kind of chain store, not a beautiful dress wonderland like this!

"Just pick something you enjoy. Then you get it fitted and try it on. Don't worry too much about the cost - it's a dress you'll get use out of, right?" She’d bought a dress or two over the years, it was a very rare indulgence, especially when getting something hand-made rather than from a store. Rather than direct or push Hayley about to do anything she sort of just let that hand slip from hers and wandered about the store slowly, her hands kept in front of her as if they were warding her from danger. She found a chair to seat herself in, beside the single dressing room and sat there for a bit, waiting patiently for Hayley to pick something out. She wore a steady smile, resting her head back in a patient lull.

Hayley stood like a deer in headlights, looking around slowly. Pick something you enjoy? She couldn't help but chuckle quietly - maybe Saranja hadn't seen the future where Hayley loved trying everything - but she had to restrain herself. At least a little. Maybe. But that long ball gown looked so pretty, and the pink dress was cute...Frills. Saranja had insisted on frills. So with that in mind Hayley walked round slowly, until she found something that caught her eye; it was a small dress, likely only going to the knees on her, and only over one shoulder. However it was frilly all along the bottom of the dress, and she could imagine herself spinning in it with the dress coming up slightly, twirling with her, and it made her smile. Her figure was quite thin, and she didn't have the biggest chest, so even though it was designed to be close-fitting on her body it wouldn't show off too much on her, but she liked it. Decided, she held it close to her and walked to where Saranja was. "I managed to pick one. It wasn't easy, as I could have picked and worn every single one in here, but um..." She held it out for Saranja to see, then with an "Oh...yeah, you can’t." she held it back, before getting the attention of someone to help with the fitting.

In truth, she had seen the future where she tried on most of the dresses. She figured the daughter of Hades needed a win here, and was more than willing to just wait for her - but her coming up that early, holding out the dress- "Hold on." She ran her hands across it, feeling it to see. She brushed her hands over the fabric daintily, her fingers playing with the frills for a while with a smile and a nod as if to tell Hayley she was done. "What colour is it?" She missed seeing colours, at least seeing them properly. Looking through her visions was like trying to paint a picture with nothing but different scenes of stained glass to put together. She wondered about cost for a moment, but just that, a moment. She saw twirling and dancing, even some flirting in that dress. It was more than worth it.

Hayley held it still, letting Saranja play with the frills and the fabric with a smile. In truth, she was hoping for approval on the dress, because it means Saranja had seen a good vision with the dress. She had no idea how much it cost, having not even checked, and when Saranja nodded she held back a sigh of relief. "It's in black. They have a lot of other colours that are similiar design, but this matches my hair colour well I think. what do you think? Do you like it?"

"Does it matter much if I do?" She smiled, ever the seer. She wasn't about to spoil the future for her, she'd said way too much as it was. "You sound like you like it." She laid back, her hands finding that small chair again as she got comfortable again, waiting.

"Well, you are paying for it" Hayley said with a nod "So I care about your opinion. Plus well...you can see if it'll make me look ugly, or won't suit me...or if it'll fall apart or something. These dresses all look so delicate. I do like it though, it's really cute, and I can imagine myself dancing in it...or falling over in it" She laughed, holding the dress to her again and looking at it for a few more moments. Then she nodded. "Ok, I want to try it on. I guess I ask them to sort that for me?"

"It's your dress. I don't see as well as you might think I do - do whatever you would do, Hayley. There's nothing better than what's genuine." She nodded some, 'looking' at the dress and over toward the entrance. "Ask for it to be fitted. Then you can wear it and give it a proper twirl."

"Ok!" Hayley nodded, a bigger smile as she got someones attention. Soon, she was moving into the dressing room as the dress was fitted, and undressing to slip into the dress. She remained in the dressing room a little while longer, admiring the dress from different angles and even giving it a twirl. She loved it! It was beautiful! It wasn't too tight, but it fit her body shape well, her slight curves standing out and the twirl made the dress look even better "I love it" she said quietly to herself, although Saranja likely could have heard it. She slipped out of the dressing room, dress still on, and said "Um...I'm not sure if you can see it now, but if you can, what do you think?" She twirled on the spot after saying that.

She smiled as she heard that quiet confirmation of love for the dress, hearing the smile in her voice and the fabric rustling and twirling as she spun. She nodded in affirmation and slowly stood up. "My sight really isn't a good substitute for eyes - but I can hear you smiling well enough." She reached a hand forward to touch those frills, fiddling with them again with a grin, she obviously enjoyed them. She let go soon enough. "Do you want to wear it back to the campus?" A little overdressed, but she thought the time in the pretty dress might improve her mood.

Hayley froze on the spot as Saranja started playing with her dress while she was still wearing it. If she wasn't blind, Hayley might think she was trying to lift the dress up or something! This was all new territory for her, having a friend. She didn't want to mess it up, so she said nothing until Saranja spoke again. "Um...no, not back to the school. I'd like to save it for the ball." She paused, before adding "How much is it?"

She didn't rightly know. She was sure she could afford it with what she had on her, but she didn't make mention of a number. She just gave a shrug. "Lets head home. We'll ask how much it is at the counter." She brushed the fabric again with an obvious longing to it. Soft things were definitely a favourite. When Hayley walked back into the dressing room, Saranja walked to the counter, enquiring and paying for the dress. She suppressed something of a blush when asked if it was a gift for her "sweetheart". She nodded all the same, waiting by the door.

Hayley nodded, not questioning prices anymore. She'd have to ask what she owed when she finished changing. Maybe she could get a part time job to pay her back she thought to herself as she admired the dress in the mirror one more time before she slipped out of the dress and into her now boring skirt and shirt. She sighed to herself before she left, already missing how the dress felt against her skin, which then reminded her of how Saranja had touched it while she was wearing it. That brought out a blush as she left the room and moved over to the counter, presenting the dress. "I'm ready. How much is it?"

"That's 'how much was it'." She looked over toward the counter again with a smile. "Thank you. Look out for the rain later." She stepped out into the sunny day and clear sky, much to some of the curiosity of the staff there. She already started on the path back toward the university, hoping that Hayley would soon be in tow. "This ball is going to be exciting!" She grinned and had a lilt to her step that made every clip clop of her hooves a little happier.

(collab with @Blazion)