The dress hung limply from a chair, half-finished and uneven, its edges raw with loose threads. It was far from the elegant vision Mei had in her mind, but it was also more than she had ever managed before.
She sat on the floor staring at it, scissors and scraps scattered around her. Hana crunched noisily on chips beside her, clearly enjoying Mei's silent inner battle.
Finally, Hana broke the tension.
"Well? Are you gonna try it on, or should I?"
Mei's head snapped toward her. "You? You're way too short to be Lady Veyra."
"Excuse you!" Hana gasped, feigning offense. "I would make an adorable Lady Veyra. But fine, it's your cosplay. Go put it on already!"
Mei's stomach twisted. "It's not ready. It'll look stupid."
"That's the point!" Hana shot back. "It's supposed to look stupid at first. It's progress, not perfection."
Mei chewed her lip, eyes flicking back to the gray fabric. Her heart raced. Putting it on meant admitting this wasn't just some hobby she was "trying." It meant stepping into the role she wanted so badly, even if only halfway.
She stood slowly, scooping up the dress with trembling hands, and carried it to her room.
---
The apartment was quiet without Hana's chatter. Mei closed her door and held the dress against herself in the mirror. The neckline was uneven, the stitching clearly visible, and the skirt drooped on one side.
But when she pulled it over her head and adjusted the straps, something changed.
She stared at her reflection, breath caught in her throat.
Yes, it was messy. Yes, it was incomplete. But for the first time, she wasn't just Mei in a sweater and jeans. The gray fabric transformed her silhouette, framing her in the beginnings of Lady Veyra's commanding form.
Her auburn hair tumbled out over the rough edges, but she could almost see the wig in its place, long and chestnut brown. She could almost imagine the lace, the choker, the confidence.
Her lips parted in awe. "…It's really happening."
---
A knock rattled her door. "Mei! Are you dead in there, or do I get to see the queen?" Hana called.
Mei laughed nervously. "One second."
She smoothed the fabric down, tugged at the uneven skirt, then opened the door.
Hana's eyes went wide. "Oh my god."
Mei froze. "It's terrible, isn't it?"
"Terrible?!" Hana rushed forward, circling her. "Are you kidding? You look amazing. Sure, it's rough around the edges, but you already look like Lady Veyra. This is—ugh, I need a camera."
"No!" Mei squeaked, covering her face with her hands.
But Hana gently tugged her hands away. "Mei, look at yourself. Really look."
Mei turned back to the mirror. Her reflection was a strange mix of awkward and powerful, imperfect yet promising. For the first time, she could see both herself and Lady Veyra staring back.
She smiled faintly, her eyes shining. "It's just the beginning."
"Exactly," Hana said, grinning. "And beginnings are always the most exciting."
Mei took another deep breath, letting the moment settle into her bones. She wasn't finished. She wasn't perfect. But she was becoming.
And that was enough.