Aurorabee
"Here, deeku. What do you think of this one?"
Mio tried her best not to grimace as Masayu pulled another kimono from the rack, and held it out, closing her lower two eyes as if to get a better look at Mio. "Mother," Mio said, attempting firmness. "This is completely unnecessary. I'll be graduating in my uniform." "As well you should, deeku," Masayu said, examining another outfit. "But you'll want to change for the party afterwards. It does not sit well to disrespect one's uniform in such a manner."
Mio took a breath, allowing the conditioned air to pass slowly through her gills. They'd been browsing for hours and the bright lights of the clothier's shop were giving her a headache. It didn't help Masayu was correct – as usual. "Yes, Mother." "See, that wasn't such a difficult concept. How about this one?" "No, Mother. Cerise does not do me any favours."
"Oh?" Masayu stopped rummaging in the racks of clothing and looked directly at her daughter for what felt like the first time since they'd started the day with tea and sweet reefpod cakes. Mio tightened her spine. "Where did you hear that?" "I have a... friend. Her name is Whip. She's studying to become a tailor. She asked me to model for her dissertation. It was she who told me so." "A 'friend'?" Masayu raised an eyebrow ridge. Mio swallowed. "Yes, Mother," she said stiffly. "I do have them, you know." Masayu dipped her head. "I didn't mean it as a point of contention, deeku."
Mio closed her center eye. "I apologise, Mother. There've been rumours... horror stories... about Graduation day. The Seniors say that sometimes they pick a graduate to demonstrate the Matter Manipulator." Mio flared her gills. "It's not that I don't know how-" "Ah, my beautiful blossom." Masayu slid back the offending shirt and stepped around the rack. She placed a hand on Mio's cheek, offering a gentle smile. "You are still so young. One's nerves are not insurmountable. Serenity will come in time, with experience." Mio leaned into her mother's touch, all three eyes closing briefly.
Masayu let her hand drop away. "Well now," she said, turning back to the racks of clothing, "if it's not to be cerise, then what would you choose?" Mio looked around the holo-quins, elegantly draped with silks and nanofibers. She pointed to a snow-white kimono, embroidered with azure piping and small blue and green winged insects. "May I try that one on?"
Written for the Winter '22 Prompt, "Aurorabee"