Other People's Sandboxes

Fandom: Lackey's Valdemar/Babylon 5 crossover
Characters: Kerowyn & Susan Ivanova
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Kero tugged at the collar of her uniform in annoyance and tried once again to do something with her hair that both looked professional and kept it out of the way.

"Whatever man decided that these uniforms needed a highneck stiff collar obviously never had to brush the snarls out from the hair at the base of his neck," came a sardonic voice from the doorway.

Kero paused with her hands above her head and gave a quick nod of acknowledgment. "Commander."

"Captain."

"Is there something I can help you with, Susan?" Kero asked around a mouth full of hair pins.

"I just came to see if you needed any help getting ready. Delenn had to help me into this monstrosity, so I thought you might need some help yourself," Susan said with a distasteful look at her own elaborate uniform.

"Well, it's not quite as bad as some of the high court gear I've had to wear at times, but it was certainly a challenge. Did you manage to get anyone to explain to you why they're dressing us up like dolls for this. . . ceremony?" Kero asked, practically spitting out the last word.

Susan sighed and made a face. "Diplomatics. The Iffali are extraordinarily grateful for our assistance and wish to show it. Therefore it would be 'impolitic, impolite and a damned bad idea' not to let them show their gratitude."

"A direct quote from Captain Sheridan, I take it?"

"Of course." Then Susan gave a wicked grin, one of the few true smiles Kero had seen from the other woman. "But I think we get our revenge - if you think our uniforms are bad, you should see what they're making the men wear. Delenn said John was trying to figure out which end was up on his when she left. And -"

"And?"

"Part of the ceremony involves a mock sword-fight between the Captain and the Iffali leader."

Kero's eyes sparkled. Suddenly this ceremony didn't seem quite so bad.

"I think it's about time we showed the gentlemen what a proper entrance looks like, don't you?"