The next few days leading up to Monday were filled with Bucky giving Ocellus secret lessons in dragon behaviour and shopping for the right accessories. Bucky said from her time in the Dragon Lands, she learned that anything made of black leather was popular among dragons. If it has spikes or studs, that was a bonus. Some dragons even liked adorning themselves with piercings, but seeing as Ocellus wasn’t a fan of those they’d settled for fake ones. Ocellus also practiced taking what she wanted and asserting her dominance, but only on Bucky. She’d tried it on Bucky’s dads, but the first time she did it was also the last. Quickdraw and Sharpshot weren’t happy about having their hats stolen off their heads. Ocellus was getting the hang of acting like a jerk, in fact she’d perfected it, but she still didn’t exactly feel comfortable doing it.
 
Hours before the dance, Bucky said the last thing to do was give Ocellus a makeover. Not long after arriving at Bucky’s house, Ocellus found herself in Bucky’s listening to heavy metal CDs as Bucky prepared something in the kitchen. To Ocellus, all the music sounded pretty much the same, but she was told dragons loved heavy metal and she should be able to tell the difference between Iron Maiden and Metallica. She couldn’t yet, even after two days, but she would try to if it meant impressing Smolder. Bucky came back up the stairs carrying two large bowls with…something in them and a tub of ice cream.
 
“I made something for you,” Bucky smiled, “Tilt your chair back and lemme put it on you. So how do you like the music?”
 
“I don’t”, Ocellus said honestly, “It all sounds the same to me.”
 
“You’ll learn. Just don’t say that in front of any dragon or they’ll laugh at you. Now let this face mask do its thing.”
 
Bucky began applying a strange, orange, nice-smelling paste to Ocellus’ face.
 
“What is this stuff you’re putting on me…?” the poor changeling asked nervously.
 
“A turmeric face mask,” Bucky answered, “It’ll help give your skin a beautiful radiant glow, which will have a positive subconscious effect on Smolder. She’ll be more attracted to you ‘cause you’ll be all shiny and glowy like a gemstone, she just won’t realize it.”
 
“Does it work?”
 
“It’d better, turmeric isn’t cheap. For me, I’m using this beet mask to get that rosy glow and even out my textures. Ice cream?”
 
“No thanks, Bucky.”
 
Bucky ate a spoonful of her ice cream and asked, “So how do you feel?”
 
“Nervous,” Ocellus sighed, “Like I’m going to mess everything up and forget all the stuff you taught me. But even more, I feel so dirty lying to everyone and having to act like something I’m not.”
 
“…I meant how does the mask feel?” Bucky groused.
 
“Oh. Uhm, lumpy, and cold, and gooey. Like bad pudding. What did you say was in this?”
 
Bucky read off the ingredients list, “Turmeric, yogurt, honey-” Splort! “…A little chocolate ice cream… Listen, this is like a test, but not on paper. Just think of it that way. You’re good at tests. And if you pass, maybe Smolder will ask you out on another date. Then, it’s just a matter of keeping the act up until the relationship doesn’t feel ‘new’ anymore. Then you gradually start to act like your shy little self again and she’ll be so used to you by then she won’t care.”
 
Ocellus began to imagine having to keep lying about her true self for such a long while. It really didn’t sit well with her, but Bucky did help two couples get together, so she obviously knew what she was doing. What poor Ocellus worried about the most was becoming the mask and being a bully forever, unable to change back. A ding! took her out of her thoughts, which meant it was time to take off the masks. She looked in the mirror and saw she did seem to glow more. Bucky, on the other hand…
 
“What?” Bucky asked when she noticed her friend staring at her, “Isn’t it coming off?”
 
“Uh…”
 
Luckily for them, Bucky had enough makeup to open her own stall in the market, so she could probably cover the red blotches on her face. Before attaching all the fake piercings to Ocellus, Bucky went to work doing her makeup.
 
“This dark purple stands out nicely against your skin,” she cheerfully explained as she applied each product, “The extra glitter on your eyes and your carapace will have that same positive subconscious effect on Smolder, making her more attracted to you. The dark eyeliner helps your eyes to pop, plus it really completes your ‘metal’ look. And just set it all with this spray… There! Don’t you look like a badass?”
 
“Bucky,” Ocellus huffed with a glare, “I look exactly like you.”
 
“So… Too badass?”