Anne couldn't force herself to watch as the other girl started to remove the gown. Her gown. She tried telling herself it was only a dress and that she hadn't even planned on going to the ball, but oh she would go if she had something like that. She knew she was out of her league even coming in, but now to have to shoved under her nose like this made it all the more poingnant. And to be sure, the other girl probably didn't even feel a hint of compunction.

She, again, took in another soft breath to control herself when the girl mentioned buying the dress and then cutting it up. But it... it was perfect! Really, it was perfect in every way imaginable and she was going to destroy it? And then throw it away? Anne let her chin drop again, squeezing her eyes shut at the unfairness in it all. Had she the money to buy that robe, she would care for it as if it were made of gold. Why should this girl get to own it, this girl who was going to tear it to shreds and ruin it and then go out and buy another, when there was Anne who would treasure it?

Life seemed to make very little sense in the blonde's eyes. She had to say something in defense of this fine piece of material. But what? She opened her mouth to let out a protest, but all she succeeded in was a little airy croak.

This wasn't going well.