After my the whole discussion about naming things, I settle back into my comfortable schedule of study and work, a few more days passing without any further incidents, either in town, or out in the forest. Catherine Lundrum is really doing her job, there seem to be fewer encroaching dangers that the magical creatures need to deal with each day. Still no more issues with the woman herself though...

The weekend arrives before I know it. And with it, a written invitation to Eryk's house. But... why? It doesn't say. Then, I cringe a little when John explains. Eryk wants me to learn more etiquette and get a dress tailored for me, so I'll be ready for the party this coming Saraday. Couldn't he have mentioned this at work yesterday instead of sending John all the way here?

I check the time. It's already a hundred ticks after first bell. So I take the note over to Noria who's in the kitchen and ask her to make my breakfast now so I can leave. She gives me a kind of curious, wary look when I show her the note, but since it doesn't have any explanation for my invitation, she eventually shrugs it off.

Then she grumbles a bit, but does as I ask and makes breakfast. When I eat it though... What did she do to the food? It's all like... weird and mushy and ugh... Was it on purpose because she didn't want to make it, or is she just that bad of a cook...?

The taste is still great, but the slurshy texture makes me shudder and cringe as I put the food down anyway. I fight to finish it quickly and shake away the feeling. Then I go talk to Emily. Since it's all going to be etiquette lessons and stuff, I tell her to just go with her other friends for once since it'll be no fun at Eryk's today.

She looks a bit worried about me going off without her, even when I try to tell her I can take care of myself. That just makes her point out that I get myself hurt every time she takes her eyes off me. Which... is more true than I want to admit, actually...

Despite her reluctance, she eventually agrees to let me go alone, then I head out with John, shortly before the second bell.

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Of course, the first thing Irene does when I arrive at Eryk's is shoo me into the bathroom to get washed up and changed before my lessons.

The etiquette lessons are exactly what I thought. A bit boring, really confusing, and incredibly useful. Irene focuses on any gaps in party etiquette I missed in our earlier lessons, then moves onto divant manners, since she assures me I will be seeing them at the coming party. It is... more than a little unsettling how much of it I recognize from all the high class situations I've already gotten myself into without the proper training...

When we break for lunch, Irene studies me eating very closely. It's clear someone other than Noria cooked this time, since it isn't terrible. Of course, Irene immediately scolds me harshly when I have to spit out one of the noble foods.

"I'm sorry!" I wave frantically, trying to explain. "There are certain foods I really can't eat, and they're way more common among noble food for some reason." When her stern expression doesn't budge, I try again. "I'm not being picky or anything, I have to avoid them because some are really bad for me. For instance, eating lele fruit can knock me out for a whole day."

Something that drastic finally puts a bit of concern in her expression. "Why, that does sound pretty severe." But then she frowns a little more, and brings up the exact same argument Zoe did the other time. "But these are noble foods, how would you know which ones you will have adverse reactions to?"

I... still don't have a better answer, so I respond truthfully, even knowing she won't believe me. "I can tell from the sensation in my mouth. Not like taste, it's something completely different, but I can't really explain it." Her look alone says she won't take that explanation, so I quickly try saying more, before she can start scolding me again.

"Like, for instance, the feel this one gives makes me think that I won't be able to stay calm after eating it. Like... it will give me a lot of energy, but kind of too much energy, so I won't be able to sit still and concentrate. Or at least something like that, it's kind of hard to tell because the feeling isn't that exact." That whole long explanation finally has her looking a little less certain of herself, but she's still frowning at me and there's something I should still say...

"Ok, fine," I admit. "Honestly, not all of the foods I have reactions to are necessarily bad reactions, but I've been avoiding most of them because I don't actually know for sure what they'll do until I eat one for the first time, and I'd rather be too cautious, instead of too reckless."

Some part of that finally gets Irene to agree. "Fine, but I'll be telling Master Eryk about this."

"Oh, sure. Here's the one I can't eat," and hold up the one piece for her to see. When she raises a confused brow at my response, I explain, "I think he's keeping a list of the foods I can't eat."

Irene immediately frowns down at me, her glare overflowing with annoyance. "Why didn't you mention that first?"

Her unexpected reaction makes me flinch, but then her question makes me pout instead, annoyed with her too. "You never believe me..." I mumble.

"That..." She sighs, actually sounding defeated for once. "I suppose that is fair." Then she turns a complicated look on me. "You're nothing like I was taught to expect of children. So serious, but obstinate and difficult at the strangest of times. And I'd believe you more if you weren't always saying such outlandish things, you know."

I can't argue with her complaints. I already know I'm weird, and she's the one who has to deal with it. I'm always making her job hard for her, aren't I...? With my mood falling a little, I return to eating, and work through the food, leaving any pieces of the one thing I can't eat at the bottom of the bowl when I finish.

Then it's back to my lessons. I try to push through my bad mood and just focus. I'm going to need all of this...

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Eventually, Irene calls my etiquette lessons to a close.

"Alright, up, up. Now it's time to get you into a dress. We're heading to the tailor's." At her instructions, I quickly follow behind as she leads me out of the house, and we start heading northwest, in the general direction of the central plaza. I'm kind of worried though, why did she sound annoyed when she said that? Is there a problem with getting me a dress?

Trying not to worry, I turn my attention to our surroundings instead. I still don't have a very good handle on a lot of the roads of the central district, even though they're wider, with fewer alleys to get turned around in, but I think I at least have some idea of where we are compared to Eryk's house and the clinic by the time we arrive at the tailor's.

It's on a seemingly random street, with just a couple other businesses clustered around it. Everything else around here looks like some pretty large homes, better than I'd expect this far toward the north end of the district.

Stopping briefly in front of the building, it doesn't have a placard to show what they sell, only the name on the side of the building. So, they don't expect to serve anyone who can't at least read... "Holly Tailoring," I say the name to myself under my breath, finding it somewhat familiar. I follow Irene through the front door as I turn my thoughts back, trying to remember...

The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

Oh right, Reena told me that Kathy comes here a lot-

Just as I'm thinking that, I enter the shop, and she's right there. I freeze as Kathy glances, then jolts and spins back to stare down at me. Oh no, we never really resolved things the last time I talked to her, when she found out about everything...

"My, it's nice to see you, Master Kathy," Irene offers a very deep curtsy, but can't miss the stricken expression on Kathy's face, even as she reflexively fumbles her way through her response, never able to look away from me for more than a few moments at a time. "Aria?" Irene prompts me with a look, and I quickly move forward and return a deep, respectful curtsy of my own to Kathy. However, she starts to go a little pale when she sees it.

"It's... very nice to meet you again..." I try, but it all comes out sounding anxious. Why is she looking at me like that? All I can think of is she's scared, or no, because I showed a lot of respect?

"H-here for a dress?" She pauses more than she should, then suddenly blurts, "For the party?"

"Yes..." Irene looks back and forth throughout our halting conversation, beginning to frown. During the short delay, it finally clicks. Kathy is kind of like Frank, the main thing she knows of me is that I'm an angel. So maybe she thinks I deserve a ton of respect? Even more than she does? Trying to push past all those worries and Irene's careful gaze, I try to keep talking. "Umm, what about you?"

"Yes. Yes, a dress. I'm here to get a dress for the party as well," she finally starts to even out. Even if she's freaking out, she must also remember that everything is supposed to be secret... After taking a moment to breathe and steady herself, I think she's back to normal. Her tone sounds fine again at least. "Eryk invited me, he said it will be quite the party this time."

Leaning a little closer, she finally turns to address Irene with her voice lowered. "He made it sound quite interesting. I offered to host at my place for a larger venue, but he refused, would you believe that? He can be so hardheaded at times. At least he agreed to take a few of my servants on for some extra hands. I can't imagine how he would expect just two servants to keep an entire party of this size running smoothly." She shakes her head with a big, amused smile, but... two servants? He has three though... "Right, Irene?"

"Of course, Master Kathy. Thank you very much for the extra help, it will go a long way to ensuring everything proceeds as planned," Irene answers politely. It's a little... distant though, which puts Kathy off. I can tell by the way she stops leaning in and her voice returns to normal.

"Well, let's get on with it then." She waves us on, and I finally turn my attention to the rest of the shop. I missed it all after the huge shock seeing Kathy here. With just a glance, the money here is daunting. There are some suits hung up along one wall, but the big draw are the dresses.

They're displayed, being worn by a few wooden carved things, shaped kind of like people. They're so big and colorful, and... and so different! One is all big and fluffy, with a skirt that flares out in a way that I don't even understand how it stays like that, while a few others are smaller, more form fitting to the wooden people. There are six or seven of the dresses around, standing on either side of the little path through the middle that leads up to the counter, with a woman waiting patiently behind it.

I stare at each of them as we walk past. The only place I've seen more colorful clothes were on nobles... Before I know it, we're at the counter, the woman looking over us with a big, pleasant smile. "Good to see you, Irene. Who is this little one you have with you?" Her airy voice kind of grabs my attention as she looks down over the counter at me.

It actually makes me a little nervous being watched like that, and I have to remind myself that I'm dressed well right now, I don't look like a peasant. I... look like I actually belong in a place like this...

Some part of that thought makes me even more nervous, because I know I don't really belong here. The pretty lady's kind eyes suddenly remind me that I don't belong with any of these people, but I immediately shake away those stupid thoughts. Now isn't the time for doubts. Person or not, I got here on my own.

Determined to focus again, I look up at Irene as she introduces me. "This is Aria."

"Chlea. It's nice to meet you," she fires back her own introduction and I smile slightly. I like the way she talks.

With a little nod, Irene goes on. "We're here to get her a dress for the party I'm sure you've already heard all about." She doesn't change her tone at all, but... was that a joke? From Irene?

Chlea's lips squirm as she tries and fails to suppress a smile, which comes out kind of funny looking because of it. Quickly standing up from how she was leaned on the counter to look at me, Chlea straightens out her flashy green dress, almost as fancy and colorful as the ones on display. "Yes, of course Kathy mentioned it," she says, using the opportunity to send a question Kathy's way. "So, did you like any of our pieces?"

"The blue one is a nice style, but I think I'd like it in a darker shade," Kathy answers easily.

"Like the one you wore to the last Liri ball?"

Kathy frowns for some reason. "Mm, good point. Should I go for a lighter shade instead?"

"That may not suit your complexion, why not more of a teal?" Chlea suggests, "Riley's shown me some gorgeous results with one of her new dyes."

"Hmm..." While Kathy is considering that, I'm wondering what in the world they're talking about. Are colors for party dresses really such a big deal for the higher classes? That's definitely how it seems as they discuss it for a little longer before Kathy gives in and asks about having her dress dyed teal.

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Once they're finished, the shopkeeper finally turns her attention back to me and Irene. "So, you said you were looking for a dress for her?" she asks Irene, but her tone is a bit odd. "It's a difficult request, but we do have a few simple pieces for toddlers and young children in the back, for cases just like this."

I cringe. Toddlers? I'm surprised Irene manages to keep a straight face, when she clears her throat and explains, "The issue is that she is seven years old."

Chlea stares down at me for a few long moments, then looks between Irene and Kathy, who both nod sadly. "Well," Chlea says. Then... doesn't say anything else.

"I don't suppose you have anything here, do you?" Irene finally prompts her.

"I-I'm sorry, Irene. We don't. Nothing styled for a child, but sized that small." As they speak, I choke down on my emotions. I'm not going to cry right now. Beth already showed me that I'm growing. I just... have to wait... "Normally I'd send you to a seamstress for a custom piece, but there are only a few days before the party," Chlea goes on uncertainly. "Why didn't you get started on this earlier?"

Irene brings a hand to her face in annoyance. "Because single men who only wear suits don't understand how long it takes to make a dress."

"That idiot..." all the women mutter together. Are they... talking about Eryk...?

"You could try Lola's, see if there's anything we could modify enough to get the job done?" Chlea finally suggests.

"I suppose that's our only choice at this point," Irene sighs. "Thanks for the advice, Chlea. With any luck, we'll be back in a little while." They all gesture respectfully, and I follow along, before we start on our way back out of the shop. When I notice Kathy coming with us and look up questioningly, she shrugs a little.

"I can't help but wonder how this will go. And besides, I feel like I should watch you a little more, Aria." The way she puts so much emphasis on my name, it's like she means something else.

If it's something she can't say aloud... Referring to me being an angel maybe? I guess she still doesn't know what to think of me or my goddess... Although the way she said that, even Irene raises an eyebrow at the way she obviously meant more than she said.

But then she immediately changes topics. "In any case, I hope I can help. It sounds like this will be Aria's first big party, so a nice dress will be very important."

"That would be very helpful, Master Kathy," Irene gives a small show of respect as we walk down the street toward our next destination.