Jeanne held her hands over her mouth as he watched Leonidas walk out of his bedchamber in a dark blue velvet doublet, a black leather belt fitted around his waist. The heavy clomps from his knee-high riding boots lightly echoed off the walls, covering the lower half of his black pants as he finished pulling his dark leather gloves taunt. “What?” he asked her.

“Nothing,” she said in a strained voice, turning to look away.

He looked down, his eyes scouring his attire frantically. “Did I put something on backwards?”

She shook her head, tears now forming as she futilely held back laughter.

“Oh ha ha,” Leonidas mocked. “Like it’s so wrong to look decent at a party. You know it’s your turn to get all spiffy.”

Jeanne stopped laughing, mulled over the words before her shoulders slumped and she furrowed her brows. Merely saying, “Crap” before she went up the stairs as Leonidas met the others down at the solar.

“I’m actually surprised you already had a suit ready for such a thing,” said Cid, adjusting his all-black outfit, similar to the doctor’s, save for a pair of short boots.

“You exorcise a tailor’s child; you get some nice clothing as a payment.”

“Perhaps we could get their name?” Silvius asked, straightening out his deep green doublet cloaked with an earthen red long skirted jacket over it, along with brown pants and black shoes, and his rapier hanging from his left side.

“Agreed,” said Benkin, wearing a magenta doublet and pants, knee high riding boots with a white coat laying over his right shoulder. “Be nice not to have armor as our sole articles of clothing.”

“I’ll ask,” Leonidas replied, “But I can’t make any promises.”

“I don’t know,” said Maeryn, carefully examining her violet gown, edged with golden leaf patterns, and a golden waist belt resting on her hip, “this doesn’t feel like something you could run fast in.”

“Which is why I’m wearing good old pantaloons,” said Hypatia, sporting a white doublet, dark brown pants and riding boots ending half way up her calves. “Those look nice, but are a trip hazard all around.”

“You’re not afraid of people are going to murmur?” Kveldulf asked. Leaning against the doorframe with a blood red doublet pants and riding boots.

“I’ve learned to stop caring a long time ago,” Hypatia replied. “If they’re not people who respect me for who I am, then I don’t respect their opinions of me.”

Kveldulf shrugged. “Fair enough.”

“What is the purpose to this whole affair anyway?” Kveldulf asked.

“I heard it’s to collect money to help the Lower Wards,” said Cid, adjusting his sleeves at the wrist.

“Are the conditions really bad there?” Benkin asked.

“People here call that section the Lost Ward,” said Leonidas.

Benkin had an uncomfortable look on his face at the response. “Well, that’s just cheery.”

“Has it always been bad over there?” Maeryn asked.

“Been this way since I’ve lived in the city,” said Leonidas.

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“And nothing’s done about it?” Kveldulf asked, his right fist clenching tightly.

“The Council wouldn’t be remised in their duties if they didn’t,” said Silvius. “I’d be like a parent leaving their child to live in utter squalor by choice.”

“That why the Council decreed that is where they’ll throw refugees from Angulsvai, Pamanoti, and a half dozen other realms tearing themselves apart. And I don’t even know the amount of fees the city, the guilds, landlords, and who knows what else are allowed to be put in place to further exacerbate the problems,” said Leonidas.

“Surely the Council wouldn’t go that far,” Hypatia said.

“You saw how the university officials stonewalled our efforts,” said Leonidas.

“That’s the university, the Council is tasked by Alliana herself with guiding the fortunes of the entire city,” said Silvius.

“Weren’t they talking about a law to regulate who could have certain sized shoes?” Maeryn asked.

“I know not every law made is base solely on sound reasoning, but there has to be some valid reason for them to be in their position,” Silvius insisted.

“Let us hope you are right,” said Cid. “I want to think this night of rubbing elbows will be worth the effort.”

“What exactly are we doing going to this thing?” Benkin asked Cid.

“Shouldn’t we be trying to find more clues to what the Wraith King’s acolytes are doing?” said Maeryn.

“I want to, but with the Council’s current opinion of the matter, I’m hoping we can find some members of the nobility to convince to our cause. At least apply some pressure to get the Council to get moving on this,” said Cid.

“You think this is going to work?” Kveldulf asked.

“It’s better to have a fool’s hope than no hope at all,” Cid replied. “And on that note, we should probably start heading out. Doctor, since it’s your place, you get to ensure Jeanne doesn’t miss the fun, or burn your house down.”

“I thought we were on good terms, Cid,” Leonidas said, defeatedly.

“We are, but you’re still doing it.”

“Damn it,” Leonidas said as the others left. Once they had left gone he turned back to his bedroom. “How are we doing up there?”

“I’m almost done!” Jeanne called out. “Oh look, this looks pretty!”

“I know you’re just messing with me,” she shrieked.

“It’s so shiny and glittery and with … why are there eyes looking at me?”

“Those are your eyes being reflected, Jeanne.”

There was a short pause. “Oh thank the Shepherd.”

“Jeanne, I swear I do not want to be given the stink eye of tardiness by these upper crust curs.”

“I said I am almost done!” she said defiantly.

Leonidas grumbled. “Look at me, I’m Jeanne. I give everyone trouble and then go wee wee wee, all the time. Oh, look at that it’s a wombat in a cart, bleh bleh bleh!”

Jeanne opened the door looking down at him from the top of the stairs. “I heard that!”

“Of course, you …” Leonidas turned, his eyes widened and completed arrested in his speech, before his thoughts slowly returned, “… did.”

Jeanne moved down the stairs, her hands lifting the front of her dress to help move down easier. Her dress was deep crimson, with white embroidery formed along the edge with the appearance of interlocking chains. Her belled sleeves opened down past her waist, which had a gilded belt resting on her hips.

Standing before the good doctor, she lifted her chin up and sported a gentle smile. “Tell me doctor,” she said in a sophisticated tone, “how do I look?”

“Enchanting,” he said softly, wearing a warm smile.

Jeanne was stunned for a moment before turning away and blushing.

“Did I say something wrong?” he asked, feeling his heart to beat swiftly in his chest.

“No, it’s just,” Jeanne paused looking down before turning her gaze at him. “That’s just not a term people use to describe me.”

Leonidas lifted her chin gently with his hand. “Then let me be the first.”

“I think I will allow you the liberty, but don’t assume I’ll start to change my ways, good sir,” she said batting her eyes playfully.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way.” He nudged his head towards the door. “We should get going, the others are probably waiting.”