“Why weren’t you saying anything?” I demanded of Nora after the interview ended.

“Seeing you say no to her was just so refreshing!” Nora smiled brightly.

“She’s too pushy!”

“She’s probably just lonely. I got the sense from writing to her that she doesn’t have anyone to talk to.”

“Well, you don’t make friends by controlling them!” I huffed.

“Do you think your boss is your friend?” Nora tilted her head.

“W-well…” Isn’t she technically our client?

“I’m not saying we shouldn’t try to get along or anything. I’m so proud of you for standing up for yourself and setting boundaries with others!”

I looked at her with a scowl. “You’re next, you know.”

“Nah. You’ll need a lot more practice before you can take me on.”

“Why did she practically ignore you?” I asked. “You’re her biggest fan.”

“That’s probably exactly why.”

“I don’t understand.”

“I’m her biggest fan, but that’s it. I have nothing else in common with her, so what else is there to discuss? Better to keep quiet and observe.” I counted myself very lucky Nora didn’t feel that way about me.

“And what’s your analysis?” I asked curiously.

“Mmm. We have our work cut out for us. She’s very stubborn. She likes you, though, so we can leverage that. We’ll wrap this contract project up quickly and secure us some permanent, full-time work with CUP as a reward.”

“Like normal adults?”

“Like normal adults,” Nora confirmed.

***

Mother was sitting in her chair in the living room with Chester. They both glanced at me as soon as I came inside. “You had an eventful day, I take it.”

“You could say that,” I murmured, still trying to figure out how to tell her about everything.

“Did you accept the job?”

“How did you know I had an interview?”

Rather than answer me directly for once, she instead picked up a plate from the end table next to her and took a bite of Mama Perez’s signature cotton cheesecake.

“Oh.” Sure, you’ll talk to Nora’s mom over me.

“Well?” She waited for my answer.

“Yes, I accepted the job.”

“Nora, too?” For the first time in my life, I noted she looked anxious. Chester perked his ears forward as if he was expecting my answer. Why was she so worried about what Nora was doing? Didn’t she trust me to make crucial decisions on my own?

“Yeah. We both signed a contract.” She leaned back into her chair, and Chester relaxed luxuriously across her lap.

“Well, as long as Nora is going with you, I think it will be okay. When do you start?”

***

The week flew by, punctuated here and there by a flurry of texts from Eura and Nora about logistics for our upcoming first day of employment. Monday morning came, and Nora and I stood at the entrance of the North Catskill Winery and Renaissance Fair. The wrought-iron fence was open, but it was eerily quiet inside.

We walked down a cobblestone path to the main ticket booth. The attendant waved us through without so much as an entire glance. Eura was waiting in the exact center of a small grove, wearing an ivory dress that crossed the line between an off-shoulder toga and a floor-length ball gown. A gold sash encircled her midriff. She had discarded her sunglasses, and I could see her eyes were the same merry blue as her grandfather’s. Her handbag looked out of place, but at least she had it zippered shut this time. We exchanged pleasantries, being sure to comment positively on her gown. It was much better than the red skirt suit she wore during our interview.

“Let’s go, let’s go!” She turned and sprinted down the path. As she ran, I could see she had donned gold sandals that laced up to her knees. We both followed her as she made her way to the marketplace.

“Where’s everyone else?” I wondered aloud.

If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

“Oh, the Faire is closed to the public. I rented it out for the day.”

“Isn’t that expensive?”

“I don’t think so?” She shrugged and turned into a clothing shop.

“Here.” She handed me a blue tunic adorned with gold clasps and white pants. “Try these! They go great with your complexion!”

“I need long sleeves. Absolutely no short sleeves.” I fussed, handing the tunic back.

“Are you… mad at me?” She asked me with a pout, and I cringed. It was too early for a full confrontation.

“Well, no, but look. I just don’t like showing my forearms, okay? Or my midriff so…”

“I had no idea you’re so modest! It’s so cute!” She took the tunic up to the attendant at the counter. Didn’t I just say I wasn’t going to wear that?

“I want this, but with long sleeves, okay?” Oh, you could ask for alterations?

“Of course, my lady.” The attendant bowed.

“Oh, and she’s going to need a white cloak. With a hood. And lots of hidden pockets. Gold trim. Tasteful. And leather boots.” Eura turned to me. “What size?”

“Uh, twelve.” My feet were big, sure, but they were in reasonable proportion to my overall height. Otherwise, I’d fall over a lot more.

“Oh! White gloves to match, too. Large, right?” I nodded in reply.

“It will be my pleasure to fulfill your request.” The attendant bowed again before going into the back of the shop.

Eura then squinted at Nora. “You’re going to need an outfit too.”

“Dark mage,” Nora answered immediately.

“What?” Eura blinked several times. “I was thinking… like, a pirate or something.” That ‘or something’ made me think she hadn’t thought about her at all.

“Fifth circle dark mage.”

“Fifth circle?! You might as well just ask to be the next head of the mage tower!” Eura folded her arms.

“Wait, are we just dressing up like characters from the story?” I blinked.

“Well, what else should we be doing?” Nora seemed surprised.

“Who am I dressing up as?” I asked.

“Why, Rae, of course!” Eura said happily.

“Why does Nora get to choose what she dresses up as, and I don’t?” It’s my nickname, isn’t it? Sometimes I just want to be someone else, you know.

“Who do you want to dress up as?” Eura looked amused.

“Laverna!” I answered thoughtlessly. Oh wait…

“Did you forget about her halter top?” Nora reminded me.

“Grah! Fine!” I knew when I was outnumbered.

“Too bad the armor pieces are only cheap replicas here, so we’ll skip them. You’re dressing up as Raelyn did when she met with the chief of the tiger clan.”

I looked at Nora. “Remind me what happened?”

“Raelynn wasn’t allowed to bring her weapons or armor into the sacred bamboo forest when she sought Iron Tiger Tetora’s help, as it would signify suspicion and distrust. It seemed a little unfair to me because that rule didn’t apply to the tiger clan members themselves.”

“Got it. Well, at least let me pick the cloth headband.”

“Hachimaki,” Nora and Eura clarified in unison.

Only a blue one was available, so I didn’t get to choose after all. Although I could tie it around my head without help, I had trouble keeping it in place with the knot behind my ear. I finally gave up and put the knot down in the back.

“That’s not how Raelynn wears it,” Eura commented disapprovingly.

“It keeps popping off.”

“You’d look better with longer hair,” Eura opined. “Short hair doesn’t suit you.”

I glanced at Nora, hoping she’d stick up for me, but she nodded in agreement with Eura. I see how it is now. Traitor. “I’ll consider it.” That was my usual way of saying no.

“The glasses won’t work with your ensemble either,” Eura noted.

“Unfortunately, I need them to see, so they stay on my face.”

“I thought they were just a fashion statement!”

I blinked. “Whatever gave you that idea?”

“Uh. Well… couldn’t you just… Well, no, that wouldn’t work. I don’t know, get surgery or something to fix them?”

I was perplexed by her suggestion. “Surgery can’t fix them, as far as I know.”

“How tragic…” Welcome to the real world, princess.

Nora and Eura spent much time arguing over which dark mage robes Nora should wear. Nora preferred darker colors, while Eura kept steering her to lighter fabrics. I had to agree with Nora. Who ever heard of a dark mage wearing white unless they were the villain in disguise? Eventually, I got bored with their bickering over color schemes and ended up looking at other sundries. Ultimately, Eura and Nora settled on a fancy, dark silver cloak embroidered with runes. I wasn’t sure what Nora was wearing underneath the cloak, but knowing her, it would be outrageous, and she was waiting for the right time to debut it. The polished wooden staff they had selected, though, was a fantastic work of art. It was as tall as I was, culminating in a twisted wooden cage enclosing a purple glass orb bigger than my fist.

“Can I see it?” I asked curiously.

“Sure.” Nora tossed me the staff, and I took a few practice swings with it.

“It’s not one of your softball bats! Hold it aloft!”

I held it up high and shouted, “Haa!” I waited for a moment, but nothing happened.

“It’s defective.” I tossed it back to Nora.

“You always say that. How many times do I have to tell you it’s not the magic weapon, it’s you!”

Eura watched our playful exchange somewhat wistfully but did not comment.

The clothing attendant flagged me down. “My lady, your garments are ready.” He led me to a stall where I could change.

I returned a few minutes later, garbed in everything Eura had picked out. Amazingly, it all fit perfectly. Even the pants, which had been blessed with full-sized pockets, were long enough! “Well?”

“Oh, my!” Eura had tears in her eyes.

“You look amazing!” Nora cheered.

“You two are embarrassing me…” Then, my stomach growled loudly, interrupting our fashion show. It was time to eat.