The day came for Bob's second fashion show, amid fanfare and heightened press. Unlike his first show, this one involved other designers, instead of clothing having been created only by Tylene Gunn. All of them followed the same motif -- unshod men carrying shoes. 'It's About the Feet' was the show's unofficial tagline, so popular that the programs handed out at the door sported the phrase on the front page.

Cecilia dared to be in attendance, sitting with Makani at her side, and his wife Mahui seated at his other. Cecilia had wished to also sit with her best friend, Tylene, but it simply was not possible, for she was busy running the show. Since Cecilia was brainboarding with her husband, helping him walk the runway, she had to wear blinders most of the time so as to not cause confusion. They looked like everyday sunglasses, sporting neon pink frames with matching side shields, and lenses so dark that she couldn't see even when in broad daylight.

Since Tylene was unavailable, a better choice for Seas/Bob's other seatmate was Maggie, the brainboard therapist the Rohans now shared almost exclusively with the Tuigamalas. "I really like your glasses," she told Seas/Bob, squeezing her/his hand to get their attention.

Bob made his wife squeeze back. "Thank you very much! Benjamin made them for us, specifically for this show. He also said we could keep them afterwards if we want!"

"Ben is a great friend," Makani added, leaning in to place his head near Seas/Bob's ear. "He'll do whatever you ask."

Cecilia's behavior was ebullient, as she bounced on her seat with joy. She wore a one-piece pantsuit, made to look like a separate shirt and slacks with the strategic placement of a faux cincher sewn in around its midsection. Its sleeves were long and fluted, ending at oversized cuffs that clung tight, with pants cuffs that ended in bells. The outfit was covered in swirls of pink, accented with browns and oranges as well, highlighting the crazy effect. The cincher looked to be sturdy plastic, colored a bright Spanish crimson, but it was in fact thick stretchy satin, with a brocaded tropical floral design of hot pink and black raspberry highlighting its front.

Her/his nails were also painted hot pink, as they groped Makani's lap for his hand. Now squeezing both his and Maggie's, Seas squealed of her own accord. "I'm so excited! I swear, this is the best day of my life!" She turned her head towards Makani, acting as if she could she him. "I mean, my God! I'm the star of the show!"

I'm the star of the show, Bob teased into his wife's head.

Shut up, Monkeypants, she teased back, or I'll make you fall on your face.

Will you come to my rescue if I do?

Only if I can laugh at you once I find out you're all right.

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

I'm excited too, Bob thought to himself, loud enough so Seas could sense it. Together, they squeezed Makani's hand very tight.

Seas stopped bouncing in her seat, and grew silent and still, expending more of her conscious effort to help her husband get dressed. Somewhere backstage in a dressing room, deep in the pandemonium going on, Steph assisted Bob with the outfit Benjamin had picked out earlier as his favorite. The giant green bloomers went on first, held up by suspenders that would be hidden once the asymetrical block-print shirt was put on over them.

It was a simple outfit, much more so than the cutaway cullotes and pirate boot cuffs that Tylene had chosen for Bob to wear during the Grand Parade. But since 'simple' and 'Tylene' were not words often seen being used in the same sentence, Steph helped Bob put on an elaborate pair of leggings. With an inner silk and nylon layer the same color as his skin, they had sewn into their outer layer four huge bands of metallic fabric that glowed under the lights. The fabric of the bands was sturdy, with three of the bands sporting the same colors as those found in the print on the shirt -- lilac and white and red.

The fourth band was pasture green, the same color as the bloomers. All four of them seemed to hover space, defying gravity as the nude hose supporting them blended into the background of Bob's legs.

"No grey socks for today's show, hey Steph?" Bob/Seas teased as they put the leggings on.

Steph had no apparent sense of humor, as all he did in response was pause for a moment to blink. "No," he said to Bob/Seas' legs as he labored with the outfit. "Everyone's barefoot today."

He rose up after he was done to give Bob/Seas some last minute modelling instructions. "Okay. So you want to stomp your feet hard as you walk downstage. Make those bands really jiggle!"

Seas had Bob do a dance of joy, causing the bands to bounce like crazy. "Careful!" Steph scolded gently. "You'll knock the fool things off. And here are your shoes."

Steph left to fetch a pair of simple shoes. They looked like calf-length male ballerina flats, meant to be laced up high. He balled half of the shoes' long laces into his hand, making a fat knot. Once done, he stuck the fingers of Bob/Seas left hand through the spaces between the laces.

Seas had Bob put on a pout. "Well, those don't seem very fancy," he/she griped about the flats.

Steph showcased a rare smile. "Ah! But watch!" he said, putting his fingers into one of the shoes.

Inside each of them was an electrical switch that, once thrown, made the flats light up. Bands of L.E.D.s the same colors as those around the nude stockings on Bob's legs travelled up and down the shoes, putting on a show.

"Wow!" Bob/Seas exclaimed in surprise. "Those are cool!" To Steph's continued smile he/she asked, "Did Ché make these?"

Steph put a friendly hand upon Bob/Seas' shoulder. "Darling, these days Ché is making all the shoes you wear." He leaned in close to speak in confidence, even though they were the only people in the cramped room. "I hear she and Tylene are in talks to have a pair of Ché shoes on your feet with every Ty Gunn outfit you wear."

"Or have slung over my shoulder!" Bob/Seas added, swinging the electric flats in broad arcs.

"Now stomp those feet and swing those shoes like you're the king of the world!"

Steph had Bob/Seas take a few practice steps in the small space of the room. "Un-uh," he clucked. "No no no. Not so hard. You're making it look comical. Swing like a king, darling! Not a clown!"

Seas had Bob put a serious look on his face as he strode up to Steph with menace.

"Oh that's it!" Steph enthused. "You're giving me the shivers!"

Out in the audience, Seas in her pink blinders squeezed the hands of Makani and Maggie so hard it almost hurt all three of them.

"Oh!" she/he exclaimed. "I'm having so much fun!"