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Preparations for the Fashion Show

Day 18.

It was a bright crisp day. Olivia was at the clinic; Ethan and Liev were at the factory, working on ideas for the new production line.

Greywood Manor was left to Vivien and Gloria - for today was when the first rehearsal for the fashion show was scheduled.

Vivien Greywood bustled about the parlor, threaded needle held firmly between her lips, glancing at the assortment of gowns, jackets, suits, shawls, and accessories arranged mostly on dummies, with an occasional piece tossed over a chair or couch. She was putting finishing touches on things - even though her models and other organizers were expected any moment.

She was wearing a cream-colored dressing gown over her corsetry: the dress that Vivien would be modeling lay across an antique divan, some of the trimming having come off the bodice.

"Drat and double-drat," she muttered as she stuck the needle in her finger.

There came a tentative sounding knock on the door. Though she was her normal excited self, Treasa was half prepared for Vivien to change her mind and send her home.

"Drat!" Vivien said again, putting down her sewing and glancing in the direction of the door. She could never remember if she was supposed to let someone else answer or not... although, in her current state of dress it could be mildly scandalous if it was a man at the door.

She yelled, "Could someone show the guests into the parlor?" and rushed into an anteroom to put on the dress.

"I'll get it, dear!" her grandmother called, carefully negotiating the final step on the main staircase. She was wearing a soft butter yellow dress with the remainder of the house colors as trim around her neckline. Her short grey hair was hidden beneath a lace kerchief. She moved slowly, deliberately toward the front door, her basket of sewing supplies swaying in her hand.

"I shouldn't sit so long at that writing desk," Gloria complained to herself. "I'm not as young as I wish I was."

It took several tugs to pull open the heavy front door, but finally it opened most of the way.

"Hello!" she said warmly to the young lady waiting there. "May I help you?"

The woman was greeted by a very bright smile. "Oh I hope so," the girl standing at the door replied. "My name is Treasa Bahlmis. I believe Vivien Greywood is expecting me." Treasa dared not move forward just in case she was about to be unceremoniously turned away.

Coming up the lane some distance behind the waiting Treasa was Victor Hoberty. He hesitated for a moment, but after seeing that the door was open and that he could possibly be seen, he forced himself to walk confidently towards the door. He was still some distance away, and so wouldn't arrive for another minute.

A horse came to a stop at the bottom of the steps and Romeo dismounted, gracefully. "I hope I'm not running too late," the young noble greeted the ladies as he mounted the stairs. He was dressed in black, still honoring the Dragon's memory, but his shirt collar showed white with bright red pinstripes that matched the gloves he was removing. Tied about his left wrist seemed to be a ribbon of matching colors, tied as a favor. On his lapel was a small dragon of green and yellow enamel.

Treasa turned to watch him, her expression bright.

"I'm not sure we've met," he greeted Teresa, taking her stuck hand gently. He lifted it to his lips in a time honored greeting, "Romeo Acciaio, at your service."

A hint of color rose on the girl's cheeks. "It is nice to meet you," she responded softly.

Romeo offered a sly wink over her knuckles and then turned his attention to Gloria, and offered a bow. "I believe I'm expected as well."

Victor Hoberty had taken a carriage most of the way, but had elected to walk the remainder of the distance. He had convinced himself that it was because he was unsure if the Lady Greywood had enough room for the carriages of a half dozen nobles arriving separately, but in actuality he had simply wanted to prolong the time it took him to arrive. He noted Romeo's carriage arriving ahead of him, and thought of their near-confrontation a few days past. He discreetly increased his pace and stride so that the door wouldn't have to hang open for him. He may have been raised on a farm, but he didn't grow up in a barn. Besides, barn doors have to be closed to keep the animals warm as well, he mused.

Inside, a young woman approached the door. She was quite attractive, although somewhat hastily dressed - her excitingly low-cut red dress was completely off the shoulder, with trimming of stiff black crinoline instead of lace. It was very tight at the bodice, but the skirt was very full, descending in layers of ruffles to a little past the floor. The black pearls and red rosettes in the girl's dark hair matched the dress.

Her appearance was only slightly marred by the loose wisps of hair around her heart-shaped face, and the fact that the black crinoline trimming was coming undone on the right side.

She stopped to catch her breath. "Oh, there's a crowd of them. Thank you, Nana. Come in, come in, everyone - I'm afraid I'm running behind as always."

She noticed Romeo. "Oh. I'm Vivien Greywood." And she extended her hand.

Romeo took it as gently as he had taken Treasa's. His almost black hair was just beginning to show a little length again. He kissed the back of her hand, rich almond shaped eyes smiling at her along the length of her her arm, following the bare skin to the intriguing neckline.

Unlike Treasa, Vivien did not blush. A mysterious little half-smile lifted the right corner of her mouth and she said, "I am definitely going to have to thank Devon Byeroth."

Treasa dutifully did as she was told and quickly made her way into the room. Her eyes immeidately began to take in all of the wonderful garments. She wanted desperately to begin sketching but decided to wait. No doubt her hostess would have instructions and it was best to be prepared for them.

Romeo offered Vivien his arm as they strolled to the room. The hand that settled over hers had the callouses of a swordsman, but had the strong dark oloring of his father's line. He was much more a Acciaio than a Rostay.

As they arrived in the parlor, Vivien released Romeo's arm and did a quick scan of the clothes she had laid out.

"I'm hopelessly behind of course," she admitted. "Some of these will need to have trimming put on - and we'll probably need alterations done - I have arranged for some seamstresses down in the city to help with that sort of thing and to be on hand in case of emergency, but I didn't want them here today, not with me running around like a chicken with its head cut off."

Vivien took a breath, surveyed her guests and began again. "Treasa - here's that rose dress I mentioned - let's see if it's as perfect for you as I think it will be."

The dress she put in Treasa's arms was a cross between high Aquilan fashion and a fairy tale - all floaty rose panels, full skirt, full sleeves gathered at cuffs, and trailing darker pink ribbons, some of which made a design on the front to simulate the lacing of an old-fashioned bodice.

"And Victor," she scooped up an article of clothing from a rocking chair. "Ever since I saw you I wanted to do something to set off those magnificent eyes. I hope you don't mind being a teeny bit daring, I know the fashion for men is a bit more on the subdued side at present, but well, I think that's a shame, and I'd like to see what this wine velvet does for you..." She pressed the jacket, which was such a very dark purple it was nearly black, into his hands.

Victor's jaw fell slack for a moment as her words registered, but he wasn't quite sure what to make of them. He looked first at Vivien, giving her a good look at those blue-green eyes which she'd just mentioned, then examined the offered clothing as if it were some unfamiliar vegetable. Not repulsive, not interesting, not embarrassing... just a little odd. He eventually decided a nod and smile was in order, and accepted the clothes. He had practically no capacity to picture how he'd look while wearing the outfit, and chose to think she was exaggerating the extent to which it would be daring.

Then she stopped and considered Romeo again. "And what shall I do with you? I didn't really know what to expect... let's be bold, shall we?" She gestured to a suit set up on one of the manequins - the major color was a jade green, set off by a startling white which would look even brighter against Romeo's darker skin.

"Don't worry," Vivien added, "I'll let you all wear your House colors for the finale... But let's see those to start."

"Should we change into these now?" Victor asked, looking for the exit to whichever room she intended them to dress within.

Romeo began removing the garments from the dummy. He admired the cut and his fingers played across the cloth. "I have a hat almost the exact color of this," he commented to no one in particular. Outfit in one arm, he began to slip out of his jacket, waiting for further direction.

"Yes, do change, if you would... there's a bathroom down the hall and to the right a little - Treasa can change there. And there's an adjoining room, through there, if you gentlemen don't mind changing together. If you do, I can wait out in the hall," Vivien was smiling slightly.

Treasa had been absorbed in the beauty of the dress. She was convinced that she had never seen anything so lovely in her entire life. Right then and there, she decided Vivien would be the one to design her wedding dress. Thoughts of long trains and dazzling beads went from her head though at the mention of her name. The girl looked up at Vivien and nodded.

Gloria turned to Treasa. "I can help you find the room, if you wish," she offered with a warm smile.

"Oh, thank you very much. I would appreciate that," Treasa replied. She seemed rather eager to try the dress on.

Victor nodded and moved to the adjoining room. He'd frequently changed before fencing practice, so was over any masculine taboo about seeing members of his own sex in less dress than a waistcoat and tails.

The Acciaio nodded, his smile matching hers. He gave the distinct impression that if Victor had issues changing in front of him, that Romeo wouldn't have any issues changing in front of Vivien. Before he got himself into trouble, he followed Victor into the next room. He too was no stranger to changing at the salle and seemed unconcerned about Hoberty's state of dress.

"Thank you, Nana," said Vivien, as she showed Victor and Romeo through the sidedoor and closed it after them.

She sighed and began to try to fix the hem on the next dress she wanted Treasa to wear - otherwise it was going to be horribly too long...

Gloria slowly led the way down the hall, turned right down a short passageway, and opened the next door. The room was quite large for a bathroom and included a looking glass and an upholstered bench.

Romeo emerged from the dressing room first. He had offered Victor a nod, but no other small talk, as he was concerned with the outfit and hadn't taken the time to concern himself with accessories. He held the waist to prevent flashing Vivien. "I think this could be taken in a bit," the lithe swimmer suggested.

Vivien looked up from her sewing and smiled. "Oh, good," she said, somewhat absently. Then she shook herself. "Sorry. I'll pin it for now and we'll have it adjusted before the show."

She bustled around until she found a little sewing kit, and moved over to Romeo. She pinned about half the distance on each hip. "And now the inseam, I'm afraid," she said, trying very hard to stifle a mischievous smile.

He smiled and nodded approval. "Just doing your job, of course," he answered as her kneeling afforded him an even more generous view than her daring neckline had before.

"Of course," said Vivien with a much-too-innocent raise of her brows.

"So, you're from off-planet?" he asked, trying to sound casual about it, his gaze never wavering from her cleavage until she looked up to answer.

"No, the country," she replied. "Not nearly so interesting, I'm afraid. I do love it here in the city, though. Things happening all the time... new people to meet... So, how do you know Devon Byeroth, Lord Romeo?"

"Devon?" he mused, a hand scratching his neck. "He tried to kill me once. We've been fast friends ever since," Romeo explained. He blushed a bit, perhaps from guilt at his view.

There came the sound of the front door, and then a deep voice stating to just point him and he'd find his own way. And a moment later there was a man in the doorway, smiling to see Vivien, his gaze drifting over Romeo with some curiosity. The newcomer was not too tall, his features handsome with a bit of outdoor weathering. Lighter brown hair, almost sandy. From his features, likely in his thirties.

"Vivien," he greeted her, not yet approaching further than the door. "I came by to see if you needed help keeping your charges in line. And to see what I'll be dealing with come the show."

She looked up at the sound of his voice. "Gyles! Oh, I'm glad you came! So far there are only three of them and they've been good as gold, but you never know when you might need an enforcer. I'm just pinning up Lord Romeo - oh, have you two met? Lord Romeo Acciaio, this is Gyles Byeroth. Gyles, Romeo. I'd do the introductions better, but I have to stay down here or I might prick something."

Romeo frowned in mock displeasure, "We certainly wouldn't want that."

"No, we've never met, but Devon's spoke of his uncle numerous times," he admitted. "I'd shake your hand, but as Vivien says..."

"I'd heard you were a man of action and risk," Gyles seemed amused. "But I understand. It is good to meet you, Lord Acciaio. It seems the speaking is mutual; I've heard quite a bit about you as well." He stepped in finally, coming up beside the young lord, which afforded the cit a lovely view as well of Vivien and her cleavage. Gyles glanced down, and gave her a momentary heated smile, a quick raking over with his eyes, before he returned his attention to Romeo.

"I should thank you for giving Devon time to spar. He is at his best when able to do regular work with his blade. And as a cit," Gyles shrugged. "Most doors would be closed to him without a good friend."

While waiting for Romeo to reply, Gyles' gaze drifts back to Vivien.

"I enjoy most every moment I spend with Devon, immensely," Romeo responds. "At times, well... titles and classes can be forgotten in moments lost to skill and ability. He comes out on top as often as I do."

Gyles gave Romeo a sharp look. "It's good to know that you find him such an equal companion. It is sometimes rare to find a noble to treat a cit with the dignity he deserves."

Now that the two men had each other to talk with, Vivien turned her attention to finishing up Romeo's trousers. They were pinned in short order, without pricking him even once.

She straightened and surveyed her handiwork. "The jacket could come in a bit in the waist, as well," she said. "But the color's right. You said you had a matching hat?"

"Near enough," he answered. "I can bring it by later perhaps to see if it will suit. Do you have plans for dinner this evening?"

Vivien smiled, showing off her dimples. "Not yet," she said.

Gyles said nothing, but his gaze rested on Vivien as the two spoke, his smile bland.

As Romeo spoke, Victor had returned, mostly dressed in the clothes Vivien had provided. His eyes widened slightly when he saw Gyles, then he nodded with recognition.

There was a faint tightening of the lines around Gyles's eyes, and the older man nodded as well.

Victor's shirt was half-unbuttoned, and it looked that if he were to complete the buttons there was a good chance they would go shooting off in every direction. His broad shoulders, it seemed, were not forgiving of the demands of fashion. The remainder of his outfit was done in lavish colors and expensive fabrics. Victor looked quite embarrassed, half-dressed as he was.

"Oh, dear," said Vivien, trying not to laugh. "I'm sorry... I'd better get you a larger shirt. I think the jacket will be all right, though... It really is a lovely color on you."

Victor simply nodded, perhaps too embarrassed to speak.

She bustled around until she found another shirt - this one off-white and trimmed in falls of ecru lace. "Almost a shame," she said, handing it to Victor.

He accepted it with a small cough, then left the room quite swiftly on a turn on the foot of his bare heel to change.

"Young Hoberty seems shy," Gyles murmured, obviously meant for Vivien's ears but certainly audible to Romeo. "He may need encouragement to get up on your stage. Unlike Acciaio, who seems to have confidence enough for three men."

"Victor will be just fine," Vivien said firmly. "It's not easy for some men to be dressed up like dolls and paraded around, but he agreed to do it because the cause was good. And Lord Romeo... well, confidence is a fine thing in a man."

Victor returned not long after wearing the ruffled off-white shirt. He had attached his most baroque rapier to his hip, but the leather frog and belt loop didn't match the fabric Vivien had provided. The jewels on the hilt of the sword, however, seemed to go well. They were not especially valuable, but were clear, colorful, and of generous size.

"This shirt fits much better, thanks. Do you have a mirror?" Victor asked. Being fully dressed, he had regained some of his confidence.

"Mm." Vivien went to a corner and pulled a green dress off the full-length mirror. "I think we'll see if we can get you a different belt - but that sword looks very nice with the outfit."

"I only brought one set for the blade I wore here... I might have something that would match this belt at home," Victor said as he moved to the mirror. Once he looked into its polished surface, he was clearly stunned by what he saw. After a moment, he touched a finger to the hilt of the sword and turned to one side, still undecided as to how he looked. Apparently, he was pleased with how he looked, because he smiled and turned around.

Vivien seemed to be satisfied, too, she was grinning as he looked in the mirror. "Even a plain black belt would be fine," she said.

A vision in rose met his eye as he did see. Treasa was bounding into the room, skirts in hand to keep from tripping. Once there, she did a graceful pirouette.

"Well," she said to Vivien. "What do you think?"

Victor's jaw went slack, then suddenly closed with a faint click. Moments later, when others praised how she looked, Victor simply nodded and blushed a little more.

"I knew that would be perfect for you," said Vivien. "We'll have to take it up a bit, and it could stand to be taken in a little in the shoulders too. Let me pin it up for you and then we'll take another look."

She set to work.

Gyles moved into Treasa's view during the pinning, to say quietly, "Please, allow me to introduce myself. Gyles Byeroth, at your service."

Treasa offered one of her most mesmerizing smiles, "It is very nice to meet you." The words were far from automatic. Treasa really did think it was nice to meet people. All people. All the time. She rarely disliked anyone.

Amazingly, Treasa managed to stand very still as Vivien worked. Once she had finished, though, the girl immediately began to waltz around the room.

"Oh it really is just perfect!" she said admiring the flow of the dress. Then, with a look towards Vivien she added, "Your work is amazing. I'm so glad everyone will have a chance to see it!" The compliment could not have been more sincere.

Vivien laughed. "It does look wonderful on you," she agreed. "Be careful of the pins, dear. Now... what else shall I have you each wear? I was thinking three outfits each would be all right - since there are two ladies and two gentlemen - I'll be modelling as well, since I wasn't able to find a replacement for me..."

She didn't look as if she minded in the slightest. She was scanning the room again.

Gyles stood next to her, and held his arms out. "Why don't you give me both of the outfits for the men, and I'll take them into the next room. That way if there are any difficulties, I can relay the information and save on further... embarassment," he offered.

"Mmm," Vivien said again. She handed Gyles a pile of clothes, mostly in brocades of red and gold, with some dark browns and latte-colored silk.

"If you could get me that green suit, I will get started on the alterations," Gloria suggested, moving aside some outfits so she could drop herself into an armchair.

"What would I do without you here?" Vivien said fondly.

As it was near at hand, Victor passed the green suit to Gyles before returning to the dressing area.

[Well, Romeo has to take it off first, but okay - I guess he's halfway there...]

Romeo smiled and began changing on his way to the other room, the jade green jacket off and the shirt already shrugged over his shoulders. Gyles could make out a faint tracery of scratches on his back as he followed with the suits.

Back in the parlor, Vivien had handed Treasa an evening gown - it was black, but it was a stylish black, a black that hinted of other colors. It had long sleeves and a high neck, but there was a small diamond-shaped cut-out over the bosom that would hint about things it didn't quite reveal.

For herself, she selected a peach dress embroidered in dark purple, with the barest hint of sparkle in the beads that marked the embroidery.

"Shall I just change here? With the men out of the room, I don't mind? Of course if you prefer, I can wander off again." Her eyes never left the black dress as she spoke. Never before had she worn anything quite like it. Black had never really been her first choice when it came to color. In fact it had never been her choice at all. But she liked this dress. More importantly, she trusted Vivien. If this was what she wanted her to wear, she would wear it. Besides, it was all for a good cause.

Gloria shook her head, considering how a mere door separated the ladies and gentlemen. "No. It wouldn't be proper, not knowing when the gentlemen might be finished changing."

"We could just threaten to put their eyes out with knitting needles if they don't knock," Vivien laughed, but she was already heading toward the hallway and the powder room.

Treasa laughed as well. Surely the men would knock before entering. Still, if it made her hostesses feel better, she would gladly change in the other room.

Gloria waved her hands to shoo the ladies out of the room and then bent down to her basket, pulling out her sewing kit and unrolling it over the arm of the chair.

"Vivvie, before you go, could you please help me thread this needle?" she smiled at her granddaughter.

"Of course." Vivien bent, put the thread in her mouth to get the end to a point, and slid it effortlessly through the eye of the needle. Then she kissed her grandmother's cheek and led Treasa toward their changing room.

"So," she said, "Have you been here in the city long?"

Treasa shook her. "No, not long at all really. I arrived just before the funeral." She did not think she needed to elaborate further. Surely Vivien would know which funeral.

"I do love it here though. I never expected it to be as wonderful as it truly is. I'm not sure I could ever be convinced to leave."

"I agree with you," Vivien said warmly, opening the door. "I've been here for an even shorter amount of time. Of course I always knew I wanted to be here. I came from the country - things are beautiful there, but oh so boring."

"I rather like boring," Treasa said with a shrug. "Warm spring days with nothing to do but sit and enjoy the air... Yes, that is exactly the right sort of boring, don't you think? Of course there can be bad boring too, I suppose. That only makes sense. Most things have good and bad aspects to them. I just prefer focusing on the good."

[snipped or lost posts detailing their change and return]

As Victor strode towards the main room where Vivien had her fabrics and outfits spread out, he heard the door slam behind him. When he reached the room, he knocked on the jam then stepped in.

He wore the suit Vivien had set out for him without a blade at his hip. While the clothing fit quite well, the pants were close fitting, if not scandalously so. It was Victor's face and frame, though, which attracted the most attention. His jaw was set hard, his cheeks and forehead were flushed, and his movements swift and sharp. He was practically vibrating as he walked, and his lips looked forced into the smile they bore. There was a light in his eyes, but it was not a kind thing.

"I believe this outfit fits well, yes? This is how you intended the cut to fall?" Victor asked. His voice had an edge to it, with something underneath his civil tone. As he breathed, his nostrils flared slightly and a drop of sweat hung from the bridge of his nose precariously.

"It looks quite handsome on you," Vivien replied slowly. "The fit is perfect... but there is something else that isn't quite right, isn't there, Lord Victor? Is it something I can help with?"

"It seems a small matter has come up. I sincerely hope to be able to model in your show for charity, but events may fall such that this is not possible on my part or desirable on yours. If this should happen, I shall see to it that one of my cousins takes my place. Lord Philip Clover, perhaps," Victor said somewhat swiftly. His hands started to shake, so he swiftly folded them behind his back.

"Oh dear," Treasa gasped. "Is there something I can help with? I mean if there is anyting I can do to make things easier, I surely will. I hate to see anyone unhappy." She offered him a look of sweet concern. The daring black dress acentuated her curves and made her look more like a women. Treasa seemed rather unaware of this. Nor did she seem to care. Her focus was completely on Victor.

Victor's head turned towards Treasa and his smile became a hint more genuine, but his jaw was still practically locked when he wasn't speaking.

"That's quite alright. There isn't anything that can be done at this point, events must take their course. I'm sorry that I will need to take my leave somewhat early. You both look quite lovely in Vivien's outfits," Victor said.

Apparently, he was too angry to remember to be afraid or embarrassed when talking to young women. Although he should have been tempted to allow his eyes to linger over the more curvy parts of Treasa's body, his looks were gentlemanly even if the movements of his eyes were swift and sudden.

Vivien ignored the compliment, frowning slightly. "Lord Victor, you are being more than courteous, but I cannot help but feel I have less than the full story. I will assume that the events that must take their course are personal ones. In that case, if you feel you cannot continue in the fashion show, I suppose I understand." She shook her head. "I'll be sorry to be without you, but I don't want to make you... uncomfortable."

'Uncomfortable' was obviously not her first choice of word, but it seemed to be the best she could come up with. Her own dress was not low-cut, especially for the sort of thing Vivien usually wore, but the bodice was very tight, accenting her tiny waist, and the color made her eyes seem an interesting gray-green.

"While I'm a little bit uncomfortable with the idea, that isn't my chief concern. I'm sorry that I can't be more clear," Victor said a little crossly, turning to face Vivien as he spoke before moving to where he had placed his hat and riding gloves upon entering.

"If I'm not in your show, it will either be because you don't want me there, or because I'm dead," Victor said, his smile shifting into a smirk.

"Then you'll be there," Vivien said, almost too lightly. A slow fire was beginning to light in her pale eyes. "Shall I show you another room where you can change into what you came in, or would you like to return later with those clothes and we can trade? I'm not sure how much of a hurry you're in."

"I'm not in an especial hurry. I believe Romeo should be out shortly, and I can change in that room as easily as another," Victor said with a good deal more emphasis on 'Romeo' than he had originally intended. Victor scowled and looked at his own feet before turning towards the door through which he had so recently entered to see if what they said about names.

And, as fate would have it, Romeo strode into the room confidently. "Lovely fabric," he commented. "Doesn't barely show wrinkles."

Victor moved past Romeo without getting overly close to him, going so far as to walk around a table strewn with fabrics rather than risk bumping into him. While Romeo must be visible out of the corner of his eye, Victor didn't so much as glance at him as he walked into the other room. His face was still red and his folded hands were gripped together tightly enough that Vivien and Treasa could, if they looked closely, see his white knuckles standing out against flushed flesh. Victor moved with a quick stride, and saw the door to the changing area slamming as he approached. He somewhere in his mind, he was absently greatful that the house was of sturdy construction, as a less well built home might not tolerate the repeated abuse to the door jam.

Vivien hadn't been quite sure before, because the stress Victor had placed on Romeo's name might have been accidental, but now she knew. Her face was slowly darkening, her lips whitening as she bent to control a sudden burst of temper.

How dare they? How dare they bring their personal problems to her fashion show... and why hadn't Gyles broken it up? Wasn't that supposed to be his job?

She took a deep breath. She needed them both. She could not ruin things by screaming at Romeo Acciaio. "That looks very good," she said. "Could you do a slow turn for me?"

"Of course," he answered. He turned slowly, stopping each quarter of the way around for just a moment.

"I should apologize, I fear," Romeo offered as he faced front again. "It seems that Lord Victor may have taken undue offense at a improper joke I made in the other room. I would save you ladies' ears the burden of such comments, but I will gladly promise to hold my tongue in the future."

"If you're satisfied?" he asked Vivien.

"With the fit of the clothes," she replied, a long-suffering look on her face. Then suddenly she laughed. "Men," she said, shaking her head. "I have a headache... would you fetch me the little bottle in my bag? It's over by the settee."

"Oh, I'll get it for you." Treasa offered. She was bounding across the room before anyone could stop her.

Gloria's face was wrinkled in concentration as she worked on the alterations to Romeo's previous outfit. Finally reaching the waistband, she slipped the needle through a tiny knot and snipped at the excess thread.

"If you'd like, Vivvie, I can check on the other two gentlemen," she offered, deferring judgement to her granddaughter. She laid the pants on the arm of the chair and started scooting forward in her seat with as much dignity as possible.

Vivien considered that. "Perhaps we should give Victor a little more time, just to make sure he isn't naked when you check..."

Treasa approached Vivien with the bottle in hand. The hint of color came to her cheeks as Vivien mentioned Victor.

"I'm sure he will be fine. You are both grown men," Treasa's gaze shifted to Romeo. "Surely neither of you hold grudges." She was not being at all sarcastic. As far as she was concerned, grown-ups, in general, were all forgiving, civilized people. Her fantasy world would not allow for any other options.

"Of course," Romeo answered. "I'll check on the gentlemen, if you ladies will excuse me." He offered them each a small smile and headed back to the arena.. erm... changing room.

Gloria watched Romeo depart and glanced back to her granddaughter, a slight frown on her face. She made one more semi-dignified scoot to the edge of her seat before pushing herself to standing.

"I hope he isn't gone long," she commented lightly. Her fingers rested on various pieces of equipment for balance as she moved herself closer to the changing room.

"And I wish he'd left the door open," Vivien said, finally tearing her gaze away from the closed door long enough to flash Treasa a brilliant smile. "Thank you," she said, taking the bottle and sipping from it gratefully. "Why do men always have to complicate everything?" she asked, sitting down heavily. "I feel as if I'd like a spray can and a newspaper..."

Treasa giggled. "It's that whole honor thing. Drew, my brother, was quite famous for it. He never sees things the same way I do." Of course most people probably never saw things the way Treasa did.

Vivien nodded. "Liev - my brother - is the same way... I never know what he's thinking... But at least he'd never start a fight..." She shook her head, dark curls bouncing around her head. "Not that I know who started that one... or why... Never mind. Do you want to try your last outfit?"

She got up again, pushed a cushion aside and handed Treasa one more gown.

Gloria squinted to see which gown Vivien selected. "Is that one of the 'frontier chic' gowns we were discussing?" She lifted the hem of her own dress and swished it around playfully, exposing glimpses of her thick ankles.

All three men left the room as a group, with Victor in front. While he didn't exactly look happy, he was clearly in a better mood than he had been when he entered the room. His kilt, in house colors, was matched by kilt flashes in his white garders. The outfit showed a good deal of leg by Aquillan standards, but as kilts were an accepted, if eccentric, part of noble fashion in Aquilla it wasn't any more scandalous than a noble appearing in a fashion show in the first place. The brass ram on the sporran was well polished, and matched the miniature rams head buttons on the double breasted tuxedo jacket he wore along with a bow tie, which Victor apparently knew how to tie. The cut of the jacket was a clear nod to a 'bonnie prince charlie' coat. He wore no shoes or boots.

"I've got a Sgian Dubh at home which should match, as well as something close to brogues which should fit" was all that Victor said. It would appear that the shoes Vivien had selected didn't fit, but everything else seemed to match Victor's athletic frame quite well.

A slight flush of embarassment crossed the older lady's cheeks as she released her skirts to applaud Victor's arrival. "You look very handsome, Lord Victor."

Victor smiled and looked in her direction, but not until after she'd had a chance to readjust her skirts. He was clearly showing more ankle (and calf, and perhaps knee) than she had been.

Vivien looked Victor up and down critically. "You do, actually," she said. "I wasn't certain - that's one of my more bold creations... but it does suit you."

Victor nodded, but seemed a little distracted. Perhaps he was lost in thought. "I might like to purchase it after the show, if it's available for sale?" Victor asked.

Gyles had entered the room after the two younger men, and now stood to the side. He offered a polite smile to Gloria, and a wider smile to Treasa, before his attention turned to watching Vivien.

"Of course!" Vivien brightened up immediately, her smile beaming forth. "I'm glad you like it!"

Victor simply smiled. Although he found the kilt quite novel, there were more reasons than fashion for making sure to buy it himself. He was not altogether comfortable with someone else owning an article of clothing which had been so close to his skin... for he was wearing it regimental.

She glanced over to see what Romeo looked like.

Romeo walked remarkably in the tight crimson leather pants. The doublet, also in leather, was a hunter green, and had been pinked and slashed to show the yellow silk shirt beneath. He peeked over the yellow ruffles and smiled at Vivien from beneath the red and green checked domino.

"Perhaps a short cape, but let's do it in silk, as the leather's creaking enough when I walk," he suggested. "As long as I don't drop anything on the catwalk, we'll be fine."

Vivien laughed gently. "Thank you for being such a good sport about it. It does look quite handsome... And not everyone could have pulled off wearing all those colors - I certainly couldn't."

Victor was examining himself in the mirror when Romeo walked in, but moved aside so that he could examine himself if he wished. Victor carried enough mixed feelings within himself that he wasn't overly tempted to smirk at Romeo's bold, if squeaky, outfit.

"Oh, Lord Romeo!" Gloria chirped as she looked over the outfit. "That outfit would be so striking for Aquila's ball and masquerade season!" Gloria and Vivien had often heard stories of the grand balls held within the city. Since she had heard of none since they arrived, Gloria assumed there was a season for it and they just happened to arrive out of season.

Vivien nodded. She glanced at Gyles and raised her eyebrows barely for an instant before she turned to Treasa. "Did you want to try that dress on, dear?"

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