Chapter 5        At the Tailor's...

Perdita and Cinder's ride into the city seemed to take very little time.  The girls had gotten so chatty on the way that they had barely recognized the carriage coming to a halt.  William had opened the door and was holding his hand out to assist the girls down as they disembarked.

A few bystanders were stopped and staring at the Royal carriage, wondering who would come out--maybe hoping to see Flora as she made one of her shopping trips, perhaps, but not this time.  Eyes went wide with curiosity as a redhead emerged with a spring to her step and a huge smile.  She was followed by a cowgirl, seeming somewhat nervous about the way people were staring.

Perdita looked up at a sign that indicated "Grayson's Finery" and looked back down again to see what appeared to be Mr. Grayson himself, flanked by his entourage of young ladies, who, by the way they were dressed, looked like they worked for him.

"Welcome Ladies," he greeted and extended his hand with a slight bow.  "I am Mr. Grayson, proprietor of Grayson's Finery and these are my girls.  Good to see you William.  So who have you brought to me today?"

"May I present the Lady Cinder, daughter of Prince Bleys and the Lady Perdita, daughter of Prince Julian.  Baron Vy thought I should bring them to you for their shopping needs," William made his formal introductions which seemed to make Perdita only more nervous and shy by the moment.  Grayson respectfully bowed and offered an arm to each girl.

"My Ladies, may I just say that you've come to the right place!  Come girls, we have work to do!"  And with that the girls were whisked inside the shop.

"Well!  No real need to tell me what you're here for!  I take it that you're new in town, you just got in and have nothing to wear to His Majesty's latest party!  Well, we can fix that!"  He left Perdita standing by the door and made his way over to Cinder, who was already checking out the gowns on the hanger.

Perdita wasn't really at all sure what to think.  Just being in a shop with anything fancy was enough to make her nervous.  It was nearly overwhelming to be given the royal treatment on top of it.  She slowly made her way further into the shop, noting that Cinder was looking at her almost expectantly.  Two of the girls were taking measurements of her and scribbling sizes down while tow others fussed over Cinder.

"Did you have an idea of what it is you're looking for?" Grayson asked as he turned back to Perdita.

"Oh, I don't know.  Comfort is important," she began awkwardly.  "Maybe if I could get away with not having to wear a dress to this thing--"  She trailed off.

"We do have suits as well if you're interested in looking at them--" Grayson began.

"Oh, no! Like, suits are so last year!" Cinder interjected.  "Too masculine."

"Okay..." Perdita looked to the girls who went into immediate action and promptly provided three beautiful gowns to choose from.  Grayson's eyes seemed to light up a little at her--albeit reluctant--change of heart.

Perdita studied the gowns for a moment.  They were exquisite in quality and detail.  She felt a sense of excitement like Christmas came early. 

"Oh, my," Perdita murmured as she found herself reaching for one of the gowns.  "Oh, wow."  She had reached for a gorgeous dark blue gown with a daring neckline and open back.  Her selection having been made, the girls whisked her off to the fitting room.  There wasn't anything to be heard from Perdita except for a lot of "Hrmmm," before she finally came out.

"Hrm," Cinder replied and gave a pout as she looked over the dresses.  "Like, what a choice!"  She sighed and looked over at the tailor.  "Remember, you still have to fit me, and  like, 'Dita will take the best choices!"

"Not to worry, m'lady," he replied swiftly.  "There are still quite a few fine gowns and dresses remaining; you need but let me know what your tastes are."  Grayson looked as if he was about to continue, but was interrupted by Perdita emerging from the changing rooms with Tara and Cara--who, now that a closer look was taken, look like they could be fraternal twins--in tow.

Perdita stepped out of the changing room almost carefully as if she was worried that the dress might slip off.  She was busy tugging and smoothing the dress nervously.  She took an uncertain look in the mirror and turned in front of it.  Paused. She turned again, making little "Hmm" sounds that actually sound almost encouraging as she continued to scrutinize herself.  As she continued, she seemed more satisfied at what she was looking at and almost looked like she was enjoying herself.  Was that a smile on her face? She paused again and turned to Cinder.
"So?  Whattaya think?"

"Gosh!" Cinder exclaimed. "You look great!" She grinned at her cousin, "It's like, really flattering, but I think you'll need to get your hair done next...and, um, maybe your nails....and I wonder if they like, have jewelry to loan or buy or something around here? I know some of the fancier places will let you loan jewelry that's too expensive to buy for a night....is there any place around here like that?" she asked of the tailor.

"Of course," Grayson replied.  "Right down Kings' Row is the Emerald Jewelers, who specialize in Rebman gems and on the corner of West Avenue and Osric's Way is A Fly in Amber."  He winced ever so slightly when he said the name.  "They specialize in gems and jewels from all the Shadows that Amber has trade with.  Both of these places would be able to find something appropriate for your choice of gowns.  In fact, I'll send a messenger to those shops to send a representative here so you two lovely ladies don't have to lug your gowns all through the city."

Grayson went to a back room and called for someone by the name of Charles.  He walked back to his counter and got a sheet of paper and a pen, at which point he began writing.  After he had about two or three lines down, a blond-haired boy with a pageboy's haircut--about eleven years or so--came out from the back.  The boy patiently waited for Grayson to address him again.  Grayson quickly finished the note, sealed it with wax and
put his ring to it.  He took out a second sheet of paper and repeated the process.  He then turned to the boy and handed him the folded papers.

"Take this one to the Emerald Jewelers, and take this one to A Fly in Amber."

"Yes, Mr. Grayson," he said, leaving quickly.

Grayson returned his attention to Cinder.  "Now, let's see.  You still need a dress now, don't you?"

Cinder nodded.  "I was thinking something in scarlet and maybe black." She cocked her head to the side and pondered, "Like, um, kind of low cut, but not especially, you know? Well, let's just see what you have in those colors, and we'll go from there."

"Let's see," Grayson said to himself tapping his chin.  "Red; red and black; black; black and red..."  He wandered off to a section of the shop, stopped, turned back to look at Cinder, (apparently sizing her), and resumed his previous path.  He took his time and came back with four choices.

"This one here I think would complement your hair," he began, indicating the first dress that was red with gold trim.  "As you can see, it's not especially low cut as some of the other gowns, but I can guarantee that this number would be an attention getter.  Now this gown here has the red with black trim and black lace.  You will notice that the gold and silver threading is exactly that--real gold and silver."

Cinder cocked her head to one side and seemed to be regarding the dress.  Although not as low cut as the first one, it strongly reminded her of a slightly risqué high school prom dress.

"And this one," Grayson carefully held up the dress.  "Very intricate."  It was varying degrees of black with silver brocade and sparse patterns in gold thread.  The sleeves--or, rather, gloves--did not appear to be connected to the bodice, but then the silver mini-chains could be seen.  The top had a thin collar which went straight down in an equally thin strip to a point just below the collar bones and then it flared out in an arc that terminated at mid-back.  The black gloves, (with gold patterns on the backs of the hands and arms), were connected to the dress via the micro-chains: in the front to the collar,
the thin strip and to the main piece of cloth; in the back to the collar, and then around the back to the opposite glove.  There appeared to be enough chain in the back to allow for full freedom of movement.  The gloves looked long enough that they would terminate just below the shoulders.  The skirt of this dress seemed to be made of heavier material than the first two, but not of such a material that it wouldn't bend properly; Cinder imagined a cross between the durability of wool and the softness and flexibility of silk.

"And finally," Grayson held up the last dress.  It appeared to have the most cloth of the four, covering almost everything from neck to ankle.  It was black with tasteful amounts of red trim and a design that could be a flower, but not one that Cinder recognized. 

"And of course don't forget that we have any accessory you could possibly want--shoes, belts, purses--you name it!"

"Oh gosh!" Cinder gushed. "This is almost EXACTLY what I was thinking of!" She took the dress in a bit of a rush and headed off to change, along with some appropriate high-heeled shoes.

"Well she's rather enthusiastic, now isn't she?" Grayson asked with a smile at the ladies still in the room.  "Cara, if you'd be a dear and help her out?"

"Of course, Mr. Grayson."  Cara inclined her head in agreement and joined Cinder in the changing area.

Grayson turned his attention back to Perdita.  "So, Miss, you still need some shoes, yes?  What kind would you like?  I believe something dark would work best, but there's also the decision about heels or none to be made, not to mention the other aspects.  So.  Let's start with the heels.  Do you want heels or not?"

"Heels would be good," Perdita smiled, really getting into the feel of it now.  She turned around again in front of the mirror, her smile widening, her enthusiasm growing as well as her confidence.

"Heels it is, then.  First, though, we need to measure your size," Grayson directed her to a bench with some metal contraptions sitting by it.  He crouched down and began to fiddle with them.

"Okay, now stand on this with your heel to the back," he instructed.  Perdita obliged.  He moved some of the levers here and there. 

"Okay, thank you.  You can step out of it now."  He studied the contraption for a moment longer, got up and went to retrieve some shoes in her size.

"Here I have a few choices.  I have the nice black pair--two inch heel.  Black goes with everything.  There's this indigo pair.  Strappy, made to show off the legs, matches the gown perfectly in color.  Then there's these--three inch heel and straps that go mid-calf."  Grayson displayed the shoes in front of her.  Perdita was feeling like Cinderella.

"Which pair would you like to try?"

Cinder came out with a flourish. She grinned, "Well? How do I look?" She, for her part, seemed very pleased with the dress.

"Oh, wow!  Spin around and lemme see!" Perdita praised.  "Looks stunnin' on ya!"

Grayson stepped forward and took special notice of the fit of Cinder's dress.  He nodded his head in approval.

"Cara, take note of where her dress needs to be altered," Grayson asked of his assistant.

Cara nodded, fetched a pin box and proceeded to find the (few) areas where Cinder's dress needed alteration.

Grayson went back over to Perdita.  "Okay, Miss, sit down here on the bench and we'll get these shoes on you."  Grayson crouched down and fit the shoes onto Perdita's feet.  "Okay, now stand up, please."  Grayson took another look over Perdita.

At that point, the door to the shop opened and a tall, thin, well-dressed, middle-aged man with blue-green hair in a business-cut and olive skin entered the store with a satchel in hand and a shaven-head burly man in tow.

"Grayson!" he called out.  "Where are these two?"

"Over here, Traston," he replied.  Grayson turned his attention to Tara.  "Fit the dress, would you?"

Tara retrieved a pin box with a "Yes, Mr. Grayson."

Grayson walked up to meet Traston, who had already started walking towards the group near the rear of the store.  "Two more new princesses, eh Grayson?" Traston sighed.  "Well, let's hope they don't turn out like Florimel."

"They're not princesses," Grayson corrected.  "They don't have the proper lineage for that title.  Besides, Baron Vyvyan said that they haven't even been initiated into their family yet."  Traston practically missed a step when he heard this. 

"Oh, don't worry, Traston; you'll still get reimbursed from the castle's accounts."  Traston gave Grayson an unconvinced glance, but resumed his walk to the rear of the store.

It was at this point that the door opened again and another man, followed by another guard, entered.  This one was slight, with light, shaggy hair and a dark complexion.  He, too, carried a satchel.

"Ward?!" Traston exclaimed.  "What are you doing here?"

"I invited him," Grayson instantly interjected.  "The ladies need a variety of choices, now don't they?"

"Well hello to you, too, Ichabod," Ward said to Traston, who responded with an icy glare.  "And Jim, nice to see you again."  Ward and Grayson clasped hands.

"Harold," Grayson greets.

At about that moment, Grayson's apprentice came back into the store, red in the face and breathing heavily.  Grayson noticed and called out to him.  "Charles.  Good work.  Go in the back and get yourself something to drink.  Take a breather."

"Yes...  Mr. Grayson," the boy panted in reply as he moved to the warehouse area.

Ward moved over to a table and began taking out his wares as Traston continued to glare at him.  Realizing that he might be leaving himself open to lost sales, Traston quickly followed suit.

The jewelry was laid out.  Traston specialized in Rebman jewelry, while Ward dealt with gems and such from out of Shadow.  The twins had finished pinning the gowns as necessary, so the two young Amberites were free to sample as they saw fit.

Cinder went over to peruse the collection of jewelry. She mused over it, having listened to the conversation beforehand (and had decided that it is wiser to keep her mouth mostly shut
during the "exchange"). Cinder picked out a simple couple pieces of jewelry:  a firey colored stone (like a ruby or the equivalent) set on a simple gold chain to match her dress. She wanted it to hang right on the top of her sternum so as to draw attention to her *ahem* assets.  She also picked out a matching pair of earrings.

Perdita stood to test out the heels and simply watched the exchange between the men as her dress was fitted.  Once done, she took a moment, confident that she had her balance, and walked over to join Cinder.

"Oh, wow!" Perdita could be heard murmuring. "Stunning!"  and even "Gorgeous!"   It's obvious to anyone in the shop that she had never seen such riches all in one place, let alone being able to touch them.  The sparkle of the diamonds and the twinkle of the sapphires seemed to be hold her attention the most.

"These are just the prettiest things I ever saw!  Something simple--any suggestions?" she indicated the dark-colored stones.

"Well," Ward began, picking up a pair of dangling earrings with opals in teardrop shapes, "These would go very well with the dress, and would stand out well with your hair up."

"Ah, yes," Traston interjected, "as would this, ah, pendant."  It hung on a thin, silver chain.  A brilliant blue sapphire, the size of a large shirt's button in diameter, sat mounted on a silver back.  He glanced at one of the twins as he opened the clasp, and she took it and held it closed
behind Perdita's neck.  Traston held up a mirror so Perdita could see how it hung just below the gap between her collar bones.

"There are also a number of hair accessories that you could choose from."  Ward showed Perdita a box of various types of hair clips, pins, and other assorted hair-keeper-in-placers.  Gems in these ranged from emeralds, to amethyst, to bloodstone, and even some rubies.

"Yes," Traston added, "and rings would compliment the pendant."  He opened up a box with scores of rings--gold, silver, platinum--some thin, some thick, some with gems--small pearls, diamonds, (clear with a slight blue tint, and even rainbowed), blue topaz--and some that were simply bands of metal.

Perdita held up the opal earrings to her ears and admired the pendant that Tara was holding. She picked out a simple solitaire ring--one of the blue tinted diamonds in a marquis cut on a platinum band.  Her eyes were big with an awed look on her face.  One would say she seemed speechless for the moment.

"I'll take it," Perdita said once she found her voice.

"Excellent," Traston began to produce boxes as did Ward.  Once the girl's picks were safely packaged, the girls returned to the fitting rooms to get out of the dresses.

"Like, I'm glad you're having fun, Coz," Cinder said.

"Oh, I am! Now let's talk hair!" Perdita said enthusiastically.

"A good idea!  Like, any suggestions?" Cinder asked Grayson as she had emerged from the fitting room.

Grayson nodded in thought.  "I know a few," he said initially.  Then, with a chuckle, he passed his hand over the rather bare pate on his head.  "Through reputation only, of course," he smiled.

He reached under his counter and took out a small book.  As he did so, Cara--or Tara; they look so much alike--walked up to him.  He continued to flip through the book until he found what he was looking for.  Looking up to Tara--or Cara--he arched an eyebrow.

"Considering the dresses that the ladies have chosen, it might be best for  the hairdresser to meet them at the castle.  That way, their hair can be worked on after their dresses are on," she suggested.

Grayson nodded again.  "Good idea."  He took out a piece of paper from the desk and got out his quill and inkwell again.  Scribbling something on the paper, he folded it, sealed it and called for Charles again.

"Rested?" he asked, once the boy came back out.

"Mmm," he nodded.

"Good.  Take this to Adelle's."  He handed the letter to Charles, who took off at a jog out of the store.

Grayson watched him run out and nodded yet again.  "Maybe I should let him in the Games."  He said this more to himself than to anyone else.

He shook his head, bringing himself out of his thoughts.  "Well, I should let you two get back to the castle.  You probably have many things to do and get ready before this evening.  It was a pleasure meeting you, ladies."  He bowed his head and shoulders in closing.

"And it was like, a pleasure to meet you too," Cinder said back bubbly, grinning ear to ear. "I'll come back here if I need anything else."

Perdita smiled warmly at Grayson and the girls and gave them a sincere "Thank you!" and "Much obliged!" as she turned to leave with Cinder again.

"I'm having me a good ol' time!  We won't even look like us by the time we get done!!  Anywhere else? or should we head back now?"

Cinder took her by the arm and lead her outside. "Like I said, glad you had fun, coz."

She tipped her head to the side, giving Perdita's question some serious thought. "I dunno..." she sais after a bit. She blinked then and smiled.

"Say, um, we should prolly get our hair down while we're down here. It's not like we'll have a lotta time to get ready up there, I think." She shrugged her shoulders, still smiling.
"'Sides, it's like fun, and I need a manicure anyway."

"Then maybe we should hit Adelle's while we're here since I think Grayson had sent that note to meet us back at the castle--at the very least if they have already left there, we could still get that manicure," Perdita smiled, glancing down at her own hands and then quickly put them behind her back, seeming self conscious all of a sudden of her work-worn hands.  "I know I could use one!"

Cinder nodded in agreement, "Like, sounds like the way to go."

The driver of the carriage, outside Grayson's Fineries, heard the last bit of the  conversation as he helped them into the carriage. Perdita caught his eye to indicate the new destination in mind.

"Maybe we'll catch up to the messenger boy on the way," she said.

This part was too much fun!--We totally had Jager running ragged with this one--what can I say?  Hell knoweth now fury like women on a shopping rampage!  =)

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