I open my eyes and take in my reflection. Huh. She sure loves her buckles. The vest over the white shirt has four, the silver especially sharp against the dark blue-violet material. Where did she even find a dye like this? It reminds me so much of Cosmo’s coloring.
The dark pants are baggier than anything I’ve ever worn, three buckles on either thigh tightening it above the knees. A long, glossy black leather coat with a sharp collar and five silver buttons engraved with the symbol for magic hangs down to my knees, flaring out around my waist. Polished silver chain links hang around my neck and my dark boots have steel heels.
Saints witness. Everything about this outfit just screams repressed anger. I look like a barfight waiting to happen. Especially with my…sharper features. I try to lighten the image by smiling. I aim for friendly. I get sinister and threatening.
“Well?” Kierra purrs leaning against my back. She grabs one of my hands and runs it over the jacket. Wow, that is amazingly soft. Is this even leather? What did she do to it to make it feel so soft? “What do you think?”
“If the goal was to stand out, you achieved it.”
“I hear a little displeasure.”
“No, no. I…actually like it. Especially this.” I finger the vest that reminds me so much of my divine benefactor. “It’s just…I look like I’m about to slap faces, burn family crests, and runaway with a nobleman’s daughter. Just wondering if that’s really the image I want to go with for my big debut.”
Kierra hummed. “It’s blunt. It’s brave. It’s strong. Everything that you are.”
“Mm. You’re convincing me.”
My breath hitches as she pulls me tight against her, one hand on my waist and the other over my throat. “You look as good as I thought you would, dedia. It’s taking all my self-control not to move my hand a little lower and take you right now.”
Well, damn. I struggle a little to swallow past her grip. “Did I say I like it?” I ask in a whisper. “I meant I love it. Frickin’ amazing. You’re a genius.”
She chuckles as she lets me go, stepping aside. “Thank you. What do you think, Geo? Bell?”
The two succubi look me over. Geneva licks her bottom lip. “Yes. Master is truly gifted. Very distinctive. She’s starting to look like a noble.”
“Coo coo!” [Master Lou is very striking! Your enemies will cower in your wake!]
Cower in my wake? Sigh. Oh well. Already knew I didn’t have the face to be called a princess or anything. Reaching out, Bell jumps into my arms and I rub our cheeks together. “Thank you, Bell~”
“What do you all think?”
At Kierra’s invitation, the three tailors move around me. They all make vague sounds and gesture to each other as they circle me. What the? Do tailors have their own language? I can’t understand a thing they’re trying to say but I hold still until they finish their examination.
“Amazing. Lady Atainna, you must let me get you the name of my girl from the beauty parlor. With the right paints, your girl will look something truly fierce.” The woman gave an exaggerated shiver. “You must let me see it just once.”
“I just want to know how you get your materials this way,” a man said fingering my coat. His eyes are full of envy and admiration. Poor man looks like he wants to rip it off my shoulders.
The last woman simply nods when she finishes her examination of me.
Kierra is very satisfied with the praise. “I was planning on having you try on a few outfits but I don’t want you to take that off. You three pack up the rest of the outfits. Come on. Let’s go show you off to the customer.”
Ah, forgot that this was another scam of hers. She could have handled the work on her own but realized it would be easier to hire out some of the labor. From the moment we arrived in Summer Spire, Maxine Guiness has gone out of her way to make herself useful. Kierra isn’t hesitant about using her at all. Naturally, she turned to the Guiness Company for her needs. When Maxine heard she wanted to make clothes, she’d inquired about buying the designs. Today was the day for her to get a peek at Kierra’s work.
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Show and tell time. I pick up my pace, liking the heavy thunk my boots make every time I take a step. Bell jumps out of my arms to grab the door, swinging it open wide as I walk through. Saints bless her, this elemental really does her best to support me.
As I step into the lounge, I feel Bell climbing onto my shoulders, her tail wrapping around my neck as her hands grab onto my head. Maxine and Clef look up from their tea. The store manager gives me a sharp whistle, practically jumping up from his seat. “Yes, yes! This is, mm, brilliant work!” He circles me, nodding his head repeatedly. “Very dark, very dangerous. I love it!”
Maxine is studying me with a much more reserved air. “You look very handsome, Lou.”
“Handsome.” I smirk. Not the compliment most ladies want to hear when they get dressed up. “Thanks.”
“As for the design, I don’t know how well it would sell…”
“Are you kidding me?” Clef barks, head jerking up. “They will not pay? Nonsense. The clothes look good but, more important, they are new. They are different. For those who have it all, new and different are priceless. The designs will make good money if she is willing to sell. But I am more interested in this. Young miss, you must feel.”
He beckons Maxine forward until she runs a hand along my new coat. My smirk widens as her lips part with surprise. Really starting to enjoy surprising people. “What is…I think it’s leather but that’s impossible.”
“Apparently not for the magical elf.” Clef looked at Kierra who wore a smug grin. “I am more interested in her refining methods and her source material but will she budge? No! Though I can’t pretend I don’t understand. I wouldn’t want to share my techniques either.”
“Those are not for sale. Neither is the coat. Shirt, vest, pants, and boots are.”
Maxine fingers my collar. “I’ve seen collars on shirts before but it’s amazing how you got it so crisp. And this stitching is incredible.”
“It helps when you can move the fibers with your will rather than your hands.”
The merchant goes to feel my vest but Bell’s tail slaps her hand before her fingers make contact. She bares her tiny fangs as her four glowing eyes narrow. “Coo!” [Insolent woman! She has no right to touch my master!]
“Ah, sorry about that Max.” I scoop Belolial off my shoulders. Thinking I’m mad, she gives me a pitiful look. Jeez. I’m a softy and I know it. The most I can bring myself to do is bump her cute little nose. “Don’t be so quick to hit friends, Bell.”
“Coo.” [My apologies.]
“Alright. Tell it to her too.”
I turn her around to face Maxine. The little demon bares her fangs again. In her defense, I think it was more reflex than a disregard for my words. After all, once she flinches away, the expression disappears, replaced by reluctant peace. “Coo.” She can’t speak directly to Maxine, as we don’t want the world knowing how capable my ‘little imp’ is but it gets the point across.
“…apology accepted. I have to admit, I don’t know much about textiles. Clef, I will go with your judgment. If you think the styles are good then I will provide the necessary investment.”
“Yes, yes. That is what I want to hear. Merchants just need to pour their money and watch us work. Magical elf! I will take whatever you are giving out.”
Kierra’s smile is nothing short of predatory as she guides Clef to one of the couches.