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The street I ended up on was one of modest vendors, hawking quite a bit of impressive finery. I wandered through the sellers and came to one filled with fresh flowers. The woman offered me a lily, but a few golden orchids highlighted in rose and dapple- spots caught my eye. I took some from the vase and began braiding them into my hair. Just as I was finishing with the last one, I felt a chin on my shoulder and a soft breath in my ear."Roses are a good choice too," said a familiar voice.
I smiled as I looked over my shoulder at the elf, "Roses are too classic for my hair"
"So I am a romantic," he said.
I chuckled warmly as he turned to pay the vendor. I spotted a Tailor's Shop and slipped inside before Krol could see me. This would be an opportune time to find something suitable to wear in the Palace. I quickly made my selections from the dresses already in stock with only a few alterations made by the tailor. As I snapped on the diamond bracelet, that had been a gift from Krolaun himself, I heard the bell above the door chime cheerfully.
I heard Krolaun's voice inquiring about me and I heard the clerk answer. I waited several moments before I stepped out. The dress brushed softly at my knees, the white silken material making a hushed hiss against my skin. The long sleeves ran down my arms, almost featherlight in their touch. The silver and emerald of the Amulet gleamed softly at my throat. As I raised my hand to pay for my purchases, the soft glint of the diamonds from the bracelet Krolaun had gifted me months before caught the eye. I pretended not to see the elf, but inwardly I smiled. I could feel him regarding me with those wonderous grey eyes, but as I passed him, he spoke.
"Oh, clerk," he drawled, "Can I borrow a pair of scissors? That is just too long."
The clerk motioned to me, "If you would allow our tailor, miss..."
I glanced over my shoulder at Krolaun, smiling deviously. All right, I thought to myself, he asked for it. Let's give it to him.
I stepped into the booth with the tailor again, and he looked up at me, "About how much will we be taking off, Lady?"
"Leave just enough to fuel the imagination," I grinned.
He chuckled, "As you wish it."
I spent many moments just listening to the soft snip, snip of the tailor's scissors. I could feel the fabric sliding away from my skin. As he worked, more and more of my skin became exposed to the open air. I revelled in the feelings; the small waltzing breezes of the shop dancing along my arms. I smiled slightly, but the tailor's work was quickly done.
"Finished," he announced, setting his scissors aside.
I surveyed his work in the floor-length mirror and nodded in satisfaction, my lips curving into yet another devious smile. If this doesn't knock him for a loop, nothing will.
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© 1999 E. Angeli Mansfield