I picked up the first box, made of a creamy white material that felt like money under my fingertips, the name Francois written in script letters on the top. Never heard of it. Might as well try it.
I carried it and another box, this one black with no name on it, to the bedroom. I pulled off my clothes and jumped in the shower, hurrying through my routine but paying close attention when it came to shaving. I skipped washing my hair, knowing I wouldn’t have time to dry it before we had to be at the gala.
The military had given me the gift, if you want to call it that, of being able to shower and dress quickly. I was out within ten minutes and wrapped in a fluffy towel, as I pulled each dress out of its box and laid them on the bed.
The dresses were beautiful, and unless I was completely out of touch, very expensive.
The first was a cream sheath with a tulle like substance layered over it. A black and red lace detailing decorated the bust and sheer sleeves. That same appliqué decorated where the waist met the full skirt.
I pulled it on and turned to my full length mirror. Oh my. I looked like a girl. Like a fairy tale princess who had just an edge of badassness to her. I liked it.
Caroline stepped into the room carrying several garment bags and shoe boxes. She nodded once when seeing me.
“Nice. Turn around.”
I twirled, the full skirt rustling around me as I moved.
“I like it, but it’s a little much for tonight. Try the other one.”
I took one last look at the gown. It was probably the last time I’d ever wear something like this. My life wasn’t the sort that lent itself to ball gowns, no matter how pretty they were.
The next dress was as simple as the other had been complicated. A silvery waterfall of fabric that slithered over my head. This was not the dress for a fairy princess. This was the sort of dress a woman with utter self-confidence wore to tell the world that ‘I’m badass and know it, so just fucking deal.’ I absolutely adored it.
The silver was the perfect shade to set off my skin tone, which tended to wash out with paler colors, and highlighted my body while still allowing me to move and run if I had to. The skirt flowed around my legs but the slit over one leg gave me freedom of movement. I could probably hide a weapon in there if I needed to.
Caroline gave me an assessing gaze. “I like it, but let’s try on a few more to make sure.”
“I think this is fine. If it works, there’s no reason to waste any more time trying a bunch of stuff on.”
“If I took the time to drag all this shit here, you’re going to try some of it on.”
Ah, there was the Caroline I knew and loved.
I set the silver creation aside and pulled on a few other dresses at her direction. These seemed on the lower end of the cost spectrum. I should probably go with one of these in case of damage. Lately I seemed to be drawing all sorts of trouble to myself. I didn’t want to ruin one of her expensive dresses just because I liked the way it fit.
“I’ll just wear this one,” I said, turning my back to the mirror to see how the black dress fit.
“No, you were right,” Caroline said, looking over the mess we’d made of my bed. “The silver one looks best. Everyone wears black. No point in following the crowd. The silver will make you stand out.”
“I don’t need to stand out. I’m just going so you don’t look like an idiot in front of your coworkers.”
Her glare could have singed off my eyebrows. “In that case, you’re going to look like the very best version of yourself. That means the silver dress.”
I gave a shrug. It was her dress. If she wanted to risk it, that was her business.
I changed back into the silver one, taking a seat on the bed while Caroline got her curling iron and other hair styling implements ready. Given how nice her hair looked, it was obvious she’d gone to a salon. I knew arguing and saying I could just wear mine straight wouldn’t fly.
“It’s been a long time since we’ve done something like this,” Caroline remarked, wrapping a section of my hair around the curling iron.
“You mean let you play dress up with me as the doll?” I asked.
She paused and leaned forward so she could meet my eyes. “I mean spend time together without arguing.”
Chastened, I fell silent. It had been a long time. I didn’t count the time I’d shown up asking for her help with the draugr incident.
“This could be fun. If you let it, that is.” A thread of wistfulness came through in her words.
I shut my eyes and let go of some of my frustration, the hurt, and unsaid words between us. Even though I’d chosen to live my life this way, I was lonely and from the sound of it, so was Caroline.
