Finally, it’s the day of the party.
Rae said she’d take Shy to the even this time, so you find yourself heading up early by yourself. Part of you says that it’s just because you’ve got free time, but another part knows that it’s to make sure Di hasn’t done something that’ll put Shy in a coma.
Despite the untoward nature of her updates, this is not the case. You’re actually sort of floored at what she managed to do in a short time.
Di meets you at the door in a suit, complete with coat-tails, top hat and monocle, not looking remotely out of place, and as soon as you step inside, you understand why. The entryway is set up in wood and rich carpets (red, naturally) leading through wide doors into a ballroom where there’s a wood-paneled floor for dancing and a number of appropriately dressed musicians setting up to one side.
‘H- how did you even do this?’ You stammer out to Di. You got the memo that this was suit-and-tie, but still feel a bit under-dressed after seeing it all.
‘Oh, it was nothing, I called in a few favours and got the ballroom booked, then called some friends in catering and the school classical music club and told them that since it was a fancy-pants party, some people that might be interested in further performances might show up. Easy-peasy.’
‘Di, this is perfect, all your notes were starting to worry me for a bit.’ You say, awe inescapable in the tone.
‘Oh, yeah, I was gonna do a rave, clothes-optional, but then figured people tip better when they’re supposed to be rich. Still have the DJ booked though!’
She points to the only person barely in costume, wearing neon sunglasses and glaring at the music stands over the top of set of turntables.
‘I’m kinda hoping they’ll try some kind of fusion, but at the moment they’re not talking. It’s a party though, right? Anything can happen!’ Di’s spirit is infectious at the worst of times, and you find it hard not to smile. This is the sort of thing that might be up Rae’s alley more than Shy’s, but at least Shy will be able to function. Hell, she might even enjoy it.
‘Hey! Now that you’re here, you can help me set up!. We’ve still got an hour till showtime!’ Di’s voice is singsong, but the gaze is steely, and before long, you’re put to work moving things around until it all resembles a fine gala affair; there’s a buffet along one side, with entrees of crab and fruit and a chocolate fountain at the end, and somehow, Di’s managed to sneak in a bar through means she only mumbles through when you ask, before changing the subject.
At seven o’clock sharp, Di opens to the doors and starts letting people in with a nominal donation. At first it’s like you expect, just a few people coming through, all dressed to the nines, but after half an hour, they don’t slow down like you expect, in fact, more and more people are come through, and the ballroom, which seemed enormous, starts to fill.
You see a few familiar faces; Big Mac Apple saunters through and gives a wave, though when you ask about AJ he just shrugs, and the waitress from the bar is here too, not working and looking (in two directions) all the happier for it.
Tara and Danni come in with another girl shortly after that, and you wave them over. Tara looks ecstatic, but Danni looks… almost nervous.
It’s the first you see of Rae’s handiwork, but you immediately see why she’s so successful. Though you’ve never been much for fashion, it’s obvious that the dresses are fantastic, but it’s more than that; it’s the way they’re designed for the women who’ll wear them.
Tara’s is deep purple, somehow offsetting the pink stripe in her dark hair, and cut in a defiantly non-western style, though it still doesn’t look out of place. It doesn’t even appear to have seams, but instead appears to be drawn around and clipped at the shoulder. Danni’s is like a Greek toga, over one shoulder and flowing down simply with coliseum style shoes to match.
The girl with them has a more traditional dress, but looks very impressive in it. She’s tan and has a sharp, intense face, and like Danni is heavily muscled, though this woman looks you easily in the eyes.
‘Uh, hey,’ Danni introduces you, ‘this is Gilda, she’s an old friend of mine.’
You shake the woman’s hand and get the feeling she could crush your hand if she really wanted, and the smile on her face says that’s exactly what she wanted you to think. You’re not really surprised she and Danni are friends.
The two of them make their way off to the drinks, leaving Tara and you there.
‘Never thought I’d see Danni in a dress,’ You say conversationally, and Tara laughs.
‘She wasn’t going to until Rae challenged her to it. You could almost see the way she was goading Danni into a corner so she couldn’t get away.’
‘Yeah, Rae’s a smart cookie, I just try and keep out of her cross-hairs.’
Tara laughs at that too, a sharp, knowing little laugh.
‘I think she’s not that easily deterred, but you’ll find out.’ She stops and looks around briefly, ‘How did Di manage to put this all together? This is an exact replica of a ball from the 1940s Manhattan scene. Right down to the refreshments.’ She pauses, and looks to you, ‘I had to study them briefly for a planning project once.’ Back to the room, ‘I think even the measurements are correct for the rooms.’
You shrug, ‘She told me she called in some favours and that’s all I know.’
‘Well, you were right to think of her, that’s for sure. Oh, there’s AJ.’
‘How do, darlin’ AJ drawls as she comes up, and claps you on the shoulder. ‘It’s a fine time for a shindig, don’tcha think?’
AJ’s dress is red and simple, leaving her tanned shoulders bare, but what really stands out is that she’s not wearing the Stetson, instead, her long blond hair has been neatly tied and braided with matching ribbons and hangs down her back in a thick rope.
‘Shy her yet? I heard Prissypants say that she was making her show fashionably late to make a big entrance, but I figured she’d probably just faint instead.’
‘We haven’t seen them yet.’ Tara gives another knowing smile, and you start to feel a bit suspicious. What is she smirking about?
‘Well, let me know, I wanna say hi and thanks for the clothes.’ She does a little spin in the dress, ‘I don’t think I’d ever have another time to wear this thing, but just the once I think I like it. Prissy knows what she’s doin’. Hey, there’s Mac. Right back.’
She heads over to the giant, who’s listening contentedly to someone else speak, and you turn back to the doors.
‘Anxious?’ Tara says, smirking again.
‘Aren’t you thirsty or something?’ You say, a bit acidly. You can’t help the feeling she’s laughing at you.
‘I’ll get something in a bit, I’m just doing a bit of a study, that’s all.’
‘A study on what?’ You ask, confused.
‘Oh, you’ll see.’
‘I hate these kinds of riddles, you know that, right? I always-‘
You’re cut off. Tara’s smile gets bigger.
Rae came in first, and her own dress is fantastic in ivory and diamonds contrasting with her dark skin and blue-black hai but you barely see it, because Shy is behind her.
Just like when you first went out with them, you find yourself forgetting exactly how beautiful Shy is, and then wondering how you could forget. The dress is simple; yellow, soft, with skirts but not many because you know she fought about it. She’s breath-taking, even dumbfounding. Which is fair, because that’s exactly how you are, stopping mid-sentence with Tara and just trying to find words.
‘You see, Darling, THAT’s why it’s so important to have the right dress.’ Rae says, pointing at you.
Rae walks over to the table where you and Tara are sitting and judges you for a moment. You’re still staring, but at least you don’t have your mouth open anymore. She judges your expression critically.
‘Hm, yes, I think that would count as success.’
She turns to Tara.
‘I told you there would be quantifiable outcomes. It’s not just guesswork I do, it is a science.’
‘Well, yes, I can see that, but I still wonder about the exact measurements and how to fully…’
Tara goes on about something, but you’re not really listening anymore. You’d probably be mad at her for smirking, but you’re not really paying attention to that either. Shy’s come over to the table.
‘Does it really look good?’ She says, very quietly, her eyes luminous.
‘Shy, it…’ You pause for a moment and blink, ‘Shy, I don’t even have words. You look… wow.’
She gives a shy smile, hiding behind her hair, like she did when you first met, but you can tell she’s pleased.
‘Rae said it was a nice dress, but it was so much work, especially with everyone else’s and I just wanted it to be good enough without being too much work.’
‘It’s fine, Shy,’ you reassure her, ‘and I think she’s happy with what she’s done.’
‘Oh good,’ she smiles again, ‘I’m glad you like it.’