Look Beyond What You See

Malina

"OW! Heavens above, how many times must you stab me before you've got that fabric where you want it?!" I yelp, glaring at the clumsy maids who are trying to fit me for my wedding dress. I'm not certain we've decided on the exact design for that exalted garment--I am determined to have straps or sleeves of some sort, while the couturiers insist that I ought to wear a strapless dress with some sort of wrapper--and so I'm not sure what the point of these fittings might be, but far be it from me to argue with Zinaida's decisions, after she treated me so kindly yesterday at luncheon.

"So sorry, milady," the offending maid stammers as she tries once again to get the pin through the itchy white fabric without also piercing my skin.

"We're almost finished with today's fitting session, Aerys, I promise," Malina assures me. She seems worn down. I haven't seen much of her lately. I wonder what they've been making her do that has her so tired.

"I'm sure that will be quite a relief--ow!--to all of us." I glare at the girl cowering at my feet, the offending pin clutched in her hand with a drop of my blood on the tip.

"My apologies. It's so hard to tell where these things are...." she murmurs, eyes crossed in concentration as she reattempts the pinning.

"Put your hand under the fabric, to help guide it, and then if you mess up it's you and not I who receives the painful prick," I suggest caustically.

"But milady! I cannot possibly have my hand so close to your--"

"Oh, please! I'm wearing all of the appropriate undergarments, and you seem to have no problem stabbing me in intimate areas! Just do as I say so that we can be finished with this nonsense for the day." The maid reluctantly acquiesces. Her hands are cold and clammy, even through the fabric of my under-petticoat and shift.

"Have you chosen the style for your dress yet?" Malina inquires.

"I'm not sure. I've adamantly insisted that I will have straps or sleeves on my dress, but the couturiers seem just as adamant that strapless is the style I must wear."

"The couturiers are full of poppycock. Zinaida would never permit you to be so immodest. Pick something from this book of styles and we'll simply write 'Final Selection' on the page, bookmark it, and be done with it. Leave the couturiers to me."

"Are you sure? You seem awfully worn down. What have they been having you do lately? I've hardly seen you."

"Oh, yes, I'm sure. I've just not been sleeping much, is all. Nothing to do with work and everything to do with studying. I'm trying to get into university, you see, but to pass the entrance exam.... Well, I will need a bit more work yet."

"Perhaps we could study together sometime. I would be happy to help you."

"Oh! I would so appreciate it...but are you sure you would have time for that? They keep you so busy, it seems, and Juniper tells me she can hardly keep you in bed at night, you do so much studying and training on your own."

"You could certainly join my early morning study sessions. I've just been studying Russian then, and could take time to help you with whatever you're working on. Evenings are magic practice, and I would be better left alone for that. I wouldn't want to frighten you or hurt you by accident."

Malina's eyes brighten with curiosity and excitement. "I think I'd rather be at the evening ones! That sounds so exciting!"

"But you won't get anything done if you're watching my antics."

"What would it matter? I've never had the chance to see such things, despite having worked here for years. We all know full well that the Berkeleys are elementals, though they will swear up and down to the contrary--"