Cloak and Scalpel

ABERLEEN ARC: Indentured Servitude

"I'll take this in turquoise, this in teal, and that in silver!"

Aamon and I stared as Amy deposited several shoes on the counter, a huge grin on her face as she turned towards her brother. "Would that be all right with you, big brother?" she asked, her eyes wide with pleading innocence.

Amy, Sitri, Aamon and I were at one of Aberleen's lucrative dress shops. That night, Aamon would be hosting the farewell banquet for Silvanna and her Lightborn troops. And Amy, in true blue Amy fashion, had decided to mark the occasion with a shopping spree, courtesy of Aamon. According to Berith, Aamon had become Amy's unwitting shopping financier despite having plenty of assets and gold of her own.

Aamon smiled pleasantly at the shopkeeper from over the counter. "Whatever she desires," he said, gesturing to the items.

Amy's smile stretched from ear to ear. "Whatever I desire? Oh, wow, brother. You're in a very generous mood! Did Diana butter you up last night?"

I suddenly remembered our lustful kisses from the night prior-the way his lips trailed down my body, the way he'd touched and caressed me...I felt my cheeks and neck heating up just as Aamon glared at Amy.

"Ooooh! Interesting," Amy said, smirking at the both of us. And then, in a low voice, she said, "Even big brother is capable of overlooking decorum and propriety when he wants, eh?"

"Amy," I groaned.

Aamon, who had been about to drop a small pouch of coins on the counter, paused. He glared at Amy, and then withdrew the pouch. "I was only jesting, big brother! Sorry, sorry, can I have that back now?" Amy said, her lower lip jutting out as she tried to act cute.

Sitri tugged on my hand. "Diana, what does it mean when big brother...overlooks decorum and propriety? And what does it mean when you butter up big brother?" she asked, looking up at me with her large, ocean blue eyes.

I glared at Amy who grinned innocently at me as she turned back towards the cashier.

I was not having this discussion with Sitri. No way.

Smiling, I draped my arm across her shoulders. "You know, I think that dress over there would look very beautiful on you, Sitri," I said, as we spun around to face said dress. It was made of pink lace with a flowing silk skirt. It was just about her size. "Why don't you go try it on?"

Her eyes immediately widened in delight. "Can I, big brother?" she asked, excitement in her eyes.

"Get anything you want, Sitri," Aamon said with a nod of his head.

Sitri let out a giggle of delight as she bustled off towards the dress, a shop assistant in tow.

"You really buttered him up good, huh?" Amy told me as she approached us with several shopping bags in hand.

"Amy!"

"Perhaps you'd like to pay for your purchases at the next store, Amy?" Aamon said. There was a pleasant smile on his face that didn't reach his cold eyes.

"Ack! Fine, fine, I'll stop teasing, I give you my word," she said, raising one hand in promise. She grinned innocently at me. But then she glanced at me from top to bottom and frowned. "Aren't you getting anything for yourself, Diana? You always wear simple dresses. With pockets. Besides, you need something new for the dinner banquet later."

"I like dresses with pockets," I said, shrugging. "Very practical. In my world, I didn't really wear many dresses for daily wear. I was more of a blouse and slacks kind of girl."

At this, Amy immediately brightened. "You and brother are leaving for the Cadia Riverlands soon! Before then, you must promise to sketch for me some of the fashions in your world! Please, oh please."