8

2 0 0
                                    


Teval is having a hard time.

It isn't his clothing for the event. Those have turned out perfectly with the limited amount of time Risol had to finish. All Teval had been told to do was show up with the first half of the money and himself for the fitting. Looking in the mirror now, he's stunned, and it's a welcome distraction.

"I'm going to need some gold jewelry to go with this, huh?" Teval murmurs, wondering if he has any earrings from past events or festivals he has attended. He and his sister used to get all dressed up for city festivals when they were younger, but lately, he hasn't paid much attention. Even the harvest festival passed without him giving it much of a glance.

"I do believe you're right. The blues with your skin tone will make the gold shine quite nicely," Risol says as she walks around him, checking every angle.

Teval eats up the compliment and reminds himself to dig around for jewelry when he gets home. "What will you be wearing?"

Risol seems surprised by the question. "Do you want to see?"

Teval nods.

She slips out of the room, and when she returns, she's holding a lovely deep red robed piece with short sleeves, made of light, flowing fabric. The edges of the sleeves, neck, and bottom of the dress are embroidered with black flowers, and there's a long, bright red piece of fabric hung over the hook of the hanger as well.

"Scarf?" he asks, pointing at it.

"Belt," Risol corrects him. "I plan to secure it at the waist and then tie it in the back to hang down. There will be cords with beads tied over it as well. Some of the knots will match designs from the tribe my parents descend from up in the northeast," she tells him.

"Beautiful," he tells her, happy to see someone else has mixed styles.

She makes a few adjustments to Teval's outfit here and there, but everything fits perfectly, and while the cord may not have shells weaved onto it, Teval is even touched by the fact that Risol took the time to make knotting designs that look like shells.

"You like it?" she asks as his thumb brushes over one of the little shell knots.

"I love it," he replies with a smile. "So, what's everyone else wearing?"

"I believe Delian is wearing some different pieces I've made for her before. Her mother used to put everyone in blue, but she likes purple more," Risol tells him. "I did tell her orange looks really lovely on her, so I suspect she'll be in one of those colors. Seran only asked me for a new beaded belt so I'm not sure exactly what she'll be wearing. And I'll let Ista's dress be a surprise for you."

Teval nods, impressed. "A rainbow in this house, it seems."

"Unsurprising," Risol says as she gathers her tools and puts them away. "Everyone has their preferences."

"What about Lexton?"

"Hey, Risol, can you—" Lexton cuts off as he steps into the doorway and sees Teval. The two stare at one another as Teval's eyes sweep down to see Lexton's outfit for the party and he's blown away. His shirt, if one can call it that, is actually a robed, light green top. It sits underneath a vest fashioned to look more like a robe as well, layering over itself with buttons going down each side to his waist. The vest is made of a deep green brocade fabric with golden vines that shimmer like the waves on Teval's jacket, and it fits Lexton's torso nicely, showing his waist almost as well as the belt Risol plans to wear. The entire ensemble has Teval's heart going ba-bump a little louder than he would like.

"Should I be worried that he'll look better than me?" Teval turns to Risol, who giggles.

"I'm covering this with a long brown jacket, so don't expect any of it to be visible," Lexton tells him, crossing his arms with a sour look.

ShadowWhere stories live. Discover now