Aurelia Just pick up the purchases from the day before yesterday, since I couldn't last night. Eyes are open on the way there and back, but I don't go out of my way to look for anything shiny.

Dionysus You don't see anything especially.

Aurelia And was I told to go at any particular time to the palace?

Dionysus No time was stated

Aurelia Then I'll probably go there from the shop, to get it done before Arlie calls time to leave.

Dionysus The Emperess is having her morning bath when you arrive. Her maids allow you in. She'ssurrounded by women tending her as she prepares for her midday court.

Aurelia Yeep. I wasn't expecting to be directed to her directly.

• Aurelia stands back and waits silently for them to finish.

Dionysus She doesn't wait, "Good morning, Duchess. How are you?"

Dionysus She feels extremely relaxed.

Aurelia "I am well." She hesitates slightly, not sure of the proper address to append. "Majesty."

Dionysus She smiles, then speaks apparently to no one, "Her Grace has been promised proper attire for her new title."

Dionysus And a large woman in the back of the crowd of maids steps forward, "Well, your Grace, I believe we should get to know each other. I am Mathilda Carmichael, Stewardess of the Palace."

• Aurelia tilts her head, blushing a touch in uncertainty. She curtsies slightly. "I am Aurelia Lucent."

Dionysus She blushes, & some of the maids giggle. The Emperess smiles, "Aurelia, Duchesses do not curtsy to servants, usually, but I am sure Mathilda appreciates the courtesy you've extended. She will attend you & see to your attire, if you're not busy today?"

• Aurelia blinks, blush deepening, and shakes her head in answer to the question.

Dionysus The Emperess nods, "If you've need to talk some more, I will be there for you, barring invasion or civil war, of course."

• Aurelia smiles a little and says quietly, "Thank you."

Dionysus She smiles, "I am here to Serve."

• Aurelia curtsies to her, unsure what else to do.

Dionysus The Stewardess waits to usher you out & then leads you to a dressing room, stacked high with cloth & finery.

• Aurelia follows, looking around wide-eyed on arrival.

Dionysus "I think three sets of attire shall do--one formal, one informal, one special. Strip to the underclothes, Your Grace."

• Aurelia freezes for a second and takes a step back. "I've all the measures... I know them."

Dionysus She frowns, "Are you sure they're accurate? If so, we'll move on to choosing fabrics."

• Aurelia touches the sleeve of her current dress. "They gave shape to this."

Dionysus She nods, then asks for the measurements.

• Aurelia gives them.

Dionysus Any fabrics & colors you want for your new dressed?

Aurelia Silks and velvets in indigos, violets, blacks, and a bit of red are favorite.

Dionysus The stewardess comments that they suit you, & offers you a neclace that is a string of onyx with a ruby set at the center, as a compliment for the formal wear, "A loan from the palace for any formal court occassions." And for informal, well, the informal dress she proposes is more formal than anything you've ever worn.

• Aurelia loves it.

Dionysus The special, though, is "form fitting" (appropriately adjusted for your own personal body) leather armor, dyed colors of your choice, with a thin layer of steel plate in strategic areas. +4/+4

Aurelia Form fitting in the sense of made to be worn under less form fitting clothing?

Dionysus It can be, or it can be worn openly otherwise.

Aurelia Nice.

Dionysus It is feminenly cut, & covers legs, arms, neck, & body. There is an optional chain coif (+5/+5), & good boots & gloves (+1/+1)

Dionysus What colors do you pick?

Aurelia I'm trying to imagine whether azure would be a good colour.

Dionysus That is up to you.

Aurelia The darker end of indigo,t hen.

Dionysus Nice.

• Aurelia runs her fingers over each piece in turn. "They are beautiful."

Dionysus The stewardess nods, "Thank you."

• Aurelia smiles.
• Aurelia does all she can short of stripping to help the processes.

Dionysus They appreicate your competent help & seem to appreciate your un-haughty manner.