A Fitting (Paige)

Alexander wandered around the Velvet Room, looking for his dear sister Paige, he had an idea and wanted to get her measurements again. Only for the purpose of making her a new dress for her to wear every once and a while. Though he was thinking something more along the lines of a dance she could wear to an event that is a bit more about fun rather than something uptight and serious. Granted, a part of him knew that she might never go to such an event, but she wanted to be prepared for when it occurred!

Dear sister Paige!" he said looking around trying to find her, though he had to admit the design of the Velvet Room, was simply dreary. He understood the reasons for it, but they could have gone with a bit more light. A prison was hardly a place where one really achieved, he would have been fine with how it was earlier. Though he was hardly the one to make the rules around here, that was master Igor's job, and he wasn't able to speak out of line really. Regardless, he had a dear sister to find! He kept looking around for her, wondering where on earth she was!

    Paige tapped the eraser of her pencil to her lips, musing over the sketch she'd been working on. Elegant lines and debonair curves filled the page, but something was missing, something she couldn't see.... Tilting the page to the left and squinting slightly, she tried to picture the design from a side angle, lips moving silently as she whispered various folds and inlay notes to herself. What was it, what was it...?

    The sound of her name echoing from outside drew her attention. With a slight sigh she set her sketch pad on the counter and rose from her chair, skirts swishing around her ankles as she crossed to the shop's door and opened it slightly, tentatively peeking into the hallway (she was a lady, after all; no sense in inviting in plausible scoundrels, however few inside here there may be).

    "Alexander?" she called, opening the door wider as he brother's form came into view. "What is it, brother?" Her brow furrowed slightly in wonder as she took note of the way he turned this way and that, as if finding her was to be some difficult task. ...Then again, sometimes his mind wandered to so many other things...maybe he had forgotten the layout of his own home, and the spots his sister was fond of frequenting.

Alexander turned toward the sound of his dear sister's heavenly voice, and saw her peeking into the hallway. "Ah, there you are dear sister!" he said now walking quickly toward her, measuring tape in hand as he approached. He was unnaturally cheery, usually meaning he was having a good day, or had something that he wanted to try out. Considering how he was carrying measuring tape, it was pretty clear that he wanted to get her dimensions once again! The younger attendant came to the door, and opened it fully smiling at her. "I had a wonderful idea for a dress for you, and I just wanted to get your measurements since it has been a while. While, I'm sure your beautiful figure remains superb, I want to know for certain this way I'm not second guessing myself." he said stepping past her.

"While I believe you look absolutely stunning in all your dresses, I think you need something fun." He said as his excitement grows, "Something that shows you're not afraid to show off, but still maintaining a healthy dose of taste." He said explaining his vision of his next great work! Oh how much enjoyment he got out of this! His eyes were practically glowing, and the only other time they would glow like this is if he were eyeing a beautiful woman. He looked back at her his excitement hard to contain, "So what do you say, care to help me create something that shows your true beauty that the world has yet to see?"

    Paige stepped just slightly to the side so the swinging door wouldn't clip her hip as Alexander pushed it open. Folding her hands in front of her waist, she listened quietly as he sibling talked on, a small smile growing on her face. What were the chances her sibling was working on the same thing as she? ...Well, quite high, in hindsight; they did share this particular hobby, after all.

    As Alexander came into the room she closed the door gently behind him before walking over to the front desk where she'd left her sketchbook. "Of course, brother. Feel free to do as you like; I have nothing pressing at the moment."

    She couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at her brother's cursory explanation of his design. Something "fun"? What ever could that be? In her opinion, there were a great many dresses she owned that were "fun"; some that swished when she walked, some with frills, some with bows, some with long draping sleeves and some with delightful fabrics. What, then, could he mean by "fun"?

    The question laid on her tongue, but she opted not to ask. There was a look in her brother's eye that she knew all too well. No doubt if she said no he'd just keep asking. It wasn't as if she had a real reason to say no, anyways.

    Shrugging off her bulky over coat and hat and setting them both on the counter, she turned to her brother with a smile.

Alexander smiled and almost hopped with glee of how she was willing to let him get her measurements one more time so he could get it all right! The young man grinned as he set aside the measuring tape, and grinned at her. Though he stepped back and his eyes widened in surprise, "Dear sister! What do you mean by, 'what beauty'? He asked her in shock and surprise! He gestured toward her with both of his hands, "You are one of the most beautiful women any man will lay their eyes upon, you make Aphrodite burn with jealousy with your looks alone. Let us not forget, your delightful personality!" her brother said, appalled by this statement. Now he knew that he needed her measurements, his dear sister needed a reminder of how beautiful she was!

Alexander had the confidence that his dress would be the revelation she needed to see her true and inner beauty! He grabbed the measuring tape and approached her, before stepping behind her. "The first thing I need you to do is raise your arms so I can get an accurate measurement." He said, waiting for his dear sister to do that before wrapping it around her chest and bust. He glanced at where the tape measure overlapped getting an accurate measurement. He lingered on this measurement, as he double checked his memory. "Dear sister, I think you've grown quite a bit, I'm really quite impressed!" he said happily, before moving on to her waist and hip measurement. He was humming a happy tune as he got these measurements, lingering in each place and setting the measurement to memory.

He stepped away and smiled at her, now it was time to tell her his vision. "You have a bunch of dresses that look you look absolutely gorgeous in, like the one you are wearing right now. You look beautiful, but...I want to make something a little less conservative." He said before quickly adding, "Now now now! Don't jump to conclusions, I'm not making something risque or distasteful. I want something that clings to your body a bit more rather than hide it under layers like the dress you have on now." he said stepping closer and gesturing toward her corset top. "Imagine a dress like this, how it clings to your luscious curves and how it makes a statement about how confident you are in your looks." he explained, before now turning his attention to the bottom half.

"Now let's take that style and look, and carry it down into a dress that clings to you. It shows everyone your beauty, without coming off as distasteful. It's still a dress, but it shows without telling." He said looking at her with a smile, before knowing her first concern, and deciding to answer it. "To be fair, it won't show anymore skin, except your ankles and a little bit above it. That's the only bit of skin that it shows, that a majority of your other dresses don't." He said explaining the situation to the best of his abilities so there was no misunderstanding. He did not want her to throw a fit, he just wanted her to be happy! Then after this they could talk color!

    Paige's smile was soft, almost amused, as she shook her head slightly. After spending so long with her brother, she'd grown used to his ways and antics. The phrases he continued to dream up, however, sti threw her off on occasion. Perhaps it was because she was not quite as "up to date" as Alexander was when it came to vocabulary.

    Without complaint Paige raised her arms, allowing Alexander to stretch the measuring tape across her bust before she lowered her hands. Knowing full well the importance of accurate measurements, she stayed perfectly still, not daring to look down lest her shoulders arch or her back stretch from the movement. Instead she looked straight ahead, merely responding to Alexander's comment with a small, almost unamused hum. Her bust, grown? That didn't seem correct. Her dresses fit perfectly fine, as if she hadn't changed shape in...well, for a very long time. ...Then again, she supposed, most of her dresses were either loose fabric or laced, so it was entirely possible growth could have occurred without her noticing...

    Her train of thought ended as Alexander cut in, bringing it all crashing down. Slowly, she turned towards her brother, expression neutral yet wary. Less conservative...? Whatever did he-?

    She listened closely to the design, looking past her sibling as she thought and imagined the dress being drawn on the wall. No doubt Alexander drew inspiration from those short skirts their sister wore and the rising trend in the outside world. But on her? Fabric that tight, that short...it felt strange, almost disturbing, to picture such an outfit on herself.

    "I have no wish to stifle your creativity, brother." she said once he'd finished, crossing over to a hook on the wall and procuring a tape measure of her own. "I make no guarantees that I would wear such a dress often, but if you wish to create it, I do not mind being your model to showcase it." Crossing over to Alexander, she nonchalantly looped the tape measure around his neck, leaning in close to read the numbers. After memorizing the measurement, she looped the tape around his chest, once again taking note of the measurement. Finally she looked up, blinking at him curiously. "How do you feel about green?"

"A new look! A new style that you would look fabulous in, what else would I be talking about?" He was surprised that she even had to ask, and he watched her thoughts bounce around about his design. Oh she would love it, she would have to. However, when she spoke about not wanting to stifle his creativity, he could not help that there was going to be a but. Thus, moments later she stated that she would not wear it often, but would be willing to showcase it.

Her brother's shoulders drooped as she stated that, she wouldn't wear it often? She was doubting his work before he had even begun? This....this was unheard of! He was only brought out of his sadness when suddenly he fould a tape measure around his neck, and at that moment he looked up at her. "Oh?" He asked a bit surprised as she went about getting his measurements! When she asked about the color green, now he was more than a bit surprised about this! "Oh? Are you designing an outfit for me as well? As for green....it's not something I oppose, but at the same time it is not a color I like to wear often. If you were to design a green outfit then I'd be willing to try it on, as your design and tastes have proven my own to be wrong before." He said wrapping his arms around her and pulling her into a hug.

"What about you? I know you don't like bright colors, but...perhaps a darker purple of some sort would be acceptable? It is the color of royalty after all, and I promise that men will be swooning and lining up to get your attention." Her brother said with a smile, pulling her into a hug a bit tighter. "I can hear them now, asking to buy you another drink or sweets. I assure you that they will not be able to take their eyes off of you."

    Paige dropped the ends of the tape measure, allowing it to slide to the floor as she nestled her head into the curve of Alexander's neck, eyes closing for a moment. She'd always been oddly content with these gestures of affection, especially those coming from her brother. She couldn't put her finger on exactly why, either. Maybe because he was so familiar, he felt safe? Maybe because he was the closest thing she'd come to calling home?

    Brushing aside the thought, Paige let out a soft hum. "It does not have to be green. I thought it may be an excuse for you to wear something...fun. But white will do. White will do quite well. ...Unless you're afraid you would get it dirty?"

    Paige drew her lips into a thin line, averting her eyes the floor. Men, doing all that? Being so forward? Doing all of it just to court her? It seemed strange. Very, very strange...yet not unappealing. Tucking one hand under her chin in thought, she looked up at Alexander through her bangs, somewhat hopeful, somewhat wary, perhaps just a bit excited. "Do...Do you really think so?"

Her brother did not mind for one moment how she rested her head against the curve of his neck. They would stand there embraced for a few moments. It was nice to always know that someone would have your back and that there was always someone you could rely upon no matter what you did. It was a comfort that not many people could have, at least he thought many humans were not so fortunate to have this sort of support.

"White would be fine, but I am not terribly opposed to trying on a green outfit. If it is going to be something fun, then let us try green, the worst case scenario is that I save it till the proper occassion arises. I have always liked your handiworks so I might end up liking green." He said, while he could not make a promise, he would try it on and see how it looked if his sister made.

Though when she looked up at him through her bangs, she looked so hopeful and thoughtful. He grinned at her and placed his hands on her shoulders. She looked adorable to him, "My dear sister, I think so and I believe that they will be eager to meet such a beautiful young woman like yourself. I'm eager to see how you look, and how the men will line up to speak with you. I will be with you, because I don't want any unruly man flirting with my dear sister. Shall I depart to go and begin my work or is there something else you wish to discuss?"

    Oh...Oh. Paige's smile fell slightly as the realization struck her. She...she would have to leave the Velvet Room, wouldn't she? All those men her brother talked of were beyond the doors of her home, not waiting in a cell or at the end of the hall. A cold tingle perched just above her tailbone, traveling slowly up her spine as she considered the implications of his plan even further. She'd have to go outside...walk all the way to this "club"...stay inside a strange place that she hardly understood with only Alexander for support...no doubt he would get lost in the crowd and they'd be separated again, like last time when...

    Telescopes.

    Trees.

    A fountain.

    Somewhat unfocused images flashed through Paige's mind. It was a day long ago, back when the Velvet Room had their one and only guest in ages before the dry spell. The last time she'd left the Velvet Room--some gala, an event her brother told her would be fun--and she'd been lost.

    For a few seconds, Paige was quiet, staring blankly up at Alexander's face. Her smile had fallen away, leaving her looking dazed, perhaps a bit sullen. She was deaf to most of Alexander's words, only picking up the tail end of his last word.

    Once he finished, Paige stayed that way for a second longer before she blinked, looking at Alexander in surprise. // When did...? // ...Oh. It happened again.

    An apologetic, somewhat sheepish smile lit up her face. "Ah...my apologies brother. What did you say...? After the, ah, men speaking with me part."

Alexander noticed that Paige seemed to space out, her smile was gone, and she seemed almost lost in her own thoughts. He tilted his head to the side, surprised by this, but he wondered if she was okay. "I said shall I depart to go ahead and begin my greatest work yet, and I would not let any unruly men speak with you." He repeated for his dear sister, before asking a question.

"Are you okay dear sister? Is there something troubling you? Do you feel ill? Do you want me to escort you back to your room? Because I can take over here if you need me to."" He asked a flurry of questions, now concerned about his sister's health and why on earth she just suddenly blanked. That is not like her....at all.

    "I trust you would keep me safe, brother." Paige laughed softly. It felt somewhat forced after the chilling thoughts she'd just had, but good nonetheless. Laughter was better than...that. "Oh, but-"

    She should have known Alexander would pick up on what had happened without issue. Actually, she'd be worried if he didn't; her attacks, while not overly troublesome, were quite noticeable, after all. This time a much more real, chiming laugh slipped past her lips as she rested her hands on her brother's chest, holding him back and still. "Brother, slow down. I am fine. I was merely lost in memories again." She spared him a warm smile before tilting her head up and kissing him on the cheek. "Thank you for worrying about me, Alexander. But I promise you, I am fine. Please, go work on your design. I look forward to seeing it upon completion."

Paige's condition:

Alexander realized that he had gone a bit overboard in his concern for her well being, as she kept him an arms length away before saying that she was lost in memories. He grinned a bit after the kiss, and he placed a kiss on her forehead. "Well if you change your mind then please come find me, illness is not something to take lightly, dear sister." He said hugging her one more time, The next time we see one another, I will bring you the best dress you have ever laid your eyes upon." He said excitedly as he walks off and out of the room with a skip in his step.

Of course, he wouldn't let his dear sister Paige simply fight the fact that she was lost in memories alone, he realized that she was sometimes haunted by bad experiences. There must be something that could be done to aid her and help her overcome her fears? Hmmm, perhaps one of their dear guests might have a suggestion or advice on the matter, after all they knew more about the resources in their home than Alex or Paige did. Or perhaps...this was a matter to speak to Master Igor about, though he hated to trouble the master's schedule. Regardless, Alexander would find a solution to his dear sister's problem one way or another!

(Exit)