Chapter 332: Chapter 332 - Date Prep, Don’t Think Too Hard
Letting Tolerance’s temperature auto-regulation drop, something I worked on so I could really feel the temperature of the hot water that washed over my skin, the expensive products Anise had insisted I try built into a rich lather. Her gift sent home with me from Crystalline Spa’s collection - some sort of honey and oat concoction that was supposed to [nourish and illuminate].
According to the packaging. And her smiling reading of it. The fragrance of the products was nice and would likely remain for the evening. I shake my head and kept my mind focused on the sensations of the immediate routine, for I’d lose my nerve entirely if I let my thoughts drift to what I was preparing for - and to what I was about to do.
The facial moisturizer came next in the list of new items to use. My skin did not soak it up as much as someone who may have need the care more, but a light layer did help make a bit of notable difference after applying it attentively. The surface felt softer... more... touchable.
Exiting the bathroom with underwear already on for once, I stalked to the vanity where I’d laid out my choices for the evening before the shower. I picked up arguably the most important protective neckwear first, feeling the disconnect between knowing it was supposed to be dangerous to my kind and not sensing it.
Designed to look like a stylish white turtleneck ’dickey’, it was made of three layers. The finely interlocked silver rings at the center were pressed on either side by treated ’kevlar’ that chemically masked the metallic scent completely.
I still pulled it over my head carefully considering I’d purchased it through the hunter network... after taking werewolf physiology and mating behaviors into consideration. However, they were ’made’ for humans hunting our kind - so the assertion that it would not harm me with that cloth layer in the way was questionable.
> Well, I guess the thirty minutes I held it balled in my hand earlier while debating whether to go through with this proved it was fine. <
The goal was to prevent any impulsive marking attempts at the vulnerable junction of neck and shoulder. Because tonight, I’d be in close proximity to someone who might get... ideas. Someone whose wolf might decide that conversation made in close distance warranted a more permanent claim.
Especially considering I’m approaching this evening pretending to be something I’m not. But at least it looked like just another accessory to complete an ensemble meant to project wealth and sophistication. Which surely is... some part of who I am.
The midnight blue lehenga set I special ordered came next - and despite my determination to stay focused on getting dressed, I couldn’t help but pause as I lifted the choli. The sleeveless, high-necked crop top had diligent hand-embroidery in white and well spaced glass beads, just like the skirt it matched with.
Silk from that would fall to my ankles... with stitching and details that continued down and around its length. In patterns that reminded me of the constellation maps from the royal library. Fitting the blouse over the neck protection, I slowly dived down into my mindscape...
Transforming it all into a particular memory in time.
Back to the royal tailor’s workshop on a day I’d reached an age where shifting into a human had stabilized into what looked like an adult body instead of a teenager. A day I stood for fittings for what would be... *something* like my ’debutante’ presentation.
> Of course, that is just fancy words for: inviting lots of powerful people to get a look at me so they could bid and scheme on how to obtain me for marriage. And therefore a greater connection to the Fox Kingdom’s throne. <
The old spider shifter had insisted on multiple meetings to get everything perfect. His delicate claws on eight legs worked silver thread into brilliant patterns that would seem to shake and dance in the light with every little wobble of the sheer fabrics. All while chittering at me.
"The pantheon may not like those who grow too arrogant, but they love those who aim to flatter them through respectful imitation. That’s why even a Princess down on the land must at least try to shine brighter than the stars above. Then... those who look to claim you might face their own trials by irritated deities, hm?"
Vrika circled the representation without getting too close. Which is fair, for a spider bigger than the black wolf spirit is probably not something a being from this world would want to get close to. Even in a memory and a place that cannot truly hurt someone.
> I won’t say that entire day was wonderful. Or that at the time I thought his words were anything but a complicated platitude. But it was... a good one. <
My hand reaches out from where I stood in the spot I had been back then and strokes the passing wolf’s back. It would be wrong to say outright that I had any kind of clear relationship with any particular one of the Goddesses that I knew of.
If anything, I would think I was the sort of embodiment of arrogance they would... Well, if one of them was responsible for how I ended up here - as some sort of punishment - I would be unsurprised. Standing before my mirror back in reality, I opened my eyes and looked at myself more like what I’d once been - a royal preparing for an important social engagement.
Someone with status. Standards. With the kind of expensive tastes that required... a lot of maintenance. It was the first time since arriving in this world that I’d worn anything that truly felt like that sort of me.
"Western clothing isn’t bad, but the soul wants what it wants."
Running my hand through this body’s black hair while raising my chin, I felt like I was giving off exactly the impression I wanted to give. Like it was waiting for me to have that thought, my phone buzzed against the vanity while I was reaching for a set of hair ties.
K: [Just confirming - our reservation is at 8. Will you be arriving earlier or on the dot for our date?]
Staring at the screen and its message for a long moment, my hands stilled in my hair as every fiber of my being pushes back against the smug wolf... who thought my plot was ridiculous. To try and dissuade the Alpha from further romance.
Not by direct refusal, like I’d done so easily to the ’nice guy’ werewolf after considering that I would rather not spend an evening leading him on. Informing him patiently I would never mate with a man willingly - and *why* - also fixed things after his confusion settled.
C: [A lady arrives when she wills. Not too early, not too late. Just be patient and prepared to pay. It’s what you’re best used for.]
Instead, I will strive to be what those around her must think I am for a night. Dark strands twist up as I secured each side with the set of sapphire-colored... plastic orbs I’d found in that second-hand shop weeks ago. They were cheap, obviously fake when - if - she gets close enough to check.
But the color just matched these Duskpaw eyes too perfectly. And I like them... and didn’t have time to shop for something better. Besides, what is wrong with anything as long as if it looks attractive and is well taken care of?
> Shut up, I know I’m contradicting my plan. A single failure point can’t always be avoided, can it? <
After draping the complementing dupatta that came along with this outfit over one arm, instead of the color clashing one from Edgar, I Stashed my new suitcase laying on the bed. Filled with various items that I packed with care... and may or may not need to use in one way or another, depending on how terribly the evening plans progressed.
All idea of which just make my mental companion chuff at me as I leaned down and strapped on a nice set of expensive white heels.