There were way too many things wrong with this situation.

Quinn tugged at the top of her dress, desperate for a little air.

Maude's hand smacked hers away from the lace-edged bodice.

"How come a progressive world of magic has outdated and sexist fashion?" Quinn complained, partially serious.

The house worker who had been doing her hair sniffed.

Yeah, feeling's mutual.

Maude just smiled like this was the most fun she'd had in a decade.

Quinn had spent four weeks with Miroslav and Maude, studying about the Council and some of the more basic things that she would need to know.

She'd been introduced to the most ridiculous rules of etiquette and taught how to dance.

She had been forced to wrestle with her powers over and over until walking around other people didn't confuse or disorient her.

One particularly memorable event at the market with her crying in front of a meat vendor had almost gotten her labeled as nutty as 'her dear aunt Maude'.

And in her spare time, Quinn did research. She was trying to get home, but there wasn't a whole lot in Maude's modest library about magic caves.

Today was apparently some Harvest Ball. The Pre-Cursor to Solstice, the biggest holiday of the year.

Maude was going to introduce Quinn tonight as her niece. And Quinn was going to do what it took to find out what Indarra was planning, and hopefully where she was.

"I have the best tailor in the Stronghold, though he's very much not a people person, and this dress will be the hit of the party and probably distract from your many mistakes." Maude informed her.

"Thanks for the vote of confidence." Quinn grumbled.

Quinn walked down the stairs, clutching Maude's arm for balance, absolutely certain that at any moment she was going to trip or become unbalanced and fall down the rest of the steps.

She sighed when she reached the bottom.

Her shoes were actually quite comfy, by her request. The soft slippers were covered by the long ball gown skirt that brushed the ground.

The dress was a light blue to match the contacts that would mask her powers. The bodice was all kinds of uncomfortable, and that was saying something, because Quinn was already considered thin. It had form fitting long sleeves that went to her wrist.

Her hair had been piled into all these twisty things and pinned, giving the illusion that her hair was curly, which it absolutely was not.

"Many of the people in Elurra have light hair, so if they ask about your dark locks, tell them to coff off." Maude told her primly, handing her a cape.

Miro walked into the room and stared at her.

Quinn thought she looked pretty ridiculous, but also--rude.

"Isn't she lovely? She has good posture, like a born lady." Maude observed, actually beginning to sound like an over-affectionate family member.

With Miroslav's face being recognizable, there was no way he was going to the Harvest Ball.

He walked over and lifted her skirt.

One of the passing houseworkers let out a squeak of indignation.

"Miroslav, what on earth?" Maude chided.

He pulled over a sheath with leather straps and pulled out her dagger, checking it before sliding it into the new sheath.

Oh.

He slid it up her calf to rest on her thigh, his large hands gentle.

Miroslav knelt at her feet as he tied the laces behind her, his fingers brushing her skin.

His blue eyes met hers.

"Can you reach it in an emergency?" He asked.

Quinn glanced down and had an epiphany.

"That's why there's a slit in my skirt! You planned this!" She accused.

His grumpy face twisted into an amused smirk.

That was actually quite clever. The opening was hidden in the folds of the skirt, but she wouldn't have to reach up and under miles of fabric in an emergency.

"Thanks." Quinn muttered.

Her skirts fell to the floor, but Miroslav didn't get up.

He grabbed her hand and kissed it, still kneeling on the floor.

Quinn's face flamed. She was pretty sure that it would melt the snow outside.

He stood up, still smirking.

"Be careful. Don't be stupid." He directed, shooting his favorite phrase that he'd learned from her.

Quinn's chin pointed up indignantly.

"As if. I'm a lady." She retorted, but it was kind of ruined by her red cheeks.

Stupid face.

Hi! Thank you for reading and getting this far! Sorry this chapter is short, but I wanted to have a good transition.

What do you think about Maude?

Your thoughts are always appreciated!

-The author