Vanessa glanced down at the hilt of a sheathed throwing knife and sighed softly. “It’s the only one I’m bringing this time, princess. You know I don’t go anywhere without it.” Vanessa quipped, her tone turning to sarcasm at the old nickname. Eloise huffed, but the girl knew an argument she couldn’t win. Instead, she grabbed Vanessa’s hand, dragging her out of the kitchen and toward the front door. And they were on their way, past the gardens, and past the main house to the round-a-bout driveway that sat in front of the mansion.

There they watched as the driver of a black sedan stood, usual men in black outfit adorning his undescriptive, cookie-cutter silhouette as he held open the back door. Vanessa rolled her eyes slipping into the leather-clad seat, scooting over so Eloise could join her. Once they were settled, the door shut and the vehicle hummed to life. Vanessa snuggled into her hoodie, yawning and bringing her feet up to prop on the seats across from them. The partition separating driver and passenger was up when they entered and Vanessa was content with that.

Eloise, on the other hand, sighed softly, a tone Vanessa immediately answered with a, “Don’t even think about bringing that up again.” She snapped, tensing with renewed tension.

“Ness, you know if you don’t then…” Vanessa sat up abruptly, silver eyes boring into the blue orbs.

“El I’ve told you multiple times, the answer is no.” She half growled; voice low even though their section of the vehicle was soundproofed.

Eloise actually seemed to tear up at this, grabbing Vanessa’s hand. “Ness, what happens if you get sick again. What happens if the substitute doesn’t stop working, or you don’t have any when you need it-” Her words were cut off as Vanessa jerked the girl into her arms, pressing her face into her shoulder.

“El, I’m here, I’m strong enough and I’m fine. Stop worrying about it. I won’t bring that hex onto you. You have a life to live.” She hummed softly into the girl's ear. “Now, dress shopping is your favorite thing to do, and you’re finally getting your wish, brat.” Vanessa huffed leaning away, her attempt at lightening the mood working on the air-headed girl.

She was quickly buzzing about the styles and cuts of the dresses the tailor had already shown her. To be fair, it was only the third time in their life that she’d coerced Vanessa into a dress. Vanessa gazed out the window as Eloise gushed over her favorite style but Vanessa’s mind was elsewhere, contemplating her own curse, her bad blood. Well, it wasn’t like it was something she could explain to the porcelain sweetheart.

By the time their car came to a stop outside the shop, Vanessa had thought herself in ten different circles of possible conversation that she could and in the end wouldn’t have, with Eloise. The door opened and Vanessa took in a breath, rousing to sit up as Eloise slipped out. Vanessa followed behind, adjusting her hoodie as Eloise grinned. “Let’s go!” Eloise exclaimed, grabbing Vanessa’s hand.

Then they were off, Eloise dragging Vanessa along at her usual, too quick pace and within a few steppes, Vanessa was jerking the girl up as she tripped, catching Eloise from falling. Eloise giggled a little and rolled her eyes and gripping her arm. Vanessa opened the glass door and ushered Eloise through then followed. 

This specific shop was one they frequented often. Her father trusted the tailor enough that so long as there was a guard outside, they could be in the building without a watchman.

“Bellissima!” Greeted a sweet Italian voice as the girls entered.

“Good afternoon Eric!” Eloise greeted back, peppy as usual. Vanessa was quiet as she stood behind Eloise.

“And to you to lady Nyx.” Eric greeted, taking Vanessa’s hand, and kissing the back of it.

Vanessa rolled her eyes, snatching her hand back.

“Well, as I’m sure you expected, I have a few different things for both of you.it was my pleasure to find a dress to accentuate my lady Nyx. It was a rare challenge and an absolute treat to come up with concepts.” He added with a bow. Vanessa batted a hand at him dismissively, but Eloise was nearly bouncing with excitement.

“I loved the concepts you sent to me yesterday, I can’t wait to see her in them! Especially the black and silver one.” She clapped, wiggling a little in place. Eric grinned and nodded, waving for them to follow along. The girls strode through the carpeted retail store, past display racks of suits, and past mirrors. Rolls of example fabrics and mirrored displays of dresses.

Then past a doorway that leads into a wider room with both examples and finished products. Vanessa paid little attention to the fabric around her as clothing wasn’t her thing. Instead, she was always watching the shadows, perhaps not as aggressively as she would in a crowded setting but she was. 

As much as the Italian man’s antics annoyed her, it was also rather endearing. She watched as he pushed a specific rack of garment bags and looked for her usual grass stain colored green chair. It was a Magis Proust armchair with a Victorian molding across the top and back that gave it a little swoop.

Because they frequented this store so often, Vanessa knew the routine, Eloise would try on every dress, contemplate all of them, want opinions from all people involved before finally choosing the dress she’d wear for the event. Vanessa snuggled down into the chair, ready for the multi-hour deal this would be when Eloise gave her a mischievous grin.

“Oh, I don’t think so.” She hummed, grabbing her hand and pulling Vanessa back up. “You’re first, there’s only two and I have a feeling you won’t even need to try on the second one.” Vanessa hesitated, and Eloise rolled her eyes. 

“And I know you won’t go in unless I’m in your sight so let's go!” She said. With a light shove to Vanessa’s back, she was sent stumbling into the changing room and Eloise pulled the door shut behind them. It was an oddly shaped room with two normal walls on either side and a 4-panel window across from the door. Vanessa frowned at her own expression, but before she was given the chance to comment, Eloise had ahold of her hoodie and t-shirt, trying to pull them both over Vanessa’s head and ultimately failing.

This sent both girls into laughter as Vanessa had to untangle herself from Eloise’s attack. “Alright, alright!” Vanessa replied, tossing the top garments onto the bench. She went to remove her jeans as Eloise went to the garment bag closest to the door. With practiced ease, she unzipped and relived the river of silk from its canvas confines.

Vanessa stared at the dress, brows pulling together. She saw a lot of fabric and even more straps. “El…” she muttered leaning away.

“Oh stop it, you’ll look amazing, now come here.” Eloise grabbed her arm and pulled her forward then knelt, using gravity to bunch up the fabric for her. Vanessa sighed, snorting a little as she put a hand on the wall for balance.

“This is rich, the princess kneeling before her knight,” Vanessa muttered sarcastically. Eloise rolled her eyes.

“Well, seeing as the princess is no longer a frightened and frail 16-year-old, I think it’s far past time for her to take care of her knight, hmm?” Vanessa rolled her eyes, taking the bunch of fabric handed to her, and shimmied up into the dress. Then they had to battle with the straps and Vanessa was very unamused. What was the icing on the cake though, was the fact it fit her perfectly? 

“He’s never taken my measurements,” Vanessa said, looking at Eloise wide-eyed.

“So? You know he’s good.” Eloise countered, adjusting the bottom. “He’ll have to hem the front a little, I think. Come on, let’s show him.” The bubbly, loud girl had settled for the moment, sounding more like a proud mother than a friend. 

Vanessa rolled her eyes as Eloise stood. Her eyes fell to the tan choker that always adorned Vanessa's neck. Her fingers came up to caress the thin fabric and her eyes darkened a bit. "We'll get something to match," Eloise muttered, brows pulling together. 

“Then help me wobble outside to get it hemmed hmm?” She huffed playfully, her voice softer as she gave Eloise a gentle smile. Eloise nodded and picked up the back of the dress and the two made their way out of the room.

“Better than what I could have wished for.” The fabric artist cooed with a clap.

“Eric the pictures didn’t do it justice. The black to grey ombre is perfect. Even the straps!” And she grabbed Vanessa’s shoulder’s spinning her so Eric could look at her back. Vanessa rolled her eyes and turned back around to face Eric who was holding his arms out with a smirk.

“Yeah, yeah, you did well whatever,” Vanessa said rolling her eyes and batting off the man's attempt to take her hand.

“I think the bottom needs to hem a bit though.” Eloise chimed in as Vanessa crossed her arms. Over her chest. Eric nodded and Vanessa stepped onto the round display that would put her about half a foot off the ground. Eric knelt as Eloise walked over to the rack. Vanessa watched as she opened each bag, but something was different this time. 

“This one!” She exclaimed, picking up the bag. “I’ll leave the door open; I promise.” Eloise declared, running into the room. She pulled the door just enough so only Vanessa could see her and began stripping.

But then Eric was working and tugging, and she had to worry about keeping the bust in place. But she could hear the sounds of Eloise and it didn’t take long for the girls squeals to begin. She walked out of the room grinning ear to ear and Vanessa couldn’t help but smile softly in response. 

Her gown was silk, and the same black to grey ombre of Vanessa’s except reversed and only two straps over each shoulder, leaving the back open down to her short ribs where Vanessa’s was down to nearly her hips.

“Alright, now, would you like to wear them home?” Eric asked, tilting his head. He snorted in amusement as Vanessa rolled her eyes at that. The girls took much less time to get undressed and Eric’s two assistants got the dresses packed so they wouldn’t wrinkle on the short trip home. 

The driver had been waiting outside the entire time the girls were changing. Eloise’s father had a running tab with the store, so after some feeble flirtation attempts on Eric’s side and laughter on Eloise’s the girls were leaving the building, Vanessa carrying both bags over her shoulder and Eloise holding her free arm.

“This is going to be so fun! The people that are catering for this event are known for their fruit tarts!” She gave Vanessa a wide smile. “Your favorite.” She sang, wiggling her brows. Vanessa rolled her eyes but did smile. 

“Isn’t that an interesting tidbit?” She replied with a crinkle of her nose. They got to the car and Eloise opened the door which allowed Vanessa to drop the bags onto the car floor and slide in with Eloise following.