We spent most of our afternoon in Dove's room which looked like a hideout for some secret organization. She had all kinds of devices for her "cyber activities" as she called them and the shocking part was that she actually traveled with all of these no matter where she was going.
" Okay, I am done. We will have to wait for them to take the bait and let us to their location and hopefully, we get more than just their location." Dove said after she finally took her eyes off the screen.
" Finally! I thought I was going to suffocate from all the silence." Hannah said
" I never said that you guys should not speak." Dove retorted
" Yeah, but we did not want to disturb you. Thank you, D" I said
" Mhmm, you can thank me probably after we catch those guys. Like I said earlier, I do not have the most advanced euipment and this would probably not work out as we hoped..." Dove said but was interupted
" I get that but we would have tried something right? If this works I do not have to ask help from Calix or have Mr Park for help. So your efforts are greatly appreciated my friend." I said to her as I stood up to hug her
" What's this? Dove is blushing! I better record this!" Hannah exclaimed
" Alyssie you should compliment her often, she seems less like a zombie when her cheeks are all rosy and pink." Hannah continued making me laugh while Dove rolled her eyes.
" Alright, now that what? We are simply going to wait for them?" Hannah asked for clarification.
" Yes and if all goes well, they will take the bait and save us a lot of trouble," Dove said.
" Man! This sucks! I hate waiting! But then again it's better than nothing." Hannah said with a sigh
" Now then, let us go fetch our dresses!" Hannah continued
" Oh my, I was so stressed by the death threat Alyssie received that I forgot all about the party," Dove said and yes, she was right. We were so excited about the masquerade ball but then the death note threw us off a bit.
" Yeah since will be waiting we might as well do that in style, right guys?" I said to the both of them. Honestly, I did not want them to be worried about me so if the party was going to help distract them then so be it, we will deal with all the threats afterwards.
" Agreed, and as for those threats will deal with them the same way we always deal with stuff like this, they won't know what hit them." Dove said with a tinge of coldness emitting from her body.
"Okay, so the next stop is Madam L's place right?" I asked as we all squealed out of excitement. Our outfit were going to be magnificent, I am blushing!
....
"ladies, mesdames! bonjour! Welcome, welcome! I am delighted to see you again." Madam L said as she dramatically greeted us. I guess the party fever was infecting everyone.
" Madam L!" We all said with the same enthusiasm.
" Come on in ladies and let us show you a way to your childhood fairtales." Madam L gestured for us to go into the common room where guests accompanying those buying gowns would stay and wait, a fancy way of calling it a waiting room.
" Madam L, what are we doing in here?" Dove asked what was on my mind and I bet Hannah had the same question.
" Oh no,no,no ladies. This time, trust me. Trust me as your designer, what I have in store for you will be magical, promise."
And it began. A showcase for the gowns we ordered and the story behind each.
The lights in the room dimmed and a screen appeared and then a mini stage in front of the screen appeared.
" Welcome to the three princesses who ordered gowns for their special day. Madam L had a field day making your gowns and turning fairy tales into reality." A mechanic yet melodic voice sounded from the screen.
" Today we will be showcasing the stories that inspired the design of each gown. Let's begin the journey to your happily ever afters, dear princesses." It continued then suddenly the stage before us disappeared into the ground and came back up with the first gown.
*gasps*
"First off our ice princess, Lady Dove of the Frost Castle. That is your title for the day and when you try this gown on remember Lady Dove, your icy exterior is your most charming possession. It makes people unconsciously come nearer because of the cool air emitting from you. You are our princess of the frost castle and your unique trait is unlike any other. Here is your gown, a soft silk gown made with the most delicate of fabrics to highlight your delicacy. The gown was subtly covered in pearl diamonds so small that they can only be visualized in a dimmed room." The voice continued
Dove's gown was phenomenal, we walked up to it and touched the fabric and it was soft and silky just as we were told. The dress color blurred the line between white and blue. We could describe it as a shy blue if that even makes sense but with the diamonds it turned pearl white. The diamonds were heart shaped and they compliemented the color of the dress. It was a semi see through but one that was subtle and heightened the elegance of the dress.
Dove was so speechless with her hands covering her mouth. She just kept looking at the dress and I must say that Madam L out did herself like Dove's dress was really impressive and this made our excitement grow and we could not wait to see what else she had in store for us.
" Do you like it?" Madam L said with a big bright smile
" Of course! Madam L the dress is so beautiful. The concept behind it, it's like... it's like you could see through me and you brought what was within my soul to live. Madam L .... thank you so much." Dove said and hugged Madam L. She actually hugged her, our ice princess actually hugged a stranger!
Madam L laughed and said, " Oh dear, it is a pleasure...wait till the end and I bet you would want to increase the payments you gave me." She said and winked
" Now get back to your seats dears, we have two more show stoppers." Madam L said.
" Oh and all your dresses are flowing, I chose classic princess style." She added with another wink.
" Next up, is our bubbly fairy. We worked with playful colors to bring out your brilliance and showcase your natural glow. Lady Hannah, your bright and bubbly personality was the highlight of the design of your gown. The color of choice for your personality was candy pink. Your gown is a regal candy pink waist-hugging gown. It is off the shoulder with no extra accessories on the dress but it has a pearl necklace to show off that neckline. It is a simple dress to highlight your approachable self and the kind lady who can talk to and laugh with anyone with a genuine smile. If I can be prejudiced, your gown is my favorite." The voice said and concluded the intro for Hannah's dress and this time, it was only after the intro was over that we were allowed to see the dress.
" Oh my gosh!"
The dress was one word, breathtaking. Actually, that was two words but you get what I mean. A strapless off-the-shoulder gown with no diamonds shining brightly on it but it had a hidden factor that was not included in the intro. The embroidery was made of single artificial pink rose petals neatly positioned in butterfly patterns.
" wait, you said my dress had no accessories, what is theat in the middle of those butterfly patterns?" Hannah asked as she pointed at a shiny pink something in her dress
" Oh honey, those are nether strings. I was using some for Alyssa's dress when I saw the pink ones and I had to redo your dress." Madam L said
" Do you not like them? I can have them removed." Madam L said
" Oh no they are... in fact the dress is perfect the way it is. But what are are nether strings?" Hannah said
" Nether strings are a rare ingredient in this world. They are mystically and we do not know their origin. Some myths say that they come from the tears of joy flowers found near Mount Tami." The mechanic voice answered
" They are elastic and glow beautifully like any rae gem or stone. The best part about them is that with them, you can wear the dress inside out and it would still look glamorous." The voice continued.
" Alright, alright. Get seated people. It is time forthe grand finale!" Madam L said
" Last in our showcase, the dress to close the show. a gown made of the rarest of material and one I find hard to believe that the person would even be able to breathe in, the fiery feisty and dangerous design from madam L's collection." The voice said
" wait, will I not be able to breathe in the gown?" I asked flabbergasted
" Of course you will be able to breathe.It was a joke, ha ha ha."the vouce said
" The dress was made from the most delicate of materials so one wrong move might ruin it. It is a long length fiery red gown made from the orange nether strings covered with a red slik. This makes the dress look like a fire like literally. I would recommend you dye your hair red for this one and you would look out of this world. I personally would have worn this gown if I was a human being. It gives off a very dangerous aura and it was the theme for lady Alyssa's gown. It also has one special trait and that is its seductive design. It was designed to show off a feisty and dangerous side people do not usually get to see from you Lady Alyssa. I hope you like your dresses. Your shoes and other accessories can be negotiated with Madam L. Thank you" and the screen turned off.
It was my turn now. My dress was next on the stage.
*gasps*
"It is completely see-through!" I exclaimed
" No it is not. Look at it closely." Madam L said
" Do you know why my AI assistant said she would wear the dress? It is because of this feature, go on, try it on." Madam L said with a proud smile. I was skeptical, I mean the first two dresses were gorgeous and now mine seemed a little too much.
" Come on. I will help you." Madam L urged and I reluctantly went to the changing room.
The dress had a thin red flim made of silk but strangely it sat right in my body, snug on my waist but loose and long going down. Just as I was about to complain, the red flim sort of looked like it was being stained by something from within. Like a painter ferociously yet tenderly putting put on his drawing.
" Wow." I whispered
" Right? I stilled get amazed each time i see it." Madam L whispered back
" Let's go show your friends." She added
" No way!" Hannah said as she stood from her seat and Dove followed suit
" can you do a quick twirl for us please?" Dove asked looking completely mesmerized
" May I? " I asked Madam L because the dress did feel very fragile
She nodded and gestured that I should go ahead. I did and more gasps from my friends and Madam L herself.
" It came out beautifully."She said wiping tears off her eyes
" Alyssie, your dress is so regal. Oh my word, like I am so speechless." Dove said
" When it comes to dresses, you usualy are D." Hannah said and we laughed
" You look gorgeous in that gown and the design is simply out of this world. So the lower part won't be covereed?" Hannah said
" No. The idea was to use the nether strings to cover her upper body excluding a tiny part at her lower back and the rest of the kength of the dress. I will admit I liked the gown I made for Dove so much that I stole some of its highlights and used them for Alyssa's gown at the lower ends. So it will remain a silk red see-through material from just the lower part of the thighs going down. I then added the nether strings on the outside and sharped them like grass buds surronding a small elegant phoenix bird so when she twirls the phoenix design looks like it is flying out of her dress. In my opinion, you do not have to dye your hair red instead dye it grey like the color of your eyes and you will look gorgeous." Madam L said
" Thank you so much, Madam L. Our visit was so short noticed and then you still broughtyour best for then occasion. Thank you." I said to her my dress was gorgeous and I was so touched
" Yes, thank you Madam L" Dove and Hannah said both showing their appreciation.
She coolly waved it off and said, " For my best customers, anything is possible."