It'd been about two days since Annie had ventured out into the open. Apart from a few small-scale interviews, she really hadn't had much to do besides stay home, do some reading, write up some advertisements and...that was about it. She hated pushing papers, and she hated not being in the middle of the action.

Posters for the galdori Clock's Eve Ball had been neatly posted all over down town Vienda, and being the respectable member of the press that she was, Annie was determined to look her best. She'd heard there was a human girl in the Painted Ladies who worked miracles with needles and thread, so that's where she was headed. She'd been saving up for a new wardrobe anyway, so she figured this was as good a way as any to get things started.

"What to wear, what to wear" she said to herself as she walked down the street. Something smashing, that's for sure. Red? Maybe green. It would bring out her eyes, that's for sure.

Reaching her destination, she pushed on the door and walked inside.

Fion stood by the stove, grateful for the warmth on such a cool morning. Stride was enjoying it as well, barking softly every now and again while he slept. She stirred breakfast occasionally, they were having porridge today, between finding bowls and sugar and all the other things she needed to start the day. She walked over to the steps leading to the attic.

"Hey little P, brekkies almost ready." She called, "Time to get up!"

She picked up a thick oven mitt and lifted the pot off the stove and onto a cork mat. She heard her front door open.

"What on earth?" She asked herself. Who would just walk in through her font door without knocking first?

Stride was at the door in an instant, barking and growling like the apocalypse was due. Fion walked into the hallway, mitt still in hand, to see a dark-haired woman about her age.

"Hello, how can I help you?" Fion asked, a little perplexedly, "Stride, give her room please."

Stride subsided but his hackles were still raised.

"Sorry, he does that when people don't knock... Um, you must have missed the sign outside."

Fion smiled. She wasn't sure it was going to cut it.

Scarlet too had missed the sign as well as she quickly ran into the Painted Ladies and looked like a mess. She had absolutely no sleep that night, swore she was being fallowed at least twice, and what was worse her leira was wearing her head scarf like a blanket as it slept on her head. Lucky lizard...

"Annie! I'm glad I found you. I was at the B&B and met some kov who I swore to leave anonymous, but I've got some big news!" her words seemed to merge together until she realized she was almost shouting. "Sorry... Rough night..." She then slumped down and slid against the wall. "To cut it short fer ya there is going to be a riot soon... I need a coffee..." With that she leaned back and closed her eyes.

<I think it's safe to say Scarlet is not thinking straight.>

Khymarah tied the white moa to a post outside and entered the seamstress' store. The door was open and there were three women in there..and a angry looking bander wolf. One of the women was Annie November, another, a young girl, was slumped against a wall. The third had to be the shop owner. She looked around at the rabble.

"Uh, I must have come at a bad time. Should I come back later today?"

Fion had never had so many people come into her house at once. It was almost overwhelming. Why could none of them knock first? Did they not have hands? One of them was a galdori too but she looked repentant and her hands were a bit delicate looking. Fion glanced at the witch that had run into her house screaming.

It was the girl from yesterday! Her maternal ire rose.

"Young lady!" Fion said with restrained, polite malice, "You will go into my kitchen right now, get yourself a bowl of porridge and then you will consider just why it is rude to run about shouting and trying to get yourself killed!"

She pointed down the hall behind her. Then she focused all her attention on her customers.

"I'm afraid this lady has just come in before you and gotten a bit of a scare." She said to the golly. "If you don't mind you can sit in the main room with us while you're waiting for us to finish. Otherwise perhaps you could come back in about an hour? I'm afraid this is a home business, so I don't have a waiting room."

She was going to have the make the sign more obvious. She'd usually just relied on the fact that her business was in a house.

She walked over to the wick that Stride was still glaring at.

"I'm very sorry miss, would you like a cup of tea... For your nerves?" She asked, secretely dreading the impending, angry exit that she was sure she deserved. She really needed to do something about the sign...

*(I'm posting the first part just cuz I think it's funny...heh)*

Annie, who had indeed missed the sign, was about to answer the young human when a familiar freckled face topped with a sleeping lizard in a headscarf came bounding in behind her.



Annie opened her mouth to respond to the now out-of-order Scarlet when she was interrupted once again by the most beautiful galdori woman she'd ever seen.



Annie looked at the galdori woman, then looked down at Scarlet, then up at the seamstress, then back at the galdori.
"Oh, no, stay. We'll call it a party."

She turned back to the human, and politely nodded. "Apologies on bursting in. I guess I did miss the sign. My name's Annie, obviously, and I've come to inquire as to the nature of procuring an evening gown for the galdori Clock's Eve Ball. Lucky me, I get to go as a guest of the press."

Looking down, she gently tapped Scarlet's shoe with her own. "And I'm prolly gonna need somethin for this one, too. My assistant's gotta look nice, I suppose."

She looked back up at the woman. "Any ideas?"

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++



Annie chuckled. "My nerves? I'd be more worried about yours. I'm not the one standing in the middle of a hallway holding an oven mit in my hand while there's a pot steaming like mad in the kitchen."

Nodding after Scarlet, she added, "Don't worry about her. She's my, er, assistant. Yeah. And I'm sure she'll tell me all about everything later, once she gets fitted for a reasonably priced and not at all over the top for an assistant dress." Gods know she could use a new one. "And I don't mind if the lady stays around." She gestured towards the fedora and trench coat, both obviously well worn. "I'm not exactly the most, er, fashionable person around. Another set of eyes could prolly do me some good."

Scarlet's eyes opened and she got up and looked at Fion. Walking up to her she put on a calm clear voice, which sounded strange because her language skills usually were that of a bum, "I'm sorry, I had no clue you worked here and thank you for the tip yesterday." Scarlet then made a fist and whispered to her, "In fact I owe you one because now I know this town could very well burn."

For a moment she looked at Annie, but the she looked at Fion and loosened up at bit, "I'll admit, at first I was doing this for a paper that will be used to burn to keep most of the families I know warm. However now I need to let you know something, right now all I've done will only hurt me. It could save everyone else, but you choose to tear me down because what I did was dangerous and I look like a mess. I'll probably scare away the rich people because I don't look right. I'm a wick! I'm a mess! And I'm cranky!"

Scarlet stepped back and put on a creepy smile before going back to her usual accent, "Now that that is out of me system, I'm sorry if I'm a little upset, but I've had no sleep and now I've found out everythin' is worse than I originally thought." Suddenly her face seemed sad, "I also want to be taken seriously fer once. It's not like I picked my life."

She then looked at Annie, not knowing there was a ball, "Outfit? Are we going somewhere?" Suddenly she realized what Annie said. Assistant? She had the job!

Annie eyed Scarlet with absolute utter fascination. The girl paused, and Annie put her hand on her shoulder. "You done?" she said, half expecting more to come flowing out. "Y'know, I get the whole 'speak my mind' thing, I really do, but if you're gonna be my assistant, you're really gonna have to work on your timing."

Annie stepped back and crossed her arms. "Now, I suggest you take this lady's advice. Go get something to eat, sit down, breathe in a bit, maybe drink some water, and when you've calmed down enough to get some measurements done and fabric picked out, then we'll talk."

She turned back to Fion, an apologetic look on her face. "Kids these days. Whatterya gonna do?"

"Tell me about it." Fion replied.

Fion slapped the oven mitt against the young assistants chest.

"There's a kettle on the stove, take it off with this and put it down on a mat. Be careful not to burn yourself and do not touch the coffee. If you have to, take a nap."

Fion turned back to Annie.

"Nice to meet you Annie, please follow me ladies," She indicated to her work room, "So, mine's eight, how old is yours?"

She let the laughter seep into her voice.

Annie laughed. "20 goin on 12, by the looks o' things. Nah, no kids for me. Too much on my plate as it is. I write the horrors of life in the galdori shaddow, I'd rather not add to it those of paint smudges on walls and 6am bathroom duty."

She turned, remembering the present comany. "My apologies, miss. I have a tendency to run my gab a bit too much for my own good. If I've offended you, please know it was not my intention."

Turning back to Fion, Annie removed her coat as she spoke. "So, how's business been? Gotten a lot of requests for wardrobe overhauls lately? What with all the Clock's Eve celebrations going on, I figure it's just a matter of minutes before everybody gets swamped."

"I'm done." Scarlet looked down, knowing Annie was right, "I understand... I'm goin'." She made her way to where she was earlier directed by Fion to get some food.

For a moment she pondered asking Fion if her shower was available, but that was probably asking way too much -- especially now that she blew her stack. She couldn't understand how the folks at the Book and Bell were, although just as suspicious, much kinder to her than Fion.

In back she found a small towel which she rinsed in the sink and used to wipe her face and arms. She had to wring and rinse it several times before she felt even remotely clean enough for Annie to have her measure and she still didn't know why they were having dresses made.

Scarlet wondered if she ever would calm down. Kid? I'm twenty! There was no way she could sleep in this place or eat. The surroundings were so different and the owner of the place didn't like her much. It just didn't seem right to tick her off more.

After a minute or two of silence she took off her dirty scarves and vest, folding them and setting them in a corner. There. I look a little cleaner. How hard is it to look like my mother? She looked at her reflection in the window over the sink. "Ah... shove it!" she still looked like a bum, but there was nothing more she could do.

Finally giving up she went off in search of Fion and Annie. The Galdori woman she didn't care too much about. Seeing them again, she waited behind the wall to be noticed. She hated making apologies, because she always messed them up and if she didn't, most wouldn't take her seriously, so she wanted Fion to say something first.

"Business has been good, thankfully," She replied, "You two are lucky, I won't be able to take on much more work, if it's due on the big day. Someone must be singing my praises, bless them."

She pulled out a length of measuring tape and some fabrics in a wide array of colours. She handed them to Annie.

"Tell me how you feel about those," She said, "and I'll take your measurements."

She pulled the tape taught with a snap.

Annie's name sounded familiar...

Annie looked at the swatches in her hands. Wow, she thought. It's like I'm staring a rainbow in the face. Weird.

"Well," she said after a few moments of deliberation, "I've always been partial to emerald green. Brings out my eyes a bit, I think. But then again, this red is a really nice color. Very rich. I don't know that I can decide."

She turned to Khymarah, holding out the two pieces of cloth. "Which do you like better?"

Turning back to Fion, she asked in a quieter tone, "What do you think of Scarlet's comment earlier? Strictly woman to woman here. Could there possibly be a riot coming on? I mean, I know things are harsh at the moment, a few things have happened that didn't necessarily need to, but fire in the streets? That's a bit much, doncha think?"

It didn't seem that Fion noticed Scarlet. That meant she was actually going to have to say something first and she feared the worst. Hugging Tilley like a doll or small child for comfort, she stepped in the room.

"Miss?" she started nervously. "I'm sorry I scolded ya... It's just that my fizz bottle was shakin' all night and finally the top blew off." Scarlet however was not sorry for her rush this morning into the place to talk to Annie, as she felt she had done nothing wrong. In a way she almost wanted Fion to trade lives with her. "I'm not goin' to apologize fer everythin' though. Just that."

Scarlet then backed up a couple feet, expecting to get another careless scolding. In a way she was jealous. Fion had a job, a home and someone who loved her at the Book and Bell.

She then looked to Annie, "Um, I can't really say who's involved in the riot. I left my tip anonymous and... I'll only talk to you 'bout it in private." Although Scarlet was not sure if the Resistance would be there, she was sure the Seventen would and they'd burn the homes of all lower class who would get involved in such a thing. She knew it.

Fion reminded herself that Annie was a journalist and a customer. Otherwise she might not have tempered her responses as much.

"The seventen are on the march more and more and people are getting restless, especially after what happened to poor Wil..." The names finally clicked, "Wait, you're that Annie November, aren't you?"

She kept her hands moving, taking and noting measurements as she spoke.

"I read your article about Willy, poor Emme. Nobody's happy about that right now and the gollies are up in arms about the guard that was... Strung up."

Fion saw the assistant, Scarlet, out of the corner of her eye.



Fion quirked a brow at her.

"You don't need to apologise but we do need to talk and you need to wait a little while. I'm working right now and I'm afraid that has to be my priority." Fion frowned, "You came into my home, please listen to me while you are here."

Fion was tired and beginning to get frustrated. Last night had taken a lot out of her and she'd had barely any sleep. If the galdori walked out of her house she'd be losing a commission and she really needed the money. She hoped that Scarlet was going to listen to her, she was only angry because she'd been worried.

Although she wasn't worried about getting angrier if she had to.

"Guilty as charged," Annie grinned. "If I'd known I was gonna develop a following, I'da gone into showbusiness."

Annie extended her arms out to the side so Fion could get all the measurements she was going to need.

"All this...this...craziness right now, it's really got the crowds riled up. I've felt it for a while now. That guard that was 'strung up' as you said, interesting thing about it. I was in the area the morning after, and got a chance to look around. I talked to one of the Seventen out in front of the whole thing, and he told me--none to kindly, mind--the guard had been ambushed by a gang of thugs and murdered. But you know, the building across the street from the whole deal afforded a much better view of it all, instead of tryin to peek through the legs of the guards. I used my camera spectra as a make-shift spy glass, and I tell you I've never seen a man more peaceful in my life. Why, I'd bet my typewriter that there wasn't but one other fella--or lady, for that matter--in that alleyway that night, and they happened to catch the unfortunate Greenback at just the right moment as to sneak, stun and kill before he even knew what was coming."

Annie shook her head, careful not to throw off the seamstress's measures. "Nay, whatever is coming won't be in the form of street corner gangs and thugs out for a fun night after muggin beer. What's coming is gonna be, for lack of a better term, stitched out and fine tuned, and there ain't none who'll see it coming." Her eyebrows creased, and her face filled with a slight, masked worry. "Not even the reporters with all their eyes open."

Scarlet shrugged. In a way she wondered if Fion had actually accepted her apology, or just wanted her out of the way. "Have it yer way. Perhaps we'll be friends in the end. If you care to know, my name is Scarlet." Either way Scarlet pulled up a chair outside of the room.

"Why am I even here? What am I expecting to change?" she softly whispered to Tilley. For once the creature seemed to listen to her, as if it knew its master was depressed. Scarlet was not used to this feeling.

"What are you starin' at?" she inquired to the reptile as it licked the air. "You are startin' to creep me out, ya know that?" It didn't matter what Scarlet said, Tilley blankly looked at its mommy. "Come on! It's not that bad," Scarlet put words in the leira's mouth.

She then realized either the crowd in the other room must either of thought she was mad or they were upset that she was talking, so she lifted Tilley up and started walking off. "Come on. Annie will be out later." For a moment she looked back and whispered to Tilley, "I wonder what it would be like to have a chip like that's life..." By that she meant Fion. She then left.

<Don't ask why I'm up at this god awful hour...>

Khymarah stood to the side, watching the women talk - and my word could they talk! She had tried to answer them a couple of times, but by the time she'd opened her mouth they had moved on. She followed Annie and Fion around a bit aimlessly, stopping outside the fitting room. Finally, she stopped, took a breath and smiled.

"Right. Miss November, I think you would look absolutely precious in green. Miss Scarlet, you don't scare me, but you do seem to be a bundle of nerves and I suggest a few nice deep breaths. Miss Fion, when you are able, I am here for a dress for the ball. Something blue, white, lace and silk. I have a very good idea of what I want. When your ready I can talk to you about that." She paused, then spoke a bit softer.

"Miss November, I too notice something is coming. It's a feeling. Things are going to happen." She wondered if they had even heard her. She heard the door close and turned. Scarlet had left.

"Erm, your assistant just dissapeared Miss November."

((AAAHHHH! Damn this is much more difficult with a lot of people in different timezones on one thread! Normally you can just pitch your answers in whenever!!! Fion wouldn't ignore you!))




Fion startled. Oh no, that girl was not leaving until Fion had a chat with her about joining underground resistances. It was her duty as an older, fellow information gatherer. She whistled softly for Stride.

"Go bring her back, Stride, corner her in the kitchen if you can." She whispered.

Fion turned around and smiled at the golly.

"I'm sorry ma'am, it's just turned into a crazy morning and I've been neglecting you. I think you'd look lovely in blue but perhaps you could consider green as well?" Fion felt very tatty next to the elegant woman, "I think you're right but if there's something in the wind we may as well enjoy Clock's eve before it falls down on us."

((i was stunned at how fast you lot were going in this one. lol. i only slept for 8 hrs))

Khymarah smiled at her.

"Thats ok, we have after all, invaded your shop and what appears to be your home, at a rather unfortunate time. I don't mind waiting my dear. Your conversation is intriguing to me." She wanted to say more, how she wanted to help, how she couldn't stand the oppression her people threw down any longer. But she was still worried. What would they think, would they single her out somehow? Surely not, but still, she kept her lips sealed for now. She nodded a little.

"Green is indeed a nice colour. It is in fact my favorite. I was going to go with that or white, but there is this young man. I wanted to, well..." She blushed.

"I rather want to be sure he notices me."

Fion laughed softly, though not unkindly.

"Ma'am, I truly believe that you could go to that ball in a paper bag and you'd still turn every head in the room." Fion rifled through a drawer for a moment before pulling out a swatch. "you're a definite Spring though, so perhaps turquoise or a paler blue."

She held out the coloured cloths to the galdori in front of her.

"What do you think?"

*(Holy cows, I think I just got left behind.)*

The galdori woman kept calling her "Miss". It was cute the first time, but...
"You don't have to keep calling me Miss, you know," Annie said. "Just plain Annie is fine. You're startin to make me feel like a librarian or somethin." She smiled and winked, to show she wasn't to be taken too seriously.



"Yeah, she does that sometimes. She'll be back. I am her paycheck after all. She's prolly just still tired and worked up over last night. She's new at the journalism game. I remember once when I was first starting out, I caught wind of the biggest sports scandal of the year--somebody'd fixed a fight or somethin, I dunno. It's been a while. Anyway, I remember bein awake for a full three days worked up over who would do somethin like that, and nearly pulled all my hair out wonderin if they'd found out I knew and were comin for me next. As it turns out, they were more concerned over the mob they'd cheated outta loads of coin." Annie turned her head, looking out the door to where Scarlet had been. "Sometimes the first big wind'll knock you off your feet if you ain't careful."



"You do, eh? I was leanin that way m'self. Alright, green it is then."



Annie laughed. "I second that emotion! Maybe we could fix you up something nice outta some leftover Posts. I'm sure that'd be a smash hit."

*(Sorry guys, I don't have much time to post at the moment; I mainly just wanted to thrown in some replies and stuff. I'll be back later tonight, prolly around 7:30 or 8 (eastern) )*

Scarlet hadn't actually left the building. She was in the kitchen looking at her face once more.

At this point Scarlet was bored and just getting over how angry she still was at Fion and the past two days. Whenever she was in a mood like that it was hard for her to think about what she did wrong. Instead her thoughts wondered and she always thought of things she actually didn't want to and usually never thought about.

When she was done with the two ladies in the other room she wanted to talk to Fion. In a way she almost wanted to scold her again, but that would get her no where. Would it be cheesy if I told her how I feel about all of this?

Scarlet looked back at the kitchen window. A soft freckled face with round cheeks looked back at her. It's no wonder everyone calls me a kid...


This was getting her no where. Wasn't she here to get a dress to? That's what Annie said when she came in. "What good is a dress? Where could I go in one?" she looked at Tilley. "You know, you'd look cute with a ribbon around your neck."

Khymarah blushed at their compliments. It felt nice in here, the women weren't being subversive or treating her like a galdor, they were just, equals. She looked at the cloth swatches that Fion had pulled out.

"I rather like that turquoise. Its not quite blue, not quite green. Could you do that with a white underlay? and lace on the trims? I have a sketch here of the dress I have in mind if you want it."

She smiled at Annie.

"Thankyou Annie, My name is Khymarah Theraldon. It must be hard being a journalist. I never really thought about it. To be perfectly honest when I've seen you around I have often headed the other way. I saw you at the hanging a few days back and I..." She stopped herself, realising she was talking far to candidly.

"I mean, I expected to see you there, being a public event and all. I mean..oh..clocking hell. I'm sorry. I ramble sometimes."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Khymara." Annie looked at her hands, which were now hanging by her sides due to the restrictive movements Fion's measurements allowed. I had no idea there would be so much involved with a dress, she thought. If I had, I might have gone with a nice pantsuit instead.

"It's really not that hard to be a journalist, actually. You just have to know how to ask the right questions and write 'em down in such a manner that people understand the real story behind the story." She shook her head. "Don't worry, I think if I saw myself in the street, I'd head the other direction as well." She cocked her head to the side and thought for a moment. "I guess I do strike a bit of a formidable opponent, what with the notebook in hand and camera ready." She chuckled. "I'm prolly the double agent's worst nightmare."



Annie smiled. "There's no harm in that. Sometimes it's the best way to get all your thoughts out. I tend to ramble in my head, personally, but half the time I can't hear myself think 'cuz I'm thinkin too loud."

She turned to the seamstress who was still busy taking all the measurements. "So Fion, what plans have you for Clock's Eve?"