58383 :) Red dress and matching boots

Charity said. “Likely a bit of both, I fear we kind of went a bit too far. I forgot all about the audience and was just having fun. There by he has another shock to him. Sorry sir.”

Luke said. “Now I can’t think he finds the conversation that shocking, after all it is what he said was going on. I can’t help it if finding us in different rooms caused him to change his mind. As to forget us, that is just what I was hoping you would do. That should help me when I am having to fight with them over tactics latter. As in all likelihood I am going to be asking your unit to do the imposable.”

Heanric said. “It is just once I think I have gotten used to something you all find a new surprise for me.”

Charity smiled. “Now then we had best go, It won’t do to miss supper. And I am going to have just enough time top get ready, it being a formal. At least I needed worry about my dress this time. Now I am holding back the full outfits, but still staying the Olive Plains dresses. Though I might just come up with a few from the Hills next week. Just to really make Chastity and Pat frown.”

Luke smiled as they started walking. “Now I can’t wait to see them when you take the ring in one of those layered affairs.”

Charity said. “I know Feather is likely not to like the idea, but perhaps one evening we can hold a traditional sword dance. I bet most will have at least some of the full costume with them. After all there will come a time they will be wanted.”

Luke nodded. “I will float the idea in a bit. A display of skill for the neighbors, of course that will be a formal diner and ball we will have to go to. Now if we don’t move as long as your showers are there won’t be enough time.”

Charity glared at him. “Mine! What about yours? The two are the ones that came to dinner half dressed not us. I had best remind you to dress, don’t you think? Father is not going to enjoy it half as much as King Jarrfarus did.” De was trying not to laugh.

Warren said. “Don’t worry Dear. I will see they get dressed.”

Charity shook her head. “Now I know I had better remind you all. You will never make it otherwise! I wonder if you three will even make it into the shower little own out of it.” De lost it then, and so they had to stop for a bit.

Warren said. “Now just who dragged who into the bushes, ignoring the snow?”

Charity said. “But who was it that was asking to be taken all the time we were out there? So I had very little choice at that point.  However you were the one that started removing my clothes before we got to the shelter I was heading for.” De had just about recovered, but that got her and Luke. Mark was staring at her a bit shocked.

Warren smiled and kissed her deeply, which she fully returned. “You might have a point, but I still say you are just as bad.” Mike coughed, and Mat was red.

De shook her head. “All of you go get your showers. I will have Chad knock loudly on both doors an hour before dinner, and then a half an hour before one of them will brake into rooms if the doors are not open. That way you will all be dressed at least. I really don’t think any of you need to show up half in your clothes this time, and you must be there. You can skip the next one.”

Charity said. “Not if it is the big welcome. We have to all go to it and the ball after. Yes Luke, even if you haven’t got him convinced yet. To not go would be more trouble then we can afford. Thank you De. I promises I won’t get lost in the shower.”

Warren smiled. “Thanks Sis, and I will try and have them out when he knocks.” He put his arm around Luke. “It might be a bit hard though. They do like there showers almost as much as Charity does.”

Charity shook her head. “I will be out and dressing long before you are.” They started down the hall. De hung back with the others a bit.

Warren said. “Oh ya well maybe we should have a wager on it.”

Charity said. “What do you have in mind?”

De shook her head and looked at the others. “Now then you all have a new headache. You thought that Feather finding out about Mike and Luke was bad. What about when it all comes out? My brother does indeed split his time between the rooms. It is a bit better when Charity hasn’t been away from both of them, but well. That sort of teasing goes on a lot with them. It is only warren that changes between to the four them, but he is ted to them all, and so binds them. Not that they mind a bit, Luke and Mike started talking to Warren about Char the second they found out we were coming here. They truly were pushing them together.”

Mat shook his head. “I knew she tagged after Luke a lot. Once she could make it out of the nursery she could generally be found with him. But I had no idea that would keep being the case.”

De said. “She leads them just as much as they lead her. Just know she is the one that makes them behave, and so far she has shown no inclination to stop them any. If anything she is encouraging the teasing, as you saw. Well I had best go get my own shore and let Chad know he is to check on them. Yes Luke and Mike have indeed shown up half dressed to a formal dinner. However I think there was a bet involved, but that was never explained. She went to her room and stopped a minute in the door. Remembering how embarrassed Charity had been asking them not to ware there weapons that day. “Chad we just came from the field and they were fight over who would need reminding to get of the shower, so I volunteered you to go bang on both doors in an hour. It is hard to say who was more shocked by their banter, the Inspector or her brothers. He father had left by then or he would have been outraged.” She smiled at him.

Chad shook his head. “I had best check. It is a tosses up all right. Your brother has always got a bit worked up when working out, and the link has just made it worse. I did see a bit of the show. Do you think it did any good?”

De said. “Stive was shaking and left early, so it scared him at least. Feather was impressed with Luke, but didn’t see Charity. But then I don’t know what it will take to get that guy to see her.”

Chad smiled. “That was to our benefit back then. That child was a find, man but she was so lost looking. Go get your shower I have your dress on the bed for you.” He kissed her.

It did take Charity a bit to get out of the shower, but she was out and in her slip when Chad came around knowing. He heard her laugh as the door opened. “Guys you are not dressed you shouldn’t open the door. Hi Chad, and thank you. sorry for the show. But those two were racing to open the door and I couldn’t get the breath to tell them not to.”

Chad laughed. “Did Asaim find the time to let you know he has four places he want to try out?”

Charity nodded. “One of use will be by and see, but you go ahead and tie him to one if he gets to pestering you to much about it.” She shook her head. “I do wonder what the locals will make of it, but it is far the safest thing to do. We will see a chain is attached to the best one so all you need is have someone cuff it to his ankle. You will have a key for the cuff, of course. Now both of you get over here and get dressed, or I will leave you in the room.”

Chad smiled at her and shook his head a bit. “Actually if you could see there are ropes on all the post as well as the chain for him it would be a help. He might not be the only one we need to restrain with the blood magic that will be involved. Then to we might need see someone stays to one side of the room for there safety.” He ducked the pillow she threw at him. “I will leave you to your dressing and see if the others answer yet. Those look a bit reviling.”

Charity was fasting her belt and knifes on and looked at the servants, frowning a bit. She had went with the Southern semiformal servant uniforms,, not wanting them in the local clothes either. “They really are not showing much more then the uniforms that were sent up would have. I am just debating if I should have them add a shirt to cover the bruises some. In fact, Asaim go ring that bell. Let’s check and see. Besides that way they can inform Mother that yes they are sure I am dressing for super.”

Jabari said. “The ropes sound like a good idea, and I will see to it. Love are you going with the red or the blue?”

Charity smiled. “I am going with the red one. I am thinking the blue one will do for the welcoming as there is a ball after it.”

Jabari smiled. “Good, I wanted to make sure I had the right outfit. Say let Luke know. That should get an even better reaction.”

Chad shook his head but went and banged on there door, this time getting a grunt. “When you all are to the point of choosing clothes, which you best be doing soon, know that Char is going with the red.”

Luke laughed. “Thanks Chad. Now maybe one of us will make it to the closet.” Shaking his head Chad headed back to De to let her know what they were doing.

Cri was zipping up Charity’s dress and lightly kissed her shoulder, loving being so close to her. She smiled and kissed him then moved to the table. “So I trust they taught you how to put my hair up?”

Cri nodded. “Yes Mistress. For that dress and no crown you want the simple upsweep, right Ma’am?”

Charity nodded. “Use the silver combs and yes a few bells, but not too many. The ribbons are there.” She smiled at the maid waiting in the door. “Clare, thank you. I hope I didn’t cause you to leave anything to important. I wanted to make sure he Boys were not shouting too much, given the bruises each have I wasn’t sure. These uniforms didn’t look any more reviling then what Mother had sent for them.”

Clare smiled. “No, it is fine, the others will be showing more skin, and in truth I doubt any will notice. But I must say the colors are amazing. They are going to have a fit over that dress.”

Charity smiled. “Tell them about it, I don’t want you to get into trouble over it, and they are going to be upset a lot while we are here. The colors of the servant’s clothes is directly related to the colors of the owner’s house. So Cri is in gold as that is, the rust in it is Jab’s, the blue on the wrists is his color. That he has both colors tells that he owners are bonded and so each has rights. I want it clear that we are not a part of the house so we are going as much as possible with the clothing from Jab’s homeland. Though I am going to have to add in some of the dresses from Cri’’s as well just too really upset them.  So truly Clare is it to much? They do have shirts they can put in. In fact I think Cri here at least is hoping to.”

Clare said. “They are going to be upset that they you are not in the clothes they had sent to your room, but what they have on is fitting. Your man is going to get more second looks then the servants are as his clothes are a bit to loose. They are going to frown at your hair as much as the dress. Wondering just how it was done,. Now I had best go and report back. I was with Grace when you rang so they will be expecting a report.” She was frowning a bit as she left.

Charity said. “Expect to be asked about the bruises when they get the chance, if Beth doesn’t just ask me.”

Jabari said. “I will take the questions love. Don’t worry they will understand once they talk to them.”

Charity said. “I don’t know that they will be upset over them, or just because they all know how often I was in trouble for not using a cane.” She smiled. “Now Asaim if you don’t mind, will you come back here after supper and pick up that basket there. I will just go with the others to main room, and you can bring them in, Cri will then slip out and get the tray of cookies and drinks. We might just get them to eat a cookie as well, don’t worry Beth will have more food waiting here when we get back.”

Jab smiled and kissed her. “I will be over with Luke and will behave, but it will look odd if we don’t mingle some. Then they are going to have questions for me they won’t ask around you. I give you my word I will keep it civil as long as they let me, and then only words.”

She kissed him. “Just don’t let any of them get you away from the rest and it will stay to veiled insults.” She smiled and pulled on the red dress boots that went with dress, and stood up. “All right let’s go see what Luke says.” As she moved there was a faint tinkling from the bells.

Kaneb said. “I don’t know what Luke would think, but Mother would be pleased. That dress is perfect for you, sis. I seem though to remember something about it being to rich for a merc to ever need.”

Charity smiled. “You mother saw better then I did. They have all been pulled out of the trunks for this visit. I need it clear that I am not here and need them to see me. These fit the standers without matching the land.”

Luke nodded. “Very Nice, Mother is going to be upset as she can’t match the color and you are wearing boots. Well done. Now are you sure about the servants, and are we pushing to far?” She and Kanabe had to laugh the three of them were wearing a match for Jabari’s outfit. It was like wise red, and just as lose as his. The deferens being the trims. Mike and Luks matched each other, Warren showed his ties to all four of them and explained where the lighter silver came in.

Charity shook her head. “Well that should surly make it clear. I can’t wait to see the reaction. I had no idea you guys had matching outfits. I just thought you might have a similar color. I am fin with it if you are. They are no doubt going to ask about them at some point.”

Luke shrugged. “I believe we can match each of your formals. I asked the semesters if it would be possible to get a few clothes made for me as well, and so we all somehow ended up with a wardrobe. I believe all the formals match with yours, they quite liked the idea.”

Charity said. “It is fitting, we are linked. We would likewise have a symbol to say it on the uniforms, if I had of let them. As I refused they just added my gold dragon to your service badges. If you are sure you don’t mind. Garstern and Kanbe are going to be only too happy to explain it, so are you sure?”

Luke said. “Sis if they can get father to understand I will be grateful. I am hoping to get him to ask. I have done all I can think to get the conversation started gently. I really am about ready to have someone start singing. I would just kiss Mike, but that would break the law.”

Charity said. “Not in this hall or in the field. The welcome laws make it our laws that matter in those places. I looked it up, not sure how long any of you would mange to keep the kissing to your rooms. The house and property is a bit grayer, but chances are nothing would come of it, as are help is so badly wanted. That said the songs likely would be safe, if you got him clear of the young ones.”

De came up and shook her head. “Now I know why Chad insisted I had to have the red belt and necklaces. Just what is all this about?”

Charity said. “The red itself means nothing, this is just a shade Mother can’t find. There cuffs though show they are tied to each other and to Warren, who is tied to me, thus they are tied to me. I thought they would want to know which dress I was going with, but I didn’t know they had matching outfits.”

De said. “These formal diners just got a bit more interesting. I am glad I was already coming up with ways to get us out of some of them. Well let’s go see what they make of it.”