"I'm back! Addie?"<br/>"In here, dear," the older woman appeared from the back room, "I see you've bought a dress. And a corset, too," amusement laced the landlady's voice, knowing full well how Myiri felt about corsets. The werewolf nodded, "Yeah. And it looks like the masquerade's at the theater- would you help me get ready?"<br/>"Of course, let's up to your room, then."<br/><br/>"Bloody hell!" Myiri yelped as Adelaide cinched the corset beyond breathable constriction.<br/>"Myiri!" Addie scolded, "That is not how a lady speaks!"<br/>"Never mind how a lady<span style="font-style: italic">speaks</span>, how is a lady supposed to breathe in these wretched things?"<br/>Addie chuckled, "You've enough breath to complain. Really dear, with a mouth like that, how do expect to charm a gentleman? And what would your children think of their mother, speaking like that?"<br/>"Maybe I don't want children," Myiri grumped, "Maybe I'd prefer a pet sparrow."<br/>"A... Sparrow?" Adelaide repeated faintly, unsure if the younger girl was joking or not.<br/>"Yes. I'd name him Earl Grey."<br/>"You already know it would be a male sparrow?"<br/>"Well, yes," Myiri replied, "I can't very well give a lady the title of Earl, can I?"<br/>"I... I suppose not."<br/>The older woman helped Myiri into her<a class="postlink" href="http://www.polyvore.com/le_ball/set?id=55906071">dress</a>in relative silence, then looked the girl over.<br/>"You look lovely, dear," She sighed heavily.<br/>Myiri gave her a curious look, "What's wrong?"<br/>"I don't like the idea of you heading out alone. Certainly not looking so delicate."<br/>"Oh, don't worry. I'll be fine. Most of the town is attending this ball- I'll blend right in. Anyway, I'd better get going."<br/>"Wait a moment, dear. You're not properly dressed."<br/>Myiri looked positively mortified, "There's more?"<br/>Adelaide nodded, "A proper lady would wear gloves to such an event. I've a pair you can borrow."<br/><span style="font-style: italic">Gloves?</span>Myiri thought to herself dismally,<span style="font-style: italic">Indoors? How unpractical. Not to mention frivolous.</span>.<br/>The older woman came back a few moments later, a slender box in her aged hands, "Try these on," She opened the box to reveal a pair of white lace gloves. They were short and simple, but decidedly delicate.<br/>Myiri looked quizzically at the older woman, "What-"<br/>"I wore these at my wedding. They were a gift from my husband, may his soul rest in peace."<br/>"I couldn't possibly-"<br/>"And I couldn't allow you to go out dressed improperly. Your mother would be furious."<br/><span style="font-style: italic">That she would,</span>Myiri thought darkly. Suddenly, a strong scent of English Leather cologne filled her senses.<br/>"Do you smell that?"<br/>"Smell what?"<br/>"That cologne? English Leather, I think."<br/>Addie smiled absently, "That was my late husband's favorite. Worry not, dear, I'm sure some probably got onto the gloves, and that's why you smell it. Well, go on, then. You'll miss it completely if you just gawk at me like that!"<br/>Myiri shook herself- how the other woman failed to smell the cologne was beyond her, but at the same time, she was right. Myiri had an adventure to commence! She slipped her mask over her eyes, nestling the edges among the curls painstakingly pinned about her head.<br/>"Do make sure you come home safe, Myiri."<br/>The werewolf smiled sweetly, "Don't worry Addie. I'll be fine."<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">Wow, they've really pulled out all the stops for this...</span>Myiri's eyes widened behind her mask as she took in the scene. She blended nicely with the rest of the crowd, and could have sworn she'd just seen a puppy run by... She blinked a few times as a man bid them welcome on his master's behalf. For some reason, this unsettled her. She shook her head, dismissing it as paranoia put into her head by her overprotective landlady. Tentatively, she accepted a ruby colored drink. For once, she found herself wishing she'd paid more attention to her mother's lessons in etiquette.