<span style="font-size: 120%; line-height: 116%;">Dania was rather confused, but Linda the faery was so welcoming! Having resolved that she would not be showing up for work this day, she turned when someone introduced themselves. Dania was startled by the tall muscular man with what appeared to be an eagle’s helm. Maybe it was his head, she couldn’t tell. But his words were polite, and she knew she needed to relax and embrace this strange world she walked into. She nodded and said,<br/><br/>“Well yes kind sir, I should go to a dressing room, for the fairy said my work attire would not do.”<br/><br/>He offered his strong arm and she took it and he escorted her to a 'dressing room'. If she wasn't going to get to work today, she may as well embrace what this place is. Edrin showed her into a dressing room where some live-like mannequins stood welcoming. Dania smiled as they started turning and doing a runway model strut around the room with some exotic is risqué dresses. <br/><br/>She also noticed that one of the lingerie mannequins sped up to her and faded as it steered itself into Dania. The sparkles and flashes were intense but faded quickly, and Dania saw that she now stood only in a lavish pair of silk panties, stockings, and garter belt. Dania instinctively went to cover herself, but she relaxed as another mannequin came to her and the sparkles and twinkles engulfed her again. Dania could feel the dress against her body, and when she went over to the full-length mirror, she saw that she was now wearing deep midnight blue silk satin with a very fine, very soft, wispy, sheer sleeve and a plunging neckline. Dania blushed at how far down the neckline went, wondering how the dress was able to stay over her breasts. But the dress felt like it was a full front, for the same light sheer material filled the open V all the way up to a slightly frilly collar around her neck. She turned to the side and saw that the dress was a long formal gown that clung to her curves, becoming quite sheer from the upper thighs down. Turning more to look at her behind, she saw the opaque silk barely covered her butt, and it was sheer from her lower back up as it too plunged in a V. The feeling of the dress seemed conservative, but it being more sheer than not, it was quite burlesque. Dania blushed and wondered if she was expected to go out un public in this. When another mannequin came up offering a long robe, Dania smiled as it too was made of the same soft sheer material. Maybe with about three of them she would feel like she was actually covered. She donned the robe and gave herself a final look in the mirror. <br/><br/>Again Dania blushed in this new attire as she walked around once. She could feel herself jiggle slightly and see it make subtle waves in the satin with her every step. Mindful of her new look and feeling somewhat self-conscience, Dania swallowed. <br/><br/>Before she emerged, she for the last time considered her life before stepping through the veil. Not wanting to get in trouble, she thought she should call work and say she would not be in, but when her hand went to dig her phone out of her purse she noted it had become a handbag,  and her phone had turned into a simple pocket mirror. Dabia shook her head and sighed. She was really and truly somewhere, and all the norms she knew were gone. She cinched up the blue satin belt around her robe, and took a breath to ready herself to go out and meet the day, this new day she found herself in. <br/><br/>Stepping out if the dressing room, she found that Edrin stood waiting for her! He offered his arm, and Dania took it and he escorted her to to the Ballroom. He gave a bow as they came through the archway, and she curtsied as best she knew how.<br/><br/>The air was heavy with a haze and scents that were not unpleasant. It reminded her of the last time she was at Lefty's Old Time Music Hall. Lefty's was a cigar lounge and gentleman's club on Caxton Street before they had to open their doors to all or face a discrimination lawsuit. Dania found herself standing almost alone looking at all the different ... people around her. It kind of reminded her in some ways of the Mos Eisley Cantina in Star Wars. When she brought herself back, she looked and saw that Edrin had moved, though his eagle head could not get lost in the crowd. He was heading backstage. Dania also noted a woman standing not far from her in a beautiful red robe.  Her arms were wrapped tight as if she was afraid it may somehow slip open, for she too had a self-conscience look on her face and was pondering deep thoughts. If she had as many strange and unnerving thoughts as herself, maybe she would be someone to stay close to here.<br/><br/>A passing waiter interrupted her vision as he offered some hors d'oeuvres. Dania smiled at him and took a couple. They were quite tasty! She was licking off her fingers when the lights dimmed in the ballroom, and an interesting fellow came on to the grand stage and made his announcement.<br/><br/>As another waiter went by with wine glasses, Dania grabbed one and nodded a thanks to the man, and gave it a sip as she listened to Zed. When he mentioned there were new faces and the spotlight came her way and paused on her, Dania lifted her wine glass and then sipped it again. She was definitely new here and would not normally be drinking wine at 8:30 in the morning! Showgirl night? The last time she was at a themed party with that name was a hen's night for her good friend Stacy. The lights turned, and the dancers came on stage, and Dania leaned against an ornate pole and watched.<br/><br/>Dania found herself applauding, slapping the back of her hand that held the wine glass when the dancers came on. When the tall woman appeared, Dania knew that Madame Ruse took the stage! The mood in the ballroom was infectious, and Dania had gone from an apprehensive woman who had her mind conditioned to meet her day at work to a woman taking her leisure in this strange but wonderful place!<br/><br/>As the woman greeted the newcomers, the spotlights flashed by and Dania again raised her glass even as she blushed wondering what this gown revealed to others with the bright light on her. Dania wished she had a robe to wrap in, but the fine sheer fabric did give her a shadowy cover. It just didn't feel that way to her. As the lights turned, Dania sighed in relief as nobody could have noticed in the dim, smoky room.<br/><br/>As Madame sang out about love, Dania let her mind slip. She was in love once. Very much so. She had married the love of her life, and she lived in an ignorant bliss until a week ago when she discovered he was having an affair. With that plate-glass window shattered, Dania went off the rails last weekend, and she was only now getting her life back to some sort of normalcy. No, there was some magic in the air. That veil hadn't appeared and summoned her through for no reason. She downed the rest of her wine and again listened and watched Madame. Maybe she was here to find a renewal in her faith in love? For some reason, Dania found herself breathing deeper as her eyes turned to the woman standing near her in the red robe.</span>