Lhurriel had already deposited Rowhik at his door, running off to her own room one down the hall near Corsair's master suite before he could give a word of thanks. Dashing into her room, she surprised two waiting maids into gasps of surprise (and one broken teacup), and shooed them out with all the efficiency of a cleaning girl with a broom at her disposal.<br/><br/>Finally, she whirled herself to the walk-in closet, where a bevy of traveling and court clothes, as well as silky dresses and more daring nightgowns and ballgowns hung, resplendent and much unused. Corsair welcomed the young mage into his home unconditionally, despite the fact that they were no longer a couple. Most of the clothing hanging in the closet were Lhurriel's, paid for and bought with her mage's pension; however, some of them (especially the evening dresses and nightbowns) had been gifts from Corsair when they'd been courting.<br/><br/>Some were so scandalous, they made Lhurriel blush just thinking about wearing them.<br/><br/>Shaking her head, Lhurriel quickly wandered through, wondering if she should wear a mage's attire or look like a young woman tonight. She finally decided to wear an evening dress, and fingered through the beautiful, soft materials until she came across a new dress. She remembered when she had gotten fitted for it, and the unfortunate events following it that prevented her from ever putting it on in its finished state.<br/><br/><br/><em>"Mademoiselle, this deep blue silk looks gorgeous with your splendid figure!" The dressmaker cooed, ecstatic at her luck in snagging Lord Atadel for a customer, as well as getting to dress such a physically fit and pretty little thing.<br/><br/>"I am thinking... a plunging neckline here, two thick ribbons of silk around your upper arms for sleeves... Bare shoulders, we must show off such flawless, beautiful skin, my dear!... Such a tiny waist, it emphasizes your chest. It is a bit small, of course..."<br/><br/>"Madame, I believe the lady's chest size is not of your concern," Corsair cut in coolly. The dressmaker immediately apologized and continued to work, chattering on about Lhurriel's many assets before she finally finished and promised that the silken creation would be finished by the end of the week. Lhurriel giggled as she crawled into Corsair's lap, still clad only in a light shift with her usual absence of a corset, beginning with light kisses before deepening their embraces.</em><br/><br/><br/>What followed was a silly argument about possessiveness and control, and the lack of time Corsair and Lhurriel spent together; Lhurriel left in a huff that night, and then was sent away on an envoy mission to a neighboring country before she could apologize and make up with Corsair. The two did eventually reconcile their differences, deciding to remain friends rather than brave the turmoil of love and romance, which would be difficult to maintain considering their mutually busy schedules and philosophical differences.<br/><br/>She smiled, a mischeivous grin widening as she thought of the spectacle she would create belowstairs by wearing the dress. It was most suitable for dinner, as it<em>was</em>a dinner gown; the neckline wasn't too scandalously low, and with a bit of jewelry and the right pair of shoes, Lhurriel could look like a young lady again, instead of her usual tomboyish mage appearance.<br/><br/><br/><br/>Corsair asked Kaeden and the other guards to seat themselves at the table first, telling them that Lhurriel would be down in no time at all.<br/><br/>"She gets ready very quickly. If you'll wait here, I'll go up and bring her down. I apologize for the delay," Corsair added hastily, rising from his seat and bowing before retreating back to the main hall. He was halfway up the stairs when a pleasant chortle of laughter greeted him, and involuntarily his eyes widened before he returned the chuckle, escorting the silken vision back down the steps.<br/><br/>Without announcing himself, Corsair brought Lhurriel in, proudly strolling to their streets and helping her sit down. She had been conveniently placed between Kaeden and Rowhik; Corsair sat across from her, with William at his right elbow and the rest of the guards down his left and on the other side of the table evenly. As soon as the mage was seated, she smiled and turned towards Kaeden, eyes sparkling with mirth.<br/><br/>"So? What do you think?" She extended one graceful, bare arm, displaying the blue silk loops around her upper arms serving as useless sleeves. The plunging neckline and built-in corset emphasized her modest bosom, and her pheonix pendant also drew attention to the V of the fabric. It tapered off to a slim, muscled abdomen and waist, with the silver-embroidered skirt hidden underneath the tablecloth.<br/><br/>"Do you like it?" She asked the collective group of guards, an anxious smile hovering on Lhurriel's lips. "I haven't worn this before, and I was so rushed I didn't look in the mirror. My hair and dress do look alright, don't they?"