A Dress for Julie

[Bayard Roux nó Eglantine]

Many people didn't wear garments under their gowns save corsets and chemises, which I knew she was wearing neither of, so her reaction suprised me. How innocent- or naive- was she?

"Enterprising?" I asked with a slight smile. "In what way?"

[Julie Deveroix (D)]

I giggled a little. Now I would certainly not tell him I was buttocks free under this skirt. I found nothing immediate to reply, although his teasing was pleasing me more and more, so I giggled.

I took a deep breath finally and settled myself. "You would rather stay on the ground and enjoy the site of my naked butt, when you could tumble your way up a tree? What tells me you are as agile as you say?"

[Bayard Roux nó Eglantine]

"I'm pretty sure it wasn't your rear I was referring to," I teased with a charming smile as I raised a brow. "And I know how good I am at my art- though this place is far to crowded to prove and decent portion of it. It would be so easy for me to get up that tree I could watch for awhile, then make my way up and show my appreciation for the view."

[Julie Deveroix (D)]

"You boast," I noted cooly, laughter still in my eyes. "I demand proof," I said, my mouth ending in a pout.

[Bayard Roux nó Eglantine]

"Find me a tree and climb it in that dress," I countered. "You can wait at the top and I'll be there before you can count to twenty. Do we have a deal?"

[Julie Deveroix (D)]

It was incredibly tempting, but ruining the dress was not something I was ready to do.

"I'll do it, but not in the dress." Indignant, I added "I have to wear it at the Coronation Fete, I can't ruin it now." Calmly, more to myself then to Bayard, I continued, "Besides, it might justify my brother sending me back to Namarre, and that would end your chances of seeing anything else of me then my silhouette, huddled in a carriage."

[Bayard Roux nó Eglantine]

"Agreed, but it won't be as fun," I told her. "And you should finish your shopping so I can prove my worth in that case, don't you think? Will this gown suit you or would you like to try on another one?"

[Julie Deveroix (D)]

"What do you think? I'm ready to try another gown if you think I should," I said with a wry smile.

[Bayard Roux nó Eglantine]

"This one suits you, but may be too casual for a coronation," I remarked. "Then, I am of the opinion that one should never only try on one outfit when looking to make a statement."

[Julie Deveroix (D)]

"Fine," I shrugged. Lightly, I turned to the rack and said "Had you mentionned I should consider green? How about this one?" I said as I pulled a sober number off the rack, this one tied at the back as well. Oh well.

[Bayard Roux nó Eglantine]

"Just because it;s a formal event doesn't mean you have to look stuffy," I told her, shaking my head. "Don't be spiteful and difficult, dear. You'll know the right dress when you find it and at least you have the gold to fall back on. Look for things with accented waists and flowing sleeves with a V-cut neck. The skirt should only be resting against your skin to your hips and then should widen."

[Julie Deveroix (D)]

I looked at him in confusion. What Bayard was describing, I couldn't possibly imagine, although I was confident he could.

Truth was, I didn't think he had picked up my slight tease and I was disappointed.

I smiled warmly at him, "Thanks to Elua that you came by, I have no idea what I'm doing." I put back the gown on the rack as I continued, "You did great with the first dress, I'll trust you blindly with the second."

[Bayard Roux nó Eglantine]

"Don't tempt me to stick you in some puce mostrosity," I teased widely. "Or make a mistake. I haven't had a chance to get a firm idea of your figure yet. But I'll see what I can find."

Looking around I spotted a gown in a deep but fresh-colored green with lighter green and slightly golden accent embroidery that ran over the skirt. The top was elegantly sleeved and cut in the V-shape that would call attention to the fairness of her skin rather than any cleavage, the waist shaped but long to give her the illusion of greater curves than she possessed. "Try this," I suggested, holding it out.

[Julie Deveroix (D)]

"Puce? Is that even a color?" I asked aloud, not expecting an answer.

I took the dress and went straight to the changing room, only to come out seconds later. I was completely unable to undo Bayard's knot.

Without saying a word, I took him by the hand and lead him back in the stall. Under my breath, I said, half jesting, "Would you kindly undo this dress, Master Bayard? One of your ancestors must have been a sailor, because you make a solid knot."

[Bayard Roux nó Eglantine]

"No, they simply had to tie harnesses to lower each other through windows," I replied, being more honest than my tone implied. "Really though, I'm used to making secure knots so they won't come untied during dancing." My fingers were as quick to unfasten the knot as to fasten it and I began loosening her laces. "Once this is loose enough you can just put on the other gown and we'll see how that fits."

[Julie Deveroix (D)]

I chukled at the vision of Bayard's kin, wearing corsets to get into people's houses. "Well you definitely have nimble fingers," I replied. "Thank you," I added with a bright smile, turning over my shoulder.

[Bayard Roux nó Eglantine]

Smiling in return I finished the job and then stepped back, expecting her to banish me from the room so she could change but wanting to see her blush at the idea of seeing her naked first. For all of her playfulness I was reaching the growing suspicion she was mostly, if not completely innocent, and a virgin to boot. WEll, at least I was having fun.

[Julie Deveroix (D)]

Oblivious to Bayard, and assuming he had left, I turned around and started to slip my arm out of the dress when a slight movement made me turn. Startled, I turned around, the dress to my breasts, to find Bayard still there, well at ease.

"Well?" I said, an eyebrow arched. "Are you trying to get a firm idea of my figure?" My cheeks burned at the thought. "It's a bit premature, don't you think?"

[Bayard Roux nó Eglantine]

"I wasn't trying to startle you," I told her with a raised brow. "I didn't really expect you to forget I was here though, yes, seeing your body in full would allow me to get a correct idea of what would look best. Still, I don't think that's a bright option for me at this juncture, as it would only get me in trouble," I teased. "Giving talent away for free and what."

With grace I moved to the curtain that shut her off from the general population and, winking, stepped outside. "I'll be out here when you need me."

[Julie Deveroix (D)]

I chuckled at his jest. For all I knew, he was already giving me talent for free, for if I looked presentable at the upcoming Fete, I would owe it all to him.

I slipped on the gown and tried to tie the bodice, but there wasn't much I could do. Nonetheless, I did manage to tighten it. "Here, I think it's fine, but I can't tie the knot, please, can you help out?" I said as I walked out of the booth.

[Bayard Roux nó Eglantine]

Nodding, I smoothly stepped behind her and tied the knot. "Not a bad choice for a simple Eglantine acrobat," I said as I looked her over, impressed. "Go see for yourself."

[Julie Deveroix (D)]

I thread over to the mirror and gasped. "You are not a simple Eglantine acrobat, Bayard no Eglantine. You are simply brilliant," I smiled at the very ladylike creature who was wearing my hair in the mirror.

"Unless you have another moment of inspiration, I think you have done it, and we will be able to move on to the bet you took so carelessly," I added with a smile.

[Bayard Roux nó Eglantine]

"I'm glad you're as pleased as I am, otherwise I'd have a few choice words for your stubborn vision problems," I told her with a grin. "And I take nothing carelessly. You're too likely to be caught in your own mistakes that way."

[Julie Deveroix (D)]

"Oh, I wouldn't mind if you did. I do it all the time," I confessed. I shrugged, chuckling at the though of my previous encounter with an adept, "What can I say, I'm spontaneous."

"Let me change back in my garb." I smiled, "Did you have a tree in mind in particular? I'll admit I don't know where we should go. I just arrived yesterday, you know."

[Bayard Roux nó Eglantine]

"Trees are sort of hard to find in the City," I told her. "I thought you'd know of one on the lands of your family's townhome or something by the way you spoke of the idea."

Reaching her back I stepped closer to begin untying the knot I'd fastened, shutting down a good deal of my skin's sensations to avoid the urge to tease her even more. "You'll be able to change back in a moment."

[Julie Deveroix (D)]

I didn't move an inch as Bayard closed in, and stared at my feet a moment to hide the blush of my face.

I thought for a bit "Well, there is an old willow tree that could be fine for it. I can't beleive it slipped my mind !" I exclaimed as I looked up.

[Bayard Roux nó Eglantine]

Her head bouncing around would have made her hair a hinderance if it hadn't been bound back. "yes, that should do," I agreed as I finished untying the knot but left the laces tight so she could walk to the room and change. Still, in curiosity I brushed some of the hair at her nape that had escaped the braid and put it back in place. "You can change now."

[Julie Deveroix (D)]

I felt a small shudder at the feel of his hand at the nape of my neck. I don't get touched very often.

I made my way to the changing room and reverted to my breeches, letting out a happy sigh of relief. I did like the dress, but breeches did feel more comfortable.

I stepped out of the booth, and noticed the obnoxious clerk had returned, just in time to reap the benefits of the sell Bayard had done for him.

I quickly went through the transaction, simply arranging for both the dress and the bill to be sent to the Townhome. After all, Kendrick should pay for it, since he insisted I wear it, I mused.

When it was all said and done, I turned to Bayard, and said, "Well, shall we?"

[Bayard Roux nó Eglantine]

"WHy not?" I replied, offering her my arm. This could get interesting- at least if I was lucky.

[Julie Deveroix (D)]

I gingerly took Bayard's arm and we strolled out the door to find the carriage conveniently waiting for us. With all he took last night, Kendrick might have preferred to walk, I mused.

It was one thing to take a friend's arm in companionship, it was another to be a wimp. This in mind, I easily got in the carriage, not waiting to be assisted, and grateful that I didn't have to deal with my brother's detestable habit of helping me in or out of it as if I were hailing.

I waited for Bayard to settle in, and then told the driver to take us home.