Elegy for a Star

Gwen held a knife into the air, brow furrowed, eyes narrowed. It was hard to tell how she looked in its reflection. She was certain that her hair was a little messy, but she had been enjoying it that way lately. She had decided to forgo makeup—she wouldn’t know what to do with it anyway—but she’d gotten dressed up as best she could for the event. She’d been pondering whether or not to wear the broad belt decorated with the Lannercost emblem upon the front. She knew that her father would want her to, which told her to ignore it, but she also didn’t want to abandon where she came from. There were a lot of happy memories from Lannercost.

The rest of the outfit she’d gotten when she went to Oar’s Rest just the day before. Narrow, dark trousers were clean and well-kept, fitted slim upon her legs. Small, black, ankle-strapped shoes with a half-inch heel kept her at a natural height, but looking sharp all the same. The top was the most intricate part, however. A black coat atop a cream-colored, button dress top that was then atop a cloth shirt; All of it was pieced together with a gold-and-silver cloak wrapped about her shoulders and descending down the back of her shoulder down to her hamstring. She could practically hear her father chiding her for the collar of her coat being undone. She wanted to say that it didn’t bother her, but it would probably be on her mind for the rest of the night.

Now to find Tess.

The two of them decided to get dressed separately, so Tess was getting dressed in Mairaela’s room. Gwen had promised to go get her before heading to the Ball. Tess’ outfit had been kept secret from her, so Gwen was excited to see what her date was wearing. Likewise, she hoped that Tess would approve of her choice of clothing. She couldn’t imagine otherwise.

Besides, it was all difficult to think about these small things when Gwen imagined what the end of the night was going to be like. She was finally going to have sex with Tess. She would have Tess be inside of her. She’d been aching for this moment, even before she realized it. She’d been wasting so much time. She could’ve slept with Tess that first night they were together in the sleeping bag. Gwen knew that, for safety’s sake, it was the best option not to, but how she wished she could go back to that moment and do it all over again. She’d be with Tess from the very start.

Gwen stepped out of their dormitory, adjusting her collar and the sleeves of her coat. The walk down to Mairaela’s room was a short one. There was usually an attempt to keep those in the same party grouped together. As far as Gwen was aware, that was the case. She still didn’t know where Joyona or Miren slept, though.

There was a bit of confusion when she remembered that Mairaela had recently changed rooms so that someone in her dorm could switch to being roomed with another from their party, so Gwen had to double back and take a different turn. When she arrived at the correct door—which was not always easy since the Corps didn’t allow any decoration upon the plain doors—she found the door to be locked.

After knocking, Gwendolyn ended up waiting about five minutes; long enough for her to wonder if she was at the right door or if they had already left without her. Gwen replayed events in her mind, trying to remember if they said they’d meet at the Ball or not, but she was confident that they had all agreed to meet at Mairaela’s room.

Just as she was starting to panic, Joyona arrived. Gwen’s eyes widened at the woman’s outfit. Joyona was wearing a leather half-vest adorned in billowing, white wolf’s fur that went from the right breast, around the head, to the left shoulder. She was otherwise bare above the waist, with her hefty bust barely concealed by the vest. Beyond that, she wore a leather, layered skirt, also rimmed with white fur. Gwen was certain she could see some dried blood amidst the fur, and were those the same boots Joyona wore last combat training?

“Joy?” Gwen asked as the giant approached, “You know this isn’t a war, right?”

Joyona just grunted.

Was she nervous? Gwen couldn’t tell exactly, but was she fidgeting? Shuffling her feet? It was always hard to read the giantess.

“It’ll be okay,” Gwen says, giving Joyona a nudge on the elbow, “I heard you’ve got a hot date.”

Another grunt.

“And a Summer Fey? Someone’s gettin’ lucky tonight,” Gwen said with a laugh. She wondered if Mairaela would punch her for that.

A third grunt.

“You’ll do fine,” Gwen said, realizing that she was talking so much to cover up her own nervousness, “I think Tess and I might-...” Gwen had to take a deep breath, trying to force her face to not smile so much, “I mean, we’ve-... but haven’t… I mean, I have, way long ago, with one other person, but…”

Joyona let out an uncomfortable sound.

“Joyona?”

The giantess turned to look at the silvery woman with a simultaneously nervous and uneasy expression.

“You’ve never-...?”

The door popped open just a crack and Mairaela’s face peeked out. She normally had makeup on, but she must’ve spent extra time on it tonight. She looked fabulous. “Close your eyes!” Mairaela said, beckoning them in.

Gwen did as asked and the two were led inside the room before the door was closed behind them. Gwen really couldn’t keep from smiling now. She was just so excited! When Tess left to Mairaela’s room this morning, she was in plainclothes with no special dressing whatsoever, even with her hair still mussed from her pillow overnight.

“Okay,” she could hear Tess say.

Mairaela replied, “Okay, open your eyes!”

Gwen did, to see the two women standing in front of her and Joyona.

Mairaela was in an olive green skirt that flowed like water down her curves, hanging loosely just past the thighs. Her midsection was mostly see-through, except for what appeared to be thin vine-like plants that were arranged in flower patterns up to her chest. Two soft cups decorated to look like leaves did little to conceal her heavy bust, lined with moss and flowers. Her collar was bare except for the green hood that was tied very slightly just in front of her neck, which failed to contain the spill of thick, auburn curls down her shoulders. The hood descended to form into a cloak that left her arms and upper back bare, but just lightly tickled the floor as she moved. If Mairaela told her she was the Queen of the Summer Court, Gwen would have believed her.

Every bit of her was some shade of green that matched her sparkling eyes, as though she’d wrapped herself in the forest for this dance. Her makeup followed suit; dark greens except for dark, red lipstick. She was gorgeous enough to make anyone jealous of Joyona.

Gwen didn’t notice this for a moment, however, because she was more focused on Tess. Her date was wrapped in a navy blue dress that flowed just an inch off of the floor, rimmed with red and gold. The gown was tight around the belly and chest, but expanded only very slightly as it flowed past her legs. The swooping neckline exposed the cleavage that was clearly being enhanced by whatever bra she’d decided to wear—something from Mairaela, perhaps. Her sleeves were form-fitting, running down to her hands where a simple tie slipped around her middle finger to hold her sleeves down. The sides of her torso and the tops of her arms were lined with crisscrossing golden threads that accented the tapering of her waist and the swell of hips. Upon her neck was a silver amulet with a fox engraved upon it, just like the gloves she got from the trickster goddess. It was a simple outfit atop an extraordinary woman. Tess may not have been able to afford something fancier, but Gwen found it to be the finest silk when worn on that woman’s body.

Tess’ makeup was just a touch dark, which contrasted her bright, blonde hair. Gwen was falling in love all over again.

“Hi,” Tess said softly as Gwen was taking in the sight of her.

Gwen wasn’t certain what she said back, but she’s positive that it wasn’t anything enlightening.

Tess smiled and approached, “You look so wonderful.”

“You,” Gwen started, shaking her head and laughing a little, “Gods, you. You are gorgeous.”

Joyona spoke softly, but her voice was deep enough that Gwen could hear her say, “I might look dressed for battle, but…”

“You look striking, my handsome date. Gorgeous. I daresay you look perfect,” Mairaela whispered, “Afterall, you’re you.”

Gwen hadn’t looked away from Tess, but she could hear the smile that must’ve appeared on Joyona’s lips.

With Miren going to the Ball early by herself, the four of them set off to attend what they all hoped would be one of the best nights of their lives. When they arrived, the four stood in the doorway for just a moment, in awe of what they were about to experience. The ballroom was the size of the chow hall but designed for far better things. Chandeliers, tables, platforms for minstrels, and more drink than one could hope to ingest.

Gwen saw Mairaela reaching around her toward Tess. She knew what was going to happen, but didn’t do anything to stop it. She could only smile in anticipation.

Mairaela clapped her hand down on Tess’ ass, causing her to squeak sharply.