So there Asteria was and to my misfortune apparently looking for me. Without much preamble we began the dance.
"Mother is looking for you. She is in the study." She than eyed me from head to toe,"You might consider changing outfits or at least taking a bath!" The last was said with a sniff of her nose.
I could barely keep from rolling my eyes. She had just watched me sparing with Sabrina....of course I was sweaty. I calmly eyed her and said,"Perhaps I will." As I began to walk away I could almost picture the disgusted look on Asteria's face. I think nothing upsets her more than when I don't rise to the bait.
I went to my room and took a hurried shower and changed. I then made my way to the study. I couldn't help but think it was an odd place to meet Flora. I mean I got the impression that dear Aunt Flora did not spend much time with books. Asteria is quite like her mother...but even more flowery and insincere. Whereas Asteria grated on my last nerve...Flora simply made me wary. I figured that as an Elder Flora could not be as simple and stupid as she seems. Which means of course her whole attitude might be an act....or at least mostly an act.
As I entered the room the first thing I saw was that Asteria had decided to crash this little party. Perhaps she wanted to make sure I did not offend her mother's delicate sensibilities. Flora was seated in a chair to the right of me with Asteria hovering nearby. As always a sickly sweet smile graced Flora's face and Asteria quickly copied it. Two mirror images...don't you just love genetics? Yeah me neither.
Flora indicated for me to take a seat and I quickly did so. Without to much preamble (yes there were a few pleasantries....how was I doing and so forth, but not worth really getting into) she got to the reason I was summoned.
"You know dear I was thinking that you have been at the castle for sometime now and I was noticing your attire." With this Aunt Flora studied me from head to foot. I was dressed in black pants, boots and a shirt. So my clothes weren't flashy....they were comfortable and easy to manuever in and that was what was important to me. With a small grimace Flora continued,"It is somewhat lacking.....I have decided to help you become...more presentable.
It took two weeks for me to make Aunt Flora understand I didn't want a bunch of frilly dresses. Even now I don't think she fully appreciates my dress sense but she has stopped giving me clothes. I wonder if the fact that all of them ended up in my closet and have never been worn has anything to do with it? Oh well life has moved on. Every once in awhile I see Aunt Flora eyeing my clothes with a disaproving frown but at least now I don't have to worry about winding up as a pin cushion for some psycho tailor!