Page 44 of Return of the Nine

Xalik held up the tunic with a grin. “Done.”

Daphne was amazed. In less than two hours, she had put on twenty changes of clothing with matching undies and had been analysed by two complete strangers in every detail of her physicality. Against all logic, her day had gotten stranger.

Apolan was answering his own calls while she had her fitting. It was a peculiar turn of events when her boss was doing her job while she shopped, but it sort of fit the day.

Xeero smiled, “Time for a change of clothing.”

He selected the proper undergarments, which should have made her nervous, but the fifth time she had been standing naked in the middle of the boardroom, her mind had simply shut down embarrassment and mimicked a doll.

With the ease of repetition, she slipped off the panties she was currently wearing and exchanged them for the pair that Xeero was holding. The swift shimmy put the delicate things exactly where they should go.

“Hold still now, Ms. Hallow. We don’t want you bleeding on the gown.”

With Xeero on one side and Xalik on the other, she held still and moved with them as the wisp of gown was pulled over her head and the matching slip followed. Xalik folded the items away while Xeero brought her the new clothing.

In five minutes, she was dressed, had a bodice wrapping her from breast to waist and a sash around her hips. Every bit of clothing was in a variety of shades of gold and green.

The sleeves of the tunic made her smile. They were wide and had a graceful sweep that made every move seem like a dance. Soft calf-high boots were far more practical than the hard-soled shoes she had worn for her first day.

Her flowing trousers covered her boots to the ankle, and she had to admit, as she ran her hands down the new silhouette that she sported, she looked good. With absent hands, Daphne moved her hair to one side, framing the earpiece that was heronly jewellery.

“Perfect. Just lovely.” Xeero smiled and clapped his hands. “You can return to your duties now. We will finish our day here and send a courier with the rest of your clothing when we have completed them.”

She nodded and smiled. “Welcome to the embassy. May I get you a beverage or something to eat?”

They looked at each other and burst out laughing. “You may indeed. Thank you, Ms. Hallow.”

She inclined her head and stepped out of the conference room in her new finery. She walked silently down the hall to the small kitchenette and sought the icon for the Stone Folk. Apolan’s morning briefing had explained how to select foods for the variety of the Nine. Each pack and item had a small icon on the bottom of it as well as a code that would be read by the preparer.

With her mind sorting through everything she needed for afternoon tea, she set the kettle on, prepared the tea set and slid sandwiches for the Stone Folk into the preparer.

It was her first act as hostess to the ambassador, and she wanted to get it right.

Daphne grinned as she walked away from the conference room where the dressmakers were having tea. In an hour, she would return and retrieve the tray, but in the meantime, they had fallen on it with good appetite.

It was the right food for the right species in the correct quantity. Her first act as assistant to the ambassador was complete.

He seemed so surprised to see her when she stood in his doorway that she fought a smile.

“The clothing suits you, Daphne.” His gaze, however, strayed to her earpiece.

“May I get you anything, Ambassador? Tea or food?”

He smiled. “Water please and a light snack.”

“I will return in a moment.” She gave him the serving bow that she had been taught for the reception and backed out of his doorway.

Mentally, she was whistling happily when she retrieved his requests and brought him a tray. It was nice to be efficient at something.

She checked on the dressmakers and refreshed their tea. Xeero and Xalik were only too happy to show her their progress. She had a change of clothing for every day that week, an afternoon dress that was both graceful and sturdy, and enough underwear to see her through.

“Xalik enjoys making undergarments. It is his personal fetish.” Xeero smiled grimly.

She chuckled. “Everyone has their hobbies. Mine is learning. Any day I can learn something new is a good one.”

“It’s a good goal. We have been enjoying seeing the two Gaian ladies who are living on the ship. They each have peculiar talents. Is this true for the rest of your species?”

She looked at him in surprise. “It isn’t something that any of us discuss. I heard something about one of ours being declared someone of import to the Nine, but I never got the details.”

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