Tracking a Mouse

[Lady Natalie Kendall]

Natalie was akin to a cat after a mouse at the moment. It hadn't taken her very long to prepare a simple dress for Vivianne, especially since she already had so many stock gowns on hand. The one she did have that was appropriate to her height required a few modifications, a simple lining and some other touches to make it subtly elegant. However, she needed to get the thing on the woman to make certain that it would actually fit.

And therein laid the challenge.

The vivacious woman had been searching high and low for the sneaky little devil. Fortunately, she was not getting frustrated. Natalie had known this was going to happen. The other aspect working against her was that stealth was exactly her strength; she didn't know how to go unnoticed. It was quite simply not in her blood. What she could do, however, was cajole guards and sweet talk people into giving some indication of her location. VIvianne was somewhere in the camp. Now all she had to do was find her ... and pounce on her.

Lady Vivianne Trevelyan

[Lady Vivianne Trevelyan]

She should have known that Natalie intended to run her to ground. Vivianne hadn't been thinking about it when the summons came to return her to Triadon on assignment from her patron, but Natalie was already back in the city. Considering some of their recent conversations, she should have understood that the lady-in-waiting would be like a terrier with a bone, refusing to give way until she'd hammered her point home. Damn her.

However, that didn't mean Vivianne was going to make it easy for Natalie. She had work to do, an assignment to fulfill and questions to answer. She did not have time to play a doll for Natalie to dress up in ridiculous furbelows and elaborate gowns better suited for the social butterflies than for her. The point was not to be noticed, a direct contrast to Natalie herself, who could not pass unnoticed even if she tried. So long as Vivianne remained one step ahead of the lady, she had the advantage.

Of course, she neglected to take into account the guards of the city and of the castle, men who knew a general schedule of her movements and her vicinity at specific hours. They would be the ones to reveal that she could usually be trapped in her chamber around the approximate dinner hour and then again when the bells rang for Vespers. Which days were the risk Natalie would have to take to catch her mouse.


Lady Natalie Kendall

[Lady Natalie Kendall]

Natalie made it a point not to tinker with people's religious affairs. Personal lives, love lives, fashion lives and social lives, absolutely! Religious lives? Ah, no. She was not willing to delve quite that far since they were often deeply persona, even more so than their love lives! Thus, the Vespers were left alone and Vivianne could be rest assured they always would be.

Dinner was another matter. They could eat later! She was carrying a cloth bag with her as she paraded through the halls with a pleasant, but determined smile on her face. Dinner was not ready yet due to some muck up in the kitchens. It was the perfect time to pin the mouse in a corner and make her pretty. Well, pretty to Vivianne's tastes, at least. The smile brightened as she drew closer to the door of her chambers.

She knocked on the door solemnly, clearly belying her rather good mood. Poor Vivianne.

Lady Vivianne Trevelyan

[Lady Vivianne Trevelyan]

Ironic that a spy might cling to religion in some minds, but Vivianne was not fool enough to rely solely on luck. She needed all the blessings and favor that the Triad could give her and wasn't about to risk disfavor by failing to attend to her religious responsibilities. Vespers was a favorite time of day, the prayers taught to her by her mother, a gentle and devout woman. She attended Vespers as much to honor her mother's memory as she did to venerate the Triad.

But dinner... Vivianne had no love for dining with the court in residence, even when it was the bare bones. People watched each other while eating, and that did not fit into her scheme of remaining largely unnoticed. Thus, she typically received her evening meal in her room, enjoyed with a book for company or with another of the network who shared her disdain for public dining. Tonight, she was alone but for her meal and reading, about to sit down and apply herself to the meal when the knock interrupted.

Frowning, she headed for the door, curious as to who might stand on the other side. Few knew she was back in residence, and she expected no one. Taking a moment to listen, she heard nothing on the other side to indicate a threat, but nonetheless loosened the blade in her sleeve as a precaution. Sliding the latch back, Vivianne eased the door open a crack, blinking to see Lady Natalie on the other side. A quick glance around indicated no overt threat as she opened the door wider, surprise plain on her face. "Lady Natalie. How may I be of service to you?"

Lady Natalie Kendall

[Lady Natalie Kendall]

When the door opened, the smile on her face bloomed with happiness to see Vivianne. It was clear to her that she was surprised. That must have been a rare occurrence for the sneaky petite woman. "Lady Vivianne," the happiness evident in her tone. "I am so pleased to see that you are here. I do hope that I am not interrupting anything." She leaned forward, as though she were going to impart a tremendous secret.

"You see, I have somethings in my bag that I'd love to see you try on. I shouldn't take too much of your time, if you're willing to spare it. I have not forgotten you, after all. I've taken especial attention to your needs." Natalie was excited, but she was doing her best to contain herself. There was no need to draw undue attention onto them, especially with Vivianne furtively looking this way and that.

Lady Vivianne Trevelyan

[Lady Vivianne Trevelyan]

She wasn't often surprised, that much was true. Finding Natalie standing outside her door definitely qualified as a surprise. Recovering her wits, she stepped back with the intention of inviting the woman in, frowning at her. "No, nothing of importance. Would you care to join me for dinner?" Politeness compelled her to make the offer, continuing, "I was just about to partake when you knocked."

Resisting the urge to lean back when Natalie leaned forward, Vivianne's brow furrowed as she spoke. What was this? Things in her bag to try on? What on earth? "Ah..." Momentarily nonplussed, she blinked at the bag. "What things? I don't know what you mean, but you may as well come in." Preferably before one of the servants came along and got a look at what was going on.


Lady Natalie Kendall

[Lady Natalie Kendall]

Fortunately for her, she did burst out giggling like a young girl. Instead, she happily moved inside but politely declined the offer, "Thank you, but no. I have dinner plans later tonight." And what glorious dinner plans they were going to be. Mmm, the main course promised to be nothing less than delectable. Shaking her head of her thoughts, she ventured immediately over to the sofa and began taking out two dresses from the bag. One was a simple deep blue and the other was a black with just the right light touch of gold trim. Neither looked particularly daring, but were unquestionably feminine.

Turning about, she gave Vivianne a pert little smile. "The dresses, my lady, the dresses. Remember, I took your measurements and made you a promise? You made me swear that I would not force you into one of my usual creations. I'll have you know that I not only answered your challenge but I feel I've surpassed it!"

Lady Vivianne Trevelyan

[Lady Vivianne Trevelyan]

Vivianne saw the look in Natalie's eye when she spoke of dinner plans and decided she did not want to know, thank you very much. Some matters did not change, and Natalie's predilections were amongst them. Once the lady was safely in the room, she closed and secured the door, turning to study Natalie as that good lady removed two gowns from the bag. Inwardly groaning, she lifted a brow and folded her arms over her chest. Natalie, it seemed, also did not accept no thank you as an answer.

Approaching slowly, she nodded. "I recall that you took my measurements, yes. And I also recall asking you not to go out of your way." Which it seemed she had, but rather than appear ungrateful, Vivianne reached for the blue gown to examine it closely. "They are good color choices. Not overly trimmed, which I appreciate." Whether they'd fit her small frame without making her feel half naked was the real question. Taking the gown, she held it against herself to gauge where the neckline fell and where the hemline would reach. "Surpassed in what way, if I may ask?"

Lady Natalie Kendall

[Lady Natalie Kendall]

Finally, a giggle escaped her as she moved over to show Vivianne several things. "First of all, the lowest this particular gown goes to your collar bones. You have lovely shoulders, you should show them and your neck is quite elegant." On that point, Natalie was gently firm and then she raised a single finger with a sly finger. "I have included several pockets within the skirt that no one will notice." She indicated them to her, meaning that she could carry several things in a concealed manner and not just daggers!

"Would you like to try it on?" The hemline went to a proper place, "I also made it of a light material so that you can move quickly when you need to. I tried to make the skirt split, I have not mastered that yet. Once I do, I believe you will have a dress that you can run in, if you feel the need to do so." ... No doubt Rosalie would appreciate such a gown, too.

Lady Vivianne Trevelyan

[Lady Vivianne Trevelyan]

Perhaps there was something to this idea after all! Intrigued by the notion of a gown that covered her modestly but allowed her to conceal items of a useful nature, Vivianne began poking around the pockets eagerly. It was indeed of a lightweight fabric, one she trusted was more sturdy than it appeared. "Very interesting indeed. I believe I ought to try it on to see if any adjustments will be needed." She frowned, realizing she would have to call her lady's maid back and then explain why she had new gowns. "I believe I can help you with the split skirt; we have such skirts for riding in Cobalton. I'll take one out for you."

Picking up the gown, she padded towards the screen that segregated her dressing area from the rest of the chamber and gently draped the gown over the screen. She was able to wriggle out of the gown she wore, one of several that she kept pre-laced and deliberately loose so that she did not need a maid's assistance with it. "Would you mind lacing me up once I get this on? Or I can call Lucy back."

Lady Natalie Kendall

[Lady Natalie Kendall]

Ah ha! She had the lady's attention! Very good. Natalie was growing more pleased with herself with each passing moment. She knew that the dress would be a success. Another feather in her cap, for certain, not that she could publicly advertise this one as such. Nonetheless, she smiled. "Oh, really? I would be most interested in seeing some of your skirts, then. If I can incorporate that design into my dresses, I think I have a few ladies that would be most interested."

Normally, the task of lacing someone else up was reserved for Emma. However, Natalie was not silly about such matters. She had helped her siblings dress countless times, "Oh, no need to call your maid." She flapped her hand, even though Vivianne couldn't see her doing so. She gazed thoughtfully toward the screen for a moment, wondering just what kind of figure the woman had hidden back there. Alas, she was not going to push that particular point. "I will lace you up, certainly."

Lady Vivianne Trevelyan

[Lady Vivianne Trevelyan]

Vivianne had little to no interest in fashion, but she was definitely intrigued by the gowns crafted for her by Natalie. It was easier getting out of a gown than it was getting into it, but she did her best to untangle herself from the one before slipping the other over her head. She was not a very tall woman, so she had a feeling the hem would prove too long despite the measurements, but as she settled the fabric into place, she was pleasantly surprised to find it fell just above her foot. Modest enough to cover her ankles, but she could move without fear of tangling her legs. Excellent.

Slipping the bodice into place, she nodded to herself. "Remind me and I will give you one of the skirts to take with you. I have something else that I found works well for when I need to wear a skirt, but also need to protect modesty." They were a pair of loose legged breeches that cuffed just above the ankle that were of a thin but strong material worn beneath her skirts. Rosalie would probably want a pair, now that she was thinking about it. Vivianne did her best to tug the bodice into place, stepping around the edge of the screen for Natalie's help.

So far it fit well, but the lacing was the true test.

Lady Natalie Kendall

[Lady Natalie Kendall]

"Mm," she toned thoughtfully at her statement and waited patiently for the woman to finish dressing. Natalie could be a rather patient person when the situation called for it. When she did emerge, Natalie immediately give her a critical look. "Hm hm hm," he toned in quick succession as she approached her, "I may need to make some adjustments. Forgive me."

Before Vivianne could have a chance to respond, Natalie went about adjusting the bodice into place. That meant the woman had to be a bit handsy with her, but she did not seem to care or mind. She was making mental calculations. The breasts set a little lower. Hmm. Another adjustment helped with that. There we go. Turning Vivianne about, she went about tightening the laces to the bodice. It didn't take her very long.

"There we go. Let's have a look." She beamed.

Lady Vivianne Trevelyan

[Lady Vivianne Trevelyan]

"Of course." Much as she disliked the idea of being stuck with pins, Vivianne did not want to appear ungrateful and stood still. She started to close her eyes, only to open them wide as Natalie tugged and pulled on the bodice, her lips parting to issue a protest. "But..." Before she could get it out, Natalie was tugging on the laces, bringing the bodice a bit more snug than Vivianne was accustomed to. Granted, she could still breathe easily and there was no need for a corset, but still...

Glancing down at herself, she frowned a little, seeing the upper curves of her breasts peeking out from the bodice. "Ah..."


Lady Natalie Kendall

[Lady Natalie Kendall]

So, it seemed that Lady Vivianne had a bosom to work with after all. Natalie tilted her head curiously at the woman's reaction and then she followed her gaze. "Yes, indeed," she supplied for the woman, "Even the limited view is rather lovely." She couldn't keep herself from being honest. Vivianne, in Natalie's opinion, was a rather attractive woman. She studied the woman's face. "Does it make you uncomfortable?"

Lady Vivianne Trevelyan