Hilde and Neeka came wandering over and sat on the bench with her. "I've never seen that look on your face," Hilde said. "What's got you in such a mood?"
"Clothes...Rixson is going to make me wear clothes."
"Huh?" Hilde said. "You? Wearing things like pretty dresses and things like that? I've got to see this. Take me with you."
"Me, too," Neeka chimed in. "Maybe we can all try on outfits together."
Shallista shook her head. "This isn't recreational. This is an official job. I would have suggested another lady, but he specifically requested me."
Suddenly, Rixson's voice said, "Well, I'm ready. Looks like you're bringing some friends, too. That's fine. I could use a few more sets of eyes to check out these outfits. Let's go."
*
Rixson sat in anticipation, wondering how Shallista would look in the outfits he chose for her to wear. To his left were Hilde and Neeka. To his right were Harmon and Velpanie. "Ready for the show, everyone?"
"I guess," Harmon said. "You said this would help me unwind, so I took ya up on this."
"Shallista's going to look so cute in clothes," Velpanie said. "I can't wait to see what you came up with."
"You sure she should be here?" Hilde asked about Velpanie. "She's only sixteen."
"It's a fashion show, not a striptease," Rixson said. "I didn't pick anything inappropriate."
"Considering what they run around in, I don't want to imagine what could be considered inappropriate," Velpanie said.
"I hate this," Shallista grumbled from her changing room.
"Come on," Rixson said. "Be a good sport and show us how you look."
Shallista grumbled. "The things I do for money." The curtain flew open and out she came. She was wearing a sweater, long pants, and knee-high boots. "Look at me. I'm not showing a single inch of skin. This is so uncomfortable."
"I like it," Neeka said. "It's nice and simple."
"Ooh, can we change our outfits to that?" Hilde asked.
"No, we're supposed to be Sexy Warriors," Shallista answered.
"Leaves plenty ta the imagination...or it would if we didn't see her traipsin' around in thong armor every day," Harmon said.
"Cool!" Velpanie said.
"Pretty nice," Rixson said. "Next."
*
Shallista stepped out of the changing room wearing a brown short sleeve dress that fell to her ankles, a long sleeve white shirt underneath, and short boots that rose to the hem of the skirt. "I'm still covered up. I hate it...but I do like the boots. They would be perfect for when I work in the garden."
"Hmm, something is off," Neeka said. "Maybe if the dress was a little shorter, it'd be perfect."
Hilde looked sad.
Shallista gave a concerned look. "Is everything alright, Hilde?"
"Yeah, I'm fine...like the outfit."
"I would love to see Lady Grizelda wear that," Harmon said.
"Cool!" Velpanie said.
"It looks more normal than I thought it would," Rixson said. "I didn't think it was possible to make Shallista look plain. Next."
*
Shallista stepped out in a white tank top, short shorts, knee socks, and worker boots. "Yes," she said. "I love this. My arms and legs are free. I'm showing lots of skin."
"Yeah, that looks about right," Neeka said. "The shorts and knee socks really bring the best out of those thighs. I wish I could pull off that look."
Hilde looked away. "Ulp..."
"What's wrong?" Shallista asked.
"N-nothing," Hilde answered.
"I take it you're going for a hot construction worker," Harmon said. "It's well done."
"Cool!" Velpanie said.
"Damn...I mean next." Rixson said.
*
Shallista stepped out in a pink minidress and strappy sandals. "Simple, but sexy. Just how I like it. The sandals are a nice change of pace. My feet are usually trapped in boots."
"It just screams "Shallista" from every thread," Neeka said. "Short and sultry. The sandals make her long legs look that much longer."
"Yeah..." Rixson said.
"Well..." Harmon said.
Velpanie nudge Harmon. "Thinking about how it would look on Lady Grizelda?"
Harmon ruffled her hair. "Shut up, kid."
Hilde grumbled, then growled, "I want to wear some freaking clothes. Let me try some on."
Neeka nodded. "I wouldn't mind trying some out, too."
Rixson nodded. "Alright. Pick out some clothes and we'll judge you."
Neeka and Hilde gave each other a high-five. "Yah! We're going to be objectified!"
*
It was deep in the night when Shallista and the others finally left the clothing shop. She looked into the bag, which contained the pink dress and sandals that everyone liked. "Well, I have to admit that was fun."
"Yeah, I was hoping that would be the case," Rixson said. "Everyone seemed so down as of late, I just wanted to do something to make all a ya smile."
"Mission accomplished," Harmon said. "It's too bad we couldn't get Epsley ta come. Nobody coulda used this more than him."
"Yeah..." Rixson said.
"It was pretty cool," Velpanie said. She also had a bag with a new outfit. "Free clothes make everything better."
Neeka and Hilde simply smiled, each with a bag containing a new outfit.
Everyone conversed as they escorted Velpanie home. Once she was safe and sound, Harmon broke off into his nightly duties. Shallista, intended to head back to the base with Neeka and Hilde, but Rixson grabbed her hand. "Hey, Shallista, can I talk to you for a minute?"
Neeka and Hilde turned around. "Ooh, Shallista," Neeka said.
"See you back at the base," Hilde said.
She faced Rixson as they walked off. "Yes, Rixson?"
"Ever since ya wandered into town with your girls, things have picked up," he said. "This was a sleepy town, but then you came around and rained sunshine down on all of us. Most of the town likes you. I share their sentiment. As a matter of fact, I think I feel something more."
"You want to date me?" she asked.
"I think so," he answered. "You're a beautiful woman, inside and out." He let go of her hand. "You ain't gotta say nothin'. I mean, I'm at least ten years older and have a full-grown son, so I understand I ain't got much appeal to a pretty young lady like you. I'm just putting it out there, so you know." He turned away and waved back as he started walking away. "Anyway, enjoy the dress."
Shallista didn't know what to think. A man just borderline proposed to her and walked off. What was she supposed to do with that? "Rixson."
He turned. "Yeah?"
She looked around and they seemed to be alone. "Would you allow me to sing a song for you?" That would be her test. Maybe, just maybe...
"A song?" He asked. "I don't see why not."
She sang. The song wasn't particularly beautiful or romantic. It didn't even make sense. But she was a siren. Almost no man could resist her singing. Maybe Rixson could.
She finished her song. "So how was it?"
He gave her a look she recognized. It was the trance men fell under when she sang. "Yes, master..."
"N-nothing. Just go home and go to bed. Be careful on the way back."
"Yes, master..." He trotted off.
She could not give him her hand. It was ashamed. He was a good guy.
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