Sydney and Adelaide exchanged looks of concern.
"Meryn you don't understand, this isn't just a costume party. It's one of the biggest social events of the year." Sydney explained.
"I say costume, but it's more like a ball gown with extraordinary accessories." Adelaide continued. Meryn looked from one to the other.
"So no bobbing for apples or reaching into a bowl of peeled grapes pretending they are eyeballs?"
"Is that what humans do? That's disgusting." Sydney shuddered.
"Sweetheart, it's a grand ball. The meetings, discussions, introductions, social ladder climbing and business arrangements made in this one night can determine the success for the major houses for the year." Adelaide's voice was kind. For Meryn the room started to spin.
"I can't go to something like that! Are you nuts? I'll humiliate Aiden!" Meryn gasped for breath. Adelaide pushed her head between her legs.
"Now you stop that. I've seen you in action during the sewing circle, you can hold your own." Adelaide rubbed her back.
"Thought I might find you here. My grandson has been chomping at the bit to talk to you about yesterday's sewing circle."
Meryn glanced up, Lady Fairfax was standing in the doorway holding a satin bag. Her grey hair was pulled up in an elegant bun and her portly figure fashionably clothed. She leaned heavily on an ebony walking cane. Though older, her eyes still sparkled with a mischievousness usually reserved for younger people.
"Grandmother, what are you doing here?"
"I heard rumors that Daphane Bowers had gone around to all the clothing shops this morning. What's interesting is that they were all the shops specializing in costume gowns. You haven't had a chance to get one yet, have you Meryn?" The older woman plopped down at the table behind where Meryn sat on the barstool. Meryn sat up straighter and turned to face her.
"No, we've been looking all morning."
"You might as well stop wasting your time, Daphane Bowers doesn't do things in half measures. Sydney can you be a dear and bring me a cup of tea?" She rested her walking cane against the table.
"Are you saying that Meryn shouldn't go?" Adelaide asked. Lady Fairfax shook her head.
"I think she should absolutely go."
"But she doesn't have a gown." Sydney pointed out placing a cup of tea on the table.
"Sydney be a good lad and hand her that bag." Lady Fairfax pointed to the medium sized white satin bag that she had set in the chair beside her. Sydney lifted it up and handed it to Meryn.
"Go ahead, I think you'll like it." Lady Fairfax. Meryn opened the bag and pulled out a large, white satin shift. It was completely shapeless, hanging all the way to the floor. The arms were so wide that Meryn was sure she could fit inside one of them.
"Um. Thanks?" Meryn frowned down at the material. When she looked up, she saw that Adelaide was staring at the shift in wonder. The delicate hand that reached forward to graze the material was trembling.
"Is this what I think it is?" She asked breathlessly. Lady Fairfax nodded smirking.
"I can't wait to see the expression on Daphane Bowers face when Meryn walks in wearing that. Oh, oh that will make my year." Lady Fairfax hooted her laughter startling the patrons around her. Meryn turned to Sydney as if to say 'Seriously?' He took pity on her.
"Meryn, this is a very special dress. It's been in our family for generations. It was a gift to my grandmother from the Queen of the Fae herself. This dress is the Gown of Éire Danu. You put it on and it changes into whatever dress you need, it morphs according to your thoughts and wishes. It hasn't been worn in a long time." Sydney's voice sounded sad. Lady Fairfax nodded.
"Since his mother, Gods rest her soul. I'm getting older and as much as Sydney loves Justice he was never one for cross dressing. So I am gifting it to you. My only request is that if Sydney and Justice have a little girl you hand it down to her."
"It changes into whatever I want?" Meryn looked at the dress dubiously.
"And it acts as your ladies in waiting. It will change your shoes, hair, makeup and accessories to match the dress. The only dress you will ever need."
"I can't wait to see her face." Adelaide was laughing so hard she covered her face. Lady Fairfax began to chuckle again.
"Lady Fairfax, I don't know how to thank you. Just the thought that I never have to go dress shopping again is a gift." To Meryn that meant more than a dress that was made by the fae.
"Thought you might appreciate that. Tell me girlie, how close were you to hitting Daphane yesterday?" Lady Fairfax's eyes danced with mirth.
"Oh no, did it show?" Meryn reverently put the dress back in its special bag.