Day 9: Anti-Magic Costumes

Dwayde raised an eyebrow and wisely kept his unimpressed expression focused on Thewyn. He hefted the lightweight, fabric from the box Airem had just delivered. “You expect me to wear this?”

“No, I expect you to,” Redava quipped as she shuffled the papers on the table in front of her. Invoices, manifests, agreements, and of course Dwayde and Thewyn’s admission slips as performers.

Thewyn smirked at Dwayde. “I’d saved that smoke.,” Dwayde said, reaching back into the box. He retrieved a second costume brighter than the first and held it up. “Unless you want me to smirk at yours.” He threw the costume at Thewyn.

The woman caught the costume as lightly and quickly as if she was catching a piece of gold from the air. The look she gave Redava after grabbing it didn’t share her normal delight. “And why are we wearing these things?”

“Because they’re stylish for singing.” Redava plucked the slips granting the pair permission to enter the grounds from the table. “You don’t like the cover I arranged for you?”

“Considering the other acts which are going to be there, not particularly.” Despite the grumble in her voice, Thewyn still took the slips from Redava when she offered them to the ladies, moving to stand beside them. “So why couldn’t we be jugglers for instance.”

“Because these were the costumes we could get ensorcelled before the event.” She turned away from the pair and stalked back to her own table, flopping down into the seat. She threw her feet up onto the table ignoring the crunch of papers beneath them. “We should be grateful that Holland was willing to insource these with anti magic spells.”

“Oh yes, great full” Dwayde muttered.

Thewyn ignored his comment and poked around in the box. “I notice that there is not a third set for you?” Looking up, she raised an eyebrow at Radava and grinned slightly.

“As if Lady Radava could be seen performing at such a place.” Madonna for two of her fingers at the ridiculousness of that idea, as if batting away a pest. “She would never.”

“Doesn’t Lady Radava have an ambulance that can make her safer than these costumes?” The waiting muttered that as well. Reaching across the table, the wind smacked his arm loud enough that it echoed in the chamber. But not quick enough to prevent him from speaking in the first place. “What? Anti magic costumes won’t do us much good if the Ethreal interfere.”

Redava frowned. Thewyn knew the amulet was gone. Dwayde did not. Most did not, and she preferred to keep it that way. “Do your job well and you won’t need more than slight protection.”

“Besides, how can they spot you once I’m done with you?” A new voice asked. Radava glanced over to see a slight girl carrying a box far too large for her over to the table. Jisa plopped it down and vials rattled within. Opening it, Radava saw the plethora of makeups stored within. Makeups and more. By the time Jessa was done with them, no one would recognize them.

Redava knew she wouldn’t be that lucky. She would be easily identifiable. They’d need luck this night, but what was family if not luck? And her circle, they were her kin. Radava tucked her hands behind her back. “Besides, I can’t wait to hear you sing.”

Thewyn snorted and Jisa giggled as Dwayde’s shoulders slumped. He plopped into a chair and allowed Jisa to begin working on him. “If I’d expected being a thief meant enduring this I might have reconsidered.”

“Start expecting and you’ll end up dead.” Redava smirked at him “Keep your wits about you and I’ll make you rich yet.” Redava picked up the papers and hid behind them as Thewyn, Dwayde, and Jisa continued baiting each other. She smiled, the Ethrael wouldn’t tear her family apart this night. She’d see to that whether or not she had her own costume.