SarienThe dress shop had been built to reward attention.Light settled through the space in warm layers, catching along polished fixtures and treated crystal that softened every edge it touched. Fabrics near the front shifted color as they moved, some threaded with enchantment, others relying on workmanship refined past the point of needing it. Even the air felt maintained, scented lightly with pressed florals and clean water, the sort of detail that signaled someone had decided comfort should feel effortless.Ellara stood within the fitting space with a gown draped over her frame, and for a moment the rest of the day fell away.The color was a muted dusk-blue that deepened when she turned, the fabric drawing close through the waist before opening just enough to carry movement. It changed how she was read at a glance. There was something older in it, something composed, and the moment she smiled it shifted again, the contrast doing more work than the dress itself. One of the girls worked the fastening near her shoulder while another adjusted the sleeves, both of them certain in ways that contradicted each other without slowing either of them down.Rade held position just outside the barrier, already resigned to a role limited to being present and surviving it. He was trying to help, which put him ahead of most people in similar situations.Fareth had settled near the entrance, one shoulder against the wall, attention moving through the room without drawing focus to itself. Anyone who didn't know her would have assumed she was relaxed. That mistake would not last long.Ellara turned, studying herself from another angle."What do you think?"I stepped in before the others could answer."I think whoever invited you is about to develop a belief system around you."That landed the way I expected. Her cheeks warmed, one of the girls laughed outright, and the other followed a moment later after (...)