“Painfully,” Lexi said.
Trull laughed, but she sounded ready to cry. “I’m going to change at the first boutique, I think,” Trull said. “I’m admitting defeat.”
Lexi slowed up a bit to watch Trull walk ahead of her. “They are doing what they’re meant to, though,” Lexi said.
“What do you mean?”
“Your butt looks awesome.”
“Hmm,” Trull grumbled. “I might leave them on, then. It was the pics of all those hotties with round butts that started this obsession of mine.”
Lexi laughed, taking Trull’s hand as they headed into a boutique. Lexi was immediately overwhelmed by the opulence of the store and the fancy gowns. She paused by a mannequin, entranced by a gown of flowing golden light.
“Is this … real gold?” Lexi asked, her voice a harsh whisper.
Trull nodded. “It’s in a state of flux. Very expensive to maintain. Really complicated nanotech.”
The gown was on a very tall mannequin, showing off the incredibly long skirt that flowed from the waistline like molten metal. The bodice was tight with thin straps that looked like wire. The skirt kept flowing, from waist to hem, hypnotizing Lexi. Trull nudged her, laughing.
“It’s the same principle as a fountain,” Trull said. “It’s the same gold being recycled over and over again. The molecules are being constantly exchanged.”
“I don’t know if I’d be daring enough to wear it,” Lexi breathed. “It is beautiful, though.”
“They come in silver too,” Trull said. “Rose gold, all of that.”
“What’s next?” Lexi laughed. “Gemstone dresses?”
“Right this way,” Trull said, grinning. Lexi was thinking this had to be a joke, but so far, Trull had always been telling the truth.
They headed into another section, peeking through the racks and mannequins as they moved through the small hallways.
At least this part feels like a regular store.
They came into another display section, and Lexi stopped and put her hands on her cheeks. “Oh, holy moly,” Lexi muttered.
Trull folded her arms and gave her a smug smile. “Told you.”
Lexi was looking at a gown made of glittering red. It would have been a metallic fabric on Earth, possibly sequins or glass beads. She was pretty sure it was real rubies here on Nova Aurora.
“Feel it,” Trull said, touching the hem.
Lexi expected it to be heavy, but it was feather-light. “How …” Lexi shook her head.
“Spun ruby,” Trull said, watching the gown flicker in the light. “But look at that one over there. It’s the latest invention by the master dressmaker.”
Lexi looked toward the next display, and her words left her. It was as if she’d waited her entire life to write about the perfect garment, and now she’d found it. She was utterly speechless.
The fabric was deep, dark, and soft, like velvet but lighter. As Lexi watched, it changed colors ever so slowly, from midnight blue to charcoal, to black.
Like a night sky with clouds crossing the stars.
Then, Lexi gasped aloud. All over the dress, tiny stars were flickering to life. They twinkled and spun across the skirt, falling into shadows amongst the folds and then flaring to life again.
“This is a simple form,” Trull said, indicating the style of tight bodice and full skirt. “It has nanotech, so it can be any style you like.”
Lexi had to be torn away from the beautiful dress for Trull to take her to see the rest of the store. When Lexi finally pleaded that her feet were killing her … even in the accommodating Nova Aurora footwear … Trull relented and took them to a small, quiet café off the main street.
“We didn’t even buy anything,” Lexi said, sipping cold lemonade.