Chapter 18: Shopping Trip
FALL TERM - November 26th
I hadn't suspected anything of it when Marblebrook called me into her office just before the end of term. Given the timing, I'd figured it to be about plans for the coming break, but when I stepped into her office, Noodle was there, sitting opposite her desk. He was dressed in a wintry Fair Isle sweater, his blond tail wagging.
"Is this a coven meeting?" I asked. Aries hadn't mentioned anything about Marblebrook and I'd only just seen him.
"No," she said. She sat down at her desk, straight-backed and gritting her teeth as though fending off a migraine. "This is about the Masquerade, Zephyr. I got word from our mask-maker, Valhn, that neither of you have seen him about your masks. The ball is two days away."
"Oh," I said. Noodle's tail drooped.
She rubbed at her temple with one hand, eyes hidden behind the deep pink lenses of her glasses. "You have time. It's why I've called you here. Kelyn always says there'll be one every year, but two." She waved us off. "At least you can collect the rest of the things you need together. Please at least tell me you have something to wear."
"Yes," I said, just as Noodle mumbled out, "Not really."
I elaborated first. "I have a suit and cloak to pick up from Count Lyle's." It was a significantly larger expense than the mask. And now that I was needing to budget myself for the first time in my life, I'd gone ahead and placed the order early. There was still no word on whether I'd be getting more funds in from my parents any time soon and I had enough personal shame not to ask Marblebrook about it. Aisling had tagged along to help pick the fabric.
"Great," Marblebrook said. "Then you can take Noodle to Miss Patty's on your way to pick it up. Miss Patty's is at least relatively budget-friendly, but given the time crunch, ask for Lena. Tell her, Elandria sent you. She'll tack on an extra fifteen percent, but you'll have something suitable to wear in time for the ball."
Noodle cocked his head, one ear slightly perked.
"As for your masks," Marblebrook went on, "I always let our mask-maker know just how many masks to prepare a few months in advance. He has a few details I've provided him with to start. It's more the fine details that really take time. It should still be fine if you can get there before evening. I'll write him to let him know to expect you."