"A dress?" she spluttered. "Off course I want to join you, but what do I need a dress for?" Holly reached for her coat and walked out her room, looking to Mariel with excited surprise. "Going out tonight I assume?" She grinned broadly, stepping in to hug Mariel once more. She was beginning to be the mother she never had.

"Come now," Morohtar chided. "Don't be like that. I've come to ask if you would like to join us tonight? We are going to a dance. A masquerade ball so to speak. I think it would be good for you to get out."

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"A masked ball. you, Morohtar, the girls and I are all going out tonight." Mariel grinned and squeezed her gently. "We shall find the perfect dress for you!"

"No." Lairiel said bluntly, staring out of the window. Ew. First, that would involve taking a bath. Second, getting her hair done and wearing a dress and THIRD, gods forbid, dancing.

Holly grinned. "That sounds perfect. Sounds like something Morohtar and I really need." Holly practically danced down the stairs with excitement and out the door. "We shall need to find something for Morohtar to wear too." She beamed brightly.

Morohtar sat down across from Lairiel. "Will you at least think about it Lairiel? I would really love it, if you came. I think if you gave it a chance...you would actually enjoy it. You never know you might meet someone there too. Someone so spectacular, it will take a lifetime for you to catch your breath. At the very least you will get a laugh out of Holly and Mariel teaching me how to dance."

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"I am certain you two will enjoy it! And we will find something for him. Of course, it will have to match your outfit in some way." she winked and laughed, following Holly as she grabbed her purse off the front desk.

Lairiel's scowl deepened. "I don't wear dresses and I don't dance." she huffed. "Fine. I'll go. But I'm remaining dresses as I am." her teeth clanked on her pipe as she chewed the stem.

"Mariel, I will repay you for the clothes. First thing tomorrow morning I am going to find a job. I understand being a ranger does not pay well. That occupation can wait till when I can afford it." Holly smiled faintly. "Besides I think Morohtar likes it here. Perhaps it would be nice to settle here for a while. Have a life, you know?"

Morohtar sighed heavily. "Fine," he stood and left for the door. "Lairiel...you really need to buck up your ideas. I will not have Holly following in your steps. I know you are heartbroken and hurting, but I thought a ranger such as you had more strength than that." Morohter groaned inwardly. "What example do you expect to set for Holly?" He turned and closed the door, before Lairiel could answer.

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"Holly, there is no need to repay me. Though I do like your idea of getting a job and staying a while." she linked her arm with Holly's as they walked through town. "I think I'm going to pick up something for Lairiel as well."

Lairiel glowered at the door. "Bloody hell." she snorted, then went back to glaring out of the window.

"I'm sure Lairiel will appreciate that. I was thinking, once things settle down off course, we could have a night out just the three of us. I am sure Morohtar wouldn't mind looking after the girls for one night. We need to cheer Lairiel up and get her out of the pit of self pity she has dug herself into. Who knows she may even meet someone." Holly grinned, her heart light with the chance she had granted. Perhaps in Rohan she would have an easy life.

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Mariel tilted her head thoughtfully. "I suppose we could. Depending on if Lairiel decides to be difficult." the dress shop caught her eye, and she grinned. "Come!" she tugged Holly inside. "Money is no object, remember. Anything you want." she whispered.

"Mariel...you spoil me!" She trilled with laughter as she followed Mariel inside. A dress in the back caught Holly's eye. It was a floor length black dress with lace detail. It was built to cling to womanly curves. Holly glanced down at her developing figure. "Maybe one day," she sighed moving onto the next dress. This one was roughly knee length. Red in colour with gold trim and detail. Holly puzzled whether Morohtar would like it. She had never had to dress up for him before. She was not sure what he would appreciate.

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"I do so like the black one, Holly.." Mariel came up behind her. "It would look fabulous." her own eye was drawn to a deep blue dress. Floor length, almost daringly low cut neckline, bell sleeves, and trimmed with silver. It would hug Lairiel's curves. There was a matching mask with it, with a silver adornment that would fall just over the left cheek. "Holly...what do you think of that one for Lairiel?" she pointed.

Holly dared another glance at the black dress, the low cut neckline in particular. "Are you sure? Is it not too short? I mean, I love it...I could try it on." She reached up and pulled it down. Holly followed Mariel's gesture. "That would look lovely on her. Would she wear it?"

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"The black dress too short? It will no doubt reach your ankles." Mariel chuckled and pulled the blue dress and mask off the hook. "The low cut neckline might be a bit much for Lairiel, but after some persuasion she WILL wear it." Mariel winked. "Go! Try the black one on!"

"And what will you be wearing?" she asked, still chuckling at Mariel's comment about Lairiel's. "You certainly have a better way with her than I do. I'm sure she hates me now." Holly walked into a nearby booth and began hanging her clothes on the back of the door. She soon emerged and was scrutinising herself in a full length mirror.

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"I have a dress at home." she smiled faintly. "Lairiel does not hate you at all. She just comes off as...one might say crude." When Holly emerged, Mairiel clapped her hands over her mouth. "Gorgeous! We must get you that dress! I think..." she held up a white mask with gold and silver decorations on it. "This will go quite well."

Holly picked up the price tag, her eyes widened. "Mariel...This is too much. It would take me forever to repay you. I haven't even got a job yet..." Her eyes moved to the mask in Mariel's hand. "That is beautiful though," she sighed.

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"Nonsense. The only way I wish you to repay me is by looking beautiful at that party tonight." she smiled and got the money out for the items, then promptly paid for them. "now...something for your man?"