Jun 2
Dressing was the easy part—a simple matter of layering silks, something she could do herself or delegate without a thought.
The real trial came with the paint, the hair pins, the weight of the jewels that were meant to be more chains than adornments.
"Suirei," Loulan's voice was a soft whisper, "can you help me, please?"
They were alone, so the words felt safe, genuine. It wasn't the skill she lacked—she could paint her own face like her mother had taught her even if half asleep —it was the chilling anxiety of looking into the mirror and having to see Shenmei's doll coming to life.
@suireisama