Preparations - Part II
Posted on Tue Dec 30, 2025 @ 2:53am by Commander Cara Letsul & Lieutenant Bronwyn P’ril & Captain T'Lisa Anderson - CO of the USS Canterbury & Master Sergeant Miranda Schultz & Civilian Thavas Th'Omtala
Edited on on Sat Jan 10, 2026 @ 4:55am
1,642 words; about a 8 minute read
Mission: Chicken Run
Trade was brisk at Sartorial Splendor, as Thavas and Viza and the staff fitted customers into stock items and measured them for bespoke work. Many of the usual conversational subtleties were dispensed with out of necessity, but not all, and many stray pieces of secrets, gossip, information, and even intelligence were inadvertently dropped in the fitting room. It was amazing what people would say to their favorite or new favorite tailor.
P’ril could not remember the last time she had purchased a dress. It had to have been secondary school. She had worn her dress whites for any formal functions since entering the academy. She didn’t even own any dresses, much less a formal. But where else would she go than the very place she had repaired the lights and seen so many beautiful things?
She didn’t really know where to start, so she just walked slowly through the place, glancing around at everything.
"May I be of assistance, Lady Bronwyn," Viza said, appearing as if from nowhere as was her way. "Master Thavas is quite busy, but I can help you and if we need he who is my master, I'm sure he will make time for you."
“I suppose I do not actually know what I am looking for,” P’ril replied, unphased by the woman’s sudden appearance. “I have been invited to join the Marines’ Ball and require something appropriate to wear to such an event.”
Viza grinned. "Who asked you to go?" Viza said. "Or did you ask someone? You must tell me everything! But we'll have to do it as we work so..." Viza looked P'ril up and down. "Yes! I have the perfect thing... or maybe a few perfect things, and you can choose the one you like best! Come, follow me."
Instantly, P’ril was reminded of her childhood friend Lily and the thought made her grin. How many times had Lily giggled about boys while P’ril humored her? She had lost count. Should she also humor Viza? (That was her name, right? she wondered.) Well, why not? “Alex Rylan invited me,” she replied.
A dreamy expression formed on Viza's face for a moment. "Mmmmm..." she said. "Alex Rylan..." Viza shook her head. "Right... maybe he has an equally hot friend I can convince to take me to the ball. Here's hoping, anyway. Now, a dress for you. Something that will catch his eye and hold it, make him desire you but be too dazzled to ruin the dance or your dress by dragging you off to a closet like a prehistoric man and having his way with you before you get to dance the night away... unless you'd rather he dragged you off, etc., etc.?"
A slight grin appeared on P’ril’s face. “I believe it may be too soon for that,” she replied, amused. “I would like to get to know him first.”
"So... sexy but classy," Viza said. "Good choice. Hmmm... how about... this one? And let's bring this one, too. Let's see... and... YES. There's a fitting room open. Come with me and we'll get it before it's taken!" Viza took the dresses and P'ril in hand and raced them to the door to a fitting room. "Put one on and come out so we can get a look at you in it."
Yes, it was definitely a lot like shopping with Lily, P’ril thought as she looked over the dresses. She picked out the seafoam green sleeveless mermaid gown first. She liked it best on the hanger, but once she got it on, she realized it wouldn’t be a good dancing dress. Still, she stepped out of the fitting room to show Viza. “What are your thoughts?” she asked, turning to show off all angles.
"You look beautiful, Lady Bronwyn!" Viza said. "But... do you know if he can dance? If he's planning on leading you around the dance floor, that dress might not be the best option."
“He claims to be very skilled,” P’ril replied. “The thought had occurred to me that it might be difficult to keep up in this dress. I am glad you agree with my assessment. As lovely as this gown is, another may be better suited.
"I await your next example, Lady Bronwyn," Viza said, with a slight and polite bow of her head.
So, P’ril returned to the fitting room and tried the royal blue A-line with tulle skirt and plunging neckline. The neck was a little too low than what she was used to and she was afraid she might fall out of it, but she appreciated that the color and style were very flattering for her. So, she stepped out of the fitting room to allow Viza to have a look.
Viza smiled. "You look stunning!" she said. "I know we can make the adjustments to that so that it fits you perfectly, and I know a perfect, hypoallergenic body adhesive we can use if you find you have more of... well... you peeking out than you'd like."
Body adhesive? P’ril had no idea that such a thing existed. She turned in front of the mirror, examining the dress from every possible angle. Though she did not smile with her lips, her eyes danced. “I believe it meets with my approval,” she said. “Should I try the third one just to be certain?”
"If you wish, but this one is lovely on you," Viza said. "Sexy, classy, elegant, with a bit of glamor, too."
Th more P’ril admired the blue dress the less she wanted to try on the red sheath dress still in the fitting room. The blue went so well with her skin tone and she knew the red would make her stand out more than she was comfortable with. “I’ll take this one,” she decided.
"An excellent choice, Lady Bronwyn," Viza said. "Allow me to take a few measurements and we'll alter it and have it ready for you in time for the ball."
The Andorian apprentice worked her magic and quickly had Bronwyn measured and was ready to work. "Go," Viza said. "Change and bring me the dress. I'll get right to work on it! Just leave the other ones. I'll have someone come and restock those for us."
P’ril did as she was instructed and returned to Viza carrying the dress. “Thank you so much,” she said to the other woman. “You have been incredibly helpful. I am looking forward to this event more now that I have found something to wear to it.”
"Hopefully, someone will ask me," Viza said. "Otherwise, I'll have to go by myself. Maybe I'll do that and see if I can find someone in the same position or... " Viza winked. "Maybe I'll steal someone's date. Not yours!" the girl said quickly. "And probably not someone else's. My sense of honor would forbid it." Viza slipped into her professional demeanor. "I will contact you as soon as your gown is ready for you to try on and hopefully take home, Lady Bronwyn."
P’ril felt her lips twitch up into a half grin. She quite liked Viza. “I will await your call,” she replied. “Thank you again.” And with that, she left the shop.
USS Canterbury - CO's Quarters
T'Lisa had just received her invitation to the Marine Ball, although she wasn't a Marine, she'd taken part in the defense of the Station and planet, so perhaps that's how she earned her invite.
Not being a fan of the Dress Whites, she decided on a dress. The red strapless gown that accentuates my curves. She thought with a smile, and then went in search of it.
Cara didn't need to do a whole lot of fuss when it came to preparation for the Marine Birthday Ball, she had the dresses she had gotten from Thavas to choose from. Her choice was a wine red dress which could be off the shoulder, at her discretion. It was soft and velvety comfortable to wear and rather pretty. It looked fetching on her. David will like it, she hoped. Not much else to worry about except for styling her hair and light makeup just enough to enhance her natural beauty.
Miranda Schultz almost waited until the last minute to get a dress for the ball. She didn't have a date--and didn't expect one as she hadn't socialized much. She generally spent her free time outdoors on Pangaea or reading in her quarters on the station. But she needed to attend the ball, even if she went stag. She had no doubt there would be a number of WMs going stag. She'd just hang out with them. But first, she needed a dress.
She avoided the nicer shops like Sartorial Splendor and the one owned by Lasuma's as they would have nothing in her price range--if they had anything at all. But there were several smaller boutique shops that would have something appropriate. It was a ball, so she wanted something long. She wasn't as picky about the color. Forest green, Marine red, or midnight blue. Just not black. Yes, it was classy, but she wanted something cheerful since this was a celebration. Not just the Marine Corps birthday, but celebrating victory from the Cardassians and the more recent animal invasion.
She finally found something appropriate in a shimmering sea foam green. It was simple, long, and fit. That made it perfect. And maybe she'd get a chance to wear it again sometime.
(To be continued...)
Lieutenant Bronwyn P’ril
Chief Engineer
Deep Space 5
Viza
Assistant
Sartorial Splendor
Deep Space 5
Captain T'Lisa
Commander
USS Canterbury
Commander Cara Letsul
Executive Officer
Deep Space 5
Master Sergeant Miranda Schultz
Marine
Pangaea & Deep Space 5
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