The Greenwich Interplanetary Society
Page 30
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Stella found the experience of being measured for her dress mortifying. Various members of the Tailors Guild popped beside her without warning, making comments like, “This’ll be a big job,” or, “It’s a tall order.”
Stella told them to shut up about her size, and they began bouncing in and out of the air, measuring her with tiny tape measures. After they had managed to get her exact sizes, the tailors huddled together and began arguing over different styles.
“I think the magenta would suit her colouring.”
“Are you insane? With that complexion, it has to be aquamarine.”
“Do we have enough lace for the frills?” one asked.
“No frills!” Stella said adamantly.
Once she saw the dress, Stella had to admit that the Telallamorph tailors had worked very hard. She couldn’t believe that they had managed to come up with something so nice in only a few hours. She tried not to mind that making her a dress had apparently brought the entire Telallamorph textile industry to the breaking point. The garment shimmered in a range of different colours as the light hit it. She gave the tailors a twirl, and they applauded, some of them with tears in their eyes.
“The greatest achievement of my career!” one sobbed.
“A masterpiece!” exclaimed another.