Clothes Make the Woman Pt. 2

"Then shall I continue?"

Cress nodded and Illia released her chin. She reached around Cress, leaning her face inches from Cress's even though her arms were long enough it was unnecessary. Her breath was like a summer breeze kissing Cress's cheeks with a savory scent that complimented the woman's natural spiced scent.

"Not the eyes. Not the eyes. Not the eyes. Please not the eyes. I'm doing so well but I don't think I can handle those yet. I feel like I can't escape them, like they see everything and are ready to devour my soul."

"Are you ready?" Illia cooed, not hiding her amusement at Cress's pitiable reactions.

"Yes." Cress did her best to squash any hesitation in her voice, though she regretted it as soon as Illia's eyelids fluttered.

"Not the eyes!"

A glimpse of three extra pairs of eyes opening was all Cress saw before a thin white veil covered her eyes. It was lighter than a bobbin of thread and allowed Cress just enough vision to make out the vague shapes beyond it.

"Are you done? Did I do well?"

"You were magnificent as always," Illia said, her words soaked with pride. "If you continue at this pace, you'll soon be marveling at true form without fear."

"I wouldn't go that far," Cress laughed. She shifted uncomfortably, knocking her hip into the corner of the table. "But maybe we should continue this in the hallway. It's a bit cramped and I just wanted to have you try on a dress."

Turning to the clothing rack, Cress lifted the corner of her veil to find the dress.

"This is so embarrassing. I should just take it off. But why don't I want to? Is it because she made it for me? Is there some other meaning? I can't even think. Everything is so uncertain! Why can't she just say things clearly?"

Dress in hand, Cress dropped the corner of the veil to hide her flushed face from Illia. It was her mother's fault, it had to be. If she wasn't constantly joking about there being a romantic relationship between them… and how would that even work? What if they kissed and Illia accidentally bit her tongue off?

"Is something troubling you?"

"It's nothing," Cress muttered, nudging Illia out of the room. "Just put this on."

Only when Illia stepped into the bathroom did Cress pull the white veil off. Giving it a proper look, she was amazed at the detail of the craftsmanship, especially given Illia made it in a matter of moments. Though it was a sheer fabric, it was as durable as leather. Even its delicate lace border felt as strong as denim.

"It's a waste that her people walk around naked when they can produce fabric like this. I wonder if she'd be willing to make more for me to experiment with."

"I do not see the harm in that."

Cress jumped at Illia's voice and clutched the veil in her hand, hiding it behind her back like a child who stole a cookie. Turning around she saw Illia leaning, arms crossed, against the wall of the hallway.

"What do you think?" Illia asked, tugging at the bottom of the black sun dress. Her body was stiff like a teenage boy asking out his first girlfriend. The dress was sleeveless like Illia's shirt and clung to the few curves of her lithe body before flowing into a loose skirt that barely reached the woman's knees. It had a deep neckline that revealed Illia's clay-brow chest and the edges of her modest breasts. It fit perfectly even with the skirt only reaching half as low as it should have and Cress couldn't push the thought that it actually looked better than the original design.

"Y-You look stunning."

It wasn't a lie. It was a struggle for Cress to take her eyes off of Illia's slender legs and the defined dip of her clavicle. Her hair hung at her shoulders like a mantle, its white tips perfectly contrasting her dark skin and dress.

"I have to keep Kirian as far away from her as possible. If that idiot saw Illia right now she'd be on her like white on rice."

"I'm pleased that I look so splendid in a dress you made. It's a bit hard to maneuver in, but the short skirt helps."

"You can… have it if you want. It was a canceled commission and is too small for me anyways."

"You don't mind?" Illia asked with glimmering eyes. "Then I will cherish this gift for the rest of my days."

"That's a bit much," Cress laughed. She looked down at her baggy t-shirt and shorts hiding her chubby waist. If she'd tried to wear a dress like that, all it would do is accentuate her love handles.

"Then… If it's alright with you, can I keep the veil?" Cress asked to try and ignore the insecure feeling warping her thoughts. "I've never seen anything like it before and… I'd like to experiment with the material more if you could make more."

Illia's head tilted and her eyes narrowed, and Cress worried she might have offended the woman. After all her fuss about spiders she was suddenly asking one to make fabric for her without any inclination of how taxing it might be on her.

"I see no reason I cannot assist you," Illia finally responded. "But I'm surprised at the shift in your demeanor. I was sure that you would be in distress after seeing my less human aspects yet you appear unfazed."

"That's not true. I was scared. It just wasn't as overwhelming as before. But you're still intimidating enough that a part of me wanted to run screaming."

"Yet you stood resolute. My heart sings in admiration at your resolve."

"Stop saying cheesy things like that… I know you're probably just doing it to encourage me and lower my guard. I guess I don't mind, though. Not if it's from you."

"I have an idea! Why don't we have a fashion show this afternoon? I have a few other outfits that might look good on you."

Illia mused to herself before answering. "That sounds delightful, only I have one condition."

"What?"

"You must join me."

With no excuse not to, Cress agreed and for the next few hours the two took turns trying on a variety of clothes ranging from elegant formal dresses to frilly magical girl cosplays. Of the clothes Illia modeled, the androgynous and slightly more masculine styles fit her the best, though she looked beautiful in any outfit. Her figure was long and thin with barely any curves and Cress was shocked to find how alluring it was to her. She normally preferred brawny bearded men or petite feminine women, yet she couldn't tear her eyes from Illia. It was ridiculous. It was irrational.

She loved it.