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Five minutes later, she sat at the dresser, tapping her fingers on its glassy surface, gazing at the small pile of green ribbons before her and whistling softly. There was a thoroughly bared look on her face. Suddenly she stood up and went back to the ComWeb. "Ribbons?" said the lady who was the Beldon Shop's manager. "That would be 741. A delightful little creation!" "Delightful," said Trigger.
She'd have to tell Brule about the Beldon stunt, since it was more than likely he'd hear about it from others Nelauk Pluly, for one. But not now. Things were getting just a little delicate along that line at the moment. "Leave us change the subject, pig," she said cheerfully. "Tell me what else you've been doing besides acquiring a gorgeous tan."
But one thing was certain there wasn't the remotest suggestion of dowdiness about a Beldon. Objectively, impersonally considered, the effect was terrific. Feeling tawny and feline, Trigger slowly lifted one shoulder and lowered it again. She turned and strolled toward the full-length mirror across the cabin, admiring the shifts of the Beldon effect in the flow of motion. Terrific!
Gaya's face grew questioning. She asked, "Is something the matter?" "Probably not," said Trigger. She considered. "If you laugh," she warned, "I'll hate you." She indicated the ribbons again. "What is that Beldon really?" Gaya blinked. "You haven't been around our decadent circles long enough," she said soberly. Then she did laugh. "Don't hate me, Trigger! Anyway, it's very high fashion.
But just as obviously there wasn't nearly enough Beldon around at the moment. Trigger checked the time and began to feel harried. Probably she'd wind up wearing the black gown anyway, but at least she wanted to get this matter worked out before she decided. She dialed for a drink, took two swallows and reflected that she might have put the thing on backwards. Or upside down.
It's also" her glance went quickly over Trigger "in excellent taste, in this case. It's a Beldon gown." A gown! Some of the beautiful ribbons were wider than others. None of them looked as wide as they should have been. Not for a gown. Dubiously, Trigger wriggled and fitted herself into the high fashion item. Even before she went over to the mirror in it, she knew it wouldn't do. Not possibly!
"Permission for audio intrusion granted," Trigger said casually without looking around. She was getting used to this sort of thing. "Thank you, Miss Drellgannoth," said the ComWeb. "A package from the Beldon Shop has been deposited in your mail transmitter." It signed off. Beldon Shop? Trigger frowned, laid the gown across a chair and went over to the transmitter receptacle. She opened it.
But she was wide awake now. "Shielded here!" she said quickly as soon as her image cleared. "Go ahead!" "It's nothing important," Trigger said hastily. Gaya relaxed. "It's just " she held up the ribbons. "Major Quillan sent me this." Gaya uttered a small squeal. "Oh! Beautiful! A Beldon!" "That's what it says." Gaya smiled. "He must like you!" "Oh?" said Trigger. She hesitated.
She thanked the manager, switched off the ComWeb, got into the Beldon again and attached her leaf designs where the model had carried them. They adhered softly, molding themselves to her, neatly completing the costume. She stepped into the high heels and looked in the mirror again. She breathed "Brother!" again. Maccadon wouldn't have approved. She wasn't sure she approved either.
Styles on many Hub worlds were rather bold of course, but she was sure this effect wasn't what the Beldon's designers had intended. She stepped in front of the mirror. Her eyes widened. "Brother!" she breathed. That Beldon did go with a woman like stripes went with a tiger! After one look, you couldn't quite understand why nature hadn't arranged for it first.
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