Stathis adjusted her hair, carefully easing a ringlet into position over her ear, taking care not to disrupt the golden chain wound across her forehead. With a final experimental shake to make sure it would stay in place, she got up from the mirror, heading back into the main room. It was surprisingly calm, without any overt signs of battle. Janaxia was stood behind a seated Semari, her fingers tweaking and teasing the thief’s hair into shape, a brush and a variety of bottles stood on an adjacent stool or floating in the air. Semari’s ponytail had been divided into dozens of interwoven strands, far fiddlier than Semari would ever inflict upon herself, especially with the bright ribbons wound through the black hair. Janaxia glanced at Stathis and tutted.

‘I thought I was perfectly clear, that no illusion spells are allowed!’ She spoke a word of power, an inexpressible chill searing Stathis to the bone, a void devouring any magical enchantments on her, at least if she had any. Compared to how real wizards dispelled magic, it was quite deeply unpleasant. When her form didn’t change, Janaxia frowned at her.

Stathis rolled her eyes. ‘It’s not an illusion. You’re not the only person that knows how to work with hair and cosmetics.’

Janaxia’s own dress was red, shiny and very, very tight, clinging everywhere, her slender waist bound in a belt corset of black leather, metal studs gleaming in the light. An open patch in the centre of her chest showed her smooth skin, her tattoo deigning to show itself, some of the smaller spirals still moving as Stathis watched. Another was over her navel, the slight cleft holding a silver-trimmed sapphire, catching the light. She’d accentuated with a few pieces of stark onyx jewellery, with her hair coiled up into dozens of braids, silver and gold bands separating it out, the only part unbound her red lash, currently dark and blending with the rest of her hair. The overall effect was decidedly medusa-like, presumably in testament to her most recent dalliance. Hopefully her behaviour would be more restrained this time, or at least she wouldn’t have to subdue another monster in such a fashion.

Janxaia gave Semari’s hair a harsh yank, eliciting a hiss of pain, before walking towards Stathis, eyes sharp as she scrutinised her companion, lightly brushing fingers against Stathis’s cheeks and lips, then taking her hand and scrutinising her nails.

‘Yes, Janaxia. I painted my nails. It’s not that hard.’ The blue wasn’t her favourite colour, but it would suffice. Of course, Janaxia’s nails were longer and deep black, a silver rune delicately painted onto her ring-finger on each hand. ‘I’m not going to grow them as long as you, it’s a pain with a sword.’

‘Oh no, they’re wonderful! But it’s something of surprise, you’re normally so… sensible, I had no idea you had such skills. That you were concealing such magnificent hair under your helmet, well, I would have happily given you advice on how to maintain it.’ She reached out and tugged at a blonde ringlet, watching it spring back into place. ‘And that suit is very dashing, well done!’ Her nod of approval was a touch patronising, but better than criticism, as she moved in close, hands brushing Stathis’ waistcoat into what she deemed a more suitable position, adjusting her belt, performing some other minor adjustments until she was satisfied.

‘Thanks. I think.’ “Sensible” was not the best of compliments. ‘How are you getting on with Semari? And where’s Parth?’

‘Semari is almost prepared. Once she stopped moving, it got a lot easier. She is now presentable amongst society. Despite the tendency of her hair to gnarl up at a moment’s notice. Semari, you may stand.’

This order was obeyed, Semari standing up and giving a spin to show off, or possibly just because she felt like it. Janaxia had managed to find appropriate clothing for her, a short dress coupled with loose trousers, letting her retain her mobility just in case she had to fight, with brassy bangles and bracelets ringing together melodiously as she moved. The garter around one leg was a bit gaudy, but was apparently ‘the latest thing’, and did add a touch of style to the outfit. Janaxia pushed a fascinator, a decorative whorl of metal points, into Semari’s short, brown hair.

‘This is ornamental. It isn’t, and this is very important, for stabbing anyone. This is going to be a calm, tranquil evening, without any incidents or other ridiculousness. You are not to get into any brawls or other violence, without an exceptional reason. We are here to bodyguard Baronet Jareth sen Kamarni VIII, to show that his family is wealthy enough to afford the best guard’s money can buy. Which is us, to clarify. It will be a nice, simple evening, where we get paid rather a lot of money to eat fine food and drink adequate wine. Some of the other guests will likely be rather brusque, but you will need to rise above such things.’ She gave Semari’s hair a yank, pulling her head back. ‘Do not get into a brawl with petty nobility, no matter how tempting it is - I had to do a lot of work to get us hired after that incident with the vampire, don’t ruin it!’

Semari struck behind her, managing a solid enough blow to knock the wind out of Janaxia and make her let go, launching into a somersault and landing in a fighting stance, hair flicking back into place. Stathis stepped between them.

‘Stop fighting! At least until the job is done. And where’s Parth?’

‘Here.’ The quiet voice came from by the door, where Parth was sat, reading a book. She was wearing a finely tailored suit, plain-looking fabric but with brassy tints where it caught the firelight. She turned a page with a dry rustle and spoke without looking up. ‘Favour. Dryad.’

‘Nice, looks good on you. This the one over in Marime, works with the dwarves? Impressive work.’

‘Yes.’

‘So, are we all ready?’

Semaris dropped into a fighting stance, punching the air. ‘Oh yeah. Totally fired up!’

Janaxia and Stathis sighed in unison, before Janaxia moved to fuss Semaris’s hair back into place, Stathis re-explaining the job.

‘We won’t be fighting. Well, unless something goes wrong. We’re supposed to be bodyguarding Baronet sen Kamarni. He’s not expecting any trouble, or so he says, but wants to look suitably impressive at a fancy bash tonight. Lots of fancy folk about, so we have to look the part. Try to avoid anything too disruptive, and stay sober. There’s almost certainly some under-the-table dealings going on, but that’s nothing to do with us. We’re there to be impressive looking, but also quiet and competent.’

Semari groaned. ‘Bor-ring! So we’re not even going to see nobles slicing each other up for because a romance went south? There better be some really nice food there, is all I’m saying.’

‘There probably will be, but make sure to stay on the job. Just make sure nothing bad happens to the guy, and then we all get paid. And we only get paid afterwards, so we need him alive, intact and vaguely happy.’

Semari grumbled, as the others made their final preparations. Having to do a job not in armour felt a bit uncomfortable, but what’s the worst that could happen at a party?