Sitting on the edge of the bed I watch history repeat itself as Cinnamon pours through her wardrobe. Magic land aphrodisiac may no longer be flooding my system but, having the erotic display of Cinnamon prancing about in porn star lingerie certainly isn't helping to keep my attention on the test I'm supposed to be performing.

"Nope. I don't see anything like it." Cinnamon sucks her teeth.

"That's so strange." I tap my chin, "You don't see that exact dress somewhere in there? I mean, really get a picture of it in your mind first and then have another look."

Cinnamon gives me a quizzical glance, then shrugs and picks up the sketchbook again to study the amazingly detailed dress drawn on the page once more.

"What are you looking for anyway?" Kryst yells from the other bedroom.

"A dress." Cinnamon calls back, closing the book and marking the page with a finger. "I was hoping that this design Brian showed me would be in here. No such luck though." She pokes around with the clothes some more then finally shakes her head. "It's too bad. I'd have liked to wear it to the party."

Walking over she plops onto the bed next to me.

"Smashed potatoes!" She huffs, "I was really hoping it would be there too."

"Whoa! You kiss your Pop-up with that mouth?" I joke.

Cinnamon bashfully scrunches her lips and nudges me with a shoulder. I smile with her then slapping my hands on my knees stand and stride over to the wardrobe.

"I'm positive I saw it..." I slide my hand into the hanging clothing, pushing dresses and frocks aside to give a search myself. Making sure there's no dress to be found. The first part of the trial was done anyway. It seemed that even with a picture Cinnamon couldn't utilize the special functionality of the wardrobe. I know that I can do it. I've proven it. Done similar with my Adventurers Knapsack and with the lingerie. Is it that I am the only one who can call forth an item then? Do I have to physically do so?

"Oh my goodness." Cinnamon's voice is quiet, only a touch louder than the whisper of pages turning behind me.

"Brian? Did you draw all of these? Cinnamon is gently flipping through the pages of my sketchbook, she stops, running a finger over the rough paper and the captured likeness of her asleep, surrounded by pillows and feathers. "These are... of me."

"Yeah, I did." I rub the back of my head. For some reason, I feel embarrassed. I had a few sketches of Kryst too. Profile studies, and one rather nice piece I wanted to finish off when I had more time later; a recollection of the fairy standing at the window of the inn this morning as she preformed her meditative kata. Cinnamon was correct though. Most, almost all, were of her.

"You just looked so beautiful laying there. Like an angel." I am proud of them. They are the most amazing pictures I've ever drawn after all, even if I feel I don't deserve the talent. "I wanted to capture the moment. I hope you don't mind."

Having Cinnamon flip through the pages, knowing that I was watching her while she slept has me feeling like some sort of weirdo voyeuristic creep. Nervousness gets the better of me and I study her reaction, trying to figure out if she is thinking the same...

Insight vs Cinnamon: Extreme Success!

Cinnamon's soft brown eyes meet mine and my knees turn to jelly. Held in place I can't look away.

Ever since we met her drop-dead looks have stolen my breath. This, however, is a whole new level. I've started to recognize the hungry predatory look my spectacular macho bod has on the ladyfolk. The burning candle of lust is still there in Cinnamon's eyes, however, it's all but invisible when placed in front of the spotlight intensity that she regards me with now.

My chest draws tight. She is into me. And not in an adventurous 'I wanna screw this guy cause he's super hot' way. Though there is that too. No, she is well and truly... falling for me.

Lust I understood. I mean, hell even as a super straight guy I could admit how crazy good looking I now am. The other L-word? That was a whole, completely different ballpark. What do I say? What should I do?

"Can I..." She asks quietly as if afraid of the answer. "have this one?"

Forcing determined strength into my watery legs I walk over to the bed and slowly lift the sketchbook from her hands. Gently, I tug the page free. By concentrating on the controlled, deliberate movement I manage to keep my own hands from trembling.

When I offer the page back she takes it almost reverently.

"Thank you, Brian."

Feeling rather self-conscious I swallow and without a word reach out to pat her head like she is some kind of loli anime character. Her ears twitch, she blinks but then her shoulders relax. The movement feels weird and unnatural, even if she does seem to... like it? Unsure how to deal with the new emotions swirling off and around of both Cinnamon and myself, I lean over, kiss the crown of her head between her ears then clear my throat and attempt to change the subject.

"So, are you sure you looked everywhere in there, Cinni-buns?" With my back turned to the wardrobe I push away the thoughts that are making my guts do cartwheels. In my mind I picture the dress I'd sketched earlier, focusing that same creative energy and desire towards the closet in the corner that I have used before when taking out items from my Adventurers Kit.

"Why don't you go and take one more peruse through."

"It's not there." Cinnamon, still looking at the picture of herself gently lowers the paper into her lap.

"Take another look for me. Just to make sure."

Cocking her head to the side slightly, Cinnamon blinks then seems to pull herself free from the emotional quagmire. She stands and strides over. Most likely reminded of her disappointment with the dress situation she gives an agitated little huff while shoving aside a green shawl.

And there, hidden in plain sight is the dress.

Cinnamon stops. Her eyes light up and I hear an intake of breath a moment before an 'EeeEe' squeal. In that sliver of time as Cinnamon reaches out, I give both the clothing and the wardrobe a quick Analysis.

(Exceptional) Women's Wardrobe: Some of the finest clothing and fashion accessories have been collected into this standing closet. In addition to the assorted outfits contained within, up to ten mundane articles may be retrieved with a value of no more than 50 gold apiece. [4 point Accessory Item Pool- Limitation: Clothing or Fashion related Bonuses and/or Abilities Only] [Uses Remaining: x6] Contents: Elegant Satin Dress (Royal Blue) x1, Stylish High Heels (Gold) x1

(Mundane) Elegant Satin Dress (Royal Blue): Made to impress this sensuous, body-hugging evening dress is perfect for upscale parties, festivals, ballroom dances or any similar night on the town. [+2 Allure] [+5 Presence: Not vs Faceoff or Presence Attacks] - Cost 2 pts

(Mundane) Stylish High Heels (Gold): Strut with confidence for these strappy styled pumps will most definitely turn some heads. [+2 Allure] [+2 Presence: Not vs Faceoff or Presence Attacks] [Penalty: Movement/ Balance Skills] - Cost 1 pt

"How did I not see these before?" Clapping her hands and hopping in place, Cinnamon grabs the dress and the shoes tucked underneath pulling them out into the open.

"What can I say? Sometimes what you are looking for is staring you right in the face." I grin pleased with myself. It worked! I'm not exactly sure how, and I didn't fine-tune manipulate the points spent like how I could with my Magitech and various crafting or Tinkering related skills, but it worked.

"I guess so-- wait?" Cinnamon seems caught in a wave of suddenly conflicting emotions. She turns and fixes me with a look. She shoves one fist against a bare hip, holding the dress out with the other hand. "Did you hide this from me, Brian? Were you playing some kind of game?" She pouts, somehow looking cute, happy, upset and sexy all at the same time. "You shouldn't tease me like that."

"Cinnamon..." I step close, wrapping her in my arms, clasping the back of her neck with one hand and her thong exposed bare ass cheek with the other. I pull her against me. Hard. Leaning in to deliver a series of nibbling kisses to the nape of her neck I whisper, "Would I do that?"

"It is… n't…" Cinnamons whispers, moaning low in her throat, "...very nice..."

"Goodie for you!" Kryst yells from the other room in a voice dripping with sarcasm. Cinnamon and I quickly retreat back away from each other, both smirking.

"At least you found something to wear." Kryst continues, followed by the sound of some wooden banging.

We return to the larger bedroom and witness Kryst in the middle of grabbing clothing from her miniature-sized closet, tossing the various dresses over her shoulder in disgust. Most of the fairy sized attire has already been pulled out and is strewn all over the table and floor. I don't have to walk past the doorway to see the problem.

The small dresses are extremely well made and do indeed look just about the right size to fit Kryst, but each one is exactly what you would expect a young rich child to have as accessories to dress up her dolls. Overly decorated princess gowns, gaudily bedazzled with sparkly bits and tiny shiny sequins.

"I guess I'm not going 'cause I wouldn't be caught dead wearing any of this crap." Kryst kicks a frilly outfit, mumbling in agitation when it catches on her foot and she needs bend over to untangle it from her toes in order to flick it off.

Full of concern and wanting to help, Cinnamon steps over, rifling a finger through the small outfits.

"How about this one? It looks nice." Cinnamon offers, holding up a garishly decorated yellow ball gown that is straight out of the Victorian era, complete with corset and a massive flaring hoop styled skirt.

"Funny." Kryst fixes Cinnamon with an icy glare. "Didn't realize you were an apprentice jester, Carrot's."

From just inside near the doorway I look over and Analyze the wardrobe.

(Exceptional) Doll's Wardrobe: Some of the finest fashion accessories have been collected into this toy closet. [Special: Fairy Wardrobe] In addition to the assorted outfits contained within, up to ten mundane (Fairy Sized) articles may be retrieved with a value of no more than 15 gold apiece. [10 point Accessory Item Pool- Limitation: Clothing or Fashion related Bonuses and/or Abilities Only] [Uses Remaining: x10]

It was as I thought. The description may have been a little different but it had a much similar breakdown as the other two.

Perhaps it's due to my time around the girls, or the increase to my passive Insight, Perception and Deduction skills but I'm getting better and better at reading them and seeing through their facades.

By her balled fists Kryst is clearly annoyed. The slump of her shoulders and quivering wings, however, tell another story. She is distressed, side glancing at the bed where Cinnamon has lain out her new dress so she can better help the fairy in her search. Her gaze even flicks to the lingerie Cinnamon is wearing. Lingering with jealous desire.

"Let's not throw down the banner just yet." Cinnamon offers in a calming voice, attempting to ease the angry waves of tension pouring off the agitated Gleam. "There has got to be something here we can put together for you."

"Bad enough I lost everything in that damn beast's belly... Like finding clothes isn't hard enough." Kryst continues to grumble, sprinkling the rant with what I can only guess is colorful profanity in some other language. "... expect me to wear this ridiculous nuhjint…"

"Hey, Cinnamon? Kryst? How about those drawers there? Or the little trunk? Did you try all of them?" I grin, mischievously, channeling my creative will toward the tiny toy furniture.

"Probably just more of the same. Knowing my--" Kryst stops mid-complaint as she flips open the lid of the trunk with a bang. "Huh? Hold on…"