ALICE Ch 380

It’s a big party, and everyone’s invited. That means that everyone’s got a lot of getting ready to do. It’s fancy, which means that it won’t be a sea of racing merch and advertisements. People will be wearing real clothes.

“You are not wearing that,” Glynda insists, raising her voice. She reaches for the garment bag, and Faye scuttles to the corner of the hotel room, clutching it protectively. “Faye, this is a formal event.”

“It’s Japan. I can wear it.”

Glynda plants her hands on her hips. “You will not do cosplay at a work event!”

“It’s not a work event! It’s date night! Alice said so!”

“It is Irina Orlova’s event, and you will do as you’re told.” Glynda looms over her.

Faye tries to square up to her, but she’s a head shorter than her mother and four cup sizes smaller, so that’s not easy to do. “It’s just a dress.” She hesitates. “And an ascot. It’s appropriate!”

“No, it isn’t. You can’t move in it without everyone seeing your bottom.”

“That’s not true!”

“Then it’s not accurate, is it?”

“Cosplay doesn’t have to be accurate! It just has to be fun!”

“It’s a party! We aren’t there to have fun!”

“I want to look cute for Alice!”

That seems to give Glynda pause. She puts on a sour face and folds her arms. Finally, she rolls her eyes and straightens her glasses. “At least go as Sayla.”

“I haven’t got a Sayla one.” Faye slumps dejectedly. “And I haven’t got a Sayla body.”

“Let me see.” Glynda puts her hand out.

“Promise you won’t throw it away?”

“I promise.”

Faye hands over the bag, and Glynda peers inside. “There’s nothing wrong with your body, Faye. All right. Do as you like.” She hands it back.

“Thank you. Are you all right?”

“I’m worried about Lotte.”

Faye nods. “I know some of them said that she’s dodgy. Reckon she dodged?”

“I don’t know, Faye.”

“Sorry.”

“It’s not your fault. You stick with Alice and keep her out of trouble. And Faye,” Glynda adds, giving her the look. “She’s taking painkillers.”

“So?”

“So, people aren’t always themselves when they’re doing that. Just know that.”

“It makes her quite lovey and affectionate,” Faye says, blushing. “I really like it.”

Glynda forces a smile. “Good.”

“What are you wearing?”

“I don’t know. It doesn’t matter.”

“Course it does!” Faye frowns and looks Glynda up and down. “What are you going to do?”

“What I should’ve done from the beginning. Now, let’s do something about this,” Glynda says, plucking at Faye’s frizzy hair. “Maybe no one’ll notice what you’re wearing.”

“Course they will! It’s Japan! Hideo Kojima is promoting something here tonight! I’m going to get his autograph,” Faye says, bouncing on her toes.

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