Carriage Ride with the Queen

Olivia went on to ramble about the day's proceedings; The food, the events, who would be competing, proper kissing etiquette. Lydia tuned most of it out, and instead found herself thinking about the other night.

She'd been drunk, and naked, in public.

That mere fact brought red to her cheeks, but she tried to look past the embarrassment and tried to think of WHY. Was it a targeted attack? A freak accident? Or was it triggered somehow? Her clothes hadn't vanished since. Maybe it was... Drinking?

"Oh! What's all this dreadful smoke?" Olivia suddenly exclaimed, making Lydia squeak! Sure enough, a fog was filling the cabin! Lydia instantly threw her arms over her breasts... Only to find them covered.

"Haha! Sorry, Ma'am! Bad habit, absolutely dreadful one, really!" The carriage driver called, holding a cigar in her hand. The smoke had been wafting into the carriage. Lydia felt so relieved, she actually giggled. Though, Olivia wasn't so amused.

"Quite bad indeed. I'll have your head if my dress ends up smelling of smoke." Olivia huffed, opening the window to let the acrid scent out. The smoke trailed out of the carriage... Mixed with a faint mist.

"As I was saying-- One of the competitors is that little friends of yours, Eleanor." Olivia continued.

"El?!" Lydia sat up. Finally, a reason to get excited about this, AND to forget about her prior embarrassment.

"Yes... Eleanor." Olivia corrected. "Seems she's hoping this will earn her place among the elite guard. A silly notion."

El had been Lydia's friend for as long as she could remember! Tough, bold, crass-- But with a noble spirit. It was hard to meet with her consistently, being a princess and a commoner. But if she was at this event, earning her knighthood? Oh, Lydia was delighted! Maybe she'd been psyching herself up over nothing. Maybe today would be a nice day.

An optimistic thought that had Lydia eagerly looking out the window toward the distant stadium...

As the elegant green of her dress gradually wafted out the window, forming holes and patches. Layer by layer, gradually fading into nothingness.