Lydia led her into a dark alley

"Right this way," Lydia said, leading her away from the crowded section of the city. "We'll get you fixed up right quick."

Malon looked around nervously. "What, here?"

"No one will see," Lydia assured her. "That is what you're worried about, right?"

"Well, that, and I assumed you'd want me to change into something."

"Not at all," Lydia said cheerfully. "It's not about what you're not wearing, it's what you are wearing!" She pulled out a pair of shears. "A few quick adjustments, and you'll be perfectly presentable."

Lydia started with Malon's long, purple skirt, trimming it until the hem came down to her knees. "Wait, no, that's not right," Lydia said. "It's lopsided and longer on your right." She snipped away more. "Hold on, I went too far. Now the left side's longer."

She kept going until Malon's skirt was scandalously short, not even reaching halfway down her thighs when she was standing up. Lydia wanted to keep going, but Malon put her foot down.

"But it's still–" Lydia started.

"No, it's fine," Malon said. "It's too short as it is!"

Lydia smirked. "What, you're not scared someone will see your panties, are you?"

Malon blushed, but she didn't answer. The truth was that she wasn't wearing anything under her skirt. When her skirt had been its normal length, it hadn't been an issue but now, well, bending over was out of the question, and sitting down … Malon would have to remember to keep her legs firmly crossed.

"Well, that's fine then," Lydia said. "Really, the embarrassingly long skirt length was just a minor problem, and you might be able to play off the asymmetry as a fashion statement. Now let's get to the serious issues!"