As the group entered the ship, they were in awe at how state-of-the-art it was. Everyone was gawking except Cere and Paul, who were involved in creating it. There were all kinds of gadgets and gizmos they didn't recognize. Hologram technology was all over the place showing different designs and spinning slowly in the center of some of the tables. There was a machine cutting fabric, another was making fabric.
This place was a fashionista's paradise. Dilly was giddy with excitement, hoping she would be permitted to use the equipment.
The first stop was a room with a bunch of mannequins. Also in this room, was a tube with a door on it similar to a machine in Paul's room used to scan people's abilities to add them to his game. Gwin escorted everyone to this machine.
"I need each of you, one at a time, to enter this machine. It will scan your dimensions and make a copy of your body for us to use in designing your attire."
Lana went through first, setting Kent down outside the machine before stepping in. Lights emitted from everywhere then it was done. A green light flashed in front of her and the door opened. She stepped out, picked Kent back up, and moved aside to allow the next person to enter.
"Put him in as well," She heard Gwin say as she took her new position. Lana did as asked. The light came on automatically the way it did with her. When the lights went off, she scooped him back up and returned to her spot, waiting for the next step.
While the next person entered the tube scanner, Lana noticed a machine connected to the tube came to life. Soon, a mannequin shaped like her came out of it with her name on it. She smiled. The efficiency was perfection. No wonder Mom asked for this artist!
Before long, mockups of all those present were created. Cere presented Gwin with the jewels Lana would be wearing as well as a hand-drawing created by herself and Bianca of a potential tiara for Lana to wear. Everyone was dismissed except Lana, Kattie, Cere, Dilly, and Kent.
The ladies followed Gwin to an elegantly decorated sitting room with refreshments arranged on a table, reachable from all sitting positions. This setting felt intimate, friendly.
Gwin invited everyone to sit and was very relaxed in her own posture.
"Lana Dear, since I don't know you, this is the part where I learn about you. Could you tell me a bit about yourself, how you became part of the Techno family? That's quite a feat if I must say so."
Lana explained her background, without going too deep into the trauma portion but enough that Gwin would be able to understand her.
Gwin nodded, "I see. You truly are a very special girl. How did you meet Kyle?"
She explained the complexity of that whole situation, meeting Blaine and how Kyle was a secret and how everything unfolded. Gwin leaned forward, enraptured by the story.
"And your adorable furry friend? Where did you meet him?"
Lana answered the question quite in depth to include how important Kent was to them and that he had to be in the wedding.
Gwin smiled, "ringbearer, correct?"
Lana nodded.
Gwin's smile brightened her face. "He calls you butterfly, correct?"
Lana chuckled with a smile, "yeah…. He does."
Gwin stood up as if she was gliding on air, "Let's go check out fabrics."
They went to a room that made Dilly practically drool. It was wall to wall fabric of all colors, textures, and origins. There was even a machine to dye the fabric different colors where needed.
Lana was asked to step on a short pedestal and not move. For the next three hours she was a human statue having fabric after fabric draped over her as they discussed design and what would work best. However, the design part wasn't mentioned where she would hear it. Cere wanted to keep it as a surprise for her.
By the time they allowed Lana to return to her room, she was exhausted, starving and curfew was going to go off before she got there. She sent a message off to Blaine letting her know she was finally done. Dilly remained behind to help with the design. Lana was to return in the morning to discuss outfitting her friends and husband. It was going to be another long day.
Cere also sent a message off, hers was to the general. Gwin requested to meet with the sewing club before breakfast. Before long, she was given a response with a request for credits. Not long after, the watches of all the students in the club went off informing them they were to report to club at 5 am.
Lana scanned her finger to enter her new room, eyes barely open. She didn't eat beyond the snacks because Blaine took her bracelet with him when he left. He knew she'd be tired and he wanted to get their new purchases taken care of for her.
He heard the beep and met her at the door. He already has the blanket pulled back. He picked her up and placed her in bed then fed her so she wouldn't need to move. He put her bracelet back on her wrist while she chewed.
"Did you make any progress today?" he asked her softly.
She smiled and nodded, "they won't tell me the design yet. Tomorrow we are going to work on what everyone else is going to wear. It sounds like I won't be in class at all."
"In that case, I'll bring you food. I'm sure they will have some, but I need to make sure you are taken care of."
Lana smiled as she continued to eat. She wasn't even sure what she was eating but it tasted good. There were pasta and vegetables. Lana thought she detected a crunchy bread like a crouton but not exactly that. She quickly got full, but she didn't want to quit eating. Blaine saw the signs and set the plate aside. He then pulled out something else.
"Close your eyes."
She did as she was told and closed her eyes with a big smile on her face and a small shake of her head. She heard him open something that sounded a bit like a cardboard take-out box.
"Open up."
She did and soon felt his finger tenderly graze her bottom lip. Soon, she felt the sensation of something being placed on her tongue followed by familiar flavor. She let out a soft sound of pleasure as she savored the same delicious chocolate he bought her on that first portal outing. The one that was so expensive that it came in a box of four small pieces. As the chocolate finished melting, she sighed in pleasure.
Blaine repeated the process then closed the box. He leaned in close and gave her an intense kiss then pulled back. She was tired and tomorrow would be more taxing.
"I'm going to make sure Kent is full before climbing in bed. Lay down and get some sleep. I'll join you soon."
Lana chuckled, "I'm still in my clothes!"
Blaine laughed and fixed the problem for her. "Now, lay down," he smirked.
He offered Kent some formula and a small bite. He eagerly ate them both then curled up in Lana's hair.
While Lana listened to Kent purr while consuming his dinner, she was realizing the merits of sleeping on silk. She smiled and sleepily stroked the sheets.
"These are nice…"
Blaine chuckled, "So you trust me to handle our linen needs?"
"Mmmmhmmmmmmm," she sighed with her eyes closed she wanted to go to sleep on one hand, but she also wanted his arms around her first. She struggled against the desire to sleep as she felt Kent take his sleeping spot. She heard the sound of rustling clothes. Then the washing machine opened and soon it was started.
The click of the light switch.
The light pressure on the other side of the bed. Then a warm arm encircled her waist. With a contented sigh at the safety of having him there, she fell asleep.
Lana's head tossed side to side and Blaine woke instantly. He held her closer. Within moments she sat bolt-upright, gasping for air.
Her hands searched in the dark for the warmth she so desperately needed.
"I'm here. Are you okay?"
Hearing his voice, she turned toward him and buried her face in his chest. She wasn't crying or anything which made him happy. He stroked her hair and felt her relax, sagging against him as he was quite familiar with.
Lana took a deep breath, "of all the things to dream about…" she chuckled softly. "You smell so good."
Blaine chuckled, "thank you. What did you dream about?"
Lana shook her head against his chest, "Fabric. An endless sea of shades of white. I was drowning in it. A white fabric monster wrapped its tail around me and was pulling me down in sea foam that looked like lace. Did you know there are different colors of white? There are… yeah…and the kinds of fabric? It's crazy! I will definitely leave that insanity to the professionals."
Blaine chuckled, "so you spend your life with us instead of a design studio."
Lana giggled, "is that a promise?"
Blaine scooted her up, so they shared a pillow. Kent was showing displeasure about the loss of his own pillow and she chuckled. She stroked his back and he started purring.
Blaine stroked her cheek to bring her focus back to him. "We love you. I dare you to try to scare us away."
Lana smiled brightly and went in for a kiss. His love for her radiated from him. After a demonstration of how much he loved her, he held her close and they were soon both asleep, this time until the morning alarm went off.