"Are you ready?" Matilda would be pulling on her denim jacket, waiting by the door for Albert to find his other shoe.
"It can't have gone far, how can I lose a shoe I put it right there when I came in." He was looking under the couch, perhaps it was there?
"Oh here it is!" Matilda picked it out from a pile of her own paw covers by the door, waving it at him.
"Ah thank you." He'd pull it on and did up the laces, straightening and dusting himself down. "Right. Ready?"
"Mmmmmmhmm... I was waiting for you." She'd let him out of her flat and locks up behind them, heading down to street level. "So are we taking the bus or the train?"
"I have a car..."
"But there's hardly any parking in the City centre. Best bet is probably the bus."
"Alright." He'd walk with her to the bus stop.

The ride to Horrham was uneventful enough, though in-ordinarily busy as it seemed a great many people were also going to the city. Whether they were going for the convention, was unknown.
Matilda seemed excited at least, he wasn't as enthused about a convention about fashion, not his idea of a fun time, but they were going to cheer on Zoey.
"Okay, so." Matilda would be looking over a directions map on her phone. "It looks like we have to take a left, then go up this street and it should be just on the edge of the square here." She'd show Albert the map.
"It's not as far as it looks."
"Oh, you've been here before?"
"For a couple of meetings yes." Albert would start off in the direction they had to go, glancing about at the veritable swarm of people around them.
"Is it usually this busy?" Matilda clung to his arm, perhaps a little afraid she might lose him in this heaving crowd.
"Unfortunately...well during the day anyway." He'd lead her on, making his way through the crowd, since he could just about see over it whereas poor Matilda just saw walls of people.
"S-Slow down a bit Albert.." She'd dig her claws into him after being pulled this way and that, he simply went the route of least resistance, which was more convoluted than concertina folds.
"Al!" She'd lose her grip on him as other people pushed past them. As soon as he felt her let go, he stopped, looking round. "Matilda?" She'd....gone? He'd push back the way he came, getting an annoyed snarl from a suited up werewolf. He'd spot the familiar tips of her ears above some shoulders and heads that way.
"Oh deary dear, oh wait is this him?" A tall (well as tall as him) slim and rather smartly dressed Incubus looked at him, pointing him out to the short wolflass, who was clung to his arm.
"Albert!" She'd latch back onto the vampire and growls lowly. "Don't lose me again."
"I'm sorry." He hugged her gently.
"Come with me dears, we'll get out of this crowd." The incubus gave a crack of his long whip-like tail, people around them moving away slightly giving them space to pass out of the worst of the crush.
"Much better, so where are you two lovelies going?" The incubus was still with them, keeping up even as Albert had gone into sat-nav mode again, striding ahead to get to the Convention centre.
"Oh, we're going to the Fashion expo." Matilda smiled, trying to keep up, being dragged along.
"Really? So am I! Are you entering?" The well dressed demon beamed.
"Nooo, our friend is though. Are you?"
"Indeed I am, I LOVE seeing new talent." Albert wasn't really listening, concentrating on where he was going, though at his pace the three didn't take long to get to the centre.
"My goodness you walk fast Albert."
"Hrm? sorry." He stopped and took stock, Matilda was still with him, and ....this person was also still here.
"What's your name, so we can come see your stall later?" Matilda asked, huffing a bit.
"It's Ludo, Ludo Whiptail, and yours dear?"
"Matilda, and you er know Alberts name?"
"Only because you were shouting it so much honey." Ludo tittered a little. "So what's your friend's name who's competing?"
"That'll be Zoey Stitchworth."
"Zoey.... zoey... that sounds familiar....Hrmm.. Well I'll make sure to keep an eye out for them. Have fun in there and feel free to drop by my stall okay?!" Ludo would wave and saunters off, hips wiggling as he walked.
"Well he seemed nice." Matilda giggled, looking at the bemused expression on Albert's face.
"Hrm? well.. jovial at least." He'd shake his head and heads in with her, he really didn't want to spend time trying to work out what was unsettling him about the incubus, but then again Incubus often had a knack of making people feel strange...in a number of ways.

The convention was already getting busy, the stalls all set up and showing off their wares; most were showing off clothing designs, some small name brands and independent designers. Other stalls held textiles supplies such as the latest sewing machines and gadgets, haberdashery and fabrics. Matilda would drag him over to one particular stall specialising in buttons, beads and rhinestones.
"Oooh look at all the buttons, they're so pretty." She'd be pouring over them, picking up odd ones to look at the tiny details.
"Mm, you dont sew though do you?"
"No, but doesn't mean I can't look at them."
"Fair point." Albert smiled, taking a glance around while she busied herself. There was so much to look at, he had a feeling this wasn't going to be a short affair. "Hrmm.." One stall off down one of the rows caught his attention; in big garish gold letters over the stall was: Declau Boutique.
"Ergh, Well now we know which stall to avoid." He muttered.
"Mm? what stall?" Matilda was popping a small paper bag into the handbag she had with her.
"Did you just buy a bunch of buttons?" He raised a brow.
"Whaaat they were pretty." She stuck her tongue out.
"And what are you going to do with them?"
"Dunno yet. So which stall are you on about?"
"Mgh, Monique's is over there." He gestured down the row.
"Aaah I see... welp we can sneak a look later, see if she's anything more than hot air." Matilda giggled. "We still need to find Zoey's stall."
"Hope it's not near HERS..." Albert grumbled.
"You REALLY dislike her huh?" Matilda raised a brow. "Just what did she do to you?"
"Mm? she never DID anything except annoy the living hallows out of me... trying to get me to do everything for her or buy her things her mother wouldn't buy her, even though I wouldn't have been able to afford to at that age. She's just a spoiled brat and I want nothing to do with her." He took a breath and sighed. "Sorry. I shouldn't speak like that of a lady but sometimes I'd hardly call her a lady." He pinched the bridge of his nose and took another breath, sweeping his hair out of his face.
"Ahaha... well, let's go see what else is around and see Zoey." She'd take his arm and smiles, wagging her tail.

The convention centre was pretty big and it took them a while to find Zoey's stall, once they did though they'd be greeted by Zoey and Theo, who was there to help lift and shift things.
"Hey you guys made it!" Zoe hugged them both.
"Yeah of course. We wouldn't miss this." Matilda giggled.
"Did you get here ok?"
"It was a bit busy in the streets but yeah it was ok up till then." Matilda would smile "We met another competitor too. Ludo Whiptail I think it was."
"Seriously? No you're kidding." Zoey blinked grabbing Matilda by the shoulders and shaking her a bit. "THE Ludo Whiptail?"
"...Err....maybe, is he famous?" The wolflass shrugged.
"He's one of the BEST up and coming fashionistas in the area. I didn't know he would be coming HERE." Zoey let go of the werewolf and took a moment, calming her heavy breathing.
"He has a stall in here somewhere..."Albert added, shrugging.
"Chill out Z, we can go check him out once we've set up." Theo tried to hug her but she tipped him off.
"I can't LEAVE the stall."
"What if we stayed with it?" Matilda offered.
"But-but what if people ask questions?!"
"Hey hey, I'LL stay with the stall. You've been going on about this thing enough I'm pretty sure I could answer most questions people might ask." Theo chuckled.
"Really?"
"Yeah, no sweat." He smiled. Zoey calmed down a bit more and heaved a big sigh, possibly of relief, possibly just to collect her thoughts.
"Okay, right. Let's finish getting set up." And she and Theo would continue putting out the dressed mannequins and swatches.
"Is there anything we can help you with?" Albert asked.
"Do you know WHICH Stall is his?"
"Uhh No..."
"Well you could start with that." Zoey smiled.
"I think there were maps with all the stall numbers and entrants near the entrance, we can grab you one of those on our way around. That and it also has times for the panels and the catwalk."
"Ooh good idea."
"See you in a bit." Matilda would tug Albert along back towards the entrance to grab a couple of maps before wandering the rows again, seeing what else was on.

They'd skirt round Monique's stall, Matilda would go and have a good nosy while Albert kept out of sight. Rejoining him once she'd had a good look.
"Well I don't know what market she's appealing too, most of it looks like streetwalker wear." She'd take his hand, smiling as they wandered on.
"Streetwalker, as in...prostitutes?" Albert gave her an incredulous look; Monique was a girl from a high standing family.
"Well, yeah, all the necklines are REALLY low or plunging, the skirts are all SUPER short, All I could see from the floor were Panties... panties everywhere. AND her mannequins are actual people which makes the whole panties thing.....weird."
"Urgh, she probably hired them to try and make a scene or something. I didn't realise they were that bad when I looked over."
"Mmm.. The fabrics looked nice but I think Zoey would have an absolute conniption if she saw them being used for something so shallow."
"Heh yeah, she loves her fabric like it's living breathing stuff." He furrowed his brows a bit. Oh well, at least she's no competition for Zoey, he thought.
"Hey is that his stall?" Matilda pointed to a smallish stall in the corner with a banner decorated in measuring tape. On it were tables set out with books containing designs, photos of project pieces and a couple of mannequins dressed up; one in a stunning peacock inspired gown the other in smart business wear.
"Oh hello dears!" Ludo came out from a curtained off section behind the stall. "How are you enjoying the convention?"
"There's so much to see, and so many pretty things." Matilda was eyeing up the peacock gown, claws twitching a little.
"Do you want to look closer?" Ludo beamed. "Go ahead, feel it." He'd caught her looking and stood quite happily, showing her how it had been made and layered. "It's all hand-made, crocheted lace in silk, wool and viscose to make it hang Juuust right." He beamed, a light blush to his face as he moved up explaining how he'd made the bodice with sequins he'd bought in a job lot at a craft fair which had inspired the dress in the first place.
Albert listened in and was watching rather carefully, catching himself and shaking his head.
"It's beautiful."
"One of my favourites at the moment." Ludo grinned, showing her through some of the books, and talking her through some of the others he'd made or had designs for. Albert found his arms crossed and his ears pinned back, brow settled in a frown as he watched them. He paused a moment to wonder why, they didn't know this guy, nor was he really being overly friendly, if anything he was more excited about his work, so why was he feeling this deep possessiveness and borderline jealousy? Perhaps it was simply because Ludo was an Incubus, their ancient reputations did often marr them with an unfavourably perverted stereotype. It was about right at this moment Albert thought about how incredibly racist this train of thought was becoming and suddenly his arms dropped and he spaced out. It occurred to him that until this point he had never really thought about race; as in, sometimes he didn't even notice what a person was until it had been pointed out to him, despite their obvious differences. Then again he had been raised with the notion that everyone was the same inside, so what they looked like outside mattered as little as eye colour; sure some people had preferences when choosing husbands and wives.....and then it dawned on him; He was pretty ignorant of race. Remembering how little he knew about Werewolves when he started dating Matilda, even though they had been close friends since childhood.
"Hey Al....." He'd snap back to reality. Matilda had his hand again. "Are you ok there?"
"Not overheating are you dear?" Ludo looked to him. It was a little warm in the convention centre all those bright lights and people milling around.
"I'm fine, I just spaced out for a moment."
"Well as long as you're ok." Matilda smiled and kissed his cheek, making him smile weakly.
"Go on and have fun you two, see you at the catwalk." Ludo would wave them off, turning to the next passerby who was oggling his stall.
They'd report back to Zoey, handing her one of the maps and pointing out Ludo's stall, Zoey working out in her head if she had time to run over and introduce herself before the events started.
"I think I can run over and say hi." She said after a couple of moments thought.
"Sure go for it, we'll watch the stall." Theo smiled, patting her butt. "Go squeal at him." Zoey would grab one of her project books and runs off, leaving the three behind.
"So how is it out there?" Theo asked.
"Busy and a bit claustrophobic in some areas." Albert sighed.
"I bet some of these stalls are super popular judging by the crowds round them." Matilda smiled.
"Here come round and sit down, there's a bench behind this table." Theo offered.
"Ah, thank y- One moment." Albert flicked an ear and calmly wandered behind the backdrop of Zoey's stall, keeping out of the way. His pointed ears had picked up the sound of Monique's voice coming their way and had promptly made himself scarce. Theo and Matilda were not bemused for long as Monique paraded her models past the stall, followed by someone carrying a music box which was playing an old lullaby that almost everyone would have known at some point. The....entourage went past and Albert hesitantly came out of hiding.
"What was that all about?" Theo raised a brow. "What's with the slut-wear?"
"That's Monique... she showboats a lot." Matilda shrugged.
"Mmgh." Was all Albert had to say on the matter.
"What's with the Lullaby though? It's....Odd to have that playing when you have girls dressed...well like that." Matilda scratched her head.
"It's very likely she's trying to use it as a nostalgia thing, a psychological link if you will. You hear the music; are reminded of something in the past and thus associate her clothes with that feeling." Albert mused, and then pulled a face. "Though, with such a childish lullaby tied with....well clothes of that nature, it gives off rather a disturbing notion."
"Yeah, like, prostitute kids." Theo rubbed his chin and grimaced. "Nope, no thanks."
"Indeed." Albert sighed.
"Monique's kinda... still dim huh?" Matilda would cock an ear.
"Either that or she's incredibly clever." Replied Albert, thinking about it. "Take it this way: She becomes a talking point because of the implied 'nature' her show so far has been, and thus gains attention and publicity because of it. Publicity is publicity and whether good or bad it will pique peoples interest and curiosity and they may go to her stall or her shop or whatever it is she has."
"Huh.... that's a good point... well we know she's already good at being annoying and I know some of the biggest companies that have TV ads do so well BECAUSE their adverts are annoying and stick in your head." Matilda smirked a bit.
"You guys have lost me... isn't bad publicity...well bad?" Theo put his head on his palm, brows furrowed.
"Not if it still gets people to talk about you, and visit your shop, even if it's out of curiosity." Albert
"I guess.." Theo seemed to still be having a hard time understanding.
Zoey would come back, practically skipping with happiness. "He liked my work!" Her smile nearly tore her face.
"Ooh?" Matilda got up from behind the stall, letting zoey back into her place.
"Mmhmm! He wants to see us after the conventions over!"
"Us?"
"Yeah you too, and Albert and Theo." Zoey bounced on her toes a bit, trying not to squeal.
"Did you happen to see Monique go parading around?" Albert stood up, following Matilda's lead.
"The er... streetwalkers with the lullaby?"
"Yes, that's the one."
"I did.... what the hallows, I mean really. She won't gain any points with that sort of thing." Zoey folded her arms.
"Unless the judges are pervs" Matilda watched someone walk by the stall, Albert following her gaze and figuring she was getting hungry as she seemed a little fixated on the hot dog they were carrying.
"Funny thing about the fashion industry is a lot of the absolute elite are gay or asexual, so slutty girls isn't really going to get you noticed. On the other hand, dress a man so sharp even straight guys question themselves; Welp then you MIGHT have a chance." Zoey giggled a little. "You're better off striving for design and quality than gimmicks and sex factor."
"I thought most catwalk outfits WERE gimmicky" Theo interjected.
"Eh SOME are, but it depends on the catwalk; if its for design only, they can be ridiculous, if they are MEANT to be everyday wear and actually sale-ably practical, like for high street, then gimmicks are less ridiculous. You'll get things like a theme or a prominent colour or something like that." Zoey explained.
"Well, we're going to go see if we can find some food and wander around some more." Matilda smiled. "Do you want us to bring you anything?"
"Nah we're going to get food after the first catwalk." Zoey would flap her hand at them in a reassuring manner.
"First. There's more than one?" Albert blinked.
"Yeah there's three, I'm only entering two, one now for showing off collections wear, and then one this evening where I have to choose one of my designs that stand out to represent me. There's trophies and prizes for that one, not your usual thing but I guess it's fun, there are a lot of indie makers here so it's not super formal, not like the big leagues."
"Ahh I see, well we'll make sure we see both of them." Matilda would take Albert by the arm dragging him off in the direction of food.

After lunch; which incidentally was hot dogs, Albert would let Matilda lead him round the stalls again, he was happy to just let her wander, figuring he'd seen pretty much all he might have been interested in stall wise anyway. This wasn't really one of his interests but watching Matilda zig zag between stalls and gushing over bits and bobs and dresses made him smile, particularly as she was a girl ho wore very few dresses.
"Al-Bear!" He stopped dead and cringed, fixing a forced smile on his face before he looked round.
"Oh, Monique, funny bumping into you." Matilda was off with her nose in the bead stall again so he felt somewhat obliged to at least acknowledge Monique's presence.
"I told you I would be competing, have you seen my stall yet you absolutely must come and see!" She took his arm and dragged him off. He tried to get Matilda's attention but she was preoccupied. He didn't want to just leave her without telling her where he was going but Monique didn't give him a choice, physically dragging him across to her stall.
"Look!" She beamed, still clutching his arm. "This is my Sultry Sanguine collection." She snapped her fingers and the models would pose. Albert just concentrated on not pulling a face, the more he looked at them, the more inappropriate they seemed, he noticed the hair styles didn't quite fit the clothes they were wearing, done up in tight ponytails or buns with big garish clips in them that looked like cheap costume jewellery to him.
"What do you think?" Monique was watching his face intently and he tried very, very hard to be polite.
"I don't know much about fashion, so I couldn't possibly say." Was all he could muster, he hoped she wouldn't push for his real opinion and leave it at that.
"Aww but aren't they pretty? Don't you like them?" He felt her squeezing on his arm, she was getting a bit close for comfort too, especially considering she was dressed in a suit that was nearly as low cut as the dressed models.
"Er.." He really didn't want to answer.
"Would you like it if 'I' wore something like that?" She'd leant right up against him, purposely pressing her chest against his arm.
"No." He replied flatly, he'd had enough, he felt very uncomfortable and her closeness he found... rather repulsive right now.
"No? Well then what would you like me to wear?" She loosened her grip just a little.
"Perhaps a straight jacket, or other restraining device?" Matilda's voice piped up behind them. Oh thank hallows, thought Albert.
Monique let go of his arm to look round at the werewolf, who was smiling sweetly to her.
"Like corsets and things with buckles?" She asked. Albert pinched the bridge of his nose. Please don't encourage her, he pleaded mentally, looking to Matilda with a glance that read precisely that. Matilda's smile would widen and chirpily added; "Nope probably not, just stick to this sort of thing." She'd gesture to the models.
Monique gave them both an odd look as Albert took Matilda's hand and walked her off. Matilda giving a chipper wave as they left, leaving Monique standing utterly bemused, her eyes jealously lingering on their clasped hands.
"Aww she was trying to hit on you." The werewolf teased.
"I had gathered that thank you." the vampire replied tensely, he wasn't in the mood right now.
"Oh come on, it's kind of funny."
"Okay, I'll bite; HOW is it funny to you? Don't you feel jealous?"
"Of her? HAH nope, I know she's got no chance, you practically hate her."
"I don't HATE her she's just... I just... Well ok it's very CLOSE." He sighed and rubbed his arm where she'd been leant on it. "Eugh I feel unclean.... and Now I stink of whatever perfume she had on."
"Yeah you kinda do, Oh well come here." She'd take his arm and rubs her face and chin all up and down it.
"What....are you doing?"
"Making you smell like me."
"Why?"
"So you don't smell like her?" She gave a doofy smile and did it again, eliciting a chuckle from the vampire.
"I see, like marking your territory huh?"
"Mmmmmmaybe..." She smirked and kissed his cheek.
He smiled and pulled her close gently. "So what do you want to do now?"
"Hurrm..I don't know, haven't we seen just about everything now?" Matilda mused.
"I think so, just the catwalks left I think." Albert agreed.

After a little aimless wandering (and staying far away from Declau Boutique) they headed back to Zoey's stall.
"Hey you're back, Zoey's already headed off for the show." Theo waved as they returned.
"Aren't you going?" Matilda asked.
"Nah, someones gotta watch the stall and I've seen all her stuff anyway." He grinned. "Also this way I get to watch the game." He held up a small tablet he had been hiding under the table which was playing sports.
"Ah, ulterior motives." Albert smirked.
"Eh only kinda; more a boredom stopper since I am the stall guard." Theo put on a goofy deep voice as he said that, clenching a fist and resting it over his heart.
"Heehee well we'll see you later Theo." Matilda giggled as she led Albert away from the stall.
The pair would head off for the Redgrave stage, where the catwalk shows were to be held, finding some vacant seats took some work but they would find two together, eventually. It seemed like the whole convention had piled in. At least they could see alright, it wasn't the best view but it'd do.

The lights went down and music began to play as the first designer showed off their work, the models strutting down the stage with confidence as the host described each of the sets and the individual flairs of each outfit. Albert was only half listening, half watching; his mind on other matters, such as where they were going to eat once this was all over. He didn't really stomach the idea of cheap hotdogs again, not that they were bad, but he'd rather eat something more substantial before their bus ride home. He glanced up at the models parading along the stage; whose-ever works these were wearing certainly liked frills, some of the dresses he could see looked like they were nothing BUT layers and layers of frill. His face pulled tight as he regarded the next troupe that came out, instantly recognising them as Monique's lot and still thinking they were inappropriately dressed.
The crowd were noisy, rabbling with a hubub of hushed talk, only pausing to clap as each group left the stage. He cast a look over to Matilda, spotting her nose wrinkled up, evidently she didn't think much of Monique's style either.
He started to wonder when they'd see Zoey's submissions when her name was called out by the host, and a group of models daintily tread the stage wearing a rather diverse array of outfits. He'd recognise one featuring her preferred black and metal motif, another was delicate in pastels that flowed like a summer breeze with every movement the model made. Another was tight, stubborn with sharp edges and a defining silhouette, probably good as business wear he imagined. The last was rather experimental, bold, bright and asymmetrical; something he might've expected from seeing what crazy designs normally cropped up in some of the more famous catwalk shows from overseas.
As the models exited the stage he almost jumped when Matilda started whooping and clapping so very loudly. Well it was Zoey after all she was clapping for. He'd politely clap along and stretches as the host brought the show to a close and everyone around them started getting up and moving out of the stage area.

Trudging along with the flow, they'd head back to Zoey's stall to find Ludo there chatting with Theo.
"Yes I have no idea what they were thinking- Oh! hello dears." Ludo would look up to them with a beaming smile.
"Yo." Waved Theo.
"Did you see the show?" Ludo smiled.
"We did, it was...certainly diverse." Albert mused.
"Hrmmm Are you by chance referring to that dreadful display by that Declau girl?" Ludo pursed his lips distastefully.
"Indeed... unfortunately we know her..."
"Oh, friend?"
"Not so much. She goes through fads like this all the time, I doubt this one will go anywhere either." Albert chewed his lip thoughtfully.
"Well that's a relief to hear, not that the designs are...bad.. just not appropriate for this convention. And how she's been dealing with people is very.... pushy." Ludo rubbed his chin. "I took a wander round earlier and she was trying to get someone to hire her for their department store."
"How did that go?" Matilda raised a brow.
"Not well by the looks of it." Ludo suppressed a chuckle. "She was all over him, the poor guy."
"She did that to Albert too." Matilda smirked.
"How ghastly." Ludo patted Albert's shoulder.
"You have NO idea..." He shuddered, though just a smidgen grateful for Ludo's apparent concern.

They'd chat for a while about the show and the designs that had come on stage when Zoey re-appeared, clutching some papers.
"Hey."
"Hey Zoey, that was awesome!" Matilda smiled, hugging her lightly so as not to crush the papers she was holding.
"Heh, I think I've got some competition." She beamed, looking to Ludo. "Oh here, this is for you, they were handing them out after the walk."
"Oh thank you Dear, lets see... ah." Ludo pulled a face.
"I know." Replied Zoey. "She's going for the Sponsorship."
"What sponsorship?" Albert asked.
"See there's always some bigwig at these events, even if they're small like this one, looking for new talent for their brand. Well this Convention there's someone from Venom magazine and they've offered up a decent sponsorship to the winner of the mainstage event."
"Ah I see, and this 'She' is... Monique?" Albert guessed.
"Uh huh... and by listening to some of the chatter backstage she has something big." Zoey folded her arms.
"Backstage chatter huh?" Ludo glanced over.
"Alright... she was bragging to one of her models, some tall stick thin thing that she's decided is going to wear the piece." Zoey looked over at Albert. "Saaaaay Al..."
"No. whatever it is, NO."
"Aww I was only going to ask you to see if you could get her big mouth flapping and show you what she's got for the mainstage...." Zoey smiled sweetly.
"Heh yeah she'd show YOU." Matilda smirked.
"Zoey you crafty girl." Ludo chuckled.
"I just wanna see if she's a threat, and I don't really want her wasting Venom's time. she'll probably drop the whole designer thing as soon as she gets bored of it."
"Oh you know her too?" Ludo blinked. "Well since the three of you seem to be in agreement with how likely she is to drop this.... maybe I can allow my morals a slight bend." He'd smirk. "I'm not one for snooping on other's secret projects.. buuut I might let this one slide, since it's probably in the best interests of every other participant here."
"So Al, pleeaase?" Zoey gave the vampire her best cutesy pouty face, to which he was unmoved. "No."
"Aww Al, don't be such a spoilsport." Matilda hugged him.
"You KNOW what she'll do... No. I don't want to go anywhere near her."
"We'll be close by, if it get's too much we'll come save you!" She giggled, reaching into his pocket for his phone. "Here look. If I Message me, and set up a face chat, there." She'd pop his phone in his chest pocket, the camera just peeking over the lip. "We can see what she's up to and I'll come get you, or call you so you can escape."
"...Do I even get a say in this?" Albert grumbled.
"Pleeaaaaaase Albert." Matilda wagged her tail.
"Fiiiiine, but you OWE me for this." He folded his arms.

Approaching Monique's stall he took a deep breath and stepped over, pretending to take an interest in her portfolio, flipping through it idly.
"Al-Bear!" She would appear behind him. "Come to take another look. Can't resist after just one bite can you?" She gestured to the portfolio.
"They are....interesting...I was wondering what you had in mind for the Mainstage event." He replied, trying not to grit his teeth.
"Oooh it's top secret! ....bu~ut, I could show yoou~ as long as you promise not to tell until after the show..." She cooed. "I could wear it for you if you liiike."
"I don't think you need to go that far." He twitched, being very conscious not to touch or reach for his phone which was relaying the encounter to the others via the facetime app.
She would lead him into the curtained off portion of her setup, showing him around the various other outfits she had in there, many were not from the catwalk earlier.
"I brought so many as I just couldn't decide which ones to use; they're ALL so lovely don't you think?" She beamed, sidling up against him. He tried SO hard not to let his faux interested visage falter, but she was studying him so closely and he just could not think of anything to say that wasn't...well ungentlemanly.
"So how come you've suddenly taken an interest in my stall?" She looked him over with raised, perfectly groomed brow. "You didn't seem all that bothered before."
"Well since you were going for the mainstage catwalk, you must be aiming for the sponsorship with that magazine right?"
"Of course! Why else would I be here at such a small convention if there wasn't something worth my time?"
"So you think you have a chance then?" He quirked a brow, folding his arms sceptically. Monique Scoffed and grabbed his arm dragging him to a corner where a mannequin had been covered in some sort of spare cloth.
"Here, Why don't you tell me yourself." She whipped the cloth off revealing a very tightly clad mannequin; It looked like a business suit but had casual elements such as the folded back cuffs on the sleeves. The lapels were a shape he had never seen on a suit jacket before; high, perky and rigid but with a ruffled accent on the inner lip. The whole jacket was adorned in exquisite embroidery and was tailored in such a way it looked so naturally shaped as though it were the mannequin's skin itself.
The pants were simple, pressed, loose and flattering with embroidered accents around the hem and pockets. Under the jacket was a plain but airy blouse made almost translucent with the thinnest silk he had ever seen. He frowned a little, she had certainly spent a lot of money on making this. He wondered what Zoey would be making of it, making sure to look at it just long enough that his phone might see it all he glanced to Monique, who was watching his face intently. He was sort of glad she was the oblivious type, his phone was kind of obvious and most people he knew didn't keep them in their shirt pockets like this.
"It's a bit garish isn't it?" He folded his arms again; he'd seen it now and just wanted to get out, enough with the niceties, even if she had to throw him out.
"Garish? HARDLY. This is SUBTLE compared to some of the Other atrocities I've seen." She huffed, folding her own arms in a pout.
"I just don't like it, but then I don't know a lot about fashion." Albert would turn, hoping he could escape now he had what he was sent in for.
"Humph! well I didn't make it for YOU." She snapped, though the look on her face clearly told differently. Albert had had enough now. "I'm heading out."
"....F-Fine." Monique huffed, dragging the cloth back over the mannequin.

Albert made his way back to Zoey's stall in record time, looking to them and turning off his phone. "There, did you get what you wanted?"
"Yeah, thanks Al, she gave in to you VERY easily, though still dim as ever." Zoey looked rather pensive, her eye darting back and forth between points in mid air; she was calculating something visually in her mind. Ludo was quiet too, pinching his chin thoughtfully.
"I hate to say it, but she might actually win." The Incubus flicked his tail and sat down on the bench.
"With that?" Matilda wrinkled her nose.
"Indeed dear, what she's made is something that has only just started becoming fashionable in small niches but is believed to soon be a big thing." Ludo sighed airily. "My summers dream dress doesn't hold much in the way of candles."
Zoey would stop her pondering and slumps next to him. "I don't think I have the time to rig up something new to beat that, I just don't have enough hands."
"Shame you can't just borrow some spare hands from somewhere and sew 'em on." Theo joked, getting a dirty look from the patchwork gal.
"Oooh.... wait a minute. I think he's on to something there." Ludo sat up straight, beaming.
"I am?"
"Yes deary, what if we made something together?" He near-enough grabbed Zoey by the hands. "I brought spare fabrics and there's a stall over the way that sells haberdashery, we could whip something fabulous up together!"
"I er, do we have time? We'd need a mannequin, and a model, and-"
"I'm sure we can do it, I'm the fastest sewer I know." He grinned.
"I..well, SURE let's TRY at least." Zoey smirked back and grabbed her notepad, scribbling furiously. "What are we gonna do?"
"Oh, really. You're doing this?... Now?.. You have an hour." Albert blinked, wondering how in hallows name they were going to make an ENTIRE outfit in an hour.
"Is there anything we can do to help?" Matilda bounced on her toes.
"Let's do autumn!."
"Pantsuit?"
"No, too much like HERS, a dress."
"Daywear?"
"Ballgown?" Ludo grinned even wider...it was, mildly disturbing.
"Can you? in an hour?" Zoey looked to him with a blank look.
"WE can." He grinned.
"RIGHT, Tilds, you stay right there, Theo, Albert, go and see what you can find in autumn colours, anything you can find, I'll repay you for everything you buy just grab anything and everything!" Zoey barked.

Theo and Albert didn't get chance to protest, getting kicked off the stall by Matilda.
"And they expect us to find bits for a dress, the two people who know the LEAST about fashion here." Theo wittered.
"It can't be that hard; red, orange, yellow, light brown stuff and anything thats nuts or leaves shaped." Albert shrugged, looking over the haberdashery stall that Matilda had been buying buttons from.
"Right... if we split up we might cover more ground in time." Theo would head off for the fabric store, leaving the vampire to peruse buttons and beads.
They would collect various bits and pieces; Albert returning with a bag of buttons, leaf shaped adornments and anything else he could pick up, Theo with two totes of fabrics.
"Hey Zoey, we're back." Albert would peer round the back of the stall, nudging aside the curtain.
"Oh good, come, pop those down on the table here." Zoey was down on the floor, pinning fabric to a skirtbelt that had been looped around Matilda's waist; who was in just her underwear, being measured up by Ludo.
"....How....is it going?" Albert blinked, lowering his brows just a little, giving Ludo a cursory glance. Seeing another man so close to Matilda when she was wearing so little, well, it was understandable to be feeling a little possessive. He regained his thoughts and perched himself on the table.
"We need more time, it's just going to have to be pinned in some areas so you'll have to be careful when you walk down the catwalk." Zoey spoke cautiously, pins held in her lips, more in her fingers as she pinned the skirting on.
"Hold on, isn't someone else going to wear this down the walk?" Matilda pricked her ears up.
"We don't have time to grab any more models so you'll have to do it dear." Ludo was sewing pieces together.
"I...but I ...I don't know how to do the walky thing." Matilda whined.
"Oh hush, you'll be fine, just pretend you're walking on a string." Zoey would chuckle.
Albert would be ushered out to look after the stall with Theo, who was sat watching sports again. Behind them were the frantic sounds of the sewing machine, yelps of a pin prodden werewolf and rusting of fabrics and jingling of haberdashery.
Zoey would poke her head out. "Hey Al."
"Mm? What?"
"We need to register Matilda for the walk, are you ok looking after the stall with Theo till the Mainstage event?"
"Sure, not like I'm in a rush to go anywhere until then anyway." He shrugged.
"So you're done?" Asked Theo.
"We're going to have to be, time's pretty much up." She'd disappear again, the three of them heading out the back of the stall, Matilda draped up in some spare fabric to cover the dress.
"Hey Al, aren't you going to go watch that mainstage thing?" Theo looked up from his tablet.
"I'm not super fussed really, but I probably should, are you coming?"
"Nah I gotta stay here and watch the stall. I'm good though." He gestured to the match he was watching.
"Alright, see you in a bit."
"Later man."

Albert would head over to where the mainstage event was being held, finding a vacant seat and waiting for it to begin.
Again the lights would dim and the music would play, the host of the show welcoming everyone back and mentioning the judges and their companies, magazines or whatever it was they were from before explaining what they were going to be looking for in each piece.
Albert gaze around a little, the stage looked different from where he had been sitting before, he'd be seeing things more from the side here, which at least was different.
As before, models would strut out, showing off the outfits they were wearing and walking confidently down the runway, making their poses and turns and swaggering back offstage again all the while the host commentated on each one that came out.
"Ugh.." There they were; Monique's hideous, prostitute-come-business-bitch suit. He turned his attention to the mixed reactions around him, many seemed in some state of disgust or disapproval, he noticed more those who looked like they would work in a business setting, and the shocked yet somewhat gleeful looks of those who...well they certainly didn't appear to be from corporate backgrounds.
At least they weren't out for long, the next model held his attention for a while, the girl was dressed in a pretty, pastel summerdress with delicate ruffles as accents, the name given was one he recognised from before, their last runway had also been pastel and ruffles. More and more came out and he was starting to wonder where Zoey and Ludo's might be when it was called out as a last minute entry, evidently the last to go on stage. He spotted Matilda as she nervously stepped out, walked down the runway, keeping herself upright and moving to the end of the stage, the dress bounced and flowed liquidly behind her, remarkably he thought considering all those leaves that were stuck to it, she looked like she had run through autumn and it had fashioned itself into her dress. The wolfess gave a light curtsy and a spin, the edges of the autumnal gown dripping over the corners of the stage before she turned again and almost hurriedly retreated to safety behind the scenes, her ears down nervously.
There was much chatter at the end of the show as the judges made their deliberations. A few people got up to leave the stage hall but Albert was interested to learn who had won, on the off-chance it was either Ludo, Zoey or Monique, he certainly hoped it wasn't the latter, a smidge spiteful of him perhaps but seeing how people had reacted he didn't feel too bad about that.
As the winners were announced (they weren't so much Winners more as being recognised for different categories such as most stylish, most creative and so on.) He found that Monique's name was not even mentioned, however Zoey and Ludo were for the category of most ambitious (likely due to the fact they made the thing in just under an hour, he still couldn't get his head around that one.)
With a smile he headed back for Zoey's stall, Theo was still watching the game on his tablet.
"Oh hey, who won?" Theo asked, looking up.
"Well I don't think there are winners but Zoey and Ludo got a mention in one of the categories." Albert shrugged.
"Huh...welp least they got noticed." Theo went back to watching the game.
"So what's next, I reckon that's about it right?" Albert sat himself down again.
"Yeah not long now, Zoey will probably wanna stay late, though a bunch of other stalls have started packing up already."
"Yeah I think we might head off unless zoey wants help packing up." Albert would stretch his arms over his head.
"I don't think we'll need ya." Zoey was coming back to the table with a folder. "Hey guys."
"Hey. Did you want Matilda and I to stay and help you pack up?" The vampire asked.
"Nah you guys can go ahead and leave when you're ready." Zoey smiled.
"Alright, if you're sure." He pulled himself up off the bench again. "Where's Matilda?"
"She's probably in the changing rooms near the stage area."
With a nod, he'd head off for the stage area to see if he could find her. When he got there it was still emptying out, people milling around and hanging about with no sense of direction or urgency.
"Well, looks like your friend has some skills after all." That voice....again. "What did you say?" He glanced over at her.
"Oh nothing..." Monique looked to be in a bad mood, a sore loser evidently. Albert had had enough now. "Whatever."
"Oh, not even going to talk to me anymore?"
"Go away Monique; I really don't care."
"Humph, Fine. Whatever. I don't need you. Go back to your plus sized pipsqueak-!" SMACK. Out of nowhere Matilda had swung her fist and socked Monique in the jaw; making her stumble backwards slightly. "THE FUCK DID YOU JUST CALL ME?!" She roared; riled right up, hackles and fur poofed up all over. Grabbing her arm gently so she didn't lamp Monique again, Albert tried to calm her down. "Matilda! don't, she's not worth it." With a heaving, huffy growl, Matilda lowered her fist and Monique hurried away into the crowd who were staring at the sudden commotion.
"Holy Hallows...I.. Why did... no scratch that.... I would have smacked her myself if she weren't a lady." Albert kept his grip on Matilda's arm. "I think we should go..."
"What about Zoey?"
"She says she's fine."
"I....guess...ARGH she's such a bitch."
"Yeah, yeah come on we need to go." Albert ushered her out of the hall and towards the exit, hoping she'd calm down, she was still poofed up.

Once outside, Albert found them a step and sat Matilda down.
"Are you ok?" He still had a gently grip on her arm.
"I'm fine just pissed." She pouted a bit and took a deep breath. "Ok I'm ok."
"You sure?" He looked her in the eyes, hoping that she wasn't too upset, though clearly she was.
"...I want steak." She stood up and wandered down the steps from the convention centre.
"Well, let's go get steak then." He shook his head and headed for one of the restaurants he knew were nearby.

After steak, ice cream and a lot of silence, Matilda was ready to go home. The bus ride was awkwardly quiet and Albert sank into his own thoughts, keeping a hand firmly clasped about hers to comfort her. He certainly hoped they wouldn't be seeing much of Monique again, though he did wonder how even after all those years she was still so.... well dim.

When they arrived back in Oakengrasp they took a brisk walk back to Matilda's apartment, the werewolf flopping on the sofa with a huff.
"Are you SURE you're alright? You're not normally so quiet." Albert took off his coat and shoes and settled beside her, stroking an arm gently.
"I'm just thinking.."
"Hey that's my thing." He'd get an un-amused look. "I think about things too you know."
"I know I was just-"
"I know... I know." She heaved a sigh.
"So what are you thinking about?" He asked.
"Am I fat?" Well that was a loaded question. He knew from the many, many, MANY media forms that there was no winning with this question, well very slim chance anyway. He also knew that if he paused too long she would probably be upset with him, if he said no she would think he was only trying to placate her and if he said yes....well that didn't even bear thinking about. It wasn't as if she WAS overweight anyway, her figure was....well ok she was soft and she had wide hips but so do the rest of the female side of her family. He certainly wouldnt call her fat, if anything she was very nearly hourglass shaped perhaps a little heavier on the bottom. He had to consider his answer carefully.

"No. You are curvy and that is different."
"How?"
"Well you have a slim waist for one... and you're proportions are...accentuated by your height."
"So I'm short and fat."
"Stop that. Why do you care what Monique said anyway? the only reference she has is those stick thin models who look like they live on the IDEA of food." He took her by the shoulders and gave her a squeeze. "Monique is awful, don't waste your thoughts on her."
"I probably could lose some weight though.."
"I don't think it would be much at all. You wouldn't be you and I love you just the way you are."
"You...love me?"
"Of course I do. Why would you think I didn't?....wait you don't think I don't do you?" He suddenly felt rather paranoid.
"No, no it's just... I don't think you've ever said it."
"I haven't?" He blinked and pondered a moment. "I love you Matilda, wholeheartedly." She pulled a face and cracked up, giggling a bit with a blush. "Aww I love you too."



Art/Albert/Matilda/Theo/Ludo/Zoey/Monique (C)  astrofenn