Godspeed by February Grace Page A

heart was so big, so warm and caring, that he would have room in it for the whole of the world, should he decide that they, too, were worth saving.
    “I have something much nicer for you to look at.” He smiled broadly and pulled an item out of his bag. “What do you think?”
    He was holding a garment, a beautiful, elegant blouse in the clearest shade of blue I had ever seen. It had buttons down the front and the collar was not so high as to be uncomfortable given my state, yet just enough to hide, it appeared, almost all of the external evidence of the wires.
    “It's the exact shade of your eyes,” he continued, obviously pleased by my expression as he displayed the gift. “I may not be able to do what Quinn does, but I am a wonder when it comes to color.”
    I thought of the scarlet room and nodded. “It is… really for me?”
    “Well it doesn't fit me. I know , I've already tried. ” He winked at me, and I almost, but not quite, laughed at the thought. “There's more. Black skirt with lace petticoats, a vest that I will tailor to fit as soon as you can stand…”
    “You made these?” I marveled, forgetting myself and interrupting him. I looked at him apologetically and he tilted his head to show he forgave my youthful enthusiasm.
    “Well, you don't think I can just go out and buy a jacket like this, do you?” He held up the tails of the magnificent, sapphire blue velvet waistcoat he wore. He pivoted around and back again to show off the movement of the piece. “No one makes clothing like this, not even in Fairever. So I had to learn to make it myself. After all, we don't all want to wear black straight from the shop window like…”
    “Like I do.”
    Our heads snapped up, turning in unison toward the man now speaking, and I could have sworn that Schuyler's reaction was every bit the same as mine as Quinn appeared in the doorway.
    “Just so, sir,” Schuyler agreed, his manner becoming even more jovial. “Like you do. You really should wear more color, Quinn. Especially blue.” Schuyler held up the blouse and glanced back and forth between Quinn's face and the fabric. “Definitely blue.”
    Quinn scoffed and stepped forward, moving swiftly past Schuyler with a disregard that instantly stole the light from Schuyler's expression. “Yes, and the world would come to an end if our trousers weren't precisely cuffed,” Quinn muttered. “Clothing serves modesty, Schuyler. Fashion is but vain.”
    I winced seeing the pain in Schuyler's eyes, though more so at the fact that he turned quickly away so as to hide that hurt from Quinn.
    It was not as though Quinn would have taken note of it anyway, his full attention was fixed upon me. “You're sitting up. That is good to see.”
    I became even more acutely aware now of what I was not wearing. My arms shifted up and over my body, ridiculous though it was given that he'd obviously seen much more in caring for me than I wanted to entertain.
    “Before I let you dress her up like the porcelain doll you aim to make her, Schuyler, I must look her over and check her progress. I must also explain…” Quinn's voice turned much more burdened, along with his thoughts, and he paused.
    “Explain?” I asked.
    “What this is,” he whispered, waving vaguely toward the table behind him and the items upon it, in a way that prevented me from determining which ‘this’ he meant. “And exactly what it is that I've done to you.”
    Schuyler blanched. He shifted his weight from side to side with obvious discomfort. Quinn jerked his head in the direction of the door, wordlessly commanding his friend to depart through it.
    Schuyler folded the blouse with gentle, loving hands and restored it to its place in his bag. “I'll… go and press this for you. Then it'll be all ready as soon as you are.”
    I spoke grateful words in parting. “Thank you, sir.”
    Schuyler inclined his head to acknowledge my thanks, bowed slightly to Quinn, and then took his leave without another