In the days before the Soulless returned to the First World, the Elders spent
their days perfecting their crafts. Some, like Lord Shikari, hunted and honed
their skills in battle. Others, like Xyl, contemplated the mysteries of the
world. But this story is of an artist and a creator.

It happened that Lady Viravain of the Summer Song was resting in the forest one
day, watching Her newest creations working busily in the dirt. She was so
pleased with the intelligence and diligence of Her ants that She only noticed
Lord Lyreth after He spoke.

"HellllOOOO Viravain! How are you this wonderful morning?" He cried, sounding
even more enthusiastic than usual.

Mentally scolding Herself for jumping as She had, Viravain turned, and started
in surprise again. She paused a long while, but finally replied. "Well enough,
Lyreth. You have something on your lips."

"Oh, this? Yes... I'd forgotten..." Lyreth said, smiling widely, his lips
gleaming orange. "I've been toying with some new tools to make everything
prettier... this one's called lipstick."

"How lovely," Viravain replied with a faint smile. "It's certainly...
eye-catching."

"Oh yes. I thought so as well," Lyreth replied, beaming. "I just thought
everything around here could use some more color. I hope you don't mind, but I
tested it out on one of your toucans... I think he looks a lot better already."

"Oh." Viravain's eyes unfocused a moment as She took stock of Her creations,
and found one of them rather traumatized. "...yes, it looks... lovely."

"I didn't think my lipstick worked so well..." Lyreth said happily. "It's not
the reason I came to see you, though. Do you notice anything else?"

Viravain smiled fixedly, and acknowledged the item She had been trying to
ignore. "You seem to have a new... gown?"

Lyreth smiled and posed, turning once or twice to show off His new garment.
"It's a new robe, actually... I'm so proud of it. Do you like it?"

Viravain didn't respond for a long while, just staring at the vibrant purple
outfit. "Well, the butterfly motif is interesting. And the hole in the middle
to show off your belly is... different," She said, as politely as She could
manage. "You should ask Trillillial if she wants one of those. It might look
better on..."

"Oh, no no no no no..." Lyreth said, cutting Viravain short with a wave of His
hand. "This is MY creation. If she wants something this fine, she can make one
of her own." He paused, thinking. "Well, perhaps I can make one for her. And
all the others, too... Tae and Shikari and Meridian... do you think I could
convince Meridian to wear one of these?"

"It won't be any harder than convincing my brother, I assure you," Viravain
replied, face carefully free of emotion.

Lyreth smiled widely. "Excellent... well, I'll go ask him, then. He'd look
fabulous in one of these... If this works out, I'll be the Lord of Fashion
among the Elders... ooh. The thought just makes me shiver... Thank you,
Viravain!" He cried, before vanishing in a cloud of light and sound.

And then Viravain made the tiny, ravenous moths that make your clothes
disintegrate into nothing. The end.