This is a work of fiction. It is straight out of my imagination, except for most of the pagan practices mentioned. This is written for adults and if you are not supposed to read this where you live, then please don't.
Part 22
The next day I worked on the painting for several hours in the morning light. I roughed in the form and began a little of the shading and color. I took a break for lunch and called my friend Danny. He was working on a lot of items, but he said he would make time for me. He was glad to see that I was dating, and that we were going to the ball together. I made an appointment for that evening and went to find some lunch.
When Ryan got home I had dinner waiting so that we would make the appointment at 6:30PM. Danny worked out of his home, so it was not too inconvenient to have evening fittings. His shop was in the walk down store front beneath his corner home. We went to his front door, because the shop was long since closed for the night. He opened the door and ushered us inside. I introduced Ryan to my old friend, who promptly checked him out from head to toe.
Danny was a tall fellow. At least six foot, two or three inches. He was also rather heavy. He had told me once that he weighed around three hundred pounds, but he didn't really look that big. He was dieting , and had lost a bit of weight, but he had a ways to go to meet his goal. He adamantly refused to be called a bear. He was not hairy and had what little hair he had removed on a regular basis.
He had deep set, dark brown eyes and full lips. His hair was dark and short, and stood at fashionably odd angles across his head. He was wearing a black button down, french cuff shirt, and black trousers. He mostly only wore black. I had seen him in purple and green a few times, but that was rare. I could see small lengths of thread and bits of fabric sticking to his clothes. He had been working late. No doubt trying to keep up with all of the orders for the holidays.
"So, you actually want blue velvet tuxedos," he asked as he led us down stairs to the shop.
"Yeah, that would be nice... wouldn't it," I asked, deferring to his sense of taste.
"Well, you know, half of the people there will be wearing dark blue velvet. I ordered five bolts as soon as this years color's were announced. I have had to reorder already."
"Well, what would you suggest." I looked over at Ryan. He looked a bit brought down. Danny noticed Ryan too. His face softened and he looked around the shop.
"You know what, I have an idea." He walked over to his computer and opened a bookmarked site. "I saw something that was rather interesting. I decided to save it for a special person... or a special couple." He pulled up a picture of a piece of midnight blue Chinese satin brocade with white sparkly embroidery in the shape of stars.
"Wow, that is beautiful," Ryan said looking closer at the screen.
"What if I made you dark blue silk tuxes and made waistcoats and ties out of this." Danny turned and looked up at us. Ryan looked at me and smiled
"Sounds good to me." I smiled and slapped Danny on the back. He flinched and looked up at me like I was crazy.
"Ooh, sorry," I said and stepped back.
"Well, we have that out of the way. I will order the fabric once I have your measurements. They seem to have a bit left" He jumped up and moved over to a work table. He grabbed a measuring tape and motioned us toward a riser. "I get to take an inseam, na, na, na, na, na, na," he sang as he moved across the room. Ryan looked at me and stifled a giggle.
"Do I need to take Ryan's measurements," I asked, half joking.
"Don't be silly, I am a professional, now drop trou and hop on the riser." He slapped Ryan on the ass and grabbed his voice recorder. Ryan smiled at me and pulled off his pants as I watched Danny like a hawk. Danny took the measurements and spoke them into a voice recorder. He blew hot breath on the metal tip of his tape and smiled at me before taking the inseam. I just looked on wryly. "Ok, big boy, up on the riser. I dropped my pants and took off my jacket. I placed them on a chair neatly and Danny helped me onto the riser. He took my measurements and we were ready to look at fabric.
We looked at several good swatches and finally chose the one we wanted. We asked for a satin strip on the trousers and had to beg a little. We finally picked out buttons and lining fabric. We actually had the jackets lined in white, just to go with the theme. He assured us it wouldn't show up because of the interfacing.
I had to go to the bathroom, but was worried about leaving Ryan with Danny. He was someone to watch, and he was very unpredictable. I used the restroom quickly and returned to the shop.
"...so he said, something smells fishy, and I said that is your pussy you bitch, now tell me what kind of flowers you like before I call your mother and ask her." Danny was telling Ryan about his latest exploits with is internet friend Greg.
"So, you were going to send him flowers." Ryan asked.
"Nope, I just couldn't remember the kind he liked. I should send him some of those dead roses they sell," Danny said and laughed.
"Are y'all any closer to getting together," I asked Danny as I walked into the room.
"We are as close as we can get, I imagine. Only time will tell. He is a cute little bastard." He looked across the room and grinned slightly, obviously thinking of his friend. "Well, I guess we're done." He took an order slip from his cluttered desk, filled it out, and handed me the copy. He put the original on the cork board with the rest of his current projects.
"So Danny, what are you wearing to the ball," Ryan asked as we began to walk up the stairs.
"Oh, well, I have put together something really special. I suppose I can show y'all." Danny turned to the right at the top of the stairs and walked to a storage room on the main floor of his house. He pushed a cloth covered form into the foyer and pulled the sheet away. Ryan and I both gasped at the suit before us.
Danny had outdone himself. The suit was dark blue silk with a blue suede collar. It was a Victorian frock coat with beautiful silver filigree buttons. The buttonholes were double welt finished in blue satin. A waistcoat beneath it was blue velvet with white embroidery, pearls, Austrian crystals and glass beads. The buttons were mother of pearl. The shirt collar was white and the tie was simple dark blue satin to match the welts. He pulled back the skirt of the coat to show the white brocade lining.
"Danny, you are a lunatic. How long did it take you to make this," I asked.
"I started about the same time you told me the theme colors. I guess it was about four months ago. I still have to finish the trousers. I hope I have time. I have the shoes on order."
"Well, you are going to look fabulous. I can't wait for the ball," Ryan said and put out his hand for Danny. Danny took it and they shook.
"I will give you a call for your first fitting. It should be in few days if I can swing it. I have a few people coming in to help me these last few weeks, but I will do your suits myself. Of course," he added, "that is what I am telling everyone." We all laughed as we walked to the door. We thanked Danny and were on our way home.
(To be continued)
The next chapter will be submitted soon.
I welcome comments, twinkchaser@excite.com