feat: drafted eight through ten

chapters/chapter-01.md

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 ---
 title: Measured
 summary: >
-  Galadin doesn't want to be fitted for a suit, he wants to be measured for a dress. However no one knows his secret fantasy and he is forced to endure the role life gave him.
+  Galadin doesn't want to be fitted for a suit, he wants to be measured for a dress. However, no one knows his secret fantasy and he is forced to endure the role life gave him.
 ---
 
 > The debutante's best chance to fulfill her purpose as a married woman comes from the debutante balls where she is presented before eligible men, besires, from all ages of eighteen to eighty. --- Polistar da Halin, *The Dance of Grace*
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ He wondered what it would feel like if he wore it. A faint smile crossed his lip
 
 "Galadin!"
 
-He jumped at his mother's voice. Turning around, he clasped his hands in his lap. "Yes, mother."
+He jumped at his mother's voice. Turning around, he clasped his hands in his lap. "Yes, Mother."
 
 "Stop staring like an imbecile at that damn dress and come over here." She gestured curtly to a platform next to her.
 
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ Galadin tore his eyes away guilty and pointedly stared at one of the suits. It w
 
 "Answer me."
 
-"No, mother."
+"No, Mother."
 
 She glared at him. "Get down, we're done."
 

chapters/chapter-02.md

@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ Galadin had been training for a month now. Dame Dorin's teaching style was brusq
 
 His mother stopped at the entrance. She looked up at a nearby clock tower and hissed between her teeth. "I'm late. Go inside and behave."
 
-"Yes, mother."
+"Yes, Mother."
 
 She gave him a perfunctory kiss on his cheek before crossing the street.
 

chapters/chapter-04.md

@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ summary: >
 
 > As a patriarchy, the gender roles in Tarsan are very strict, more so with High Society events and those that dance with the founding families. --- *Death Among High Society*
 
-At the prickle of the pin, Galadin flinched and let out a grunt.
+At the prick of the pin, Galadin flinched and let out a grunt.
 
 "Be quiet," snapped his mother. She sat in one of the chairs along the side of the fitting area, her back straight and her hands neatly folded over her purse.
 
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ Galadin focused his attention on the window. For the third day of the week, the
 
 "Galadin."
 
-He didn't want to answer. "I'm just waiting, mother."
+He didn't want to answer. "I'm just waiting, Mother."
 
 He heard the rustle of her dress. He glanced over to see her lifting the edge of her skirt to walk over. He returned his attention to the window.
 
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ Galadin listened to the door creak shut and then latch. He fought the sick feeli
 
 She stared at him with a hard look. He could hear her foot tapping through the pedestal. "What's wrong you? I need you to be present."
 
-"I'm here, mother."
+"I'm here, Mother."
 
 "Yes, your body is but your mind has gone on a voyage. Why?"
 
@@ -48,19 +48,19 @@ She stared at him with a hard look. He could hear her foot tapping through the p
 
 Galadin lowered his arms as he regarded his mother. "Yes?"
 
-"What is wrong with you? You've been acting like I'm sending you to prison all week." She shook her head and gestured toward the door. "No, you've been like this since you ever asked to go the presentation balls."
+"What is wrong with you? You've been acting like I'm sending you to prison all week." She shook her head and gestured toward the door. "No, you've been like this ever since you asked to go the presentation balls."
 
 "Yes but...." Even as a child, he had always wanted to go to the presentation balls. He loved the ritual of them, the pronouncements, the swirl of dresses, and all the events that surrounded the pomp of suitors and debutantes. But when he wrote in his secret journal, he wasn't the suited man finding the perfect woman, he was the woman looking for a suitor.
 
-His mother had somehow found his book though he had hidden it underneath his bed. She must have skimmed over it before she decided to fulfill her version of his fantasy. Galadin first found out when she surprised him with a formal invitation, something that was just above their family's position in society. He didn't know how she got it, only that it must have cost his parents to get it.
+His mother had somehow found his book despite his efforts to hide it underneath his bed. She must have skimmed over it before she decided to fulfill her version of his fantasy. Galadin first found out when she surprised him with a formal invitation, something that was just above their family's position in society. He didn't know how she got it, only that it must have cost his parents to get it.
 
-She gestured for him to continued.
+She gestured for him to continue.
 
 He sighed. "I do want to go," he said lamely knowing it wasn't quite the truth.
 
 "You... is that it, you don't want to go now? After everything we've done? This is the best---"
 
-His chest felt tight but he had to speak up. "I... I know, mother. I know what you've both had to do to get me here."
+His chest felt tight but he had to speak up. "I... I know, Mother. I know what you've both had to do to get me here."
 
 "Then what is it?  You'll have a handsome suit, the best outfits. I even have a carriage service arranged. You are going to be stunning and find a beautiful wife." Her voice had softened. "That is what you want, trust me."
 
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ She stepped back, one hand on her chest and her face paling.
 
 "Is it just the material? I can have him change it. If you want anything, just tell me. Please?" There were tears in her eyes as she held out her hand. "Please? Just tell me."
 
-Sniffing, Galadin knew that she would do it. A thousand jems would mean nothing if he did what she wanted. But it still wouldn't be what his heart wanted. He thought about his father's words from the night before. If he wanted to be happy, he had to make the choices for his life. Heart pounding and his stomach twisting, he spoke quickly, "I don't want to wear a suit, mother. It doesn't matter how it's made, it's the suit itself. It's the role that I don't want."
+Sniffing, Galadin knew that she would do it. A thousand jems would mean nothing if he did what she wanted. But it still wouldn't be what his heart wanted. He thought about his father's words from the night before. If he wanted to be happy, he had to make the choices for his life. Heart pounding and his stomach twisting, he spoke quickly, "I don't want to wear a suit, Mother. It doesn't matter how it's made, it's the suit itself. It's the role that I don't want."
 
 "But... a dress? Why? Why would you do that to me?"
 

chapters/chapter-05.md

@@ -4,11 +4,11 @@ summary: >
   Enraged by his desire to be a woman, Galadin's mother storms home to blame his father. However, the curious mage sees it as a different problem to be solved.
 ---
 
-> Maril took the charge of the hunt. His cries lead the other besires in the most glorious of hunts, none of them wiser to the womanhood inside his breeches. --- *The Lady's Consort*
+> Maril took the charge of the hunt. His cries led the other besires in the most glorious of hunts, none of them wiser to the womanhood inside his breeches. --- *The Lady's Consort*
 
 Galadin's mother stormed into the house, slamming the door as she entered. The magical lock sparked as the door swung back. "Damn you, Stanton! This is all your fault!"
 
-He winched and continued after her. He felt sick to his stomach and his eyes burned with tears. He didn't mean to tell her that he wanted to wear a dress to the ball, but a part of him was glad that it had finally been brought into the open. His mother's fury, on the other hand, was exactly what he feared.
+Galadin winced and continued after her. He felt sick to his stomach and his eyes burned with tears. He didn't mean to tell her that he wanted to wear a dress to the ball, but a part of him was glad that it had finally been brought into the open. His mother's fury, on the other hand, was exactly what he feared.
 
 The carriage ride back home could have been through a frozen wasteland. She had said nothing. When he tried to speak, she had silenced him with a glare or a hiss.
 
@@ -38,13 +38,13 @@ His father slid out of his chair and joined her on the floor. He pulled her into
 
 She pressed her cheek against his shoulder and sobbed. "My baby. What is wrong with my baby?"
 
-Galadin inched into the room. There were tears in his eyes. Guilt hummed inside him, guilt that there was something wrong and regret that he wanted something he couldn't have. He knew that she was in pain, but he couldn't tell her he would be the man she wanted. He couldn't. It felt like a dam had burst and he had a chance. He caught his father's gaze. "I'm sorry, father."
+Galadin inched into the room. There were tears in his eyes. Guilt hummed inside him, guilt that there was something wrong and regret that he wanted something he couldn't have. He knew that she was in pain, but he couldn't tell her he would be the man she wanted. He couldn't. It felt like a dam had burst and he had a chance. He caught his father's gaze. "I'm sorry, Father."
 
 Stanton gave him an impassive look, one of innocent confusion that he wore when fighting. "For what?"
 
 He wanted to say he would go back to the tailor to get the suit fitted but he couldn't. It felt like a horrible lie, as if he had to shove is true self back into a box just to make his mother happy. He sniffed and shook his head. "I... I can't. I want---"
 
-"No, you don't."
+"No, you don't," his father said.
 
 "What?"
 
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ Stanton kissed the top of her head. "I'm always paying attention, you know that.
 
 "What do we do?"
 
-"Well, first we talk as if our child is in the room." He looked up at Galadin. "And then we ask how you want to move forward?"
+"Well, first we talk as if our child is in the room." He looked up at Galadin. "And then we ask how you want to move forward."
 
 Galadin gasped. Blindly, he reached out for a chair. When he caught it, he found his legs wouldn't move.
 
@@ -98,13 +98,13 @@ She let out a choked sob. "You were such a pile of shit when we first married."
 
 "But, he's a boy."
 
-His father smiled to his wife. "Let's change that. We can pull favors. My mother might take a bit of convincing after getting the invitation but I'm sure all three of us can convince her. We make a new list, find new instructors, get a dress. A list of things do it?" He smiled broadly. "That is something I'm very good at doing."
+His father smiled to his wife. "Let's change that. We can pull favors. My mother might take a bit of convincing after getting the invitation but I'm sure all three of us can convince her. We make a new list, find new instructors, get a dress." He smiled broadly. "That is something I'm very good at doing."
 
 She sniffed as the tears rolled down her cheeks. "Just like that?"
 
 He kissed her on the nose, and then on the brow. "We will move the world for our child, right?"
 
-Galadin realized that he wasn't part of the conversation, but he was also on the edge of losing his own emotions. His father, though confusing to understood, seemed to have done exactly what he said, he took on the fury of his mother. He staggered to his feet and inched out of the room, never taking his eyes away from his parents.
+Galadin realized that he wasn't part of the conversation, but he was also on the edge of losing his own emotions. His father, though confusing to understand, seemed to have done exactly what he said, he took on the fury of his mother. He staggered to his feet and inched out of the room, never taking his eyes away from his parents.
 
 As soon as he could, he spun and race up the stairs. His throat seized up as a sob of his own threatened to tear out. He shook with the effort to keep it bottled in. He managed to make his room before he lost it. The cry rose out of his throat, a terrifying mixture of fear and relief.
 

chapters/chapter-06.md

@@ -8,13 +8,13 @@ summary: >
 
 Their carriage came to a rattling stop in front of a relatively nondescript storefront with a crowded display area filled with feathered hats, a milliner's. Galadin leaned against the side and peered at the darkened store wondering why they had stopped.
 
-Outside, rain splattered loudly across the carriage, drumming across the wooden roof until it rolled down the glass in crystalline rivulets and splashing to the cobblestones. Below, garbage floated past in a stately procession.
+Outside, rain splattered loudly across the carriage, drumming across the wooden roof until it rolled down the glass in crystalline rivulets and splashed to the cobblestones. Below, garbage floated past in a stately procession.
 
-He glanced around the other windows, half afraid they had headed the docks to throw him on a boat as an embarrassment. The rest of the surrounding buildings were clothiers, milliners, and shoemakers. It didn't look or smell like the docks. He leaned back with a soft sigh of relief.
+He glanced around the other windows, half afraid they had headed to the docks to throw him on a boat as an embarrassment. The rest of the surrounding buildings were clothiers, milliners, and shoemakers. It didn't look or smell like the docks. He leaned back with a soft sigh of relief.
 
 "Are you sure about this?"
 
-Galadin jump at his mother's sudden question. He looked to see her sitting primly on her bench. Her straight back revealed her discomfort. She didn't want to be there.
+Galadin jumped at his mother's sudden question. He looked to see her sitting primly on her bench. Her straight back revealed her discomfort. She didn't want to be there.
 
 He turned to her. He knew she wanted him to agree to go back, to pretend to be a man for her sake. It didn't feel like an option anymore, he finally had a chance and his heart ached for the chance.
 
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ Both of them jumped.
 
 Outside, a man with a bowler stood outside. He peered inside. "Maran and Galadin von Kasins?" He had a low, rumbling voice. Despite wearing a black suit that fit his broad shoulders perfectly, he had the appearance of a sailor with a deep tan and weathered lines on his face. His appearance reminded Galadin of Benard, though the new man was much older than Benard.
 
-Maran sighed and shot a glare at Galadin before she unlatched the door. "Last chance, don't do this."
+Maran sighed and shot a glare at Galadin before she unlatched the door. "Last chance. You don't have to do this."
 
 The other man opened the door with a bow. "Good evening, I am Kendrick bo Martin hio Kasin. I was sent out to escort you to the lovely Lily bo Martin."
 
@@ -54,9 +54,9 @@ When it was his turn, Galadin hesitated. It was tradition to have a man help a w
 
 Kendrick smiled and kept his hand held out.
 
-Galadin held his breath. When Kendrick winked, he hesitatingly placed his fingertips along the broad palm and let himself be drawn out. The little action brought a thrill coursing through the younger man's veins. It felt good, it felt right.
+Galadin held his breath. When Kendrick winked, he hesitatingly placed his fingertips along the broad palm and let himself be drawn out. The little action brought a thrill coursing through his veins. It felt good, it felt right.
 
-Kendrick lead both of Galadin and his mother down the block to the only store that still had lights on. The front was filled with elegant dresses with matching hats and shoes. They were arrayed in a rainbow of colors, the graduation from yellow to purple was almost perfect.
+Kendrick led both of Galadin and his mother down the block to the only store that still had lights on. The front was filled with elegant dresses with matching hats and shoes. They were arrayed in a rainbow of colors. The graduation from yellow to purple was almost perfect.
 
 > Lily bo Martin hio Kasin's
 >
@@ -72,15 +72,17 @@ Galadin ducked his head and went inside.
 
 Two women greeted him. One was slender with blonde hair so brilliant it looked white and an elegant dress that made Galadin instantly jealous. He could have sworn he was looking at one of the many pictures that hung on the ball walls. She was almost exactly what Galadin fantasized about becoming.
 
-The second woman was fat and just as beautiful. Her dress threatened to burst out of her top, the deep valley of her cleavage no doubt drawing the attention of any man nearby. Her wide hips swayed with her steps as she came up to Galadin and his mother. "Welcome to Lily's. I'm Mindil da Kasin ho Pavin."
+The second woman was fat and just as beautiful. Her dress threatened to burst from the breasts underneath, the deep valley of her cleavage no doubt drawing the attention of any man nearby. Her wide hips swayed with her steps as she came up to Galadin and his mother. "Welcome to Lily's. I'm Mindil da Kasin ho Pavin."
 
 Maran pulled a face and jerked her attention to the side. "Lily?"
 
 Lily, the slender blonde, inclined her head and smiled. "A pleasure to meet you, Maran da Kasin de Kamer."
 
-"Thank you for staying up past your normal hours. If it wasn't a delicate matter, I wouldn't have asked. I do ask that you exercise discretion in dealing with my son."
+"Thank you for staying open past your normal hours. If it wasn't a delicate matter, I wouldn't have asked. I do ask that you exercise discretion in dealing with my son."
 
-Lily glanced at Galadin who flinched. "You mean your daughter?"
+Lily glanced at Galadin. "You mean your daughter?"
+
+Galadin flinched.
 
 "Yes, he decided he wanted to go as a debutante," his mother said with a sound of disgust.
 
@@ -110,6 +112,6 @@ Galadin smiled, tears in his eyes. "May I be a blonde? A pretty one." He blushed
 
 She reached up and stroked his hair again. A warmth rippled along Galadin's scalp. He didn't know what to do, so he remained still until she gestured to one of many full-length mirrors surrounding the back room.
 
-He peered at himself. When he saw a brilliantly gold hair on top of his head, a stark contrast to the dark brown, he let out a choking gasp. It wasn't Galadin in the mirror anymore, it was Glorias. "It's beautiful."
+He peered at himself. When he saw brilliantly gold hair on top of his head, a stark contrast to the dark brown, he let out a choking gasp. He loved it. If it was longer, then it wouldn't be Galadin in the mirror anymore, it would be Glorias. "It's beautiful."
 
 Lily smiled before pulling out a long length of tape. "I promise you, by the time you show up at that ball, you are going to steal the show."

chapters/chapter-07.md

@@ -1,143 +1,85 @@
 ---
 title: The Dance
 summary: >
-  The big night, the first dance. Galadin is attending as Glorias and it is everything she hoped it would be. In fact, it might be more than she expected.
+  The big night and the first dance. Galadin is attending as Glorias and it is everything she hoped it would be. At least until someone recognizes him.
 ---
 
 > There are countless presentation balls throughout what is known as the Social Season. The early ones are a show while the later ones are were decisions are made, alliances forged, and enemies earned. --- *The Dance of Grace*
 
-After years of fantasies, Galadin's first presentation ball exceeded everything he had hoped for. For the last hour, his dance card had been filled with one partner after the other. He enjoyed every moment on the floor where is long green dress swirled and flowed along with the others. He could picture what it looked like from the balcony where two artists rapidly painted scenes to memorialize the event for the dozens of debutantes that attended.
+After years of fantasies and days of worry, Galadin's first presentation ball exceeded everything he had dreamed it would be. For the last hour, his dance card had been filled with one partner after the other. He loved every moment on the floor, hand-in-hand with his partner and his green dress flowing in the wide circles of one classical dance after another.
 
-It was also where the impact of the event struck and his sense of self started to blur. Was he a teenage boy in a dress? Or was he really a she wearing the outfit she always wanted? She felt dizzy with the shifting sensations that seemed to bounce from one moment to another. However, there wasn't any time to consider her self during the dances or after.
+The last minute dance lessons still echoed in his hand as he looked into the eyes of his current partner, an older man with a military badge of honor on his breast. He was easily twice Galadin's age but seemed to be enjoying himself.
 
-In the brief respite between each number brought a number of other men willing to chat. Somehow, he found a way of speaking without revealing his true nature. It was sad that he couldn't admit he was male but just the rush of wearing a dress and having everyone treat him as a woman brought joy to his heart.
+He knew that his mother had been careful about his dance card. No one famous or in the center of attention for the city would be taking his hand. She was careful not to risk the family's reputation on Galadin's fantasy, but somehow she managed to find enough suitors to keep Galadin dancing.
 
-His mother had finally related and helped with his story of being a country middle-born, in town for the presentation. There were hundred of the debutantes coming in from the rural areas, it would be easy to not only fake his past but also mask the minor mistakes he made.
+One of the twirls came up. He smiled, tasting the faint flowery flavor of his lipstick, and let his hand be drawn up to spin around. His heels threatened to twist but he bore down and stepped into it, spinning on the tips of his toes before coming down in perfect harmony with thirty other debutantes dancing. The shudder brought a swelling of joy and he smiled through the tears that threatened to ruin his makeup.
 
-Of course, after the balls would be a different story. They had conveniently left Glorias's name off the registry at the ball. That made it difficult for anyone to formally request his hand in marriage, not that anyone would.
+"You look beautiful, bedame," said her partner. Galadin already knew that he wasn't seriously looking and there was no chance he would be asking for Galadin's hand. All he wanted was to be seen dancing with one pretty woman after the other.
 
-Later, there would be some uncomfortable questions asked. He knew that he might be moving to the country house in earnest but for the time being, he was enjoying the luxury of being the woman he dreamed of becoming for so long.
+"Thank you."
 
-He knew that his mother had selected the partner as ones who weren't likely to continue their affections: rakes, men who only wanted to touch but not keep beautiful women, and those who already expressed an interest in someone else. It was part of their ploy and one that Galadin couldn't thank her enough for finally accepting it.
+The song ended with a flourish.
 
-Every time one of the partners would kiss the back of her hand or the sweet words brought an intense rush of excitement. She couldn't stop smiling every time her heels danced across the floor.
+Her partner make the customary bow and kissed the back of Galadin's gloved hand.
 
-"Thank you, Bedame, for the lovely dance," said the older gentleman looking for a second spouse.
+With a blush, Galadin curtsied and let himself be drawn to the edge of the dance. There was a bit of a crowd but he would be delivered back to his mother.
 
-Glorias curtsied. "My humble thanks for your company, Sire."
+While they made their way, Galadin glanced up at the balcony. There were three painters with easels frantically drawing and working their brushes. Two other artists were concentrating on their canvas with a haze of magic drawing colors across the page.
 
-He escorted Glorias to the edges of the dance where Maran sat with a circle of friends. He bowed deeply to Galadin's mother. "I bring your daughter safe to your side," he intoned the ritualistic words before slipping away. From what he said while dancing, he already had his name on two more cards before the evening ended.
+The idea that he would be in one of the pictures of the balls sped up his pulse. He smiled broadly and fought the urge to wipe the tear from his eye.
 
-Galadin gave his mother a nervous smile. It froze on his face when he saw a strange look on her face, an expression he had never seen before.
+Then he caught sight of Dame Dorin, his original dance instructor, looking at him from next to the painters. A pale shiver of fear rose up in the back of his throat as she tilted her head slightly and then hurried down the stairs.
 
-"Glorias!" It was the seamstress with three others. Lily wore a brilliant dress that looked like a thousand feathers, each one the proscribed green of the dance yet somehow made each panel appear to be a different color. Her ability to color anything had stunned both Galadin and his mother.
+Turning away, Galadin fought a whimper. Did Dorin notice him? Would she ruin his secret? He focused on not letting his tension grip the fingers of her partner, but his other hand tightened in the growing fear.
 
-On one side, Kendrick walked next to her with her fingertips resting on his elbow. On the other, a man she didn't recognize held Mindil's hand. The second man looked slender compared to his wife but it was obvious they were in sync by the way their feet stepped in harmony.
+Just as they reached the tables, Dorin approached. She had a fake smile on her lips as she held out her hand. "There you are!" She held out her arms in welcome.
 
-Lily pulled Galadin into a hug that wouldn't risk marring either of their makeup. "You look beautiful, my dear."
+Her partner stopped. "Oh, you are from Dame Dorin's school?" It was a pointed question. There was a lot more than just debutantes by themselves at the ball, there were also all the seamstresses, instructors, and women involved with presenting them. The success of debutante expanded to include not only herself but those who helped her.
 
-"Thank you," Galadin whispered back.
+Galadin gulped and glanced at Dorin.
 
-"How does it feel?"
+She gave an encouraging nod.
 
-"Like everything I ever wanted."
+Terrified that he was about to have his secret revealed, Galadin said, "Y-Yes. I've been going to her for weeks."
 
-A sob startled her. He looked over to see tears on his mother's face. She was smiling as she held a piece of silk to her lips. "Mother?"
+Her partner gave Dame Dorin a bow. "Your instructions were impeccable, Taladame Dorin."
 
-"You are so beautiful," she said through the tears. Behind her, a few of her friends nodded with tears in their own eyes.
+"Thank you, Besire," she said with just a quiver of her lips. Dorin was clear to call her "dame", not "taladame" for a lady who had lost her husband.
 
-The world spun around Galadin as he looked at his mother. "Really?"
+"I'll leave your charge in your hands, I have some business to attend to."
 
-"Y-Yes!" She staggered up out of her chair. Stepping around the table, she grabbed Galadin. "My baby."
+Galadin's heart rose up in a brief worry. Was he going to talk to Galadin's father? Was his mother wrong?
 
-Galadin let out a gasp and then hugged her mother back. She could feel her crying, the soft sobs shaking her body as they held each other tightly. "Thank you. Thank you so very much."
+Dorin took Galadin's hand and deftly brought him to the side. "He's not going to your father, Love. A pair of his card game friends had just arrived with their daughters and he has his eyes on one of them."
 
-His mother kissed her sweetly. "You are so beautiful."
+"Oh," Galadin wasn't sure if he was disappointed or relieved.
 
-Lily and her friends excused themselves and left mother and... daughter behind. After a few minutes, the two broke their embrace and sat down at the table.
+Dorin turned and held Galadin's hand, looking him over. They were away from the others. Her lips pressed tightly together. "So, this is why you stopped coming to my lessons?"
 
-Glorias glanced at her dance card. There were two more lines for the final two dances but both were empty. The rush, the point of being someone else faded. He was disappointed but at the same time happy that the three other lines had been filled in. For someone who had presented himself as a woman only a few weeks ago, the fact that three found him appealing brought a smile.
+A deep blush colored Galadin's cheeks. He felt naked in front of Dorin. Slowly, he nodded.
 
-"Do you want to stay?"
+"Tadame Potsur?" It was the other instructor, a drunk woman who could barely move but knew enough to keep her mouth shut about Galadin's secret.
 
-Galadin nodded with a sad smile. "Yes, even if I don't dance. I just want to enjoy this evening. I don't want it to ever end."
+"Y-Yes."
 
-His mother pushed a glass of wine over to him.
+Dorin shook her head. "Oh, she's just... the worst. You should have come to me. I would have helped."
 
-He smiled to himself and then carefully dabbed the tears from his eyes. "This is everything I hoped for."
+"Would you?"
 
-"Do you want to keep going?"
+Dorin shrugged. "When I can count the number of bedames and besires I'm teaching with one hand?" She sighed. "Yes, I would. It may have taken me a bit, but when I saw you with that... man, I knew there was a chance you went that way."
 
-"Can I? R-Really?"
+She lifted Galadin's gloved hands and lowered them, "Just not this way. You do make a lovely bedame but some of your movements still scream besire."
 
-"Aren't you already thinking of yourself as a debutante?"
+"I'm sorry." Galadin ducked his head.
 
-Galadin hesitated. As much as he loved wearing the dress, he still struggled with being a male or a female. Whenever he concentrated, he thought of himself as Galadin, not Glorias. It was the shifting fantasies, when she was being wooed or dancing where Glorias felt like a woman, not a man. He sighed, his head and heart both ached. It felt like walking out into the sunlight for the first time.
+Dame Dorin's eyes grew hard for a moment and then she smiled. "I'll tell you what. You tell everyone that I'm still your teacher and we resume your lessons after the ball. Your form is beautiful but you need to bring your hand more into a curve when you spin. It has to look like a ribbon flowing in the water."
 
-"You can, if you want. I'll help. Your father will too, he always does."
+She gave a short laugh and some of the attention faded. "Besides, Potsur won't be standing much less attending this ball. A silk lady should always attend the affairs of their charges, that goes triple for their most promising."
 
-"Really?"
+Galadin's heart almost exploded. "You think I"m promising."
 
-She nodded with fresh tears glistening in her eyes. "Yes, I promise." She chuckled. "I knew this day was coming for years. It just... took me a while to realize that I shouldn't stop it. Your father was right, just don't tell him that."
+"I'm willing to steal Potsur's efforts and have you claim your skill as from mine. That is putting my name at risk as much as you are putting yours." She nodded her head and pulled Galadin close.
 
-Galadin started to say something but someone's presence interrupted him. "Excuse me."
+Stepped forward, Galadin leaned forward as Dorin kissed her on the cheek. For a moment, he felt like a real debutante but the fleeting sensation faded.
 
-It was Benard. The Navy officer was dressed in a sharp black suit. He stood next to both of them.
+"I'll see you tomorrow." She winked. "I'll make the arrangements with your mother."
-
-Galadin's heart beat faster as she looked at the broad-shouldered man who stood with one hand held out. He had cleaned up since Glorias had last seen him.
-
-"I wasn't aware that you had a beautiful daughter coming to this affair, Maran da Kasin ho Kamer." He bowed deeply. "I would be honored if I may have her hand for this dance."
-
-Glorias whimpered, her face growing flushed as she stared up. She desperately wanted to say yes, the memory of their touching during dance lessons still bright in his thoughts. The easy way Benard spoke and moved, the firmness that they held hands while dancing, it was another thing she hoped to finally have.
-
-"Glorias?" asked her mother.
-
-Galadin didn't know if Benard knew that Galadin and Glorias were the same. He almost said no, but he couldn't pull his thoughts from the smell of his cologne and the electric touch between them. "I... yes," he whispered.
-
-Benard bowed again and held out his hand. The song was about to start.
-
-When he took Galadin's hand, heated sparks coursed through Galadin's body. He felt exposed and bared, every part of his nerves burning with anticipation.
-
-Benard guided him to the floor, turned around, and then slipped his hand around Galadin's waist. It was firm and strong.
-
-With weak knees, Glorias turned into the first position, her hand in a position to be led.
-
-"What do you think about these dances? They are simple enough."
-
-Glorias laughed nervously. "I haven't had enough lesson---"
-
-With a start, she clamped her mouth shut. He didn't want to reveal that she already knew Benard as a different person. Her heart pounded in her chest as the music swelled up.
-
-"I know what you mean. I feel like I should have been practicing far more with some of these ladies. They were very formal and tense. Not my type of partner." He winked and drew Glorias around.
-
-Glorias's stomach clenched. He knew exactly what Benard wanted. It couldn't be found on the dance floor. However, she also knew that she may be what Benard could eventually want.
-
-The music brought them in a circle. Glorias's dress swirled out in perfect harmony with the other dancers. She felt like she was in one of the paintings that she admired for years. It brought tears with the feeling of being complete.
-
-Too soon, the music slowed and came to a stop. When a ripple of applause filled the room, the dancers began to drift back to their tables.
-
-Glorias didn't want to leave. She looked into Benard's eyes, wondering if there could ever be anything between the two of them. New fantasies rushed through her mind, setting her skin on fire and quickening her heart. She wanted to be Glorias completely in that moment, to imagine a world where she never had to go back.
-
-"I don't want to leave," Benard said quietly.
-
-"Do we have to?"
-
-"No," her partner said. "You never have to leave."
-
-Glorias's heart skipped another beat.
-
-The musicians started up a quieter dance for the intermission between the formal ones. Normally it just filled in the silence but this time, Glorias wanted to keep dancing.
-
-Benard ran his fingertips starting from Glorias's elbow to her wrist. "Now, do you remember the Fox step from Dame Dorin's class? You were very good at it but I seem to recall you were in the lead at the time."
-
-Glorias shivered with fright and excitement.
-
-Benard gently turned Glorias's wrist until it was Benard taking the lead.
-
-Glorias's breath locked in her throat. She trembled as she looked up into Benard's warm eyes.
-
-"May I lead this dance?"
-
-With a happy smile blurred by happy tears, Glorias nodded. "Yes."
-
-"Good, because I couldn't wait to ask for a chance to dance with you tonight. I would be honored to fill your dance card for the rest of the evening, Bedame Glorias kia Kasin."

chapters/chapter-08.md

@@ -0,0 +1,43 @@
+---
+title: A Breather
+summary: >
+  The big night continues and the doubt fills in the spaces between the dances. Would someone notice Galadin's mistakes? Would they call him out in front of all of society?
+---
+
+> Doubt is the killer inside the room, the murder weapon that cannot be found. --- *The Troubled Queen* (Act 3, Scene 4)
+
+As the night grew longer, the realization of Galadin's situation began to blur his sense of self identity. Was he a teenage boy in a dress? Or was he really a she wearing the outfit she always wanted? She felt dizzy with the shifting sensations that seemed to bounce from one moment to another.
+
+In the brief respite between each number brought a number of other men willing to chat. Somehow, he found a way of speaking without revealing his true nature. It was sad that he couldn't admit he was male but just the rush of wearing a dress and having everyone treat him as a woman brought joy to her heart.
+
+However, every time a new man came waltzing up to the table, Galadin was sure they were there to accuse of him being a boy. It twisted in his gut but he managed to keep a smile on his face and speak in a soft voice while looking for the nearest place to run away.
+
+Somehow, their story of Galadin being a country-born daughter masked over the little mistakes that he made. He could feel them but couldn't stop them, much like where to hold his hand when he twirled. However, the rural manors all had their own little idiosyncrasies and no one called him out on those either.
+
+After the ball, it would be a different story. Neither Galadin or his mother were sure he could go to more than one, so they were treating each one like a glass figurine, to be decided at the last minute.
+
+They had also conveniently left Glorias's name off the registry at the ball by sneaking into a side entrance. That would it difficult for anyone to formally request his hand in marriage. Without his father there, an offer couldn't be made and they hoped it would help forestall any embarrassment.
+
+It was exhausting being two people. All Galadin wanted to do was be a beautiful debutante, but the thoughts and fears made it impossible to truly sink into the role of just a cream-dressed girl on the floor.
+
+Galadin's mother reached out and gently took Galadin's hand. She squeezed and smiled at him. Her eyes were shimmering and the smile looked honest, probably the first that Galadin had seen in a long time. "Okay, the next one on your card is Besire Rilar. He's sweet and charming, a bit of a dandy, but everyone knows he has his eyes for Bedame Larkimas which is currently stealing hearts over there." She nodded with her head.
+
+With a nod, Galadin smiled. He knew about Larkimas, she was beautiful and everyone talked about her. From rumors, she already had a dozen offers and her father was almost drowning from whiskey and wines poured into his glass.
+
+"Thank you."
+
+Her mother smiled broadly. "You are doing beautifully."
+
+A handsome man came up. He was broad-shouldered with a square jaw. Gold trim marked his black suit, no doubt to show off his wealth.
+
+A longing filled Galadin. Even though it would never happen, Rilar was close to the fantasies that warmed him at night. He gulped and put on his best smile.
+
+"Tadame Maran da Kasin de Kamer, I believe I have the honor of being the next dance for your daughter."
+
+Galadin panted softly as she rose up.
+
+His mother smiled. "You are, please enjoy."
+
+Rilar took Galadin's hand firmly and drew her away.
+
+Galadin couldn't stop blushing as she followed.

chapters/chapter-09.md

@@ -0,0 +1,165 @@
+---
+title: One Last Dance
+summary: >
+  The night is finally over, at least for Galadin. The last two lines were empty and no more men were waiting to dance.
+---
+
+> The homosexual, as an aberration against the divine will of the Couple, has no place in society where it can spread like poison. But like all curses, it remains in the shadows to only poison a few. --- Tantol da Disrobin, *Faith of the Families*
+
+"Thank you, Bedame, for the lovely dance," said the older gentleman looking for a second spouse.
+
+Glorias curtsied. "My humble thanks for your company, Tasire."
+
+He escorted Glorias to the edges of the dance where Maran sat with a circle of friends. He bowed deeply to Galadin's mother. "I bring your daughter safe to your side," he intoned the ritualistic words before slipping away. From what he said while dancing, he already had his name on two more cards before the evening ended.
+
+Galadin gave his mother a nervous smile. It froze on his face when he saw a strange look on her face, an expression he had never seen before. The shimmering tears were one thing, but this was almost sadness, as if she wished they weren't deceiving everyone that evening.
+
+"Glorias!" It was the seamstress with three others. Lily wore a brilliant dress that looked like a thousand feathers, each one the proscribed green of the dance yet somehow appeared to be a different color. Her ability to color anything had stunned both Galadin and his mother.
+
+On one side, Kendrick walked next to her with her fingertips resting on his elbow. On the other, a man she didn't recognize held Mindil's hand. The second man looked slender compared to his wife but it was obvious they were in sync by the way their feet stepped in harmony.
+
+Lily pulled Galadin into a hug that wouldn't risk marring either of their makeup. "You look beautiful, my dear."
+
+"Thank you," Galadin whispered back.
+
+"How does it feel?"
+
+"Like everything I ever wanted."
+
+A sob startled her. He looked over to see tears on his mother's face. She was smiling as she held a piece of silk to her lips. "Mother?"
+
+"You are so beautiful," she said through the tears. If things were different, she would have friends crying next to her but she was alone at the table. None of Maran's other friends could be trusted with Galadin's fantasy.
+
+The world spun around Galadin as she looked at her mother; the sense of identity blurred in that moment and it almost felt real. "Really?"
+
+"Y-Yes!" She staggered up out of her chair. Stepping around the table, she grabbed Galadin. "My baby."
+
+Galadin let out a gasp and then hugged her mother back. She could feel her crying, the soft sobs shaking her body as they held each other tightly. "Thank you. Thank you so very much."
+
+His mother kissed her sweetly. "You are so beautiful."
+
+When they broke the embrace, Lily and Mindil were still there, smiling broadly.
+
+Galadin pushed her hair back. "S-Sorry, I didn't mean to do that."
+
+"No, its beautiful seeing you two."
+
+Mindil glanced over. "Dame Maran, you look alone here."
+
+Lily's eyes widened and her fingers tightened on Kendrick's hand.
+
+Maran gave an apologetic look. "You can probably guess why though."
+
+"Well, we're looking for a place to sit. Would you mind if we join you?"
+
+Mindil's husband lifted his head. "What about our seats---?"
+
+Mindil stamped on his foot with her heel. She smiled sweetly. "A mother should always have company when her beautiful daughter is on the floor."
+
+He gulped and looked pained.
+
+Kendrick chuckled. He withdrew from Lily, kissed her cheek, and turned to the other. "Come on, Hasan. I bet we could find some drinks for our wives."
+
+Hasan sighed but followed the other man away.
+
+Mindil gestured to the table. "May we?"
+
+"Oh... t-thank you," Maran said, her voice cracking. She swept Mindil and then Lily into a tight embrace. Then the four women, including Galadin, sat down.
+
+As she did, Galadin glanced at her dance card. There were only two more slots left in the evening but no names filled the lines.
+
+The rush, the point of being someone else faded. He was disappointed but at the same time happy that the five other lines had been filled in. For someone who had presented himself as a woman only a few weeks ago, the fact that five found him appealing brought a smile.
+
+Mindil picked up the card and frowned. "A pity, so few men have good taste."
+
+"Do you want to stay?" asked Lily.
+
+Galadin nodded with a sad smile. "Yes, even if I don't dance. I just want to enjoy this evening. I don't want it to ever end."
+
+"Then we would be honored to keep you company. As people say, silks should always stand next to their best works."
+
+As Galadin blushed, her mother pushed a glass of wine over to him. Galadin smiled to herself and then carefully dabbed the tears from her eyes. "This is everything I hoped for."
+
+"So, any cute guys?"
+
+"Mindil!" chided Lily. "What my lovely friend said is that are you feeling like a beautiful debutante here?" She reached out and took Mindil's hand, holding it firmly.
+
+Galadin hesitated. As much as he loved wearing the dress, he still struggled with being a male or a female. Whenever he concentrated, he thought of himself as Galadin, not Glorias. It was the shifting fantasies, when she was being wooed or dancing where Glorias felt like a woman, not a man. He sighed, his head and heart both ached. It felt like walking out into the sunlight for the first time.
+
+Maran spoke quietly. "You can keep doing this, if you want. I'll help. Your father will too, he always does."
+
+"Really?"
+
+She nodded with fresh tears glistening in her eyes. "Yes, I promise." She chuckled. "I knew this day was coming for years. It just... took me a while to realize that I shouldn't stop it. Your father was right. Just don't tell him that, I hate it when he's right."
+
+Galadin started to say something but someone's presence interrupted him. "Excuse me."
+
+The voice quickened Galadin's pulse. It was Benard. Trembling, he looked up to see the Navy officer standing a respectful distance wearing a sharp black suit.
+
+"Oh my," whispered Mindil.
+
+Galadin's heart beat faster as she looked at the broad-shouldered man who stood with one hand held out. He had cleaned up since Glorias had last seen him.
+
+"I wasn't aware that you had a beautiful daughter coming to this affair, Maran da Kasin ho Kamer." He bowed deeply. "I beg for forgiveness for not requesting it earlier, but when I saw her at the table, I realized I had to come over."
+
+All four of them let out soft sounds.
+
+"I would be honored if I may have her hand for this dance."
+
+Glorias whimpered, her face growing flushed as she stared up. She desperately wanted to say yes, the memory of their touching during dance lessons still bright in his thoughts. The easy way Benard spoke and moved, the firmness that they held hands while dancing, it was another thing she hoped to finally have.
+
+"Glorias?" asked her mother.
+
+Galadin didn't know if Benard knew that Galadin and Glorias were the same. He almost said no, but he couldn't pull his thoughts from the smell of his cologne and the electric touch between them. "I... yes," he whispered.
+
+Benard bowed again and held out his hand. The song was about to start.
+
+When he took Galadin's hand, heated sparks coursed through Galadin's body. He felt exposed and bared, every part of his nerves burning with anticipation.
+
+Benard guided him to the floor, turned around, and then slipped his hand around Galadin's waist. It was firm and strong.
+
+With weak knees, Glorias turned into the first position, her hand in a position to be led.
+
+"What do you think about these dances? They are simple enough."
+
+Glorias laughed nervously. "I haven't had enough lesson and Dorin---"
+
+With a start, she clamped her mouth shut. He didn't want to reveal that she already knew Benard as a different person. Her heart pounded in her chest as the music swelled up.
+
+"I know what you mean. I feel like I've been going to this old lady's lessons forever but she keeps matching me up with women who really aren't..." He smiled broadly. "My thing. You know what I mean?"
+
+He winked and drew Glorias around.
+
+Glorias's stomach clenched. He knew exactly what Benard wanted, he was gay and wanted men not a woman. The surreal sensation draped over her as she struggled with who she was. Benard would want Galadin but at the same time, it was Glorias that he was dancing with. Of all the men, of all the possibilities, there was a single possible shred of fantasy that could be filled.
+
+She may be exactly what Benard had been looking for. A troubling stiffness strained underneath the green dress and Glorias was thankful that it would hide the sudden need.
+
+The music brought them in a circle. Glorias's dress swirled out in perfect harmony with the other dancers. She felt like she was in one of the paintings that she admired for years. It brought tears with the feeling of being complete.
+
+Too soon, the music slowed and came to a stop. When a ripple of applause filled the room, the dancers began to drift back to their tables.
+
+Glorias didn't want to leave. She looked into Benard's eyes, wondering if there could ever be anything between the two of them. New fantasies rushed through her mind, setting her skin on fire and quickening her heart. She wanted to be Glorias completely in that moment, to imagine a world where she never had to go back.
+
+"I don't want to leave," Benard said quietly.
+
+"Do we have to?"
+
+"No," her partner said. "You never have to leave."
+
+Glorias's heart skipped another beat. In that moment, it felt as if Galadin has ceased to exist. All the fear, terror, and doubt burned away, leaving only an intense longing and happiness.
+
+The musicians started up a quieter dance for the intermission between the formal ones. Normally it just filled in the silence but this time, Glorias wanted to keep dancing.
+
+Benard ran his fingertips starting from Glorias's elbow to her wrist. "Now, do you remember the Fox step from Dame Dorin's class? You were very good at it but I seem to recall you were in the lead at the time."
+
+Glorias shivered with fright and excitement.
+
+Benard gently turned Glorias's wrist until it was Benard taking the lead.
+
+Glorias's breath locked in her throat. She trembled as she looked up into Benard's warm eyes.
+
+"May I lead this dance?"
+
+With a happy smile blurred by happy tears, Glorias nodded. "Yes."
+
+"Good, because I couldn't wait to ask for a chance to dance with you tonight. I would be honored to fill your dance card for the rest of the evening, Bedame Glorias kia Kasin."

chapters/chapter-10.md

@@ -0,0 +1,67 @@
+---
+title: Months Later
+summary: >
+  Months later, still in the Social Season, but Glorias was done. Her hand had been offered and accepted. Now, she was heading somewhere where her secret didn't have to be a secret anymore.
+---
+
+> There is something about the country, where distance from judging eyes and opinionated gossip fades. It was the only way I could survive and still be myself. --- Glorias dea Kasin
+
+Glorias sat on the steps inside her parent's house and stared at the door. Her heart pounded in her heart as she silently willed it to open.
+
+Despite the weeks of happiness that had followed her first ball, there was still that doubt. Would Benard realize he had made a mistake and voided the offer? Would her father have to give back the sizable dowry that had been offered?
+
+She tugged on the bottom of her dress. It felt more comfortable than ever before. It felt right, as if she had been born to wear it ever since the beginning. The corset was a bit tight though, she had started getting used to the pressure when they decided to make it a little tighter for the last view the city would have of her before she headed out of town.
+
+"Glorias?" Her mother came in. Her eyes were red with tears but a smile glowed on her face. "Don't sit at the stairs like a little... girl. He'll come."
+
+"W-What if he doesn't?"
+
+"There are no secrets between you two."
+
+"He's handsome and High Society. I... I'm...." Glorias opened her mouth to finish but the words wouldn't come out. She sniffed and wiped the tears from her eyes. "What if he doesn't come?"
+
+Mindil came strolling in behind Glorias's mother. She beamed as she leaned against the door frame near the stairs. "Trust me, he's going to come."
+
+Glorias looked at her. "It's easy for you to say, you're beautiful. You have a husband who obviously adores you."
+
+Mindil looked up at the ceiling and grinned. She sipped from her wine. "More than you know."
+
+She lowered her glass and stretched out, her belly stretching against her dress and cradled her breasts. "But your Benard isn't into big girls like me."
+
+Relaxing, she continued, "He's into beautiful girls like you. Slender, brown hair, and sweet."
+
+Glorias sighed. "With boy parts?"
+
+Maran made a disapproving noise.
+
+Mindil laughed. "Oh yeah, he likes the boy parts. And the girl parts. And the girl heart and love and joy and everything else. Trust me, he's going to be here. The world may ignite on fire and he will be knocking on that door before the sky burns away."
+
+"Excuse me," said Glorias's father as he walked down the hall toward the door.
+
+"Where are you going, Storan?" asked Maran.
+
+Storan turned around and shrugged. "The man marrying my daughter is about to pull up in front of the door."
+
+Glorias's heart skipped a beat.
+
+He continued, "Tradition dictates that we speak outside the door and make a show of how a rich and powerful hero of this city is interested in my daughter before asking her to join me. Then you will come out, say some things, cry a lot, and then we are going to see our daughter leave."
+
+His measured voice took longer to register than normal.
+
+He stepped over to Glorias and knelt down. Taking her hands, he smiled. "You will always be my child. I love you very much."
+
+"Oh, papa." Glorias hugged him tightly.
+
+"Your mother will be coming up in the beginning of fall to help with the ceremony and I will be up two weeks later. I promise."
+
+Tears running down her cheeks, Glorias sobbed and smiled. "Is it going to work out?"
+
+"Of course. You are going to have the wonderful life you had always wanted, with plenty of visits from both of us. You won't miss the city that much, but you can still winter here."
+
+He held her hand tightly. "We're going to see you grow old but never sad. It will... it will..." There was a shimmer of emotion in his eyes but it faded. The sight of it burned into Glorias's mind, the day her father almost cried. "It will be glorious."
+
+Glorias giggled and wiped the tears. "Thank you."
+
+Storan kissed her forehead.
+
+Maran rushed in to hug Glorias tightly and kiss her also. "No, thank you for becoming the beautiful daughter we both wanted."

language.json

@@ -10,11 +10,13 @@
 		"Glorias",
 		"Glorias's",
 		"Glorin",
+		"Hasan",
 		"Kalir",
 		"Kalir's",
 		"Kamer",
 		"Kasin",
 		"Kasins",
+		"Larkimas",
 		"Maran",
 		"Maran's",
 		"Mindil",
@@ -23,16 +25,26 @@
 		"Missun's",
 		"Moonfire",
 		"Penelop",
+		"Potsur",
+		"Potsur's",
 		"Rach",
+		"Rilar",
 		"Storan",
+		"Tadame",
+		"Taladame",
 		"Talin",
 		"Tarsan",
+		"Tasire",
 		"Tifin",
+		"bedame",
+		"bedames",
 		"besire",
 		"besires",
 		"da",
 		"de",
 		"jems",
-		"sigils"
+		"kia",
+		"sigils",
+		"taladame"
 	]
 }