Griem stared up at the high vaulted ceiling, the tall rafters sitting high above our heads. A labyrinth of stairs on both sides that led to each open floor of the house building. The entire room filled with the coattails of the wealthy.

Their nose up and a genuine smile for the world to see. But it was easy for me to see the facade they provided the world, the disdain they hid in their gestures. Noses slightly turned upon seeing a server gallop by with a tray held high. The smug smiles that tugged at the corners of their lips upon seeing someone of a lesser station trying to blend in.

Along the narrow path down the room were crimson guards posted every ten feet from each other throughout every floor.

“Name of account and ticket please.” asked the female teller behind a glassed desk next to the entrance.

Aylie strutted confidently towards her, sliding over two tickets through the small hole in the glass.

“Lady Kralica and my attentendant over there, Miss Clark.” said Aylia, pointing over to the transformed Griem standing to the side of the entrance.

The teller opened a drawer of files to which she shifted through, pulling out two red documents and opening up. Upon seeing the contents inside, she darted her eyes back and forth between the documents and the two thieves.

Griem donned a glossy short white dress with ruffles on the shoulder and a thin gold accent that outlined the waist along with the hem of the dress. Her light-blue colored hair let freely down her head with the tips curled all matched beautifully with her fair skin.

The first time in a long time, Griem’s face was shown in public without the cover of a mask. Her small face and pink glossed lips attracted the attention of the filthy noblemen around her like they were looking at porcelain. Disgusting.

The teller took a small rectangular plastic object and stamped it.

“ID for Miss Clark,” said the teller, sliding the plastic over, “Now let’s see Miss … Kralica correct?”

The teller scanned up and down Aylie’s new shining attire.

A lengthy, light-brown satin halter dress reaching down to her feet with a slit to show off her long legs. The sleeveless dress with straps that caved to the middle made her honey-tanned skin the highlight of the beautiful display that was her. With gold accessories such as earrings and bracelets to accent it all. The outfit was topped off with the glittering open-toed heels along with the feathered velvet hat.

The teller nodded and repeated the process, seeming to approve of both our statuses as adequate.

“Enjoy your time here, five thousand Velori have been credited to your cards. To withdraw more from your account please see any of the tellers stationed on every floor. Welcome to the Yeverri Auction House.”

The teller bowed, posing with her arms for us to be on our way. Aylie tipped her hat and proceeded oh in, looking back to signal Griem. Griem jogged besides her in her silver court shoes, struggling to keep her balance from the unfamiliarity.

She would never have thought that she would be dressed up like a doll and put into uncomfortable shoes that seemed more obstructive than useful. What is the point for elevated heels? If wanting to fall was a fetish then by all means, wear the highest of heels. But Griem preferred her dark strapped boots or leather shoes compared to some death trap disguised as fashion.

“How many other surprises have you set up?” Questioned Griem, whispering as they walked. “And how am I the master of this account?”

“The account never had an owner until now Miss Clark. Set up in a way that it leaves no gaps to be imagined, the perfect disguise.”

“I thought you consider yourself an honest thief? Your words carry the weight of feathers and fallen ink Miss Kralia.”

Aylie let out a snobbish chuckle, dancing her fingers along the arm of a passerby.

“Is it still fiction when the statement becomes true? Your face that has never been revealed in public is now given a name. An account that every citizen has but you, is now in your possession. Where is the lie?”

Griem clutched her fist and clenched her jaw to the stupidity of her argument. How can these things be hers on the perverted thief’s say so?

“I’ll bite my tongue until later, but what about the tickets? Four-hundred Velori is not cheap by any means, how did you procure that much.”

“You’re right, four-hundred Velori is four thousand silver which is nothing to throw away willingly. However, I believe a good game requires some hefty stakes. Mine just happened to be my fortune.”

“And our lives.”