Disclaimer: Once again, I own nothing! NOTHING!
Warning: Later chapters contain hints of yaoi. Don't say I didn't warn you!
Hidden in View
Chapter 2
Morning found Pegasus very much awake still, waiting patiently in his library. He wore his usual red suit once more - no sense in stirring up the hired help just yet. There was only one person on his staff that Pegasus knew he could trust to hold his tongue, and so it was that as the sun rose over the horizon, Pegasus sent for Croquet.
Pegasus's head of security arrived tousled and breathless from his run to the library. He was not accustomed to being called in at such an hour, and he came flying into the room half-afraid that the house might have been burgled during the night. But Pegasus stood and greeted Croquet as if all was perfectly fine. "My dear Croquet, I have a few errands I need you to run. But please do be discreet."
Croquet's lips curved into a grim smile. Errands, huh? "What is it, boss? Kidnapping? Murder?"
"Oh, no!" came Pegasus's quick response. "Nothing so complicated as that. I merely need you to do a bit of shopping." With that, he thrust the list he'd spent all night working on towards Croquet.
Silently, Croquet began scanning over the items, his expression shielded by his sunglasses, a hand running through his hair. Of all the reasons to be dragged out of a sound sleep. Still, Pegasus did pay well enough to make such a transgression forgivable, and if going shopping was the hardest thing he had to do today "Falsies!?" Croquet blurted. "You want me to buy falsies!?"
Placing a finger to his lips, Pegasus shushed Croquet vehemently. "Discretion, you fool! I don't want the whole household to know. Or anyone else for that matter. I don't pay you to ask questions. I pay you to follow orders. And if you go blabbing to anyone, you'll be finding yourself another job. Is that understood?" With the situation put into the proper perspective, Croquet chose the better part of valor and said nothing as he left with the list. He did indeed know when to keep his mouth closed.
As soon as Croquet was gone, Pegasus slumped into his chair. Now that he was sober, he had his doubts about this whole idea. If he was found out, he would be such a laughing stock. No one would take him seriously again. And yet part of the excitement lay in the fear of discovery. The element of risk made the whole game worth it. And that's what it was - a new game.
To pass the time until Croquet's return, Pegasus spent the day modifying his Duel Monsters deck. He knew there were certain cards that would give him away, and thus Toon World and the Toon monsters found themselves going into the side deck. Pegasus couldn't bring himself to abandon the cards completely. Cecilia had always loved the Toon cards.
Midday found Pegasus dining on a salad and contemplating hair styles. He knew his long, platinum hair was easily recognizable, and he probably should cover it with a wig. But Pegasus had always been proud of his hair. Perhaps if he pulled it back into a pony-tail, and then shielded his ruined eye with sunglasses, a wig would prove unnecessary. He'd have to try and see. At worst, he'd still be too recognizable and would have to go with the wig. And perhaps pulling his hair back would work. After all, the Maximillian Pegasus the world knew hid half of his face behind a shield of hair.
Before the lunch dishes were carted away, Croquet returned, carrying several packages. "I found everything on your list, boss."
"Excellent!" Pegasus stood from the table, leaving his dishes behind. What good were servants if they didn't clean up behind him, after all? Motioning for Croquet to follow, Pegasus made his way to the master bedroom. With little choice in the matter and much curiosity, Croquet followed. Once the two were safely shut away from the eyes of the rest of the household, Pegasus began digging into Croquet's purchases , laying each item out on the bed and examining everything with a careful eye.
Seeing that all items on his list was present and accounted for, Pegasus turned to Croquet with a dazzling smile. "Very good, Croquet. I'll see to it there's a bonus in your next pay check. You are dismissed for now." With a low bow, Croquet left the room, his curiosity unsatisfied.
Alone now, Pegasus began sliding out of his clothing. His excitement mounted with each item removed. Pegasus took his time, savoring each emotion like a fine wine. Fear, exhilaration, and a healthy spurt of adrenaline made for a heady mixture more potent than the strongest liquor. Once he was completely bare, goosebumps rising all along his body, Pegasus almost changed his mind. There was still time to turn back.
With trembling fingers, Pegasus took up the corset. The corset proved surprisingly simple to put on. It was simply a matter of lacing it up and tying it so as it would not come undone. The change it made was both simple and dramatic. Pegasus hadn't made it tight enough to give himself a waspish waist, just enough to add a bit of curve to his slim physique.
Moving with more surety now, Pegasus reached for the falsies. The fake breasts felt surprisingly soft and pliable. They were of a modest size, for which Pegasus was thankful. If Croquet had picked out something in a DD, Pegasus knew he would never be able to pass for a woman, and Croquet would be looking for a new job. Setting the falsies back down, Pegasus started trying to figure out how to put the bra on. At first he was confused by all of the straps, but he was eventually able to figure it out. The falsies settled easily into the cups, filling them out perfectly.
The dress Croquet had chosen was almost childish in appearance. It was purple with a white collar, and short puffy sleeves trimmed in white. The hem swept just over Pegasus's knees. A matching belt circled his waist, and a white choker twined around his throat. A pair of white pumps completed the ensemble. Pegasus was grateful that Croquet had picked out something with inch high heels. He'd halfway feared he'd have to learn how to walk in stilettos.
Pegasus twirled in front of the mirror, hardly daring to believe the transformation. "Oh, Cecilia," he breathed. "If you could see me now" Ah, but what would Cecilia do if she saw him now? She would probably laugh, Pegasus decided, his mind conjuring up that beautiful laugh that he'd never forgotten.
And then Pegasus was faced with make-up. It took several tries before he was finally satisfied. The first attempt had left him looking like a hooker with everything spread across his face in gaudy brilliance and he'd quickly washed his face to try again. After a bit of work, Pegasus managed to figure out the subtleties of the make-up, and used it to soften his normally sharp features. The end result, rather than being a garish clown-like appearance, looked naturally - a touch of pink to the lips, a delicate blush to the cheeks.
Hesitantly, Pegasus pulled his hair back. Meeting his gaze in the mirror was his ruined face. Pegasus's courage once again almost failed him. The empty eye socket marred an otherwise perfect face. Still, Pegasus tied his hair back with a simple white ribbon, and shoved a pair of wraparound sunglasses in place so that he would not have to stare at that gaping hole any longer.
Even pulled back the hair was a dead give-away, Pegasus decided. Reluctantly, Pegasus tried on the wig that Croquet had bought. It was a deep auburn, curling down Pegasus's back. Pegasus teased at the hair, getting it to drape over the ruined eye. Not bad. And with the wig, Pegasus realized he wouldn't have to wear the sunglasses all of the time. Now they were just an extra precaution.
Snapping a duel disk on his arm, Pegasus realized that he was as ready as he ever would be. The nervousness had fled as he smiled at his reflection. No one could possibly know him like this! Pegasus left his manor in search of his first duel as Cecilia. He had a long way to go to make it to the top.
