Disclaimer: The characters of Jarlaxle, Entreri, the Underdark, Faerûn, the drow, and other aspects of Forgotten Realms are the creations of R.A. Salvatore. I seek not to steal from his creation but only to humbly expand. The character of Jarian however is my creation.

A haze of colors whirled about Jarian's ankles as he worked on Entreri's outfit. Snapping his fingers a rainbow appeared, stretching across the room. He regarded it for a moment, and then reached up to pluck the violet band from the arch. Waving his hand the rainbow dissipated and he added the color to the fabric. Jarian spared no expense when it came to creating outfits.

Kneading some material in his hands he regarded it with a grin. "Ah spider silk. . .it invites touch. And of course spider silk is the perfect material to use if one wants to catch an assassin in their web. I do so enjoy a challenge, especially when I am the spider in charge of the web."

Cauldrons of colored dyes boiled, various vials exuded smoke, and Jarian's fingers dexterously sewed intricate patterns into fine materials. Every so often he would reach into a pouch to his side and sprinkle sparkling dust on materials. Spells rolled off his tongue as he enhanced the outfits. Translucent spiders of varying colors crawled over the material, sewing together fabric with seemingly invisible thread.

A creature appeared from between a crack in the wall and hovered over to Jarian. It resembled a white mouse, yet its fur was tinged with a golden shimmer and it had wings. Delicate wings of a fairy rested behind the mouse's shoulder blades and seemed to radiate different colors. This creature was Jarian's familiar.

"Tazolg," Jarian said as his familiar landed on his shoulder, "you are just in time to witness one of my greatest creations."

Tazolg nibbled on his ear in reply and squeaked softly. Its wings fluttered quickly and shimmered purple in excitement.

There was one who was feeling furthest from excitement. . .and that was Artemis Entreri. The prospect of wearing one of Jarian's eccentric outfits did not get his mind excited. He suppressed the urge to find more alcohol for two reasons. One, he did not want to be drunk while he wore Jarian's outfits and two, if he did get drunk he didn't want to take Jarlaxle's 'sobering drink.' While the drink did make him sober, he was suspicious of its side effects, especially when he reviewed the memory of Jarian measuring him. A memory, by the way, he wished to forget.

Taking a flat rock in one hand and his sabre in the other he contented himself to sharpening his sword. It was a task he could fall into mechanically and one that would not create any extraneous thoughts in his mind.

"Sharpening my sword is safe," Entreri said to himself. "I am keeping it in shape, just in case I need to defend myself." He then mumbled, "or destroy an outfit."

Jarlaxle relaxed in his chamber, sipping a goblet of mushroom wine. He lazed in a plush chair and every so often would smirk as he plotted. A paper of ideas rested on a table at his side and he absently twirled the feathered quill in his hand.

He tossed the quill in the air and it wafted to the paper beside him. "Note to self, consider Surface venture where Jarian sells his wares to increase profits for Bregan D'aerthe." The quill scribed down his words as he spoke them. Taking another sip of his wine, "consider bodyguards to accompany him."

Waving his hand the feathered quill floated back to his hat to join the other feathers. He stood and examined the various outfits that Jarian had made for him in the past. In his mind he tried to envision what Jarian would create for Entreri. He chuckled as he combined outfits together in his mind and thought of Entreri in them.

A gem at his desk flashed and a voice called out from it, "Jaaarrrrlllaaxxxllleeee."

Jarlaxle walked over to his desk and addressed the gem. "Yes Jarian?"

"Guess."

"Let me think," he paused dramatically, "you've managed to ensnare another lover."

"Close," Jarian said with a sly tone. "But you are a tease my Captain. My masterpiece is complete."

"In that case, shall I bring Entreri to your tailoring room for the grand unveiling?"

"Of course," Jarian said excitedly. "Do hurry, I want to see his reaction."

Jarlaxle cut the connection and chuckled, "as do I."

Scrape, scrape, scrape…

Entreri still sharpened his sword and didn't even pause as Jarlaxle entered his chamber.

Jarlaxle looked at Entreri's actions and thought, this is too easy. But of course, he was Jarlaxle, so he made a comment anyway. "Are you getting your sword ready for Jarian?"

Pausing in his sharpening, "Jarlaxle." His tone was deadly and a warning if there ever was one.

His tone drew a grin from Jarlaxle. "Your outfit is complete. Jarian is waiting."

Entreri stood and sheathed his sabre. He could have whined, begged, pleaded, or bribed the mercenary leader not to go, but he was above all that nonsense. "Let's get this over with, so I can forget this as soon as possible."

As they walked to Jarian's tailoring chamber Jarlaxle turned to look at him. "You best act as if you like the outfit."

Entreri gave him a cold look. "What if I just don't say anything at all and you can speak for me?"

Jarlaxle slyly grinned. "Oh?"

"Never mind," Entreri said. "I won't insult him and I'll tolerate the outfit for the time being." With a sigh he mumbled, "The things I do for privacy."

Jarlaxle couldn't help but think as he overheard the mumble; at least he did not say 'the things I do in privacy'.

Jarian waited anxiously in his tailoring chamber. He made sure that the velvet curtain covering his creation was positioned correctly. His familiar, Tazolg, nuzzled his neck reassuringly. Jarian smiled to him, took him in his hand and willed him to flutter into a dark corner so he could watch the unveiling.

A larger smile formed on Jarian's face when Entreri entered his chamber, followed by Jarlaxle. "Splendid! You've arrived." Walking over to Entreri, "aren't you excited?"

Entreri was about to respond 'no', but a look from Jarlaxle changed his mind. "Words cannot describe how I feel right now."

Jarlaxle looked to Jarian. "I must admit, I am anxious to see Entreri's outfit."

"Isn't the anticipation delightful? It sends shivers down my spine," Jarian responded.

Jarlaxle nodded and his eyes drifted to a curtain, hovering in the middle of the room, seemingly in the form of a human body. Entreri braced himself as Jarian approached the curtain.

"Jarlaxle, Artemis," Jarian said grabbing the curtain, "I present to you the latest in Assassin Attire." He unveiled the outfit with his typical flourish. The faerie fire in the room dimmed and spotlighted the outfit.

Entreri was about to say, 'don't call me Artemis', but the words died in his throat as he saw the outfit.

Jarlaxle's eyes widened. "Oh my. . ."

The outfit seemed to be modeled by an invisible human that hovered just above the ground. Entreri slowly assessed the outfit and concluded that it grew worse and worse as it progressed toward the head.

Shiny obsidian boots caught his eyes. He liked the color black, but this black was tainted by the drow known as Jarian. It almost seemed to twinkle when he looked at it, as if it had silver sparkles.

Deep violet pants met his eyes next and they seemed to have a sheen. He didn't want to venture how tight they were, for they reminded him of a leather material.

A neon pink belt rested at the top of the pants and he was of the opinion he really didn't need the belt because the pants looked so form fitting; maybe it was the golden buckle that threw him off.

A brilliant orange shirt then accosted his sight. A v-neck appeared to expose the upper chest area and clasped right below it, revealing the stomach. Thin mesh sleeves ended with a frill a little beyond the wrist.

His eyes then fell upon the large feather plumed hat. It was a bright green and contained feathers that gleamed different colors. The material holding the feathers in place matched the color of his pants.

All in all. . .it was something Entreri couldn't have imagined in his wildest dreams. It was then that his dreams turned into nightmares. . .

"All right Entreri," Jarian said with a sly grin, "time to put on the outfit."

By the abyss. . .Entreri thought.

Author's Note: Aren't I just mean to stop the chapter there? But of course you can guess that the next chapter will be Entreri trying on the outfit. I was thinking about stopping before revealing the outfit. . .but I promised you all its description. ::chuckles:: On a random note, I just had to create Tazolg. ::tickles Tazolg:: Isn't he cute?!

::Jarian takes advantage of the authoress' distraction and poses near the review button 'click me!'::

Authoress: Er. . .Jarian. . .please don't scare away the nice reviewer. . .

Jarian: "I was talking to Entreri. . ."

Entreri: ::sweatdrops::

Authoress: ::stares:: ::composes self:: Anyway, reviews are encouraged, if not loved, if not cherished...okay okay, so you get the point.

Entreri: ::draws sabre::

Authoress: Gah! Not that point!