Disclaimer: The characters of Jarlaxle, Entreri, the Underdark, Faerûn, the drow, and other aspects of Forgotten Realms are the creations of R.A. Salvatore, Ed Greenwood, etc. I seek not to steal from their creations, only to humbly expand. The character of Jarian and a few other originals however are my creations

Several hours had passed since the last display and rumor was that the judges were deliberating on the third day decisions. Excitement simmered throughout the confines of Costumer's Hall, with the exception of one place--

Artemis Entreri sat in the mobile tailoring room taking refuge in a corner of 'darkness.' It wasn't that this corner was immersed in shadow, it just happened to house the darkest colored fabrics. He still wore the outfit that Jarian had made, minus the mask, which rested in his lap. The assassin wasn't about to admit that he liked the outfit, that it worked rather well with his movements, or that it was the most comfortable outfit he had worn in ages. No, he wasn't about to admit any of that. Instead, he decided to blame the aforementioned outrageous notions on the influence of 'the stranger's leaf.' He sat alone, enjoyed his solitude, and waited for the pleasant haze about his mind to disperse.

A vibrant disturbance however, interrupted his haze-filled solitude.

"How can you be so dismal Artemis? You were an absolute success!"

"I'm not dismal, I'm thinking," Entreri grumbled. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to retire to my room since I am no longer required for the stage."

"You're not staying for the result?" Jarian did nothing to hide his hurt expression.

"No, since Jarlaxle is nearby his personal guards will keep you well protected," Entreri stood, "and besides, it should be obvious at this point that you are guaranteed a place in the third day."

Jarian blinked in surprise. He has confidence in my work? "Oh Artemis, are we really so different you and I?"

"Yes."

Jarian laughed. "Perhaps you are right, we are two different beings brought together by circumstance." Approaching him, "however, that does not mean I cannot dream and discontinue lusting after you." The drow headed toward the room where his servants waited, but paused before leaving. "You remind me of Jarlaxle sometimes."

Entreri nearly dropped the mask at Jarian's last statement.

Me?

Similar to Jarlaxle?

Improbable.

He put the mask back on and headed back toward the Inn.

-----

Jarian sighed and leaned back onto a plush divan. He draped one leg over the side and placed his palm against his forehead. Maskah, Kaifas, and Shytolin sensed his distress and immediately flocked to him.

"Do not fret Master Jarian," Shytolin said as he knelt beside the drow, taking his hand and giving it a gentle pat.

"We must maintain an optimistic attitude," Maskah said as he reached down to Jarian's head. He started to massage the drow's scalp, fingers kneading into sweet smelling hair. "And set an example for the other tailors and models."

"Indeed," Kaifas said settling near Jarian's feet. He removed his Master's footwear and started rubbing his feet. "Worry not over the human, those creatures are rather set in their ways, but with a little prodding they come around."

Jarian laughed. "No one can resist my prods."

"I rather enjoy them," Shytolin said cheerily.

Jarlaxle entered the mobile tailoring room and looked around appreciatively, eyes settling on the four drow. "So this is where the creative magic happens." He chuckled at the way Jarian's eyes lit up. "I do like the décor. If you're all quite finished, the judges are going to unveil their decision in a matter of minutes."

"Oh my!" Jarian rose, his footwear was placed back on his feet, and after a final ministration to his head by Maskah he met Jarlaxle at the door. "If only Artemis were here with us."

Jarlaxle led the drow down the corridor to the balcony overlook of the stage. "Entreri deserves a break and you would do well to respect his wishes. Especially since he agreed to model onstage for you."

"So good of him to do that," Jarian said with a smile, inwardly thanking Jarlaxle for lending him the pipe leaf and the ring.

------

Frenzied anticipation filled Costumer's Hall. The judges had just conveyed their deliberation to Alurra and she anxiously waited onstage to deliver the results to the public. She twirled her fingers in her hair, causing jeweled earrings to clink and flash with each finger roll. The musicians in the upper balcony began a rousing fanfare that caused the audience to cheer in excitement.

Alurra smiled as a wizard illuminated her presence with a beam of light and she elegantly waved to the crowd, curtsying before them as she held the judge's results in a scroll clutched at her side. She waited for the music to cease and then began, "Friends of fashion, the moment we have been waiting for has arrived! The judges have decided on the third day participants."

Smirking at his impeccable timing, Jarlaxle held the curtain open for Jarian and his servants. They joined the crowd's revelry at Alurra's pronouncement, leaning over the balcony in a heated fervor. Raelos waved from a nearby balcony, twirling his wrist to extend his fingers and exhale a magical kiss that caused Jarian to shiver, his servants to cheer louder, and Jarlaxle to smile knowingly.

When the wave of applause ceded back to shore she continued, "Prepare yourselves for the results!" She opened the scroll. "The first participant comes from the island of Evermeet…Narfindal."

A ray of light illuminated the balcony where the Gold Elves primly sat. Narfindal stood and waved serenely to the crowd. He bade his models to stand and they bowed to the applauding crowd as he made a discrete exit.

"The second participant comes from the city of Silverymoon…Raelos!"

The moon elf leapt to the edge of the balcony and waved excitedly to the crowd. His models cheered and clung onto each other, jumping excitedly.

"The third and final participant comes from the city of Menzoberranzan…Jarian!"

Jarlaxle snapped his fingers having the curtains of the balcony sparkle with a muted blaze as the ray of light basked them in its glow. Jarian let loose a squeal and levitated to the balcony's edge, giving an extravagant bow. Maskah, Kaifas, and Shytolin extended their arms, displaying Jarian as if he were a model.

The lights lingered in the balconies and the one that illuminated Alurra grew brighter as attention was drawn back to her. "Now that the third day participants have been chosen, the judges all expect outfits of an extraordinary nature…and they expect the outfits to be assembled onstage. A special thank you goes out to all our participants. May your enterprises prosper because of this display of fashion. We shall convene tomorrow midday for the unveiling of the chosen participants' third day attires."

---------

Entreri slowly wandered the corridors of Costumer's Hall, taking the long route back to the Inn. He knew Jarlaxle's scouts were watching him, so any illusion of freedom was quickly dispelled from his mind. The ebb and flow of noise from the main hall were a distant murmur until there was blessed silence. Having no map of the maze-like corridors he relied on instinct and common sense to get back to his room. With the exception of a stray servant, there was no one to disturb him being that everyone was anxious to find out the judge's results.

"Well, if it isn't the human."

Entreri paused; it appeared that he wasn't as alone as he thought. "And you are?"

Narfindal approached him and circled, raising an inquiring eyebrow at the mask. "The better question would be, who are you?"

"You didn't answer my question," Entreri said. "Nevertheless, I am familiar with who you are. Narfindal, isn't it?"

"Indeed," Narfindal said with a nod. "Thus proving to me that you are not the mere brawn of a bodyguard nor the simple mind of a servant. You are clever and that makes me curious."

"Your curiosity would be best served elsewhere," Entreri said, proceeding to walk forward.

"Then, I do not get to see the man behind the mask?"

"You see all there is to see, the man and the mask are one and the same."

Narfindal chuckled, not only would he have to watch Jarlaxle…he would have to watch this one as well.

Entreri made it back to his room at the Inn and breathed a sigh of relief as the lock clicked shut on his door.

-------------

"ARTEMIS!"

Entreri was out of the bed, on the floor, dagger at the ready before Jarian hit the mattress. "Jarian! What are you doing!"

"Waking you up," Jarian said, sprawling on his stomach. He peered over the edge of the bed at the assassin.

"How did you get in? I locked the door."

"The Innkeeper's keys of course!"

"Of course," Entreri muttered, sheathing his dagger. "Do remove yourself from the bed."

"But I like it here, it's rather comfortable. Do you know what would make it more comfortable?"

"Oh! I do Master Jarian! I know!"

Entreri froze and turned to the door to see three audience members, one of which was raising their hand anxiously. "All of you, out. Now."

"It's too early to be glum Entreri," Jarlaxle said, strolling into the room in his robe. He put a warm brew of roasted beans into the assassin's hands. "Here, drink this. Perks you right up."

"Out! Now!" They all turned to leave. "Except Jarlaxle."

Four eyebrows raised, three left the room, and one stayed. "Well?"

"I thought I had the night off," Entreri glowered.

"You did," Jarlaxle said, "it's morning now."

Entreri sniffed the drink suspiciously. "There's no pipe leaf in this is there?"

Jarlaxle paused. "You knew?"

"I could smell it on Jarian in the tailoring room and you're the only one who could supply him with such," Entreri said. "In addition, a certain ring about his finger looked rather familiar."

"Then you don't need me to answer your question now do you?" Jarlaxle smiled and closed the door behind him.

Entreri took a hesitant sip, downed the substance, and set about getting ready.

-----------

The third day arrived with a combination of relief and excitement. Tailors could finally relax and enjoy the spectacle and audience members would be able to glimpse the best of the best. The section reserved for tailors was opened so that they could have a clear view of the stage. The audience would also be able to see their reactions unobstructed by the curtain that once separated them. The taking down of the curtain symbolized unity among those present, with the glaring exception of the curtain that always remained closed, hiding the mysterious judges from the world.

"I can barely contain my excitement," Jarian said, peeking through the curtain.

Raelos rested his chin on Jarian's shoulder and chuckled into his ear. "Contain it for later and we can release it together."

Jarlaxle cleared his throat. "Come along you two, the audience is waiting for your models and a different type of show."

"We prefer a select audience," Jarian said slyly, eyeing Entreri, "for a private show."

To his credit, Artemis Entreri only blanched slightly.

They made their way to the special viewing area and settled themselves accordingly. Raelos and Jarian sat at the edge of their seats, fidgeting with excitement, while Jarlaxle lounged back and Entreri sat stiffly, folding his arms. There would be no pronouncement by Alurra before the Third Day Display; the fashion would speak for itself.

The stage was lit with an incandescent glow that hovered at ankle-length. Torches were extinguished and the smoke accumulated near the stage curtain. Billowing sheer emerged from the velvet curtains, with the smoke adhering to its flowing fabric. The glow of the stage illuminated shadowed figures elegantly dancing between the sheets. The smoke caused shadows against the fabric that seemed to cling to the models, forming silhouettes of clothing.

The sheet dropped and Narfindal's models struck a pose as the fabric rippled to the floor. Ivory flakes fell from the ceiling, creating icicle-like jewelry. Accessories dangled as though they were part of a grand chandelier and they twinkled in concurrence with the fabric, which exuded an ice-laden sheen.

The crowd shivered and cheered as the models curtsied before them.

When they left the stage, the lights changed to a warm hue, imitating sunshine. A floral aroma filled the air and a soft breeze cleared the stage of the previous models' flakes. Tendrils of vines snaked onto the stage from the backstage curtains, writhing in tune to the swaying music of the orchestra.

Raelos' models took to the walkway, leafy foliage covering their bodies as flowers proceeded to blossom on vines surrounding the stage. With a slow extension of their arms the foliage was lifted to reveal a chrysalis of fabric about their forms, they lowered their arms and the fabric unfolded in an array of color, buds blooming into layers of material that rested lightly on their bodies.

The audience cheered as the models twirled to exit, sending petals and flowers into the public gathering.

The lights were extinguished and infrared color lit the stage. Black faerie fire flickered at the edges of the stage, a ring of indigo light embracing the black flames that reveled in the music. Maskah, Kaifas, and Shytolin emerged from the curtains, bodies merged together to create the illusion of a giant spider. Ebony skin was slick with sweat as they joined together to release threads of spider silk that weaved their outfits beneath a quivering web of fabric, revealed in a ray of muted light.

The web fell upon the stage causing the drow to fall to their knees in capture, however, when they stood the silk entwined about them to form a netted cloak. The dark elves grinned and broke free of the cloaks in a flourished pose.

The audience broke into an applause that caused the stage to tremble.

Alurra returned to the stage when the cheers dissipated to a murmur and she smiled. "We have truly glimpsed the essence of fashion on this third day. Costumer's Hall thanks all of you for your attendance and continued support of the Waterdeep Fashion Display. We hope to see you all next season. Now, let us give applause to our Third Day models and tailors."

Jarian and Raelos blinked in surprise as their bodies were basked with light. Hands quickly returned to their sides as they rose and grinned. Narfindal had somehow already made it to the stage to stand beside his models.

"Hold on tight," Jarian said pressing close to Raelos.

Raelos shivered and yelped in surprise as they levitated to the stage. Maskah, Kaifas, and Shytolin clamored around them as the crowd gave the tailors and their models a standing ovation. A smattering of color burst above the stage as various mages let loose fireworks of excitement.

Jarlaxle nudged Entreri who stood in applause and couldn't help but murmur, "we shall have to celebrate later."

"…excuse me?" Entreri edged away from him.

Jarlaxle burst out into laughter. "Do not worry yourself Entreri, that is not what I meant."

The assassin glowered. "I wasn't thinking that."

"No matter," Jarlaxle said, "I have already arranged for several kegs of alcohol to be delivered to our rooms, along with some celebratory company."

--------

The celebrations after the stage's conclusion continued well into the evening. Jarlaxle was content to be overrun by females and Jarian received a multitude of offers from various fashionistas clamoring for his 'magical hands.'

Artemis Entreri managed to return to his room, his head fuzzy from the amount of alcohol that was pushed toward him. Those elves knew how to drink. Thankfully, he still had a majority of his faculties about him. In a dim haze, he wondered if someone had slipped something into his flask.

"Why hello there handsome…"

Entreri paused and grasped onto the doorframe as his vision was assaulted by a feminine beauty splayed across his bed. "Who in the hells are you? And why are you in my room? The brothel is two blocks over."

The human woman laughed and smoothed back her hair. "My name is Rainaj and I was sent here by Jarlaxle. I am your reward for your compliance."

"…my compliance for what?"

Rainaj blinked as if she was surprised, "for your participation of course." She rose from the bed and seductively approached him, coyly running a finger down his arm. "I was told you were the model onstage for the second day. I wish to see a repeat performance…with less clothes of course."

"I'm not in the mood," Entreri said, trying not to be overtaken by her lithe beauty, sensual gaze, and close proximity.

"I can change that," Rainaj said. In the flicker of a candle, she had pressed against him, taking his lips into hers, one hand cupping his cheek as the other roamed.

Entreri stumbled back into the wall and nearly relaxed into the kiss as tongues were joined.

That was until he noticed one thing.

…a certain ring…

His throat clenched in a gag and he shoved the woman to the bed, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "JARIAN!"

The woman smiled slyly and removed the ring, features morphing back into a male drow figure. "Yes?"

"You…you…" He drew his dagger and pounced.

Jarian, for once, was the faster and pinned the assassin's dagger arm behind his back, pressing his knee into the human's spine. His lips feathered Entreri's ear. "Come now Artemis, you have to admit that for a moment…you enjoyed that. Why don't you just let me properly thank you for all that you've done? I promise that you will not regret it."

Entreri growled and struggled, his voice slightly muffled by the bed sheets. "I'll kill you first."

"Still so hostile after all that we've been through?" Jarian released him and stepped back. "So be it." He headed toward the door. "Just remember, I could have had you any time I wanted, but I preferred to wait until you wanted me just as badly. You should also be thankful to a certain mercenary Captain." He paused and grinned, "I'm of to have fun Artemis! I'll leave my door unlocked in case you change your mind!"

Entreri stared at the door in drunken shock, a fluttering of sobriety causing him to shudder. He bolted the locks and went to his bed, furrowing his nose at Jarian's lingering scent.

"Rainaj…wait, R-a-i-n-a-j, if I mix the letters then it's," Entreri's palm went to his forehead with a resounding smack, "Jarian. I should have known."

His head connected with the pillow and he welcomed the darkness of sleep with a heavy sigh.

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Author's Note: Ya'll don't want to know how long it took to write this chapter. :sweat drop: After battling with some migraines and a bout of writer's block caused by such, it was indeed a sequential battle. However, my 22nd birthday (on August 24) fast approached and I realized that I had to get the 22nd chapter up before then!

Next chapter, what will transpire the morning after? Will Entreri remember? Will there be gloating? How will different beings say goodbye? That's right folks, next chapter is the last chapter, with only an epilogue after that (:gasp: yes, this particular story will come to an end, but worry not about it until it comes)

--

Entreri: "You had the drow KISS me!"

Authoress: "What? You expected Jarian simply to just pine for you? He had to have some action! He's such a nice fellow! And besides, he was a woman; it was a woman that kissed you. I could have done a lot…er, worse."

Jarian: "Even as a woman, I'm all drow."

Entreri: :twitch: "The authoress is siding with the drow, the authoress must now die."

Jarlaxle: "If you kill the authoress, I'll resurrect her and make her into a lich. She still has to finish the story."

Authoress: "Death? Lich? What? Guys!"

Maskah, Kaifas, and Shytolin:offer the nice authoress a distraction to calm her nerves:

Thank you all for your patience and for your reviews. You all truly make my day and I wish you great happiness. :hugs: