Loki has fallen in love with the snow. He has wool socks, longjohns, and leather gloves lined in fleece. It has only flurried a little, but every time he sees the flakes start to drift down while he walks to work, he smiles. It has also given him an excuse to shop for thick fluffy scarves, and this is something he enjoys immensely. When he goes with Wanda or Magda to look for things to wear to their wedding, he looks at the scarves as well.
Magda finds a cream gown and jacket that she adores. Loki finds her a pair of long emerald gloves. Magda discovers her colour scheme. Wanda loves the colour and adds a matching sash to her outfit- swishing black trousers and a fitted sleeveless blouse. It gives Loki an idea. He asks Maga if she knows a seamstress.
"Yes, Erie. Why? Do you need something stitched?"
"I need something altered. A few somethings, actually, but first...well, the one that matches your green, just in case I feel I can wear it on your day. But the materials are quite fine and I fear putting them in the hands of anyone not extremely skilled."
"I can assure you, Erie is brilliant with gowns. She once worked as a restorer of antique garments for a private collector."
"Good. Do you think she can let one out? I have not worn it since I could shift into a feminine shape."
"We will take it to her and she will assess the situation. If she is not confident, she will not attempt it. Perhaps this weekend we can meet her?"
"Yes. That would be lovely."
"Bring the undergarments you would wear under it as well. She must be able to take accurate measurements."
"Is she accustomed to sewing clothing for people like us?"
"Oh yes. She has tailored my clothing many times. Do not worry, my darling. She is quite skilled."
"These gowns are quite precious to me."
Magda takes his hand, "I understand. And I would not suggest her if I did not think she capable of handling them."
Saturday, Loki wakes and puts on her cinch and bra, slipping on the cable knit tights Wanda ordered from a specialty store online. She bundles up in a long wool skirt and a heavy sweater, plaits her hair so it will not itch her neck, and layers her scarves, including one that has been sew into a hood. She carefully tucks the emerald green gown into a garment bag and meets Magda at the car. She is both excited and nervous to see if the gown can be refitted to her. If it cannot, she knows that the black one she so dearly treasures will also likely be unwearable.
She is quiet in the car on the way to Erie's studio. She does not know what to expect, but she is still surprised when they turn down a street of old mansions and stop in front a large stone house.
"Erie lives here?"
"Yes. It is her family's home. She comes from old money, and nearly all of the fortune has been set aside to keep the house in good repair. She also runs a bed and breakfast. What she can spare, she sends to keep the Haven open."
"And she has a seamstress' studio in it?"
"Yes."
"I was unaware Midgard had houses this large."
"Yes. Some larger. You have seen so little of our world. We will have to travel together someday."
Erie meets them at the front door, "Come in, come in! Maggie, I am so excited about your wedding. Have you found a place to have it?"
"No, we haven't. Neither of us like the idea of a church, but we cannot agree beyond that."
"Well, before we talk business, let me show you something." She leads them straight back from the entry to a large set of doors, "Perhaps this is to your liking." She opens one door just enough to enter and turns on the lights. A ship's wheel chandelier drips crystals and candles in an elegant dark wood ballroom. The wood floor gleams in the warm light, a grand piano at one end of the room, "We have small weddings in here once in a while, but it's rarely used."
Magda is so excited that she twirls, "It is absolutely beautiful! Wanda will be so excited, it is perfect!"
"Good, good! Bring her by when you can, show it to her, see if she likes it."
"She is visiting Pietro. But yes, as soon as she returns, I will bring her. Thank you, Erie. You have just solved our biggest problem planning this wedding."
"Well let's see if I can solve another one. You said you had a dress you needed me to look at?"
Loki nods, "A very fine one. It is of Asgard."
"Oooh, Asgard?"
"Yes. It is where I was once from. But circumstances have changed and I would like it altered to fit me, if possible."
"You are a mystery, Loki. I like that. Come on back to the sewing room and we'll take a look at it and at you."
They leave the ballroom and she leads them back farther into the house, up two flights of stairs, and into a large drawing room. One wall is fabric storage- rolls mounted low, shelving reached by library ladders for bolts higher up. To one side, a rack holds large yardage draped over hangers or hanging from clips. Dress forms are scattered through the room, some holding projects in progress, one holding an antique gown for study, and a few waiting for the next moment of inspiration. One wall is lined with large windows and in front of this sits her sewing machines and sergers. She leads them to a large cutting table. There are two of them on opposite ends of the room.
"Let's see what you have there."
Loki gently lays the gown on the table and unzips the garment bag. Erie watches how she handles the fabric. It is obvious to her that the dress means a great deal.
"May I?" She reaches for it and Loki steps aside, "Hmmm...it's very fine. A little slippery, but not bad. It's got a nice weight to it- it swings nicely?" Loki nods, "I thought so. But still floats. Very unique. I can work with this." She turns part of the skirt inside out, "There's not a lot of extra at the seams, though, so I'm going to have to add to it to get much more space out of it. Let's measure you. I think I've got something that will compliment it very nicely- a matte vintage satin brocade. I'll do some sketches." She brings over her dress tape and has Loki stand with her arm out, a notepad beside her to write down measurements. Then she measures the dress, "I'll need to add width, but I think I have an idea."
"I admit, I am nervous about altering it. I am quite fond of this gown and there is one at home I treasure even greater still that I could not gather the courage to bring, it is so precious. But if I fall in love with your work on this one, I may bring it to you along with the others."
"You will. I'm not being a braggart, either. Maggie's seen my work. I used to do museum restoration, and before that I worked for a private high-end fashion house. I can do magic with textiles."
"There seem to be more people who can work magic with common things in this realm than those who could use sorcery in Asgard. This world is wonderful and surprising."
"And now you're one of us. Don't worry. Your gown is safe."
As they leave, Erie sees her hesitate, "Loki, your origins may be a mystery to me, but it's clear as a lark how much that gown means to you. It's a right high honour for you to trust me with it. But you do need to trust me."
She sighs, "I know. It is not easy to do." Especially, she thinks, with no way to have Asgard's tailors repair it.