As Vivienne approached the exit of Lyssandro's club, she paused, the heavy door creaking shut behihe dim lighting of the entryway glinted off her dark eyes as she made a subtle adjustment ta, pulling it just enough to frame aig curve of her cleavage. Satisfied with her handiwork, she ran a hand over her makeshift attire, a sly grin tugging at her lips.

  With Renzia following close, her silent shadow as always, Vivienne waltzed outside, the m sun catg her bare feet and casting long shadows across the bustling street. She turned sharply on her heel to face the two bouncers standing by the door. Both men straightened instinctively, their expressions shifting as they caught sight of her.

  The one on the left, a barrel-chested man with a thick beard and a crooked nose, failed to mask the way his eyes wandered downward, lingering on her chest for a moment too long. The other, thinner but no less imposing, elbowed him subtly, but even he couldn’t keep his gaze entirely respectful.

  Vivienne caught their reas easily, her grin widening into something coy, yet sharp. She pced a hand on her hip, tilting her head just so, her dark eyes gleaming with amusement. “Thank you for letting me in, boys,” she purred, her voice low and honeyed.

  The thicker bouncer cleared his throat, his cheeks flushing slightly as he tried to recover some sembnce of professionalism. “It’s, uh, part of the job,” he muttered, his gaze snapping back to a safer spot somewhere over her shoulder.

  Vivienne leaned forward just enough to keep their attention, her smile never wavering. “I do have another question,” she said, her tone dripping with faux sweetness. “Do either of you filemen know any enters who dabble in tail? I find myself in desperate need of a wardrobe upgrade.”

  The thinner bouncer scratched his , his brow furrowed as he thought. “There’s a shop iisan quarter,” he said finally, his voice gruff but steady. “Name’s Ardyn’s Threads. The owner’s an odd sort, but he’s got a reputation for enting clothes.”

  The thicker bounodded in agreement. “Yeah, you’ll want to look for a shop with a green banner. ’t miss it. Just... don’t haggle too much. Ardy take kindly to it.”

  Vivieraightened, her grin softening into something menuine. “You’re both absolute treasures,” she said, her voice warm and teasing. “I’ll be sure to mention your impeccable dires if I find what I’m looking for.”

  As she turned away, her bare feet padding lightly on the cobblestohe two bouncers exged gnces, otering under his breath, “She’s somethin’ else.”

  Renzia followed silently behind, her wooden frame making only the fai of creaks as they moved into the bustling street. Vivienne’s grin persisted as she navigated through the crowd, her destination clear.

  “Ardyn’s Threads, hmm?” Vivienne mused aloud, her tone carrying a pyful lilt as she maneuvered through the bustling streets. The artisan quarter was alive with energy, merts shouting their wares and craftsmen dispying their skills in small, open workshops. Her bare feet brushed against the warm cobblestoheir heat radiating through her soles as she walked.

  Vivienne cast a gnce over her shoulder, her grin softening. “You’re awfully quiet, aren’t you?”

  Renzia simply nodded, her cloth-ed head tilting slightly as if to aowledge the question.

  Vivienne chuckled, her pace quiing as the colorful banners of the artisan quarter came into view. “Well, I suppose you’re better pany than most I’ve had tely. You don’t talk back, and you certainly don’t pin.”

  The mannequin tilted her head again, and Vivienne couldn’t help but ugh softly. “I’ll take that as agreement.”

  The shop was easy to spot, just as the bouncer had described. A green banner embroidered with silver thread swayed gently in the breeze above a narrow doorway. The lettering spelled out Ardyn’s Threads in a script, the words shimmering faintly as though ented themselves.

  Vivienne paused outside, taking a moment to adjust her toga. She straightened her posture, her dark eyes sing the shop’s exterior. “Time to make an impression,” she murmured, her voice low and fident.

  The interior was a stark trast to the bustling street outside. The air inside was cool and smelled faintly of vender aher. Bolts of fabri every imaginable color were stacked ly along the walls, while mannequins wearing intricately designed garments stood on dispy.

  A tall, androgynous figure emerged from behind a ter, their movements graceful and deliberate. They were draped in a flowing robe that seemed to shimmer between shades of silver and blue, their sharp, angur features framed by short, ly bed hair. A pair of spectacles perched on their heir lenses glowing faintly with a magical hue.

  “Wele to Ardyn’s Threads,” they said, their voice smooth and melodic. Their sharp eyes swept over Vivienne and Renzia, lingering on Vivienne’s bare feet and makeshift toga with a flicker of curiosity before settling ba her face. “I am Ardyn. How I be of service?”

  Vivieepped forward, her smile disarming but her i unmistakable. “I’m looking for something... unique. Funal, durable, and—most importantly—able to adapt to my needs.”

  Ardyn tilted their head slightly, the glimmer of intrigue sparking in their sharp, intelligent eyes. “And what needs would those be?” they asked, their tone calm but ced with genuine curiosity.

  Vivienne’s grin widened. “I have a tendency to shred my dresses when I shapeshift,” she said smoothly. “It’s being an expensive habit.”

  For a moment, sileretched between them as Ardyn regarded her carefully, their gaze flig down her frame again before meeting her eyes. Then, a soft ugh, melodid unhurried, escaped them.

  “Ah,” they said, their lips curling into an amused smile. “I think I’ve heard of you.”

  “Only bad things, I hope,” Vivienne replied with a pyful tilt of her head.

  Ardyn giggled softly, their voice lilting like the hum of a fiuring. “The rumors are... colorful,” they admitted, stepping closer with an air of elegance. “A shapeshifter, they say. Dangerous, uable. Though they didn’t mention you had such a fir for entrances.”

  Vivienne chuckled, crossing her arms loosely. “I like to make an impression. Keeps people ooes.”

  The siren tilted their head slightly, their curiosity piqued. “And who is your... friend?”

  Vivienne’s smile deepened, her voice sweet and affeate. “Ah, this is Renzia. Such a dear little thing. Aren’t you, sweetheart?”

  Renzia, feeling the attention, stepped forward with a stumble, tripping over her ow before rec quickly. She straightened up, smoothing her clothes, and gave a slightly clumsy but practiced bow.

  The siren observed, their eyes narrowing with i. “How intriguing. I see there are some powerful entments pced upon her. I would love to take a closer look, if the opportunity arises.”

  Vivienne chuckled softly, the smile on her lips still pyful. “Maybe ter,” she replied, her tone light and unbothered.

  Ardyn’s gaze lingered on her for a moment longer before they nodded, as though ing to a decision. “Well, you’ve e to the right pce. If it’s adaptability you need, I craft garments that are both funal aiful. But I warn you, sutments don’t e cheaply.”

  “I’ve got ,” Vivienne said, patting her purse. “And I’m not oo haggle over quality.”

  “Good,” Ardyn said with a small, approving smile. “e,” they gestured toward a raised ptform surrounded by mirrors. “Let me see what I’m w with.”

  Vivieepped up onto the ptform, feeling the smooth, cool surfader her bare feet. Renzia remai the edge of the room, silent and still as a statue, but ever watchful.

  Ardyn circled Vivieheir eyes narrowing as they assessed her frame, her posture, even the way her toga draped over her body. “Your movements—fluid, almost serpentine. Ahere’s a strength beh the grace,” they murmured, half to themselves. “Yes, I see the challenge here. This will be... iing.”

  Vivienne raised an eyebrow, her grin never faltering. “Iing is goht?”

  “Darling,” Ardyn said with a sly smile, “iing is where my best work begins.”

  Ardyn reached out, their fingers gliding through the air as if trag an invisible outline around Vivienne. “You need garments that move with you—gracefully, seamlessly. Something that won’t betray you, no matter how you ge.” Their melodic voice dahrough the room, as smooth as silk.

  Vivieilted her head, amused. “Exactly. you do it?”

  Ardyn gave a light, tinkling ugh, stepping bad gesturing toward a rack of fabrics that shimmered in hues of silver and bck, catg the light like rippling water. “I don’t deal in ‘,’ darling. Only ‘will.’ Now, tell me—how attached are you to this particur aesthetic? I see potential, but I’d like to... elevate it.”

  “This was more of a short notice situation. I do have a fir for the dramatid I have a body that would be a shame to hide too much of it.”

  “I uand. Could I see your other forms? I ’t work without it.”

  Vivienne grinned wide, betraying a glimpse of her teeth. “We , but do you have spaewhere else? Preferably outdoors.”

  Ardyn raised a delicate brow, their sharp eyes gleaming with intrigue. “Outdoors? My, my, you must be pnning something truly grand. I suppose I aodate.” They gestured toward the back of the shop, leading Vivienne and Renzia through a small corridor lined with rolls of fabrid ented tools, each humming faintly with tent magic. The air was thick with the st of dye aher, the atmosphere alive with creative energy.

  The corridor opeo a private courtyard—a serene spaclosed by high stone walls. M light poured in, casting intricate shadows over potted pnts and a bubbling fountain at the ter. The air felt lighter here, the magi within the shop diffused into a gentler ambiance.

  Ardyn stepped to the side, their movements fluid and theatrical. “This should suffice. Show me what I’m w with.”

  Vivieuro Renzia, who stood as still and silent as ever, then back to Ardyn. “All right, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.” Her grin widened, a mischievous glint in her dark eyes. She loosehe makeshift toga slightly to give herself room, then took a slow, deliberate breath.

  Vivieook a deliberate step forward, the sunlight catg on her bare shoulders as she tilted her head, a wicked grin spreading across her face. She let her breath deepen, her chest rising and falling as her form began to ripple. Her body unduted as though it were liquid, flesh and bone shiftih her skin.

  Her shoulders broadened first, her spiending with a series of audible cracks that echoed through the courtyard. Her tail grew thicker, its smooth, scaled surface shimmering in the m light. As her torso expanded, her arms split at the shoulders, the process seamless and fluid, until she stood with four arms that flexed with alien grace.

  From her shoulders and neck sprouted five additional heads, eaing with uny precision. Their bck eyes blinked open in unison, their mouths twisting into grins eerily identical to her tral face. Her tail coiled behiwitg slightly as she tested her bance.

  The transformation was mesmerizing in its fluidity, terrifying in its power. Where Vivienne oood, a six-headed hydra now loomed, each head turning in separate dires to take in the courtyard, her elongated, cwed arms stretg and flexing. The presence of her form seemed to suck the air out of the space, the aura of a predator at the apex of its power.

  Ardyn, to their credit, stood transfixed. Their sharp eyes gleamed with fasation, their lips parted as though they wao speak but couldn’t find the words. Finally, they exhaled, their voice soft but filled with awe. “This... this is exquisite. A true masterpiece of a form.”

  One of Vivienne’s heads turoward them, its grin wide and predatory. “I told you it’d be better out here. Wouldn’t want to ruin your tle shop, would we?”

  Ardyn took a step closer, their sharp features lit with an almost mahusiasm. “The possibilities are endless,” they murmured, their melodic voice trembling with excitement. “Each head, each limb—it’s as if your body is a vas for motion, for expression. I’ll o design something that not only aodates this but celebrates it.”

  Another head tilted down toward Ardyn, the voice spilling from Vivienne’s tral mouth pyful but tinged with menace. “Careful, Ardyn. You’re starting to sound like you want to wear me instead of dress me.”

  Ardyn ughed, the sound ringing through the courtyard like the melody of a harp. “Darling, with a form like yours, who wouldn’t be tempted?”

  Vivie out a low chuckle, her hydra form radiating power and amusement. “So, think you manage?”

  “Manage?” Ardyn’s eyes gleamed as their smile widened. “Oh, darling, I’ve never been more inspired in my life. Could I see your other forms?”

  Vivienne’s many heads nodded in unison, an eerie synization that sent a ripple of tension through the air. She reared up, her massive body shifting as the scales began to melt away. The six serpentine necks colpsed into her frame, and her hydra form pressed into a humanoid shape.

  Her skin now dulled to a grayish tone, cracked and uneven, givihe appearance of a figure molded from broken stone. Her eyes burned with an unnatural light, and dark veins pulsed along her limbs. Jagged cws extended from her fiips, and her hair writhed like living tendrils of shadow. Her revenant form stood tall and silent, exuding a deathly aura.

  Ardyn stepped closer, their expression a mixture of awe and careful calcution. “Hauntingly beautiful,” they murmured. “I feel the weight of your presence, even without you speaking.”

  Vivienne smirked, her voice hollow and resonant. “This oends to... ule people. How’s it striking you?”

  “I’m not most people,” Ardyn replied smoothly, reag out but hesitating just before toug her arm. “The textures... fasating. But let’s not linger. Show me more.”

  Without another word, Vivienne shifted again. Her legs melded together, elongating and transf into a monstrous araid body. Her torso remained humanoid, but her lower half was now that of a massive spider, bck chitin glinting in the light. Eight spider legs clicked against the stone floor as her drider form loomed over Ardyn. A pair of additional eyes opened on her forehead, gleaming like onyx.

  Ardyn’s breath caught, but their posure held firm. “Funal yet fearsome,” they remarked, cirg Vivieh a dising gaze. “The movement of silk across this form will be a challenge... but aing one.”

  Vivienne arched an eyebrow. “Just don’t make me look like an oversized doll. I draw the li frills.”

  Ardyn chuckled. “Noted.”

  The transformation rippled once more, using her shape into something new, yet familiar in her mind. Her skin vanished beh a coat of coarse bck fur, dense and shimmering faintly in the daylight. Her muscles shifted beh the pelt, being lean and agile, designed for speed and power. She could feel the fur along her back bristle as the st remnants of her humanoid form melted away, leaving her in the full shape of a wolf. Her body, now lithe and poised, rippled with newfound energy, her every movement fluid and purposeful, standing tall above the tailor.

  Her glowing eyes retaihat eerie, prismatic gleam, the same as before, but now they were framed by a more primal expression. A low growl rumbled from her chest, the sound of something feral and calg. As she shifted, her grin – now much more animalistic – twisted her lips into a wolfish, almost predatory expression. The edges of her teeth glinted dangerously in the dim light. There was something about this form, something so raw and uhat seemed to amplify the dangerous side of her personality, the ohat reveled in both the hunt and the kill.

  Ardyn crouched slightly, tilting their head to admire the elegant lines of her wolf body. “Graceful, primal... I see the yers of you in this. It’s as though ea is a piece of a rger mosaic.”

  Vivie out a soft bark of amusement before stepping back, her body trembling with the effort of another ge. She stretched upward, her limbs expanding as her flesh turh stone. Her colossus form towered over the courtyard, her frame massive and imposing. Her skin was now textured with jagged edges and cracks, and her glowing eyes gazed down at Ardyn like twin stars.

  Ardyn staggered back a step, their hand flying to their chest as they gasped. “By the gods…” They stared up at her, awe and a touch of fear written across their face. “You’re... magnifit.”

  Vivienne bli her with dozens of pairs of eyes. “I think you are the first person I have met that wasn’t even a little scared of me.”

  Ardyn’s eyes flickered, a brief, calg pause, before they let out a soft ugh. It was rich, melodid ced with something far deeper than simple amusement. They took aep forward, their gaze never leaving Vivie form. “Fear,” Ardyn mused, their voice as smooth as silk, “is an iing thing. It has its pce, certainly. But I find that true artistry is never born from fear. You, my dear, are nothing short of a masterpiece.”

  Vivienne’s grin widened as she flexed one of her colossal cws, the movement smooth and trolled, her sheer size casting a shadow over the courtyard. “Fttery, my dear, will get you everywhere with me,” she purred, her voice a velvet temptation.

  Ardyn’s eyes sparkled with somethiween fasation and admiration, but they didn’t seem intimidated. “I think I’ve seen enough,” they said, their tone pyful but ced with intrigue. “You may turn back, if you wish.”

  Vivienne gave a nguid nod, her movements smooth and deliberate as her colossal form began to tract. The immense bulk of her body rippled, folding in on itself, the mass of her t frame shrinking and pressing into her more familiar, softer shape. Her limbs elongated and narrowed, and her once-massive shoulders subtly shifted bato the graceful tours of her humanoid form. The ge was almost seamless, as though her rger body was nothing more than aension of her true self, shedding its exaggerated proportions as effortlessly as a snake shedding its skin. She reached for her makeshift toga, which she quickly ed around herself, the fabric falling more naturally now, though still unrefined.

  She tilted their head, casting a curious g Ardyn. “Wouldn’t you o take measurements or something? I imagihe tail process is more involved than just wishful thinking.”

  Ardyn’s lips curved into a sly, knowing smile. “Ah, my dear, that’s where the beauty of aether es in. Measurements are hardly necessary when you uand how to manipute the flow of magic. A resizing entment will do the trick. It will adjust to your shape with ease.” They took a step back, their eyes gleaming with a touischief. “Trust me, I kly what I'm doing.”

  Vivienne’s smile softened into something mehe excitement in her eyes unmistakable. “Well, I’m excited. I’ve been in need of something more... fitting.” She gave a small, pyful stretch of her limbs, appreciating the freedom her current franted her, but knowing that Ardyn could craft something truly special.

  She theured to Renzia, who had remained silent and still, standing like an enigmatic statue beside her. “Oh, while I’m here, I’d also like something new for my friend here.” She motiooward Renzia, her tone shifting slightly, as though suddenly remembering the mannequin’s presence.

  Ardyn’s gaze drifted over to Renzia, studying her with an expert’s eye. “Iing,” they murmured, their expression shifting into one of curiosity. “I see. A unique creation... and quite the challenge. She certainly stands out—though not in the way I would expect.” They took a slow step toward Renzia, fingers lightly brushing the fabric of her tattered dress, before their eyes flicked back to Vivienne. “I imagine she’s in need of more than just a new outfit. A proper, funal design would be more fitting for something... so unique. I think I have a few ideas.”

  Vivienne followed Ardyn ihe subtle hum of magi the air growing stronger with each step they took. The shop was alive with the st of ented materials, the colors of fabric shimmering in the soft light, as if they were alive themselves. Ardyhem back to a workbench where bolts of various textiles were ly arranged, and tools of the trade y scattered in a mahat suggested both anization and the creative chaos of an artisan at work.

  Ardyn turo face Vivienne and Renzia, their expression serious but with a glimmer of satisfa in their eyes. “As for cost,” they began, their voice smooth as always, “for the fabric, bor, and entment, it will cost twelve gold a silver. For your friend here, it will cost anold. Is this acceptable?”

  Vivienne raised an eyebrow, gng down at her pouch with a knowing smirk. She carefully pulled it out, the worher pouch feeling familiar in her grasp. The s inside were smooth, their edges well-worn from frequent handling, and Vivieook her time sifting through them, pig out the right bination of gold and silver pieces. Each clicked softly against the others as she ted them with practiced ease.

  “Twelve gold, eight silver, and an additional gold for Renzia’s attire,” Vivienne murmured, the numbers settling into her mind as she looked over at Ardyn. “I think so, yes. This seems fair.”

  She extehe s toward Ardyn, her fingers brushing the aged siren’s hand as she passed them over. The etal was smooth to the touch, a trast to the warm, melodiergy that radiated from Ardyn. Vivienhe s out with a casual elegahe exge fluid and almost ritualistic, like a small dan itself.

  Ardyn took the s carefully, their sharp eyes flig over eae as they examihe payment with the practiced eye of someone who had dealt with tless transas in their long life. They gave a small, appreciative nod, their lips curling into a satisfied smile. “Thank you,” they said, their voice full of honeyed satisfa. “This will cover everything, and then some. I promise, your new garments will be nothing short of perfe.”

  Vivienne allowed herself a moment to appreciate the exge, sav the feeling of finality iransa. The anticipation of her tire, and Renzia’s as well, was already beginning to settle in, the thrill of knowing that something unique was being crafted just for her.

  “Brilliant!” Ardyn tiheir tourning more businesslike as they pced the s into a nearby chest, their fingers brushing over the wood with a gentle, almost reverent touch. “I will begin immediately, but it may take a day or two to get everything just right.”

  Vivienne gave a satisfied nod, her gaze sharp and unwavering. “That works for me,” she said, her voice low and fident, carrying an edge that suggested she was used to gettily what she wanted. “I’ll be around to che the progress, of course.”

  Ardyn gave a graceful bow, a fluid motion that spoke of turies of practice. “You are wele here at any time,” they said, their voice smooth as ever. But then, a flicker of realization crossed their face, and they straighteheir eyes glinting with a mischievous light. “Oh dear, I apologize. I haven’t even asked for your name.”

  Vivienne’s grin widened, her lips curling back to reveal the sharp gleam of her teeth. She extended one of her elongated cws toward Ardyn, the movement slow and deliberate, like a promise. “Vivienne Marie Castillo,” she said, her name rolling off her toh a quiet fidence, as if she were something precious. “But you may call me Vivienne.”

  Ardyn’s eyes flickered over her, a small but appreciative smile tugging at their lips. “Viviehey repeated, sav the name like it was something to be studied, something to be remembered. “A name worthy of such... presence.”

  Vivieilted her head slightly, the fai hint of amusement in her expression. “Fttery, Ardyn. But I’ll take it.” She let the sileretch for a moment, her gaze lingering on the siren before she turned her attention back to the shop’s surroundings. “Now, I trust you’ll make good on that promise?”

  Ardyn nodded, a glimmer of excitement in their eyes. “Absolutely. When you return, I will have somethiraordinary waiting for you.”

  Vivienne gave a final, satisfied smile before turning on her heel, Renzia in tow, her cws clig lightly against the floor as she walked away. Ardyn watched her go, their gaze thoughtful, the air around them still humming with the fairaagic.

  SupernovaSymphony