The Gala

As promised, in the morning, I was taken to a rock enclosure with a pool and waterfall, where I could bathe.  I lolled around as long as I dared before stepping out. 

As soon as I showed my face outside the rock enclosure, an aide led me away and I was dolled up and fussed over. 

First they dropped a greenish-gold dress with multiple layers of flounces over my head and then cinched it tightly.  I could barely breathe, but they told me that it was quite normal for that type of outfit. 

Then, they created an elaborate hairstyle for me, using my own hair plus various other things like feathers and jeweled picks. 

Then they started in on my face and neck, painting every exposed part of my skin until there was nothing left that was not painted. 

They even stuck a mole on my cheek, as if it was something to be proud of.  I was starting to think this was all a bit much when Gabriel popped into the dressing room.