Ravenette Molly used with permission

Usually, given a choice of two dresses, two pairs of evening trousers, one
evening skirt and four evening blouses or tops, Kezia could decide which
outfit to wear for a particular occassion within the first five minutes.
This time, an hour had passed and she still hadn't decided which outfit to
wear!  This was *not* like her.

"Okay, girl, big deep breath, calm down....  What's the worst that can
happen to you?  So Janette and the Ravenettes laugh at my lack of fashion
sense?  So.... two of my friends are playing with the Ravenettes in this
War, that's what,"  she counter-argued.  "Let's be logical about this - if
you can't decide what you're going to wear, let's start with what everyone
else will be wearing....   Black... Got it!"

Decision made, she ignored her black and lurex dress, both pairs of black
evening trousers and the black velour skirt.  Everyone else would wear
black - so Kez wanted to wear something different.  Twenty minutes later she
clattered down the stairs of the Comfy Cottage, just in time for the taxi La
Countess had booked.

Walking into the Raven with the rest of the CotKers, a quick glance around
showed her that her colour choice had been a wise one - no-one else was
wearing royal purple velour!  Not that everyone could wear such a colour to
start with....  And the boned strapless bodice of her mid-calf length dress,
with it's full skirt and layers of netting was not only a classic design but
one that suited her petite figure, topped off as it was by a neat little
bolero jacket and with a matching velour barette holding her silver streaked
ash brown hair into a neat twist.

Complementing the outfit were her purple 3" heeled court shoes and clutch
purse, and a matching set of smokey-mauve glass balls trimmed with delicate
silver filigree dangling from a pendant and from her ears completed the
overall effect.

Finding a table with a place specially reserved for Kyer, the CotK were soon
settled in, pleased that their host/esses had gone to the trouble of finding
them corner in a nice secluded little corner, with no nearby doors from
which people - or vampires - could sneak up on them.  Though they hated to
have to admit it lest the other factions take advantage of them, most of the
CotK had one thing in common - they were shy, introverted folk who didn't
enjoy going to places filled with lots and lots and lots of strangers...

At 46, Kezia was the oldest member playing in this war, and was trying her
best to set a good example.  Remembering the number of parties she'd been to
in her teens and twenties when she's spent all evening hiding in the kitchen
or just talking to the only two people in the room that she knew and not
really enjoying the party to the full, she wanted the younger faction
members to avoid such an unproductive routine.

Consequently, she was the first to suggest going up to the bar for drinks,
where she took the opportunity to ask the bar staff to point out her
internet buddies from the Ravenettes.  Hearing her name spoken, Molly turned
round and introduced herself.

"Molly!  How wonderful to meet you in person after all these months of
talking online.  Whoa, momma!  Are you trying to send these fellas into
hormonal overdrive with that outfit - 'cause if you are, I'll bet you're
succeeding.  It looks fantastic!  Hey, I'm just getting in drinks for the
rest of the group - care to join us for a few minutes?"

One Bailey's on the rocks later, Kezia was starting to feel a bit more
comfortable with the size of the party.  She wasn't one to get drunk - she
never could quite see the appeal in getting 'Brahms and Lizst', to use one
of the Cockney rhyming slang phrase her late father had taught her and which
meant 'being drunk' - but she could feel the alcohol buzz relaxing her that
crucial little bit.

Now - when would they start the dancing?  Kezia had itchy feet....