The dresses and skirts weren't bad, really. Lacey liked wearing them, for the most part, and she didn't have trouble with most of them. It was the heels she had to work on. But she did slowly get used to them.

The next few events went fine, but then there was an event that Madeline wasn't so sure about. A garden and tea party with the Western lady. She got ready to go, making sure Lacey was wearing something appropriate.

"Alright, it's time to go."

Lacey tugged at her skirt a bit, nervously. It was a pretty day dress, and it really didn't need adjusting, but she was anxious and fidgety.

"Alright," she said, getting her little clutch.

Madeline nodded and led her out to the car, opening the door for her and letting her get settled before she started driving.

Lacey sat down in the car carefully, making sure not to wrinkle her dress, and tried to keep her fidgeting to a minimum.

"Try to relax," Madeline told her. "You'll be fine. This is just a tea party. It should be more relaxed even than a party."

"That's why I'm nervous," Lacey said. "It should be more relaxed, there aren't as many guidelines for relaxed. It's easier when I have rules."

Madeline chuckled. "You'll figure it out as you go along," she said. "Rules can only get you so far, after all."

"I don't feel ready for the training wheels to come off yet," Lacey said. "I still don't feel like I'm meant to be with all of them."

"Honestly, I'd be more worried if you did think you belonged with them," Madeline said. "You'll fit in, though. You'll do fine."

"Wish I was that confident," Lacey muttered as she picked a bit at a stray thread.

Madeline shot her an amused look in the mirror. "You'll learn to pretend to be confident until you believe it yourself."

"Fake it till I make it," Lacey said, nodding. She sighed a bit. "I can do that, at least."

"Good." Madeline nodded sharply. "Just remember that and you'll manage." She parked the car and got out, going around to let her out. "I won't be able to attend you for this one."

"What?" Lacey squeaked. "Why?"

"This is a tea party with the Western Lady," Madeline said. "Attendants will be left outside the party. For whatever reason."

Lacey made a face.

"I'm doomed," she lamented.

"You'll be fine," Madeline told her. "I'll still be hanging out around here, so if you need to leave, you can always just come around by the car."

Lacey made a face, but steeled herself and got out of the car. No turning back now, she reasoned.

Madeline nodded and escorted her to the door. From there, Madeline was sent off to a side area with the rest of the retainers, and Lacey was led out back to where the other ladies were assembling to have tea.

Lacey allowed herself to be led back to the party, taking that brief time to compose herself. She could do this. She could survive one tea party without humiliating herself.

The Western Lady was quite pleased with the turnout. Yes, there were several unmated females for her son to choose from when he decided to stop being so stubborn. She sat at the head table by herself for the moment, watching the others mill around the several small tables arranged around the garden.

Lacey was a bit intimidated by all of the others around, but she tried not to let it show. Instead, she listened to a few conversations around her and waited to see what sort of groups would inevitably form.

There were groups, of course. The demons tended to group together, and even within the two separate groups there were other groups.

And, of course, a few people came to chat to her because she was the newest to the life.

Lacey relaxed a bit at the easy chatting. It wasn't as bad as she had imagined, and she did her best to ignore some of the looks she still got.