Mistborn #02 The Well of Ascension

her jewelry cabinet. She didn't have much; though the crew had outfitted her with a good sampling of jewelry during her days as Valette, she had given most of it to Elend to help fund various projects. She had, however, kept a few of her favorites—as if she'd known that she'd someday find her way back into a dress.
    I'm just wearing it this once , she thought. This still isn't me .
    She snapped on a sapphire bracelet. Like her barrettes, it contained no metal; the gemstones were set into a thick hardwood that closed with a wooden twist-clasp. The only metal on her body, then, would be her coins, her metal vial, and the single earring. Kept, by Kelsier's suggestion, as a bit of metal she could Push on in an emergency.
    "Mistress," OreSeur said, pulling something out from under her bed with his paw. A sheet of paper. "This fell from the box as you were opening it." He grabbed it between two of his surprisingly dexterous paw fingers and held it up for her.
    Vin accepted the paper. Lady Heir , it read.
I made the chest and bodice extra tight to give support—and cut the skirts so they would resist flaring—in case you need to jump. There are slits for metal vials in each of the cuffs, as well as a ripple in the cloth cut to obscure a dagger strapped around each forearm. I hope you find the alterations suitable .
Feldeu, Dressmaker .
    She glanced down, noting the cuffs. They were thick and wide, and the way they pointed at the sides made perfect hiding places. Though the sleeves were tight around the upper arms, the forearms were looser, and she could see where the daggers could be strapped.
    "It seems that he has made dresses for Mistborn before," OreSeur noted.
    "Probably," Vin said. She moved over to her dressing mirror to apply a little makeup, and found that several of her makeup pads had dried out. Guess I haven't done this for a while either . . ..
    "What time are we leaving, Mistress?" OreSeur asked.
    Vin paused. "Actually, OreSeur, I wasn't planning to bring you. I still intend to keep your cover with the other people in the palace, and I think it would look very suspicious of me to bring my pet dog on this particular trip."
    OreSeur was silent for a moment. "Oh," he said. "Of course. Good luck, then, Mistress."
    Vin felt only a tiny stab of disappointment; she'd expected him to object more. She pushed the emotion aside. Why should she fault him? He'd been the one to rightly point out the dangers of going into the camp.
    OreSeur simply lay down, resting head on paws as he watched her continue applying her makeup.

    "But, El," Ham said, "you should at least let us send you in our own carriage."
    Elend shook his head, straightening his jacket as he looked in the mirror. "That would require sending in a coachman, Ham."
    "Right," Ham said. "Who would be me."
    "One man won't make a difference in getting us out of that camp. And, the fewer people I take with me, the fewer people Vin and I have to worry about."
    Ham shook his head. "El, I. . ."
    Elend laid a hand on Ham's shoulder. "I appreciate the concern, Ham. But, I can do this. If there's one man in this world I can manipulate, it's my father. I'll come out of this with him feeling assured that he has the city in his pocket."
    Ham sighed. "All right."
    "Oh, one other thing," Elend said hesitantly.
    "Yes?"
    "Would you mind calling me 'Elend' instead of just 'El'?"
    Ham chuckled. "I suppose that one's easy enough to do."
    Elend smiled thankfully. It's not what Tindwyl wanted, but it's a start. We'll worry about the "Your Majesty"s later .
    The door opened, and Dockson walked in. "Elend," he said. "This just arrived for you." He held up a sheet of paper.
    "From the Assembly?" Elend asked.
    Dockson nodded. "They're not happy about you missing the meeting this evening."
    "Well, I can't change the appointment with Straff just because they want to meet a day early," Elend said. "Tell them I'll try and visit when I get back."
    Dockson nodded, then turned as a rustling sounded from behind him. He stepped to the side, a strange look on his face, as Vin walked up to the doorway.
    And she was wearing a dress—a beautiful blue gown that was sleeker than the common courtly fare. Her black hair sparkled with a pair of sapphire barrettes, and she seemed. . .different. More feminine—or, rather, more confident in her femininity.
    How much she's changed since I first met her , Elend thought, smiling. Almost two years had passed. Then she had been a youth, albeit one with the