[Red Lion]

Alissa's mother had also noticed that Alissa was growing into a woman and she decided that it was time for the girl to learn to be a lady. She had soon hired a tutor in town to help Alissa study music and she requested that Randy watch over her and make certain that Alissa did not dally with young men. Randy was required to spend nearly his entire day accompanying Alissa to her lessons.

[uncledaddy]

This didn't bother Randy much at all; he enjoyed spending time with Alissa, and watching over her gave him something worthwhile to do.

[Red Lion]

One day during her lessons the tutor mentioned that Alissa would have a party to introduce her to high society and that she would have to learn to dance, "You're old enough to start mingling with the other people of your class, it's time you learned how a lady presents herself," the tutor waved his thin hand at Randy, "You! You've a good, straight form! Come here and put your arm around her waist, you're going to help her practice!"

[uncledaddy]

Randy nodded and did as instructed, though he'd never actually done such a dance before, himself.

[Red Lion]

The tutor guided them along, teaching them the various steps and then he let them waltz. Alissa stepped on Randy's foot twice and nearly fell over before it was done.

[uncledaddy]

Fortunately, Randy himself was quite sturdy and had no trouble both maintaining his own footing and helping Alissa to keep hers. Whenever she stumbled he chuckled a bit, though not out of unkindness.

[Red Lion]

Finally it was time for them to head home, "I don't know if I like being a lady, my feet hurt and I can't breath in this corset mother made me wear,"

[uncledaddy]

"I do not envy your position," Randy replied. "Why must you wear it?"

[Red Lion]

"It makes me look slender and it squashes down my chest while still give in an appealing shape," said Alissa, "Mama says having the right shape is important,"

[uncledaddy]

Randy sighed. "It seems so unnatural..."

[Red Lion]

"And painful!" Remarked Alissa.

[uncledaddy]

"Can't you loosen it?" Randy questioned. "Surely that isn't healthy."

[Red Lion]

"I can't reach the ties, Ellen has to help me just to get this thing on...and the whale bone ribs dig into me," said Alissa showing him her tightly laced back.

[uncledaddy]

Randy grimaced. "It sounds terrible," he remarked. "A-are you sure it's supposed to be like this?"

[Red Lion]

"It is, you can help me get it off when we get back," said Alissa, "I don't think I can wear it much longer without fainting.'

[uncledaddy]

"If it were up to me, no one would wear these ridiculous things," Randy muttered quietly.