A Fitting Dais

Carrying the folded golden fan I crafted this afternoon, I glided across the dark mahogany of the dressing table. Resting beside an ivory porcelain tray stood an ornate cut-crystal ring dish, its faceted central spire catching the room's gentle ambient glow. Gathering the heavy embroidered folds of my crimson gown with deliberate poise, I leaned forward and eased the pleated stem of the foil fan securely into the crystal rim. The golden pleats flared outward in a radiant arc, gleaming softly against the beveled glass. Resting my fingertips against the cool rim, I took quiet pleasure in seeing my modest handiwork granted such an elegant courtly display before the night settled.