"Well, like I said before, how your powers affect a trans person are a bit unpredictable. Let me put it to you this way- you think of me as a girl because of my body, right?"
"Well, not totally, but yeah, I mean, it'd be different if you tried to not look girly, I guess." Dani admitted.
Gemory grinned. "But a boy can choose to look girly if he wants to. That doesn't necessarily make him a girl- trust me, I remember the 80's rock scene."
"Ok ok, but that doesn't really answer the question, does it?"
"Sure it does, lover. Gender can be defined in two ways. By a person, and by other people." Gemory explained.
"So..if I think someone is a girl, my powers work?" Dani was confused.
"Unless that person's belief otherwise is too strong. Remember what I said about free will, people are free to believe in whatever they want. Even if it's a wrong belief." Gemory seemed satisfied with herself.
Dani wasn't too sure, but she didn't really understand the rules of magic, or whatever this was about. "Well, ok. Anyways, I've decided I want a little revenge."
"Ooh! I love revenge! What did you have in mind?" Gemory rubbed her hands together excitedly.
"I'm going to need your help though." Dani looked uncomfortably. "Usually when I confront her, I lose my nerve."
"Rival? Former lover?" Gemory had an idea, but she decided to prod her fiancee gently.
"My Mom."
Glorious!
"Well first things first, my love. You said your mother was a model? Then we need to dress you for the part. Do you trust me?"
Danielle frowned, then nodded.
Gemory snapped her fingers, and they were elsewhere.
Dani looked around. The place looked like a high-end boutique, though she noticed there were a lot of reds, blacks, and satanic symbols in the decor. Not to mention a section devoted to leather, spikes, and chains.
"Welcome to Francesca's, Hell's finest boutique!" Gemory gestured with her arms wide.
"Is that Gemory! Darling!" A tall, slender woman came out from the back. And by tall, really tall. Francesca was easily 7' in height, with four arms. Her figure was androgynous, though she appeared to have small breasts. She had lavender eyes, fair skin, and a short bob of black hair that framed a youthful face. She wore a beret over her hair, and her dress...was a little hard to describe.
It was as if a fashion show had gotten into an accident with a heavy metal concert. A crimson, asymmetrical top that left two arms bare, and a short leather skirt with chains dangling from it. She wore silver claw rings on her hands, and the two arms that were left bare sported tribal looking tattoos from wrist to shoulder.
Gemory greeted the woman warmly, even though the small demoness wasn't even breast height to Francesca. "Frankie! It's good to see you!"
"And likewise, My Duke. But, you are so tiny! It's very cute, but a new look for you."
Gemory smiled. "I have a good reason. Frankie, this is my fiancee, Danielle Western."
Francesca's violet eyes became very wide. "Fiancee? My darling, you're...going to marry this girl?"
The smile never left Gemory's face, but her eyes seemed to flash. "Do you not approve?"
"Merci! Perish the thought! She is a pretty girl, non? Have you come for bridal clothing?"
"Not just yet. I have to meet with my Mother-in-law, and I want to make...an impression. She's a model, apparently."
Francesca tapped her lip with one claw tip. "Western...Bad Hells! Not Natalie Western?!"
Dani sighed. "Figures, even in Hell, you've heard of her."
Gemory frowned. "Well I haven't. Frankie, what's this Natalie Western's deal?"
"Oh well, she's a very beautiful woman. 37 years old but easily looks 10 years younger. Tall, long legs, curves in the right places, but slender enough to look good in anything Haute Couture. And well on her way down here, by all accounts."
"Doesn't surprise me." Danielle said, glumly. Not even the fact she was in Hell talking to some kind of fashion demon seemed to affect her growing funk. Gemory wanted to stamp her foot in frustration. This would not do!
"Frankie, we've been friends for awhile, right?"
"Of course, My Duke! Ever since you made me into the Devil I am today!"
Danielle perked up. "So you sold your soul to Gemory?"
"Indeed, and it was the best decision I ever made. In life, my name was Francis, and when I was young, I wanted to be beautiful like my Mother. Alas, I was too tall, and too thin, and too male. So I decided if I could not be beautiful, then I would make others beautiful, so I went into fashion design. I worked myself to the bone, but no one would give me a chance. I was starving, out of work, and with nothing to look forward to, I admit, I contemplated ending it all. A very depressing tale, I am sorry to say."
Danielle shook her head. "I can understand. Mom and Dad used to call me Duckling when I was a kid. Then, right around the time of the divorce, Mom...she said some hurtful things."
"-What- hurtful things?" Gemory asked. She was looking away now, and a display of lingerie went up in smoke under the intensity of her glare."
"Well, she said I was like the Ugly Duckling. But she didn't think I would ever turn out to be a swan."
Francesca deftly slid a pair of sunglasses over Gemory's blazing eyes, saving her Spring line for the moment.
Gemory realized what she was doing and gave Francesca a sheepish look.
"Anyways, as I contemplated hurling myself from a bridge, I said I would give my soul to have the gift to make others beautiful. And that's when a tall blonde woman appeared and made me an offer I couldn't refuse."
Gemory nodded. "I realized her talents were going to waste on Earth, so I offered her a job working for me."
"Just so. She gave me this wonderful body, and now I am a success!" Francesca smiled.
"I didn't think demons were into clothes, I mean, you can just make whatever you want, right?" Dani scratched the back of her neck.
"Alas, it turns out that most Demons don't have much fashion sense. So what I really sell is the designs, you see. Anyways, some years after I went into business, Gemory felt I should be free to work for myself. I could never be more grateful to you, darling."
Gemory just smiled. "Well I am still a silent partner. A few months out of the year, Francesca is allowed to go to Earth, and sells her designs there as well. The tamer stuff, mostly."
Francesca smiled. "Obviously, I look a bit different when I do." She winked.
"Huh. So...do you think you can make me beautiful?" Danielle asked.
"Merci, Danielle! Regardless of what your Mother said, you -are- beautiful! It is a different kind of beauty, but I can easily help you bring it to life!"
"Francesca, I'm leaving her in your hands. I should check on my people while I'm in Hell." Gemory hugged her fiancee. "Frankie is the best, she won't steer you wrong. I can't wait to see what she comes up with!"