Chapter 20 - The New Uniforms

            Blossom had enough of the ripping and tearing of the old gray uniforms. Her pants, boots and jacket all had rips and tears, with stitches included, and what was worse - they were this dull gray with yellow piping. She also knew of the other uniforms Queen Beryl had - juvenile little sailor dresses in black with colored bows and skirts. No thank you.

            She held a meeting with the other Commanders as soon as her daily assignment was done to protest the ripping and tearing in the uniforms. It was in the courtyard of their own castle, with the four of them wearing different, and equally torn, outfits. Emily kept her jacket completely open to reveal a pink tank top and bra, with a white cape. After some good small talk and Juliana's passing around of stills of little Janelle, Blossom came right into the subject she had hoped for.

            "It's time we designed our own uniforms. Who's with me?"

            "We're all with you, but we've got to get another idea," Juliana revealed. "Beryl is very old-fashioned and needs to see the light. She hemmed and hawed about this last week, when I talked to her about it."

            "She's also a good debater. She brings in tradition and the need to keep up the traditions of our fathers, who had died in their line of duty, even though mine is considered least with her," replied Grace.

            Emily spoke up. "Well, it will take some planning, a new uniform presentation, and a strong united front. I can provide the lead to take the brunt of opposition. Juliana, you can model the new outfit. Blossom, you can talk about its advantages. Grace, we need you to compile the evidence that the uniforms are hindering various aspects of our training. Now, who's got an idea for a good uniform?"

            The women were silent.

            Emily decided, "Juliana, you've got a few ideas."

            Juliana raised her head, and she looked for somebody to interject. Tetis handed her the sketchbook she received in her tower desk. There was a pink note on one of the pages.

            "I kind of let Tetis know where the uniform I caught wind of you drawing was. Now, I think it's a great idea. All we need are some boots and our own touches."

            Juliana opened the book to the marked sketch. It was a sketch of a sleeveless shirt dress with a standing collar, deep V-neck, belt and fierce cheerleader skirt with triangles splitting the bottom of the hem line.

            "I designed it as a tennis or cheerleader outfit. It gives total freedom of movement while flattering most active bodies."

            "You've got a good series of sportswear designs. For this one, all we need is size and color choice. Anyone have a main color suggestions?"

            Blossom came right in with, "NOT gray. I hate gray. It doesn't suit me at all!"

            "Right," said Juliana. "Too close to the original colors. What about black?"

            "Same problem," said Blossom. "Too severe."

            "White?" asked Grace, whose

            "No! Gets dirty too easily."

            "I have an idea," said Emily. "What about purple? Purple goes well with all our assigned colors."

            Blossom thought a minute, and said, "Yeah. It goes great with yellow, red and blue."

            Emily smiled widely. "Now, I will be in training until bedtime. You know your assignments. We'll prepare our case at breakfast."

            As the girls parted, Mare Leah expressed her concern.

            "Are you sure they can handle these without your guidance?"

            "Yeah. I'll check on them at dinner, and then at breakfast. Arrange an audience with Queen Beryl."

            Later that day, at dinner, they corroborated. Grace received the torn uniforms of Juliana and Blossom, with the promise to get Emily's at bedtime. They each created dressing dolls to have the youma make the uniforms. Emily delivered her uniform at bedtime, without repairs, plus her Virginia Tech uniform, also damaged, but repaired and damaged further.

            At a scheduled group breakfast, they started in jeans and T-shirts, and changed into the uniforms - purple with their assigned colors as accents. They traveled together to Queen Beryl's castle, and stood as one.

            Queen Beryl was not at all pleased.

            "You've changed the uniforms again? The Virginia Tech stunt I decided, falsely I see, a small indulgence. Why have you broken with tradition again?"

            Grace spoke first.

            "Your majesty, the uniforms you originally provided us were of poor quality with the training we have received. The uniform you provided Blossom Zoisite here has various items with signs of obvious temporary repair and is in generally bad shape. The seams here are torn and re-stitched, there are patches on its joints and major wearing being constantly reinforced. As a matter of fact, this is the twelfth uniform she has worn. In order to show the damages, here is Emily Kunzite's current uniform, plus the Virginia Tech uniform she wore out in two weeks' time. You may see these things for yourself."

            Then it was Blossom's turn, with Juliana as the model. "The uniforms we have designed and wear now are made of a sturdy, warm and lightweight fabric that has withstood major damages in the world we came from and in this present kingdom. The design of the uniform allows for maximum freedom of movement while flattering most bodies in movement. The color we chose is flattering to all of our skin tones, and yet still retains our regional command colors. We are still undecided about shoes, but we decided to get the uniforms passed before the shoes were picked out."

            Emily stood and spoke to Beryl straight in the eye. "We felt there was a need for change, and all of us stand together to make that pledge."

            Queen Beryl went to her crystal globe, and then looked, somewhat defeated.

            "Metallia has informed me that she loves the choices you have made, and will honor them as the new uniforms."

             Emily was satisfied, and spoke graciously. "Thank you, your Majesty. We will honor Metallia's decision."

            Back in the carriage, Juliana spoke tersely to Emily.

            "I have one request. Will you stay the $*&% out of my head unless I say you can go there?"

            "I'll try. Nobody here knows how to control telepathy."