~
                          
Joanna looked at her reflection in the mirror, gasping for breath as Alexandra pulled on the corset's strings. "This is tight enough!" Joanna exclaimed, glaring playfully at the handmaiden through the mirror.
                          
Alexandra giggled and shook her head. "No, my Lady, it has to be tighter; it is wished for." She raised her eyebrows at the woman. There was no way in hell Joanna would wear a death-trap to that stupid dinner.
                          
"Excuse me," she spoke up, "did you just indirectly call me fat? I have no need for a corset, my waist is tiny as it is!" The handmaiden just shook her head and reached for the strings again. With some quick reflexes, Joanna swatted the hand away. "I am not wearing a corset." 
                          
Alexandra crossed her arms over her chest and scowled at her. "My Lady, Lord Raymond will be most offended if you refuse to keep yourself to our traditions. Within Asgard's elite, women wear corsets and men fight with swords." At that, Joanna scoffed.
                          
"Then go tell Lord Raymond that this shit-planet could use a good dose of feminism." She stepped away from the mirror and walked back to the giant closet with so many dresses inside. How could they expect her to just accept these things? Asgard's elite, my ass, Joanna thought. The blonde jumped from a door being thrown shut behind her. Alexandra must've snuck out and really had alarmed Raymond. Fuck.
                          
"Why the hell are you counteracting my entire culture? My leadership?" Raymond spat out, looking outraged. Clearly, he was not informed of the development in culture back on Earth. When Joanna did not answer his questions – which could be found quite rhetorical, if one asked her.
                          
"Answer me, Joanna," Raymond hissed. "Who do you think you are?" 
                          
She hummed, then smiled. Interesting question to ask. "It would surprise you, my Lord, but you do not know one fuck about me. However, if you want an answer to your question, let me ask you one in return: do you want me dead?"
                          
Raymond looked at her, wide-eyed. His eyes spoke volumes, but his mouth did not seem to be able to utter a single word. Joanna returned to her search for a dress, satisfied with her accomplishment. After all, she had to look her best for that stupid dinner. Her newfound mood was quickly ruined, though. None of the dresses were made to be worn without a corset.
                          
"Damn," she muttered. Turning back, Joanna saw Raymond staring at her. He looked somewhat less shocked and amused with her irritation. 
                          
"You know, corsets do not have to be tight. My mother used to tell me they are meant to support certain... parts of the female body," he started, his cheeks scarlet. Joanna swallowed, nodding. She remembered a history book she'd read, back when everything in her life was still normal. It said that bras were invented because women were tired of wearing corsets every day. 
                          
"Okay, just this once," Joanna gave in, looking back into her closet. Now she had way too much options. How the hell would she ever be able to choose a dress? Behind her, Raymond chuckled.
                          
"Here." He fiddled through the closet for a moment and took out an amazing turquoise dress. Joanna knew it would suit her perfectly. She smiled, he only intended to help her. Her hands slowly traced the soft fabric. For some reason, Joanna wanted to wear this dress.
                          
Looking up at Raymond, she took it. "Thank you... I'll try it." She laid the dress on her canopy bed and walked back to the mirror. Looking at herself, Joanna tried to tighten the corset a little, in order to close it. Intensely focused on the work of her hands on her back, she didn't notice Raymond walking up to her. 
                          
He put his hand on hers, taking over the corset's strings. Frozen slightly, Joanna tried to control her breath and her blush as he tightened her corset. When he tied the strings together, Raymond put his hand flat on her back.