... part 5
After waiting half an hour or more in the lobby of the shop, Ms. Brightwood finally emerged from the back office and excused herself
"Ashley, I'm so sorry. My most sincere condolences. I'm so sorry for the delay, we have been rushing as much as possible" She hugged me, and while I didn't doubt her sincerity, the whole scene felt unsettling. Mary helped me stand, as I was still encumbered by the heavy winter suit and the suffocatingly tight cape, plus I was also feeling a bit sore from having spent the night restrained in the heavy winter suit and the tight cape.
I was led into one of the back fitting rooms and my cape and winter suit removed. I was left wearing only my inner suit. I thought it was weird how good it felt to be only wearing my inner suit, even thought it covered me from head to toe. Would I ever get used to the sweltering encumbrance of my suits? Any way, I knew my respite would last very little. A big black mess was brought out by one of the attendants. I watched as the garment was untangled in front of me. I imagined what it was, but I was still in denial. Once the abomination was wide open I was forced inside its confines. First my feet were placed in the integrated boots, which felt similar to my winter suit. My arms were slid inside the sleeves, and they quickly began pulling the suit over my shoulders. My arms, encased in the relatively thin inner suit, slid easily into the thick suit, however a quirky feeling that the sleeves were too long confirmed my dreadful suspicion. I felt as if the sleeves went on and on forever. No mitten or any indication that these were the sleeves of a regular suit. Instinctively I started to try to grab through the thick material. A desperate and useless reflex to try to regain some of the mobility I felt was slipping away from me as they started to close the suit around me. I looked down and the straps dangling from the super long sleeves made it evident. they were locking me up in a straitsuit! The sleeves were not only thickly padded, but much stiffer than my regular winter suit. Even though it looked similar, this suit was built significantly different than the winter suit I had been wearing when I came in. It seemed to have an extra inner layer that made it stiffer. I could barely flex my fingers, and couldn't grab anything. Even if the zipper in my suit didn't lock, I was sure I would be unable to undo it by myself. The suit felt more constrained, leaving me no wiggle room inside to try to pull out my arms.
They began to cross my arms over my chest, just below my budding breasts. I saw that one of the straps had a complicated buckle, the other was a simple strap with metal eyelets. The straps where threaded through loops of fabric at the sides of my suit. Then I felt how the two straps were joined behind my back. I could instantly feel how constraining the suit was. I couldn't even struggle by moving my arms up and down due to side loops. And they hadn't even tightened the straps.
I just stood there, feeling defeated, even though I didn't have the strength to resist as they were locking me in. This was far from a regular article of clothing that you wear. The straitsuit is something you are put into and trapped inside.
"This is going to feel a bit tight." The assistant whispered in my ear, and I began to shiver in fear. The assistant pushed my elbows together, as Ms. Brightwood pulled the slack on the straps. My arms felt crushed against my chest. They waited until I exhaled, and pulled again.
"We're almost there." I began to cry.
They waited until I exhaled again, and pulled again and took the last bit of slack from my arms.
How much tighter could they make it?
"This should do for know," Ms. Brightwood declared, and I felt a faint relief. But it was tight. I heard a strong click. I was locked in, with no hope of release except by the key holder.
"Let her recover a bit, I'll look over her." The assistant exited the room and I was left with Ms. Brightwood. I was a mess. Crying behind my inner suit. My sobbing muffled by layer after layer. My arms pinned behind my back. Then Ms. Brightwood started talking...
"Try not to fight the straitsuit. This suit not
only binds your body, but also your mind. The sooner you realize the limits of your bonds the sooner you'll start to relax. It will be much better after that. The less you struggle, the less confining it will feel."
I was just numb, standing in place without being able to move. My arms were held immobile in their puffy but tight sleeves. It felt cozy but claustrophobic at the same time.
"It pains to see you like this. You might think I'm a hypocrite, but believe it or not, working allows me a certain amount of freedom I wouldn't have otherwise. Ever since the ministry got involved in my business, the buyout we received was significant enough that we wouldn't have to worry about money. However I was still able to keep my position here. My husband was always kind of a dead beat, so he didn't mind the extra income I was bringing in. However he did take advantage of the guardianship law, and applied based on the fact that I already owned several suits. So it went through and he received the guardianship. That means I'm basically at his mercy. It might seem hypocritical, that I'm here complaining while at the same time creating restrictive suits for young ladies like you. But if I didn't some one else would. And I would spend most of my time in worst restraint than you can imagine. I already do so during the nights and weekends. My husband will lock me up in a winter suit like yours, then add a full length cape, even thicker than a winter suit. My cape has internal sleeves that lock my arms to my sides. By this stage I'm basically completely immobile. However, more often than not, he will also impose on me my mantle. Oh, how I regret that time when I designed and had that infernal garment made. And I did so out of my own will, way before the guardianship was awarded. Back then I still enjoyed the feeling, and always a wanton for extremes, thought that it might be something fun, something to play in. Something to relax in, during cold winter days. That was before the control was taken away from. Then I ended up in the same position as any girl, forced into the regime against their will. Ohhh the irony. Now a days I'm mostly resigned, and use my job to have a little bit of freedom, even if I work weaving the strings of my own misery. My husband says he has a couple of new ideas he wants me to design. I shiver just thinking how much more restriction I will be forced to endure. "
Ms. Brightwood put my hood up, which fortunately yielded no surprises, it was just as thick and burdensome as the one in my winter suit. She held me by the arm and led me outside where Ela and Mary where waiting for me. They already had large bag, which I preferred not to ask what it contained.
"She's ready to go. She's still getting used to it, but after a few hours the arm strap can be further tightened. Just make sure it's not too tight. If her arms are held fast around her torso and she can't wiggle her arms around, then the suit is properly adjusted."
Ela stepped up and examined my suit, front and back. She tugged at the strap, and tried to wiggle my arms. Ela seemed satisfied by my immobilization. She opened the bad that was resting by Mary's feet and removed a black cape.
"We also decided that you should have your own cape, so that Mary can have hers back."
Ela wrapped the cape around me, and put up both of my hoods. I can't say I felt more restricted, since the straitsuit didn't leave much room, but it was heavy, and I'm sure it would get hot. I felt like resting on a soft mattress, and being covered with soft pillows... and having an elephant sleeping on top of the pillows.
Ela grabbed my arm and led me towards the door.
"By the way, remember that her kick pleat is completely open. If fully closed, she won't be able to walk at all."
Then I knew how things could get worse.
