One Last Time: One More Time

Family

Elise (Year 847)

    It's been two years since she last saw him, and it's been one year since Elise became a tavern dancer.

    There were many times she found herself writing letters to Levi. Mostly because she had no one else to write to. Of course, she never sent them. She kept them in a box under her bed.

    Elise would send them if it wasn't because she was terribly embarrassed by him knowing what she had become. It wasn't that she didn't appreciate the other tavern dancers and the things they have done for her, but still being part of this culture was something Elise was not proud of.

    She wrote to Leone once, but there wasn't an answer.

"Hey Elise, we're going to town. Do you want to join us?" Sofia, Mila, and Giselle were all dolled up. Heavy, pretty dresses, feather and flower decorations in their hair. White gloves to protect their hands.

"Are you guys going to see an opera, maybe a dance ball or something?" she asked as she cleaned one of the tavern's tables with an old rag.

    Today is Monday, and in the morning there wasn't much to do. Most of the action would happen at night or during the weekend - clients would sleep on the floor the following day. 

All dancers had cleaning duties and today it was Elise's turn to clean around.

"No, just going shopping."

"Aren't you three overdressed then?"

"You can never be overdressed, besides this way we can bring more clients to the tavern," Sofia says and the blonde woman could never understand why they were so open to embrace their job.

"Sorry, I still haven't finished cleaning and-"

"Come on Elise, you don't even go out. It wouldn't hurt you to talk to some boys and get you some extra money," Giselle says. "Or do you not want to come because you are embarrassed by us?"

"It's been two years since I became a tavern dancer, I think I'm over being embarrassed about my job," she lied. Deep down she still felt uneasy about her current state. "I just really need to clean."

"Well, are you joining us this weekend for Sofia's birthday party?" Mila asks. "Her best friend should be there."

"Yes, of course, I'll be there and with a very nice present!" The beautiful woman takes a moment to wipe the sweat off her forehead. She had just finished scrubbing the floors and was cleaning the table. "Now you three go have fun."

"Alright then we will bring you some fruits, you are in charge while we're away."

    The blonde woman waved her friends goodbye, as they leave the tavern and for a second she thought she was going to get some peace until-

"Big sis Elise!"

    Alice was one of the tavern's apprentices. She was sold by her parents at only 12 years old and had some sort of admiration for Elise.

    Meanwhile, Elise didn't care too much about the young brunette girl. It annoyed her that she would follow her and tried to start conversations with her whenever she could.

"Please let me help you clean!"

    But sometimes she could be helpful.

.

.

.

"Mother's going crazy and is going to beat all of us if the one who stole her money does not confess," Sofia had gathered everyone into the changing room.