When the Nightingale Sings

Part 6

The letter had been sent out with the post, and now the name of the game at hand was waiting. Fiora had helped you wash your clothes, lending you another set of clothes while they dried. In return, you offered to help around the tavern, following her and learning the up-keep. You were wiping down a table, gathering the emptied dishes. Your name being called caught your attention, and you found Danny entering the tavern.

"I want to take you somewhere, to meet another friend." he bounded over to you.

"Oh, okay. Let me finish with this and we can go," you nodded. You took the dishes back to the small kitchen, and let Fiora know you were leaving before taking off your apron and heading back to the dining room.

Danny guided you on a short walk through the village, and you found yourself in front of a small cottage, a sign overhead.

"A tailor?" you glanced up at Danny. He smiled and nodded.

"I think we may have some time to get you at least one new dress before you leave." his smile fell slightly at the last word. He opened the door and pushed you gently across the threshold. The store was quiet, the wooden floorboards creaking under your feet. Reams of fabric were stacked up in almost every available space, creating patchworks of art.

"Hello, how can I help-" a man came around the corner, curly hair bouncing as he walked, stopped as he saw your tall companion. "Danny! How are you? Have you brought more fur?"

"Sorry Josh, I'm not here on business." Danny shook his head. "Well, not my own. My friend here needs a gown." Josh's eyes slid over to you, a glimmer in them as he studied you.

"It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance," Josh stepped closer, reaching out and taking your hand, bowing as he placed a chaste kiss to the back of it. "What are you in need of a gown for?"

"I-I'm betrothed," you glanced at Danny, who nodded to let you know you could trust Josh, yet the words refused to leave your tongue. Danny placed a gentle hand on your shoulder.

"She needs a dress fit for a princess." Danny stared at Josh, and the two seemed to have a silent conversation. Josh's familiar chocolate eyes swirling with curiosity as he turned back to you.

"I have never sewn for royalty, my lady, but I will do my best to make you a crown jewel." Josh placed his other hand over yours, squeezing your now encompassed hand gently. "Come with me," Josh now placed your hand in the crook of his elbow and guided you further into the shop. Your eyes tried to take in everything as you passed, catching colorful fabrics and envisioning gowns flowing in the resplendent colors. "Now, what are you envisioning?"

"Oh, I'm not sure." you sighed as Josh took a seat at a small desk, picking up a thin piece of charcoal and holding it above parchment. "Just a normal gown, I suppose." Josh looked you up and down, then back to Danny before speaking again.

"My dear, I do not claim to know you, yet I know that nothing normal will suit you." Josh gave you a look that made your cheeks redden. He studied your form for a few moments, and began sketching. With just a few small movements of his hand, there you were on the paper, and he was building a gown over you. "Perhaps we should keep to the royal theme and have you in purple?"

"Purple is not really my color." Whether a truth or a lie, you didn't know, you'd never had a purple garment before. But the twist in your stomach at the finality of what the color meant told you to stay away from it. "Is there a soft blue material we could use?" he stared at you, the vision in his head shifting while he studied his new living mannequin.

"Yes, yes of course." Josh's head bent back down and he began sketching away again. Danny, now curious, came over to glance at the drawing, but Josh covered the paper. "Sorry, Daniel, but this is for our eyes only." Danny's eyes shot to you and you just shrugged. "Could you step outside for a moment? I will need to gather her measurements."