WinterField

Chapter 14 - The Shop

After about an hour of reading, Melonie and Ash decided to get some fresh air. They each grabbed some money from their rooms, and set out to the village. They window shopped for a while, and occasionally went into stores and bought things. Melonie noticed a shop that she wanted to go into on the corner of the street.

Melonie and Ash walked into the cute, little shop and noticed a peculiar old lady shuffling slowly to the door. She was dressed in an old paisley patterned dress that went down to her shins. Her hair was propped right on top of her head in a large bun. She wore small square glasses that kept slipping down her dainty nose.

"Oh, let me help you!" Ash said as she rushed over.

"Oh, so kind!" She said.

"It's no problem." Ash said as she reached for the heavy bags.

The old woman handed Ash the the bags in one hand, and the bags in the other hand to Melonie.

"May I ask your name?" Melonie asked.

"Adelaide. My mother always loved that name, so when I was born, she immediately knew what my name would be."

"That's so cool." Ash said.

"I've been so rude. What are your names?" Adelaide asked politely.

"My name is Melonie." Melonie said. "My adoptive father always told me I had a thing for music."

"I should have introduced myself when I took the bags from you. I'm Ash, I think I was named after my mother who was a fire fairy." Ash said.

"Why, you girls look quite similar, and you said you were adopted." Adelaide said as she pointed at Melonie.

"We're twins." They said together.

"Well that explains a lot!" She laughed. "Here we are!" Adelaide said as she turned towards a large house with a porch and white pillars in the front.

"M'lady!" Someone cried.

"Calm down Arthur." Adelaide said.

"You can't leave like that M'lady! We were searching the whole house!" Arthur said.

"I lady needs time by herself." Adelaide stated.

"Thank you for bringing her back." Arthur said to Melonie and Ash.

"It wasn't a problem. She was a joy to speak with." Melonie said.

"You girls are welcome back anytime, make note of that Arthur." Adelaide said.

"Of course M'lady."

"Goodby Adelaide!" Ash called.

"Goodby!" Melonie said.

"Till next time girls!" Adelaide said.

Ash and Melonie wandered back to the cute shop and went inside. It was a boutique for dresses.

"Ash, this is perfect! We can get new dresses for tomorrow!" Melonie said.

"Hello? Is anyone here?" Ash called out into the boutique.

"Mademoiselle! How can I help!" Yelled a energetic French man.

"Hello!" Ash laughed. "We're looking for dresses for our village party tomorrow."

"You are Ash!" He said pointing to Ash, " and you must be Melonie! Enchanté madame." He said smoothly.

"Pleased to meet you too!" Melonie giggled. "And you are?"

"I am Malachi Adrien Arnoux Demetrius the 3rd, but you can call me Malachi."

"Ok, Malachi. I was looking for a purple dress, and Melonie was looking for a green dress." Ash said.

"I know just what you need." He said as he quickly walked away.

Malachi returned with two beautiful ball gowns for them.

"Do you have anything less...poofy?" Melonie asked.

"And shorter?" Ash asked.

"Of course!" Malachi exclaimed.

He returned again with a shorter and less poofy dresses for Melonie and Ash.

"These are beautiful!" Ash exclaimed.

"There is one more step. I have lace in the back room if you want to add a design to your dress?" Malachi asked.

"Of course!" Ash exclaimed.

"No thank you." Melonie said politely.

"Come with me Ash, and you too Melonie."

Malachi led them to a large backroom with mannequins places around the room. The was fabric, lace, and design books for them to look at.

"Show me what you want, and I will add it to the dress!" He said.

Ash chose what she wanted on the dress, and Melonie helped.

"How much for the dresses?" Melonie asked.

"It's on the house!" He said.

"Please, you've been so helpful." Ash said.

"No, no no no. You girls have been too kind."

"Well, thank you!" Melonie and Ash said on their way out the door.

"Your dresses will be ready by tomorrow morning." He said.

"That's amazing! Thank you!"

"Au revoir!" Malachi called after them.

Word Count//733