Chapter 34 - Serenity Clothing Store

Ava found herself being dragged around Adruil by Althaea. She could feel the enthusiasm from her Master just from the expressions she made along the way making her curious of Althaea's origins.

She found herself looking back at life in the tribe finding that she did not seem to fit in with the other Elves. She knew that Arwen and Althaea had not been at the tribe that long, they came from a different background that was evident more so with Althaea.

It was one of main reasons why the Tribes people decided to follow the Evergreen clan in the end despite the goodwill Arwen had gained from being the resident healer of the tribe since he had arrived.

In the end they were outsiders compared to the clan that had been protecting them from the greedy humans.

Putting these thoughts to the back of her mind she soon found herself outside a nicely decorated building.

It remained in the Ancient Greek-like style with pillars, well-polished stone and decorated with simple but high quality designs of different coloured patterns carved into the stone.

There was a few windows revealing the wares and merchandise that was being advertised in the store, with a large banner made out of some kind of of silk depicting its name and designation.

'Serenity Clothing Store' she read gleaming the words of the sign.

Since arriving in the human city she had realised that unlike having to learn Elven, the human language was strangely similar to her previous world.

She had no idea what this meant or what it entailed but it was too far beyond her to even put much attention into at the moment.

It had also made her realise that Arwen probably didn't even realise she could understand him fully when he exchanged words with the guards at the gate.

This was reinforced when Althaea upon entering the store immediately pulled down her hood and sent a beaming smile towards the direction of a portly human woman who stood behind a large desk in the store.

The woman seemed to squint her eyes together for a moment taking in the erratic appearance of the young elf before seeming to suddenly recall who she was as her eyes widened.

"Oh Althaea! It has been so long since the last time I have seen you! Wow you really haven't aged a day, look at that figure your making me envious." The woman murmured letting out a hearty chuckle as she moved from behind the desk towards Althaea lifting her up in a bear hug.

Althaea seemed to chuckle in delight at the attention as she replied, "And you haven't changed at all Hertha! I can't believe your running your mothers store now, is she doing well?"

Upon hearing her words Hertha seemed to adopt a more straight tone as she replied, "Ah her health isn't the best these days, is why I'm practically running this ole store by myself."

Althaea expression grew somber as she replied, "Sorry to hear that, I can get old Arwen to see what he can do for her if you would like?"

Hertha seemed to sign as she heard her reply saying, "It's alright luv. Anyway what could I do for …"

Hertha seemed to freeze at the end of her sentence as her eyes suddenly laid onto her seeing her little face peaking under the hood.

Ava found herself being hoisted up into the air before she knew it, the portly woman moving at a surprising pace.

"So adorable, is she your daughter?" Hertha said casually as she held her tightly.

Her hood by now has long since falling down revealing her Elven features not that Hertha seemed to mind and there was currently no other occupants in the store at this time.

Althaea and Ava faces went beet red for two different reasons.

Althaea mouth opened wide dramatically her arms flailing as she said, "Do I look old enough to have a child! I'd have you know I'm very youthful still for an Elf!"

Hinting at her age seemed to be a sore point for Althaea it seemed.

On the other hand Ava felt annoyed she was being handled like a child. Mentally she was far older alright!

Hertha took a big breath realising she got ahead herself grabbing the child like that only now realising Xantas was also within the room seeming to realise it was his child.

"Sorry for grabbing you a bit roughly little one, just miss when mine was that age is all." Hertha said reminiscing when her son was this age.

"It's fine, my Daughter was the pearl of the tribe after all." Her Father replied eyes shining with proudness as he thought of that before turning despondent recalling the current state of the tribe.

Althaea realising her outburst was ignored decided to change subjects to hide her embarrassment as she said, "How is your son Percy anyways?"

"Oh you know… all grown up now, following his Father footsteps becoming a Town guard. Hmph too big now to give his old mother a hug." Hertha said with dissatisfaction.

Althaea nodded in reply before suddenly realising the emptiness of the shop now that there hoods were drawn down.

"What happened to the customers? You used to be packed at this time, I was concerned whether or not you'd have the time for us." Althaea said with surprise.

"Oh? Well where to start, a new fancier, well to do clothing brand opened up down the street, then my Mother fell ill meaning we could no longer produce the clothing of the same quality. You know my Mam was a Spirit Seamstress, and a good one too. She was an experienced Tier 2 whilst I on the other hand have not been able to follow her footsteps remaining at Tier 1 for a long time now, the clothes I can produce are good, just not quiet to the standards of the opposing store. Before that and all we were neck and neck with them with the advantage of us being here longer despite their backing, but ah well, things have gone downhill recently." Hertha said dispiritedly.

"I'm sure it'll all work out Hertha, anyways may I bother to take a moment of your time? I have a deep need for a lot of clothes and I know where at the right place for that." Althaea said with a big grin that seemed to cheer up Hertha realising she had customers.

"It'll get right too it! I have just the right things for you, and I can assure you for the price it's as good as it gets!" Hertha said thunderously before her eyes went down too Ava with a scorching gaze, "Does the little one need some clothes too?"

"She sure does! She only speaks Elven though, don't bother with Common. Looks like we got some catching up to do on her studies when we get on that boat we'll have plenty of times to teach her." Althaea said brightly.

Xandas on the other hand murmured, "Never thought she'd see much use of it, I barely spoke Common in years so I always thought it a waste my Father taught me it."

Althaea scoffed looking at Xandas like he was a country bumpkin.

Hertha on the other hand switched to Elven as she spoke, "My Elven a tad rusty…. But I can hold conversation."

Hertha spoke awkwardly in Elvish where her pronunciation was off at times though it was passable at least for her to understand.

She wanted to just admit she can speak this Common fine but she was afraid it would seem too unusual considering no one had ever talked to her before using it before until she had met those humans in the forest.

That left Hertha bumbling about in Elven whilst her torture began. She thought the looks Hertha and Althaea gave her was strange but she didn't realise the dangers she was truly in until now.

Playing dress up as a child was not as fun as she remembered from her current perspective as an adult.

They treated her like a doll going laboriously through outfit after outfit, she wanted to speak her frustrations but the cooing from the two women as they discussed which outfit looked cuter as they dressed her up in elaborate clothes made them pay no heed to her sulking face.

Instead it seem to drive them on further as whatever face she pulled seemed to be adorable in these women's eyes.

Searching for a saviour her eyes fell back onto her Father who the entire time just sat back amusingly just glad he was not the focus as he minded his own business.

'Dad! You absolute traitor.' She thought shooting a look of killing intent at him making Xandas suddenly feel a chill which he went on to ignore believing he was just imagining things.

Ava believed her saviour never would come until the door suddenly let out a loud clang indicating another person was entering the store.

Seeming to remember something Hertha abruptly shouted out, "Sorry I forgot to put out the sign outside but we're closed for the rest of the day!"

However the answer she received was just an amused chuckle as a dark looking young man entered the store.

"Not that you'd have much luck having business anyways in this dump." He said rudely before his eyes fell upon her and the other occupants in the room.

At first he was taken aback by the beauty of Althaea, ignoring the child and man entirely but then his eyes fell upon their ears realising exactly what they are.

"Elves you got damn twigs here! I knew this place was…" the young man hateful gaze roamed across them in fury.

Hertha face grew red with anger at seeing her guests insulted as the portly women went right up to the young man ignoring his protests as she hoisted him up like rag doll booting him out the store like he was some child.

"Stay out of here Gravenport! I tolerated you long enough because of your family, but you have no right to insult my customers like that! There is no law banning elves from being in the City, I won't tolerate such low class insults in this store!" Hertha said with a huff before slamming the door to the flabbergasted looks of the elves.

Ava suddenly decided she was fine with playing dress up with the older women. She did not want to get on her bad side.