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Leora finally looked up over Oliver's shoulder. The door she remembered when they arrived was replaced by what looked like an
abandoned shop. He set her down on the edge of the passenger seat. Bending down to inspect her foot. There was no visible mark but the pain was still there. She was on the border of tears. Oliver left a sign of relief. "You are quite a brave one little Leo." He smirked still holding her foot. She smiled with the encouragement. "Now! Shall we finish the rest of our errands?" He stood.
Leora looked up nodding her head. Oliver shook his head "You must learn to use your voice Lady Leora." He said with a cunning smile. "Yes." she chirped softly "S-shall we go?" She asked. "Of course m'lady." He tipped his hat then made his way around the car to the get in. He cranked the car and drove off leaving the dark alley behind.
Leora let her mind wonder while she looked out the window. As they made their way deeper into the city they stopped at a buzzing intersection. Waiting for the cue, a sign caught her eye. It was inscribed "Thornberry street". Looking out it was full of shops of and more people than she's ever seen. The people had dressed in fine clothes and strange ones of every color and pattern. Many women carried parasols and hand fans. While most men fashioned top hats or cloaks.
When Oliver parked the car it snapped her out of her daze. He opened the door to gently ease her in his arms. He carried her weaving through the crowds. It caused a few stares. But Oliver didn't bother to address them. He stopped at "The Royal Cobbler." He looked down at Leora "This would help our current situation." He smiled. When they entered it turned silent. Oliver spotted a bench to set her down on. The shop was stacked high with plain shoes on one wall while fine shoes and one of kind pairs displayed on the next.
The clerk stood behind the counter staring at Leora a bit unpleasantly. Oliver caught his stare silencing the mans thoughts. "And what might we be looking for today sir." The shopkeeper addressed. "Shoes." Oliver said with an empty smile. There was an awkward pause. "Well you've certainly come to the right place." The cobbler said unamused. "Anything in particular." He continued. "Ask the lady." Oliver corrected. The shopkeeper pursed his lips and turned in the girls direction "Well miss?".
"Lady." Oliver correct him once more. The shop keeper cut a glare to repeat himself again "My apologies, what are you in need of My Lady?" He said Studying the barefoot girl. She looked in Oliver's direction. He gave her a roll of the eyes then a wink. She looked down at his feet and smiled. "Oxfords." She replied. The shop keeper tried to hold back from laughing. "Mi-" he stopped before catching hold of Oliver's displeased gaze. "My lady. Oxfords are not a women's shoe." He said cautiously. "But they could be." Oliver interrupted holding a bag of gold.
The shopkeeper was wide eyed. "We shall take her measurements right away." He agreed. "And what color would please the lady?" Leora thought a moment. "A simple brown will do." Making her smile.
"There must be slight room to grow." Requested Oliver. The cobbler took her measurements "We will leave a half size or so, Sir. But they will take about a week. Is there anything else that would interest you?" The cobbler inquired. "Work boots and servants slippers of the same order." The cobbler nodded pulling the requests from the shelves. The shopkeeper set the boxes on the counter and added them to the bill. "I'll have those slippers here." Oliver demanded He placed the plain shoes in front of Leora. "Here M'Lady. I don't mind carrying you. But it draws far too much attention." He said slyly. She nodded at the remark and slipped on her new shoes. She was getting used to Ollies likeness. "Walk around in them. It will take some time to break in. But we will get you stockings at Alices to make it easier on your feet." She walked around a bit. The leather was stiff but it was because they were new. She looked at Ollie with a sparkle in her eye. "They're perfect." Oliver flicked a gold coin to the shopkeeper and opened the door for Leora. "One week sharp." Oliver said on his way out.
"Our next stop is Alices fabrics'." Oliver said holding out his arm. A breeze blew through the street prompting Leora to take it. She squeezed his arm with a shiver. Oliver was surprised by the strength of the clutch. "Sophie will have your apron and bonnet tailored at the manor. And for your dresses as promised. Two maids dresses and two of your choice. As will you have every year until you are fully grown. And of course for your welcome gift I promised you ribbon."
"Oliver" Leora spoke. He stopped. "Thank you." She looked at him smiling. "You are good guardian." He paused eyes a bit wide. "Of course! Only the best for my Lady Leo." He said tipping his hat.
They walked just a bit further before finding Alices. It was a plain shop with ideal shades for maids-wear. Aside from a few finer floral patterns. Oliver pulled a sage green and darker green shade that matched the color of his suit. He brought them forward to a woman behind the counter. Leora was drawn to a fabric that was black with green florals. It almost looked like vines. And a neutral shade printed with what looked like bluebells.
Oliver had pointed in Leora's direction when the woman walked around the counter with a measuring tape. "Could I get your measurements dear?" She asked. Leora nodded removing her cloak. "Hold out your arms." The woman smiled. Leora felt the measuring tape trail her body.
Oliver was still looking at fabrics when he came across the ones Leora favored. When the woman stood up to return to the counter. Oliver had pulled the samples. "These as well. But with a finer stitching." He requested.
"Are we charging the Sullivans credit Mr. McKenzie." The woman inquired.
"As usual, and about your ribbon. I need four strands of black lace and Blue satin." He smiled. It was to match her new dresses. "I will need these made within the next two days. And there should be a few Sullivan dresses already made if I'm not mistaken. Is there one in her size?" He asked. "Yes sir, I can make the alterations while she's here." She added. "Wonderful Alice! And do bring out the cloak please." He remembered. "My, I thought you had forgotten about that thing." She said with curiosity.
Alice returned within 20 minutes placing a black box with green ribbon tied to it. She laid the dresses out separately. "The dark green. And would you assist her Alice." He pointed and ordered. "Right away sir." She responded. Alice lead Leora to a dressing room where she laid out a shift and black stockings. "Put this fresh ones on then call me in when you're ready." Said Alice.
After changing her shift she peeped out to look for Alice. The woman caught her gesture and entered to help Leora into her new dark green dress. "You'll have to have someone lace up your dress everyday properly. I'm sure some of the other maids will help you my dear." Alice instructed. The girl saw herself in the mirror and smiled.
When Leora walked out she was pictured just right. The dress was plain with long sleeves and a high neckline. It fell just to mid calf. This the black stockings and suede slippers to contrast. The color also complimented her new features. No one would suspect her thanks to the concealment spell. "There. You'll blend in perfectly." Oliver cooed. "Let's head back before night fall m'lady." She put on her brown wool cloak and they wished Alice well. Oliver carried the black box a bad full of Leora's new things.
Walking out of the shop Leora noticed it was mid-day and streets grew quieter. The clouds were rolling in. And a chill rushed through the street. They walked back to the car. Looking up the clouds were dark. Oliver had opened the door for her. "Rain. It's always raining in Umberfell my dear. Always misting." He spoke. He put her things in the trunk. Leora hopped in the car to escape the chill. Oliver got inside and started cranking the car. Before they drove off he paused. "We will have dinner tonight. And I am trying to pass you off as human. And the concealment spell will only do so much Leora. You must eat human food. Primarily fruits and vegetables. That's the diet preferred by your ancestors but even they had a bloodlust. You'll be weaker in the mean time." He finished. "Weaker?" Leora asked. "My dear you are meant to drink blood. Same as your counterpart. It's what makes you strong. You'll still need it every now and then. And when the time comes I'll supply it. Especially with you still growing." Leora nodded. Her family always gave her the red drink. But she never knew what it really was. 'Blood' she thought. There was a bitter sweet taste in her mouth. She was hungry.