The girls and I sat around the table talking about the different foods and clothing the cities I've visited so far. I've been so impressed by all the incredible architecture and fashion, it's been the best part about the trips so far. We sat eating for over an hour before we left for the shopping district. I was so excited to get a dress in the Dark Elf Clan fashion. I was so curious and excited to see all this city has to offer.
Heading toward the shopping district people bow in respect to us, greeting me with smiles, "Good day princess." Was something so many were saying to me, it was a drastic change from how she was greeted in the Sun Elf Clan. She was so grateful.
Joselyn asked "Look at these silks! I How do they even make something so… shiny?"
Ryuu answered proudly "It's all in the dyeing process. The High Elves use a mix of rare flowers and minerals. My mother used to say each color holds a different meaning, red for passion, blue for serenity."
"So, if I wrap myself in purple, will I gain wisdom overnight? Because I could use some of that in my life." I joked laughing hard
"You might need more than purple for that, Rion. Maybe a whole wardrobe's worth." Ryuu teased.
"Have you been talking to my brothers when I'm not around?" I asked her.
"Nooo, not at all." Ryuu lied terribly.
"I'm gonna kill them." I joked "what did they tell you?"
"I don't know what you're talking about?" Ryuu still teasing me.
"Oh my gods you better tell me, or so help me!" I yelled at her as I dash at her.
"You have to catch me first!" Ryuu yelled back at me as she dodged me and ran away.
I chase after her keeping close on her tail, she was fast, just fast enough that with her knowledge of her city she's able to stay just out of reach. Joselyn follows behind us, not too far back, but still struggling to keep up. She takes me in circles around the shopping district. Before finally slowing down after running out of breath. She stops, bending over to lean on her knees, panting.
"Wow you can really run." Ryuu was struggling to breathe with every other word.
"You're pretty fast yourself." I chuckle some, but I was only feeling slightly winded.
We plop ourselves on to the ground and lean back against the wall and laugh as we catch our breath. Joselyn finally catching up with us.
"What the hell?" Joselyn said panting hard "You just up and left do you know how hard it was keeping up with the two of you?"
"No" both me and Ryuu laughed saying this I unison.
"Listen, I'm not as fast as you two, don't leave me behind next time." Joselyn said.
"You're right I'm sorry." I apologize reaching out my hand asking her to pull me up. She takes my hand and then I give a hand to Ryuu pulling her up and together we walk through the street's Ryuu leading the way.
Walking through the shopping district once more we stop and browse at different stalls, we look at hair pieces, I pick a gold hair pick, the pick had vines and chrysanthemums inlaid as well as an Amethyst on the end. It had two gold short chains that dangled off with two obsidian beads on the end. It was simple, but beautiful.
"I always thought jewelry was just for decoration, but back home, we believe it holds power. Each stone is chosen for its protective qualities." I say
Joselyn picks up a bracelet with different charms, this one having different stars and suns "This one reminds me of home. We wear these during the summer festival. Each charm represents a wish for the future." She said, if you take a second to look you can see a hint of sadness in her eyes.
"And what would you wish for, Joselyn?" I asked.
"I lost my family when I was young in a bandit raid, when I was a kid I'd wish for silly things like a dog or a new dress, but after the raid I always wished for my family." Joselyn said "I know it sounds silly, because it's impossible, they've returned to the tree of life, but it's the only thing I've ever really wanted, so if a wish ever comes true, I didn't want there to be any confusion on what I want."
"That's not a silly wish at all. I think it's a beautiful wish." I said taking hold of her hands and I wipe the one tear that escaped the corner of her eye.
Coming up to a little dress shop Ryuu stops.
"This is my favorite dress shop in the whole city. Please everything is on me, so enjoy, splurge, indulge. The owner and designer is a good friend of mine so really go for it." She says extending her arm toward the entryway.
The shop's sigh said the name was "Shades of Silk" the lettering glowed, just like much of the city. The shop was nothing short of astounding. Bundles of fabric, colors of: midnight blue and ruby red. There were crystals that lined the walls, giving a glowing bright white light to the room. Even in such a dark city, it was never short on beautiful lighting.
On the manakins were enchanting. You could get lost staring at the stars on the midnight sky dress. Instantly I fell in love. The dress was velvet and it was perfect and it was the dress I would definitely be wearing to the ball tomorrow night. While the other two girls shopped I asked the attendant to help me. But before I could ask her, she approached me "I think I made this dress for you and I didn't know it."
The room erupted with an applause, that was exactly it, she looked powerful.
"You have to wear this to the ball tomorrow, no excuses." Ryuu said strongly leaving no room for a disagreement.
"You bet." I said.
"This is definitely the dress you must wear! You will absolutely turn some heads…" before Joselyn could finish her statement I froze and everything went dark.