Day 2
Mid-Morning
"Ah, here we are!"
Selina looked up at the tailor, Nelia. The woman had on the same multi-colored dress from last time. Her ginger, curly hair framed a radiant, smiling face with clear brown eyes set low within their sockets. She moved forward with a spring in her step as she approachesd Selina with five female dresses in her arms.
The Huntress stood then held out her own arms which Nelia draped the dresses over. She took a moment to examine the articles of clothing, Gloria and Horace looking up at her from the floor. Seeing no obvious issues, the Huntress nodded then turned to Nelia, "These should work fine. How much do they cost?"
"For those? Ten gold a piece. So fifty in total!" the woman explained. Selina nodded and placed the clothes over one of her arms. She began to reach for the bag she kept her gold in. As she did she felt a pull on her left pant leg. Looking down she saw Gloria staring up at the dresses over her arm.
The young girl look up at the Huntress with a quizzical expression, "Are these mommy's dresses?"
Selina shook her head, "No, Gloria. These are for Tina, Felix's wife back at home. She'll need more clothes for the future."
"Oh," Gloria looked at the floor, disappointment on her face, "OK."
Selina raised an eyebrow at the girl, "Is something wrong?"
Gloria shuffled her feet around, not looking up at the Huntress. She started patting the edge of the light green dress she got the last time they were at the tailor's store. Then she spoke up in a nervous voice, "Ms. Nelia's dress is so pretty. And I saw a lot of other people with pretty dresses when we went shopping. I, uh, I wanted to see what mommy looked like in a dress. I'm sorry."
Selina placed a hand on Gloria's head. The young girl tensed, breath hitching as her past abuse came out for a brief moment. Kneeling to be level with her daughter, Selina said to her, "There is nothing to apologize for. As long as you are with me, you may speak your mind as much as you wish. And besides, I was thinking of getting some new clothes. Thank you for reminding me, Gloria."
The Huntress waited until Gloria calmed down and started breathing normally again. She rubbing the girl's head, drawing a giggle from her. Then she got to her feet and turned to Nelia, "Do you perhaps have any clothes that would fit me?"
Humming to herself, Nelia stepped forward and began to examine the Huntress. She had to tilt her head back to look into the taller woman's eyes. She pursed her lips as a frown came over her features, "I...don't think so. At least, not for someone as tall as you. I would need to get your measurements for a custom order."
"Do you have a way of measuring someone without the rope you used last time?" Selina asked with a raised eyebrow. At Nelia's shake of the head she frowned in worry. If she were going to do this, it would likely require her to leave Horace and Gloria alone. Not something she wished to do...but maybe if...
"Horace," her surrogate son looked up as she called his name. She looked down at him, a serious glint in her eye, "Can I trust you and your sister to remain in this store while I go with Nelia?"
"Yes, mother. I won't let you down!" he quickly nodded his head. Then he moved over to Gloria and grabbed her hand, "Come on, sis. Lets go see if they have anyone more dresses like the one you're wearing."
Gloria's confused frown quickly morphed into a smile. She nodded excitedly while rushing off with her brother. The Huntress watched them move towards another bundle of dresses on display before turning back to Nelia. She handed the five dresses back then looked over the shorter woman's shoulder, her gaze alighting on the door behind her, "Am I to assume that we will be going through that door?"
Nelia nodded then turned around and began to walk towards the door. Selina followed her as the tailor started to speak, "So, here's how we'll do this. There are three other rooms back here, one on the left,one on the right, and one through a door directly across from this one. I'll head to the one on the left and get my tools, you can head through the one on the right and take your clothes off."
Selina stopped in her tracks just before the door. She spoke with clear surprise in her voice, "P-Pardon me?"
Nelia placed a hand on the door knob, then turned to address the Huntress, "What? Is something wrong?"
"It's just...I...is it really imperative that I remove my clothes for this?" Selina asked, suddenly feeling extremely self-conscious. Partially because she wasn't sure what her body looked like after her experience in Yharnam. Partially because she was afraid of what might happen if Nelia were to touch her bare skin.
"Yes," Nelia nodded, "If I'm going to make a custom order for you, then I need to make sure my measurements are exact. Can't have it off by even an inch. Unless you want your clothes to feel too tight in some areas."
Nelia shrugged as if to say "It is what it is." After a moment to think, Selina nodded in reluctant agreement. Nelia opened the door, revealing a horizontal hallway. Selina could see three doors. All were exactly where the tailor said the would be. The woman in question stopped in the hallway and held the door for Selina. When she was through, the woman closed the door then looked at the Huntress with a reassuring smiling, "It's alright if you're nervous. Everyone is at first. If it's really that bad though, I left a few towels you can use in the private room to cover yourself. Just place your clothes in the basket and carry it out with you. We'll meet up right in front of this door when we're both done. Alright?"
"As you say. Thank you for this, Nelia. I will see you soon," the Huntress nodded before turning towards the door on the far right. She opened the door and found herself within a square room only just big enough for her to stand in. She closed the door behind her, putting the bolt in the lock before examining the room. A single mirror, large enough to let her see her whole body, sat against the wall directly in front of her. To her left sat a wide basket and to her right were a few white towels laying in an empty basin.
She looked up then frowned at her reflection in the mirror. She held her hands out with their palms up and looked down at the white gloves covering them. When was the last time she got a good look at herself in a mirror? She hadn't really seen the need to do so. Hygiene was usually handled by a quick trip to the Dream. She'd go in for a second, then she'd come out with her clothes and skin completely clean. And while she had given Horace and Gloria baths, she had never gotten naked during it. Mainly to avoid the possibility of draining her children.
She never had a real reason to examine herself. Until now...but did she really need to do this? She already had an entire storage trunk filled with outfits from Yharnam. Some of which were both pleasing to the eye and functional in combat. Why spend money on clothes that clearly wouldn't have any of that?
...Because Gloria wanted to see her in different clothes.
...And to be honest? She wanted some new clothes.
But...she would at least keep her bottom undergarments on.
With that in mind, and after examining every inch of the room to ensure there were no openings, she started to undress.
...
...
"Huh. That's surprising," Selina said as she beheld her naked form in the mirror. She placed a hand on her chin and rubbed at the all too smooth skin, "I look...better than expected."
She didn't say that because she felt proud of her body.
She said that because she had been expecting something worse.
Her journey through Yharnam was, to put it bluntly, horrid. She had been forced to endure injuries that would kill any normal person. Impalement, broken bones, poison, bleeding, burning alive, being vaporized by light based attacks, being hit by godlike beings that could crush stone, having her blood explode from her body from being frenzied. And those were just the things that she could remember off the top of her head. While she did come back from life ending injuries, and the Blood healed everything else, she had expected to take some scars away from her battles. If not that, then maybe her body had been changed by all the Blood Echoes she had used to improve herself?
Something had to be there to prove she went through the Night Of The Hunt.
Yet, as she stared at her reflection, she could find nothing.
Her pale white skin was perfect. She couldn't find a single blemish anywhere on her body. She checked her arms, her hands, her thighs, her neck, stomach, even her feet.
Nothing.
Not even a single mole.
"Well...there's still one place," she looked down at her chest and frowned. She had removed the bindings she used to keep her breasts bound...which in turn reminded her of why she kept them like that.
"...That's fine. I didn't need to see my feet anyway," she sighed while cupping her chest under one arm to get a better look at that part of her skin.
...Nothing. Not a single flaw.
That...that didn't make sense. She didn't remember having any moles or anything there but...there had to been something.
Her gaze bore into her breasts for a few more minutes. To the point where her thoughts began to wander to other things. Namely...
She frowned and grabbed both of her assets. She lifted them up and down frown deepening as she tested their weight.
"Did...did they get bigger again?" she said to herself, worry filling her at the idea. She already needed to use half the roll of binding to keep them under control. If they had gotten bigger...
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She shook her head and then released her breasts. Putting that concern out of her head, she turned her gaze to the mirror. She stepped forward and leaned into it, using her fingers to examine her facial features.
"Everything seems to be in order," she said while her silver eyes roamed her-
She froze.
Quickly she focused her attention onto her irises...that were the same sharp black color.
Just as she had remembered them.
"...Must've been a trick of my eyes," the Huntress mumbled while continuing her examination. As she did, her attention came to a certain spot underneath her left eyelid. She scowled at the portion of smooth skin.
Why were there no bags under her eyes? She didn't get any sleep at all in Yharnam and she hadn't been sleeping that much here in the waking world. The skin around her eye sockets should've been getting a little saggy. So then...why wasn't it? Why were her eyes completely free of flaws?
...
Selina shook her head then stood up straight, "This isn't the time for this. I should be getting back to Nelia before she starts worrying."
She looked to her right and grabbed the largest towel from the basin. Once she was certain it was securely wrapped around her body, she grabbed the basket with her clothes and held it on one arm. She turned, unbolted the door, then opened it. Outside, Nelia was standing in front of the third door with a rope in one hand and a quill in the other. She was pacing back and forth in front of the door, but stopped as she beheld Selina coming towards her.
"There you are! What...took...you...?" Nelia's voice trailed off as the Huntress got closer.
Confused, Selina stopped about ten feet from the tailor before speaking, "Is something wrong, Nelia?"
Nelia didn't respond. Instead she looked down at herself, hands going to her flat chest. Then she looked up with a strained smile on her face, "Uh, heh, heh. Forgive me if this sounds rude, but how old are you Lady Albion?"
"Cynthia is fine. And I am not completely sure. My activities have been keeping me busy, so I have been unable to keep track of my date of birth. However, I believe that I entered my twenty fourth year some time ago."
Selina shrugged while Nelia's breath hitched. She kept looking between her chest and Selina's.
Then she scowled up at Selina. Her face turned red with indignation while a pouting expression came over her face, "That's...That's not fair! I'm six years older than you and I...I don't...that's just not fair!"
Selina, completely confused, simple stared down at the irate woman with a raised eyebrow.
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Early Afternoon
"We are NOT your lap dogs!"
Akuri slammed her fist on the Guard Captain's desk. Her eyes blazed with anger as they glanced between Felix and the cowering Micheal.
Teresa placed a hand on her left shoulder, drawing the Kuniochi's attention. The Dhampir shook her head, "Calm yourself, Akuri. Please."
When she was sure her friend had calmed down, Teresa turned to the Guard Captain. She placed her hands on the desk and spoke, "I believe what Akuri means is that we are not going to be your enforcers, Captain Felix."
"Not what I'm asking for," Felix said with a shrug, "What I'm asking is that you two help me keep this place out of Druella's claws. Or at least make sure we can put up a bit of a fight. You don't need to work for me, just with me."
"And how, exactly, are you expecting us to help?" Teresa's face was calm but Felix could feel the hidden emotions behind her expression, "Bear in mind, we will not perform any task that requires us to draw blades."
"Again, not what I would ask you to do. No, what I want is something simpler; Expertise and Redirection," Felix folded his hands in his lap as he addressed the two Mamono, "The kid and I have the Vipers taken care of. We should have them dealt with by the end of the day."
"I am not a child," Micheal grumbled while trying to avoid staring at Akuri and Teresa.
Felix ignored him and continued, "But they're not the only chink in Pran's armor. There's plenty of others, but I don't know everything. I can't see all the problems that need to be addressed before that Lilim starts coming down on us."
"In addition, we need to make sure that Druella doesn't know what cards we're gonna bring to the fight," he leaned forward and placed his hands on his chin, "Is that friend you told me about still in contact with you?"
Teresa nodded while Akuri looked confused.
"Have you told her anything about our defenses?"
Teresa shook her head with a frown. She crossed her arms under her breasts, making Micheal look down at his feet as she spoke, "No, because she hasn't asked. And I don't appreciate you insinuating that one of my friends could be attempting to spy on us, Guard Captain."
"I just wanted to say that, if she ever does start asking, then don't give her anything that she could use against us."
"And why, exactly, would we listen to anything that you say?" Akuri asked, scowl on her face.
"Because I know Teresa here doesn't want a fight to break out. And this would help us prevent one. You're less likely to attack an enemy that you know nothing about, then one you completely understand," Felix explained.
Silence fell over the room while all eyes turned to Teresa. The Dhampir was silent for a few minutes. Then with a sigh she spoke, "Fine. But if we are to help you, we're doing it our way, on our terms. Understood?"
Akuri remained silent, merely bowing her head to Teresa. Felix nodded, "That sounds like a good deal. As a suggestion, I think you should be with me to help me find problems in the main part of Pran, while your angry friend there helps the kid out with the slums."
The Guard Captain jerked a thumb at the recently promoted merchant to his left. Micheal sputtered as everyone's attention suddenly fell to him, "C-C-Captain?! Why would you want them to split up like that? Wouldn't they work better together?"
"Don't know, kid. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that one is trained to be quiet and work in the shadows, while the other is much more...well...bombastic? No offense, ladies," Felix responded with an apologetic hand.
"None taken," Teresa smiled while straightening her posture, "I take in pride in being open with my feelings on everything!"
"As I take pride in my ability to remain hidden," Akuri said with nod.
Felix clapped his hands then prepared to explain the rest of his plan. However, a knock on his door interrupted him. A guard's voice came through, "Excuse me, Captain. There's some...some thing asking to see you."
Felix raised an eyebrow in curiosity. He looked at his gathered companions who all shrugged in confusion. Then he shouted, "Well, let them in."
The door opened and in walked Koga the Ochimusha. Akuri stood from her seat, face turning red as the undead approached. She stepped to the side and spoke with a flustered tone to her voice, "K-K-Koga-san! I-I-I didn't expect to see you here! How are you doing?"
"Fine," was Koga's quick and gruff response to Akuri. He turned his attention to the Guard Captain, "Captain Felix, I wish to offer you my assistance in your endeavors to prepare for Druella's attack."
Felix's eyebrow remained raised as he stared up at the undead, "Oh? And what, exactly, could you do for me?"
"Is there a task that requires a warrior's prowess that you can't spare your men for?"
Felix frowned then opened up a drawer to his right. He pulled out some papers and placed them down on his desk, "Not necessarily. But what I do have is the need for a scout. Dealing with issues inside of Pran? I can handle that. It's issues outside of the city that I start running into trouble with. I could use someone to go out there, found out what's beyond our walls, and see if it could be a threat or asset to us when Druella arrives."
Understanding what the Guard Captain was saying, Koga immediately picked up the papers and began to examine them. He continued to speak as he did, "What am I to do if I find anything?"
"Confident aren't we? What makes you think you've got the job?"
"I'm a male undead warrior monster. I do not require any sustenance whatsoever, allowing me to travel through the day and night without issue. Meaning I can get to places faster than a human would. As a male monster, I will attract the attention of Mamono fairly easily, giving me a better chance of finding any hidden pockets of them out there. And, should something go wrong, you won't lose much. After all, I'm just a simple undead warrior. Who will miss me?"
He rolled up the documents then placed them in a chest pocket, "Now then, will I be getting a horse to use as transportation?"
Felix blinked twice.
Then he started laughing as he stood up, "Remind me to ask Cynthia to drain more Mamono. I could use ten more of you guys in the Guard. Follow me, and we'll get you what you need."
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"Horace, what's that?"
Horace stopped in his tracks at the sound of his sister's voice. The young man turned around to see Gloria pointing a finger at a random corner of the store. Following her gaze he narrowed his eyes at something strange. He squinted in an attempt to see if from his position. As he did he said to his sister, "I...don't know."
"It looks...like a doll," Gloria said as she took a step towards the corner. Horace pulled her back a bit and shook his head.
"Was...was it there before? Mother would've seen it if it was, right?"
"Maybe she missed it? She was busy talking to the pretty lady in the dress."
"Yeah but...I don't know. I don't tru-"
Horace felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. He turned back to the corner and...was that doll always that close?
He could see it clearly now. It was as big as Gloria and had on a long, frilly dress with puffy sleeves over its arms. It had its back against the wall, letting him see a set of pink slippers poking out from beneath its dress. Its long, voluminous hair fell touched the floor in braided loops, its color the azure blue of the morning sky.
Horace felt something compel him to get closer to the doll. He couldn't take his eyes off of it. It just looked...so...pretty.
"...keep your sister safe..."
Horace snapped out of his trance. His eyes widened as he realized he and Gloria had been unwillingly getting closer to the doll. To the point where their fingers were just inches away from touching its arm. With a fearful start he pulled his arm back, but Gloria had already placed her hand on it. She pulled the doll closer to her, her eyes wide with wonder as she looked it up and down.
"It's...so pretty. I've wanted a doll. Do you think mom will let us keep it?" Gloria turned to Horace, a hopeful expression on her face.
Horace frowned while looking between his sister and the doll. He audibly swallowed while shaking his head, "I...I don't know, sis. I...I don't think taking that thing home is a good idea."
"Why?" Gloria frowned while pulling the doll closer, "I like it! It'll be fun to play with."
"Well...I just don't have a feeling about it," they boy could still feel something pulling at the back of his head whenever he looked at the doll. But he couldn't just outright tell Gloria that...at least not without making her angry. And he wanted to avoid that.
Before she could continue, the two of them heard the door at the back of the store open. They turned towards the noise and saw the tailor lady stepping out of the door. When she left the next person to come out was...
"Mommy!" Gloria shouted while letting go of Horace's hand. She dragged the doll along with her as she headed towards the Huntress. When she was close enough, she held the doll up towards her surrogate mother, "Look what I found! Can we keep it? Please!"
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Afternoon
"Just be straight with her Nick. It's about time you did," Nick Mercer said while pacing back and forth through the living room of the manor's first floor. Maggie and Markus had went back home to grab what's left of their stuff to bring here, so he was alone in the house.
...Well...not completely alone.
But Tina and Felix were...busy. So, he might as well be alone. He shivered at the memory of hearing the two going at it through the doors. That was something he'd need to repress.
He shook his head to get his focus back. He had something important to say to Lady Cynthia. And he wasn't gonna put it off this time. Cause he knew if he did, he'd never find the time to tell her the truth. Thus the reason he had been pacing in the living room since mid-morning waiting for Cynthia to return. Well that...and trying to figure out what he'd say to her.
Just when he was about to go through another rehearsal, he heard the front door unlock and open up. Taking a deep breath he stepped into the hallway and spoke up, "Hey, Lady Cynthia? We need to-"
The moment his eyes fell onto Cynthia, Nick found his mouth drying up.
Instead of the dark clothed woman he had been expecting, standing in front of the door was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen in his life.
Her dress was a dark blue with a long skirt that only showed her ankles. Black slippers poked out from beneath the frilled edges of her skirt, within which were black stockings that went up into the dress. It hugged her slender waist in such a way that drew the eye to her covered midriff. Above that was a single opening in her dress that revealed a pure white shirt that barely hid the swell of her breasts. Her hands still had white gloves on them but the rest of her slender arms were hidden within equally white sleeves. Her two children and a single child sized doll were held within her arms. The dress' collar only revealed her neckline, while her neck was covered by a black choker. Her red hair had been worked into a short layered style with a single bang hovering over her left eye. Her black eyes looked striking as a radiant smile came over her lips.
"Hello, Nick," Selina said while adjusting her grip on her children and their new doll, "How are you today?"
Nick felt his heart skip a beat as she said his name.
He suddenly felt extremely self-conscious as he asked himself a question he never thought he'd ask.
'Was Lady Cynthia always this pretty?'