Chapter 71 The Outfit
Meira pranced toward the shoe section, with her beautiful but unenthusiastic kitten gliding behind her. The elf frolicked through the shoe section, making dozens of shoes lift off their displays to follow her as she passed. Customers and staff alike stopped to stare at the bizarre scene unfolding. Unbothered by the attention, Meira continued her frolicking for another twenty minutes before herding her bored kitten to a bench to try them on.
“I am not trying on that many shoes!” Evernya refused upon turning her attention to the dozens of shoes in a floating queue behind Meira.
“You aren’t getting out of it this time. I compromised with the dresses, but shoes I won’t.” Meira insisted, floating the first pair of shoes toward Evernya before she could refuse.
Evernya growled in annoyance but tried on the first pair of shoes, a simple pair of black flats. She nodded her head, but Meira shook her head, vetoing them for being too boring before she floated them back to their display. This process continued with Meira rejecting various shoes for one reason or another for the next thirty minutes.
Finally, there were only five pairs left she hadn’t rejected yet. “You must try these heels on! They aren’t as uncomfortable as they look.” Meira endorsed holding up a pair of sparkling dark blue pumps with ten centimeters heels.
“Fine, but if I don’t like them after trying them on, you have to listen to me.” Evernya compromised, knowing Meira would get her way, eventually.
Evernya slipped them on before standing up. She rested her right hand on a table next to her when she felt a little unstable, but after a few seconds, she adjusted to the extra height. Her first few steps were tipsy before her tail balanced her. Within a dozen steps, she was walking with no trouble, but she stopped and frowned before retreating to the bench to take them off.
They weren’t too bad, but I can’t see myself wearing heels regularly. They were definitely more comfortable than the few pairs I wore as a human. Thankfully, my job on earth didn’t require me to wear heels daily as part of the dress code, like many poor women. If they did, I would’ve probably fallen on my ass multiple times a day. Meira was right about my balance, though, but I’ll never admit it.
“I don’t mind the extra height, and I like the color, but I don’t like the confining feeling of the shoe. However, they are more comfortable than I thought.” Evernya critiqued as she slipped the shoes off.
Meira talked as she scanned through the remaining choices for a better option. “I figured that would happen, but I wanted you to try on a simple high heel before we try something different. I don’t know how heels are like where you are from, but here they design heels to distribute your weight evenly and provide high-density cushioning for added comfort. By the way, you look perfect with the added height from high heels. We just need to find a heel better suited for you. Your skirt was a little short, but that’s a quick fix with the re-sizing enchantment.”
“Yeah, I noticed they didn’t feel like I thought they would. I expected a lot of pressure on the balls of my feet.” Evernya admitted.
“Cheap or poorly designed heels sometimes put pressure on parts of the feet, but I would never allow you to wear one of those, no matter how pretty they look,” Meira vowed.
“I still prefer barefoot, but I don’t hate heels anymore as long as they handle like these,” Evernya confessed silently, hoping she didn’t regret it.
Meira floated over a pair of ankle strap heels in a similar color with the same ten cm heel. “Try these. They should have similar weight distribution and cushioning but are more open.”
Evernya slipped them and secured the ankle strap before trying them out. After a few minutes of gliding back and forth, she sat down to take them off. “I prefer these over the previous heels. My feet feel less confined and can breathe. I like how the toes are open too. I hated how my toes felt like they were suffocating in the other pair. Still, I don’t want to wear heels for more than short bursts.”
“See, heels aren’t as bad as you thought. I think those heels will work perfectly tonight.” Meira decided.
“Hey! I didn’t say I would wear them to the auction, I just said I could handle them for short spurts.” Evernya argued mostly out of principle, since she too liked the look when she checked herself in the mirror.
“Well, the auction will be a short period since we spend the actual auction seated.” Meira shot back with a triumphant smile.
Evernya slumped on the bench in defeat. “Fine, I will wear them if I’m allowed to take them off once we are sitting down.”
“I can work with that. You won’t want to walk barefoot anyway once your dress is re-sized to your height with heels.” Meira agreed easily.
“Now, put them back on so we can continue shopping for your outfit,” Meira ordered as her eyes wandered off toward the next section.
“Why do I have to put them back on? I already said I’ll wear them for the auction.” Evernya argued.
“I want to see how they look with the rest of your outfit, and you need a little more practice in them before tonight. Also, re-size your dress. It’s supposed to be floor length, not ankle length.” Meira ordered, refusing to budge.
Evernya grumbled as she strapped the heels back on and re-sized her dress while Meira returned the remaining shoes to their displays. Meira herded Evernya to the next section to find her an evening bag. While following the frolicking elf, Evernya glanced at the prices of various purses and handbags, causing her to trip over her heels in shock. Like the shoes, Meira made several evening bags float behind her as she danced her way through the section. A few minutes later, she returned to Evernya, who sat down on a bench on the right side of the section.
“I have a few options to choose from, but I think this one will work the best,” Meira announced as she compared the handbags to Evernya’s dress and heels.
“Hold on to this one for me. I want to see how it looks.” Meira ordered, handing Evernya a tiny metallic silver evening bag with Sapphire accents.
“Why do I need a bag this tiny? I might fit my ID and a cellphone in it max. If the prices of the other bags are that high, something as fancy as this one must be off the charts.” Evernya questioned as she held onto the sparkling handbag.
“Well, you don’t have any pockets in the dress, and you don’t even have a cell phone, so all you need to carry is your ID, so this bag is plenty. Plus, it’s not about the size of the bag. An evening bag is mainly an accessory, like jewelry. It’s not for practicality besides most women who can afford a bag like this already have a storage device to hold their things.” Meira reasoned despite the obvious waste of money buying a bag that couldn’t hold anything was.
“Could you at least tell me how much it cost? I find it such a waste of money to buy something as useless as this.” Evernya asked.
“Nope, all I will say is It Is more than your ankle strap high heels,” Meira replied vaguely.
“Well, of course, it would be it has real sapphires on it,” Evernya stated while inspecting the gorgeous sparkling blue stones affixed to the bag.
“How do you know they are real?” Meira questioned curiously.
“I don’t know how, I just do. I feel a weird fascination with them.” Evernya confessed, forcing her eyes away from the enticing sapphires.
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
Meira nodded knowingly as she explained. “I was wondering when your draconic side was going to come out to play. All draconic creatures have a preferred item to horde, but they all like precious gems and other valuable items. Obviously, fashion items aren’t what you want to horde, but the gems still attract you. I’ve heard of some half-dragon women who have massive hordes of dresses, shoes, purses, and anything else even remotely fashion related.”
Evernya shivered while imagining piles of dresses hoarded in some cave. “I understand hoarding valuables, but hoarding anything fashion-related is just stupid. In a few years, their entire horde could be worthless.”
“It’s not the best thing to horde, but you don’t have a choice what you horde. You will find out the hard way eventually unless you’re lucky.” Meira stated while floating the other handbags back to their displays.
“If I do feel the need to horde something, I hope it’s at least practical,” Evernya stated while crossing her fingers.
“More often than not, it’s something random. Anyway, let’s move on, the evening bag looks perfect, and your draconic side seems to agree.” Meira directed, eyes already aimed at the next section.
“Are we done then? Don’t you need a dress for the auction?” Evernya asked with a hopeful tone.
Meira glanced over her shoulder as she wandered off to the next section. “I already picked out my dress and tried it while I was searching for options for yours. I put it on hold at the counter until I’m ready to buy your outfit. Plus, I have all the other parts of my outfit in my storage ring, so this is all about you. Don’t worry, all we have left is some jewelry.”
“Why do you need to buy new jewelry can’t I borrow some of yours?” Evernya questioned.
“That’s not fun. Besides, I want you to have some jewelry pieces of your own for future events.” Meira reasoned, as usual, refusing to give in to her kitten’s pleas.
Undeterred, Evernya argued. “Why do I need jewelry, anyway? Isn’t the dress and handbag sparkly enough?”
“No, you need at least some bracelets. I would get a necklace too, but that would draw attention to your collar. Maybe I will get a matching necklace anyway to complete the set.” Meira replied, half speaking to herself.
“I just don’t understand how you can speak so casually about spending so much,” Evernya commented in a slightly judgmental tone.
Unbothered by her kitten’s judgment, Meira explained. “I set aside 1 million crystals for tonight. Your outfit will barely dent that. I want to have enough, just in case something expensive shows up at the auction. Items rarely break the 1 million mark outside of tier 1 cities, so we should be fine.”
“At least you have a limit on your crazy spending spree even though it is a stupid high limit,” Evernya remarked as she struggled to catch up to the long-limbed elf in her high heels.
“Oh, if we need more, I can get more. I just need to transfer more in,” Meira stated, as if it wasn’t a big deal.
While pinching her brows, Evernya replied, “Let’s stop talking about money. It’s making my head hurt.”
Meira dragged Evernya to the jewelry displays near the center of the store. As soon as Evernya’s eyes landed on the glass displays full of various jewelry pieces, she froze, enthralled. Meira bonked her on the head between her ears to bring her back down to earth.
“Ouch, why did you do that!?” Evernya squeaked.
“You looked like you were about to dive into the jewelry display.” Meira accused playfully.
Evernya’s eyes widened in realization. “Oh shit, I need to get my gem addiction under control.”
While nodding in confidence, Meira reassured her kitten. “You should be fine. You just aren’t used to the feeling.”
“I hope so,” Evernya mumbled while averting her eyes from the sparkling jewelry displays.
Over the next twenty minutes, Evernya tried her best to suppress the urge to stare at the fancy jewelry while Meira scanned through the various display cases.
Meira stopped on the left side, finding what she was looking for. She flagged down an employee to take out a few pieces before calling the twitchy girl over.
Meira looked over at her twitchy kitten with concern. “Are you alright? You don’t look so good.”
“I’ll be fine once we get away from the jewelry.” Evernya stuttered out.
While gesturing for the employee to move faster, she reassured her kitten. “It shouldn’t take long. I think I found the perfect jewelry set for you. I just want you to check it out. Some of the set I may even enchant for you so it won’t just hide away in a jewelry case.”
Evernya froze once her eyes landed on the jewelry set the jeweler set on the counter. The set consisted of four platinum rings with four circular sapphires embedded into each ring. A pendant with a large pear-shaped sapphire surrounded by small diamonds connected to a platinum chain. A Sapphire choker with a large oval-shaped Sapphire at the throat with smaller sapphires and diamonds embedded in the platinum band. Four platinum bracelets and anklets in the same design as the choker and two pear-shaped sapphire earrings.
“There is no way I am letting you buy me this! It has to cost a fortune!” Evernya refused while fighting to suppress her draconic nature, screaming in her mind to claim the pretties.
“These aren’t just for tonight. You will use these for years to come. Plus the sapphires provide excellent capacity for enchantments and look amazing with your eyes.” Meira reasoned.
“I understand buying a few pieces, but why the entire set? I can’t even wear the earrings.” Evernya argued, despite her expression saying otherwise.
“Believe it or not, it is cheaper to buy it as a set, then leave out the earrings,” Meira revealed, justifying herself.
“You sure you want to spend this much on me? Why don’t I wear the jewelry for tonight and gift it to you after.” Evernya offered with a pained expression.
“Nope, they are yours. Besides, I already have more than enough jewelry.” Meira rejected, causing Evernya’s face to brighten involuntarily.
“You’re determined to spoil me around you?” Evernya questioned in an unusually upbeat tone as her predatory eyes followed the jewelry set.
“Yup, I will buy you things no matter how much you protest.” Meira declared, amused by her kitten’s polarized reactions.
“Fine, but please don’t spend any more money on my outfit.” Evernya conceded, finally wrestling back control from her draconic side.
“No problem. The jewelry is the last part of it.” Meira assured as she waved for the employee to package the set in its protective case.
“Good, what you are buying is already overboard enough,” Evernya grumbled as her eyes followed the employee’s every move.
“Change back into your clothes and meet me at the checkout counter,” Meira ordered, sensing her kitten’s weakening self-control.
“Ok, please don’t sneak anything else in. You spent enough on me.” Evernya stated, forcefully ripping her gaze from her new sparkling pretties to stare into Meira’s eyes.
“No promises, so you better be quick,” Meira warned with a smile.
Afraid of what she might do if she stayed near the jewelry any longer, Evernya rushed to the changing room as fast as her accursed high heels would allow. Once safely inside her changing stall, she stripped off her dress and quickly slipped on her tank top and shorts.
She froze as she realized something was missing. Where did the other two dresses go? I know I left them hanging. Who would steal an unbought dress from the changing room? Oh well, it’s not my problem. Dismissing her worries about the other dresses, Evernya exited the changing stall, levitating her dress, evening beg, and high heels behind her.
Afraid to leave Meira alone in this store any longer, Evernya picked up her pace, trotting toward the checkout counter near the entrance. At the counter, she found Meira waiting with a suspiciously joyful expression. Evernya gently laid her outfit in a neat pile for the cashier to ring it up.
Despite bracing herself, the rocketing cost of her outfit overwhelmed her. The cost continued to escalate with each ding of the scanner, 25,250 for the dress, 1,765 for the heels, 5,325 for the evening bag, and 32,135 for the jewelry set. Evernya had to steady herself against the counter as she became lightheaded as she stared, mouth gaped at the total of her outfit.
It took several minutes before Evernya returned to her senses. By this time, Meira already paid for her outfit and had it packed. Meira led her stunned kitten away from the checkout counter while giggling. When she finally became aware of her surroundings, she was sitting on a bench near the exit.
“Why the hell did you spend over sixty-four thousand crystals on an outfit for me!?” Evernya exclaimed.
Unaffected by her kitten’s outburst, Meira responded, “Yup, your dress was one of the most expensive in the store, but otherwise, the other items weren’t too bad.”
Meira’s response only added fuel to the fire, igniting Evernya’s anger. “Too bad!? The jewelry set alone was over thirty-two thousand!”
“If it had more diamonds or fancy designs, a twelve-piece set like that could easily go for a hundred thousand plus, especially if you have it enchanted,” Meira replied calmly as if spending sixty-four thousand crystals was normal.
Evernya sucked in a deep breath while stroking her tail to calm down before returning her attention to Meira. “Thankfully, it didn’t then. I am grateful for the gifts. I am just overwhelmed by how much it all costs.”
“If this overwhelms you, wait until we go weapon shopping. A high-quality enchanted sword can easily go over fifty thousand. Luckily, we won’t spend nearly as much since I’ll do the enchanting myself.” Meira revealed with a smile, enjoying her kitten’s reactions. To her disappointment, her kitten appeared to have gained resistance to her spending habits or was still in shock as she didn’t react.
“What about armor?” Evernya questioned, bracing herself for the price bomb.
“You don’t need armor because I already sent the blue serpent skin out to have it crafted into a set which should be ready in a few weeks,” Meira replied, to Evernya’s relief.
“So, all I need is a weapon?” Evernya questioned with a worried expression.
“Well, a primary weapon and some practice weapons of a similar type. I will enchant the Primary weapons with higher potency, making them too dangerous to spar with but effective for hunting.” Meira explained to her kitten’s dismay as costs continued to rise with each added item.
After a few calming tail strokes, Evernya commented. “Yeah, it wouldn’t be fun to spar against a flaming sword.”
“There are many more dangerous enchantments, but you get the point. Primary weapons are for killing, not sparring.” Meira said.