"Hand Mirna some of that red fabric."

"This one or..."

"Darker."

"Alright. Here." I hand the crimson fabric to her and she carefully begins cutting out a triangular shape.

"How did we get left to this work? Really no one else can sew? Aqua?"

"If its flesh sure. But fabric is weird, it tears when you don't expect and is sturdy when you expect it to rip."

I see. But really, not Alice either?

She remorsefully shakes her head.

"Well, for now, everyone pay attention, this is a good skill to have. Although I doubt you will master it by tonight so Mirna and I will make most of the costumes unless someone wants something off the list."

The list is what I have in my merchant menu.

Why I have Halloween costumes in my menu? I don't know.

"Can I have this one?" Rou asks pointing to a line.

"Oh? Why? Not that its a problem, just curious."

"It fits me perfect. I'm powerful and I'm a ranged attacker."

"That's not exactly what a ‘power ranger' is but, well sure. Here." I hand her the pink jumpsuit and mask. She grins widely before running off with it towards her room.

Oh yeah, I suppose privacy is necessary. It's not like you are already naked or anything.

Oh, I gotta stop, I'm just cranky because everyone is putting clothes on.

No wait, that came out wrong.

Oh, actually no never mind, that was as intended.

But really I actually feel blessed they will be putting something on. I am the only one allowed to stare at these cute butts. Sharing that sight with the whole village is a little…

They are mine. Back off.

Ooh, I think I even scared myself a bit there. I can't be the jealous type. It doesn't fit my character.

"I want this one!"

"Can I be a nurse?"

"Approximately how long would it take to make a Chewbacca costume?"

Mirna addressed the questions while I kept on sewing condiments for Mirna.

She will have the best damn hot dog costume in the world.

Perhaps the only.

Definitely the only.

I grab the costumes everyone chose and they dash off to change. Replacing them stands a pink power ranger complete with a prop gun.

Rou poses with a likely grin hidden by the plastic mask.

"Flawless beauty."

"Would you expect anything less?" She replies spinning the gun on her finger before sliding it into a pouch at her belt.

I don't remember the gun. That didn't come with the costume.

Noticing my glance Rou pats it calling it the ‘Captain beater 2.0'.

Of course, I should have known.

Keep up the good work Triff.

Just don't kill anyone.

Can I joke about that now? I think its been long enough.

Soon after the rest return, I finish my work on Mirna's costume. Only to turn around and have to make an accompanying bun costume for El. Apparently she liked the witch costume but it just wasn't ‘her'.

I don't get it.

But apparently, a bun to accompany Mirna fits her character more.

"It's done, Captain. Do you still need it?"

"Perfect timing Triff. Let's give it a shot."

"What's that, what's that," Mirna asks pulling my sleeve and pointing to the machine Triff had placed before me.

Honestly it was hard to call it a sewing machine so I let Triff take the lead on naming it.

"It's a sewing machine," Triff says plainly.

Oh, well then.

"How does it works? What's it do?" Mirna asks turning her pleading attention to Triff.

"Magic."

Interesting, I'm pretty sure that's how it worked in my world too.

"Wooooooow" Mirna replies with awe.

Was it so amazing? Our ship runs on Magic. Magic pumps water through the pipes and it even runs her stovetop.

In any case, it works right. As I push the wireless pedal on the floor the needle begins jumping up and down through the off-white fabric stitching it perfectly.

The crew gasps at the mend once I test its strength in front of them. Were they beginning to see the possibilities?

Mm, sewing machines will be a good innovation for this world. Better clothes means... well better clothes. Nobody can complain about that.

I just wish I had it when I was hand stitching Mirna's costumes. It would have cut my time in half.

"Done. Try it on El. But you know you two will have to stick real close for the effect to look right."

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

"No problem! I love hugging Mirna." El says with a smiling and smushing Sausage-Mirna into a hug.

"Ah, no! You are messing up my condiments." Mirna begs, reaching for a pickle slice that had fallen off.

I suppose Velcro wasn't the right choice. Back to the drawing board.

~ ~

"What are you supposed to be Ely?"

"That's a bold question coming from, what exactly?"

"Obviously I'm a witch. Can't you see the hat?"

"No, no no. that's not a witches hat. However, I am relieved."

"Oh?"

"Nothing nothing. Let's go get some of Mom's honey drops before they disappear."

"That's my sister!"

"Mirna comes too, you need to be here to demonstrate my costume."

I should really quit eavesdropping on pointless conversations.

The festival was taking place on a large platform the elves had hoisted into the trees. Lights made from glowing fungus as well as fireflies drift around the canopy keeping it lit enough to see the costumes and meal.

The elves paid careful attention to the environment of the party. With all the decorations it felt like they had been planning for decades I could hardly believe it was only our fourth day here. These elves move quickly when it comes to parties.

"Ah, Cole! I have someone I need to introduce you too. Eldywyn you come too. You remember Rywnym right?"

"Oh, It's nice to meet you Mr. …"

"Fall-leaf. I hear you are the one who stole my wife?"

"Oooooooh. I see."

"Indeed. So if you would only relinquish your proposal to her. It would really be for the best. An elf belongs with one of her kind after all." Rywhatever says glancing between El and I. Finally he hammers another nail. "I am sure her father would prefer her to be with another Elf too. Surely you wouldn't go against the Elf King's wishes."

I'm the demon king. I'll do whatever I damn well please.

I wish I could say that. But I'm not nearly that ballsy.

Is that what the Elf king thinks? He hasn't changed his facial expression at all. What is his play?

El stays silent behind me. I had never seen her act like this. She was never the timid type, but this had set her shivering behind me.

But this person is weak. Doesn't El realize this? Why is she scared?

Does she think I will follow this man's words?

Ignoring the man who stood proudly looking down at me I turn to El who casually gripped onto my shirt cuff.

"Hey, you know I won't allow that right? You are my conquered princess, even if your dad begged me to return you I wouldn't. So don't get so nervous. I won't allow that dude to touch you."

"That dude?" The elf scoffs towards me who continued to ignore him. "Did you hear what he said Elf King? He doesn't mean to return your daughter! We should immediately…"

"I didn't expect him to." The king says nodding with a noble expression. "You really don't know much about women Ry, you should have paid more attention to the folk tales we were told as kids."

"Pah! I don't have time for foolish things. If Elywyn won't be mine I have nothing to do here. But you haven't seen the last of me."

I kind of feel like we have.

The man disappears into the crowd grumbling to the women on either arm.

"I like your frog costume King Godwyn."

"Ah thank you! But as I've said before, just call me God."

"That's a little..."

"Ah, there you are Cole!" Kapi voices shouts from behind. A few elves tumble as she sprints through the crowd. She wore what looked like an attempt at a sailor uniform. Maybe Damein was a fan of the school girl look?

"What are you supposed to be?"

"Ah… That's..." She blushes before leaning her face to my ear.

I don't get it, I'm well aware you're an exhibitionist but what does that have to do with…

Oh.

Oh!

"So its really true that clothes are sometimes more arousing!" She says with a smirk.

She's not wrong. She never wore panties in the first place but now that fact feels even more alarming.

Surely she must have a leaf or…

No, I can't check. There are too many watching eyes.

Protect me, don't just cautiously glare at her!

"Ah, Cole I had no idea you got along so well with our maid. Will you bring her when you leave as well?"

"No, no no... don't get me in more trouble Godwyn."