Dani leaned down over the fabric she had spread out on the floor, carefully cutting out pattern pieces in preparation to sew them together. She was upstairs today, hiding from the people that wanted to just come in and get a look at the ‘lady who saved the prince’.

What a load of crock. She could see where it could be true from a certain perspective, but it was a stretch, which made all the attention that much worse. Well, at least after the ball things should die down. Already fewer people were coming in the shop for actual gowns, and those that came just to gawk were artfully redirected elsewhere by either Mrs. Haversaun or Seela. She wished she could redirect them that easily!

“Dear gods they were right, you have turned into a girl!” A familiar voice came from the balcony, shocked and slightly mocking.

In spite of her general bad mood, Dani had to smile. She looked up from her spot on the floor to the young man standing in the doorway to the balcony. He was whip thin and dark, his long hair pulled back into a pony tail that fell halfway down his back. “With that hair it looks like you’ve turned into a girl too.”

“My hair is magnificent. Where the hell have you been? You’re even wearing jewelry! Let me see.” He was across the room in a flash, studying her chataline with a practiced eye.

“Just don’t try to palm it jackass. How have you been Gene? For that matter, where have you been?” She hadn’t seen Gene in at least two months, and the last time they had parted was a little bit fuzzy from drink.

“I don’t steal from friends.” Gene laughed and took her hand, pushing up her sleeve to better see the bracelet around her wrist. He let out a low whistle, both eyebrows raising. “Even if they’re wearing jewelry that could ransom a small ship. Which is where I’ve been by the way. Sailed off with my uncle for a spell. Dani, where the hell did you get this?”

“Around.” She pulled her hand away, sliding the sleeve back over it. “Welcome back, you could have at least told me that you were leaving.”

“Around?” Gene rolled his eyes but let the subject drop. “Come on, let’s go get a drink and I can tell you about my adventures on the high seas, and you can tell me about where you got a bauble like that. And why people are saying you saved the prince.”

Ah shit, he had already heard about that? Word traveled fast, but that was worrying. She didn’t want the whole of Rats Nest knowing the mess she had gotten into. It would only make things more dangerous. “Let me see if I can get a beak in. Then we’ll see.”

“See if you can get a break in? Dani are you going honest on me?” Gene stared at her as if she had grown a second head, leaning back a bit to get a better look at her. “Dresses, jewelry, saving princes. What the hell did I miss?”

“A lot. Just... actually, you know what? Meet me here after the shop closes and we’ll go get some drinks. This is going to take longer than a break to explain.”

“I’ll gather a few of the others, we can have drinks at the Old Trout. I’ll buy, consider it payment for the story.” He glanced down at her wrist, the bracelet hidden by her sleeve. “Of course I should make you pay, looks like you can afford it more.”

“Like hell, I still owe for the clothes I’m wearing. Get going, I got work to do.” Dani turned back to cutting out pattern pieces. She was nearly done, and then she would be able to get to work sewing it together. It was a shame she couldn’t use Mrs. Haversaun’s sewing machine, but she didn’t let anyone else touch that monsterous thing. Probably for the best really, Dani had no idea how she kept the fabric out of all those gears and belts. And she sure as hell didn’t have a clue how to work the thing.

She didn’t look up when Gene didn’t answer. He had the habit of just disappearing instead of saying goodbye, so she just figured he was gone.

What the hell was she going to tell him about the bracelet and the situation with Wulfram? She had foolishly hoped that the rumors would stick to the lords and ladies. They at least didn’t know where she lived.

It was late when she finally set aside the dress. The light was fading even with the glowstones, and her eyes ached nearly as much as her back. She stretched to loosen some of the stiffness that had set in over the hours and let out a sigh. She still had no idea what she was going to tell Gene and the others. The truth? They wouldn’t even believe it, and she didn’t want them to know she was technically married.

“I’d never hear the end of that.” She muttered and headed downstairs. “Mrs. Haversaun, Seela, you okay if I head out?”

Seela looked up from her work delicately embroidering the collar of one of the dresses they were making. “Hiding all day, and now running off? But we hardly get to see you Lady Daniella!”

Dani rolled her eyes. “Cut the crap Seela, I’m no lady and you know it. Mrs. Haversaun, is it okay?”

“It’s fine with me dear, just be careful getting home.” The older woman pulled a sheet of fabric off the gown she was working on for Dani, smiling as the light caught on delicate silver embroidery. “I’ll see you tomorrow. Lady Seela, shouldn’t you be going as well?”

“Just a little long Mrs. Haversaun, I’m almost done with this flower.”

Mrs. Haversaun laughed, giving her head a small shake. “Alright, finish the last flower, and then go home. The rest can wait for tomorrow.”

Dani smiled, stepping out into the fresh air of the evening. She hadn’t expected Seela to fit in at Mrs. Haversaun’s, and sure as hell hadn’t expected her to stay around for days! But the woman seemed to genuinely enjoy working at the shop, and her embroidery skills were every bit as good as she had said.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

“Are you even going to be able to keep up in that dress?” Gene’s voice came from the shadows of an alley, his voice holding disdain. “You’re going to attract attention at the Old Trout.”

“I won’t attract that much. And I sure as hell can keep up with you at least.” Dani grinned, watching as the young man stepped out of the shadows. He always moved so quietly, it would be creepy if they hadn’t known eachother since they were kids. “Are you ready to go? Where are the others?”

“Meeting us there. I want to be able to see their faces when you come in wearing that.” Gene flashed her a grin, and started up the nearest roof. “Time to see if you really can keep up.”

“Cheat!” Dani called after him, hurrying to unclip her chataline and slide it into her bust, then pull her skirt up between her legs and tuck it into her belt.

“All’s fair m’lady!” He called back from the rooftop. With a laugh, Dani took off after him, scrambling up the side of the wall like a cat, fingers automatically finding familiar handholds that had been carved into the wall over the years. Gene was already running for the docks, where the Old Trout was. She took off after him, her new boots feeling oddly thick as she ran across the roofs. She just couldn’t feel them the way she was used to. Her old boots had been so thin that she could have felt every pebble beneath her feet. But with these boots she could barely feel anything. It nearly slipped her up when she had to run across a roof covered in loose dirt and gravel, following the well-known path that wound it’s way down towards the docks.

She swore as she slipped, catching her balance just barely in time to make the jump to the next roof. She had to catch up to him, or she was never going to hear the end of it.

Dani saw her opportunity when Gene detoured around a building that was half fallen down already. There was a narrow path though where the stone wall still stood, if she could just get the landing right, she should be fine. She put on a bit more speed, dredging up every ounce she could as she chose her target, and leapt through the air.

The moment of weightlessness sent a thrill of joy and excitement through her, the moment she landed solidly on the narrow strip of stone bringing a surge of triumph. She grinned, not giving in to the urge to look back at Gene as she took off running again, balanced on the wall until she could reach to the next roof.

Right next to him. Damn he had gotten fast! He couldn’t have been on a ship all that time if he was running this fast along the roofs. Maybe she was just getting soft.

But they shared a grin, each putting on a last burst of speed as they crossed the final rooftop. Dani leapt off, trusting herself to land in a crouch in front of the tavern. Gene landed beside her, grunting as the impact jarred his body.

Dani laughed and straightened from her crouch. She took a moment to release her skirt from the belt, letting it fall around her legs again, then checked her bust to make sure the chataline hadn’t fallen out. She let out a sigh of releif. It was safe and sound. “You haven’t slowed down any for your time on the sea.”

“Daily exercise and climbing the rigging all the time.” Gene shrugged, straightening up as well. He dusted off his pants as he headed towards the open tavern door. Warm light and the sound of music and laughter floated out to meet them. “You haven’t slowed down either it seems. Can’t deny I’m surprised.”

“What, you think I’m dainty now that I put on a dress?” Dani followed him into the tavern and scanned the small crowd until she saw a table of familiar faces. She grinned as she hurried through the crowd, not bothering to listen to Gene’s answer. “Shem! Gull!”

Two faces looked up from their conversation, a male and a female. Both sets of eyes widened, and Shem’s mouth dropped open. He stood as Dani approached, staring at her. “Dani?”

“Starry goddess of the sea, the rumors were true.” Gull leaned forward, her eyes raking over Dani. “Ya turned into a lady.”

“I ain’t turned into a lady.” Dani felt a wave of self-conciousness wash over her. These were some of her oldest friends, if they got weird on her what was she going to do? “I’m still the same Dani.”

“Ya look like a lady.” Shem leaned down to give Dani a hug, lifting her off her feet. She felt a wave of relief, returning the hug with a laugh.

“Well I ain’t. Put me down, would ya?” She lightly swatted Shem on the arm. The large man set her gently on the floor, then pulled out a chair for her. She couldn’t help rolling her eyes at the gesture, sure it was gentlemanly, but it was a reminder that in their eyes at least, she had changed. But she sat down, waving one of the bar wenches over. “Cider, please.”

“I’ll take an ale.” Gene slid into a seat next to Gull, slouching back in it was he inspected the others drinks. “And refills for these two, they’re too sober.”

“Too sober? We were waitin’ for the two of you.” Gull elbowed Gene as he tried to put an arm around her. “Dani, Gene said ya was workin’ at Mrs. Haversaun’s. An’ there’s whispers ‘bout you wanderin’ ‘round with noble sorts. Even the prince.”

Dani sighed and rested her arms on the table, sliding her chair in close. “I ain’t gonna talk about it much here, too many ears. But they ain’t exactly wrong. What they are wrong about is me turnin’ into something I’m not. I’m still Dani, I jus... have to do things different now. Reshi’ll turn me in if I go back to thievin’ so I got a job. And it’s a good job!”

“Ya back livin’ with yer uncle too I heard. So ya livin’ with yer uncle, wearin’ dresses, workin’ a girl job...” Gull shook her head and leaned forward, lowering her voice as the men gathered in close too. “An’ ya tried ta steal the crown right off the princes ‘ead? What the hell got into your ‘ead girl?”

Gene’s eyes widened, mouth dropping open in a fair imitation of a fish. “You did what? It ain’t true, is it Dani?”

“Saw it with my own eyes.” Shem confirmed with a nod. “Nearly got away with it too ‘cept he gave chase. Next thing ya know Rats Nest is crawlin’ with guards tryin’ ta find the pair. Then when they do find ‘em, rumors start that the thief died and Dani here saved his life!”

Dani waved the group to silence as their drinks arrived. True to his word, Gene paid for the round, then leaned in over the table again. “Dani, did you lose your mind while I was gone?”

“Listen, it’s not like that! It was a desperate, stupid move. But it all worked out fine.” Dani picked up her mug, taking a long drink of the chilled cider. No magic there, just the bar taking advantage of a cold cellar down below.

“Except now yer bein’ watched.” Gull said grimly. “By more’n just ladies in the shop too. Word ‘round the guild is the leadership ‘as people watchin’ ya, and that there’s folks from the palace watchin’ ya too. It ain’t safe, it ain’t fine.”

“I haven’t noticed anyone from the palace watching me. You would think they’d stick out like a sore thumb ‘round here.” Dani looked around the tavern, searching for anyone that might seem out of place, or anyone that was looking too closely at their little group.

“Just because most of the people of the palace would, doesn’t mean they don’t have their spies. Yer gonna have to be careful. Don’t walk home alone, don’t go ta work alone. One of us’ll take ya home tonight.” Gull said.

“Ya really think it’s that dangerous Gull?” Shem asked.

“Aye, I do. These folks ain’t the types you want the attention of.”

“You’re being paranoid Gull. Besides, you’re part of the thieves guild, you think they’d come after me?” Dani felt a twinge of annoyance. She could take care of herself damnit, did her friends lal think she had gone soft too now?

“Maybe. Maybe not.” Gull shrugged. “I wouldn’t take the chance.”

“I’ll be fine. Can we just drink an’ talk about other things now?” Maybe if she steered them off this topic she could pretend things hadn’t changed.