The rest of the way back to our quarters took us a little longer. Balancing all the things we got at the apothecary without dropping anything took some serious effort. More than I initially anticipated. That we still drew a crowd didn't exactly help either. It got even worse when we stopped one more time along the way to get something to eat. In the end we managed though, somehow never dropping anything although it had been a close call a several times. Relief washed through me as we finally reached our temporary home and I could put down some of the things I had been carrying.
Gash'zur awaited us together with another goblin, an old man by the looks of it. She raised an eyebrow as she saw how loaded down we were but didn't say anything. Her features brightened though, as the smell of the food we brought reached her.
I handed the boxes with the food off to her and motioned in the direction of the sitting room. “Be with you in a moment.” Without further comment I grabbed the bundle of clothing Gib had been sent to fetch for me. I left the rest of the things we had brought, together with Gib and the others in the entrance hall as I disappeared into the bathroom.
I washed up quickly, something absolutely necessary considering my day at the forge. My worn and torn tunic was cast aside just as quick. I would take care of it later. Maybe I could find someone to mend it? I didn't just want to toss it into the trash yet. It wasn't that bad after all. Then I undid the ribbon holding the bundle with fresh clothes together. How had they managed to make these things so quickly? That couldn't have been cheap!
It was the dress and the pair of sandals that caught most of my attention. The latter seemed a little strange since they weren't the simple sandals I was used to. At least they didn't come with high heels though, unlike some I had seen goblin women wear in the city. I really didn't need to appear any taller than I already was. Not around here anyway. Not in general either. And then there was the dress. At the first glance it might look simple enough. It wasn't quite like what I was used to either though.
The fabric was white but it felt strange somehow. It wasn't silk or wool or linen. It wasn't anything I was familiar with but it didn't feel unpleasant either. Most curious. What kinds of fabric could a tailor get down here deep below the surface anyway? Well, whatever, I had seen women in the city wear dresses like this. It probably wasn't anything too out of the ordinary. Imagining myself wearing it still felt a little strange though.
Well, just thinking about it was no use. I quickly put the things on. I tied the dress right under the breast as it was apparently supposed to be worn like that. The neckline was rather daring and I was a little afraid that it might just slip off my shoulders if I were to move too much. The short puffy sleeves that didn't even reach my elbows were a little strange as well. The way the rest of the dress fell smoothly all the way down to my ankles felt pleasant though. It went well with the sandals as well. Overall it was not something a warrior would wear. Of that I was pretty certain. For now it would do though.
I looked myself over briefly. The pretty much all slightly off white outfit was a nice contrast. Well, it still was. If I was stuck down here too long my skin might lighten considerably and the effect could suffer. That wasn't an immediate concern though. As I left the bath I could already hear the voices of the others from the sitting room. As I entered Gash'zur, Gib and the old goblin were already seated at the table. The food was still untouched though as they apparently passed the time with the giantess telling an anecdote from our recent campaign. She was telling them about our encounter with the dragon to be exact and both goblins listened with wide eyes and ears perked up. They looked a little funny like that and it took some effort not to laugh.
I waved in greeting since I didn't want to disturb them but apparently that wasn't an option. The giantess, in a new clothes as well, somehow she had managed to get a new tunic though, fell silent as she saw me. Soon after the attention of the two goblins shifted to me as well. I felt a little uncomfortable with the sudden shift of attention thus I decided to try and deflect it a little. “What is this even made of? I don't think I have ever seen anything like it.” I ran my fingers over the cloth of the dress as I spoke.
It was Gib who answered after the older goblin elbowed him, ever so lightly. “It is a special kind of fungal mycelium encouraged to grow in a weave pattern. Once it is done growing it is treated with special alchemical substances to keep it from growing any further and from rotting. I think it gets treated in some other ways as well to make it pleasant to wear but I'm no expert. It makes for a surprisingly sturdy and affordable fabric. We use it for most everyday clothes.”
I blinked once as a foggy memory of another life came to me. It dissolved into memory mist almost as quickly as it had come to me but one thing stuck. “I'm wearing a mushroom?”
He nodded enthusiastically. “And it looks quite fetching on ye. If ye allow me to say so.” The older goblins elbow in his side reminded him of things of greater importance. He cleared his throat and gestured towards the older man. “Please forgive me for not making introductions beforehand. This is Sim, the current captain of the city's scouts. He would like to hear some more off yer stories, especially regarding the dragon.”
The old man rose and bowed. “Keza, lady of the domain Zoth. I'm honored to make yer acquaintance.”
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I lowered my head in return. “The pleasure is all mine, captain Sim.”
The old man gestured at the free spot at the table. “Come, let us enjoy the meal first before it goes cold. We can safe the stories for later.”
I nodded but was still a little reluctant, especially as Gash'zur was still staring at me, her mouth slightly agape. She was blushing furiously as well. My brows furrowed slightly at that reaction. I looked myself over best I could without being too obvious about it. “What? Am I wearing it wrong? Do I have something on my face? What is up?”
The giantess groaned and dropped her head into her hands. “I'm sorry. I'm feeling so foolish right now. No, I'm not just feeling foolish. I am foolish. I really should have noticed sooner.”
Well, that didn't really tell me anything. I looked at the goblins. Gib looked about as lost as I felt. Sim on the other hand might have know what this was all about. Or maybe he didn't. It was hard to tell. He apparently had experience keeping his emotions off his face.
Finally the giantess spoke up again. “You are starting to show.”
Well, apparently that was all it took to clue Gib in, judging by the way he now was furiously blushing as well. I was still completely lost though.
At last Gash'zur rose from her spot at the table with a long sigh. As she reached me she put a hand on my belly, following its slight curve from where the dress was tied downwards. “I should have noticed at the hot springs at the very least but with the way this dress accentuates your curves there really is no more missing it.”
For a moment, or maybe two, I just stood there in silence, my mind racing, as I tried to process what she was hinting at. “Ha. Ha, ha!” That laugh sounded so fake it hurt my own ears. Never mind how it was downright panicked as well. “Don't be silly. There is no way … I probably just put on some weight.” I put my own hand where hers had been. “I mean it isn't even that much. I don't know what you are seeing!”
That reaction prompted the giantess to slap the back of my head. Lightly. “Don't be an idiot! There is no way you could have just put on any weight the way we have been living the last few months.”
Before I could break down for good she pushed me to the table and down onto my seat.
Sim at the same time prompted Gib to pour me some tea while he unboxed the food we had brought. It was still warm and the smell was mouthwatering. I didn't have the presence of mind to start eating on my own though as my mind was still racing. Oh Maiden and Mother! What was I going to do?
It was another presence that touched my mind though, neither that of the Maiden nor that of the Mother. One moment my mind was in turmoil, the next it was as if it were pulled into a well practiced dance. “You take one step after the other, dear.” The Lover's words where a whisper only I could hear.
That was right! Panicking wouldn't make anything better! What were the next steps though? I had received the talk about the birds and the bees curtsy of my mother and Eld'tide's at some point but that had pretty much gone in one ear and out the other. I really hadn't cared for things like that back then. Damn, that probably was why I hadn't noticed either.
As I looked back up Sim was the first to speak. “I would like to offer ye the hospitality of our city for as long as you need it, if that is an option for you.”
Gib on the other hand was still blushing like mad.
Gash'zur in turn didn't say anything else. She had already said enough. Instead she pushed a fork with some calamari rings still dripping tasty sauce into my mouth and I bit down on it out of reflex. This was just so good!