Chapter 11: No Choice at All

Power abused.
A compromise rejected.
Friends find each other.
Christina is put on display.

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Day 15
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"Come now Christina! We don't want to be late for our appointment!" Lena rang out as she straddled the main entrance to the house, preparing to leave.

I exhaled deeply in frustration as I continued to try to lace up my boots. I had never had an issue doing the task before, but for some reason today my hands couldn't manage to arrange the knots in the correct way, each time I tried I would lose track of one end, or the attempted knot would fall loose. Crouching down on the floor, I knew that I was holding everyone else up. While Lena was waiting for me but a few feet away, Cynthia also waited just outside, likely double checking Veric's work readying the carriage for our departure. I had already made multiple attempts to tie up my boots at this point, but my damned fingers just wouldn't cooperate.

"Christina darling, why don't I help you with that." Said Rowan, who had been waiting to see us off on our trip to the city. He offered kindly, with at least some attempt to not belittle me, though sadly the nature of the situation made that an impossible thing to avoid.

"No, I'm fine I just need to . . . " I trailed off as once more my fingers lost track of the laces. As the knot fell loose I let out a groan of frustration from deep in my throat. 

Taking up a knee next to me, Rowan gently placed his hands over my own, settling them down away from my boots. "Christina, let me." He spoke softly. 

Realizing there was no stopping it now. I accepted Rowans help, leaning back on my hands to let Rowan have full access to my shoes. While knowing better than to fight back, I let the pout on my face show my discontent at the situation. 

Rowan went about tying up my boots, quickly and with ease. He even went so far as to do up an extra bow at the end of each knot. Once he finished he gave the laces a quick tug to test their strength before nodding at his work. Then as he stood up, he quickly bent over towards me. As I was shifting my weight to stand up myself, he grabbed my upper body with both hands and lifted, hoisting me to my feet.

Rowans strength and the ease of which he picked me up like that startled me. So much so that I let out the smallest of yelps as I was hoisted upwards. I knew I was relatively small, especially in comparison to Rowans considerable height, but I never would have expected it would be that easy for him to heave me around like that.

Rowan then brushed off his hands before looking proudly. "There, now all ready to go aren't we?" 

I gripped my hand to my arm and lowered my attention to my feet in nervous energy, unsure how to respond to the acts. Despite my demeanor, some small part of me was glad he had helped. At least nobody else had to watch me fail at such a simple task. "Yea, I guess so." I answered. For a moment a wave of anxiety hit me as I realized my manners. "Thank you Rowan . . ." I said sullenly. 

Lena on the other hand was beaming to her husband. It seemed like she wanted to bask in the moment, but at the same time knew that we were on some kind of schedule, what kind of schedule she wouldn't tell me. "Come now Christina, we don't want to keep Veric waiting." she said, ushering me through the door. 

As I exited, Rowan fell in step behind me to say goodbye to his wife. "Goodbye darling. Safe travels." He said before pulling Lena in for a kiss goodbye. Seeing their love for one another was actually quite humanizing for them both. It was clear that they cared deeply for one another, and in a small way, filled me with longing, reminding me of my own parents love for one another. 

After a moment Lena pulled away from the kiss, beaming with joy. She then turned around, and put her own arm around my waist. Guiding me to the carriage where Cynthia waited, leaning back against the cabin nonchalantly. 

"Took you long enough, squirt." She jabbed as she stood up and opened the cabin door for me and Lena, offering me a hand to assist us while climbing in.

The pet name, while said in completely different tone, still eerily reminded me of dream I had weeks ago of getting lost in a crowd. 'Don't call me that . . . ' I thought to myself, uncomfortable with the memory, though more uncomfortable still with the idea of standing up to the sorceress.

Begrudgingly I accepted her hand, and used her balance to steady myself as I entered the carriage. I was already feeling uncoordinated today, I didn't need to embarrass myself further by failing to get climb up two steps into the cabin. 

Lena was quick to follow me in, taking up a seat next to me, and lastly Cynthia joined us taking up the seat opposite. Lena casually took hold of my hand, and I made no attempt to stop her. Cynthia simply looked at me smugly as I was so accustomed to by now. At this point it was impossible to know if she was smiling about anything in particular, or simply being her usual self. I myself averted my gaze out the window, avoiding their attention all together. 

Lena turned her head to the side and called to to the drivers cabin behind her. "All set with our destination Veric?" 

Though muffled through the cabin walls between us, Veric called back. "Oh yes Lena, and we should make perfect time! Hiya!" he shouted out, snapping his reins sending the carriage rocking forth.

************

As we approached our destination the road became more and more uneven, transitioning to flat  dirt roads to paved cobblestone streets. As a result the carriage began to bounced around as if it had a mind of its own. It was impossible to help nearly falling into Lena's lap every so often. Part of me was worried she would actually suggest I sit there for stability, but thankfully she simply chuckled to herself quietly as I sat back up each time. Soon enough we slowed our journey for the last few turns leading to our destination. After a few more moments, we slowly came to a halt.

After a few more moments, the carriage door was opened by Veric. He offered me his hand to get down, which I gladly accepted, hopping out into the warm afternoon sun. It was then that I realized where we were. It was the same textiles shop that we had visited a week ago; 'Regina's textiles'. As I wondered what exactly we were doing back here, Lena and Cynthia exited the carriage closely behind. After a moment, Lena spoke up.

"Do you remember this place Christina? This is where we went near the end of our first day trip together." She said fondly. Clearly we had slightly different recollections of that day. For Lena it seemed to be a fond memory of a day out, for me what stood out most was the cruel reminder of what I had lost in the treasury warehouse, and the argument we had not long after.

I shyly nodded to the question regardless, to which Lena beamed and continued speaking. "Now, I thought it would be a good idea for the local tailor to have your measurements, that way we can get you some more clothes." Hearing that, part of me perked up. In the two weeks I had been living with the Southgards I had cycled through most of the clothes that Lena had provided for me, including the pink stripped shirt and white lace skirt that Lena had chosen for me this morning. The current outfit even came with knee high socks laced near the top with pink bows. While I had recently gotten used to wearing such embarrassingly different clothing, in public I still felt ridiculous and out of place. And while obviously Silencian, the clothing wasn't even the same style as my guardians, which made me feel like I stood out even more. 

I prayed that maybe I might have some influence on the clothing styles, and at the very least if we were buying from this local store, the clothing must be Crevician, wouldn't it?

"Now, as I'm sure we all remember, last time you were here you had a bit of a problem about wandering off in public, didn't you?" Lena asked with sweetly scolding tone. I bit my lip slightly as I realized the possibility of situations I might be in. I knew from experience now that my guardians never brought up my past misbehaviour unless it was regarding some kind of punishment. Knowing that staying silent to the question wasn't an option, I twisted my foot into the ground anxiously and nodded.

Lena looked slightly pleased with herself, and Cynthia looked down right excited. "Well, in order to make sure that doesn't happen again, I've had Cynthia help us with a gentle solution." 

Cynthia cracked a wide smile from the side of her lips, and addressed me. "Why don't you walk over to the store for us Chrissy." She said while fidgeting the fingers on her right hand. Chrissy was another pet name Cynthia had been using for me the last couple of days, what was worse, occasionally it was beginning to catch on with Lena and Rowan as well. Begrudgingly I started forward, having no idea what was about to happen.

Gentle my ass.

As I took a few steps forward towards the store, my guardians did not follow. Still confused I kept walking, and just as I got around a few long strides in distance away from them, it happened. My body was jerked backwards by a force around my chest, as purple straps materialized around me. Stumbling back a bit after nearly being knocked off balance, I flung my head around in surprise to see what had caught me. In Cynthia's hands there now rested a long white leash, running down parallel to the ground, and seemingly being attached to the back of my shirt. Inspecting myself frantically as I panicked, the glowing purple straps quickly faded into thick pink material that crossed over my chest, around my arms and back, and held connected to the white leash. 

Cynthia chuckled to herself as Lena explained. "Cynthia did us the favour of adding a special enchantment to your clothing for today. So now if you ever wander too far off, she'll be able to use this harness to keep you close by." As she spoke, the straps of the harness faintly glowed with purple arkane energy and slowly faded out of existence. The leash too slowly disintegrated from its anchor on my back all the way to Cynthia's hand. Disappearing completely out of sight. 

Flustered and caught off guard by the punishment as I was, I stayed silent. Warm blood rushing to my face out of embarrassment, likely leaving me as pink as the harness had been moments ago. Lena continued her explanation, un-phased by my current state. "Now even when the harness is out of view, its always there. Wandering too far off will trigger it, as well Cynthia can summon it at any time with a simple tug." To emphasize the statement Cynthia provided a demonstration, yanking her right hand back forcefully. As she did within a split second the leash flashed into existence, the harness along with it. This tug was much more forceful, likely pointedly so. With it I was jerked back, tripping over my own feet.  I stumbled in attempt to catch my footing, but clumsily failed to do so, and was sent swiftly tumbling to the ground with a loud yelp of frightened surprise. 

Thankfully Cynthia whom, while being the reason for my unbalance was also right there ready to catch me. As I fell, she quickly bent down, catching me under my arms, and lowering me gently to the ground where I landed softly on my butt. "Careful there squirt." She teased innocently as if she hadn't been the cause of my fall. 

Scanning around I saw dozens of other people scattered around the market, some of them turning my way after hearing my cry. My face flooded red with humiliation, and instinctively I jerked my arm out from the gentle grip Cynthia caught me with, and buried my face in my hands. 

Lena joined Cynthia in finding the humor of the situation and chuckled to herself. And from beneath my covered face I heard "Don't worry Christina. So long as you don't go wandering off, you won't even know its there." She cooed, and sounding as if she found the situation adorable. "Now come along! We don't want to keep Regina waiting."

I could feel Cynthia stand up from behind me and walk around. I slowly uncovered my eyes to see her now crouching down directly in front of me. As we made eye contact, she gave me a mischievous wink that sent a wave of dread down into me, before booping the tip of my nose with an impish playfulness. "Come on up Chrissy, lets go." She said before taking my hands and pulling me to my feet. 

Now standing I paused for a moment. Frustratedly displeased with the situation at hand, my face stood somewhere between a scowl and a pout. As I stood there, for a moment I saw what I thought was a flash of sudden movement from the corner of my eye. Turning to see, it looked like it had come from near the alleyway just beside the textile shop, but now there was nothing there save a few crates piled up near a wall. I dismissed it as a trick of the light.

More importantly from the side of my vision, I saw Cynthia slowly walking backwards holding her out her arm, crooked as if to mime holding the magically appearing leash. Flustered I hurried to catch up to her and Lena, having no desire to make the enchanted harness reappear. 

As we entered the store, a bell on the door chimed loudly, and a woman who I could only presume to be Regina, came in to greet us. "Madam Southgard! It's lovely to see you again, I hope you've been doing well!" She said, respectfully greeting Lena, giving a slight bow as was Crevician tradition, while shaking Lena's hand enthusiastically.

Lena warmly accepted the handshake and bowed in return. "Of course! It's a pleasure to be back." She took a step back to introduce both of us standing next to her. "This is my dear friend Cynthia, and this is our young ward Christina, who you'll be fitting today." 

Cynthia stepped forward, one hand tucked into her suit pocket, the other extended towards Regina. "Cynthia Arkinian. Pleasure." she said politely. Regina greeted her in kind, graciously shaking Cynthia's hand in both of her own excitedly before turning to me. 

"You must be Christina then?" She said eagerly.

For a moment, after it had been more than a week since I had left the manor grounds, I nearly forgot my own etiquette. Luckily instinct kicked in as I stood up straight, and offered the back of my hand and a small curtsy. "Christina Revallia. In Grace." I replied. In Grace. It was the formal greeting of Crevician nobles. Only after I said it did I realize I hadn't last used the greeting since meeting Lena for the first time. The words tingled in the back of my throat.

As Regina took my own hand, mid bow her expression turned from excitement to slight surprise. Her mouth already open in a wide grin dropped slightly agape as she locked eyes with me. "Revallia?" She repeated back to me, clearly recognizing the name. Looks of confusion flashed across her face as her eyes darted from myself, to Lena, then back to myself.

Before I even had a chance to fully comprehend the situation. The temperature of the room dropped as a sound I had come to dread filled my ears. 

Snap.

My shoulders curled and my free hand instinctively gripped my arm. At first my eyes darted down to my feet, then up sheepishly to Cynthia. Though I was unsure exactly what I had done, on a deeply instinctual level, I knew there was something. 

Cynthia and Lena on the other hand simply continued on as if nothing had happened. "Oh no not anymore. Now she's just our Chrissy." Lena said lightheartedly, beginning to pace further into the store.

Was that what I had done wrong, I wondered. Announced my last name? What was wrong about that? It was a part of who I was, and it wasn't like being their ward took away my family name, didn't it? Still looking to Cynthia for any understanding, she simply gave me the smallest of glances, and a twinge of a smirk. Putting her free hand on the small of my back she gently guided me forward behind Lena. Not understanding what I had done wrong emotional frustration swelled within me, and I could feel tears welling up in the back of my eyes. Despite this I stayed silent, unwilling to risk disappointing either of them further.

Regina slowly released my hand, letting out a nervous laugh to herself as she moved to walk in sync with Lena. Her growing confusion was clear, though also clear that she was willing to move past it. 

As we walked through the store, passing by various clothing racks and mannequins, Lena once more started up conversation. "Now, did you receive the patterns that I had sent over? I would love to see what you did with them! Of course there was only so much you could do before getting real measurements but I do hope you at least found the designs enjoyable." 

Regina perked back up as the topic returned to her craft. "Ah yes! They arrived the very next day. So interesting those Silencian clothes, it was a wonderful departure from what I'm used to working with." I gave an internal sigh of disappointment. By the sounds of it, the style of clothing would continue to be in line with what Lena seemed to enjoy dressing me up as. Slowly Regina began to lead us to the smaller secluded section at the back. Clearly the fitting area, a standard tailor's fitting platform stood surrounded by 3 adjacent mirrors, a privacy curtain pulled all the way to one side, and a nearby cart packed with various fabrics, tape measurers and other craft tools. 

As we approached, Cynthia ushered me close enough to be passed off to Regina, who took my hand and guided me up onto the platform. It was far from my first time being fitted, though this time felt very different. I used to step onto the small riser feeling confident and in control, knowing that what ever the tailor brought me would eventually be transformed to my liking. It was a luxury back then, but now even as I stood up, Cynthia and Lena still stood taller than me. This didn't feel like pedestal to look down from, instead it felt like a stand for others to place me like I was their possession. I was going to be measured, fashioned, and dressed for someone else's desires. That someone being Lena.

Lena of course seemed nothing short of gleeful at the idea. "Is there any possibility that you have any pieces ready enough for Christina to try on today?" She said, excitement radiating out of every word.

Regina quickly set about minorly adjusting my stance before grabbing her measuring tape from the cart and beginning to take small measurements. "No, sadly nothing that far along. Though I do have various fabric patterns completed, even some different lacing. We can always do our best to show off them on dear Christina here." 

I tried to keep my reactions as muted as possible, there was no need to upset either of my guardians by acting too grumpy. And as much as I disliked being put up like a doll, I knew I should do my best to get through this without issue. "Arms up please dear." Regina asked politely.

I kept my mouth shut for the entirety of the measuring process. Regina went about her work, all the while making idle conversation with Lena and Cynthia. Most of their conversation centered around different articles of clothing Lena wanted made for me, dresses, blouses, skirts, nightwear. They even spoke about having some custom skirted overalls made. Regina would also on occasion reach into her cart to display a type of half finished fabric for Lena to fawn over, holding it up and draping it over me in different ways to preview how different garments might look. After I few minutes I began to tune them out. Staring at the trifold mirror in front of me, there was an angle in which I could just barely look out of an upper wall window. The glare from the late morning sun blocked all but the barest hints of the sky from view, but I watched none the less. Overtime I could tell that the process was drawing nearer to its end, thankfully my experience in being tailored to allowed me that knowledge. But as what I believed were the last couple of dimensions were taken, Regina said something that caught my attention. 

"Now that I have Christina's proportions, I think we should be nearly done." She said cheerfully. "Since you've already given me the patterns for the pieces you'd like, I can go grab my ledger, and we can schedule the final fitting appointment if you like?"

"Oh that would be perfect, thank you!" chimed Lena. She looked beside herself with joy at the thought of coming back to dress me up. I sadly did not share her enthusiasm. Regina nodded before throwing her sewing tape around her neck, and making her way to the back of the store, which presumably held her office. 

While Regina was gone, Lena took the opportunity to dote on me. "Thank you for being such a good little model for us Christina!" Lena said with praise, affection beaming from her words. She started to absentmindedly peruse the different clothing displays dotted around the shop as she spoke, running her fingers gently over different garments as she passed. "I do hope you've been enjoying yourself. I thought you might enjoy some new outfits to wear, and Regina does such fine work." Abruptly she stopped in her tracks before picking up an outfit off of a display table, holding it up to view. "Like this! Christina, come here and hold this up for me!" She called out delightedly, motioning me off the platform and over to her. 

I paused for a moment out of apprehension, but hopped down off my place all the same toward Lena, Cynthia walking a pace or two behind me. Seeing what Lena had held up, it was a dark forest green long sleeved dress. Black accented lace with white stitching, its neck was decorated with a fabric collar and adorned with a small ruby. The skirt of the dress approaching just past knee length, with just enough fabric to add some volume to its flair. The sleeves covered just a bit further than the elbow, cuffing off nicely with more black lace. 

As I approached Lena, she took my hand and pulled me over a nearby mirror before standing behind me and holding it up to my shoulders, showing the dress outlined against my figure. While still feeling slightly juvenile, it was elegant. Pulling well from traditional Crevician gowns. I took the dress myself and pressed it against my body in admiration. The green suited well with my hair, I really did like it. 

Lena looked over my shoulder at my reflection and smiled. "Oh now isn't that just lovely. What do you think Cynthia?" She said calling back to her close friend. 

"Its a beautiful dress, very nice find." said Cynthia from behind me, before taking the dress from my hands. "Though it does feel a bit mature for how Christina dresses." 

I nearly wanted to cling on to the dress as Cynthia took it from me to place gently back on the display table. What did she mean by mature? It wasn't my fault I was dressed like this! "Wait, but I really like that one!" I pleaded, making sure to soften my tone. 

Lena seemed to ignore my plea for a moment to agree with Cynthia. "No yes of course you're right." She said before turning her head back to me in the mirror. "Don't worry darling, I'm sure we can find you lots of other cute dresses, okay?"

I couldn't understand, Lena wanted to buy me clothing, and found a dress that she and I both enjoyed. Yet after Cynthia made a comment about the dresses maturity, she dismissed it without a second thought? Part of me wanted to try to convince them both, but experience told me exactly how that would play out. I didn't want to risk another punishment, especially in public. I instead opted for a frustrated pout, one of the few acceptable ways I could voice my displeasure.

Cynthia as she was flattening out the dress back on the display table took notice with my attitude however. "Cheer up squirt. No need for sour faces, eh?" She said, while at the same time stretching her hand just far enough over the table to trigger the magical harness. Somehow I doubted it was an accident. 

Still looking in the mirror, I got jolted back, staggered and off balance just enough to fall in Lena who was still standing directly behind me. "Oh!" Lena let out, just as surprised as I was. Her arms now around me as I fell into her embrace, she giggled while steadying me upwards. "Careful darling, we wouldn't want you falling over when there's nobody to catch you." She teased. My face turning a new shade of red, I quickly rebalanced myself and took a few steps toward Cynthia. Deep down I did note that between the two I did prefer being caught by Lena than by Cynthia.

It wasn't a moment later that from the corner of my eye, reflected at an angle in one of the trifold mirrors by the step riser that I saw none other than Hazel, the girl from the alley. Stopping in my tracks, it took all my self control not to double take. As I saw her, it was clear she also saw me. Through the mirror it looked like she was standing off hidden in the back of the store, silently watching from around a corner that was only visible at this strange reflected angle. It was unclear how long she had been there, it didn't seem like Regina or my guardians had taken notice of her yet. As we locked eyes through the reflection, Hazel raised a finger to her lips, and then slowly pointed over her shoulder, taking a step back to reveal the door she was standing in front of, a door labeled "Lavatory". With silently nimble speed she slipped through the cracked door, quickly motioned her head over her shoulder at me before disappearing in sight. The message was clear, 'follow me'. 

"Everything alright Christina?" Asked Lena, who noticed that I was now frozen in place. I quickly tried to regain my composure, racking my brain for an excuse. Thankfully it wasn't needed as in that moment Regina returned with a small leather bound book. 

"Now, I can have most of your items finished in two weeks, and but some of the more complicated pieces will take another week or so after that. Did you want to book a fitting time for the first set and come back for the next, or just one session once they're all completed?" She asked, ready with quill in hand.

Thankfully this seemed to distract Lena's attention away from me. "Oh I know that I'll want to see the finished products as soon as possible! And that way if any revisions need to be done we can learn sooner rather than later. Why don't we book back in fourteen days?" She said, looking back at me with an enthusiasm I could see she hoped I might share. I broke eye contact with her first, too much on my mind to feign any type of emotion for her.

Regina scribbled down Lena's response before giving one last update. "Oh and I forgot to mention earlier, but the other special request that you had is ready if you'd like to take it home with you?" My ears perked up hearing there was something else. While it could be something as simple as a tie for Rowan or something for Lena herself, I had gotten in the habit of catastrophizing possibilities recently.

Lena on the other hand was rather unexpected in her response. I could see body tighten and the weight shift to the balls of her feet, clearly the update made her excited, but she was also trying to temper her reaction. "Oh yes, we can talk about that more in your office if you don't mind?" She asked of Regina who nodded in agreement. Turning back to Cynthia she made another request that shouldn't have surprised me. "Cynthia, you'll be able to watch Christina for a few minutes while I'm gone?" 

Cynthia cracked her signature smirk. "Of Course." she said nonchalantly, while giving the invisible leash the tiniest of tugs. While not enough to pull me off balance, enough for me to feel it and send a wave of heat that flushed my face red.

As Lena nodded, turning to follow Regina to the back of the shop, I remembered that I needed to find a way to get to the back of the shop were Hazel waited for me. Frantically racking my brain, I called back to her. "Wait!" I blurted out.

Lena turned back and looked at me curiously. "Everything okay darling?" She said with a hint of worry. 

Stuck on my words for a moment, I glanced around again before I realized the obvious excuse that Hazel herself had given me. "Can I please go to the bathroom?" I asked. 

Lena looked over towards the direction of the lavatory, on the door being on the same end of the shop as the back office. Clearly she was hesitant for what ever reason. "Are you sure you can't hold it until we get back?" She asked. It almost felt like there was a tinge of disappointment in her voice that I asked.

Even just a few instances of being with Lena in public gave me an idea, and I knew exactly what to say "Well, I forgot to use the bathroom this morning when I was getting ready. I really don't want to cause a scene and make you look bad in public. . ." I said in a hushed tone, trying to make it seem more like a plea rather than a threat. It was of course all a lie. I used the bathroom this morning at my usual time, and couldn't care less about making Lena look bad. But as I spoke the words there was a small shame inside of me for lying to her, just the though of Lena and Cynthia's disappointment nearly causing me pause. Luckily the feeling wasn't enough to stop me, as I shoved it down to focus on trying to make my way to Hazel.

A myriad of emotions flashed across Lena's face. I could see she was struggling with the decision either way. Eventually after a moment of contemplation she nodded. "Of course you may Christina, thank you for asking us rather than wandering off like last time." She said contently. It almost felt like her praise was in consolation to herself, though I couldn't for the life of me understand why telling me yes would have been a difficult decision.

Regardless of the strange reaction to my question, I took her answer. Turned my head around to Cynthia, looking expectantly at her. The look in my eyes made it clear I wanted to make sure that walking to the bathroom wouldn't trigger the enchanted harness that I was attached to. She let out a single amused chuckle under her breath. "Go on kid, I won't be pulling your leash." The irony of the fact she could mean that both literally or figuratively wasn't lost on me. 

"Thank you!" I exclaimed, cheeks still flushed red. I tried to control my excitement and walk at a casual pace towards the lavatory, though my muscles primed like I wanted to sprint toward it full tilt.

************

Locking the bathroom door behind me, I turned around to see Hazel patiently waiting. She was sat up on the tank of the toilet, her feet resting on the closed seat, propping her weight up with her arms on her knee's. She was wearing nearly exactly the same outfit that I last saw her in, green tattered workers pants, brown jacket, thick combat boots. The only difference was a different shirt this time though the new one was equally as worn, and her hair didn't look any better. Despite her disheveled appearance she still carried herself with a level of suave confidence that I could only imagine in my own current state. 

"Hey Rich girl, been a minute. What are you wearing?" she said, pulling her head back to take in my outfit.

I rolled my eyes. I wasn't sure what I expected from Hazel when I decided to follow her in here, but the attitude did seem par to the course. "Its called clean clothing." I teased to her, trying to match her bravado. "Besides, its not like I chose to wear this." I said under my breath, betraying my insecurities. 

Hazel let out a quiet laugh and shook her head "Yea yea, mummy dressed you this morning, picked up on that. No what I mean is, whats with the weird purple stuff?" She said, cocking her head to one side slightly.

'Purple stuff? My outfit was pink, is she colourblind?' I thought to myself confused. Ultimately I chose to ignore the second half of her comment, focusing on the first half instead. She had made the same joke the first time I met her, but this time it hit me a little harder than I would like. "Please don't call her that." I said exhaustedly. Making my way closer to where she was sitting before leaning against a wall "Sometimes I worry that's what she thinks she is. . ." 

Hazel gave me another once over as she studied my expression. With an almost confused expression she opened her mouth to speak, before closing it again clearly abandoning the line of thought for another. "What the hell's going on out here anyway? Who's the other woman with you." 

A shiver went down my spine. "That's Cynthia. She looks after all of the domestic matters at the house. She's basically in charge of everything over there." I realized while talking that I was once again gripping my own arm. I left out that the description also included being in charge of me.

Hazel nodded in understanding, though exactly how much she understood was a mystery to me. "Makes sense. She on your ass a lot?" She asked with earnest. 

I couldn't help but let out a single laugh, just barely keeping the volume low enough to avoid being heard by the others in the shop. "For literally anything I do." I ranted. "No matter how hard I try to do the right things, she'll always find something to correct. Its maddening." Talking to Hazel like this, it reminded me of being a teenager; bitching about my sister to my friends, or bitching about my parents to my sister. It felt normal.

Hazel snickered a bit. "Yea cause a rich girl like you can do no wrong huh?" She joked. "You ever tell her to piss off and mind her own business?" 

Even just the thought of it sent another shiver down my spine, and the familiar feeling of submission crept up on me like a shadow. "Yea, that's not a good idea." I said shyly, opting not to elaborate. 

There was a brief pause as Hazel studied me. The moment of silence hanging with a small tension about it before she picked the conversation back up with a question. "So why they bringing you here then? Based on how you looked up on that stand it wasn't by choice." She said matter-of-factly. 

I winced a small amount. "How much did you see?" I said apprehensively, not wanting Hazel to have witness my various moments of humiliation.

Hazel on the other hand cracked a wide grin, seeming to relish the recollection. "Oh you know, just all of it." 

I groaned and slid down the wall I was leaning against until I was fully seated on the floor. "All of it?" I asked pleadingly. 

Hazel nodded, not letting up on her grin or teasing attitude. "All of it babes. I heard your yelp outside when it looked like they were toying with you. Then I snuck in as they were setting you up on that stand and caught everything else until you finally noticed me." 

I buried my head in my hands out of shame, though it was different in the presence of Hazel, rather than being worried about how she might see me, the only thing I was worried about is what jokes she would make at my expense. Hazel took no delay. "Don't worry, you make a great frustrated mannequin." she jested.

I looked up at her from my place on the ground. "Is it that obvious?" I asked hopelessly.

"Your frustration? From miles away babe. But you're not doing the worst job at masking it sometimes." She granted. "You didn't do a half bad job pleading either, especially with the green dress." She jabbed.

I shook my own head and let out a sigh of frustration. "You have no idea I-" I began, briefly pausing my oncoming rant to build up momentum. "They replaced my entire wardrobe with their own selections for me, even sometimes choosing exactly what I wear each day, which is insane!" I emphasized. "But then we find something that Lena likes, and for the first time, I actually like it to! But Cynthia makes some cryptic comment about the maturity of the clothing, and suddenly the chance of me having something that I wanted go out the window." I said exhaustedly. "Everything they do makes no sense." 

The grin on Hazel's face only grew, like she enjoyed hearing me rant. "You really hate it there sometimes, huh?" Hazel replied with an inquisitive smile. 

I thought briefly to my time so far with the Southgards. While there had been a rare good moment in it all, there was no doubt which way the scales tilted. "You have no idea." I replied.

Hazel looked at me like she was slowly piecing it all together, but missing a few key parts. "What are you doing there Christina? Why don't you leave?"

The reality of my situation sunk into me again. I had to recall all the events that led me to where I was now, everything since coming back from that stupid vacation and the actions that put me in that courtroom. Over the last few weeks, I had started to feel a strong sense of shame and regret for everything that I had done to end up there. I didn't want to know how Hazel would see me if she knew all of that. "I can't. Just trust me when I say that I don't have much of a choice." I replied, averting my gaze.

Hazel seemed unconvinced. Looking over me from her toilet tank seat, she prodded a little more. "And if you did have a choice?" She asked. Her own face giving very little away.

I had to think for a moment. If I did have a choice, what would that choice be? I had nothing, and even without the threat of jail, I had nowhere else to go. I had tried to make it on my own before but thats what led me to where I was now. If I could leave, what would I do? Search for my family? The idea seemed pointless, I had no idea where they had gone other than away from Crevicil, and even if I did I had no way of getting to them. Would I live on the street? I looked up to Hazel, she was so confident, self assured, I felt like nothing I said or did could phase her. She was suited to this kind of life, fending for herself, surviving in uncertain situations. I wasn't like her. 

I knew my answer, but I didn't like it.  

Seemingly sensing how uncomfortable I was Hazel moved the conversation forward. "Either way, those two are right up your ass at all times, wouldn't kill them to give you some space." She snickered. 

I smiled in turn. "Yea, that will never happen-" I started before my words were cut short by Hazel holding up her finger to me, eyes now fixated on the bathroom door. It was only a few seconds of silence later that as if on que, there was a knock.

"Christina? You've been in there a while now." The voice of Cynthia rang out, slightly muffled from the door between us. 

Panicked I jumped up from where I was sitting and called out a response. "One minute! I'm almost done!" I quickly reached in between Hazel's legs to flush the toilet she was currently sitting on, then reaching over to the sink and turning the faucet. The sound of the running water gave us the privacy to speak softly. "You need to leave, I really don't want them seeing you." I pleaded. Though even as I did I looked around, unsure how exactly that would work. Maybe Hazel could stay hidden in the bathroom until we left? That seemed to risky as Cynthia was right behind the door, as soon as I left she would have a view of what was inside. "Maybe you can hide behind the door as I leave?" I offered, my heart rate noticeably rising.

Hazel instead met me with a raise eye brow and a small smirk. "what, you worried mummy and sitter wouldn't approve of your new friend?" she whispered over the sound of the running water. As thankful as I was she kept her voice down, this really didn't seem like the time for jokes. But after giving her own jab a chuckle she straightened her posture and started to take the situation more seriously. "Don't worry babes, I got this." 

Suddenly Hazel jumped to her feet on top of the tank she had been sitting on, and then using one leg to push off of the narrow bathroom wall, she vaulted up to the opposite side of the wall, grabbing hold of upper wall window, that I hadn't even considered as an exit strategy, with the tips of her fingers. The window which tilted inwards to open, was already left fully extended out at ninety degrees, and was only large enough to slide your entire body in horizontally. Hazel seemed to not find this as an issue, as she pulled her legs up into her chest so they too were resting on the small window sill. She then jumped one hand to grab the extended window pane from from behind her head, quickly bringing her other hand to the same place for support, before using it as leverage to hoist her lower body through the opening. 

Stunned all I could do was look at Hazel slack jawed in amazement. Half of her body now already through the window, she looked back at me to say goodbye. "Catch you later rich girl. Don't let those two bully you, eh?" She offered before throwing herself out the opening and onto the street. 

I stood in shock for another second before remembering the situation at hand. I quickly splashed some of the running water on my hands before turning it off. I waited two seconds longer, trying to compose myself as to not seem suspicious, before I clicked the lock on the door and opened to see Cynthia's already suspicious face. 

Glancing around the bathroom behind me, Cynthia was quick to question me. "What took you so long squirt? Everything okay in here?" she asked, quizzically. 

I tried my absolute best to keep up my poker face, despite the fact that lying to the sorceress was a terrifying ordeal in of itself. "I'm okay, my stomach was just hurting a little bit, its fine now though." I replied.

Cynthia, having no evidence of any actual wrong doing, seemed to let up a little bit. "Hmm, you sure you're okay then? Next time if you're feeling ill you should tell one of us." She said, her tone approaching scolding. "Anyway, come on. Lena should be nearly done in the back."

As Cynthia walked forward, her hand propped out beside her reminded me of the magical harness that was undoubtedly set to activate again. I jumped forward to keep in close range of her to stop that from happening. 

We hadn't even made it fully back the middle of the store when Lena's voice could be heard approaching from the back room. "Thank you so much Regina, we'll see you again in a few weeks!" She called back as she emerged from the shop keep's office. 

Most interestingly, now Lena held in her hands a brown paper satchel, tied together with red string. The package was roughly half the size of her chest but light enough to hold in one hand. As she strode towards us, she looked almost gleeful. "Alright, are you two ready to head home? I think we're all finished up here." She said, handing the package to Cynthia who tucked it under her arm. 

Lena then extended her now free hand to me. I thought for a moment to my conversation with Hazel, and how liberating it felt in the moment. But then I glanced over to Cynthia. Waiting for me to take up Lena's hand, I could read the expression on her face like a book, I knew exactly what she was telling me. It was Lena's hand, or her leash. My choice. 

Not really any choice at all. I tucked my head and nodded to Lena, taking her hand. Cynthia then spoke for me. "Yep, all ready. Lets head on back."