Meeting the Princesses

Life, Relationship change

Fenneck meets Evelyn.

Fenneck gently cut the long piece of silk before him. He was excited to be working on a dress all by himself now. This silk was a beautiful green and blue that was woven with magical silk so that it seemed to change color with it's movement. Fenneck decided to make a beautiful elvish gown with it and already had the bodice almost finished. It just needed some decorative pieces and he was imagining beautiful silver handcrafted into the corset. He started pinning the piece of the skirt he had cut to the rest of the dress. "Fen!" His uncle called to him from the main room, rather urgently. Fenneck gently set the dress down and hurried out into the main shop. He saw his uncle looked a little stressed. "What's up?" Fenneck asked him. "The princesses are coming in to be measured for new gowns, go clean up the dressing rooms!" Naertho had a handful of fabrics and tools in his arms and Fenneck ran to the dressing room to hurriedly organize the loose tools and fabric lying around. This was a rare occurrence. The royal family rarely came down here themselves. More often than not, Naertho would leave Fenneck in the shop to go to them. Fenneck quickly cleaned the shop and tried to make everything look nice. When he was finishing, he heard voices from the main part of the shop and assumed the princesses were there. He quickly tucked his shirt in and tried to look professional in the mirror. He liked that he was finally starting to look more mature. His mother liked to remind of him of his delicate 'baby-face' though, much to Fenneck's disappointment. He turned as Naertho swept into the room followed by two high elf women. The first one had thick brown hair and warm brown eyes. She seemed sweet and she was speaking to Naertho about the type of dresses they needed. Fenneck assumed this was Jasna from Erikur's stories about the royal family. The other one had cool blue eyes and long blond hair. She seemed bored and annoyed to have to be there and they completely ignored Fenneck as they entered. They started taking off the outer layer of their gowns to be measured. Fenneck recognized their gowns as pieces he'd seen Naertho working on in the past. He tried to remain professional as the women undressed. "Fenneck, will you fetch the bolt of the new indigo we just got in from Thymryu?" Naertho asked him. Fenneck nodded and ran back out into the shop. He found the bolt of fabric and brought it back as quickly as he could. "Oh it's lovely!" Jasna said when she saw Fenneck return. He smiled up at her. "It's really comfortable too." He held it out for her to touch. Naertho plucked it from his hands. "Will you measure Princess Evelyn while I show Jasna a few things in the back room?" He gave Fenneck a pointed look. Fenneck shrugged at his weird behavior. "Yeah, of course." He turned to Evelyn who looked him over cautiously. "Hi, your highness!" He politely bowed and told her happily as he went to find the measuring tape. "Hi," she said hesitantly back to him. Fenneck had heard Erikur talk about Evelyn too but he had never once said anything nice about her. She was very pretty though. She cast a glance back at the door her sister had left through, clearly uncomfortable at being left alone with Fenneck. Fenneck walked over to her with a note pad and the tape. He got on his step stool to start with her arms. "How are you today?" He asked her, trying to make her more comfortable. "I'm fine," she said as he gently reached out to her shoulder. He pulled back and jotted down the measurement. "I don't bite you know," he told her, a little frustrated by her closed off demeanor. She sighed and rolled her eyes. Fenneck went back to measure her wrist. "What are the new gowns for?" he asked her curiously. He was hoping Naertho would finally let him help with some of these higher profile orders. He thought he was doing quite well with his sewing skills. He'd been an apprentice for thirty-five years now and was getting sick of only doing repairs and simple smocks for clients. "There's a ball in a couple weeks," she said as he gently took her neck measurement, careful not to choke her with the tape. "Do you like balls?" he asked her curiously. He had never met any of the royal family yet and was very curious as to how their lives were different from his own. "Not really. They're kinda boring. I don't like dancing," she said. Fenneck jotted more measurements down. "I've never danced before so I wouldn't know." He shrugged and wrapped his arms carefully around her breasts. He let his fingers rest on her back so she wouldn't be uncomfortable. "You've never danced?" she asked him confused. He dropped his arms and wrote down her breast measurement. "No. I've only heard music a few times from my friend, Erikur. He's a bard in the palace," he told her excitedly. Evelyn shrugged, not recognizing his name. "I don't pay attention to them." He reached around her waist. "I see." He was starting to find her a bit boring. Maybe Erikur was right about her. He scribbled some more notes down and went to measure her hips. "You're being surprisingly professional," she commented as Fenneck carefully balanced the tape so he wouldn't graze her butt. "Is my uncle normally... not professional?" he asked her, suddenly worried about Naertho's integrity. "No he is. Usually young male elves aren't, is all," she said matter-of-factly. He stood back up. "Well, I'm not that young. My mum says I have a bit of a baby face for my age," he said annoyed. She smiled and Fenneck noticed her trying not to laugh at him. "How old are you?" she asked. "I'm fifty-five," he told her proudly. She smiled coyly at him and Fenneck couldn't help but be intrigued by her. "How old are you?" he asked her as he dropped back down to measure her thigh for stockings. He couldn't help but notice how beautiful her legs were as he did. "Sixty-four," she told him. "You do have a baby face," she commented surprisingly sweetly and not patronizingly. He stood up and scribbled in his notes, unsure of how to respond. "It's a cute face though. Your eyes are sweet," she said smiling softly at him. He couldn't help himself from smiling back. "Thank you. You're quite beautiful yourself, but you probably know that," he said, bending down to measure her ankles. He found himself taking his time. "Thank you," she told him, starting to blush. Fenneck stood up and looked over his notes. "You know, let me double check a couple of these, I... I think some of my numbers are wrong," he lied, trying to buy more time with her. "I think you measured my breasts wrong," she informed him glancing at his notes. "I think you're being a bit generous, they're smaller than that." She gave him a flirty look and Fenneck felt his ears start to turn red. He stood back up on his stool and gently wrapped his arms around her breasts. She was making fierce eye contact with him and Fenneck suddenly realized how much trouble he'd get in if they were to do something. He could get himself and Naertho killed for touching a princess inappropriately. He retook her measurement and made sure not to graze her tempting boobs. "See, you aren't pulling it tight enough," she commented and gave Fenneck a seductive look. Fenneck swallowed. He was very confused by this and wasn't sure how to go about it. They were quite close and he was leaning toward her on his stool so their faces were inches away from one another. Suddenly Evelyn moved toward him to kiss him. He was startled though and fell towards her sending them both crashing to the floor. "I'm so sorry, your highness!" he said panicking, trying to climb off of her. She was giggling though. "I'm okay. It's okay!" She suddenly grabbed Fenneck's arms and kept his body on top of her own. She looked up at him, her bright blue eyes begged him to kiss her. He leaned down slowly and she met him halfway. After a quick moment, he pulled away and scooted across the room from her in shock and fear. Just then Naertho and Jasna came back in. "What the hell?!" Naertho asked Fenneck seeing them both on the floor. "It's okay. It was my fault," Evelyn said, getting to her feet. "I lost my balance and accidently pushed his stool over. I'm sorry." Naertho nodded. "Well are you okay, your highness?" he asked her politely. "Of course," she said charmingly. "Sorry about that." Evelyn turned to Fenneck as he got to his feet. Fenneck nodded, aware that his face was as red as an apple. "Did you need any more measurements?" she asked him. Fenneck stumbled over to pick up his notes and shook his head. "I...I think that was all of them." He noticed Naertho look at him, confused and a bit annoyed that Fenneck had let the princess fall. "Great," Evelyn said before she turned to Naertho. "The only request I have is that the dress be bright green. I have so many dresses in other colors." Naertho nodded. "Of course, your highness. Would you like to pick out some fabric?" She shrugged. "I trust you and your..." she glanced at Fenneck. "...apprentice." "Very well. Fen, why don't we let their highnesses have some privacy to get dressed." Naertho told him, waving him toward the front of the store. Fenneck nodded and left the dressing room. He suddenly felt Naertho's hand grip his shoulder and lead him toward the front. Fenneck felt scared to death. "What the hell happened in there?" Naertho whispered to him. "I'm sorry!" Fenneck flinched and avoided Naertho's eyes, scared and upset that he and Naertho would get in trouble. "Did she get hurt? We can't let anything happen to them. They are nice enough not to drag a bunch of guards in here. I don't want their parents thinking we let them get injured," Naertho said urgently. Fenneck looked up at Naertho realizing he didn't know about he and Evelyn's kiss. "She... she seemed fine. I was a bit startled. I... I wasn't sure what to do," Fenneck said, worried that if he told Naertho what happened he'd get into even more trouble. They heard the curtain swing open and Naertho turned around and smiled at the young women. Fenneck also turned but couldn't keep the fear and nervousness from his face. He met Evelyn's eyes and she gave him a tiny shrug. Naertho walked back toward them. "Is there anything else we can do for you today? I will have the dresses ready for fittings by the end of the week," Naertho informed them. Jasna smiled cheerfully. "No, thank you again Naertho. Your gowns are always so wonderful." She turned to Fenneck. "Thank you as well. I'm sure Naertho needs all the help he can get with how busy we keep him with our silly dress orders." Fenneck nodded to her politely. "Yeah, thank you," Evelyn said meeting Fenneck's eyes again. "Well, have a lovely day, your highnesses." Naertho bowed to them and Fenneck followed suit, a bit more awkward than his uncle. The princesses left and Naertho collapsed with relief and turned to Fenneck. "Sorry, I know I can be a bit uptight sometimes. It's just... nerve-wracking when we have to work with the royal family," he explained, relaxing more into his usual self. Fenneck nodded. "I understand, I'm sorry. I was a bit nervous myself," Fenneck said. Naertho nodded. "Would you like to help build Evelyn's dress? She seemed to trust you to pick out some fabric." Fenneck nodded excitedly. He wanted to impress Naertho with his skills. "Of course!" "Let's get to work then," Naertho said gesturing for Fenneck to pick out some fabric. Fenneck carefully rifled through the green fabric until he settled on some that he liked. He brought them over to a work table and sketched out some of his ideas and showed them to Naertho. "These... are quite good." Naertho tried to mask his admiration for Fenneck's work but couldn't hide the pride in his voice. "Why don't you drape out a pattern and then I'll help you construct it?" he suggested, handing the designs back to Fenneck. Fenneck excitedly got to work. He knew this had to be perfect. It was for a princess after all. A very pretty princess. Fenneck found his thoughts becoming consumed with Evelyn and their interaction. This would be the perfect way to impress her. This gown had a lot riding on it. The day finally came to a close and Fenneck put up his things. He walked down to the second level of the mountain and walked over to the bar. He smiled at Alexei when he came in. Luckily no one else seemed to be around. "Have you seen Erikur tonight?" Fenneck asked his friend. Alexei looked up from washing a glass. "No, did you just get back from the shop?" Fenneck nodded and sat down at the bar. "It was a long day. A weird day, but I think it was good overall." As if on cue, Erikur walked into the bar. "Hey!" He patted Fenneck on the back and sat down in the seat next to him. "How's it going?" he asked them. "Fine. Not much has happened here," Alexei informed him plainly. "I'm glad you're here!" Fenneck exclaimed, with the opposite energy of Alexei's bored state. "I wanted to tell you both what happened and it would just be easier if I tell you both at the same time," Fenneck said, excited to tell them about Evelyn. "Well? What happened?" Erikur asked, intrigued. Fenneck glanced once more at the door to make sure they were alone. He leaned in to Erikur and Alexei. "I met Princess Evelyn and Princess Jasna today!" he told them excitedly. "They came into the shop. I ended up measuring Evelyn for a new gown and while my uncle and Jasna were in the other room... Evelyn... kissed me!" Fenneck said excitedly. "Eww! Gross!" Erikur said, feigning a gag. Alexei just laughed. Fenneck jabbed his elbow into Erikur's side. "You're so rude!" he told his friend. Erikur rolled his eyes. "Alexei, can I get a beer please to wash down the barf I just had imagining anyone having to kiss that snobby princess?" Alexei chuckled and reached under the bar. Fenneck gave Erikur a scolding look. "Oh come on Fen, she's a bitch," Erikur told him. "You can do soooo much better." Fenneck shrugged. "I don't know, she seems nice. I don't think she likes being a princess. She said she doesn't like balls." Erikur took a swig of his beer. "That's because she doesn't like anything." "Well, I doubt anything will come of it." Fenneck shrugged, trying not to get his hopes up. "The exciting part is that Naertho is letting me design a gown for her!" "That's cool," Alexei said. "Our little tailor is finally growing up!" Erikur exclaimed, hugging him teasingly. Fenneck shrugged him off. "Do I really have a baby face?" he asked them. Alexei just smiled. Erikur shrugged. "Eh, maybe a little. But I think it's... charming in a way." Fenneck scowled at him. "Why? Did she say something?" Erikur asked him. "Well... yes. But she said it was cute and that I had... sweet eyes," Fenneck said, starting to blush. "She's not wrong," Alexei shrugged casually. "I don't want to be cute and sweet! I want to be hot and sexy. Like you!" He gestured to Alexei who shrugged again and threw a rag over his shoulder proving Fenneck's point with his swagger. "Become a bartender then," Alexei said, giving Fenneck a playful wink. Erikur laughed. "You're perfectly handsome, Fen. We can't all be as sexy as Alexei. Catherine says I'm more pretty than sexy too if that makes you feel any better." Fenneck sighed and put his head in his hands. "No. You're sexy, too. I'm not though. I'm a baby-faced twink who sews. That's the least sexy thing in the world. At least you're a musician. That automatically makes you sexy." Erikur shrugged guiltily. "Ugh." Fenneck plopped his head into the bar. "Fen, come on. Don't let her get to you. She's a total cunt. I've seen her slap the help before. She's not a good person." Erikur tried to assure him, taking another swig of beer. Fenneck leaned against Erikur and let out another exasperated sigh. "Alexei, get him a shot or something," Erikur said. Alexei pulled out some whiskey and placed the glass in front of Fenneck as he poured him the shot. Fenneck reluctantly took the shot and coughed a bit. "You really are a twink," Alexei teased him. Erikur gave Alexei a look. "Not helping, Lex!" Alexei rolled his eyes. "Fen, look at me." Alexei leaned across the bar and forced Fenneck to look up at him. "It's gonna be okay. You are totally sexy by the way. She obviously thought so if she kissed you. BUT that does not mean you should try to get any farther with her," he lectured him. "She is a Malenthot. She's a princess. You are a tailor. It would not be okay and would probably end very poorly if you got caught." Erikur nodded in agreement. "Lex is right, Fen." He gently caressed Fenneck's long white hair. "She's nothing but trouble. Why don't you come over tonight and we can play some chess or something?" he offered. "Okay," Fenneck shrugged. Erikur helped him down from the bar. "Have fun!" Alexei said as they left, annoyed he had to stay and work. "Let's go tell your parents so they don't freak out if you don't come home tonight," Erikur said, leading a mopey Fenneck over to his house. Erikur opened the door and greeted Leonid and Faina who were sitting at the table talking. "Hey! Is it cool if Fenneck comes over for the night?" he asked them, making sure the door had closed behind Fenneck and himself. "Of course, how was the shop today?" Faina asked Fenneck who seemed to be hiding behind Erikur. Erikur moved and forced Fenneck to look at his parents. "It was fine. A bit busy," he said grumpily. "Naertho is letting him design a dress for one of the princesses," Erikur bragged proudly for him. "Really?! Oh how wonderful!" Faina exclaimed excitedly. "That's great, Fen!" Leonid said proudly. Fenneck shrugged. "Yeah... he let me pick out the fabrics and everything." Fenneck tried to sound like it was no big deal but he couldn't keep the excitement from his voice. "Did you eat dinner?" Faina asked them both. "Nah, we'll eat something at my house," Erikur told them. "Well, okay then. Fenneck, that's such exciting news. You two be careful, okay? I love you, Fen," Faina told her son. "I love you too," Fenneck replied as they left. When they arrived at Erikur's house, they saw Catherine reading on the sofa when they entered. "Hello," she said without looking up. "Hey," they both said, almost simultaneously. Erikur and Catherine had moved out of their parents' house when Erikur had gotten his new orchestra position in the palace. Catherine was more studious and rarely did anything, at least not from Fenneck's perspective, being a woman all she really had to do was wait till she got married and had a home to keep. Erikur and Fenneck fixed dinner together and took their plates to Erikur's room to eat on his bed. After they finish eating Erikur started kissing Fenneck and before long Erikur was on top of him, gently pounding into him. Fenneck relaxed and tried to forget about the weird interaction he'd had with Evelyn. When they were both finished they laid down together on Erikur's bed. He had a short bed that was something between a bed that humans slept on and a resting mat like what Fenneck used. Fenneck liked laying in it. Erikur's arm was around him and Fenneck had his head against Erikur's chest. "You do know you're sexy, right?" Erikur asked him as he caressed his ashen locks. Fenneck shrugged. "I guess you think so." Erikur laughed softly and started braiding a few pieces of Fenneck's hair. "I do," he admitted lovingly as he nuzzled Fenneck's ear. "Look, don't let Evelyn get to you okay? She's not worth it." Erikur kissed his lips and Fenneck kissed him back, already ready for round two. Fenneck climbed on top of Erikur this time. "Oh come on! I'm exhausted!" Erikur wined at the idea of having sex again. "I'll do all the work this time." Fenneck kissed him and Erikur smiled and softly moaned as Fenneck slipped inside him gently. "You should finish soon, though. We both have work in the morning." Erikur struggled to tell him through his gasps and moans as they got back into it. "Fine, but you feel so good!" Fenneck teased into Erikur's ear. He also liked the distraction from his confusing thoughts about Evelyn. They finally finished for real and they got comfortable next to each other to meditate.