"Shopping Trip"
by Mayetra & Beryll
~Fahima’s POV~
The conversation I shared with my master last night has revealed a few things to me. First, I’ve been entirely too selfish. The world doesn’t revolve around me. Second, I need to be more considerate of the feelings of others.
My contemplations have led me to consider my relationship with Crya. To say that we get along on a daily basis is like saying my master enjoys spending the day relaxing in the sun. Truth be told, I don’t know why Crya and I disagree so much.
The more I think about it, the more I realize that it has to do with authority. I have only one master and that is not Crya. With Salim, I always have the feeling that he is simply enforcing our master’s rules, but not so with her. There are times when I feel like she is imposing her own will on me. I know this is silly because our master rules us with a firm hand, but that is my impression none-the-less. I often think of her as being like a blister – turning up at the most inopportune moments and causing nothing but pain and irritation.
I also take exception to her penchant for baths, especially since it is normally directed at me. I’m not opposed to bathing now and again, but a little dust never hurt anyone. It wouldn’t be so bad if she didn’t suck all the fun out of them. It is rather delightful to pretend I am a great sea monster sinking some poor defenseless trading vessel. Crya is typically not amused and complains that I am splashing water all over the floor.
Her attitude towards Flower is another thing that grates on my nerves. My faithful steed has done nothing to earn her animosity. I guess if I’m going to be totally honest, Flower has been somewhat tetchy when he’s around Crya. In his defense, she usually starts it.
But, there are times when she is wonderful to me. Looking back, whenever I am hurt, sick, or simply feeling out of sorts, she is usually the first to become concerned. She worries all the time about me. And I do know that she wouldn’t worry if she didn’t care.
Looking at my own behavior with an honest eye I can sincerely say, I’ve been a brat. There are times when I purposely provoke her simply to get a reaction. I’m also not as grateful to her for her kindnesses as I should be. Nor do I seek to repay her with kindnesses of my own.
Well, that will change. I think it is time I paid a little more attention to dear Crya. A truce is in order. Every warrior should know when to fight and when it is more prudent to sue for peace. In this case, my life will be easier if Crya and I are not at odds, which means I’m going to have to put up with baths and miss an adventure now and again. I shall also have to speak to Flower about his temper. I can’t have him nipping and kicking at Crya every time she gets close enough, even when she deserves it.
I suppose my first order of business is seeing to the truce. Slipping from my master’s bed where I have been conducting my little journey of self-inspection. I carefully light a small oil lamp and investigate my wardrobe. I must consider my dress with care, as it will be a vital part of my peace bid.
I never realized until this moment exactly how hard I am on my clothing. I suppose this turquoise set and matching slippers will have to do. There is a rip in one pant leg just below the knee where I caught it on a tree branch and there is a small jam stain on the bodice. The slippers are a bit scuffed as well. All of my other outfits are in much worse condition.
Gathering the clothes and my hairbrush, I leave the bedchamber to find Salim casually leaning against the wall in the hallway beyond. I smile brightly at him as I offer my morning greetings:
"Fine morning isn’t it, Salim. How are you?"
Salim eyes me for a moment with a frown. Perhaps I am being too cheerful. I can tell by the look that quickly settles on his face that he thinks I’m up to something. As always, he makes no comment about his suspicions, content to wait and watch.
"Good morning, little miss. I am well. How about yourself?" His eyes stray to the bundle of clothing in my arms.
"I am fine, Salim. Would you do me a favor and ask Crya if she would assist me with my bath?"
I try to say this last part without gritting my teeth or making a face. I must not have been very successful because Salim looks rather disturbed.
"What are you plotting at, Fahima?"
His tone is surprisingly stern. I suppose my behavior is out of the ordinary and a sure sign that I am up to some sort of mischief. It’s my own fault for being such a minx in the past.
"Nothing, Salim. I swear. I simply wish to bathe this morning."
He frowns.
I sigh and add, "I’m trying to make peace with Crya."
In the past, I have always enjoyed the sound of Salim’s laugh. It is rich and infectious. Today, however, it’s rather annoying, as I am trying to be serious.
"Very well, little miss," he says between chuckles, "I shall play along with your game. I hope for your sake you are sincere because Crya is in no mood for your antics this morning."
He walks off down the hall to fulfill my request. I stare after him for a moment before entering the bathing room to mentally prepare for my coming ordeal.
~Crya’s POV~
My initial instincts warn me that Fahima is up to some sort of naughtiness. But try as I might, I can’t figure out what it is. I must admit I have never seen her behave so well, except when our master is about.
Not only did she ask for a bath this morning, as is proper, but she didn’t splash me once the whole time. Normally, I have to fight just to get her to sit still long enough to brush the tangles out of her hair. Like a small miracle, today she not only resisted the urge to fidget, but also, allowed me to properly braid her hair. She even picked out a proper outfit instead of trying to leave the villa wearing nothing but one of our master’s old oversized shirts.
Breakfast was also very peaceful. She quietly ate her food rather than gulping it down in her normal hurried way. She even thank me for bring it to her.
Perhaps she’s getting sick. Our master shouldn’t have had her out all night, especially since it was so chilly. I’ll have to watch her closely and see what develops.
~Salim’s POV~
I must admit my admiration for my young charge has grown this day. I am surprised that she is not bouncing off the walls with unspent energy. I am even more shocked by the fact our master called me into the study to carry her off to bed. She had fallen soundly asleep while working on her lessons.
I suppose showing restraint and not giving in to adventurous urges can be taxing for one so young. I am amazed she made it through the day without losing her temper or getting dirty. She was polite and even invited Crya to a special tea party this afternoon. I was also invited but declined. Sitting about on cushions sipping tea is not something I feel comfortable with. The look on Crya’s face when Fahima extended the invitation to her was priceless. I was afraid the older woman was going to choke on her lunch.
The tea session did go rather well, though it was rather awkward at the start. Fahima has a talent for making people feel at ease. She simply apologized for not listening to Crya about taking better care of her clothing. Before long, she and older woman were deep in conversation discussing fabrics, bobbles and other such things.
By the end of the ‘party’, Crya had promised to ask our master about taking Fahima on a shopping excursion for the purposes of making her a new wardrobe. If I didn’t know the little miss well, I might think she manipulated Crya simply to get new clothing. This is not the case though. Our sweet girl couldn't care about getting a closet full of new garments, had that been her goal, she would have only needed to ask our master for them. She did it to bring the older woman joy.
Our master has given his consent so tomorrow I shall escort them to the market. I have never seen Crya so pleased. She was practically beaming after getting permission and presented Fahima with a new outfit that she had been holding back for just such an occasion.
I do wonder if tomorrow will flow as smoothly as today has. Only time will tell if Fahima can truly restrain her wild impulses.
~Fahima’s POV~
I am rather pleased with the results of my peace offering to Crya yesterday. After she got over her initial suspicions, we enjoyed a rather pleasant afternoon. It was almost worth having to put up with the bath and having my hair done.
This morning’s torture session in the bathing room passed very quickly. I am not sure if it is my excitement over leaving the villa or if in her own excitement, Crya hurried the process along. But, the dreaded chore is over and we are finally ready to leave.
What a pair we make! Crya is wearing her best clothing as well. We really look like a pair of ladies ready for an adventure in the market. Even Salim has gotten into the spirit of things and is wearing new trousers. He even shined his boots and I suspect both his scimitars as well.
After much pleading and promises that he would behave, Flower was allowed to join our party to help carry our purchases. He looks very smart in his new harness and baskets. Even Crya seemed impressed by the change in his appearance.
Our first stop is a small café near the market. I am almost too excited to eat but Crya convinces me to eat a bit to keep up my energy. The food is good but not as good as Mariya’s. I mention this to Crya after we leave. She merely smiles and says that I am biased, but she seems pleased by my comment.
I never realized just how many choices in fabric there are. So many different colors, textures and patterns that it’s almost impossible for me to make up my mind. I am content simply to gaze upon them and let them slip through my fingers.
"Which do you like best, Fahima," Crya asks after I have managed to touch every piece of cloth in the fabric stall.
I gravitate to a deep burgundy bolt of fabric. It is the same material as one of my master’s favorite robes and I cannot help but wish I had an outfit to match his. My thoughts must be written all over my face because Crya examines the material more closely, seemingly deep in thought.
"The color is a bit mature for one so young, but I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to let you have it." She says after several seconds have passed.
I bounce excitedly and hug her before I remember my manners and thank her in a more subdued manner.
The rest of the material I let her choose having no real opinion either way. Crya is happy to take over and spends much time haggling with the shop owner. She seems to have stuck to either pastels or what she calls ‘the younger jewel tones’, but I do notice that she has selected several yards of black, brown and dark red fabric. The colors are my master’s favorites but the material is a sturdier weave. I am a bit confused by these purchases but do not voice my thoughts.
Next, we stop and purchase several new pairs of slippers in colors to match the fabrics. Crya even buys me a real pair of soft leather slippers embroidered with burgundy silk and tiny pearls. She also insists on buying a pair of sturdy black slippers for me to play in. I try to tell her that I won’t need them but she just winks at me and gets them anyway.
The rest of the morning is spent with Crya stopping at various stalls buying thread and other things she will need to create my new outfits. I would have found the process boring but something else has captured my attention. We are being followed.
At first, I wasn’t sure if I was imagining things but as time passed, my suspicions have been confirmed. A young boy about my age has been trailing after us all morning. I don’t sense any danger from him. However, every time I catch him starting at us, his face turns bright red and he gets a rather funny look on his face. I’m not quite sure what strange disease he is afflicted with but I rather hope I never catch it.
Salim has become aware of him as well. I caught him giving the strange boy a rather fierce look. This seems to have dissuaded him because when I looked back the boy was gone. Pity, if the boy hadn’t been ill, it would have been nice to make a new friend.
~Salim’s POV~
No good can come of this, I am sure. It seems a young boy has become infatuated with our little miss. Typically, Fahima is unaware of her charms and seems annoyed more than anything. I have sent the boy a rather fierce warning look. I doubt this is the last we will see of him since he has merely moved out of direct view but I can still sense him trailing us. For now, I will not confront him directly as long as he keeps his distance.
I suppose it was bound to happen sooner or later. Fahima is growing up and will soon be a young woman. Her beauty alone will be enough to attract men and boys like bees to honey. I sincerely doubt any of them will be able to appreciate her sharp mind. I do not look forward to this new development, as it will only mean trouble.
~Fahima’s POV~
I am exhausted! I never thought being so good could take so much work! Master seems to have taken pity on me and declared we shall relax in the garden tonight instead of having lessons. He seems rather thoughtful and asks me how my day out with Crya went. I tell him between yawns.
I also tell him all about Crya’s plans for my wardrobe, except for the special outfit that will match his. Perhaps he is not reading my mind and it will manage to stay a surprise. I am also very pleased by the fact that Crya has told me she is making me some special pants and tunics to play in. This way I will be able to keep my new clothes in good repair.
My master say he is pleased that Crya and I have settled our differences. He also orders me to have a grand adventure tomorrow because being good is starting to affect my studies. I smile sleepy and nod my agreement.
For now, I am content just to cuddle with him before finally nodding off to sleep.
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