This story is absolute fluff ' stuff I guess this is sorta a corssover between the manwah and the game in a way.. not really.
insert "Witty Disclaimer" I do not own any of the charecters involved in the Ragnarok manwah or the RO game. If I did, volume 15 of the manwah would be out by now and there would be much Fenris/Lokiness XD
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Midsummer's eve was drawing near in the land of Midgard. In all cities, great and small, people were preparing for festivals, feasts, and celebration. In Volsug's recently re-built capital, Prontera, the streets were flooded with visitors from near and far. Girls would gather Hinalle plants, eagerly telling each other of who they hoped they would dream about on the night before midsummer. It was a common custom for girls to put sprigs of Hinalle underneath their pillows on the night before midsummer. If the girl dreamed of a man, that was supposedly who she was going to marry. While their daughters were away, mothers were weaving wreaths of oak leaves to wear during the time of the festival, and also to hang on doors.
The whole town buzzed with excitement and levity, Iris was hard-pressed not to show her own anticipation for the coming holiday. She skipped through the crowded streets, looking for a new outfit to wear to the festival. She hummed a made-up tune to herself, then turned back to the others in her party that were lagging behind. She put a hand to her mouth and hollered at them,
"Come on guys hurry up! If we don't find something soon all the stores will be sold out!" Fenris and Chaos gave a groan, and even Loki may have made an utterance in disgust. Iris had already bounded back to them, "Let's go!" They all blinked at her sudden burst of speed and agility. Fenris cleared her throat,
"I hardly think that a delay of a few minutes will matter Iris. Prontera is a large city, they know what to expect. Besides, most families have some sort of traditional dress they put their daughters in already anyways..." Iris ignored this and impatiently asked Fenris,
"Well what are you wearing to the Festival? It lasts three days you know.. oh.. I don't know what I should do.. maybe I should get a couple of dresses with a jacket. that way I can mix and match on the third day.. or will that make it too obvious that I wasn't prepared in time?" Iris paced back and forth in front of Fenris waving her arms. Fenris murmured back abstractedly,
"Iris, about that promise I made you, well... I'm .. I'm having second thoughts" Iris' head snapped abruptly upright,
"What!? You mean.. you're not coming?" Fenris shifted uneasily as guilt latched in her throat. She swallowed forcibly,
"I-I didn't say that, I was just saying that maybe I wouldn't be much fun to go with." Iris grabbed the warlock's hands,
"Awww! Fenris! You can't back out now! If we got Loki to agree to go to this thing, you have to come too!" The warlock blinked a few times, and turned her head slightly to look at the assassin out of the corner of her eye. He was staring out at the crowd. He was either pretending not to listen, or actually not paying attention to the conversation, one of the two. Loki is going to the festival...? She returned her attention to Iris' plea, "Come on Fenris, pleasepleasepleaseplease? I'll even say I owe you a favor okay?" Fenris shook her head and laughed at the cleric's best "puppy dog eyes."
"All right Iris, you win, but it'll have to be a big favor." Iris clapped her hands, smiling.
"Great! Now we have to get you some good clothes! Come on!" Suddenly Fenris was being hauled along by the girl at top speed through the bustling crowd, she distinctly heard Chaos' voice saying, "Wait for us!" She stumbled as she tried to keep up with the younger, more energetic cleric,
"Iris! Maybe we should slow down and wait for...for Chaos.. and.. and Loki!" The cleric paid no mind to the woman who was shouting at her to come to her senses. She finally stopped in front of a likely looking boutique and pushed Fenris inside.
"Iris! Stop that I am quite capable of walking inside the store myself!" Iris again, payed no attention to the warlock and made her way to the counter,
"Oh hush Fenris. Hello? Is there anyone there?" A mature, smooth, feminine voice came from a back room separated from the store by a curtain.
"Yes! Just a minute please, I'll be right out!" Fenris looked around the store, it was larger than it had looked on the outside, and it was filled with a wide assortment of dresses and other clothes. She walked over to the cleric clearing her throat,
"Weren't we supposed to be shopping for you Iris?" The cleric giggled, waving her hand,
"Oh but this is so much more fun! Trust me Fenris, after I have my fun.. I mean find something nice for you, we'll go and find me something." Fenris raised an eyebrow,
"After you have your fun? What is that supposed to--" She was cut off by the shopkeeper,
"Good morning my gentle ladies! I am sorry to have kept you waiting, how may I help you this fine day?" Iris clapped her hand on Fenris' shoulder before the warlock could speak for herself,
"We need a fine set of Midsummer's clothing for this fine lady!" Fenris blushed a little and protested,
"It really doesn't have to be anything fancy..." Iris shushed her. The woman, nearing her middle years--perhaps in her late thirties, put a hand alongside her cheek as she thought, scanning Fenris up and down, then circling her. She peered in close to Fenris' face in order to determine the color of her eyes.
"Hmmm. I see. Well, did you happen to see anything that caught your eye in the store?" Fenris shook her head, but Iris dashed out and selected a few garments,
"She'd like to try on these!" Fenris's jaw dropped,
"Iris!" The items the cleric were holding were most unsuitable, for any occasion. One was a frilly pink dress, with some sort of long poofy underpants, and a shepherdess' crook with a pink bow attached to it. Another one she saw peeking out of Iris' arms was some sort of black leather apparel not generally worn in public. Another was a hideously blinding yellow dress with red polka-dots, and a large straw hat, just to name the few Fenris could see. She put her hands on her hips and enunciated clearly to the girl,
"I absolutely refuse to wear any of those." Iris laughed and put them back.
"Okay, okay...I was just joking really. Hey! Here's Chaos and Loki! Good they can help us!" Iris walked over to the two men, waving brightly at them. The shopkeeper took the opportunity to pull Fenris aside and scrawl down her measurements. The woman smiled kindly at her,
"I understand how it is. I have a younger sister too, they're always so excitable aren't they?" She chuckled a little, Fenris didn't know weather or not to point out that she and Iris were not really sisters.
Iris was pulling Chaos and Loki over by their wrists. Loki retracted his hand from her grip faster than humanly possible and walked the rest of the way over to Fenris by himself. Chaos however, was not so fortunate.
"Ow! Geez! Iris let me go! My legs do work ya know!" Iris just giggled and continued dragging him over. She stopped then jumped up,
"Okay! We're all assembled now Miss Dress-maker lady! We should all go in a circle and say what we think Fenris should wear!" She smiled a little, "I'll go first!" She cleared her throat suddenly adopting a business-like manner, "It has to be something nice, it can't just be any old dress. I think though, she'd look best in a skirt and a blouse with a bodice, 'cause then it would look more fitted. Unless you have some one-piece dresses that do fit her nicely! And the color should bring out her eyes!" The others sweat dropped. Chaos cleared his throat,
"Um..yeah.. uh.. I guess what Iris said makes sense.. um a long skirt I dunno? Mid.. calf I guess?" He scratched his head feeling very awkward about being in a dress store in the first place. Fenris blushed a little as she realized it was her turn,
"I.. I suppose everything so far sounds acceptable, I don't know about colors though... Loki?" The assassin was looking rather sulky at the moment with his arms crossed and his normal frown upon his face. when Fenris addressed him he relaxed his arms a tad and said softly,
"...Purple or green." The woman nodded and ushered Fenris towards a rack of clothing.
"I see I think you will find most of these to be to your specifications...Ah! This one is perfect! Please try this one on.." Fenris took the garment and went behind a changing screen. She did qll right with everything until...
"Umm madam? I.. I am having trouble with this.. er.. bodice.."
In moments the woman was helping Fenris. She explained kindly to the warlock,
"Technically this isn't really a bodice dear, but that's all right, it actually scoops underneath the breasts there you see? I thought it would show off your nice figure. Do you have enough support dear? Or should I go get a different style?" Fenris shook her head,
"No I feel fine." She smiled, "I just didn't think the front of the bodice would be so low, so I put it on backwards." The woman nodded.
"It's All right, why don't you go out and look at the mirror out there and show your friends?" The warlock nodded and poked her head out from behind the screen. She brushed some hair back, she'd taken it down to try the outfit on, as well as taken off her shoes.
"I.. I'm coming out now!" She announced, she stepped out from behind the screen timidly. "Well.. what do you think..?" Silence, they were all staring at her, Iris' eyes were wide, Chaos looked dumbstruck, as though he'd never seen Fenris before, but Loki's reaction was perhaps most perturbing of all. His mouth had fallen slightly open, as though her were going to say something, but dared not to. His eyes were fixated on her in a way she'd never expected them to be. Fenris was starting to think something was wrong until Iris burst out,
"Oh Fenris--you look beautiful!!" Chaos nodded in agreement,
"Yeah, you look really.. different..." The assassin said nothing, he just continued staring at her. Fenris made her way over to the mirror and blinked a few times.
"Is that.. me!?" She stared at herself, blushing. Her short sleeved blouse was an off-white color, and was pulled down underneath the bodice to expose part of her shoulder. Her breasts hung out over the low, purple brocaded bodice im a most becoming fashion. The skirt was a deep purple to match the base color of the bodice and came down to just about the middle of her calves. She laughed a little, "I, I suppose it has been awhile since I have worn a dress such as this.. I-I think it will do nicely!" She turned and faced the others, "Do you agree?" Chaos and Iris both uttered their agreements. Fenris turned to Loki, "Is something wrong Loki..? Or do you not like it?" Chaos elbowed his friend in the ribs lightly and muttered so that only he could hear,
"If you stare any harder at her your eyes will fall out onto the floor." Loki shot Chaos a death glare,
"What!?" Chaos took a step back and held up his hands defensively,
"Hey hey! I didn't mean anything!" Loki nodded,
"That's what I though, and as to your question Fenris, it is very becoming of you. Quite so." Fenris smiled and turned to the shopkeeper,
"How much is it?"
"1500 zenny and 83 rupero." Fenris almost fainted.
"I-I see.. um.. I see, I'd better go.. go change then.." She stepped behind the changing screen looking quite dejected. Loki stepped up to the shopkeeper,
"I will pay for it." She raised a brow,
"You have the money?" He nodded. She shrugged and walked over to the counter, Loki did as well and commenced the transaction. Chaos and Iris tried to talk him out of it,
"Loki.. that is your own money right? Well, shouldn't you spend it one I dunno, things you want?" He replied simply as he got out his money,
"I do want this." He shot a glance at the two before they could make any indecent remarks, "For Fenris." Iris murmured,
"But Loki it's so much.." No answer. Fenris came out from behind the screen. Bearing the garment, she walked over to the counter where they stood, she handed it to the woman.
"Here you are, it really is fine stitch-work.. I hope whoever buys this likes it as much as I do.." The woman gently folded the clothes and put them into a paper sack and tied it up with some string. Fenris looked uncomprehendingly at her.
"I don't...?" The woman smiled and pointed,
"The young dark-haired gentleman was kind enough to pay for it." Fenris turned her eyes to the assassin,
"Loki..? You..you bought this for me?" She was smiling. She just couldn't believe it, but somehow it was true. She laughed and ran over to him enveloping him in a tight hug--Iris' happy-go-lucky nature must have been wearing off on her,
"You shouldn't have!" The assassin blushed and froze, he stammered a response,
"I-It was really nothing Fenris.. I, I merely assumed you would want some happier memories of Prontera this time..." The shopkeeper tilted her head,
"This time? Howwzat?" Thankfully Fenris let go of him, restoring his ability to supply his body with oxygen. Chaos scratched his head,
"Well, we kinda helped out when Prontera was attacked by the undead, but it's no big deal really.." The woman stood up rigid,
"My gods! Then you four are--the heros of Prontera?" She put a hand to her chest. "I had no idea!" Fenris touched the woman on the arm,
"Please don't cause a fuss, we are here merely to enjoy the festival." The woman nodded then smiled.
"Wait right here!"
She dashed off behind the curtain and disappeared from sight. She returned a few minutes later and placed something on top of Fenris' package, "Please, take this. I used to wear it to the festival when I was a young girl, I suppose it is a little outdated, but it would go so well with your outfit my dear." She smiled a bit and scrawled down something on a sheet of paper, "And if you go three doors down to the cobbler and give him this, I think you may find a nice discount on a pair of boots. Fenris blushed and started to protest.
"I we, I really couldn't take this.." The woman was firm,
"No. You have more use of it than I, and.. I was there. The night Prontera almost fell." She shuddered, "I almost didn't make it, but I managed to survive long enough 'till you folks defeated that evil Valkaryie and I was able to help rebuild my city. The least thing I could do is to thank you for giving me the chance to do that." She changed the subject abruptly, "Well I'm sure you do have other things to buy at other stores..." Iris cleared her throat,
"Um actually I was hoping to find an outfit as well..." She turned and smiled sweetly to the others, "You guys might wanna sit down, this might take awhile." Fenris shook her head.
"In that case I think I will look into the matter of these boots, I could use a new pair of shoes.." Loki stood up,
"I shall accompany you." Fenris blushed a little, and almost protested, but then she realized he was probably uncomfortable sitting there in a dress shop. She nodded and left the package and the necklace the shopkeeper had given her next to Chaos. "Watch over this please." Chaos suddenly protested,
"Hey! Why do I have to be the one who stays in here!? Iris called over to him,
"Because you're the only other person with money!" Chaos sighed,
"Ah. Fine then. You two go have fun, don't get lost."
Fenris laughed a little,
"Come on Chaos it's not that bad, after all, perhaps you can find a nice Midsummer's dress," She exited the store laughing as Chaos shouted some rather uncivilized phrases at her, Iris was definitely rubbing off on the warlock indeed. She wasn't sure, but she could've sworn for just a moment, she thought she saw--and heard--Loki chuckle. When she looked again, he looked as he ever did, unemotional.
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It took two hours for the cobbler to fit Fenris' boots just right, but it was worth it. The leather was soft, but durable, and her toes had more room to breath than in her clogs. By the time she and Loki went back to the dress store, Iris was still trying things on. It took awhile, but after lunchtime rolled around and the shop keeper was showing sings of tiring, Fenris suggested Iris make a choice, which she thankfully did. By the time they had eaten lunch, they really didn't feel like doing much else, so they all agreed to go back to their inn.
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It was later that same night, around dusk, Chaos was pacing around his room. Well, technically it wasn't his room, but with Loki's lack of speech and movement, might has well have made it so. He was suddenly struck by a thought. He turned to his silent companion,
"Hey, we still need to get something to wear!" Loki opened an eye from the foot of his bed where he sat and looked at Chaos. He closed his eye again with a slight "hmpf!" Before saying,
"I have had enough shopping for one day... and the stores shall soon be closing anyways will they not?" Chaos grinned and walked over to the assassin, poking him lightly in the shoulder,
"Ah, c'mon Loki! Prontera's a big city! There has to be some stores open late at night!" Loki made a skeptical noise. Chaos sighed, "You promised to go!" Loki 'hmmd' in response, making the rune knight wonder if he was even listening to what he was saying at all. Chaos tapped his foot as he thought of what to say that might rouse his companion's interest even a little...He grinned, "You know Loki, since you bought that dress for Fenris I bet she's pretty impressed by that..." Loki opened his eyes at the mention of her name,
"And what exactly is that supposed to mean?" Chaos shrugged,
"Nothing, nothing, it's just that well, maybe if we found you a new set of threads maybe she'd notice you even more if you catch my drift." Loki was silent, Chaos grinned, he could hear the wheels turning in the assassin's head now. 'Must not admit feelings...' 'Must not give into idiot farmboy...' 'Yet if I could impress Fenris...' Chaos grinned even wider. Loki finally answered, closing his eyes again,
"What gives you the impression that I want Fenris to notice me? I would have been perfectly all right if that woman had not said that I had paid for it. I probably would have preferred it if she had not." He nodded as though satisfied with that answer, but Chaos wasn't buying. He leaned in and whispered to the other man,
"Come on Loki, Fenris may not have noticed it, but anyone who saw the way you looked at her today knows." Loki was almost tempted to open his eyes,
"Knows what?" Chaos laughed a little incredulously,
"How can you still deny it!? You were practically standing in a puddle of your own drool!" This time Loki did snap his eyes open,
"What?" Chaos smiled a little,
"Sorry, but you were. You were out of it after she walked out from behind that curtain--not that I blame you." Loki harrumpfed,
"Fine I'll show you. This is what you looked like," Loki pursed his lips together as Chaos did an accurate rendition of his face, mouth slightly open, eyes wide and avid. He answered evasively,
"What is it to you?" He paused, "It meant nothing." Chaos laughed again,
"Gods Loki! It was nothing so that you went and bought that for her? Or maybe you did it just so that you could see her wear it again?"
"..."
"Give it up Loki. You've got it bad for Fenris." Loki looked uncomprehendingly,
"'Got...it.. bad?'" Chaos slapped his forehead--dealing with this man required the patience of a rock,
"Yeah, you know. You like her, as in L-I-K-E, like her...?" Loki answered a bit too quickly this time,
"Don't be ridiculous."
"Then why did you agree to come to the festival?"
"Because of--" Loki cut himself off, flushing. Chaos grinned.
"Come on Loki. Say it, it'll make you feel better. I promise." Loki shot a nasty glare at the knight but finished his sentence,
"Because of...Fenris." Loki stood up,
"I do not have any choice in the matter do I?" Chaos grinned,
"Not really, come on I'll even pay." He made his way to the door,
"One condition Farmboy." Chaos turned a little irked by the name,
"What's that?"
"Iris does not come with us." Chaos laughed at that.
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Woah! That was a lot more involved than I expected, for simplicities sake I guess I'll break it up into chapters ;; Heeee skips around in circles Loki liiiikes Feeeenriiis Loki liiiiikes Feeeeeeeenriiiiis! XD