Once the group enters the dress store, Liza turns the conversation away from the possible wife candidate, "before I forget, I want to talk about the Vampire that was in the tournament". Lorilay joins in as she was curious about it too, "It was my first time seeing a Vampire", they only attack sneakily and in low numbers. There's been some sightings, but never near me. Liza, "mine too. Since their treaty with the Demons, there have been less sightings of them outside their country. In my country, there hasn't been a Vampire sighting in about 5 years. That's why seeing one like this is highly unusual".
The girls all start dress shopping without breaking the conversation flow, inspecting each rack with a keen eye. Elza picks up a dress to inspect, its design simple but its vibrant fabric making it eye catching, "I was of the same opinion. That why I had a...conversation with her, you could say. Apparently, the new Vampire Lord is very...ambitious to use her words. She's not fond of the treaty and decided to scout out the Demon King's enemies and see if there would be opportunities in the future for breaking the treaty".
Liza quickly sorts through the dresses on the rack, not seeming to find anything she likes, "that's major news! If the Vampires are looking to move against the Demon King, then...". Elza, "it's a movement still in its infancy. She was to scout out if it was worth putting in the effort to invest resources outside their boarders". Liza, "so that's why she entered the tournament". Elza, "no, apparently, she was supposed to scout out things completely unseen. The entering of the tournament was her acting independently".
Liza, "why would she go against her orders like that?". Elza, "she wouldn't disclose that much, only that she had her circumstances. I could tell she wasn't fond of the current Vampire Lord, but that's all I could gather. That's as much as she was willing to exchange for being allowed to enter the tournament. I didn't see any reason to bar her from the tournament, and it was a good chance to see a Vampire in action, so I allowed it. It was even more fruitful than I thought".
Liza, "I was surprised to see a Vampire from a Shadow House". Elza, "so was I. We didn't get to see her House's specific ability, but seeing a Vampire who was holding back gives us an approximate reference for the limits of normal Vampires". Liza, in complete agreement, "my thoughts exactly". Lorilay, completely honest and without shame, "I had no idea".
Liza and Elza look at Lorilay, both seemingly wanting to say something along the lines of, "you should have at least picked up on that!". However, they are too stunned by the sight of Lorilay wrapped in multiple dresses to voice their thoughts. She isn't trying them on, she just can't hold all that she's carrying. Elza, "I know it's short notice, and I'm the one paying, but I'm actually impressed by your gall". Lorilay turns towards Elza's voice, unable to see her due to a dress obscuring her vision, "hm? What do you mean?".
Liza starts unravelling Lorilay, "she means that we are only getting ONE dress. Jeez, how did you get yourself in such a mess in such a short amount of time?". Lorilay, "it's been such a long time since I've been on a shopping spree. Things just got...out of hand". Liza, "it's not a spree! If you have money, you can spree all you want, but don't take advantage of someone else's good will!". Lorilay looks down at the floor in dejection now that her face is free, "that...wasn't my intention. I was just...ok, I realise it looks bad, but I just couldn't help myself. I wasn't going to make Elza pay for anything. I was just swept up in the feeling since it's been so long. Once I called down, I'm sure I would've put everything back".
Liza, finally unravelling Lorilay, "so you did all this but weren't going to buy any of them? So you're just causing trouble for the shop is what you're saying", as she gestures with her head for Lorilay to look towards off to the side. What Lorilay finds are the shop staff, waiting to be of service. However, they are tense, some of them digging their nails into their hands to calm themselves while maintaining their smiles. Lorilay quickly adverts her gaze, pretending they don't exist, but she comes face-to-face with Liza once more, who isn't happy. Liza's pressure forces a, "I'm sorry", out of Lorilay.
Elza walks up to the staff, "sorry, we were in our own world. I'll pay for any dirtied or damaged dress. To stop this from happening again, can you bring suitable dresses the changing rooms one-by-one until we find one we like. You can start with the one's my acquaintance caused trouble with". One of the shop assistants, seemingly a manager, gives an, "understood", before snapping her fingers. The shop staff speedily get to work, sorting through the dresses Lorilay made a mess out off in a flash. They guide to girls to the dressing rooms, where they start trying on the dresses brought to them.
Within her dressing room, Elza starts a new conversation now that the previous on has seemingly ended, "so, I've got to ask, how's the sex?". The topic is so out of left field that both Liza and Lorilay stumble, causing them to fall against the walls of their dressing rooms as they are in the middle of trying on dresses. The shop staff are a cools as cucumbers, not even giving a reaction. It's as if they are used to this kid of...topic.
Elza, hearing the thumps against the wall, "you girls ok?". Lorilay picks herself up and dusts herself off, "I wasn't expecting you to say something like that...like, at all!". Liza does the same, "same. That suddenly came out of nowhere". Elza, "isn't it a topic that would naturally come up? It's all my maids can talk about. And I mean all the time". Liza, "not that I know of". Lorilay, "this is the first time something like this has come up for me". Elza, the surprise in her voice genuine, "really?".
Liza, "I mean, I know it's a topic that can come up when talking with your girlfriends, but I've never had such a close friendship with someone who's experienced in that manner...and has the courage to talk about it in public so openly". Elza nods in understanding as she looks at herself in the mirror, the dress not striking her fancy, "ah, you are quite young. I suppose that's not understandable". Lorilay, "I think the talking about it in public is what threw her off more than anything", it was for me.
Elza, "the second I'm in a more relaxed setting with my maids, the conversation can quickly turn to sex. It didn't happen as much when I just became an adult, but once I turned 20, it's all any woman would talk about". Liza's eyes dart back and forth between the two similar dresses she was just handed, "well, that may be the case, but I can't say it happens like that for everyone. I don't have any friends over 20...well, human friends over 20. I have a best friend a little older than me, but she's definitely not the type to talk about that". Elza, "so being older could be a factor when it comes to openness with dirty talk. Cultural differences could also be at play. What about the Elves, Lorilay?".
Lorilay examines her sideboob in the mirror with dissatisfaction, the dress causing parts to be squeezed out from it being too tight, "give me one second". She wastes no time in showing it to a shop clerk, who scratches her temple as she contemplates what to do before going to the back of the store to check their stock, "rather than age, it's a marital status thing. All shame seems to go out the window once an Elven woman gets married. They'll talk about anything and everything anywhere and everywhere if children aren't around. There's an unspoken rule that nothing like that is allowed to enter the vicinity of a child".
Elza tries on another dress, seeming to like this one better than the last. However, it still seems like it's not what she's looking for, "wow, I had no idea. It's interesting to see we have such different customs when it comes to the same topic". Liza, "I can't speak much for...no, never mind. I don't know what's normal for humans. All I can say is that it doesn't happen out in the open like this...in front of strangers", as she gives a glance to the shop staff outside the changing room.
Elza can sense her unease, "you don't need to worry about the staff here. They're professionals who have dealt with far worse than this", I still remember when I had to intervene that time when...no, I don't want to remember her sister wives right now, "but let's get back on track. So, how is it?".
While Liza reluctantly answers Elza, Lorilay accepts the dress from the staff member that went to check their stock...but also grabbing the other two dresses in the staff's other hand, "it was...better than I ever thought it could be". Elza starts taking off another dress before putting on the next, "oh, that's promising to hear. What about you, Lorilay?", she's like she doesn't want me to push for details. Lorilay, who started trying on one of the dresses she took, doesn't hesitate when giving her honest opinion, "it was worth the wait. Every second". Elza, "hm...high praise. What about his size? Is that also worth of high praise?", she doesn't want me to push for details either, but I have to at least know this.
Liza and Lorilay once again stumble into the walls in shock from how blunt she is. However, the staff are once again cool as cucumbers from how tame the conversation is. It's clear they've dealt with far worse that this. Lorilay lifts herself off the wall, "you really waste no time, do you?", I knew conversations could get like this, but it throws me off nevertheless. Liza straightens out her dress while looking at her reflection in the reflective glass, "you will find this stuff out later anyway. Can't we discuss these things after that...and in private? Speaking to someone who doesn't know is extremely embarrassing for some reason".
Elza reluctantly gives in, "fine, we can discuss these things later. I felt left out whenever my maids would talk about these things, so I think I'm just excited to finally be able to participate. Sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable". Liza, "no, it's ok. I can see where you're coming from, but I do think things would go more smoothly if we talk about that stuff tomorrow. I am glad that you feel open to sharing this type of stuff with us. I'd like for us to get along, as I think that's the most important thing when it comes to a harem. Most of my father's wives don't get along", it was unpleasant to see any of them fight.
Elza managed to put on another dress throughout all of that and is already starting to take it off, "I feel like that won't be a problem for us three. For the rest that come after us...we can only hope. I'd at least want one or two women in the harem that I'd have sexual chemistry with". Both Liza and Lorilay are unsure what to make of that, so Lorilay timidly asks, "um... do you have some sort of fetish?".
Elza, completely nonchalantly, expresses her interests without a hint of shame, "I'm not sure if you would call it a fetish per say, but I want to be treated roughly in the bedroom". Liza and Lorilay fall to the floor this time. Luckily, neither of them were wearing a dress, so they couldn't damage them. As for the staff, some cracks formed in their perfect expressionless masks at this revelation.
Elza grows a little conscious of their reactions this time, the quiet that followed is unnerving to her, "Is it really that surprising? Why do you think I was hosting a tournament to find someone stronger than me?". Liza is completely surprised by this comment, "was it not to defeat the Demon King???".
Elza, "that's a big part of it, but only about half of the reason. I also wanted a strong man who could treat me roughly in bed. There's no point if he's weaker than me, as knowing that I could just walk out at any time I wanted takes some of the desire out of it. I want someone who can make me understand that my place is beneath them. The idea of having a child with a man like that just sends shivers down my spine. Isn't it the instinct of a female to bare the children of someone like that? That's how it is for a lot of Dark Elves".
The conversation has taken such an unexpected turn that they all stop trying on dresses, the three of them completely bare in their dressing rooms. Liza, awkwardly asks what's on everyone's mind, "so...you want to be forced? Wouldn't being captured by the Demon King...you know...fulfil that?". Lorilay, "I was thinking the same thing". The store staff can't help but show their worry, as much as they try to hide it.
Elza can't not get defensive, her words not harsh per say, but they have a certain undertone to them, "no, no, no! It's completely different! Being treated roughly and rape are completely different things. By being able to walk out at any time, I didn't mean that he has to forcefully hold me down. I meant it as his strength makes me not want to leave in the first place, even if I had the means to do so. To be there and submit completely and voluntarily to someone who's better that me. We share a mutual understanding of our dynamic and...and...I don't know how to explain it. But I swear a lot of Dark Elven women share the same opinion!".
The shop staff all look uncomfortable by Elza's declaration, finding it difficult to maintain their professional composure. Liza is unsure of how to best respond, "I...think I get what you're trying to say...although I don't think that I could explain it well either. However, I don't think you should tie your sexual preferences to a social construct like that. I personally won't deny that I like strong men, but that's definitely not how it is for every woman. You don't get to choose who you fall in love with, it just happens. The second I saw Ren, my heart wouldn't stop racing. It is so calming just being next to him, and that makes me feel whole. Our sex life is what we make of it, not anyone else".
Lorilay, "I understand that. It's like he filled a void in my heart. While I was waiting those 5 years for my soulmate to come, I met various people, but the moment I saw Ren, I knew he was the one. It was like a shock ran through my whole body. I think it's best to find what's best for both of us, not to just force your preferences. Especially when we have little experience".
Liza, "yes, I agree with that. We should explore what we like ourselves. Through that...and some advice, I discovered that I like to take the lead. That came to be only because we love and trust each other. What would you do if a scumbag won the tournament and you were not compatible in bed?".
Elza doesn't waver in her answer, "I'm a woman of my word, so I'd marry him and see if we can work things out. I'd try my best to fall in love with them, but if it doesn't work out, I'd bide my time until someone else stronger comes along and marry them after getting a divorce. Rinse and repeat. But I see what you're trying to say, that since I'm a prize from a tournament, I don't actually love the winner".
While Lorilay freezes at this remark, Liza panics, "that's...not what I...meant. It's just...well...". Elza interjects before Liza has to fumble anymore, "don't worry. I understand where you're coming from. However, very few people can actually marry for love in this world. It's actually about putting in the effort to make the relationship work...is what I've heard".
Liza, "sorry, but I really didn't mean it that way. I didn't ask to be Ren's girlfriend out of love either, but because he was the best man I've come across. Love can come quickly or slowly, I understand that much, and that it's about the effort you put in. My point was to be that it should be the people involved who dictate what's happening in the bedroom, not some generalisation according to the populace...is my meaning getting across?".
Elza, "I think I understand, however, I think you've got the order of things wrong. I didn't decide that I want to be dominated because I was influenced by the social construct. I align with the social construct because I want to be dominated". Both Liza and Lorilay let out an "oh" at finally understanding. However, a silence soon follows.
Elza feels a little unsettled by the silence, "you make it seem like I'm weird, but there are others like me. Some Dark Elven women only care about strength, and that was the only thing that was important in the past. It didn't matter what he was like, all that mattered is that he was strong. However, the problems with that have appeared over time. Only those who really adhere to the olden ways still followed that tradition. However, with the recent decrease in men, it began to resurface over the past century or so. Choosing one's partner as a woman has become more difficult as the power lies solely in the men's hands now. Submitting to a man more powerful than you is the easiest way at the moment".
Liza, "so that's what it's like here...I really have no idea what it's like in other countries". Lorilay, "so, you're one of the one's who follows that old tradition? But you're a Queen. You could have any man you wanted at any time. Why go through the trouble of holding a tournament?".
Elza, "I don't follow the old ways, my preference just coincides with one of them. The tournament was originally for finding those to help defeat the Demon King. The tournament needed a fitting prize, but the only thing I could give that was enticing enough, but also couldn't just be bought, was me. There are easier ways to get goods or just money, and one needs more than just money to get someone to go after the Demon King. A strong man was also what I wanted, so I could only hope things would work out for me. The moment I decided to host the tournament with me as the prize, I had to stick to my decision no matter what, right?".
Liza, "well...it's not like I don't understand where you're coming from. Strong men would be attracted to the tournament to get their hands on you. You could make a party to defeat the Demon King, but also find your ideal partner. Two birds with one stone...if things worked out in your favour". Lorilay, "quite the gutsy Queen. Your reputation precedes you".
The group seems to have completely forgotten about their objective of buying dresses as they just stand nude in their dressing rooms while talking, but the staff doesn't dare interrupt their conversation. They just wait on standby, dresses in hand without looking the slightest bit annoyed. Elza crosses her arms below her ample bust as she leans against the wall, "that's all well and good, but in actuality, it only attracted scum and weaklings. There hasn't been anyone close to my level. I was beginning to give up hope. However, it seem to have worked out in the end".
Liza lightly grabs her chin as she looks up at the ceiling in thought, "well...I guess you did luck out overall, but I'm not sure if Ren is the type to be really rough in bed. We haven't gone out of our way to try it". Lorilay is brushing her hair as she looks into the reflective glass, "I feel like that that type of stuff will naturally comes later. We're just getting started, so I don't think there's a need to force trying it".
Elza, "you have a point, but it is my preference, and has been for a while. I want to explore it if possible. But who knows, you might right and it happens to turn out that I'm the complete opposite of my preference in actuality. We'll have to try and see, but since we're soulmates, we should be fine". Liza and Lorilay have a moment of realisation, "oh, good point", hm? I feel like we lost tract of the original topic. What was it that Elza said again? I can't remember.
Elza starts to look at dresses once again, "but enough about me. I'm curious about what you said earlier, Lorilay. What did you mean by waiting for 5 years?". Lorilay continues to elegantly brush her hair, careful not to do it too strong, "I told you about my gift earlier, right? I looked at my own moment of meeting my soulmate and looked for the place in my vision. I then waited at that spot for 5 years, and it finally happened, I met Ren...and Liza", was Liza always in my vision? I can see her now whenever I look, but I can't recall. I was probably just too focused on Ren to pay attention the woman in the background.
Elza, genuinely impressed, "you're...amazing, not many people would be capable of that. I can't even confidentiality say I would be able to the same if I was in your position", waiting at the same spot for years...you'd miss out on so much. Lorilay, "its been my dream since I was a kid to find my soulmate and start a family. Seeing my parents and the people around me be so happy with their partners was something I was really envious of". Elza, "if that's what you want, why are you helping them to defeat the Demon King?", well, that's just me making assumptions about things.
Lorilay's hand stops mid brush. She needs to take a few seconds to ponder and gather the courage to speak. Liza and Elza were about to start trying on dresses again, but they sense a shift in the atmosphere, so they stop and wait for Lorilay to proceed when she's ready.
Lorilay trembles a little as the words struggle to come out, but once the first word comes out, the rest seems to flow out in a nervous but continuous stream, "I…I was praised as a prodigy since I was younger, but reality was different from the praise I received. With Elves having a low conception rate, families often have one child. If anything happens to their children, the look of devastation they have when they find out is...painful. I thought if I was so amazing like people said, that I could make a difference. I tried helping by fighting the Demon army as best I could, but I quickly leaned that I wasn't as amazing as everyone said. There was a big war not long after I joined our ground forces. And…".
Liza and Elza wait patiently for her to continue, careful not to make a single sound. Lorilay struggles to get the words out, her voice quivering. Lorilay takes a deep breath as she struggles to stop tears from forming in the corner of her eyes, "s-standing in the aftermath of the war, I…saw countless Elves searching through the bodies for their loved ones. The desperation on their faces...in their actions...what I watched happen…what I saw unfold…I can't even put the tragedies I saw into words".
Lorilay can't stop the tears from flowing any longer, the regret and shame in her voice palpable to everyone in the store, "it's true that I was better than most of those around me, but not overwhelmingly enough so to be able to change anything on my own! Everything was weighing on me, wearing me down...I couldn't eat or sleep...I couldn't stop seeing the aftermath when I closed my eyes. I would constantly think I was hearing the screams when there was silence. I just couldn't take it anymore…so I ran. The thought of staying there made me want to crawl up into a ball and pull my hair out! I couldn't catch my breath at the thought of fighting again! I trembled in my bed and couldn't stop no matter what I did! There was only one thing that brought me any sense of peace...the fact that I had a soulmate. So I ran towards that to forget about everything else...I abandoned everything".
Lorilay finds the strength give out from her knees, falling to the floor of the dressing room in a bawling sob as her anguish overtakes her, "by helping Ren...and Liza...it makes...me feel...like I don't...have to...hate myself...anymore". Liza swiftly exits her dressing room, paying no mind to the fact that she's wearing no clothes. The shop staff are too busy wiping away their own tears to even notice. Liza enters Lorilay's changing room, wasting no time in getting on the floor to take the crying Lorilay into her arms, hugging her tightly in an attempt to soothe her. She's too worried about Lorilay to even let herself cry, I had no idea about anything that she's been through...and I have no idea what to say to her either. I want to take away her pain, but I don't know what to do. What would Alex do? I can't even bring myself to say anything as I feel it would only have the opposite effect. All I can think to do is to hold her.
Elza also exited her changing room, not paying mind to her nude form either. She looks upon the two of them, but after a couple of seconds of Liza trying to calm Lorilay down, Elza speaks up because it's not working, "there are times when it's ok to run away, but whether or not you're capable of forgiving yourself for it is something completely different". Having caught Lorilay's attention, Elza crouches down to touch Lorilay's check, wiping away some tears, "if you aren't able to forgive yourself for running away, then run back when you're ready. Run back and put in the effort now that you can. Put in so much effort that you can forgive yourself for running away the first time".
Elza stares into Lorilay's crying eyes, conveying how serious her words are through her own eyes. There's not a hit of compassion or pity in Elza's eyes, just objective observation, "Lorilay, you have already run back. You're already trying to make things right. I can see that, and if I can tell despite knowing you for such a small amount of time, then your efforts will be even more apparent to those that do know. All you have to do now is do your best, so that nobody can blame you, not even yourself. Hold you're head up high, because you're doing the right thing".
Elza was trying to aspire confidence in Lorilay, and to reassure her, but not by coddling her. However, she's afraid her words may have the opposite effect despite her intentions as Lorilay starts crying even harder, griping onto Liza as she does. Liza just hugs Lorilay tighter, supporting her until she eventually calms down. Neither Liza or Elza know what to do to get her to calm down. After what seems like an eternity, but is actually less than a minute, Lorilay finally calms down. Elza addresses both of them with a heavy heart, trying to lighten the mood, "sorry about this. I didn't think I'd make someone cry while dress shopping".
Lorilay shakes her head, "no...it felt good to get it off my chest. I don't what to hide anything from my sister wives, and this sudden opportunity gave me the chance to share it. Who knows when another opportunity would arise, and if I'd have the guts to speak up at that time. Thank you for hearing me out. Your words really touched me. A Queen's wisdom can't be underestimated", trying to mirror Elza's attempt to lighten the mood.
Elza, "you give me too much credit. There are lots of people who have done similar things in your situation. I just passed along some of the things I've learned from them". Liza gives Lorilay another squeeze, "if you ever need to talk about anything, you can come to us. We'll listen no matter what it is". Lorilay smiles and nods, unable to say anything due to the emotions swelling in her chest.
Elza, felling that things have settled down, stands up to exit the dressing room, "why don't we finish up here and get ourselves ready?". They both agree, Elza and Liza returning to their respective changing rooms. Lorilay watches them go, then the embarrassment settles in, they saw me crying while naked! She covers her face in shame, I'm so glad they'll be my sister wives. I don't think I'd recover if a stranger saw me like that!
Elza can't help but smile a little as she glances at the shop staff bawling their eyes out before entering her changing room. Liza, however, doesn't even give them a glance as she enters her own. Once inside, she just stands in the centre of the room, hanging her head in dejection, I couldn't do anything. I couldn't say anything. All I could do was hold her. No thoughts formed in my head, no words of anything substantial. Elza...was amazing. Completely different from me. Compared to Elza, I'm immature. Far too immature. I couldn't help stop one of my friends tears, so how am I meant to stop a babies tears? Am I...ready to be a mother?