Page 24 of Mushy Stuff
Chapter 16
Thefaemarketisamazing! I love every moment of being here.
There are so many different people. I see Guardians and people that are mixed between Elven and Guardians. They are so fascinating to look at. A lot of them are very similar because they are forest Guardians, but they are also all so different. When you look at the small details of them, you notice all of the little differences that make each person unique. For example, Wold has mushrooms growing on his shoulders and in his hair. I saw another Guardian that was growing lichen, and that one was a female! The merchant that Wold sold mushrooms to was so beautiful. She looked regal and statuesque.
I want to see more.
I want to see everything.
As we’ve been walking around, I’ve noticed one female Guardian looking at us on several occasions. I can’t figure out why she would be watching us, except maybe she has a thing for Wold? I lean into him because he is mine. Then I realize that after tonight, he won’t be, and my heart breaks a little more.
Maybe I shouldn’t stand in her way. Maybe Wold would be happy with her. She has the long ears that Wold explained come from being part Elven. Maybe they have similar family histories and could relate to each other. She is also a forest Guardian. She has long green hair, with vines that look a lot like Wold’s. She also has antlers that are similar to Wold’s, but smaller. Her skin is brown and looks like it has the texture of bark. Her legs are lightly furred, and her paws have a very cat-like look to them. Her tail seems fluffy like a cat’s as well. She has a sprinkling of delicate flowers growing on her. Her eyes glow that vibrant yellow like Wold’s. She’s quite beautiful, really. She’s wearing a shimmering piece of fabric that looks like golden silk tied around her small breasts and an elegant loincloth that matches.
I should tell Wold that she is watching us, but I just can’t bring myself to point her out to him. Maybe it’s jealousy, and I’m not being a good person, but I don’t want him tosee her and be interested in her. If I can only have him for a little bit longer, I want his whole attention.
So, I don’t tell him. He’s very busy selling his mushrooms anyway. He doesn’t need the distraction. I cling to him though. He still has his tail wrapped around me, and I like the comfort of it.
My heart aches knowing that I am going to lose Wold soon.
We walk around to several more merchants to sell more of the mushrooms.
Before I know it, I look at the bag and realize that all the mushrooms have sold. “Wold! You sold all of them! Did you make a lot of money?”
He smiles. “Yes.”
“Did you get enough to buy what you need for the spell?” I ask. Inside I’m pleading to every god I can think of that he didn’t.
He looks a little sad as he replies, “Yes, more than enough.”
I’m crushed, but I try to put on a smile for him and say, “That’s great!” Then I say, “Do we have to…I mean…can we look around a bit more before we buy the ingredients? I love it here, and I want to see more.”
He gives me a sad look, yet smiles and says, “Yes, that would be good.”
We walk around some more while I marvel at all of the beautiful things the merchants are selling.
We pass a tent, and I peek inside and gasp; it is filled with the most beautiful dresses I have ever seen. There is a beautiful pale pink one that has delicate brown mushrooms embroidered all over it. “Wold, look at that dress! I have to go in and look at it!” He tries to protest, but I practically drag him in.
We walk over to it, and it’s even more beautiful up close. I gush over it to Wold. “Look at it! It’s perfect!”
A female merchant comes to greet us. She’s a forest Guardian too, but she must not have Elven blood. She is much stouter than the females with Elven blood. The ones that are mixed have a much leaner body. She has antlers like most of the forest guardians seem to have, and small flowers bloom around the base of the antlers and around the base of her neck. She asks, “Would you like to try it on?”
I pause and look at Wold, but he looks concerned. He begins darting glances around the tent, so it must not be safe. I look at the merchant and say, “No, I’m just looking.” I laugh nervously. “It probably won’t fit me; I’m a lot smaller than the females around here.”
The merchant smiles. “Nonsense! We use our magic to tailor it to fit you. It would look beautiful with your color, and it would match your mate very well.”
I look at Wold again. He looks nervous, and I wouldn’t want to cause him any more stress. The merchant notices his concern. “If you are worried about the safety of your woman, do not worry.” She takes us to the changing area. “This tent is perfectly safe. We have taken all of the proper precautions and used all the appropriate protection spells for our tent. I have a daughter to protect, and her safety is my top concern. She will just be on the other side of this flap.”
She opens a small tent flap and shows us a little dressing room. Wold looks around inside it, and then nods.
The merchant claps and says, “Wonderful! I’ll go get the dress.” She walks over to the dress display and brings it to us.
I go into the little room and give Wold a big smile. “I’ll be out in just a minute.” He still looks nervous, but he nods.
Once I’ve closed the flap for the dressing room, I take my clothes off except for my bra and panties. I slip the dress on and button it up the front. As soon as I put it on, I feel the fabric shrinking to fit me, and I gasp. It fits perfectly, and it’s so soft and lightweight. I twirl, because you have to twirl in a new flowy dress.
I hear a sound like shuffling feet coming from the opposite side of the dressing room, not the flap where I entered. This makes me nervous, because why would I hear someone walking around there? I feel like I’m being watched, and my heart starts racing. Maybe Wold was right; maybe this is too dangerous. I decide I want to get out of here and get back to Wold as quickly as possible, so I begin gathering up my clothes. I hear a noise behind me, and I whirl around. The female that has been watching us pokes her head through a hidden flap in the dressing room. I gasp. “You—”
She cuts me off with a whisper, “I’m sorry for this.” She blows a handful of dust into my face.
