Kanaya smiles gratefully at me, curtsying once more as I do the same. It is then that I remember that she requires clothing. I avert my eyes, suddenly afraid of embarrassing her. How shall I go about this? I wonder.
"Forgive me, Kanaya, but do you have any clothing? You must be cold." I whisper, not wanting to embarrass her. But her reaction catches me off guard, for her eyes become misty, and I wonder if she might cry. I place my hand on her shoulder, trying to comfort her, though I still don't understand what has troubled her so.
"No, when Aydunth and his brothers captured me, they burned all of my clothes and destroyed most of my possessions." She whimpered, a single tear tracing a path down her cheek. "I have nothing." Her voice trembles slightly, and I wrap her in my arms. As I hold her and try to calm her, I notice that her skin is not as cold as I would have thought.
Then I remember that she had just recently fed on three full grown dwarfs. The blood of Aydunth and his brothers is coursing through her veins, and the whole event strikes me as poetic justice. She soon calms herself, and I release her from my grasp. Her eyes are slightly watery, but I can tell that she is no longer distraught. As I wonder what we could use to clothe her, I notice a spool of thread resting next to one of the candles, a small needle nestled into the threads. Was that there before? I try to remember, but quickly push the thought from my mind, deciding that it doesn't matter.
"I don't suppose that you can use a needle and thread?" I ask her, crossing over to the thread and bringing it to her. Her face brightens and she nods vigorously, offering me a small smile, barely exposing her fangs. I realize that this thread is the same color as my cloak, and I know what must be done. "You may make yourself some clothes out of my cloak if you wish. I will assist you with my magic as well, if you desire." Her eyes widen, and she looks at the cloak in astonishment, then back at me.
"But won't you be cold?" she queries, raising an eyebrow quizzically. I offer her a small smile. I hope that I can lie convincingly.
"Nothing that a simple spell won't cure, Milady." Her face breaks into a wide grin, and my heart feels warm in my chest. She takes the thread from my hands and grips it tightly.
"Thank you." She whispers, and it is then that I realize that I had not introduced the rest of my party. My face flushes with embarrassment when I turn to see the group's eyes on me, expectant.
"Kanaya, I don't believe that I have introduced you to my party." I stammer, ushering my brother closer. He has a mischievous grin on his face, and I know that he wants so desperately to laugh at me. I am grateful that he manages to not.
"This is my brother, Sir Chronnos, the Defender of the Changing Seasons, the One Who Weaves the Clockwork Tapestry. You may call him David." I say, smiling when my brother makes a face of revulsion. "Sister, you know I detest that name!" he exclaims, his cheeks turning crimson in the candlelight. He huffs at me and turns to Kanaya, bowing extravagantly and taking her hand in his, kissing the back of it lightly.
"Please, call me Dave." He requests, glaring good-naturedly at me. Kanaya laughs, but looks perplexedly at Dave.
"Forgive me for asking, but what is clockwork?" she asks, her smile unsure and curious.
"It is a creation that has yet to be, an item that can measure the passing of the day. It will be many years before its making will transpire, but I have seen both the future and the past, and know both." He says, telling his tale with sweeping hand motions and great excitement. I laugh and quickly shoo him away, beckoning Feferi to me. She approaches shyly, and I begin the introduction.
"This is Lady Undine, the Child of the Lily Pad, the One Who Bestows the Life-Giving Water. She is a fae, so I may not tell you her name, I am afraid." I turn to Feferi, who curtsies and scampers back to the group, smiling. Kanaya chuckles and turns back to me. The two elf brothers I introduce next.
"This is Sir Oakenshield and Sir Flamekeeper. They are the Twin Pillars of the North, the Ones Who Balance Timidity and Ferocity in Equal Scales. You may call them Rowan and Thanos." I tell her, and they exchange pleasantries before I send them away.
Lastly I beckon the Viceroy closer, and Kanaya smiles sweetly at him. He returns her smile, and I begin the introduction.
"Lastly, my pupil, Sir Viceroy Bubbles von Salamancer. He is the Keeper of Light, the One Who Brings the Sun in His Hands. You may call him the Viceroy." I chuckle as he kisses her hand and bows to her before stepping back once more. I turn to Kanaya once again.
"Do you require my assistance in fashioning a dress, Milady? And may my party use your fortress as a temporary place to spend the night? We have traveled a great distance, and are very tired." I ask, hoping that she will allow me to assist her as well as let my party rest here.
"If you wish to help me, I will not refuse. As for the rest your group requires, I will allow you to use my home, though I'm afraid that it may not be very comfortable. Do what you will." She says, taking off my cloak and beginning to cut the silk with her fangs into dress shapes. I silently motion for the rest of the group to find rooms to rest in, while I stay with Kanaya in the main room.
Her handiwork has me spellbound. The whole sewing process confuses me, so I watch her slowly transform the cloak into a sleeveless dress with a sweeping train, complete with a capelet and small silken slippers. I wonder how she will use those, since the moor has many thorny plants, but my question dies on my lips as she cuts soles from a ripped rug and fastens them to the bottom of the slippers. I am surprised by the beauty of the dress and her resourcefulness.
The dress, though definitely not of the current fashion, is very beautiful, and I almost wish that she had fabric left over to sew one for me as well. But I am satisfied when she begins to spin about in her new clothing, smiling as she tests out her new creation.
"You are very talented with fabric." I whisper in awe, mesmerized by the beauty and flawlessness of the seams. Kanaya smiles at me, and stops her spinning in favor of adjusting her capelet.
"I have been a vampire for six sweeps, so I had to learn to pass the time doing something." Kanaya says, smoothing the hem of her dress and turning to me. She laughs when she sees my confused expression.
"Forgive me, a sweep is what a vampire uses to measure time, since we live for such a long time. A sweep is roughly equivalent to one hundred years." She chuckles, resuming her twirling about the room. I'm glad she can't see my jaw drop.
She's SIX HUNDRED YEARS OLD?! I knew that vampires stopped aging when they were turned, but it still has never ceased to amaze me how young they appeared, despite the centuries they had lived after death. I must have gasped, because she turns to me again, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
"Surprised?" she asks, a faint smile creeping onto her face.
"Yes, I suppose so, but I should have guessed." I whisper, embarrassed. "But that means you must have been my age when you were turned. Tell me, how does one become immortal, as you are?" She frowns at me, and I know that she is suspicious of my intentions.
"Why?" she demands, any trace of cordiality gone, replaced by distrust as swiftly as a bird takes wing. I regret asking, but I know that my teacher will perish if I do not ask. I take a deep breath and look her in the eye.
"Because," I say, turning away from her. "My mentor is dying."