*slowly peeks around the doorway* Hi, everyone. I, uhm, *chuckles nervously* I'm sorry I've been away for so long. Please don't, er, stab me or anything. I come bearing gifts.

In all seriousness, I am truly sorry for how long this has taken me. This is a big part of the reason why I didn't want to post this story when I first started, because I didn't want to get sidetracked or lose interest before I finished it. There's too many people that read this that deserve better than to suffer through another unfinished piece.

First off, I just wanna say that I haven't quit this story. I have not. I have the ending written out and we are almost there. There *is* a Part Two in the concept stage, but I need to work it out before I can start writing it, but I am planning to post the first chapter when I post the last chapter of this story.

Secondly, as I'm sure everyone is aware, this last year has sucked. Massively. (Why do I have to be considered essential, just how on this green planet am I considered 'essential') I DID finish my class, though, and am now looking for a new job, so yay, add that on top of everything else!

Truthfully, none of that really excuses me not writing/posting. I mean, it does a little, because I'm pretty sure everyone that writes has been suffering from this pandemic. I have a friend who has barely touched her story since...the beginning of last year, I think. So yeah, it's been pretty bad. (The worst of all being DUNE. Why...why am I having to wait a whole, 'nother. YEAR.)

All in all, I'm not going anywhere, just moving a lot slower than I used to, and stressing out. But I have two chapters for you, I'm working on the next one, and the story continues.

I love all of you, and extra love to those of you who reached out to make sure I'm still sucking oxygen. ^.^ You guys are awesome, amazing, gorgeous, and lovely people, and I hope every one of you is staying as safe and healthy as you can.


Ramirez was an amazing escort, not even batting an eye when I asked him questions that likely anyone of this time should already know, instead giving answers with patience and volunteering interesting facts about different things.

It made me wonder if Reíno had dropped a comment or two about my origins. Or if he had already guessed something about me was more than a little off, which wouldn't surprise me from the personality he displayed. He played a carefree charmer, but I glimpsed intelligence lurking in his gaze too often to not recognize it.

It took me a while to get my balance back after having been on the Silent Mary for months. Even still, I stumbled every now and then, my scarred leg a little unsteady with the change in equilibrium, but Ramirez kept me upright every time.

It was fascinating, being in an 18th century town. Even though it was small by the Spaniards' standards, and mine as well, it was still a glimpse into the past. Or present, as the case was, but I was too busy gazing around wide-eyed at everything.

I almost felt like I'd stepped into a scene of Pride and Prejudice. It was amazing.

We meandered down the street, passing the inn Lesaro had mentioned, and continued on down a street that was peddling from a bunch of small stalls set up by street vendors. Everywhere I looked, there was more and more stuff, showing a huge variety of things anywhere from lace to exotic pets to even a stall selling firearms.

When I asked, Ramirez explained that it was due to the trade from the port. It wasn't as large as it could be due to it being only a small town, but it was decently sized.

We continued on, passing by shops that were an actual part of the town, selling goods like candles, yarn, assorted things that looked almost colonial. It made me miss having a cellphone.

I smirked wryly at the thought of how these people would react to such witchcraft.

The shops and market stalls were scattered about with no rhyme or reason. A tallowmaker's shop could be next to a general goods store, and a shoemaker was next to the store selling…wigs. An entire shop for wigs. I grimaced as we passed that one.

Carriages were few and far between, most of the street occupied with people walking, but there were still plenty of carts being driven back and forth, enough that people had to keep an eye out to not be run over.

My guide led me towards a section with more stalls than shops, and I realized that this was where most of stalls sold food item. We passed by breads, smoked meats, a stall selling tobacco leaves, even one selling chickens.

Awestruck, I looked around, somewhat in awe with sheer variety of foods being displayed. "Wow…"

Ramirez suddenly grabbed my elbow and tugged me to the side, barking something brusque in Spanish as one of the carts rumbled by at a quicker pace than was safe for how many people were in the way on the busy street. The driver shouted something back that sounded rude, to which Ramirez reached for his rapier as the cart began to slow down, as if the driver was thinking about getting off and starting something with the Spanish officer.

The driver visibly paled and snapped the reins, urging his mule faster.

"Cabrón," Ramirez muttered, before clasping my elbow again and directing me towards the end of the marketplace. "Come, we should start for the dressmaker's before one of us gets run over."

I was fine with that, and let him lead me past the stalls until I suddenly saw something extremely familiar. I slowed down abruptly, resisting when he tried to tug me along. "Wait!"

"Señorita-" he began, then broke off when I looked up at him pleadingly.

"Please, just that one stall, then we can go."

He inhaled sharply through his nose, but pulled me into his side, keeping me as close as was polite, and fell in step as I moved towards the stall.

Sure enough, there on the display next to something huge, spiky and yellow, was a familiar green fruit in varying sizes from the size of my outstretched hand to an apple.

"Cherimoyas!" I squeaked excitedly.

Ramirez blinked in surprise. "You know of these?"

I nodded quickly, sliding my hand from his arm to inspect the fruits. "I love these! They're so delicious, and hard to find, so it makes it difficult for me to get them. How much are they?"

"Do not worry on price. Pick which ones you want." Ramirez looked over my shoulder as I carefully pawed through the fruit. "And one for me as well."

"Just three, then. I'll let Miguel know they have them in case he wants to buy more." I selected three beautifully green cherimoyas, just on the cusp of ripeness. They'd probably completely ripe by tomorrow, but they could still be eaten today.

Before I could protest, Ramirez had already handed the seller a handful of coins with a short nod. He turned and gave a small smile at my slightly peeved look. "It would not do for you to buy everything, señorita. Especially since one of those is mine."

I rolled my eyes, but let him get away with his sly expense. "Where did you have a cherimoya?"

He perked up, holding out his arm so I could slide my hand around it as he collected my fruit and cradled them in his arm. "They grow in Spain. Sparsely, but marketplaces will usually have at least a few each season."

I grimaced, reaching to take one of the fruits back. "I should have brought a basket or something. I'm sorry. Let me help you carry those."

Ramirez pulled his arm back out of reach. "It is fine, Señorita Revanne. So long as you do not make any more purchases."

He winks at me teasingly and I scrunch my nose at him before letting him have his way. It wasn't worth the fight. "Fine. Next time I'll buy a whole bunch to make you let me help."

He laughed. "As you wish."

We strolled along in silence, my emotions on a happy buzz at having found some cherimoyas. The fruit was delicious, a blend between banana, pineapple, and kiwi with a dash of vanilla. They had a very short shelf life, so they weren't supplied to many stores. I'd only had luck finding them in only one store, but that might also have been due to where I'd lived.

A small pressure on my elbow surprised me as I was steered towards a shop selling ribbons and other fripperies. "Uhm, why are we going in here?"

"Because I wish to look for something," Ramirez answered, leading me inside the cool shop.

There was a potpourri in the shop that made me want to cough, but it felt nice to be out of the humid sunlight. I didn't feel quite so bad when I saw Ramirez grimace at the smell either, but he rearranged his face into a polite smile as he was approached by the shopkeeper.

I let go of his arm to look around, perking up when I saw a cluster of peacock feathers against the wall. The familiar sight made me smile as I reached out to brush my fingers against the colorful feathers.

"I would not suggest purchasing those."

I glanced over my shoulder to see Ramirez moving towards me, a small box in his hand. "Expensive?"

He looked at the price listed and wrinkled his nose. "Exceedingly."

"Some things never change," I say to myself with a small snicker.

"Perdón?"

I shake my head and turn away from the feathers. "Where I come from, peacock feathers are very overpriced. Which is amusing to me because at my home, I could walk outside and pick them up off the ground."

His eyes widened as he held the door open for me to walk through. "You have such beautiful birds?"

I nodded, feeling lighter at the memories. "I do! I love the black-shouldered ones. They're simply gorgeous. They molt once a year, and I collect their feathers every time. I have probably have at least four or five times as many feathers as were in that shop."

Ramirez blinked at me, surprised. "What do you do with them?"

I shrugged, feeling my face warm a little in embarrassment. "Nothing, really. I just collect them. I suppose I could have tried to sell them, but I never had the opportunity."

Ramirez continued to ask curiously about what else I'd had back home, and it took a surprisingly large effort to not start blabbing nonstop, spilling all my secrets. He suspected things, I knew that for certain. I mean, how could he not? But after our rocky introduction, he seemed very friendly.

I liked him.

My leg began to ache not too long after and I started to hobble slightly, sharply reminded that while I walked around a lot on the Mary, it was nothing compared to what I was doing now. Which was overstretching myself, even before I'd been poked and prodded by pins and needles.

I tried to ignore it, but Ramirez noticed and slowed down considerably, frowning as he looked down at my limp. "You injured yourself, Señorita Revanne?"

I cleared my throat and tried to play it off, guessing he wouldn't react well if he knew how I'd gotten injured. "It 'tis a scratch. A nasty scratch, but a scratch all the same. But I thank you for your concern."

To my surprise, he led me over to a cool spot of shade, his frown deepening when I leaned up against the wall with a sigh of relief. "I have known you all of a single morn, señorita, and I know you are lying to me."

I slumped slightly with a short groan. Seriously? Can- are all Spaniards just equipped with lie detectors? Cuz I know my lying isn't that shitty. "It is…a deep cut. I was injured during la María's last skirmish."

"How deep?" Ramirez asked, his tone terse as he clenched his jaw.

I wasn't intimidated. I'd seen Salazar enraged. Ramirez upset was nothing in comparison. "Deep enough."

Black eyes narrowed at my evasive answer, but he didn't push anymore. I was relieved for a short second, then realized he probably planned on interrogated poor Reíno for what I wasn't saying.

We stood in the shade for a few minutes, watching people strolling by, stopping at various shops, chatting to each other.

"We should make our way towards the dressmaker's," I finally said, pushing up off the wall, tentatively putting weight back on my leg and immediately feeling it throb threateningly.

Ramirez shifted and stepped forwards, reaching down to tuck my arm in his. "Lean on me, señorita. I will help you."

"May I ask you something?" I squeezed his arm gratefully and sank into his support, my shoulder pressed into his arm as he took some of my weight. I felt bad he was carrying my cherimoyas and practically myself as well, but I knew when to accept help. Usually.

"?"

"How did you know I was lying?" I asked, trying to figure out how he'd been able to tell.

Ramirez gave me a short chuckle and a small smile. "Your speech. It changes when you are paying attention to yourself."

"Ah, dammit," I muttered, low enough not to be heard.

He couldn't hear my words, but I guessed he could make out my tone as he chuckled again. "Come, the dressmaker's is a short ways away."

True to his word, it was only a short walk to our destination,

We passed by the first window of the dress shop and I paused, a beautiful maroon dress displayed in the window. It was gorgeous, with very few ruffles and lines that clung to the wearer's figure, which I knew was quite outrageous in fashion for the next century or so.

Still, it was beautiful enough that I wouldn't have minded trying it on.

Inside waited the recognizable figure of Lady Delagio, bent over what I could only assume were dress designs. Another woman was with her, also impeccably dressed, if not quite as richly. I assume she's the shop owner.

At the sound of the door opening, both women looked up, Lady Delagio straightening to stride gracefully over to me. "Ah, excellent. A pleasure to see you again, Teniente."

Ramirez bowed, kissing the back of the hand she held out. "I have brought Señorita Revanne, as requested."

"Good, very good." She gave me a quick look up and down, making me feel kind of like some street waif trying to pretend to be a lady, before turning to walk back towards the dressmaker, motioning for me to follow. "Ezmeria, this is the one I wish for you to dress. As you can see, we have something decent to work with."

Ezmeria frowned as she slowly looked over my appearance, her sharp features making me wonder if there was some Nordic in her ancestry. "No beauty of the first water, but I have seen worse."

I bristled at her backhanded insult, opening my mouth to snap a retort when there was a nudge in my ribs. I looked up to see Ramirez shaking his head.

I sighed and let it go, following after Lady Delagio to take a seat next to her as she turned back to the dress designs.

A young woman dressed in a rougher dress came from the back and lead Ramirez over to a small seating area, leaving me along with the two women.

It was my worst nightmare.

I always hated clothes shopping, even in the modern day when things were stupidly easy. But in this time period, it was so much worse.

"No, this shade will be horrible with her complexion."

"Perhaps, but that design will flatter her figure, what of it there is."

The dressmaker's blunt comment made me curl my lip, but then I kept quiet when I remember they didn't know I had bound my breasts. The dress I was currently wearing was definitely not meant for someone as busty as me, which was surprising because I hadn't thought my chest was that large. Though as I thought about it, Lady BeKatt was much flatter than I was, in every department. Just how they preferred it in this time period.

I wrinkled my nose at the thought then tuned back into the discussion taking place without me.

Several dresses were brought out to be viewed, most seeming to be of slightly lower quality than the ones in the windows out front. I curiously asked why that was and was told it was because they were already made and needed to be readily altered, instead of sewn to a client's measurements.

Lady Delagio was surprisingly efficient, narrowing the dressmaker's available options down to three dresses, all horrible pastel shades of different colors that I knew would look ghastly on me. But I recalled the current time's obsession with maidenly colors and stayed silent.

"We will try these three, for start," Lady Delagio said firmly, pointing at the three dresses, two different shades of blue and one a blush rose pink. "The pink we will take."

I studied the colors, then nodded reluctantly. They wouldn't be too horrible on me. At least she hadn't gone for the eyewatering orange, which somehow seemed more toxic with the faded color.

I looked up and caught sight of a maroon sleeve, just visible behind a frilly satin creation that took up the whole front of the shop.

Oddly enough, just that little glimpse made me want to try it on, more than ever.

Glancing over, I saw the dressmaker was handing off the dresses to one of the workgirls under Lady Delagio's watchful eye.

I had to say something now or never. Taking a deep breath, I asked as politely as I could, "The maroon one as well, please?"

Both Lady Delagio and Ezmeria paused to stare at me, making me shift uncomfortably. I had spoken barely a handful of sentences during this nightmare, so this seemed to surprise them greatly.

Lady Delagio cast the dress in question a scrutinizing look and shook her head. "It is too dark. Colors such as those are reserved for older women, not young unmarried ladies such as yourself."

But Ezmeria gave me a considering glance, sweeping forwards to snatch up the maroon dress from its stand and held it next to my skin. I waited patiently for her to make her assessment, knowing that the situation was out of my hands now.

Ezmeria's gaze shot up to my face. "You know what colors suit your complexion?"

I nodded, chewing the inside of my cheek nervously as Lady Delagio moved forward as well, seeming thoughtful now as she watched the dressmaker hold the wine-red dress against my skin. "Maroon, brighter reds, navy blue, dark green. Some lighter colors, but not many."

Lady Delagio frowned slightly. "Improper colors, but I suppose…it is not as if we are attending a ball."

I let myself become hopeful. I wouldn't have to constantly be crammed into a pastel, frothy mess? The maroon dress actually looked tolerable, compared to Lady Delagio's choices, even if they were what was considered proper.

As if reading my mind, the woman spun towards me, making me flinch, and gave me a stern look. "If, and I stress if, you promise to wear the dresses I choose whenever I say, I will allow for you to have this one."

I gave the frilly pastel concoction a sour look, but nodded. It was a fair trade, all things considered. And I was being entrusted to her care, which would make me her pupil, to follow her every instruction.

It was a sobering thought.

"Good." Lady Delagio turned to Ezmeria. "We will try those four, and take the maroon and the rose, for certain. The rest shall need to be altered. Please instruct Miss Revanne in how she needs to assist you."

With that, I was ushered back to the changing room, Lady Delagio following behind, and the shopgirl started to strip my clothes with a speed and efficiency that made my head spin. Why the hell is it easier to get out of this contraption than to get in it?

Then I had the inappropriate thought of men seducing women out of their dresses in far less time it took for their maids to dress them and I had to choke back a giggle.

I suddenly grabbed the shift underneath it before they could rip it off of me and stared with wide eyes at the svelte woman. "Do you really need to be in here?"

I really didn't want her comparing my pale chubbiness to her delicate figure.

"Yes. I can more accurately judge what will fit best to your frame without that horrid insult of a dress in the way." She stepped to the side, her keen stare appraising my body.

I rolled my eyes, wishing I could throw the dress that was being dragged over my head at her, but she was right. It was an ugly dress on me.

Ezmeria abruptly paused, and I looked over at her curiously to see she was staring at my neck with wide eyes.

A quick glance showed the same of Lady Delagio.

The hell are they staring at? Something bit me or-

With a flash, I remembered something did bite me, and undoubtedly the mark had only become more noticeable as it was still just days old.

The heat of my blush went all the way from my hairline to far underneath the shift I was still wearing, and I reflexively clapped my hand over it, even though I knew it was far too late to hide it now.

Tactfully, neither woman said anything, though Lady Delagio, oddly enough, seemed to have an almost smug expression that just made me bewildered and wonder if she'd be so smug if she knew who'd put it there.

Another shock for Lady Delagio was when I asked for a brief reprieve before they tried on the dress to measure for alterations. The binding on my breasts would make it unpleasant for when I wore them without, so I stepped behind a screen and quickly unwound the cloth from under my shift.

I sucked in a deep breath at the loss of pressure and briefly massaged the sore tissue. Wearing that thing made me miss my bra, almost as much as a good pair of sneakers.

I made sure to tuck the cloth with the stockings and shoes so that I could put it back on before leaving.

When I stepped back out from behind the screen, I was more than a little smug when Lady Delagio's eyes widened when she saw the change in my chest.

Apparently, for all her cool, aloof manner, she hadn't been expecting that.

"Any more surprises, Miss Revanne?" Ezmeria asked dryly, though I thought I saw her mouth twitch as if she was fighting a smile.

"None," I said sweetly, inwardly smirking at the thought of just how many 'surprises' I was still hiding.

The only way I was going to get through this torture was to comfort myself with how much I knew compared to these people. Conceited of me, yes, but it was either that or start snapping at people every time icy fingers stabbed into my skin as I was turned and positioned on the stool like a life-size doll.

However, I hadn't expected my little display to cause such a change in Lady Delagio's demeanor.

What had been faint disdain covered with polite manners and a general attitude of reluctant tolerance before was now a cold, almost reptilian curiosity, her green eyes glittering as she stared at me speculatively.

Coupled with the bite mark on my neck, I almost wished I could read her mind to see what conclusions she was drawing.

She remained quiet for the most part, only speaking up when she felt something needed to be changed.

Being poked and prodded by the dressmaker and several assistants took the rest of the day. Lady Delagio refused to leave with less than five dresses, but only three were available for alteration, not including the maroon, which fit almost perfectly. I'd had just enough time to give myself an appraising onceover in the mirror before it was whisked off, much to my annoyance.

Which meant that the last dress had to be ordered and made from scratch. A process I was pretty sure Lady Delagio enjoyed more than she should, but while I wasn't consulted on any of her choices for the design, I couldn't argue with her taste. The pastel messes weren't…intolerable.

Lady BeKatt also came by to purchase a dress, but I was too busy being scolded for not standing up straight to be able to say anything.

Still, she seemed amused by my predicament, but there was no maliciousness in her humor. She gave me a polite nod before she was ushered into a different back room to be tended to by one of the assistants.

"There. That is all I have available at the moment," Ezmeria said as she set the last pin of the alterations.

Lady Delagio gave a small sniff of what could have been disdain, but didn't say anything derogative. Instead, she responded with, "Send the bill to la María Silenciosa, if you please."

The familiar name made me twitch, but Ezmeria's reaction was much more noticeable.

Eyes wide, the dressmaker dropped the pin in her fingers and choked, "El Matador del Mar's vessel?"

Lady Delagio seemed to practically gloat as she answered, "The very one. Would you be so kind?"

Ezmeria wheezed for a moment, then nodded dumbly.

I couldn't decide if I was amused or thought that Lady Delagio had been a bit mean to drop that name on the poor woman. It wasn't the dressmaker's fault that it was a small town that didn't cater to high society.

"Miss Revanne."

The dulcet tone caught my attention, and I twisted my head to see Lady Delagio standing next to my old dress.

I stepped down from the stool and walked over to where she stood. "My lady."

Nobody had taught me the proper form of address, and I still wasn't quite sure what to call her.

That seemed suitable enough, as she inclined her head gracefully. "Was the outing to your liking?"

I blinked, surprised at her question. Was she honestly asking for my opinion?

She waited patiently, her cat's eyes staring at me steadily.

With a hesitant nod, I said, "Yes, it was. I thank you for letting me pi-select the maroon dress."

Lady Delagio made no remark of my odd verbal stumble. "Excellent. And you were correct, it is a flattering shade for your complexion. I worry it will be too dark, but I suppose we will cross that bridge when it comes. Now, I have no further need for you for the rest of the day, but we will soon be working on proper manners and etiquette fit for even the highest-ranking courtier. If Ezmeria is as good as I know her to be, then you will return here tomorrow to try on these garments for their final alteration. Get dressed, and I will summon Teniente Ramirez to escort you."

"I-" I struggled not let her arrogant tone ruffle my feathers and let out a slow breath, holding on to my gratitude. She didn't have to teach me, and as much as I hated it, I needed to learn. "Thank you, my lady. Your assistance is very much appreciated."

Lady Delagio paused from looking down at the ill-fitting dress I'd been wearing with faint contempt to lift her head, studying me closely.

After a moment, her face softened. "You are welcome, Miss Revanne. I can imagine how difficult it has been for you, these past few weeks, and endeavor not to make you pay for my inconvenience. It is not your fault, after all, that I have been asked to further strain my schedule."

"You have…other pupils?" I asked carefully, keeping my expression neutral, shivering as a cool gust of air from one of the assistants walking by swept across my legs.

Lady Delagio sighed. "I was…not expecting to take on a young lady in need of tutoring. It is not you that garners my irritation, and in truth, I am more exasperated than anything. I have never been a governess, thank goodness, but now that leads me to a loss as to how to teach you what you need to know."

This was as difficult for her as it was for me.

Now that, I could understand.

Giving her a warm smile, I said, "I'm a fairly bright learner, and I think you'll make a lovely teacher."

She stared at me for a long moment, then if I wasn't mistaken, a small flush darkened her olive skin. She cleared her throat slightly. "Yes, well, I must attend to other affairs, and you must return to your escort. I will have one of the assistants help you dress."

With that, she hurriedly bustled off, leaving me watching her with bemusement.

Okay, so be nice and try not to get irritated by her high-handedness. Don't make it any more difficult for the both of us. Got it.


I'm so so so very sorry it's taken me this long to post. I'm trying to do better, but I don't want to make any promises that might be broken. I also apologize if it seems awkward in any way or displaced or not quite the same pace. It's a bit of a struggle to pick up where one where left off months ago.