Fortura

As the door opened a cheerful ding echoed through the quaint little shop nestled along the busy marketplace from a silver bell dangling above. Various mannequins of the variety of species might find in Gehenna were stationed across the floor, each adorned in garments fit for a gala. Racks of brightly colored silks and other fabrics framed the walls, with an older sewing machine tucked in the back corner of the room. In another corner was two chairs and a small round table with various magazines spread out on it. A small counter with a register was near the back wall, a door with a shimmering curtain draped across it.

A soothing voice beckoned from beyond the curtain, “hello darlings, I will be right with you, please just give me a moment.”

Alexis offered Fidelisa a nervous glance, who simply responded by placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. Before the young woman could question more of where they were, the curtain rustled and a lanky figure slowly slipped into the room.

Alexis flinched slightly as the graceful, tall woman smiled to them, four golden eyes blinked as she took in the sight of her guests. A rose pink sarong dress draped over her toned figure, as two of her six hands smoothed her dress along her hips. She shook her head allowing her long magenta braids to shift over her shoulder. Slowly her lush lips, also painted with a soft pink parted a contrast to her ebony flesh. “Mistress Puellia, what a lovely surprise, and you have brought such a delicious young lady with you.”

Stepping closer towards them the shopkeeper scanned the young woman, “so pretty, oh dear, I could just eat you up.”

Alexis flinched, but the ample imp’s warm hand on her shoulder assured her everything was okay. “Hello, Miss Fortura, it is so lovely to see you again, I would like you to meet, my dear Alexis.”

Hearing that Fortura’s tongue clicked against her cheek, “Oh, my, so this is the little angel, so sweet, I was so excited when I heard that Princess Hekate has a daughter. Oh dear, oh dear, let me have a look at you.” Reaching out with one hand to take one of Alexis’s petite hands and raise it above her head as another touched her shoulder to spin her in a pirouette. “Such perfection, just as I would expect from the daughter of my savior. Oh and that lovely crimson hair and amber eyes, so precious, so many things I could do to bring out and enhance such natural beauty.”

Fidelisa just giggled, “Yes, that is why I brought her to you, after all as you can see, we just need a little polish on our gemstone to show the refined and elegant lady hidden beneath.”

Alexis blinked, and began to object, but was cut off, as the seamtress wrapped a tape measure around her waist. “No worries, Mistress, I have so many ideas that would be perfect for our young princess.” Then stating numbers as she measured Alexis’s body at key points causing the young lady to blush brightly.

Next the woman took Alexis’s wrists and pulling her arms away and out from her body, all while measuring the various points and lengths of her arms as two other hands moved in to begin to unbutton her blouse. At this the young woman started to struggle, “What the hello are you doing?”

Fortura paused stunned for a moment at the reaction, glancing to Fidelisa nervously.

The ample imp chimed in, “it’s okay, Alexis, she is just got a little ahead of herself.”

At that the spider demon smiled, freeing the young woman’s wrists, “I’m so sorry dear, I was just so excited to be able to dress such a beautiful work of art. I can’t wait to see you in some of my creations.”

Alexis hugged herself tightly, “what type of creations?”

Fortura giggled, “oh of course, I’m so sorry again, my precious dear, I should ask you what you would like. Is there any styles or color palette you would prefer? Maybe the chic victorian style that your mother always prefers? Or we could be more traditional for a young lady of your status? I could even use some of the styles popular from the mortal realm if you would like, I have a variety of magazines from there if you would like look through them?”

Alexis blinked somewhat overwhelmed by the questions and the thoughts of fashion as she had never worried about it in her previous life. Then taking a gulp she asked, “Maybe something with jeans or at least pants?”

Fortura blinked taken aback by the request, “Well dear, if that is what you would like. I do have several styles I might be able to work something like that in with. Although are you sure that it would be okay?” Glancing nervously to Fidelisa.

Fidelisa just shook her head, “I’m sorry Alexis, but I cannot allow you to dress as a commoner, it is unfitting for one of your standing in society. I thought we had already discussed and agreed on this??” Staring intently at the young woman, who began to fidget nervously.

Slowly Alexis dropped her eyes to the floor, and meekly whispered, “yes, ma’am”

Fortura leaned in giving the shorter woman a reassuring hug, “don’t worry dear, I will think of something to include in your wardrobe that you will like.” Then pulling back she smiled, “So post modern working human is off the table, lets see, oh to begin with I might have something perfect for our little Alexis. Come with me to the dressing room dear, and Mistress Puellia please have a seat.”

Ushering Alexis through the curtain and into one of the dressing rooms, pulling the curtain shut behind them, “Now be a dear and take off that blouse and skirt while I get something for you to try.” Turning from her as she glided over to a rack with several dresses hanging from it, “no, no, not that one, where is it, I know it was right here, oh yes, that would be spectacle and it should be a perfect fit.”

Returning to the curtain of the dressing room, she pressed a hand holding a green silk toga style dress. “Please try this, dear, I think it will really bring out your eyes. Come out when you are ready, and if you have any questions, I will be right here.”

Alexis took the dress, sighing softly to herself, and looking at her self in the full length mirror dressed only in panties and socks. “I guess this is me now.” Slowly she began to slip into the dress, the smooth material brushing gently across her flesh, sending goosebumps along her spine at how right it felt.

Just then from the other room the chime could be hear as someone else had entered the establishment.