I was spending the whole day in the boutique with my parents. I was trying to get used to calling Dalla and Terron "my parents." They had recently started prompting me to say "Mama" and "Papa." Pearl and Richard never liked it when I called them mom and dad. They preferred "Mr. and Mrs. Barton." So using these terms would take some getting used to. Hence my mental practice. That's the only reason I'm using those familiar terms, not out of any sense of attachment. Absolutely not. Plus, it would be weird for a baby to call their parents by their names. No doubt that would raise questions. Anyways, my parents had been keeping me extra close as of late. The scare with the kencap had been two weeks ago, but my parents and brothers were still carefully monitoring my health.

 I'd been set up behind the counter, on a small padded quilt. A number of toys had been placed before me. I had found great amusement in a wooden stick with bells on the end. I never had much interest in bells in my former life, but now their jingling delighted me. I had another stick toy, this one with colorful ribbons tied on it. Waving it back and forth also proved to be very entertaining. My fascination with these simple toys was clearly due to my young age and lack of other amusements. We had no television, no music player, and only a few picture books. I spent most of my time, lying around, bored out of my mind. Thus, the most simple things had come to be fascinating. Today, my parents were working on new designs. A festival was coming up, and they wanted to create special outfits for the event. It was an autumnal festival, celebrating the harvest and the associated goddess.

 The boutique was small and quiet now, only visited by locals, but that would change one day. At age 13, Princesses Ariyana would come to favor The Bluebird Boutique. Ariyana and her mother would pass through this town, Karsant, on their way back from visiting the queen's sister. Bad weather would force them to stop in Karsant. A crack of thunder will spook the beasts pulling the carriage, jostling the luggage. One of Ariyana's trunks will fall and pop open, ruining several of her dresses, including the only nightgown she'd brought. Servants will then gather up the luggage, and the group will head to an inn. Upon hearing of the ruined clothing, the innkeeper will point them to The Bluebird Boutique. The queen will want to send servants, but the curious princess will beg to go. Queen Mortica, too tired from travel to argue, will allow her daughter to go. Ariyana and several servants will make their way to the shop. Even though they were about to close, Dalla and Terron will let Ariyana in, taking pity on a girl in a pinch. The princess will be entranced by what she sees. Royalty and high-ranked nobles typically have designers come straight to their homes. This will be Ariyana's first time in a clothing store. It will also be her first time exposed to fashion outside of the capital. The designers would always bring their fanciest and trendiest clothing. Nobles tended to wear ostentatious outfits, made from delicate materials. My parents' designs were of their own creation, not influenced by trends of the elite. Most of their clothing was also simpler and more practical than what Ariyana was used to. The fabrics they use are sturdy and built to last. Ariyana, a practical girl, will examine the durable clothing with appreciation. She likes her pretty clothing, but dislikes how flimsy everything is. The princess will look around for a while, before rushing up to the counter to bombard my parents with questions.