"Y/N? Is that you?" Petra Ral the owner of the shop stepped out from behind a rack of clothing.

YOU'RE THE REAL REASON I LIKE SHOPPING

"Hi Petra," I waved at her, taking an awkward look around, "I'm not here to get anything for myself, I'm purchasing something for a friend."

a friend who doesn't want to come in </3

"Alright, anything specific you're looking for?" She came up next to me, holding a messy clipboard. "If you want to browse I can have a look in the back to see if any of your orders have come in."

"Alright!"

"I'll leave you to it, just call me if you need anything," she left me completely alone in the store.

huh-

usually there are a couple more people in here

i guess it is around lunch- it makes sense

i don't even really need to look around- i know what i came here for but-

maybe i could do something nice for ymir

I began walking down aisles of clothing searching for something that looked more her style.

there really isn't a lot

"Hey, Petra!" I shouted back into the store.

i wonder if she'll let me look around in the back

"Yes?" She called back, voice muffled by the walls between us.

what do i want though?

"Do you have any formal suits? Something a little flashy but still commanding."

something that draws you in

"Wait a minute," she poked her head back into the room, a teasing smile stretching across her face. "Are you dating someone? I had heard a rumor but I totally brushed it off thinking that it couldn't have been my Y/N they were talking about."

"Good news or bad news?"

"Ah- don't tell me- wait- do tell me."

"Bad news it is your Y/N they're talking about, good news I'm not dating anyone, it's just a rumor."

"Oh-" she paused, sticking her lip out, "I don't know if it's good or bad that you're still single."

well-

"I mean I think there's someone here who can solve that problem," I teased her. "So? When are you going to ask me out?"

"Real funny Y/N-stop joking and pick out a dress for your girlfriend," Petra rolled her eyes, pointing at the rack of clothing I had been staring at.

"I'm all done," I pointed towards the aforementioned dress in the window. "That one."

"Ooh, you've got good taste, I kinda want to see the person who you're flirting with now," she hummed quickly writing something down in her notepad. "Ok you wait right here I'll be back with a few of those suits you asked for."

take your time

i mean if we're being totally honest

im not the one flirting

and i don't really think that ymir treating me the way she does means she likes me

more i feel like she views me as someone naive and clueless

at the very least

she doesn't seem to think that we're part of the same world

not that she would be wrong just-

im willing to take part in hers

she just seems to think that she's totally unwelcome in mine

im not entirely sure if she's wrong about that

"You sure that's her?"

"Positive."

I startled out of my thoughts, turning at the sound of approaching voices.

when did they show up?

I glanced around the shop.

is there someone else here that i can't see?

"Excuse me, are you looking for someone?" I called out to the two men who had just entered the store.

petra is in the back

"We've been sent to come retrieve you," one of them stepped forward.

they-

"I'm sorry but I don't think I've ever seen you before," I began to back up, my breath catching in my throat.

ymir said she would wait outside

surely she noticed them-

did something happen?

"Don't play dumb Miss, you know what's happening."

"No- sorry I really don't-" I held eye contact with the two rapidly approaching men.

"Please come peacefully, you didn't even leave with a guard, it will be over quickly if you try to put up a fight."

so they didn't run into ymir

if i can get her attention then-

it'll be fine

calm down y/n

think about it

"Alright," I nodded stiffly, "just let me tell Petra that I'm leaving, she'll worry otherwise."

"Alright then," they nodded, stepping away from me for a second.

"Petra!" I called back, "the person I'm flirting with is getting impatient- I'll just get the dress and come back another day!"

"Ok!" She shouted back, "have a great day!"

ymir said she would be waiting just outside- i'll just

"Right this way miss," the two men came up around either side of me, preventing me from making a run for it.

ok- as soon as i can see her i'll scream

"Well give me some space at least, I'm coming with you," I took a deep breath attempting to calm myself.

ymir where are you?

"No can do," the taller of the two frowned down at me.

alright then

"Did you say that my father sent the two of you to retrieve me?"

"That's right."

so he doesn't care if his own daughter gets manhandled

"Did he give you permission to drag me back by whatever means possible?" I stopped in my tracks, smoothing my skirt.

"Correct."

really you shouldn't give information away so easily

"In that case, seeing as he seems to have stopped caring about my reputation, I see no reason to care about his."

"What do you me-"

I rushed for the door, opening my mouth in a scream.

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(:

- awhghmi