Sister

Later that afternoon, Imogen and Turilla got changed from their training clothes and into something more appropriate to go downtown. Saying their goodbyes to their caregivers and adopted siblings the two girls set off to the tailors to receive their clothes for tomorrow's exams.

"Hey Imo, have you been here before? It's my first time going to the tailors." Turilla asked as breaking the silence that the kept since they left home.

"I have been there before. With Mama." Imogen replied with a straight face. She didn't seem to excited about going to the tailors unlike her best friend who was practically dancing and waving to the random street kids only to get mocking faces and hateful remarks from their parents. "I think you should stop. You will only get yourself hurt more and put your hood back on. They prefer not to see our faces."

"I know. It's just maybe there is someone who would wave back or…." Turilla said frowning and putting the hood of her cloak back on which was similar as Imogen's.

The town was crowded yet none touched either Imogen or Turilla. They hated them enough to clear the way for the two which was ironic since the people did that to royalty as well.

Although it seemed that here was a storm that was rolling in, the town was beautiful as always. Happy people with colorful wings using their magical powers as they seek fit. Bustling crowds of people chatting, children running all around. There were some who knew a storm was coming so they ran to take shelter, some in their homes took in the clothes from the clothes lines. Others who didn't mind or could care less about the weather kept going about their day.

None of these people acknowledged the two hooded girls, maybe they didn't care. In the turning corner that the girls had to take was a middle aged man who was closing up his flower shop for the day, unlike the other people this gentleman gave a kind smile, tipping his hat he said "Good day, M'ladies."

"Good day, Sir." They replied in unison as they passed him.

Stopping in her tracks, Imogen asked the kind gentleman "Excuse me Sir, do you know where the tailor by the name Balrus lives?" Holding back Turilla who was about to go without knowing where the tailors lives at.

Noticing that the man was hesitant on answering, Imogen gave a signal to Turilla that went unseen by the man. His body language showed signs of being on guard and alert which Imogen pick up as soon as he spoke. She tried to guess what the man was about to say but was didn't any hint that she was surprised when gave a different answer.

"Ahh, I am not sure but I do know someone by the name Balrus. A much closed man, I not sure but I think he was a tailor. Two blocks down here and right, a dark alley way. The place's like the man, dark, gloomy and mysterious. Hope it helps." He replied. "A storm's rolling in you girls better find some shelter soon. I must go now." He said leaving the two girls to attend to the other flower pots that were on display.

As they went the way the man told them to, they found themselves in front of an old, run down dressmaking shop. It looked so old that even the sign was almost faded and was falling apart. It didn't seem like there was some working in there. The windows were so dusty it was barely able to see through.

"Are you sure it's the right place? Seems way too run down to me." Turilla asked while snooping around to see if she can see the inside or if there had been a person in the shop.

"It doesn't have any sign what so ever that a person even walked through here," Imogen said turning to her best friend who freaked out when she saw a rat pass by.

They kept on their mission to find the dressmaker's shop, when it started to drizzle a little bit.

"I think we should just go back." Imogen said "There is nothing here. Let's go and report to Mama."

"What might the two of you lovely girls be doing here, in this run down place?" Said a voice which was quite very odd to them, it was fruity and gravelly at the same time.

Turill and Imogen hastily turned to the see who the odd man was, he too was wearing a hood that cover the most part of his face but his mouth. Twisted into a teethy smile. Putting his hood down he asked "Are you girls perhaps searching for the boutique of Balrus?" rubbing his thin, scrawny hands to together.

Since it was still drizzling, it seemed to be only a light rain and not a shower that was supposed to come down. It deceived all the people in the town who were running about trying to find shelter.

"You dumb idiot!" Yelled a woman in a lavender gown, who hit the man on the head with her fan. "You are going to drive away all my customers. And remove those unsightly clothes. They are going to ruin my eyes."

"Um….Excuse me?" Turilla started "We are trying to find the dressmaker, Mr. Balrus."

"Oho. You beautiful girls must be from the orphanage up hill." The lady said bending down to the girls' eye level and pointing to the direction their home with her fan without looking. "Ah~ My baby sister must have been raising you two. Way to go baby sis." She continued with a small jump with her hands tucked in.

"Baby? Sister?" The two said tilting their heads in unison.

"Yes, I believe my sister goes by…..Mrs. Kimberly?!"

"MRS. KIMBERLY IS YOUR SISTER!?!"

"Yes yes. Now let's get you lovely girls to the boutique now shall we?" The lady asked unfazed by her state and the girl's reaction. "Get the carriage, Manwall."

Still in a state of shock that their stern, scary caregiver was the younger sister of the pretty lady with long, wavy brown hair and great fashion sense, they stepped into the carriage with their mouths hanging down.

"Um… Ms? Where are you taking us? Do you know where Mr. Balrus lives?" Imogen asked trying not sound offensive to the lady.

"Oh my, did I forget to introduce myself?" She said putting a hand on her cheek. "My name is Balrus Kimberly. A pleasure to make your acquaintance."

"WAIT?! WE THOUGHT IT WAS MR. BALRUS." The two screamed.

"Oh but I am."

"But you're a woman?"

"Born a man." She said. "Now a woman."

"Oh my GOD! THAT'S FREAKING AMAZING!" Turilla screamed for the nth time. If they weren't in a carriage she would have jumped up towards the sky. "Don't you think Imo?"

"Yeah, it's awesome!" She said with sparkling eyes.

"Oh by the way, I'm Turilla and this is Imogen. Nice to meet you." She said shaking the older lady's thin well maintained hands.

"Haha, we are here." Said the guy named Mr. Manwall who was up front driving the carriage.

"Welcome to Balrus boutique. Ms Imogen and Ms Turilla."