Chained

Annie put on the dress. Indeed, it was a loose fit for her. She was a touch thinner than the innkeeper, so she didn't quite fill out the dress, but it was enough to stay on for now. She gave a little spin and curtsey. While she was glad to have full coverage of her body back again, the weight of the fabric was quite noticeable compared to her usual uniform. She looked at Lilin before she left, seeing her splayed out on the bed.

"Just go," Lilin said with a groan. "We'll need to keep this room while we're here, so I do need a damn dress. Once you've got that sorted out, we can start working."

"Alright, dear," Annie said, "I'll be back soon."

"Yeah, whatever."

Despite Lilin's dismissive words, she sounded miserable. Annie hoped that there would be some good to come out of this, whether it be a lesson or just something to lift Lilin's spirits. Annie slowly turned and left the room, trying to think up some way to help Lilin out.

As Annie went to leave the Inn, a thought occurred to her. She didn't have a lot of context, so she approached the inkeeper. This would be a good time to ask for a tailor, as well.

"Excuse me, ma'am," she called, "where could I find somewhere to buy a dress?"

"Witch at the far end of town from here," she replied, "she's a tailor who uses magic to make dresses for us."

Annie nodded, then leaned closer to the counter as she spoke more softly.

"By the by, you seemed to have quite the problem with my superior," Annie said, trying to pick her words carefully so she didn't commit to any particular tone or intention.

"I have nothing to say to you," the woman replied immediately. "Servants of the Demon King disgust me, you're no exception. It just so happens that demons have done me wrong one too many times, as well. I don't like you any more than I like your superior. Now, leave me be before I take back my offer."

Annie sighed, nodding as she turned to leave. She wasn't sure how to feel about any of this. Well, she knew she felt terrible, but she didn't have any more to go on now than she did before. Maybe this woman specifically hated demons more than others? Annie could hope, but last time she hoped for something, this had happened....

Annie left and started walking, leaving the inn and quickly figuring out which part of town was "the far end" from the inn. It looked to be in the direction of the houses. Annie sighed to herself, looking around. The vines along the buildings weren't actually growing, they seemed to be losing life. They weren't at the point where they were withering, but they were certainly starting to curl and darken. Each time she looked closer at this town, the more bleak it became.

Annie eventually walked into the residential area of the town. The houses were in marginally better condition than the other buildings, but many were still in need of repairs. There were windows where the roof was starting to droop, held up by individual planks. There were walls with large cracks that had been hastily patched with mud.

She noticed a few children outside, but they weren't running around playing with the energy and enthusiasm they ought to. They were walking quietly, and seemed terrified as they saw Annie. They hurried their pace, one of them hunching over like they were hungry. Annie could feel her heart throbbing as she continued, trying to ignore the constant cries of her soul to approach the children and ask what was wrong. She couldn't push her boundaries, not now.

It was sunset now, and she saw a man- likely a father- blacked out drunk by his front door. He held a flask in his hand, and as Annie passed him, she could smell that it was certainly some sort of alcohol. He reeked deeply of the smell. She glanced into the house, unable to contain her curiosity. Inside, she saw a child sat at a table. No, not sat, the child was cleaning the table. She caught a glimpse of the child's arm and gasped. She had to look away immediately.

That hardly looked like a child's hand. It was bone-thin, and there were deep, red marks. Annie wanted to throw up. Every instinct in her body was screaming at her to stop and help, but she couldn't. She had no way to help them, not without overstepping and intruding. She had to wait for a better opportunity.

Eventually, she exited the stretch of town with houses, feeling relieved. She had no idea how she would ever sleep again, knowing that this was happening while she was being paid a small fortune each week at the castle. She took several deep breaths, then gasped. She touched her cheek, and the wetness on her finger made something evident. She was crying. She didn't know how she hadn't noticed it, but... She smiled.

"I still have my heart," she said to herself.

Finally, she reached a small hut. It had the picture of a dress on the front, so she gave it a knock.

"Hello," she said to the door, "I was told that there was a witch who lived at the edge of town? I was told you sold dresses."

A loud cough came from inside the hut. Then, the door opened. Long, curly, gray hair cascaded down from the most stereotypical witch hat Annie had seen in a while. It was a young woman with gaunt features, her skin pale and her eyes shimmering a baby blue.  

"H-Hello," she whispered, "I-I'm afraid, I... I cannot sew you a n-new dress in my condition, but... I-If you'd like to take a look, I could... Show you what I have in stock."

Annie gasped at her condition, but stepped in. "Dear, you don't look in any condition to work!"

"No, no," the girl replied, "I'll be fine in a few weeks. I've just... Been-"
She coughed.
"I've been using my Core. The mana in the air, it's... It's been too thin for me."

"Really?" Annie asked, "here, let me help you to a chair!"

Annie couldn't stop herself, nor did she want to. She guided the sick young woman to a chair, and she didn't try to stop Annie either. She sat down and coughed again, holding up a hand as if to hold Annie's attention. It took a few seconds for her to catch her breath, but she spoke.

"M-My name is Euwelyn, I'm a w-witch. I specialize in using magic for sewing. T-Typically, I could measure you a-and have something finished in a few minutes, but... As of recent, s-something has drained the mana from the air. I-I don't use much, hardly any at all for even a few dresses, but... It's been thin enough that I can't risk using it, else the harvest may be poor, or the Demon King may hunt me down."

"Euwelyn, dear," Annie said, tripping over the name, "you've been working yourself too much. My name is Annie Smith, I'm simply here for a dress for me and my friend. I can find something, just rest here."

Euwelyn sighed, coughing again. "A-Ah, uhm... Is there any chance... I could ask you to hand me that glass?"

Annie looked, seeing a glass of water on a nearby table. She nodded, picking it up and handing it to Euwelyn- who immediately gulped it down.

"Thank you, Miss Smith. Please, I-I-"
She coughed again.
"If there's anything I can do for you, please, let me know."