Chapter 9 Wedding dresses and snow

After the events of Calamity farm, Emily was eager and relieved to be heading back into town. After seeing her old friend's life end in her own arms, it filled her with a void, but it was (Y/n)'s kind and encouraging words that helped her out of her hole of somber emotions. 


Still a little overwhelmed by what transpired, (Y/n) decided to take the lead on the next date spot, and he came up with a brilliant idea. As they were traveling back to town along the road, the snow falling between the branches of the trees that lined up parallel along the road, (Y/n) wrapped his arm around Emily, pulling her closer to his side. Emily let out a little squeal of shock from how sudden the gesture was, but she soon oozed into the comforting act. 


Emily: "T-thank you..."


(Y/n): "Hmm? For what Emily?"


Emily: "Just... being there for me during that, I know I overreacted."


(Y/n): "I too would be devastated if an old friend, human or animal died. You have no reason at all to seem like you overreacted."


Emily: "You're right... have you ever had any pets or animal friends?"


(Y/n): "Once, like when I was little, around six. A cat."


Emily: "Oh a kitty! How cute, what happened to it?"


(Y/n): "Well... she was, trampled, by a horse."


Emily: "Oh my.... I'm sorry...."


(Y/n): "I didn't know her that much, only about a week, she was a stray that just wandered to me. Hung out with her a few times but... yeah I miss her."


Emily: "That is horrible... b-but hopefully we can find her too, like Charlotte when you... you know..."


(Y/n): "Haha! Don't remind me, ah here we are. Back in town."


Arriving back in town, Emily adjusts her hoodie more so that her face is more concealed, since now unlike the farm, she and (Y/n) were surrounded by people. The falling snow was making it's presence visibly known, for the streets and buildings were piling up with snow, inches off the ground. 


Emily: "Yep! So, what's next?"


(Y/n): "Actually, if you don't mind, I would love it if we could head to the tailor and I pick up a jacket, I underestimated the harshness of this cold."


Emily: "Oh..."


Wrapping her hands on the jacket that belonged to (Y/n), Emily felt bad that his generosity of giving her his own jacket, made by his mother, was making him suffer the weather of winter. Truly she wanted to take it off and hand it back to him since her, herself isn't affected by the cold temperature considering her dead status, but in doing so, it would attract everyone to them in most likely horror at the sight of a corpse walking around the town.


Arriving at the town tailor, (Y/n) opened the door and Emily was about to walk in but was stopped by (Y/n). 


(Y/n): "Actually Emily, this won't take long, and I would like it if you stayed out here for a second while I order another jacket."


Emily: "Oh it's no problem, I don't mind coming in with you."


(Y/n): "And neither would I but... I'll have to also get another shirt as well..."


Unfazed by his addition, Emily just stood there with a quizzical smile, unsure why that is also a reason why she needed to stay put outside.


(Y/n): "Which requires me to change..."


Emily: "Oh... I mean I wouldn't... sure, you're right, I can wait out here."


(Y/n): "I promise it won't take long at all."


Nodding her head, Emily awaited out in the snowy sidewalk, watching as the people piled up the streets and corners. The bell on the door rang as (Y/n) walked in, ready to acquire another shirt and jacket, meanwhile Emily happily hummed to herself. 


Looking around at the busy sidewalk, across the road from her, she witnessed a young couple holding hands together, before engaging in a romantic kiss. This made Emily smile and tilt her head in adornment, seeing such a young couple hang out together on a cold winter day like this. Turning her head a little more, she saw another couple, old in age, walking along the sidewalk, the old gentleman holding his arm around the old lady in a sense that signified that they've been together for decades. Emily wished she could revert to her mortal status and grow old with someone she cared for like them, but her passing has ceased and halted her aging process. She put her hands together and enjoyed seeing the many beautiful sights of humanity and love that filled the streets, as (Y/n) was inside, planning something very special.


Inside the tailor shop, (Y/n) felt another episode of his tuberculosis coming, but he didn't want to intrude his illness to the owner nor the other patrons. So he fought bravely and his best to hide his coughing but it was useless. Using his shirt, which is all he had left to coat his coughs, he covered his mouth, letting out violent, dry coughs. The owner heard the coughs from the entrance and made his way towards (Y/n), wondering who it was that entered his shop with such a fuss. Settling down and breathing heavier than before, he removes his shirt from his mouth, seeing it marked with blood, making it pointless to hide his illness since his once white shirt was half covered in his sickly blood.


Tailor: "Sir, are you alright? That blood seems..."


(Y/n): "Yes I'm... no I can't lie anymore, it hurts too much... I'm not fine..."


Tailor: "Sir... do you have... tuberculosis?"


While clenching onto his chest, his eyes shot open, in shock and surprise that the tailor knew what he had. Feeling exposed and ashamed, he reluctantly shook his head up and down, giving the tailor an answer of yes.


The tailor simply chuckled.


Tailor: "Same here son, got diagnosed with it a few days ago. Bad business ain't it?"


(Y/n): "Y-you have it too?"


Tailor: "Is it not obvious? Probably cause I coat myself in make up, but nevermind that, come come, let's get you cleaned up."


The tailor guided (Y/n) through the store, following his every step. In all honesty, (Y/n) was completely shocked to see another unfortunate victim of this tuberculosis on his date with Emily, and for the man to be running a shop, not afraid of what people will think made it even more surprising to (Y/n). Stepping into a back room, the tailor let (Y/n) sit down on a chair and went to a table to retrieve some supplies in combatting this illness's symptoms. 


Tailor: "How long have you had it son?"


Using a sponge that was a little wet, he gripped (Y/n)'s shirt softly and begun scrubbing off the blood that coated it. (Y/n) was a little taken aback at his suddenness but wasn't at all rejecting the generosity of his kind heart. After all, they were both suffering from the same thing.


(Y/n): "A few days. Though that's when I too was diagnosed with it, I couldn't right tell you when exactly I got it... but I know how..."


Tailor: "Oh yeah? I got mine from my own daughter, she had it way before me."


(Y/n): "I'm sorry to hear sir..."


Tailor: "Oh don't be sorry, I was there by her side till the very end. A deadly disease isn't going to stop me from loving my own flesh and blood."


(Y/n): "That's very noble and kind of you sir, must be a great father."


Tailor: "Just doing what any father should do. There we go, all cleaned up!"


After a bit of scrubbing (Y/n)'s shirt, the tailor stepped back and let (Y/n) stand back up. 


Tailor: "Though it is a bit wet, and with this weather I would suggest a change of attire to better suit this environment."


(Y/n): "That's why I'm here sir, I was hoping you could sell me a jacket and another shirt."


Tailor: "My boy, it would be my pleasure. Come! Let us go pick out a suitable outfit for you."


The tailor was certainly chipper and friendly, despite facing an inevitable demise like (Y/n). Truly he was curious as to why this tailor was so happy and go getting, even knowing his days are numbered. This question was clouding (Y/n)'s mind, but put it to rest and followed the tailor out back into the main shop where they would pick out a new jacket and shirt for (Y/n).


As that was all happening, young undead Emily remained outside, a bit worried that time was passing by quickly, for when the day started, it was morning, and now the sun seemed to be setting. As she was staring at the sky, blanketed in gray clouds and snow falling, a young woman was walking along the sidewalk Emily was on, wearing a heavy coat, coughing up a storm. Emily saw this and wanted to speak out to ask if she was okay, but remembered that (Y/n) told her not to speak too loudly or attract attention. 


The young woman was violently coughing, similar to (Y/n) when he would cough, which made Emily shift into compassion drive, stepping closer to the woman and asking if she needed any help?


Emily: "Are you alright ma'am?"


The young woman tilted her head to face Emily, thankfully the hoodie was doing it's job and concealed her identity well enough so that her face wasn't at all visible. The woman nodded and shivered from her coughing outburst, trying to calm herself down. 


Emily: "Easy does it now, let's rest over here."


Emily leaned her against a wall to catch her breaths.


Emily: "I'm Emily... what's your name?"


Catherine: "Catherine..."


Meanwhile inside back in the tailor shop, (Y/n) finished putting on a new shirt and a cozy fuzzy jacket, making him feel extra warm and comfortable. He stood in front of a mirror, on top of a platform, to inspect his new attire, liking what he saw. Clearly he came to the right place.


(Y/n): "This is great. Very snug and warm. It'll certainly help in this weather."


Tailor: "Perfect! You are a very good fit for it. Now will that be all?"


(Y/n): "Well..."


Stepping off the platform, he approached the tailor, still wearing the new clothing he was going to purchase. He did come in for the jacket and a change of shirt, but also something else.


(Y/n): "I was wondering if I could buy a dress.... a wedding dress."


Tailor: "Oh we do that! I have plenty on display but more in the back, come come! I must say, wouldn't it be wise for the lady to be present to try it on so she can decide?"


(Y/n): "Yeah that would be smart, but I know exactly the make of her current dress, and let's just say, she is very skinny."


Tailor: "Hmmm, no matter. Come, I can show you what we have here in stock and if it doesn't fit her, you can always come back and exchange."


(Y/n): "Thank you..."


Tailor: "Oh do not thank me, I do always love watching married couples come into my store and get suits and dresses. It's unfortunate though that... you have... tuberculosis. Quite dreadful."


(Y/n): "Yeah well... let's just say, it isn't exactly going to stop us."


Tailor: "Does she have it as well?"


(Y/n): "Well... sure."


He told the tailor a lie because it was better than explaining to him that he was buying this dress for a zombie. The tailor and him arrive to the wedding dress section, where at least ten dresses all hung. 


Tailor: "Here we are, and I'm so sorry to hear, I do hope you both have a fantastic wedding before... well... before we all pass."


(Y/n): "Me too sir..."


For a few minutes, the tailor showed and displayed each dress, individually. (Y/n) had a good idea as to what Emily's wedding dress looked like before her demise, the color, the shape and design. Spending all those days with her, and considering she hasn't changed at all made it easy for him to pick out which dress would be best for her.


(Y/n): "That one please."


Tailor: "Ah, perfect. I remember when I made one like this for a young mistress back years ago."


With all the coincidences that have been happening today, (Y/n) felt like that this young mistress was Emily. 


Tailor: "Is this size adequate? Or would you like me to tailor it to a bigger or smaller size?"


Inspecting it closely, it seemed perfect fit for Emily, it was thin and slim. (Y/n) nodded and remembered that if it did not fit, he could always return it for a more suitable size. As the tailor bagged up the dress, making sure it didn't become wrinkled or chaffed, he handed it to (Y/n), who graciously accepted it, along with the jacket and the shirt he wore on him.


(Y/n): "This is great, thank you. So what will be the total."


Tailor: "Nothing dear boy."


(Y/n): "What?"


Tailor: "Look at us son, we're not long for this world. Our time is ending, and this shop is going down with me. I was to pass it to my daughter but..."


(Y/n): "I understand... but... I can't possibly just not pay you..."


Tailor: "My dear boy, please. Money is useless to a dying man."


A tear nearly escaped (Y/n)'s eye, for the absolute heart felt generosity this tailor was displaying was overwhelmingly endearing. This made the question that clouded (Y/n)'s mind rage within, wondering why this positivity and good nature was possible when nearing the end.


(Y/n): "Sir... this is just so considerate of you... but if I may... I have a question."


Tailor: "Of course! What is it?"


(Y/n): "Like you said, we're dying... we're not long for this world, yet you act like you aren't at all afraid or upset that your life is ending. Why?"


The tailor merely laughed, even coughing a bit as he laughed, a clear indication that he did indeed have tuberculosis. He settled down and simply answered back.


Tailor: "Just because we are expiring, doesn't mean our kindness has to as well."


Those words stuck with (Y/n), he felt his mind and his heart even etch those words in. Thinking back to Emily, for she already passed yet her kind and gentle nature remained. 


(Y/n) thanked the man, giving him a hug and telling him as he walked out the door.


(Y/n): "See you soon.... sir...."


The tailor smiled and waved his goodbye, knowing full on well that he would see (Y/n) soon, along with his daughter.

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