She was led into a cramped workshop. There were a couple of employees working over some piece or other, clearly not interested in their arrival. He led her over to a short pedestal.
"You can place your garments on that table there, and I will begin seeing what works for you. "
She wasn't shy, not naturally that is. She decided to pretend that she was however, just to see if it would take her somewhere.
"Do these, um, workers need to be here?" She decided to take a risk, and assume he felt his workers were well below him in station. "We wouldn't want to give them any false aspirations would we?" Once more, she blushed on command, a much deeper hue this time. She hoped that he would take the bait.
A slight flash of annoyance briefed his face, before regaining composure. She was, after all, a paying customer. He hoped. He sent his workers out to break, both taking the opportunity to go get some food. The proprietor then turned to begin picking through some lock-boxes. Shkara smirked to herself, stepped out of her sleeveless robe, and undid her sandals, and set them all on the table, making sure the jingle from her coin-purse resounded loudly. Nothing put pep into a merchant's step like that tinkle. She had gained an even bigger hold on the man, now that he sent the true artists out front. She stepped up onto the pedestal and turned to face the doorway, in her stark glory. Her voluptuous body was now a living statue, for a man who could care less for her, and more for her coin.
The man turned back toward her, several shining pieces full in his hands. He placed them on a the table near her belongings and then he began scrutinizing her body. She noticed he didn't have the lusting look most men have around her, but rather seemed to be studying her every curve, every dip and crest. She felt she had been wrong about him. He really was the true artist, not just the seller. He walked around her, constantly his eyes capturing every little detail. She had never felt more... appreciated. It's one thing when a man desires you, its another when one treats you like art. She felt genuinely flattered. A rare thing.
"Hmm... I think we may be trying something... rare with you. You have the proper figure for it..."
He went over to a thicker lock-box, opened it up. Shkara heard a lot of jingling, and her curiosity grew.
"Most women aren't interested in something so... exotic, but its a pair of my finest work."
He walked back over to her, several thin silver chains and large bands in tow. He knelt down and set them by her feet. Then with a feather-like touch, he gently pulled her left ankle forward and up so that she was balancing precariously on one foot. He then took the several silver bands, which Shkara could see were now attached by miniscule chains. He slid her foot through the bands, ever so careful, although it seemed he was more worried about damaging her than his jewelry. His fingers slowly slid the bands up her calf, over her knee, his touch like that of a true lover's. Further the bands rose until they came to a stop high on her thigh. He adjusted them mildly, his hands working inches from the area most men seek, but making no pass at her.
"Splendid! They fit perfectly! One more piece should do the trick."
Off of the table, he grabbed a choker, much to Shkara's annoyance. It was thick, tightly bound chains, three total that fit around the neck tightly. From the bottom of the chains, in the front, smaller chains flowed downward about four hands or so and ended in dark blue piece of colored glass set into a pendant setting. Both pieces were stunning, but they confused Shkara.
"How will people see the bands or the pendant beneath my robe?" she asked curiously.
"Patience my dear, I have a robe I would like you to try, its not fitted to you, but should be close enough until you go to a tailor."
He rummaged around another lock-box and pulled out a cream colored robe. "Arms up."
He pulled it over her head and arms, and let it tumble down her body. Now she could see why he wanted those pieces. The robe was sleeveless, and had a deep V neck that flowed down between her breasts. The V ended at a point about midway between her navel and the bottom of her cleavage. Then it opened up once more in a diamond shape that ended just above her feminine region. Finally, there was a long, open slit in the left leg of her rob, from thigh to ankle. It showed off a good chunk of leg, and of course, the silver thigh bands. The outfit was indeed very risque and showed off a good deal of skin. Her ample cleavage stood out prominently, her navel region as well, with the deep blue pendant lightly swaying there. And of course her entire leg was bare. She could attract tons of attention with this. She may have to invest in this as well.
She was honestly speechless, she was amazed at how she looked. "You... you are amazing. This will definitely stir the pot. I think you are right, silver is the new gold."
"And your silver will be my gold," said another voice, deeper, darker.