Closed Lover's Pride [Rosela]

[Eosi]

Now that was interesting. ”You don’t say?” She shifted her weight from one side to the other. Nikali marked very few, except slaves. Eosi noted that Rosela was not quick to mention a name. ”I could think of some reasons why,” she offered somewhat cryptically. She wasn’t in the habit of supplying too much information, but if the seamstress pried then she would answer. Eosi wasn’t in the habit of keeping secrets, either.

She nodded gratefully, watching as Rosela drew. The dress took shape far quicker than she’d anticipated. The halter was a nice touch – Eosi wasn’t particularly buxom, so the triangle might help remedy that. As for the skirt, it was a little showy for her taste but nonetheless appreciated. This was for a special occasion, after all. The broach added something too, something delicate. Perhaps she’d gather her mass of curls to one side, where they’d cascade down the front. ”I love it,” she replied immediately, eyes alight.

”For my hair, I was thinking of pulling it to the side.” She struggled to explain. ”Perhaps up somewhat, with braiding…” The Inarta sighed. ”Can you tell I’m rubbish at this?” She smiled apologetically. Rosela was a seamstress, not a stylist. ”I have perfected my own mode of dress, but once out of my comfort zone, I’m a babe in the woods.” What an apt comparison. She was not accustomed to dressing up. It seemed so frivolous… Before she met Leo, that is.

”You’re good.” Her compliment was genuine. The longer she gazed at the illustration, the more she could see herself in the dress. Eosi was not for insincerity and certainly not one to ingratiate herself. ”How long have you been doing this?” That of course, raised a multitude of other questions. Why in the world did Rosela leave Eyktol in the first place? Riverfall was far colder than she was accustomed, to be sure.

”And what prompted the move? Most Eypharians hail from the desert, or so I’ve been told. It’s a bit chillier around these parts.” She smiled earnestly.

[Rosela]

Eosi noticeably didn’t ask who the Nikali-marked individual was, and Rosela wondered if the positions hadn’t been reversed whether she’d be able to withhold her own curiosity. Having the inside scoop was always more exciting for the person being asked, but she never could resist getting the dirt where she could. In any case, Eosi didn’t pursue it, so Rosela let it drop. She still had yet to find out who her mystery man was. ”Oh wonderful, I’m glad you like it.” She squealed in delight and put the paper down again. She seemed to have a 50/50 chance of getting a design right on the first try, and it made things run so much quicker. Rosela sat back and hummed, biting a thumbnail. ”I wouldn’t try to tame it all with a braid, maybe have a few pieces down to frame your face… It’d be such a shame to lose all that lovely volume though. I’m sure you could get away with having it all just down. You can try just about anything I’m sure.” She tilted her head thoughtfully, eyes on the mass of red coils. ”Except maybe a really severe bun. It’s just too…repressed.” Huffing and waving away Eosi’s insecurity with a hand, she uncrossed her legs and stood. ”Thank you! And you’re not rubbish; everybody’s got to start somewhere. Now’s as good a time as any.” She picked up the design page, half wondering how much fabric she’d need, half worrying where the conversation would go if it turned too fully to focus on her. ”Oh I only got here at the end of this past summer, and opened my shop a little after. …My family did tailoring in Eyktol, so I suppose I’ve been doing it in some way my whole life.” It was getting too uncomfortably personal, but Rosela smiled through it, going into a small pantomime of suffering. ”It’s so cold! I don’t know how you people stand it. I moved…I just needed a new start. Getting away from the family and all.” Wasn’t that the excuse she’d given Vanator? She wanted to keep consistency in her story, certainly when it wasn’t strictly the truth. There were plenty of clothiers in Ahnatep, so even if they decided to visit, they’d likely never run into her actual family. Trying hard to change the subject, Rosela put the paper down and gestured to the squat, white box on the floor a few paces from them. ”Why don’t you hop on up and we’ll get your measurements? Where are you from, by the way?”

[Eosi]

Rosela’s enthusiasm was contagious. Her girlish squeal was oddly fitting, despite how mature she looked otherwise. Eosi assumed a tolerant smile, eyes still lingering on the page. She really was pleased with this impromptu visit to the seamstress. Despite how little she knew of fashion, she could always leave it to others to fill in the blanks. Rose began responding to the inquiry about her hair and again, she felt peculiar in the spotlight.

”Well,” she started, pulling at an unruly corkscrew. ”I’d already ruled out a bun. I just want to feel like I’m doing something with it.” She glared at the offending lock. ”I appreciate my hair but it seems to have a mind of it’s own. It’s impossible to devise any sort of hairstyle that will hold.” She gestured about the curly red halo. Sighing tragically, she continued. ”Perhaps I’ll just leave it alone.”

When they began focusing on her however, Rosela exuded subtle discomfort. Eosi frowned slightly – it wouldn’t be right to press her. It wasn’t often that she spoke with anyone not directly involved in her life. It was nice to just chat about nothing, to determine some inane facet of her life by purchasing a velvet dress. With a long quest looming on the horizon, she suspected it’d be a while before she had the opportunity again.

With a cat-like hop, she stepped onto the box. ”I’m from Denval,” she said, allowing the conversation to flow elsewhere. ”It’s a northern settlement in Kalea. The land routes were all blocked by the Valterrian, so travel by sea is the only way in and out.” She gave a wistful sigh. ”Long ago I traveled from Denval to Taldera and then south, to Zeltiva. Now, here I am.” She’d come a very long way in her life. She smiled.

”Riverfall is lovely,” she trailed, grasping for the next half of their conversation. Things were getting a tad nostalgic and that was not good.

[Rosela]

Picking up her paper and pencil as she followed Eosi to the measuring box, Rosela wondered again how to get Eosi’s mystery man out of her. She hadn’t had any opportunities for information yet, but there was always hope. “Denval...” She repeated lowly, slipping the tape measure around Eosi’s shoulders, marking the measurement down on the sheet in Arumenic. As an afterthought, she added Eosi’s name in her native script at the top. “I have to admit, I haven’t heard of it. I know Zeltiva though; a lot of trade goes through there, doesn’t it?” The name was connected to vague childhood memories of her parents speaking on the family business. Whether they had actually traded clothing with Zeltivan ships or not, Rosela had never asked and never cared. The conversation had offered an opening, however. “Did your sweetheart travel with you?” She didn't know who had and hadn't traveled much in Riverfall, but anything would help narrow down the search. She wrapped an arm momentarily around Eosi’s waist, and pulled the tape snug for another measurement. “It is lovely, isn’t it? I can’t wait for summer to come again, everything green and in bloom. And warm,” she commented wryly. “Though summer here is practically an Ahnatep autumn.” Another quick slip of the measuring tape and she marked down Eosi’s hip size. “Last one, just stand naturally.” Bending over slightly, she took the measurement around her knees, marking it with a flourish of finality. “There we go, all done. All that’s left is to make the actual dress.” Cocking one eyebrow, she rolled up the measuring tape slowly. “You don’t have to stick around for the dirty work, but you could, if you wanted? It’ll take maybe ten or fifteen chimes then we could fit and finish here tonight. If you don't want to stay though, we can always do fitting tomorrow. Up to you.” She spread her hands, leaving the options to Eosi.

[Gossamer]

Character: Eosi
Experience: Planning +2, Socialization +3, Fashion Design +1, Interrogation +1
Lore: Preplanning a Seduction, Knowing What One Wants, There is a Woman in RF Marked with Ranuri

Character: Rosela
Experience: Sewing +1, Planning +2, Teaching +2, Fashion Design +1, Intelligence +1, Socialization +3
Lore: Advising Women on Seduction, Designing Dresses To Cover Scars, Eosi: From Denval

Additional Note: I liked this thread. One thing I’ve noticed, Rosela, is that you are super underpricing your garments. For example, a dress should cost 8 silver, and for velvet as a material, you charged Eosi 8gm. When in reality a velvet dress should cost, according to the price list, 8 sm x 20 or 16 gold mizas. You charged her 8 gm. You MUST, according to Mizahar’s rules, price things as they are on the price list. Please note this in the future and be sure to check the price list if you are unsure.

Again, its too bad this thread isn’t finished.. or wasn’t. Rosela’s having terrible luck on thread partners staying around!