A Fashionable Fascination with Furs

by **Valkyrie** on November 25th, 2012, 2:41 pm

Fall 89, 512

Inia knew it was time to get a job and get a place in the world. Vantha were hard working and industrious and it would not do to go unemployed for much longer. Opening the door to Laria’s Furs, Inia would find herself in a huge room packed with clothing made of fur. Fur vests, pants, coats, cloaks, boots, and even fur mittens and scarves. In the far half of the room bolts of cloth and piles of uncut furs lay on large tables just waiting to be turned into more clothing.

Inia would be able to see a desk at the far end of the room amidst all the cloth and uncut fur. Behind the desk stood a middle-aged woman with a pair of fur mittens in her hand. She ran a thread and needle through the mittens again and again, sewing up a seam to hold together the wool lining and the fur outer shell. At the sound of the door the woman looked up and smiled at Inia.

“Hello and welcome to my shop, I’m Laria. Can I help you with something, miss?” the woman asked and her polite smile broadened. The woman set aside the now completed fur mittens and placed her hands on her hips as she waited for Inia to say something and explain why she was there.

by **Inia Skyglow** on November 26th, 2012, 6:14 am

89th Autumn, 512

Inia blushed, crossing her arms. She'd rehearsed this, entering Laria's Furs and asking for a job. She'd rehearsed it many times, repeating it to herself as she'd fallen asleep the night before. She knew what she wanted to say, of course. It wasn't about what she was saying. It was about saying it. She'd tried before, of course. She'd wanted to work, to earn her keep, for a while. It had taken her a few attempts to even walk in to Laria's. Now that she was here, though, her words were locked in her throat.

It wasn't that she was unprepared. She'd handled herself very well before, even when put on the spot. She'd told stories that came from nowhere at all, weaved complex threads of language as she'd thought of them. It was the anticipation, Inia decided. She knew she'd have to ask for a job, and the more she thought of it, the less sure she was. She'd had her request organized and formatted in her head, committed to memory and absolutely flawless. Yet Inia hated it. She hated what she'd planned to say.

So she didn't say it. As hard as she'd worked on it, Inia didn't say what she'd planned. She swallowed her pride, not even thinking before she opened her mouth.

“Hello, Laria.” Smiling slightly at the words she'd managed so far, Inia leaned forward onto the balls of her feet, continuing without abandon. “My name's Inia. I'm a leatherworker. I mean, I work with leather. As a hobby. But I'm pretty good with it,” she stammered, “I think. Anyway, you're a leatherworker. I mean, a proper leatherworker, with a shop. And I need a job, and a place to practice my... Leatherworking.” Inia blushed, mumbling slightly. “So, Laria, do you have room in your shop for a junior leatherworker, or an assistant? Would you be willing to hire me?” Inia's hair fell into her face as she shifted her weight, standing properly. She smiled awkwardly, her eyes shining lavender through her dark hair.

by **Valkyrie** on November 27th, 2012, 5:15 pm

Laria continued smiling at the girl. She had been working at a tailor and leatherworker for a long time and seen many assistants come and go, some found other professions while others became expert leatherworkers in their own right. Most had been just as anxious when coming to ask for work with her. She could certainly understand the anxiety, employment was a tough thing to broach if it was your first time.

“Do you have much experience with leatherworking? Do you enjoy the profession? Enjoyment goes farther then skill but skill certainly helps as well. We have room in the shop for an extra assistant or two if you are willing and enjoy it.” Laria explained and let her hands drop from her hips to rest at her sides. She walked around the desk so that she was standing face to face with Inia and gave the girl a quick lookover.

“Hunters from Frostfawn bring in the furs. Sometimes they are already tanned but often they are raw and bloody and need to be stretched and dried. Though we primarily just make whatever we feel like at the time we do take commissions and put those as our top priority. In this sort of environment people can’t afford to wait for warm clothes.” Laria gestured first at the piles of uncut fur that draped over several tables and then swept her hand to indicate all the finished products at the front of the store. Clearly the workers kept busy.

by **Inia Skyglow** on November 28th, 2012, 6:11 am

Inia shivered slightly as Laria seemed to close on her. The girl swallowed, maintaining eye contact no matter how uncomfortable it made her. If she wanted to impress Laria, she couldn't look away. Inia's mother had always told her that a girl should look at her feet, to appear humble, but her father had advised bravery and intent. So Inia tried to appear honest. She nodded agreement as Laria explained the store's policy, how customers with special requests had priority; in Avanthal, warm clothing was essential. Inia smiled at Laria, feeling confident that she'd found the right place.

“I've done a lot of leatherworking, since I was a kid. My hands just like it, I suppose. I am good at it, I've made belts and vests before, but nothing really huge. I'd need to learn a little about overcloaks and such...” Inia shuffled her feet awkwardly. “I hope teaching me isn't a terrible inconvenience. I'd be willing to work on anything, of course. I know a bit about tanning leather, but not nearly as much as I do about sewing with it.” As a nervous habit, she pulled a piece of patchwork leather from under her shirt's collar. She played with it in her hand, not paying attention to her strange behaviour as she waited out the long seconds.

by **Valkyrie** on December 2nd, 2012, 3:07 pm

Laria watched Inia play with the small piece of leather with some amusement. Apparently the girl enjoyed working with leather very much, that was a good sign. Laria was very dedicated to her work and had had eccentric apprentices before so she was prepared to deal with any odd habits Inia may have. At least it would keep the workday interesting, sometimes the worst apprentices were the boring ones.

“Well I’m willing to give you a try Inia. We are closed for the rest of the season due to the Departure of Morwen festival, so come back to start work as soon as the Winter season begins. I look forward to seeing you and I’m sure you will like the other employees that work here.” Laria patted Inia on the shoulder in a friendly manner and walked with her to the doorway.

Inia Skyglow :

You Will Be Collected if Worthy

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