• PM To Join • Gettin' Fancified

[Vivian Shiryu]

Augustin Boutique, Rharne, 7th of Vhalar 720

Vivian reached down and scratched Pakse's ears, the big dog letting out a sighing, contended groan. "Yeah, I missed you too, you big old goof." she said, her tone gentle. Pakse was getting old, which was no surprise since the dog had been given to Vivian when she was still young, but it was still sad to see the dog's muzzle starting to go grey. "Well, maybe we'll find a way to make you live as long as I do, huh? Find you a doggie youth potion. Would you like that?" she said, her voice getting that mushy quality that peoples voices often did when talking to their pets. Pakse, for her part, didn't seem to understand more than usual, but the rottweiler's tail thumped against the ground a few times.

Leaning back on her couch, Vivian sighed and looked around. It was nice to be home, if only temporarily. Rharne had sent orders that she was to return to the city for some leave, while the situation at Storms Edge was still in control. The new initiates had been given similar leave, and so Seira and Seriel were home as well, and Vivian had decided it was time to take the girls out for a party. Not the usual Rharnian rowdy party, but the Mummer's Ball, which promised to be a more formal affair and less likely to result in unsanctioned brawling. Though, she admitted to herself, if a sanctioned brawling area was set up, she might try it out.

Either way though, before they went anywhere, they all needed appropriate clothes. Standing up, she stretched and called to the girls. "Seira, Seriel, you two ready to go?" she called, and when all was indeed ready to go, she led them out of the house. They were staying in the Glass Quarter for the trip, since Vivian had been told that Faith Augustine had a clothing store in the Glass Quarter, and if you could visit a friend and do your shopping at the same time, so much the better to Vivian's mind.

Since Vivian and her kids also lived in the Glass Quarter, it was a relatively short walk to Faith's shop, and Vivian opened the door to let the kids in first. A woman about Vivian's age looked up and smiled, asking them how she could help them. "We're going to the Mummer's Ball, and we're here to get some appropriate clothes for it. Bespoke, if such can be had still." she said, though she looked over at the racked clothes as she spoke. "Though I see your pre-made clothes are of the highest quality as well."

[Seira Shiryu]

Seira listened while her mother talked to Pakse. She knew that the dog was getting older, and it was sad to think that he might not have that many arcs left. Her mother spoke of a "doggie youth potion," and Seira couldn't help but wonder if such a thing existed. Or if it could exist if someone created it. Then she started wondering how one might go about creating such a thing. But after a few trills, she pushed the thought out of her head. She gave Pakse a few pats, telling him that she loved him too before making sure that her own pets were fed, and happy.

Ryu wound herself around Seira's feet, begging for attention, and Seira was happy to give it to her. Arcs ago, Seira had found the kitten trembling in the rain outside the house she and Seri had been living in. To this trial, Seira wasn't certain whether she had taken the tiny kitten in, or if Ryu had adopted her. Either way, it had been love at first sight. Seira picked up her cat, and cuddled her close to her chest, causing Ryu to start purring loudly. Feeling the vibrations of the purr against her chest made her smile.

Seri was holding their pet fox Meiryu while Taerin balanced her fore paws on Seri's leg, tail wagging hopefully as she too begged for attention. While not as old as Pakse, Ryu, Meiryu, and Taerin weren't getting any younger either. If there was such thing as a youth potion that worked on animals, or if it were possible to make one...Seira wanted some for her own pets too.

When their mother asked them if they were ready to go, Seira nodded. Seri put Meiryu down immediately, but Seira cuddled with Ryu for a few more trills before setting her down on the couch gently.

"We're both ready now, Mom." she said simply.

When they arrived at the dress shop, Seira felt more than a little lost. A quick glance at her twin told her that Seri felt the same way. The clothes on the racks were all beautiful. Stunningly beautiful, to be exact. And they all looked so fancy that Seira half feared that she would damage them if she so much as touched one of the dresses. The inner street kid in her expected someone to come chase her and Seri out of the store at any trill.

As she listened to her mother speak of the ball, and bespoke clothes...whatever those might be, Seira wondered if this shop sold clothes that were less fancy than the ones on display. Normal clothes for normal life. Now that she and Seri had grown a few inches, they needed new practically everything. And while this shop was clearly too expensive to buy an entire wardrobe from, it might be nice to get a new cloak if it were possible. The clothes here were clearly well made. Even she could see that, and she knew very little of clothes beyond how to wear normal clothes. A cloak from this shop, if indeed they sold such things...was likely to be very sturdy and warm. Perfect for the icy chill of Zi'da and Cylus.

[Faith Augustin]

Faith was working in the back of the shop, cutting up some fabric for an order which had come in yesterday when she heard a voice. Whenever she was working, Faith kept one ear open to hear who was in her shop and, in this case, it was a very welcome sound. Carefully pinning the fabric, so that she was not lost when she got back to it, Faith put the job she was doing down, and made her way out into the main shop. "Vivian!" Her delight at seeing her former body guard was evident and the young Champion of Famula made no attempts to hide it.

"So, there are times when you don't work. I never really believed it was so," Faith said, moving over to speak to her friend. The assistant, after a brief nod from Faith, moved away and Faith smiled at Vivian and the twins. "Hello," she said, to the children with Vivian. "My name is Faith. It's a pleasure to meet you." Young women both, although Faith found it hard to determine their age. At first glance, she'd maybe think them younger but it was hard to tell. "The Mummers Ball?" Faith turned her silver eyes to Vivian and gave a slight smile. "I never pictured you as a formal ball type, Vivian. How high up did the order come from?" That was, she supposed, the good thing about being in charge of her own organisation. She did not have to get ordered around and the only people who might be able to do so were her husband, who hated formal dances and crowds and the Immortals she worshipped who were, frankly, unlikely to care.

"So," she said, with a smile. "Tell me the kind of thing you're thinking of. If you don't know, that's fine - but anything like favourite colours, whether you want something all long and flowing or bright and cheerful, that kind of thing. Also, perhaps the two of you might have considered whether you want your clothes to be similar, the same, different, so on." She gestured towards the racks. "And, don't be put off by the amount here. We've got the right things for you, which yes, I can make bespoke." With a slight raise of her eyebrow, Faith added. "If you want, I can make you a dress that's as good as basic armour, though no one could tell it. Better than nothing, yes?" She smiled slightly, and thought that the soldier would like that.

Then, having asked the question, Faith waited to hear the answers. This would be interesting, she thought, she liked making bespoke items and, since Vivian was a friend ~ these would be above and beyond.

[Vivian Shiryu]

When Faith came out from the back, Vivian grinned at her friend. "Hello, Faith. And yeah, I was heading up the defense out at Storm's Edge, but command decided I needed to take a break so that I could de-stress, so I've been recalled to Rharne for rest and relaxation." she said, her tone indicating that Vivian hadn't quite realized that she had just said that the only reason she wasn't working was because she'd been ordered to take some time off. When Faith spoke to the kids, though, Vivian's grin widened. "These are my kids, Seira and Seriel." she said, patting each on the shoulder as she introduced them.

When the topic of the Mummer's Ball came up, Vivian laughed. "Not orders, actually, though I won't tell anyone if you won't. It's not my usual fair, no, but I think it'll be fun for the kids and if nothing else, it's good to meet new people and get out of your comfort zone every so often." she said, grinning slightly. Then of course, came the talk about what kind of clothes to get and grinned slightly. "So what does it say about me that my first though was something akin to a military uniform?" she said, before shaking her head. "Maybe I enjoy my job a bit too much, perhaps." she said, before raising an eyebrow at the idea of clothing as good as basic armor. "That's...definitely better than nothing. I would definitely like that." she said, grinning slightly.

"Oh, that reminds me. In addition to fancy clothes, the kids will also need regular clothes, since they've started growing some again. I don't know if you make or sell that here, but I figured I should ask." she said, before returning to the matter at hand. "Now, I don't...really know about styles and cuts of fancy clothes. Last time I was at a fancy party, I was an Airmen in the Skyriders and I actually just did wear my dress uniform to the event. Outside of that, I don't think I'd want something long and flowing, and as for favorite colors, I'm fond of blue or yellow, with maybe a little red?" she said.

[Seira Shiryu]

Seira eyed the woman that greeted them curiously. She seemed to know their mother, and more importantly, they seemed to like each other. That was enough to tell them that she was a good person. They smiled politely when the woman greeted them, and introduced herself. Their mother introduced them, so they didn't have to do it, but the twins still smiled politely, and greeted Faith.

"It's nice to meet you too." the twins said in unison.

They laughed at the idea that their mother had to be ordered to go to the ball. It wasn't true, of course, but Seira could see how someone else might think that it was. The idea that it was possible to make a dress that was as good as basic armor was a fascinating one to the twins. Seira had to resist the urge to ask how such a thing was possible. She realized that someone who was as skilled as Faith clearly was might take a question like that as snooping into her business with a mind to set up a rival shop. And that wasn't what she wanted to do at all. Despite that, she couldn't quite keep herself from asking a few questions.

"If it's possible to make a dress that it as good as armor, is it possible to make clothes that can do other things? Like...protect someone from fire, for example? Or to heal someone? Or maybe not heal them, exactly...but to act as a type of bandage that can protect against infection and wound fever?"

If it were possible, it would be a huge help to the Knights. Especially since the pumpernickle flame creatures seemed to be fond of fire from everything Seira and Seri had heard. Being able to create clothes that could protect someone from fire, or serve as basic armor was exactly the sort of thing that Seira wanted to do to help the Knights.

Once the immediate fascination over the ability to make clothes like armor faded slightly, Seira and Seri were able to focus on the questions that Faith had asked them. It was a bit overwhelming, but as they thought about it, Seira and Seri found that while they didn't really know what they wanted, they did have ideas about what they didn't want.

"Similar." Seira said in response to whether they wanted dresses that were the same, different, or similar.

"We don't really know what we want, exactly...but it needs to be something that would be comfortable and easy to move around in. Something we can wear comfortable shoes with." she added.

Seri nodded in agreement.

"None of those horrible high heeled monstrosities that we'd be likely to fall and break something trying to balance in." she said firmly.

"It should be something that isn't going to tear if we breathe too hard or something. And nothing too clingy, please. I don't think we want something that is too long and flowy...but nothing that will...that will show too much." Seri said with an embarrassed blush.

It was Seira's turn to nod in agreement.

"Nothing too revealing." she agreed, and like Seri, she was blushing at the thought of wearing something that was too short, or too tight, or that showed too much cleavage.

"As for favorite colors, we like blues, purples, dark greens, blacks and greys, and shades of white and cream." she added.

[Faith Augustin]

Vivian liked the idea of the armour dress and Faith nodded. "No problem at all," she said and when Vivian then introduced her daughters, Faith shook their hands, most solemnly and said quite genuinely. "I owe your mother my life, on more than one occasion. I'm very proud to call her my friend. It's a pleasure to meet you both." It was true. Faith and Vivian had really not got off to a good start, but the woman had proved herself time and time again and Faith was not ever afraid to admit when she was wrong.

She took Vivian's ideas and started to come up with some ideas. When Vivian said that the girls needed a wardrobe, Faith nodded. "We do indeed," she said, looking at the two girls. One of them asked if, since she could make armour from fabric, if she could do other things. Making someone resistant to flame, or make something which healed? Faith raised an eyebrow, just slightly, at those questions, as she thought about both what she was being asked and what the answer would be. They were good questions, Faith thought, and she answered them.

"I can make fabric which does other things, yes," she said, with a smile. "But not either of those things." Looking at the girls, she asked. "Do either of you sew?" If they did, she'd be happy to show them a few things, help them learn. If not, though, she had no wish to bore them. Then, they launched into what they wanted for the Ball. Faith had to admit that this pair were ... confident about what they wanted and didn't really seem to mind saying it. It was odd, she thought, that she had grown adults in here who were much more nervous and concerned.

"Well, it's good to know what you like and don't like. Let's see what we can do, shall we?" It was all part of the process, and now began the discussion, the showing of things, did they like this, what about that, and so on. Then, of course, there was the added question of a wardrobe for the girls. Faith was able to pull things together for them, and she did her best to think of everything.

When they had reached a consensus, there was a dress for Vivian, and one for each of the girls - at least in a basic form. Faith said, thoughtfully, "Making the dress into armour will take a few days. Would you like the same for the three of you?" It was easily done, and she was happy to do so."Where would you like these sent, also?" She asked. "I can have them sent to the Ball, or to your home?" Whatever Vivian wanted, she was quite happy to do.

[Doran]

Faith:

Knowledge: -
Loot: -
Lost: -
Wealth: + 2 WP (transaction thread)
Injuries: -
Renown: -
Magic XP: -
Skill Review: Appropriate to level.
Points: 15

Vivian:

Knowledge:
Socialisation x2

Loot: -
Lost: -
Wealth: -
Injuries: -
Renown: -
Magic XP: -
Skill Review: Appropriate to level.
Points: 15

Seira:

Knowledge:
Non-Skill Knowledges:
Faith: is friends with Vivian
Faith: works in Augustin Boutique
Faith: knows how to make dresses that are as good as basic armor
Faith: can make fabric that does different things
Vivian: saved Faith's life more than once
Vivian: likes blue, red, and yellow

Loot: -
Lost: -
Wealth: -
Injuries: -
Renown: -
Magic XP: -
Skill Review: Appropriate to level.
Points: 15

- - -

Comments: I still remember how PCs had the opportunity to buy clothes for the Mummer’s Ball at Faith’s boutique!

With that being said, I loved the way you described your PC’s interaction with Pakse in your first post, Vivian. As someone whose dog is getting old as well, I can empathize with her. Hopefully, they’ll be together for a long time. And who knows, maybe there is a doggie youth potion somewhere?

I almost forgot that Seira and Seriel were Vivian’s adopted daughters. There was something very calming about the scenes where they interacted with their own pets. They did seem to be a bit overwhelmed upon being confronted with all the clothes at the shop though!

It’s been a while since I’ve read a thread about Faith in her shop, so that was interesting. She gives me the impression of being a good businesswoman, and what more, I really enjoyed the way you portrayed Vivian’s and Faith’s friendship in this thread.

With that being said, it’s a pity that this thread was never finished. I wanted to read about Vivian’s, Seira’s and Seriel’s new clothes. I was especially interested in that dress that is as good as armor!

Enjoy your rewards!

P.S.: Vivian and Seira, you didn't mention which skills you used in the review request. Please do so next time!