Smouldering Coals (Faith)

[Red]

Vhalar 25, 718

Auya moved through the Glass Quarter with a flier in hand. It was given to her by one of her customers. Augustine's Boutique. Faith Augustine, Auya was fairly certain she'd heard that name before. A woman who had become known for her charity work in Scalvoris, some scummy little island filled with pirates and criminals. A priestess of Famula too. She opened and closed her fallen hand at mention of the Immortal.

Upon following the directions on the flier, Auya found herself in front of the shop. It was so fancy and pretty. Auya immediately felt a bit self-conscious and uncomfortable. When she was in Sirothelle, she didn't live in poverty, but blacksmiths were not know for their wealth. A comfortable living at best. Her current situation was somewhere between that comfort and poverty, her shop not yet being real popular. She considered turning away right then and there, not even sure that the simple dress she was wearing now, part of her "going out" clothes was nice enough to even be seen in front of the shop.

But Auya thought back to why she was really here. Why she really wanted to go to the ball at the end of the season. She wanted to stop hiding. To be more recognized and potentially protected by public support. Maybe if she was as well known as Faith, she wouldn't have been raped in the street in front of her shop. One thing Auya would never do though, was hide her red hair, or pretend to be something she wasn't. She was an Aukari woman who'd done nothing wrong. She was a member of her small, down trodden community. She had friends. She should never have been treated that way in the first place.

Well never again.

She'd make Rharne recognize her. To accept her for what she was. And with that fiery attitude, she pushed through the door into Faith's shop. She immediately found herself immersed into a world of color and detail she wasn't prepared for. So many different dresses and suits, and even outfits for little kids. Auya felt her heart pang at that. The children she'd never have. Probably for the best considering. She floated through the store, making sure to not touch anything. She'd bathed today, but she was a blacksmith. Soot had ways of getting in everything and she didn't want to be charged for damaging a fancy dress.

She didn't immediately see any employees but also wasn't actively looking. For now, she browsed. And soon she came to realize she had no idea what she would look good in. She'd never been to a ball before. Her own marriage was a simple ceremony in a simple Sirothelli style dress. There were too many options and she had no way of knowing the good from the bad. And so, she just wandered aimlessly, absolute confusion upon her face.

[Faith Augustin]

Faith was sitting on the floor, cross legged and pinning the hem on a skirt which currently was the only adornment on the mannequin she was using for the job. Looking up from where she was sitting, the human woman was pale of skin and tiny of frame. Her eyes were silver, tinged with a deep ruby red and as her gaze lifted at the tinkling of the little bell which signified a customer and she saw the woman. Red hair, simple clothing and a vague air of grubby lingering around her. Faith smiled in greeting and, if her latest customer was any judge of it, her smile was genuine. "Hello!" Faith started putting the pins back in the box. "One moment, I'm so sorry... I've stabbed myself with a pin too many times to risk leaving them out. There we go!" Once the last pin was safely back in the box, she stood up to her diminutive five foot four ~nearly~ and she offered her hand out.

"I'm Faith," the human woman said. Auya might notice the tattoos on her wrists and neck, matching intricate black lace-like patterns and a willow tree, or the top of one, on the top of her chest. Her nails were long and black and yet, Faith wore a simple but pretty white blouse and red skirt. "And this is my shop. Welcome." Her gaze moved around the store and she gave an almost apologetic smile. "We have a lot out on display," Something she wanted to do, later on, was to expand the floor space so that people were more comfortable. For those not used to such places, Faith understood, it could be overwhelming.

"So, how can I help you, to-trial?" Faith asked. She could see that the red haired woman had a leaflet with her, so she didn't bother to explain to her how the money went to charity, how it funded the work of Isonomia, that sort of thing. Usually she could talk a lot about that, but since her latest customer had the flyer, it meant that she knew. There was so much to do here in Rharne and Faith knew that money was what was needed, along with time, effort and sheer bloody mindedness.

Thankfully, she had them all.

"Would you like a drink? We have cool water, if you're thirsty?" Faith motioned to the area where there were low, overstuffed chairs which looked very comfortable. If Auyaree wished it, she'd lead her there and pour them both a glass of cool water from the small cool box next to her. If not, she'd smile and wait to see what the woman was after in terms of clothing.

[Red]

Auya heard the voice ring out toward her, and she smiled toward the short, pale woman who appeared. So this was Faith, the great philanthropist of Scalvoris, tossled by some sewing needles. It was endearing. Even heroes in the world have normal people problems. "Hello! No worries at all, I've left a molten bar on a table for a moment while distracted countless times." Auya waited with crossed hands behind her back, still feeling a bit out of place in this particularly fancy shop. Once Faith was ready and introduced herself properly, Auya smiled, wondering if she should curtsy or bow or something. But it didn't seem as though Faith was expecting such an action, so she just broadened her smile, "A pleasure to meet you Faith. I'm Auya."

She moved over to another dress on a mannequin, enjoying the blues and greens on it, but she enjoyed all the dresses here. Too many choices, an embarrassment of riches. "I am, um, I want to go to the balls this season and next. Redwine and Silver Lightning. But I, uh, don't own anything nice enough worthy of such an event. I'm wearing my nice dress now, and I know it's nothing special. And I would like a dress for each of the balls."

She then realized that she made herself sound like a really poor person, "I can pay! Please, don't let my lack of... fashion sense say otherwise. I run a metalworks is all. I make tools mostly, and I don't often get out much." She continued to shift about nervously, realizing she was a babbling fool in front of this hero of Idalos, "And yes, please. Water would be lovely. Thank you. She quickly walked over, reddening in her face at this whole situation. She was embarrassing herself something terrible in front of someone who was world renown.

She sat down and accepted the water, "I... I want to stand out. I am tired of hiding and being scared." She gestured at her hair, but said no more on it, "I want people to see me, with my hair, and realize that I am no threat to them, nor am I someone to be attacked. I want them to want me. I want them to recognize me as a person... and not as the creature that I was treated as." She wasn't sure why she was saying such things, when she was normally so reserved. Maybe it was because she knew Faith was a good person. The whole world knew it. And that meant Faith was safe. Something Auya hadn't experienced much recently. Now, and when she was with Varlum. And while she was at the bar, the owners kept her safe there as well.

"I want them to see me, Auya, and not be jealous or scared. I... I don't know if we can do that with just a dress. But I'm not hiding who or what I am. It... didn't help anyways. I want to feel proud, for once this arc."

She was on the verge of tears at this point, "Maybe something custom made...? I only do custom work in my shop. But I don't really know fashion or nothin' like that."

Dresses

Literally just putting this here so I dont lose it/forget it.

Redwine Ball


Red and Green Ballgown= Dress (5gn) + Silk (50gn) + Medium (0gn) + Color Change (10gn) + Red Dye 50% (15gn) + Green Dye 50% (4.5gn) = 84.5gn
Forest Green Lingerie = Undergarments (women) (.5gn) + silk (5gn) + Medium (0gn) + Green Dye (.25gn) = 5.75gn
Undergown = Underdress (1gn) + Silk (10gn) + Medium (0gn) + Red Dye (6gn) = 17gn
Green High Heels = Shoes (Heels) (1.2gn) = 1.2gn
Bone Comb with 3 8mm Alexandrite gemstones = Comb (1gn) + (Alexandrite (25gn) + 8mm (23gn))x3 = 145gn

Subtotal for first outfit: 253.45gn

Silver Lightning Ball


Blue Ballgown = Dress (5gn) + silk (50gn) + medium (0gn) + Color Change (10gn) + Blue Dye (7.5gn) = 72.5gn
Silver lingerie = Undergarments (women) (.5gn) + silk (5gn) + medium (0gn) + Silver Dye (3.75gn) = 9.25gn
Silver High Heels = Shoes (Heels) (1.2gn) = 1.2gn
Silver Earrings with 2 6.5mm Sapphires = Silver Earrings (2gn) + ((Sapphire (75gn) + 6.5mm (61.13gn))x2 = 272.25gn

Subtotal for second outfit: 355.2gn

Fulltotal = 608.65gn

[Faith Augustin]

Faith watched the woman as she spoke. There was tension in her shoulders, nervousness and a feeling of being out of place, Faith thought. She said that she wanted a dress, two in fact, for the balls which were coming up and Faith nodded. When Auya then was quick to say that she could pay, Faith smiled slightly. "When people come in who can't afford to buy something, they usually start with it," she said with a slight shrug. "And, when that's the case, I'm always prepared to work something out. All the profits from here go to charity anyhow," Faith said that as though it was a normal, natural, usual thing. For her, of course, it was. "So I'm always happy to exchange work for the charity to the value of what the clothes would cost. Cuts out the middle man, or whatever they say." Giving her head a slight shake, she glanced at the redhaired woman and her expression turned into a rather rueful grin. "My apologies, Auya, I just took a lot of words to say, I didn't think you couldn't afford the dresses, but if you couldn't there's always a way around it."

Gesturing, Faith led her over to where they could sit in a quiet corner with stuffed chairs that were comfortable. They sat and Faith poured them both some water, then Auya spoke. She explained what she wanted, and not just in terms of a dress. Faith sat and listened, not interrupting, not looking away. Not giving pity or apologising for whatever they had done to her. Faith had seen enough people who had been hurt, one way or another, to know that those would be very bad things to do. Because no matter what she did no matter how she tried to help the situation here in Rharne, Faith didn't have red hair and so, didn't know what it was to do so. For all she knew, Auya actually was an Aukari, but to Faith it was no more important than if she was not.

So, the human woman sat and listened, her attention on Auya. She nodded her head as Auya finished and she looked at the woman with a calm gaze. "Clothes can be like armour, especially for a woman. A statement, too, about what they didn't take from you." Nodding her head, she smiled. "I can make you dresses and it would be my pleasure to do so. It will mean a few visits here, to get measured first of all and then to look at designs. If you want, we can do the whole package. Shoes, jewelry, hair and make up. But, we measure and I make some designs. Then, if you want it, we can talk money. But that first bit is free, you see if what we offer is what you want."

Sipping her water, Faith's black nails were obvious, as were the tattoos on her wrists. "So, what do you think? It'll involve measuring you to-trial, if that's alright with you. And I promise you," Faith said, with an earnest gaze. "I'll do the very best I can to exceed your hopes."

If Auya was up for it - at that point she'd get taken into a dressing room and measured. And measured. And measured more. Faith would then suggest that she came back the next day, when she would have some designs to show her.

[Red]

Auya smiled at Faith's kind words about how she would work with people who couldn't afford to shop there. It was an interesting idea. Auya had worked with bartering when people didn't have coin, trading food for the horseshoes she'd made and such. But trading their efforts for goods? That was something she could get behind. She'd have to try it out sometime, see if it worked for her. Auya enjoyed the fresh water as she spoke, and when she was done she relaxed into the extremely comfortable chair. It was good to just get that all out.

Faith explained the process to her and Auya listened intently, nodding. A few visits would be nice, it was pleasant here, and Faith was just... nice to be around. She had an air about her. And that bit about clothes being armor, that resonated with Auya. That was exactly what she wanted from these dresses, but Faith had worded it so much better. Auya saw the tattoos and nails that Faith had, finding it curious that a woman of so much design, with so much color in her shop, would choose to go the route of black. It wasn't a bad look by any means, just not expected from the smith.

Unconsciously, her hand rubbed at her own marks on her forearm. These weren't a gift from a divine being, nor a choice in adornment. They were a painful reminder of the men who insisted on taking every ounce of power and control and pleasure from the woman. Four long bruises on each forearm from where their fingers squeeze, holding her down. Each time she swung a hammer on an anvil, she could feel the painful reminder. They had made sure she wouldn't forget them. And just when it seemed she might, they found her again.

She was to be measured today. She swallowed at the thought. That would mean Faith would have to see the bruises. That thought caused Auya's throat to tighten, her chest restricting, making it hard to breathe. Her fingers gripped at the chair's arms, and her eyes cast downward.

"Oh, um, measuring to-trial? I... hadn't thought..."

She was about to launch into a lie. Why? To cover for those monsters? She didn't want to lie. She just wanted to be. To be left to be. She took a deep breath, nodding. "Okay." Auya stood up, hoping Faith wouldn't think her to be less of a woman proper after she saw the bruises. Maybe Faith wouldn't think anything of them at all. Hazards of being a blacksmith perhaps. Auya was taken back to the dressing room, and there she slipped out of her dress, down to her simple slip and nothing more. The bruises were evident on her arms, on her chest, on her legs. There were more not seen, on her breasts, on her stomach. Auya felt so exposed, on the verge of tears, feeling the memories coming back.

She was stiff in her movements, but she was compliant enough to let Faith measure her, doing whatever it took to make it more expedient, so she could hide behind her clothes once more.

[Faith Augustin]

Faith Augustin was a very good judge of people, their moods and their thought processes. There was a lot to be told from small gestures, tiny hand movements and twitches of the eye. Auya was troubled, there was no doubt about it. She liked the idea of the clothing being armour - and that was something Faith understood, and then some. Auya didn't want to be measured, and Faith was just about to say that it didn't need to be to-trial if Auya didn't want it, that they could do another trial, when the red head breathed in, stood up and spoke. And at that point, Faith knew that she had to do this, now, or she would dis-empower the woman who had come to the shop. So, Faith measured Auya.

Careful, meticulous, professional. That was what she told the staff and it was what she did, now. She saw the bruises, each and every one of them. Faith didn't say anything as she worked, not about the bruises, she kept a calm and professional demeanour. But, what she did, was pay attention. Once she was done, having measured everywhere she could, Faith sat in the room with Auya while the woman got her clothes back on, making notes in the small notebook which she had of measurements and so on.

"It's not my business," Faith said, softly. "Not in the slightest. But I make a habit out of 'not my business' things. " There was a tinge of almost sadness to what she said. "I understand bruises. I was a slave, trained in Athart. I've received a lot of them, but I've seen a lot, too." She'd held people she'd grown up with as they died from the beatings they took, after all. "They were men, the ones who hurt you." Silver eyes raised to Auya and Faith's expression held no judgement, nothing except one woman, speaking to another. "There were at least three. Different hand sizes. You fought." There was no doubting that, in Faith's mind. Yet, there was also no doubting that it hadn't been enough.

With a quiet voice, Faith spoke to her. As she did, the human woman's attention was entirely on the Aukari. "If they haven't found them, I can try and help. I have Immortals-granted abilities," she lifted her hand, touching the tattoo and then the nails. Then, she gave a slight smile. "And I'm the most stubborn pain in the ass you'll ever meet. I won't stop. If you'd like to find them. For myself, I needed to meet the man who had enslaved me, look him in the eye." But not everyone would feel that way, Faith understood.

"Anyhow. The offer is open." Either way, she had the measurements she needed. But, if Auya wanted? Faith wouldn't stop.

[Red]

Once the measuring was over, Auya let out a sigh of relief, and was quick to scramble back into the rest of her clothing. She needed the comfort of her bruises being unseen. If no one else could see them, she could pretend they weren't there. She could fake her daily smile. She needed the armor to keep the gazes of pity and shame and pride off of her black and blue flesh.

When she was done getting dressed, Faith was waiting, and she had a few words for the smith. Auya heard the woman's honest, about having been a slave, to know what it was like to be abused. And then Faith's eye for detail and the truth she spoke cut Auya to the bone. She knew that it was men that did this to her. She knew how many. She knew them all to be different. She knew Auya struggled to no avail. Auya felt more exposed now than she ever had. How had this woman with little more than a few glances at some bruises discerned so much?

Auya's throat was tight, and her voice a bit stiff in her reply. "The good trials it was only three." Each bruise seemed to radiate with pain of the memory of their creation. The one around her neck so she couldn't scream, her fingers touched it lightly. It was normally obscured by her hair. The ones on her wrists where boots held them down. Her own cuffs to match Faith's tattoos. The large one on her stomach where the air had been knocked from her lungs.

And then Auya heard Faith's offer. It was tempting. Auya had managed to kill one of her first attackers, but there were always more. Tracking them down might make Auya feel better, but it would ultimately not be that helpful. The rapes and beatings had already happened. Auya was... growing used to it, as best she could at least. She was doing what she could to move past it, and to prevent it from happening to her again. That was why she was here. The dress that would be her armor.

"I can't even remember their faces. I don't... I don't think I want to. You're.. You're very kind Faith. And, if what is said is true, I have no doubt you could find them." Auya smiled softly through her teary eyes, "I'll get through it. If you.. truly mean your offer to help. Help the others like me." She shook her head, chuckling nervously, "Of all the reasons to hurt someone, red hair seems the silliest."

She wiped away her tears, "Maybe the people here just need excuses to hurt each other when sober." It was an honest condemnation of the culture, one she wouldn't normally utter. What if Ilaren or one of her ardent followers had heard? But its not like they could do much worse to the woman. "Thank you Faith, truly. I think I'll head home now though. Gotta work twice as hard now to make ends meet. When should I return to continue this?"

[Yrmellyn Cole]

Thread Rewards

Auya

Overview

Auya's mixed feelings of dicomfort and defiance when she entered the elegant shop was well written. So was the shame she felt for having been abused. She wanted to hide her bruises. Very realistic. She didn't come off as cowed though. She was going to don a stunning dress and show them! Overall an interesting peek into Auya's personality and for me a better understanding of who she is (was, I guess). A good read. Enjoy the rewards!

Points

15

Loot

health

Renown

Injuries

[/tab]

Knowledge

Faith

Overview

Faith is always well written and this is no exception. Her compassion and willingness to find a way to help Auya was in line with eveything else I have seen about the character, very consistent and believable. The interaction with Auya was a good mix of business offers and personal support and genuine care for the customer. Enjoy the rewards!

Points

15

Loot

Wealth

Renown

Injuries

[/tab]

Knowledge

Please use the image code below to stamp your request !

Code: Select all

[align=center][img]/gallery/image/15360/medium[/img][/align]