RP:Dresses & Deals
Part of the Vinabre Cosmetics Arc
Summary: Brennia and Alvina have a wonderful retail therapy day and become business partners!
Schezerade's Bazaar
The area is dotted with several multi-coloured tents where travellers sell their wares, be it exotic pets, rare and beautiful flowers or decadent clothes. Even valuable jewellery –gotten honestly or otherwise—can be seen changing hands for coin in the crowded marketplace. A trapdoor can just be seen in the ground, far away from all the stalls – what could be down there? A set of ivory steps lead upwards, a pleasant scent wafting from the upper area. Runners can be seen weaving in and out of the massive crowds purchasing or simply looking at goods. Entertainment is provided in the centre of it all by a small trio of bards that sing and play their instruments at any given time for a few coins tossed into one of their hats.
Alvina arrived at the bazaar early, just when stalls were starting to open. She’s alone though she’s brought with her a worn satchel in case she finds anything worth purchasing. With the warmer weather, she’s wearing a modest long sleeve navy dress (it’s still winter after all) comfortably. No cloak needed. Her hair is pinned back on the sides, red curls pouring down her back. She’s standing next to a tent where a plethora of exotic flowers are being watered. She strikes up an easy conversation with the stall owner who points out a bloom that shares her hair color and insists she take it. “Beautiful flower for a beautiful lady.” Alvina laughs and thanks the elderly man, bowing to let him put the flower in her hair.
Brennia is excited to show Alvina around the bazaar. There are many walks of life here thanks to the Iran Collective temporarily living here in Schezerade, but one day they will probably be returning to Cenril whenever the zombie plague dies down. Brennia has decided to stick with the oversized chord knit sweaters and black velvet leggins today because there is a little chill in the air. Her thick curly hair is woven into a loose braid that hangs over her shoulder and her concealer is on point today. She is walking up just when the man gives Alvina the flower, "isn't that the truth?" Brennia gestures to her friend with a grin and a wink before pulling her in for a hug. "You know," she idly starts as they meander down the path with their arms linked, "I have given your suggestion a great deal of thought, Alvina." A soft smile curves her shapely lips, "I am in no hurry, but I am going to do some traveling during my days off and find the best ingredients for a cosmetics line. Maybe even a skin care line as well," she picks out some flowers to buy for said project while her imagination runs wild. "If I draw up a list of things I am planning to create, do you think there is any certain talented individual that would like to work with me on making the containers it will go in," there is a side glance to her so Alvina for sure knows it is her Brennia is talking about.
Alvina || A smile spreads over Alvina’s face before she can right herself. “Speaking of beautiful ladies.” Alvina’s scanning the various booths as they come to life while they walk. Bree’s words draw her attention back to their conversation. “My suggestion?” She tilts her head, having forgotten in the short time since their last meeting. She blinks in surprise at her friend’s revelation. “A full cosmetic LINE? A skin care line?” The bard halts in their progress, the busy street starting to buzz with activity. “That sounds like a lot to take on by yourself. Aren’t you supposed to be taking it easy?” She frowns out of concern, though she did really think Brennia’s makeup would sell and be well received by the artists at the college and eventually others who came to discover the miracle product. Brennia’s picking out flowers while Alvina thinks about how Brennia could take on such a monumental project without over workinger herself. She gives her a warning grin when the avian suggests that Alvina make containers for the product. “You might find this hard to believe but…” Unlinking their arms, Alvina dips into her satchel and pulls out a concealer case roughly the size of the one Brennia’s showed her in the tavern. It’s engraved with flowers, the top blush metal petals rising off the top in a smooth but provocative design. “I know it looks like it’ll hook on your bag but, it’s fabric safe.” She hands the prototype to Brennia for inspection. “It’s simple but I just wanted to make something for you. As a thanks. And now I guess a kind of audition for the job you’re proposing.” She laughs and touches the flower in her own hair. “I still think you should have some help with this, it’s a lot alone! Tell me you’ve got help!”
Brennia gasps and gingerly accepts the tin. There is a genuine smile forming on her lips which pokes dimples in her cheeks when she feels the engravings and opens the container, "this…" She is rendered speechless and then she finally locks her teal gaze to Alvina's, "this is even better than I imagined, may I keep it?" She shakes her head, "no, no. I do not have a deadline and I am pretty sure no one will want me dead for making some cosmetics. This is more of a leisurely thing to keep my mind active and I do know my limits now. I think this will bring me some joy in life," she studies Alvina's face for a long moment. "Seeing as you are helping with making the hardware… would you also like to help me try out formulations, tracking down ingredients and such?" Who better to help?! As they are currently stopped, she takes a step over towards a food vendor and purchases some fresh berries mixed in yogurt, but then she asks for two spoons and offers Alvina some, "I won't be able to eat the whole thing." As they continue, she allows a comfortable pause to rest between them before inquiring, "I absolutely love having you and the kids at the college. It has been so nice, I will be sad to see you go once you find your dream house," she grins again. "I've been meaning to ask how that is going?"
Alvina gives her a silly grin. “Of course you can keep it? It’s for you!” Brennia outlines her plans and she starts to feel better about the project. Maybe it won’t be as taxing as she feared. A passion project or hobby. One she wouldn’t stress over or be rushed to complete. “I’m trusting you on this one,” The bard believed her friend did know her limits, “but if it gets to be too much for ANY reason, you have to promise to tell me so I can help or find help. I know you know a lot of people but still.” Alvina nods, solidifying the sentiment. She’s serious Brennia! “And of course I would like to help!” Passion projects were what Alvina was looking for these days. She needed to rediscover the things she enjoyed and take stock of herself. Alvina snags a bag of fresh granola while Brennia gets her berries. Luna was on a health kick and wanted granola in everything. She gladly accepts the berries, plopping a couple in her mouth as they walk. “It’s been nice to be here. A bit like a holiday? The kids were excited to come too.” They’ve been stuck in that other house for nearly a year now and being here was a vacation they desperately needed, though she did her best to steer the questions about Hudson away. Of course they’re curious, the older pair knew he was going back to work for a little bit. Harper had taken it the worst…they had been so close. She’s surprised Harper hasn’t run off to Cenril to try and find him honestly. Maybe her little teen heart was too hurt to try. What if she got there and he refused to see her? Alvina eats another berry to chase off that thought. Maybe she should write…Milo or…maybe she shouldn’t. “Well I’m supposed to go with Lanara and Aira to look at houses soon…apparently Aira is leaving Frostmaw and looking to settle down somewhere else. I’m just afraid I won’t find what I want…” Alvina stops to admire some stained glass at a stall front. The glass is so delicate. It has to be cut and snapped just right, held together by heat and metal and patience. The design was intricate but open to interpretation. “What do you think this looks like?” She asks Bre, pausing and pointing. In the brief silence that follows, she frowns. It looks like a skull to her. A very small skull, child sized skull. “I’ve gotten used to a certain standard, basically, with the house…I just want to make sure it’s what I want.”
Brennia thinks for a long moment, "there is this dragon fellow who helped me rebuild Schezerade after Kahran's forces left things a mess here. He has got this ridiculous name… I think everyone just calls him Xiem though? He owns a construction company called Nildran. Actually," there is a public board nearby and she takes a flier out of a pouch that advertises his business. "It says right there just to send word to his offices in Frostmaw with what you would like to build along with where," she grins victoriously. "His prices are fair and he even works with people who cannot typically afford to commission their own home as well, not that you'll have an issue there, but I always thought that was sweet." With a small shrug of her shoulder the sweater drops off it, "maybe just meet with him and pick his brian, maybe he can help." Brennia takes a long look at the glass and how the darkness swirls within the lighter parts, reminding her of Raven, "it looks like a black bird to me." A lonely and sad black bird, but then her jaw drops as they come to the dresses, "this one is absolutely gorgeous. You must try this on," she holds it against Alvina's form. It is a velvet spaghetti strap dress in the interesting color of olive green, "with your skin tone and red hair, you'll be a vision in this." The way the heavy fabric will cling to all the right places and all the contrasts it will have moving in the light.
Alvina || Kahran. Now that’s a name she hasn’t heard in a very long time. Alvina’s momentarily distracted by the muddled memories that try to form around that name. The flier takes her attention back, letting Brennia’s words hit her ears clearly instead of warped by water. “Xiem?” An office in Frostmaw? “I like that it’s local…” She says, hesitantly taking the flier to examine it. Emerald eyes skim the page. “That is sweet.” She agrees in monotone, lost in thought while Brennia examines the glass. “If nothing else, he could make renovations to whatever place we find that’s close.” Alvina shrugs, stuffing the paper away before turning to study Brennia’s face while she looks at the glass. There’s a seriousness, an almost hurt there that she can’t touch so instead she adjusts Bre’s sweater and they move on. The infectious enthusiasm of the avian is hard to combat. “Please.” She huffs, turning pink with embarrassment before taking the dress to examine it. She palms the velvet exterior. “I feel like I’d just be touching the dress all night.” She laughs. “But if I’m trying this on….” Emerald eyes scan the nearby racks for something to suit Brennia. She grins wickedly when she finds it. “Then you have to try on this.” She plucks a silky plum red dress, a little short but no doubt to draw attention to the future wearers long legs. The tone was deep and rich, with just enough fire to keep it from fading away. It was cute for a slender form, cinched at the waist with a faux bodice. “Your eyes will look like starlight and this waist!” It looks dangerously close to négligée but she spies an attached slip inside. “Meet me back out here in five!” She demands, thrusting the dress into Brennia's hand and rushing off to occupy one of the three dressing stalls.
Brennia is hidden away along with Alvina into the sectioned off area draped with curtains so no peeking and proceeds to quickly change without really looking at herself. Brennia looks like a model from the 90's, very tall and thin, but her hips are still a bit wide as that is just how her frame naturally sits. The cinched waist exaggerates that fact and the deep plum color compliments her bronze skin which looks dewy in the natural morning light. She pulls her hair out of the braid and lets it wave naturally down her waist, but even her dark wings contrast interestingly against the color and now that she is done, she waits outside the changing area for Alvina. The avian practically has to pick her jaw up off the floor when her friend reamurges and she gasps out, "woooow." After a few blinks to get rid of her dazed look, she takes Alvina by the arm gently and positions both of them in front of the nearby mirror. With one hand, she gathers Alvina's hair and holds it up in a way that almost makes it look like an updo with all these adorable little tendrils hanging loose, "they better watch out for you at the next gala, you're a stone gold fox." Yes, she got the term mixed up, but she does that from time to time given that common isn't her first language. The pair do paint quite the masterpiece of a picture, Lithrydel better watch out for these entrepreneurs. "That's it, I am buying these - I will wear mine if you promise to wear yours," she lets out a raspy little giggle while paying the vendor for the expensive dresses, but how could she pass these up?!
Alvina slides out of her Frostmaw navy and into the velvet green. It’s snug enough to be painted on but drips off her curves elegantly. The color lifts her freckles to the surface of her face and exposed skin, giving her pale frame a little more color. It’s hard to find a good match when you’re this pale. A color that won’t wash your natural skin tone out. She snaps the straps that miraculously don’t cut into her soft frame awkwardly. It was not a dress she’d have picked for herself but wearing it now, she can’t help but be enchanted by it. Outside the dressing room, she finds a completely different person waiting for her! “Talk about enhancing beauty!” She exclaims, stretching out her arms and waving for Brennia to do a little spin before she’s whisked away to a mirror. “Well look at us.” She laughs brightly at Brennia’s messed up turn of phrase. “Stone gold foxes for sure.” The idea of attending a gala dressed up like this…Bre’s holding up her hair but in the reflection behind her ribbon curls she sees an imaginary Hudson’s back while he fiddles with a tie and complains about dressing up. She was so used to going to these things with him, she can’t imagine dancing with anyone else. Alvina swallows it expertly, tucking it away for a time when she can sit and turn it over. The prickle of how things used to be versus how they are now. Brennia’s rushed off to pay for the dresses and Alvina laughs, pushing to sound bright and present. She looks back to the mirror, the phantom gone. “I can’t walk around in this!” She calls loudly so Bre will hear while she changes back to her other clothes. She runs her hands over the velvet again, wondering if he’d like this dress and then wishing she hadn’t wondered at all. She closes her eyes. It’ll pass. When she reappears, she draws a small smile on her lips. “I promise I’ll wear mine if you wear yours. Pinky promise, in fact.” She lifts her pinky to lock them together. “How did they make us look powerful but equally soft at the same time? Are we sure these aren’t enchanted?” She sees a couple pairs of heels and totes them to the register to pay for them. “I’ll make up for the expense with hard work.”
Brennia feels her own cheeks warm as Alvina compliments her and the blushing color even reaches the tips of her long tapered ears as she abides and spins. Her fingertips gently caress over the fabric of the dress on Alvina's back, "you're right, it is tempting to keep touching the fabric. It will just be another reason for a future date to touch you," it is a gentle tease because she knows the predicament Alvina is in, but when Brennia says date, she doesn't think that excludes Hudson. "Wait for me," she exclaims and rushes off to change back into her own clothes before rejoining Alvina to lock pinkies. "Because -we- are powerful and soft -women-, darling," there is a confident smile there at her conclusion. "The only enchanting thing is ourselves," she adds while accepting the shopping bag from the cashier. "Pfft, this will not be 'work'… I have a feeling that this endeavor of ours will be fun," a legit lucrative business run by independent women. The pair spend the rest of the day shopping and sharing until their feet beg for them to go back home and relax; effectively shopping till they drop!