RP:Vinabre Cosmetics
Part of the Vinabre Cosmetics Arc
Summary: A story of love shared in a friendship and lifting each other up. The innovators think up a symbol and a name for the cosmetic line.
DeVere College of Bardic Arts
After finding your way through the Topiary Garden it would only be fitting to come upon a prestigious looking establishment in the same style as all of Schezerade, enabling all it's decadence; marble forming the entirety of the large building accented with gold and platinum. The front double door is welcoming for all shapes and sizes that are the citizens of Lithrydel because even though Schezerade tries to be exclusive for avians, the college is accepting of all. Upon entry, you'll experience eager students practicing their many talents and bustling about trying to get from one class to the other. Once immersed, the eyes might be stolen by the gaping cathedral ceilings above, spotted by gold and platinum in which encircle mini glowing stones to mimic the night sky, but beauty is not what the ceiling is for; the acoustics of it carries one's voice in the most pleasing fashion. This main hall is quite vast with a large open kitchen, dining area, table game zone and in the center is a large fireplace with various pieces of furniture with bookshelves that hold a plethora of song books or poetry books.
At the entrance to the college, there is a grand staircase that goes up to the mezzanine which overlooks the main hall below and doorways to each classroom. In the northernmost spot of the main hall, there is a staircase that leads down next to the kitchen which leads to the dorms. There is also a large glass door to the north east of the hall that ushers out to the courtyard which has a little pond, a patio where students can converse or have their meals and little pathways that explore secret parts of the gardens, but there is also a greenhouse for one of the classes and a maze.
Brennia is relaxing alone in Professor Wittley's lab with some protective eyewear sitting upon the bridge of her nose and her thick curly hair tied up in a messy bun while she works. She is wearing a simple long sleeved white shirt that hugs her slight frame and simple leggings because it may be slightly chilled outside, but the castle is climate controlled to always be comfortable. Getting to know Alvina's kids these past few weeks has been an absolute joy, especially Meadow because she is an absolute trip. Today she left her face natural and cleansed for experimenting, so all the little imperfections are There is a thin scar from last year when Nebb scratched her face during the Titans of Winter tournament across her left eyebrow that leaves a little bald line in the hair there. The dark circles under her eyes are visible again, but there is an optimism twinkling in her eye that hasn't been there for quite a while… At least not since that time from before she died. There is a true sense of purpose to her life again and her body doesn't feel as exhausted with the little bit of work she's limited to. After picking up a beaker and sampling a whiff, she makes a sour face and sets it aside, "that one is a no."
Alvina creaks the lab door open softly. She’d come to expect Brennia to be here most days. It was where they met up after Alvina finished any of her Frostmaw responsibilities. That didn’t always mean going to the frigid tundra but it was her ‘place of employment’ for now. It felt good to be working with her hands again. She only hopes her work, with Brennia and in Frostmaw, can be put to good use. Alvina’s wearing a casual chunky knit sweater over a pair of snug black work slacks. The click of her heels announces her arrival before the door. Locked in her arms is a portfolio. It’s full to the brim with messy charcoal designs of logos and bottles and other various cosmetic containers. She slides quietly next to Bre and blinks over her work. Her sour face is mirror with a quiet “Woof” as Alvina sits down properly on a nearby lab stool. The bard sticks out her tongue at the avian and smiles. “So it’s going well then?” She’s only teasing. Her red curls are pinned back away from her face in a classic work and play vibe. “Which one is this?” She points to the vial in Brennia’s hands. “Perfume?” Alvina grimaces good naturedly while she fumbles with her portfolio. “I’m going to need you to look at these sketches for the umpteenth time. As soon as I think I’ve settled on a design, I get a new idea and it’s maddening.” Alvina had a bad habit of needing to do things perfectly every time. Perfect answers. Perfect smiles. Perfect everything. Though she felt far from perfect these days, it felt safe to want to be more in control of her part of the pet project they’re embarking on.
Brennia's long tapered ears pick up the sound of Alvina coming down the hall and when the fellow bard opens the door, she turns on the stool and offers a soft smile to her friend. Taking account of the hefty portfolio in Alvina's arms, Brennia lets out a low whistle, "-someone- has been hard at work." She gets it, though. After Niall left Lithrydel, she needed to be busy every hour of the day and stayed as far away from Schezerade as possible. The avian has already produced the concealer, a blush, a few eye shadows and the start of a pencil eye liner, but she has not been overworking herself because she is finding a joy in this project she never thought she would have again. The avian's wings shift slightly while they work and she turns back around on her stool when Alvina takes her seat next to her. "I believe so. Even the mistakes are learning lessons," she gestures to the beaker filled with a light pink liquid. "That one I was aiming to make a gentle everyday cleanser for the everyday make-up wearer or even the warrior who needs to cleanse a little dirt or blood off their face," there is a sly little grin to the selling point she added to the idea. Brennia holds her hand out to take the portfolio with a bright smile which pokes dimples in her cheeks again as she excitedly demands, "give." She starts to flip through the various designs with gloved hands and her teal gaze switches from Alvina to the pages and back again, "I never tire of your ideas. Since we are aiming to be a clean all natural line of skin care and cosmetics, I am really loving these simplistic floral patterns and vines."
Alvina surrenders the portfolio without hesitation, nodding at the idea of a cleanser for both the warrior or socialite on the go. It had a quirky appeal that suited Alvina’s personal tastes and she doubted she’d be the only one compelled to try this cleanser. The smell on this one would need improvement. Her knowledge was limited by crafting of this type, liquids and scents and natural products. Alvina’s hands were used to fire and steel. “I did bring you a surprise.” She grins, reaching into her satchel to pull out a fresh cluster of various flowers. “I made a pit stop in Frostmaw on my way back and thought some of these cooler climate flowers could be helpful.” She didn’t know anything about it. These flowers could very well just be the same as the flowers they’d picked up in the bazaar, in terms of effectiveness in various compounds. It really wasn’t her strong suit. Alvina sets the flowers on the table next to her portfolio and points to a particular design that’s sketched multiple times on the page with minute changes. “I thought this one would be most fitting but I just can’t figure out what it’s missing.” She frowns, tapping her temple thoughtfully. “Guess I’ll just have to leave it to the master.” At this, she grins again and considers all the bobbles Brennia’s using in her process.
Brennia perks up a little and her wings shift again, "oh?" She always loves surprises from Alvina! "Ooooh," she accepts the flowers and immediately starts sorting them by color. "These are amazing. I have been meaning to get up there because I heard rumors of a cave which grows unique types of plants," she caresses her fingertips over some of the petals in wonderment. Then her solid teal hues slip back to the sketches when Alvina mentions having a difficult time linking something more to the design, "hmmm…" She ponders while studying the image. "While I think, tell me, have you had a chance to meet with that guy? Xiembike-oh-rant? I can never get that man's name right," plus her subtle Veretian (French) accent really stands out when she says words that aren't used often in common tongue. "The name is a real tongue full," there she goes - mixing up common idioms instead of saying 'mouth full' or 'tongue twister' she landed on that monstrosity. She picks two separate sketches up and holds them up to the light, turning them this way and that before overlapping one with the other. Whenever Alvina shares her experience with the dragon, she motions the bard to come nearer to see what she sees in the light, "you see tere? The vines coming together to make that symbol, what is it called? Another word for 'forever'?"
Alvina looks pleased by Bre’s reaction to her gift and leans into the countertop to watch her work with a broad smile. When the avian brings up her suggested construction company, Alvina looks up thoughtfully. “Oh that’s right, I meant to thank you. He seemed very nice and eager to listen, though I’m pretty sure I chatted his head off about the kids too much.” She’s only mildly embarrassed. He had kids too so it was easier to justify. Sometimes people don’t want to talk about children (their own or anyone else’s) so she usually tries to err on the safe side unless there’s just something too wholesome to share with her patient friends. Her eyes narrow suggestively at Brennia. “I’m not naming names but he flushed when I mentioned you’d recommended me with praise for his work with the college.” She waits a beat before adding, “and obviously we’re big bad ladies that don’t need no man and all buuuut- He seems like he’s quite the softie.” Though…he did say his wife passed away…maybe the suggestion was unkind. Alvina’d feel uncomfortable if people started trying to set her up on dates and her husband is still very much alive. “He did say his wife was gone.” She frowns, breaking the playful teasing. “It must be so hard.” Alvina sighs, eyes locked on one of the flowers Brennia is holding without really seeing it. She seems ignorant to what might turn out to be a common theme to the story here. The bard’s brought back to the subject at hand with Brennia’s observation. “Oh, infinity.” The infinity symbol. As simple as a couple of loops that spelled out eternity in a blurring of beginnings and ends, so perfectly overlapped it was impossible to tell when one thing started to become another. The bard waits patiently then to hear her friend’s thoughts on Xiem and the infinity symbol that’s of interest.
Brennia nods, but doesn't take her eyes off the work before them, "I doubt he cared much because he has to build a house for you and your family so those details are kind of needed." Anytime she had a chance to work with the dragon, he was always quite nice and patient with details that needed more consultation. Her mention of how the man seemed to react to her also didn't earn any reaction from Bre as she continues to work with a subtle shrug of slender slounders, "he was probably just flattered by the recommendation. The most powerful tool in a business is good word of mouth," but then she paused for a moment to give a thought. "Not that he isn't handsome, but I was worried about other things at that time and was still hung up on Niall. I actually might have avoided him because with the beard and long hair, he reminded me a little of Niall." Bre and Alvina have already spent nights sharing cheese and wine while pouring over their romantic regrets, he was 'the one who got away'. Brennia did not know much about Xiem the man and only of the construction company he owns, so the information of his wife is a surprise, "is that so? I couldn't imagine and would have never even guessed because he is always genuinely happy," maybe it is all a front! Elation shifts her content expression when Alvina helps with the word, "that is right! Thank you," then her gaze lands on Alvina as the moment becomes a little more serious. "Alvina, I've always sabotaged any serious relationship in my life and I have never lost someone like you and Xiem have. I know you haven't really lost Hudson in the way Xiem lost his wife, but in a way you lost a version of him," gently setting the papers down, she formulates the proper words. "I am always here to talk whenever you need and for whatever you wish to vent about, but I feel bad I can never offer any real counsel on the matter. It sounds like Xiem might be well versed in the subject and could be a friend one day, but in no way am I suggesting-" there is a slight stern look on her face because she still holds hope that Hudson and her will work things out. Most of all it is far too soon to be trying to shove her into some random dude's arms and she playfully adds, "I forbid it, anyway."
Alvina softens at Brennia's confession that Xiem looks a bit too much like Niall and nods apologetically. She hadn't considered the similarities but she could tell from what Brennia's told her that Niall was a soft spot. "The personal experience doesn't always matter." She reassures her friend. "Your counsel is just as valuable." It felt like a weird thing, to compare how Xiem’s wife had died with her separation from Hudson. But in a way, she’s right. She’s lost a version of him, the good parts of what they’d had. The things the bad parts seemed to strangle and stifle. The mob activity and the murder. Alvina’s rejection and then demand to participate. Aubree’s soaked clothes and glass doll eyes. She hated…the parts of herself that had become exactly like him. Cold and calculated and withdrawn. The things it made them say to each other. Was it a good or bad thing, what she lost? “He does seem quite nice.” She agrees but there’s no hint that she’d be interested beyond friendship. Though she was lonely, the bed too big for just her, she had no desire to fill it. Her feelings were too messy and the prospect of that spilling over onto another person, as it very much had in the past, made her feel poisonous and snake like. Before Alvina can drop down that rabid hole of self loathing, Brennia pulls her out by ‘forbidding’ a romance with the construction worker anyway. It’s enough to make her laugh out loud. “Thank goodness I have someone sane to keep me in check.” A version of him. It ticked like a clock in her chest, against her will. “And you’re probably right, he seems very shy so the attention or mention of a good job was enough to flush his face but…” She elbows Brennia. “He also might just recall how gorgeous you are. There’s no shame in admiring a beautiful lady such as yourself.” With a chuckle, she looks back at the sketch sheets of logos, feeling guilty for letting mention of Hudson knock her off balance still. She’d get better in time. This was about their budding business not her bruised bond. “We don’t need no man.” She repeated with a sassy tilt of her shoulders, mimicking snaps in Z formation. It’s ridiculous enough to make her laugh.
Brennia doesn't know of the darker parts of what has happened and she will never ask because that is Alvina's story to tell or not tell, but Brennia has never been the judgemental type. Hell, she was in an arranged marriage fifteen years ago and ran out on her wedding day, but hasn't been able to let herself fully be present in a romantic relationship since. There are still many days she wishes she could switch off and let Raven take over, but she hasn't been plagued by the inky entity for a long while. The avian nods in agreement, "he's alright." They laugh out loud together because who the heck is Brennia to forbid anything?! Alvina could flick Brennia and she would keel over! "I wouldn't go that far as to call me sane," she winks while mixing various ingredients together carefully, but then she is elbowed and nearly drops the petri dish with a soft, "oof!" The humor hasn't left her face and she merely shrugs again because there is no use debating the details. He had probably seen her at her worst, she practically looked like skin and bones when he'd seen her. "Eh, I would want a man to admire my accomplishments, my drive and essence instead of 'oh she's hot'," her deep guy voice is gravely and on point before rolling her eyes. "It is great that they see you, but a real lover will -see- you and not just what you can do for them either," she wasn't really talking about anybody, but babbling on her views of love or relationships. "You are breathtaking, Alvina, and you're strong and you're fierce and the list goes on… for 'infinity'," she side eyes her friend. A raspy soft giggle bubbles up with Alvina's attitude, "lets start there!" She finishes the sentiment while rubbing her dimpled cheeks, "gosh, I don't think I have laughed or smiled this much in so long." When their giggles and jokes subside, she turns towards Alvina again, "I have been trying to think up a name for the cosmetics brand and all of them are trash, but I wanted to ask what you thought about combining our names in some way? I feel like you've been putting just as much effort into this as I have so far, what do you say?"
Alvina covers her mouth and apologizes in a chuckle for the rough contact. “Who is sane anymore anyway? I’m convinced anyone sane is no fun.” It was strange to think about how different people perceived each other honestly. The lens through which other people view you is often tinted with their own individual experiences, beliefs and upbringing. She was sure she’s played hero to some, villain to others. She’d been seen as bright and annoying, weak and emotional, safe or selfish and none of it truly had anything to do with who she was. Everyone was a character in someone else’s story. She knew, no matter what anyone might say, that she’s tried her best with the information and awareness available. Her mistakes and hurtful actions were hers, and she owned them, but self compassion was key. Growth was ever present. There’s nothing you can do to change how people see you. No matter how earnest or moderated your actions are. “I’m grateful I have people like you to feel safe around. Despite what I’ve done or people I’ve hurt. Despite what moments of insanity I’ve been overcome by.” They were all trying their best. And though Alvina didn’t have a Raven, she was glad Brennia resisted the temptation to be someone other than herself. “Most of the time, it’s just miscommunication anyway.” Hurting people’s feelings. She tried to remember that when she found herself hurt by innocuous things people might say or do. Brennia expands on how important it is that someone see what’s beneath the layers. “There are plenty of people who will just see what they can get from you but you’re right.” With all she’d done, could she find a so-called lover who would see her for who she was? All her good and bad? That she could see too? It wasn’t worthwhile if it wasn’t a mutual practice. For infinity. “Stop trying to make me cry woman!” Their laughter fills the lab and warms her skin, flushed by Brennia’s compliments. “I can’t with you.” So many beautiful and empowered women in her life! How’d she get so lucky? She did her best to concentrate on the good she had instead of what she’d lost. Want alone can’t fix broken things. At Brennia’s suggestion to combine their names for the makeup brand, she scrunches her eyebrows together. “I don’t think I agree with that statement BUT I’d be happy to name it this way. What about Brevina?” As soon as she said it, it felt wrong. “No…that’s no good…” The bard purses her lips. “What do you think?” Alvina leans into her open palms, listening intently to Brennia’s suggestions.
Brennia continues to work as they chat, but it isn't a hurried job and she is just taking her time while being present with her best friend. Her genuine smile returns, "you honor me." The avian more than understands in that sentiment of losing oneself in a moment, but she can tell there are gears turning in that pretty little red head of Alvina's. As she goes back to sorting the flowers the fellow bard has gifted her with, she shares something she hasn't brought up with anyone else, "my late mother used to remind me of this mantra because growing up in a patriarchal society doesn't give women the opportunities that men get. I used to repeat this to myself whenever I felt wronged or like a misunderstanding painted me in a negative light; 'I am not intimidating, they are intimidated. I don't take up too much space they are just used to playing small. My inner light is not too bright, they are just used to dimming their own. I am not mean nor aggressive, I am honest and assertive and that makes them uncomfortable. I do not make them uncomfortable, my presence challenges their comfort. All of that is theirs and I will not be less to make them feel better about themselves. That is their responsibility to own their issues'." With that she sits a little taller and has almost a regal presence to her as her large dark wings shift again, "she was a fierce woman… I miss her." There is an accepted sadness that hangs in the air between them, but she just keeps working with a content little grin on her lush lips. Brennia turns over the name a few times, "Brevina… Brevina… I like it, but it just isn't exciting me." She is relieved when Alvina admits she doesn't like it, "it does sound like a medicine. 'Oh, my. It is time for me to take my Brevina'," there is a little raspy giggle that follows as she covers her mouth. "What if we simply switched it? Vinabre… Vinabre…" there is a twinkle in her solid irises as she looks to Alvina to gauge her reaction.
Alvina listens enviously while Brennia quotes her late mother. Alvina’s mother had passed away when she was very young. She had very little to remember her by, beyond her father’s stories and flashes of memories. The words play out in bold letters behind her eyes, rich with confidence and bright with truth; the same way Alvina was seeing Brennia now. Was she ever at a loss for words when it came to these topics? Though it goes without saying, Alvina chimes in a brief but heartfelt “I’m sure she’s endlessly proud of the powerful and brilliant woman you’ve become. We should all be so lucky to have such a bright guiding light through the darkness.” And she means it with every fiber of her being. The bard is thankful to Brennia’s mother, for Brennia and her strong words and seemingly unshakeable drive to push forward despite the myriad circumstances that threatened to knock her down. The avian certainly did not get enough credit for all she’d endured and Alvina would do her best to tell and show her children this level of confidence with the hopes they too could be so strong. Alvina shifts on her stool, uncrossing and recrossing her legs, while Brennia dissects the name suggestion. “It does sound like a medicine, doesn’t it? Yuck.” She sticks her tongue out. When she uses it in a sentence, Alvina almost cackles. “Gods no, we can’t use that…” But the switch up was a vibe. “Vinabre.” She tries, getting chills. “Oh, that feels so fancy rolling off the tongue.” She pauses for dramatic effect because, bards, and holds herself upright. “Vinabre.” She purrs with exaggerated enunciation, wagging her brows at Brennia. “That’s good, that’s -really- good.” She points at Brennia, shaking her head in amazement. “You did that. Just now. I saw the whole thing.” Alvina sighs. "It's so beautiful, watching two masters like us at work." She blows a kiss to the ceiling and snags the design they'd settled on from Brennia's side of the table. She writes 'Vinabre' in flowly letters in the first loop of the infinity symbol. She sketches 'Cosmetics' in the next loop and slides the paper over for Brennia to review. "I think...we have a name."
Brennia does feel a little guilty whenever she brings up memories of her mother, but she was just as envious whenever Alvina talked of her father. Even though she had her own, she barely saw him and he turned out not to be who she thought he was. Her smile grows at Alvina's compliment and her cheeks warm when her soft raspy timbre accepts, "thank you, Alvina. That means a lot coming from you," there are a couple of nods to follow in agreement to her friend's sentiment. "Yeah?" She begins to look excited at Alvina responds positively to the name, but her focus is stolen by Alvina's rendition on the symbol they settled on just moments ago. "-We- did it," she corrects as her wings shift again in excitement while looking down at the logo of their company and she is rendered speechless. Her ruby painted fingertips cover her shapely lips as tears well up along her waterline and she feels the electricity in the air because it seems they just caught lightning in a bottle. "Look," she whispers before pulling up the sleeve of her shirt to reveal her bronze skin covered in that unique ink pattern, but the focus is on the goosebumps on her dewy skin. "I've literally just got goosebumps!" She is absolutely beaming as she leans across the space between them and pulls Alvina in for a tight hug while they are both still seated on their stools. Her velvety wings shift again in the duration of their hug and as she pulls away, she uses the sleeve to her other arm to dry the corners of her eyes, "Vinabre Cosmetics… it is really happening." There is a comfortable silence that follows while she helps Alvina gather everything in her portfolio once again, "you want to stick around and help me test things or did you have to start working on the hardware for the products?" The avian goes back to what she started and either says farewell to her dear friend or they start sampling the cosmetics she has created thus far.
Alvina pulls her arm beside Brennia to show her matching goosebumps. If Brennia cries, Alvina’s going to cry! Already her eyes feel misty in the excitement. “We did it.” She repeats confidently, loitering in their hug until she’s sure she won’t cry when they part. “We are so much more than this.” She says, a quote she’d heard in her hardest times. We are so much more than we are right now. There is a future they will be proud to find, waiting for them. When the avian asks Alvina if she’d like to stay, the bard looks shocked. “There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”