Getting Rid of Stuff.

[russet_goddess]

Once again a table at the Mansion has been commandeered and spread with gowns and frocks and dresses, in all sorts of material and patterns and colours; some with beading and some with embroidery and some with lace, what you will, all carefully and exquisitely made. It's something she can do well.

As usual, a sign is out. DRESES. FORE FRIE.

Comments

[sweetarabian]

Safie pauses to look at the dresses, meaning to stay only a few minutes, but then lingers. Only her eyes can be seen over the top of her veil, but the look in them is clearly admiring.

[russet_goddess]

An audience customer!

Zara looks at her from across the table, and finally pushes one forward to her. "That's your colour."

[sweetarabian]

She blushes faintly in surprise and shakes her head. "I -- I cannot," she manages, in her thickly accented English. And unlike some of the others, Safie has an excuse not to understand, as the only language other than Arabic she reads is French, and that not particularly well.

[russet_goddess]

Hm. She gestures from the dress to Safie. "Pretty. Yours." And offers it.

[sweetarabian]

Safie pauses to put the words together in her head, and then replies "Your work is fine. But I cannot." She looks mildly embarrassed. She is a wealthy man's daughter, and although that did not stop her from running away to be with a poor one, she knows how much value is placed on money and had rather not admit that the little coin purse at her belt, which contains all that she has, is nearly empty now.

[russet_goddess]

Everybody is stupid here! she does not say. But she is mildly irritated. "No money," with a headshake and a shrug: I don't want anything.

[sweetarabian]

While accepting something so valuable is rather contrary to her sensibilities, the omgpretty is very nearly tempting enough, and the look in her eyes says she is considering it. She hesitates, touches a hand absently to her veil. The dress would be quite a lot less than she is used to wearing, after all.

[russet_goddess]

Zara shrugs again, then: if you don't want it, I'm not making you.

[sweetarabian]

Still hesitant, Safie takes the dress (before Zara changes her mind entirely, she is thinking) and holds it up, though for all the loose dark fabric she's wearing at the moment it would be hard to be sure of the fit. Softly, she says, "Felix might like it."

[russet_goddess]

"Good."

[sweetarabian]

"It is . . . different. Very lovely. But new." She doesn't know quite how to explain her hesitation.

[russet_goddess]

"If y'want something more your fashion, I can make it."

[sweetarabian]

"I-- I do not know. Is very complicated." And now she feels thoroughly foolish. How does one explain residual hesitation to abandon something you've been accustomed to for years despite not particularly liking that thing?

[russet_goddess]

She nods, though, and stands beside Safie. "Here--what if I did something halfway? Not as heavy as that you're wearing, not as open as this."

[sweetarabian]

"Oh! I could not ask that of you." But there's a faint flush of pleasure at the idea. Safie is content to live within Felix's means, but the thought of something a little more decorative is much too tempting to resist.

[russet_goddess]

"Don't be stupid. Not like I don't have the time." She scrummages in her pockets. "I'll take your measures."