[ They crest the stairs without further comment from Tertia.
Hightown is - Well. It only takes Tertia a single glance to know that this is a place where an elf will stand out indeed. Everyone here is a human, and a well-dressed one; she feels as out of place as rust on silver. Her look over at Benedict is questioning - is this really where we're supposed to be? ]
[In contrast, Benedict fits in better here than he does in the Gallows, and catches Tertia's glance with an oblivious smirk. In truth, it likely works in her favor; no one will question her presence as long as he's here, even if that invokes the social dynamic they're both trying to avoid.
As they enter a section of the market that seems particularly dedicated to clothing and fabrics, Benedict slows his step, his gaze catching on an assortment of garments hanging on display. He gestures, drawing Tertia's attention to them.]
[ She eyes them uncertainly. She doesn't reach out and touch or examine the garments physically; instead, she stays restrained, only looking. Not the best way to find out more about them. ]
I mean - they're very, um, pretty. [ A hesitation - ] I don't know if I'm pretty.
[ She doesn't say that in a self-pitying way - because she is pretty, in truth, and she knows it. More in the sense of...She doesn't know if she's the sort of person who would wear pretty things. ]
[He dismisses the concern out of hand, approaching the stall to select a garment that looks about the right size, in a fine silvery color. He nods at the shopkeep, pulls the tunic down, and holds it in front of Tertia to gauge it, then keeps it held toward her with an encouraging smile.]
There's a little booth with a curtain right over there, try it on. [He motions to the booth.] Won't know till you see it.
[ Her face turns a little pinker still. But she does take it from him, fingers holding it awkwardly - the fabric is so thin, after all, and flows so oddly - and then shuffles over to the booth.
There's a few minutes of rustling. Then she says - ]
[ She emerges timidly. Benedict, it must be said, has a good eye; the color and fit both flatter her, the silver making her dark hair and eyes stand out all the more and the slim cut emphasizing her elegant figure.
That said - That said, Benedict's pleasure might be somewhat tempered. Tertia normally wears long sleeves that extend past her wrists and halfway down her palms. The sleeves of this garment are shorter, falling just past the elbow. And so what she usually conceals is hidden: plain to view are the many regular, parallel scars crossing the line of her vein. Marks typical of a slave who'd been used, time and again, for blood magic rituals.
She doesn't seem ashamed of them, exactly. But there's some discomfort there, as she tugs at the sleeves to try to draw them down a little further. ]
[Eyes flitting up and down, Benedict seems pleased by his choice-- though his gaze does linger on her arms, he makes no comment on them. That's workable; a similar scar across his throat is always carefully concealed by an ascot or frill of some kind,[
[ She tugs at the bottom hem. The fabric and the cut might be comfortable, as she said, but - that doesn't mean she herself feels especially comfortable in it. So: no, in short. ]
[With a nod, Benedict considers. Then he turns back to the stall, sifts through the hanging garments, and produces another one: it's of a similar shape and size, but with longer sleeves, and this time in a deep blue.]
[ It's a good instinct. But it's not the sleeves alone that are the root of the issue; when she comes out, she's still fidgety and awkward, even though she once again looks quite fetching.
At least this time she has a little bit of insight into her discomfort she can share: ]
It's, um - [ A hesitation, then she says: ] It feels a little - excessive. A little frivolous.
[At this, his face falls slightly-- based on what Benedict himself is wearing, frivolity doesn't tend to be a concern. As long as it's tasteful, at least.]
Less embroidery, maybe? [He hazards, looking over the garment to guess at what about it might be frivolous.]
Oh. [His smile returns easily. How silly of him-- she's from up north, it took him a while to adjust to Kirkwall's climate too.]
Well that's why you have a nice cape or a cloak to put over anything else. So you can have something like this on its own when the weather's fair, like today, and then you can wear it again in the winter.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2022-11-22 01:08 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2022-11-27 01:05 am (UTC)[ They crest the stairs without further comment from Tertia.
Hightown is - Well. It only takes Tertia a single glance to know that this is a place where an elf will stand out indeed. Everyone here is a human, and a well-dressed one; she feels as out of place as rust on silver. Her look over at Benedict is questioning - is this really where we're supposed to be? ]
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Date: 2022-11-30 08:28 pm (UTC)As they enter a section of the market that seems particularly dedicated to clothing and fabrics, Benedict slows his step, his gaze catching on an assortment of garments hanging on display. He gestures, drawing Tertia's attention to them.]
See anything you like?
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Date: 2022-11-30 10:29 pm (UTC)Um...The colors are pretty.
[ Is that what he's looking for? ]
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Date: 2022-11-30 10:34 pm (UTC)Are they something you'd like to wear?
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Date: 2022-12-01 01:18 am (UTC)[ Color rises to her cheeks slightly. ]
I mean - they're very, um, pretty. [ A hesitation - ] I don't know if I'm pretty.
[ She doesn't say that in a self-pitying way - because she is pretty, in truth, and she knows it. More in the sense of...She doesn't know if she's the sort of person who would wear pretty things. ]
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Date: 2022-12-02 06:19 pm (UTC)[He dismisses the concern out of hand, approaching the stall to select a garment that looks about the right size, in a fine silvery color. He nods at the shopkeep, pulls the tunic down, and holds it in front of Tertia to gauge it, then keeps it held toward her with an encouraging smile.]
There's a little booth with a curtain right over there, try it on. [He motions to the booth.] Won't know till you see it.
no subject
Date: 2022-12-02 08:40 pm (UTC)[ Her face turns a little pinker still. But she does take it from him, fingers holding it awkwardly - the fabric is so thin, after all, and flows so oddly - and then shuffles over to the booth.
There's a few minutes of rustling. Then she says - ]
Okay. Um - it's on.
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Date: 2022-12-02 09:00 pm (UTC)[He stands waiting, smiling, eyes alight with anticipation. They'll make a prom queen of Tertia yet.]
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Date: 2022-12-03 12:18 am (UTC)That said - That said, Benedict's pleasure might be somewhat tempered. Tertia normally wears long sleeves that extend past her wrists and halfway down her palms. The sleeves of this garment are shorter, falling just past the elbow. And so what she usually conceals is hidden: plain to view are the many regular, parallel scars crossing the line of her vein. Marks typical of a slave who'd been used, time and again, for blood magic rituals.
She doesn't seem ashamed of them, exactly. But there's some discomfort there, as she tugs at the sleeves to try to draw them down a little further. ]
I - It's comfortable.
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Date: 2022-12-03 12:24 am (UTC)Do you like it? It fits you well.
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Date: 2022-12-03 12:30 am (UTC)[ She tugs at the bottom hem. The fabric and the cut might be comfortable, as she said, but - that doesn't mean she herself feels especially comfortable in it. So: no, in short. ]
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Date: 2022-12-03 12:33 am (UTC)Try this one.
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Date: 2022-12-03 12:43 am (UTC)At least this time she has a little bit of insight into her discomfort she can share: ]
It's, um - [ A hesitation, then she says: ] It feels a little - excessive. A little frivolous.
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Date: 2022-12-03 12:45 am (UTC)Less embroidery, maybe? [He hazards, looking over the garment to guess at what about it might be frivolous.]
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Date: 2022-12-03 12:47 am (UTC)[ She hesitates, then ventures: ]
It - won't really keep out the cold, will it?
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Date: 2022-12-03 12:49 am (UTC)Well that's why you have a nice cape or a cloak to put over anything else. So you can have something like this on its own when the weather's fair, like today, and then you can wear it again in the winter.
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Date: 2022-12-03 12:51 am (UTC)And - won't it tear easily? It's so delicate.
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Date: 2022-12-03 12:51 am (UTC)This isn't something you wear out in the field. This is for social engagements.
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Date: 2022-12-03 12:55 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2022-12-03 12:57 am (UTC)Parties, dinners. Riftwatch diplomatic events. Places where you need to look your best.
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Date: 2022-12-03 12:58 am (UTC)[ She shakes her head quickly. ]
I'm not going to any of those.
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Date: 2022-12-03 12:59 am (UTC)You're with Riftwatch now. You never know where you'll end up, for a mission.
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Date: 2022-12-03 01:01 am (UTC)[ She tugs at the hem again. ]
To fight. I'm not - [ She hesitates, then says - ] I - don't do well in nice places.
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Date: 2022-12-03 01:05 am (UTC)[A light huff, but he's not too offended-- not everyone prioritizes beauty, or he'd have a lot more competition.]
Sometimes a person just likes to feel nice. Valuable. Looking your best, just for yourself. [He folds his arms thoughtfully.]
But I'll not force you into anything, we've only just begun our search. There'll be something better.
[He makes a light shooing motion, encouraging her back behind the curtain to get changed again.]
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