shelley_winters | (no subject)

(no subject)

Shelley idly flicks through the pages of the book, not really reading. The seamstress is due to arrive, and Loira had left to escort her up when she did.

She hopes it's a she.

Not that she can do much about it now, short of pitching a fit, which she would never do anyway because it might get Loira in trouble. Never mind that the woman must be a darkfriend to work for Ishamael, she still doesn't want her maid punished for her 'misbehaviour.' The girl sighs, and closes the book.

Footsteps.

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The door slid open. Loira and the seamstress walked in. A curtsy from both as Loira explained helpfully.

"My lady, this is the seamstress Lady Reilen Araphos."

The woman inclined her head gently at the introduction. Reilen was a tall if young-looking woman with a firm air of no-nonsense about her in an elegantly cut, but unadorned gown.

"A pleasure, Mistress."

Shelley nods uncertainly. She really has no idea how to conduct herself with this professional-looking woman. Elan had already had a selection of clothing for her when she arrived, and she really doesn't want to know how he knew her size.

"Lady Reilin. Thank you for coming."

Loira recieves a brief mute appeal for aid, and the woman takes pity.

"Where would you like her to stand, Lady Reilin?" Shelley's maid asks.

Reilen turned to Loira and spoke quietly, but intensely. She glanced about the room carefully as if placing things mentally.

"Have sample gowns and cloth fetched from my things."

A quick gesture towards Shelley as she set down her small bag of pins, and tapes. A sharp reply that bordered on an order.

"Take off your dress."

Shelley raises an eyebrow.

Well. That was different. Not to mention bordering on the rude, which might be normal here, but she can't see any reason for it.

Loira is already speaking quietly into the com system, obeying the seamstress' order, but Shelley resolves to take her darned time, and waits for her maid to finish her call before beckoning the woman to help undo her buttons. She recieves a questioning look - she usually does everything herself unless left no option - but shrugs innocently in return.

No need to be rude.

As two servants brought up a small cloth-covered cabinet, Reilen found just the tape. Standing with arms firmly crossed under her breasts, and pins held in her mouth she watched as Loira undressed Shelley.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Her foot beating time at an ever-quickening tempo. She was not to be kept waiting.

Shelley steps daintily out of her dress and slippers to stand before the seamstress in her shift, and smiles politely up at Reilin - why is everyone so tall here?

Meanwhile, Loira picks up the dress and folds it with infinite care.

Walking over, she unzipped the outercovering on the cabinet, taking the pins out of her mouth. She did not exactly know this girl's relation to Elan Morin, but given the circumstances, it seemed likely that she was his slightly estranged wife. Many a husband had obtained a dress from her as a way back into his wife's good graces.

"I have already spoken to your husband on the matter, and have brought a few things that will not clash with his attire. I already have a number of ideas, which you will certainly approve of."

Shelley chokes.

Loira hastily grabs at her arm, shaking her head frantically while the redhaired girl sputters in silence.

Not married, we are not married!

"Oh... good," she manages before the woman turns around again, only slightly pink with indignation.

With furrowed brow, Reilin thought for a moment and mused quietly to herself. She was a pretty little thing, and so there was very little that would not be fetching on her.

"Hmmm... Perhaps, a warm yellow would work quite well. To contrast, of course, maybe some ornate embroidery."

Her long fingernail traced across the upper part of Shelley's chest as she mused to herself.

"It would be a nice contrast, and with your hair and skin, it would be quite beautiful."

Shelley flinches. She's ticklish for heaven's sake, is that really necessary? But she manages a tentative nod.

"I'll try it."

Reilin reached over to her bag to acquire the measuring tape. She quickly and efficiently produced a number of measurements. Best to get this done quickly.

Walking over to the small cabinet, she removed a bolt of yellow cloth and walked over to Shelley holding it across her body. A furrowed expression as she thought of embroidery and colors and such.

"Oh, it will not work. With as slight a build as you have, so much embroidery would make you look like a doll."

Somewhat in disgust, she took the bolt of yellow cloth and returned it to the cabinet.

Shelley frowns and attempts to remain still as the woman measures her with near-frightening efficiency.

She frowns a little more at Reilin's pronouncement - a doll? Isn't she walking and talking and... well, living?

But off a worried look from Loira, she simply nods and waits for the seamstress' next instruction.

Setting the bolt down, Reilin walked back towards Shelley. Commenting idly, she studied Shelley's figure.

"Well, Streith is always in vogue, and if we put a little silk gown underneath to emphasize the curves... With a suitably low neckline, of course."

Tracing a fingernail low across Shelley's breasts, Reilin demonstrated exactly what constitued suitable. Stopping for a moment, she froze and inquired quietly.

"Well, I am assuming that you would want something underneath?"

"No," says Shelley firmly.

From behind her comes the sound of Loira audibly Not Facepalming.

"I don't think it's my kind of thing, and neither is anything that low. Thank you."

It isn't as if there's much to show, anyhow. Reilin may know her work, but Shelley's the one that will have to wear it.

A small blink as Reilin's face tightened slightly. Well, then. Turning around with a slight sniff, Reilin went back to her closet.

"Well, if you think you know best then..."

Shelley watches her in mild exasperation. Honestly.

"I have tried it before, you see," she says after a moment. "I can't wear it comfortably."

There, that sounded reasonable enough, didn't it? Hopefully, anyway. She attempts a glance back at Loira, but her maid's face is carefully blank.

Reilin did not react in any appreciable manner as she turned and picked up a bolt of dark red cloth and held it over Shelley's body. A firm nod as she thought for a moment, it would work quite well, complementing tones in her skin and hair.

"Perhaps, if we cut it simply, fitted to the hips and then straight from there... High neckline, but off the shoulders."

High neckline. That sounds a blessing to Shelley, who seizes the idea instantly.

"That sounds lovely. Um... I don't usually wear red, though. Won't it look odd with my hair?"

An incredulous look from Reilin. She sounded vaguely insulted. What did this girl take her for?

"Not if the shade matches well."

Ooops.

She manages a vaguely apologetic smile.

"Well, you're the expert. I'm not very good with dresses, so mostly I play it safe."

She likes wearing green. Blue is nice, too. Black is not.

Reilin nodded calmly, pleased. She could do a wonderful dress that would match quite well with Elan's attire.

"I have just the idea. You will look beautiful."

"Oh. Good," says Shelley, slightly unconvincingly, but manages a warm smile for the woman. Just doing her job.

Working briskly, Reilin worked to get all the measurements she needed for a dress. It was necessary to accidentally stick her with a pin on a couple of occasions when she was being unnecessarily dense.

With a pad full of measurements and incomprehensible notes, Reilin finally stood and nodded to Shelley.

"That should suffice."

Surreptitiously rubbing her ribs where a particularly sharp jab had been recieved, Shelley nods, and goes to put her dress back on.

"Thank you, Reilin. Loira, could you..."

The maid is already there, assisting the seamstress to pack away extra bits of pin-ridden fabric before keying open the door.

Reilin irritatedly pricked Loira's hand with a pin. She needed everything in the right spot, and that maid could do nothing but mess things up. After this, she had an appointment with Kamarile Maradim Nindar.

"You are quite welcome. The dress will be along shortly. An invoice has been left with Elan."

With no further comment, Reilin left the room. A few moments later, two servants came for the cabinet. The door slid closed.

Shelley narrows her eyes at the door.

"I really don't like her."

Loira nods meekly, flexing her pricked hand slightly. Lady Shelley does not like many people, it seems, as a general rule. Not even Lord Ishamael.

"Just as you say, my Lady."

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