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 Posted: Tue May 23, 2023 4:51 pm
Harika sat across from another potential client, this time a young man with striking emerald eyes against black sclera. He had caught her eye when he roamed into the shop where she was browsing materials, the guy moving to a rack of discounted materials and outfits which in her honest opinion were far too shabby for someone as good looking as him. So she reached out, tapped him on the shoulder and offered tea if he would take the time to speak with her. Figuring that free food was a good option, Harika quickly found herself leading him into the bakery where she worked part-time. Thankfully she had some credit saved up and it was no issue getting a table in the corner since it was near closing time when the place was quiet. “The raspberry tarts are divine so feel free to help yourself.” She began with a small smile, the woman studying the other hybrid with interest. He had some very unique features that would make designing any outfit a fun challenge!
[Harika 1]
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Posted: Tue May 23, 2023 4:51 pm
Needless to say that if it wasn’t for the appeal of free tarts when he was saving money, Cyril would have never followed the foreigner into the bakery. Thankfully though it was a store out in the open so he did not have to worry about any type of trickery…or at least it lessened his concerns about such things. “Hmm.” He reached over and plucked the tart from the porcelain plate, glancing about the bakery as he did before studying the hybrid once more. “I don’t suppose you simply asked me to join you for a meal because you thought I was handsome, correct?” He tilted his head slightly, keeping his cool attitude while others may have been flattered or eager to flirt with such a cute foreigner. “Though it would be a lie to say that I haven’t been asked such a thing before.” He admitted after a moment, finally taking a bite of the raspberry tart while waiting to see how the stranger would react.
[Cyril 1]
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Posted: Tue May 23, 2023 4:51 pm
She couldn’t help the laugh that escaped her. “Oh! I’m sorry!” Harika managed after a moment, her hands flying up to her lips to try to retract the rude reaction. “It’s not that you aren’t handsome, but I’m just not interested in that type of thing with you.” She quickly explained as she moved to pour tea for both of them, eager for something to do after making such a mistake. “I just happened to notice you looking through some of the discounted outfits and I felt like I could make a deal with you.”
[Harika 2]
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Posted: Tue May 23, 2023 4:51 pm
“A deal?” Cyril raised a brow, already feeling a bit perplexed by such a reaction from the foreigner. She truly wasn’t just trying to hit on him like so many others did whenever he arrived with the troupe in a new area? Interesting. “How would my perusal of some attire inspire you to strike a deal? I will be completely honest with you because I do not have money for some designer outfit or something if you’re trying to sell something to me. I was at the discount area for a reason.” He replied point blank about his situation as he blew on the cup of steaming tea, opting to add some sugar cubes while trying to figure out whatever this was. “Though I’m assuming you aren’t that foolish, considering you did offer free food and tea for a conversation with me.”
[Cyril 2]
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Posted: Tue May 23, 2023 4:51 pm
Harika nodded as she wrapped her fingers around the teacup, soaking in the warmth as she listened to the other hybrid. A blunt one, isn’t he? Still, she wasn’t offended by his attitude and was rather patient with him considering how she preferred someone honest rather than one of those flirtatious and flighty types. “You’re not wrong. At least I hope I’m not that foolish.” Harika offered with a soft laugh before explaining. “I thought that maybe we could work together on a project. You see I’m a seamstress and I would love the chance to design some new outfits, but I needed a male model with a certain build which you seemingly fit. I was hoping that rather than you spending money on outfits I could offer to give you a couple that I design as long as you participate in an upcoming festival and model the designs for me.”
[Harika 3]
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Posted: Tue May 23, 2023 4:51 pm
“A model.” Cyril repeated a rare chuckle leaving his own lips at the very notion. “I do have to admit that you’re the first person to ever ask me for such a thing.” He acknowledged before taking a sip of tea, pondering the offer. “I would need to see some designs first, of course. I wouldn’t want to participate and wear something atrocious since I have no idea about you or your talents.” He gave a slight shrug as if not even apologizing for even alluding that her work could be absolute trash. He was just being honest and in business one needed proof or at least an example of something before committing to anything.
[Cyril 3]
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Posted: Tue May 23, 2023 4:52 pm
Despite the initial distrust of her as a designer, Harika was smiling. “If you see the designs then that means you’re interested!” She replied with delight, not even worried that her designs would not be up to par with the stranger. “Are you in the area for a while or simply passing through? The festival itself is at the end of next week which should give plenty of time for me to finalize a few designs and bring them to life for you.” While she spoke, Harika started searching through her satchel bag and brought out a sketchpad. “I have a few designs in here, but honestly I think I would want a fresh start for you.”
[Harika 4]
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Posted: Tue May 23, 2023 4:52 pm
What a peculiar woman. She was so excited despite his obvious distrust and disdain? Cyril tilted his head slightly as he watched her digging through her belongings, the young man somewhat amused despite everything. “I will be in the area for the next few weeks, our troupe usually lingers in a city like this for at least a month before moving on to the next town.” That would give visitors plenty of time to see all of their acts and participate in the weekly fairgrounds that were open constantly in between the main shows. “Since I’m already in the area, if any of these designs are interesting enough then as long as I’m involved in the creation of anything new then I could model for you.”
[Cyril 4]
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Posted: Tue May 23, 2023 4:52 pm
“Oh! So you’re a performer? Even better!” Harika’s smile brightened as she flipped through several pages before settling on a design of a high waist coat accented by silver swirls and knotted metal buttons. “I was just doing some basic evening attire for parties, but with you I would like to do something more exciting. The dark vest and the silver would work well with your appearance, but I think something without too much embroidery may work wonders with you as well. You have so many unique features that something dark and mysterious may draw others to you.” She gushed as she tilted the page for him to look over. “You can flip through the pages to get an idea of my designs. I usually do more intricate dresses with Belrean fashion so doing something like this will be an experience.” Most of her more unique men’s attire had been based upon the styles in Oba and Matori, not Belrea. Maybe though it wouldn’t be an awful thing to sneak in something from Oba with this model? His striking green gaze and purple hair could work well with some Oban silks….
[Harika 5]
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Posted: Tue May 23, 2023 4:52 pm
“Mmhmm.” Cyril took a sip of tea before studying the sketch. It wasn’t horrible, if anything it did look elegant as promised. “I do admit that it is nice, but you want something more intriguing than that for me?” He questioned before taking the sketchbook, actually being careful to not wrinkle any of the pages since even Cyril respected the work of others. Flipping through the pages he found himself nodding. “A dress that burst into flames? One that looks like it embodies the very spirit of spring? These are definitely more unique than the simple evening outfit.”
[Cyril 5]
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Posted: Tue May 23, 2023 4:52 pm
“Right?” Harika nodded as she leaned forward, the snacks and tea forgotten as she watched the stranger studying the drawings. “You seemed really interested in the one with fire. Does that appeal to you?” She tilted her head thoughtfully realizing that while he said he was a performer she knew nothing about him, including his name! A soft gasp left Harika’s lips as she suddenly pulled back with a flush. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t even introduce myself! My name is Harika and it would be a pleasure to work together, if you’ll agree.”
[Harika 6]
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Posted: Tue May 23, 2023 4:52 pm
“It does.” Cyril admitted after a moment, the hybrid’s gaze lingering on the outfit that supposedly could burst into flames without hurting the one wearing it. “One of my performances involves fire.” He pursed his lips thoughtfully before letting out a soft sigh. “Cyril.” He supposed it was only fair that he also gave her his name. “If you can create a performance costume for the final act when we leave at the end of the month then I will model for you. It has to be something that I completely approve of and anything else gets trashed.”
[Cyril 6]
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Posted: Tue May 23, 2023 4:52 pm
“Challenge accepted, Cyril.” Harika grinned as she took back her sketchpad, the hybrid opening it to a blank page and grabbing a pencil. “So what type of fiery performances do you have? It’ll help me to create the overall design if I knew more.” She teased as she started sketching the outline of a male figure, looking up to confirm Cyril’s build every so often as she waited for his answer.
[Harika 7]
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Posted: Tue May 23, 2023 4:52 pm
“It varies, but mostly fire dancing.” Replied Cyril as he reached for another tart, raising a brow but not saying anything as Harika actually began sketching him in the moment. “So I would prefer something elegant and not likely to get twisted up while I’m moving around.”
[Cyril 7]
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Posted: Tue May 23, 2023 4:52 pm
“Easily done.” Harika grinned. “Something skin tight for a performer, with maybe a sash for some flare.” She tapped her pencil against the sketchpad, thinking about the options. “If you want to be more daring, I can attach some flame resistant material like this and have metal tips at the ends that can be set on fire to sear a path behind you.” Four or five thick ribbons of material that would trail behind him where they attached at the bottom of his top, potentially even coming from the sash and the belt itself.
[Harika 8]
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