DRESS FOR SUCCESS
time: Just before noon.
place: At Sadie's shop in Oldcastle.
participants: Chrysanthemum Fitzpercy and Sarah "Sadie" Beake
premise: During a visit to Foxglove Meadows, the Fitzpercy estate near Oldcastle, Chrysanthemum visits her favourite dressmaker to commission a new piece and catch her up with every bit of news from Palisade.
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Always looking to fend off boredom, Chrysanthemum Fitzpercy seized upon every diversion that her position in life offered, and a few that it did not technically offer at all. She sang, although she sang whatever she pleased, which were mostly Airish ballads, she embroidered, so long as the patterns were knotwork, she played, so long as the music was lively, and she read, so long as the books were dramatic. And, like any young girl of wealth and status who had recently entered society, she maintained a fashionable wardrobe, so long as she could consult Sadie, who she considered to be quite the cleverest seamstress in Sunderland. Since her family had relocated to Palisade for most of the year, this had become increasingly more difficult, but if there was anybody stubborn enough to refuse any alternative in order to obtain exactly what she wanted, it was Chrysanthemum Fitzpercy. It was not like she had anything better to do.
Thus, when her family had finally retired to Oldcastle for a visit, she was ecstatic. The previous season had given her opportunity to see exactly what her peers and rivals were wearing, and she was bursting with desire to refresh her own wardrobe, which, while fashionable, was growing dull to her. She hardly hesitated long before begging her mother to take her into town to see Sadie, not just made eager by the pleasant prospect of buying herself an outfit, but by the fact that Sadie was quite wonderfully clever, and Chrysanthemum always loved speaking with her as her measurements and details were taken. Plus, Sadie had not yet seen Marigold! She wanted to ask her all about what she thought of Guardians, just as she had been asking everyone, partially out of real curiosity, and partially just to show off that she had a Guardian. Sadie had a Guardian, and Chrysanthemum had always been exceedingly envious, just about as envious as a young lady could be of a seamstress. But now! Though they were not equals in status, they were in one way equal: they were both Wardens.
She opened the door to Sadie's establishment cheerfully, leaving her Mama, who had turned traitor and adopted a tailor in Palisade long ago, to shop for ribbons. "Good morning!" she announced merrily, Marigold trailing behind her. "Miss Beake, I have such a surprise to show you!"
thyPOPE
