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 Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 3:39 pm
Blue-grey eyes regarded the interesting features of their own face as Cole took a moment to glance in the mirror, brushing a stray strand of red hair from her face and turning slowly to raise an eyebrow at her companion.
Ro'eh. She'd requested his presence, and he was, of course, here to comply with that. Today she'd be turning him over to Kithe, for a portrait. It would go up in the Game House, on the wall with the other big winners. It was a service that benefited Colby, as well as Kithe, the Daewl she always commissioned to do them. He had a steady stream of business from her contacts, as well as her, and she kept the clients in the GH happy, with rewards for good humor, clever entertainment, and big wins at the game tables.
Ro'eh's portrait would be auctioned, something that several of the GH's regulars were looking forward to. Cole made a mental note to offer Kithe a percentage, joining the golden-eyed Daewl at her table.
The two were sitting in her entertaining room, which was just inside the entrance hall to her two-story home.
"Why is the Afya coming?" Ro'eh's honey voice was soft as he glanced up from the book he was reading, meeting her eyes.
"I've some new clothing designs for her." A simple statement, and one that invited no further inquiry. She and the prophet may have had an amicable relationship, however, it was not one of intimacy.
She hadn't known him nearly as long as Kithe, whom she liked, despite his crotchety behavior. The mated pair should be arriving within a few minutes.
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Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2009 8:53 pm
Luaya was fluttering as they made there way to the meeting with Colby. Though she'd worked with the woman a few times in the past, there was something about her that made her nervous. Which didn't exactly set Colby apart from everyone else, but she just... well seemed so competent. And Luaya never felt competent. She leaned against Kithe's arm, and hung back a bit.
"Really Kithe, maybe it'd be better if you just went and saw what work she has for you. I'm sure she's only giving me work just to be nice."
For his part, Kithe just continued moving forward, accustom enough to Luaya's fits and fears to know that sometimes stopping to comfort her was not, in fact, the most productive approach. "She's never 'just nice', Luaya. You are excellent at what you do. And she won't be pleased if I arrive alone."
Luaya bit her lip, the fingers of the hand not holding onto Kithe with a death grip fluttering in the air. Her tail was down, her shoulders slouched. "I don't want to get you in trouble."
"You won't. And I wouldn't care anyway. Do you really want to leave?"
She shook her head.
"Good girl." A smile, sweet and gentle, the sort of smile that only Luaya ever saw on Kithe's lips. It made her stand a little straighter.
He patted her affectionately, as one might a pet, and knocked briefly before entering the room where Colby awaited them.
"Colby. We're not late?" It was pitched, just barely, as a question. He knew he was on time. Any of the softness he'd shown a moment ago was gone, he stood straight, frowning into the room. His gaze, as much a glare as a glance, jumped from Colby and Ro'eh and back again. So that's why he'd been asked along. Luaya was still clinging meekly to his arm. He'd have to detach her if either of them were going to get any work done.
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Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2009 10:26 pm
An instant smile slid onto Cole's beautiful face and she inclined her head in greeting to Kithe, acknowledging his statement. "You never are, Kithe." A slight lift of her brow and she stepped forward, a graceful arm movement welcoming them into her den. "I trust you both are well?"
A brief glance to her side had Ro'eh standing up, his charming smile easy and warm. "This is Ro'eh, a new friend for you, Kithe." The redhead also slid a piece of paper off the table nearby, holding it out to the pink-eared Daewl. "I also believe you may be interested in speaking with these clients." She enjoyed being a link between all sorts of business, and although her words weren't lengthy, her tone was perfectly friendly.
Ro'eh executed a brief, disarming bow. "I am pleased to meet you both. Kithe, I have seen your work, it is excellent." A warm look for the Afya, "And Colby tells me that your seamstress work is the best in the village, Luaya."
Cole interjected, smoothly, a hand briefly touching Ro'eh's elbow. "Perhaps, Luaya, I can share with you my latest designs while Kithe becomes acquainted with his subject?"
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Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2009 11:08 pm
Kithe nodded curtly, not even making an attempt to return the admittedly charming smile. He did however pocket the list, while looking Ro'eh over with open curiosity. It wasn't exactly a hostile look, he was just getting to know his material. Still, society required some basic niceties, and alienating Cole wasn't on his to do list.
"Thank you, Colby. I'll be glad to follow up on these." His voice was gruff, and lacked any strong inflection. While he spoke he absently stroked Luaya's arm, and the shy woman seemed to take some comfort from that. "Ro'eh, I assure you that Luaya has not been undersold. As to my own abilities, we must speak to see if what I am capable of suits you."
Luaya started as she was addressed, shrinking back against Kithe even as he released her arm and pushed her gently forward. This was the part where she did her job, of course. It was just... this place was nothing like home, and she couldn't help but be intimidated by Colby, who seemed so terribly calm and in control. So very much better than she was. So charming. And she was standing here, open mouthed, clinging to Kithe. Oops.
"I- I- yes. Of course. You always have such lovely designs." And it was true.
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Posted: Wed Apr 08, 2009 8:21 pm
"Not a problem, Kithe." Was the purring response as Cole turned her attentions from the Daewl to the Afya.
"And you, better than anyone else, always bring them to fruition, perfectly." An easy, smooth smile from Colby and she strolled from the entertaining room, assuming Luaya would follow as she headed up the stairs and into her own, more private, rooms.
An elegant wooden chair was pulled out for the more timid Jivvin and Cole leaned over her slightly to open a folder, spreading out several sketches. Designs, with notes covering them, for dresses and shirts, a few pairs of pants...
----
Ro'eh nodded slowly, watching the women leave and folding his arms across his wide chest. Kithe, he could tell, was not a social creature. They would not be making much small talk. Still, Colby assured him, the Daewl was a good person to know in the village.
"I've never done something like this before, so I trust your judgement." A grin.
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Posted: Wed Apr 08, 2009 8:54 pm
While Luaya never took compliments to heart, she wasn't one to deflect them either. Too confrontational. For her words, Colby got only a weak nod and a mumble of something that might have been 'thank you' or might have been 'sank shoes'. It was hard to tell.
She settled into the chair, managing to perch at the edge of the seat despite her heavy frame. Her shoulders were hunched her posture drawn inward and protective. Oh she wished Kithe were here.
Then she saw the designs. Her posture eased marginally, she leaned forward, biting her lip and looking over the sketches with an inquisitive, curious air. She'd been wincing away from Cole, now she leaned forward instead.
"This would suit you." She murmured, touching one of the dress designs. "I'd want to use a lighter fabric, to give it movement. Do you think? Of course, light skirts can be troublesome..."
---
Kithe seated himself, and opened the sketchbook he'd brought with him, bringing out a charcoal pencil. He began, immediately, to sketch, looking intently at Ro'eh as he did so.
"Talk. What sort of person do you want people to think you are?" He never asked people what they were actually like, they inevitably lied. Which was fine, portraits weren't meant to be about truth.
He sketched a finger, a jawline, the shape of an eye. Disjointed pieces of the man he watched with detached interest.
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Posted: Wed Apr 08, 2009 9:28 pm
"You think so?" This was when Colby liked Luaya best. When she was in her element, and distracted. The Afya had a lot of good ideas, and a tremendous amount of skill, all wrapped up under a timid shell.
"I do like that one, though I'm torn on the trim." A slim finger ran along the curve of the dress. "I considered a design on the fabric, but if it's lighter, that may be a bit much."
----
A short laugh. That was a good question. "Charming and selfless, I suppose. Without guile. Trustworthy and loyal." He found himself going a bit further as he leaned back in his chair, elbow propped on the table beside him.
"I was raised on a farm, so I like that there's an aspect of me that knows hardwork, that I have a few calluses on my palms. Unfortunately, I spent a long time away from the main village, and I don't like that to come across in my social interactions."
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Posted: Wed Apr 08, 2009 9:58 pm
"Yes. The lines would suit your frame." She glanced at Colby out of the corner of her eye, reminding herself again of the measurements of her client but preferring overall, to focus on the sketches. They'd go back over her measurements before she left.
"It could carry a design, as long as the design stayed simple." She frowned over the sketch, then closed her eyes. "But I'd keep it simple, regardless. You'll want the dress to draw the eye, not keep it. They should be seeing you, not what you're wearing. It's just a frame."
"Perhaps if the design was only on the skirt, and the top remained plain." She really was in her element for the moment, even enjoying herself. It was so much easier dealing with a client of taste. Some requested monstrosities, then were angered at the atrocious result.
---
"Outdoors, then." Kithe replied shortly, before lowering his head back to his sketchbook. He turned to an empty page, and began to work on an eyebrow.
"By a landmark. Something familiar and comforting. They'll associate you with the location, like you better for it."
"Unless you want people thinking sophisticated. Have to be inside for that."
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Posted: Fri Apr 10, 2009 11:58 am
"Tch. Impeccable judgement, as always. Do away with the design." Colby waved slim hand, her stormy eyes moving onto the next piece. Unlike Luaya, she'd seen the designs plenty and didn't need to spend as much time contemplating them. She was positive that the Afya could bring them to fruition quite well.
"Make any changes you deem tasteful, hmm?" Another sketch, far more finalized, with two different styles of handwriting [her own and Luaya's] was offered up casually. "This, you'll remember." It was a blouse design. "I'd like another, in a blue grey, if you wouldn't mind."
--------
"No, outside is perfect. Sophistication isn't something I put too much effort into. After all, the people I need to convince are those will calluses on their palms, not gloves."
A slight smile, one a little more real and muted. Curiosity got the better of him and he leaned forward slightly, brows raising. "How long have you been drawing, Kithe?"
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Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2009 3:21 pm
Luaya bit her lip, and nodded. As they moved from a design that took her full focus to something more familiar and therefore less engrossing, some of that self-conscious fear came back. She would, of course, do her best. But whether Colby would be agreeable with those changes after she made them...
At Colby's request for a new version of the blouse, she reached into the bag she'd brought with her, and pulled out her little display of fabric swatches. Dozens of colors all hanging from the same light chain. She sorted through and found the two she was looking for. A cooler, lighter blue gray and a slightly darker one. Kithe's ability allowed her quite a large color selection.
"I can do it in either of these colors. You were happy with the fabric?"
---
Kithe nodded slightly, making some quick notes in the corner of his sketchpad. "We'll use plenty of warm tones, it'll add a sense of sincerity." He murmured.
At the question, his gaze shifted, still focusing on Ro'eh but seeing him as a person in the room instead of a collection of shapes. "Long enough to render a satisfactory image. How long have you been posing for portraits?"
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Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2009 9:56 am
"Of course, your fabrics are always wonderful." Cole spent a long moment, her stormy eyes moving between the two color choices [to her, there was no such thing as "yellow" or "blue," there were only shades. One shade lighter than the one she wanted, and she'd possibly hate it. Luaya understood this, and it was one of the reasons that the Olpyln worked with her often.] before finally indicating the lighter of the two.
--------
"This will be my first." A disarming smile and shrug and Ro'eh laughed quietly, the corners of his eyes crinkling up with good humor. "I'll admit I haven't spent much time in front of any sort of mirror, including that of another's gaze, before very recently."
Spending so many years alone made for an odd individual, though he was surprisingly skilled at picking up socially acceptable mannerisms.
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Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2009 6:50 am
With a brief, shy nod to indicate her understanding, Luaya placed the fabric samples back in her bag. Cole had now given her plenty to work on in the coming days, enough that it'd be better that she complete the pieces requested before discussing anything further.
"I only have a few tailoring projects to do, at the moment," she admitted in her soft voice as she gathered up the designs they'd discussed. "I'll be able to give these my complete attention."
As the work faded the intensity of her nerves was returning, and she hunched a bit in her seat, "I-- I think I've taken up enough of your time. Thank you."
---
The page Kithe had been working on was now covered in brief, barely there sketches and scribbled illegible notes. He stopped glancing upward in a brief, examining way and fell still to give Ro'eh a long, considering look. "This will go well, I think. I have a few locations I'll need to consider before we start. I'm done, here."
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Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2009 11:33 am
"No, Luaya, thank you. I always appreciate that you take the time to visit me personally." That surprisingly friendly smile from Cole [she rather liked craftspeople] and the Olplyn showed her downstairs, pleased to find that the boys were finishing up at about the same time.
Ro'eh nodded in response to Kithe, getting to his feet with a murmured thank you. The Daewl definitely had talent, and it would be interesting to see what he rendered on the canvas.
Colby showed the couple to the door before raising an amused eyebrow toward Ro'eh.
Now to the next thing on the day's agenda.
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