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 Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2022 12:22 pm
Everything was fabulous. Harika smirked as she waltzed into the main ballroom of some noble's manor, her hand reaching up to casually flick her vibrant pink hair over a shoulder. She had pushed her limits tonight by making a dress for herself, a shimmering thing of deep violet silks that showed the stars with silver pieces layered beneath. She was like a moving constellation and hoped that someone would appreciate her work in the midst of all of this luxury. It was a gathering of artisans with some benefactors after all and the young seamstress truly hoped she could catch someone's eye, even if just to make some basic connection since she was still fairly new to Oba. Even if her gemstones hanging in layers from her necklaces were made out of glass rather than pure diamonds or other precious gems, Harika still showed confidence in her step as she ventured forward. She just had to be careful that the seamstress she was working with didn't notice that she had sneaked her own name onto an invitation to break into tonight's event.
She had gone through great lengths to get inside of this dazzling place, but now that she was here....well Harika was at a loss. How did one even behave at this events? Life was much simpler at the islands but she had to endure so that she could hone her craft and share her talent with the world! Harika nodded as she quietly encouraged herself once more before noticing snacks along a bar. Perhaps though it wouldn't hurt to have a snack while observing the crowds? That didn't seem like such a bad idea, right?
[Harika 1]
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Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2022 12:22 pm
Painted Mousse by Discord
Over the past few years Xipili had spent most of his time on the shores of Matori in his apprenticeship. He tried his best to keep up with the trends of Oban high society through his father’s letters, but it seemed that every time he returned home he was a little further behind. Knowing that he was no longer a trend setter, but a simple follower set venom to his blood. When he came back everything would change and they would know who the true king of art was.
At the very least the design of his outfit set him apart. There weren’t many young men who work heeled boots to the degree that he did, and certainly none that had as much glitz to them. His body looked like a mauve flame, something so bright it would burn through the disease of this land and purity it from the inside out. His father had requested that he stay by his side to welcome the guests into their home, but Xipili had other ideas. He’d placed his artisan’s pin on his lapel, just as any other true member would, and walked around their numbers as he’d had since he was a lad. So many of the faces hadn’t changed since his time away, but one stood out.
His heeled boots clipped along the polished stone floors and the sound of his fabrics were barely heard over the soft, charming background music of the minstrels. “You there! What is your name? I don’t recognize you.” He would have remembered her; hybrids were hard to miss and her dress…my, it did have taste, didn’t it?
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Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2022 12:22 pm
Harika faintly heard the sound of clicking heels, but the young woman paid them no mind as she browsed the fruits spread out along the table. Her hand connected with a rather intriguing thing with prickly sides before she realized that the heels had been focused on her. Blinking, Harika lowered her hand from the strange fruit and slowly turned to face the stranger. There was a moment of worry, a lump forming in her throat at the fear of being caught, but Harika quickly pushed it down. "How could you?" She managed with a small smile. "This is my first year attending such an event." As she spoke she found herself studying the other hybrid, her gaze lingering over pieces of his outfit before going back to those brilliant blue eyes.
"I'm the artisan Rika." She introduced herself with a slight curtsey. "And you?" Perhaps it was a bit bold but she was genuinely curious about the man who was dressed so vividly for the event. If she had hoped to be the night sky then surely he was a
living flame in that attire!
[Harika 2]
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Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2022 12:22 pm
Delighted Moose
The lighter hybrid casually looked over the display of food with a practiced eye. Before the event had even started, he’d already had to reprimand the staff on putting fruits next to the bread, and still had no idea why they thought sitting something with juices next to such a porous food was a good idea. He reached for a couple of candied nuts and popped the savory treat into his mouth. The chains atop his hands made the faintest noise only to be accompanied by the clink of his nails.
“My name is Xipili. My father is the tradesman Emyr and he’s the reason why we’re all gathered here today.” When he turned, the teenager leaned back against the table and looked at the venue. There were a few younger individuals mixed in, but for the most part the faces looked to be his father’s age. “Though, I am here by my own merit.” Reaching this time for a glass of aerated fruit juice, he looked at her. “What is it that you create, Rika?”
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Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2022 12:23 pm
Ah, so that would help explain the confidence. Harika reached over to grab a few of the candied nuts for herself, even if the fruit was still tempting it would make her look like a mess in front of Xipili and she refused to lose her focus. The son of Emyr was standing before her and surely she had to keep some sort of social etiquette, right? She had heard the name Emyr before but didn't understand why it had seemed so important until this very moment. Like usual Harika had just jumped into a situation blindly while hoping that luck and talent would keep her afloat.
"Attire." Harika finally found herself answering after taking the time to enjoy some of the snacks. Why talk quickly? It would only make her seem nervous and inexperienced. "I've studied design throughout several countries before settling in Oba. I even created the piece I'm wearing tonight. If you're here by your own merit then I'm assuming you also participate in the arts?" Smooth, Harika, smoooth.
[Harika 3]
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Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2022 12:23 pm
Painted Bananas
Xipili made a speculative ‘hmm’. Attire was a very broad category and often filled with aspiring seamstresses that could rival the desert for sand. While it may have been easier to fall into that line of work it would be harder to not only stand out, but to retain one’s status. Looking back at her wardrobe through the corner of his eye let him know that she had promise, but it would be up to her what she did with it.
“Mmm, yes, of course.” Leaning a little closer, he cocked his head to the side and motioned out among the throng to a couple of women off to the side. One of which wore a very revealing gown and whose tanned skin glistened with fresh ink. “Lady Rivalli has brought some of my latest works to life. Since you’re a worldly type you should recognize the line work as matori based, but I thought Oban theological depictions to be better suited for her.”
He'd had guidance from his master, of course, but Rika needn’t know that. The base line designs were all him even if the technique was still relatively new for the hybrid.
“Tell me, what does Oba has to offer that you haven’t seen in your adventures?”
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Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2022 12:23 pm
Harika frowned slightly before her gaze skimmed across the marking decorating the woman's skin. "It's a beautiful blending of the two countries." She honestly replied as she nodded her appreciation. It was an unique art, but one that she definitely found interesting. If anything it probably made her love for outfits look boring! Harika pursed her lips at the thought before turning back to Xipili
"Stability. " It was the first word to come to mind at the question and the realization made the back of her neck warm. "Every country had its beauty and lessons but I felt like it would be best to grow roots so that I could focus more on my work. Oba feels like a hub for travelers with a wide range of potential clients if I opened a shop one day. I'm honestly not too fond of the cold so the desert heat with the ocean nearby was an additional perk. Don't you agree?"
[Harika 4]
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Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2022 12:23 pm
Potato Moose
Oh? The word was so pure and honest that it’s immediate utterance caught his attention. Xipili’s light eye quirked, and though his lips didn’t follow through his posture certainly did. He motioned for her to follow him away from the grazing table to one of the many decorative floral venues around the ballroom. As he walked the train that pillowed just above his waist ghosted the ground, just barely escaping dirt by the height of his heels alone.
“I’m not ashamed to admit that despite my heritage Oba is the only place I’ve ever called home. I’ve traveled at my father’s side, but never for more than a few months, though my apprenticeship has taken me away for much longer.” He finished off his drink and sat it atop a passing servant’s tray as he passed. “You mentioned a shop? What sort of benefactors do you have to set it up?” When he came to a stop it was by a set of plush cushions, all delicately arranged around decorative foreign flowers. Xipili held his hand out for Rika, keen on doing his gentlemanly duty. “Allow me; staining your dress would be as much a mark on my reputation as it would be the fabric.”
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Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2022 12:23 pm
Harika bit her bottom lip before following the other hybrid away from the table. This was a situation she had been hopeful for, but she had not been expecting to catch the attention of the benefactor's son. Was he just wanting idle chatter? Harika twisted her hands in her skirts as she carefully followed him, her heels clicking against the stone as she avoided his own elegant train. The last thing she wanted was to stumble now, not when she was surrounded by so many elegant people in this rich estate. "I'm certain you wouldn't be the only Oban to say that." Mused Harika with a slight smile. Even if it was a bitter reality for some, others took much pride in being from Oba and fully embraced the desert country full of rich heritage and power. She had wanted to explore Tale since her parents had mentioned her ancestors had come from that land on her mother's side, but Oba had simply appealed to her more with it sprawling cities and lavish events.
Her confidence faltered though at the sudden question and the girl found herself reaching for a drink so that its warmth swirling in her stomach could help ease her nerves. "Ah, that's the fun part. I'm still working on the details and haven't truly established the shop yet." She admitted quietly as she reached out with a free hand to accept Xipili's offer, her legs tucking beneath her as she sat on the cushions. "I have plenty of designs and have created dresses but my mentor hasn't truly allowed me to wander out...until now that is." Or rather she had taken it upon herself to venture forth tonight despite her mentor's opinions.
[Harika 5]
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Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2022 1:30 pm
Xipili had been in the game for long enough to spot fresh blood. Even if she hadn't been part of the rotation of creators that walked through the halls her very baring set her apart. If she were to speak with anyone else the reaction could have gone one of two ways; sympathy for new blood without any real direction or open dismissal. One would have thought that a gathering of artists would be more open than it was, but mingling here was akin to swimming in a keldari pit. Still, by offering his hand he wasn't saving her. Rather, Xipili had been judging her from the moment he first saw her and determining her value. Raw talent was nothing without drive and he was eager to see if she had the passion needed to be here. "And who is your mentor? I'd like to commend them on bringing you to our attention. If your other designs are anything like what you've worn here this evening then I'm sure your reputation is set only to grow...with the right investors, of course."
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Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2022 2:07 pm
"Kirenta Deblous." Harika replied as she straightened her shoulders and focused on Xipili. She wanted to make a good impression and did not want to show how nervous she truly was. Nor did she want to even let anyone doubt that she was indeed being supported by her mentor. At least the Oban woman had hired her and thankfully her styles were favored by the palace so it wasn't as if they didn't have any backing. She was just more of an elitist and it was hard to get her to warm up to anyone, including Harika who had somehow managed to snag a position despite her lack of connections in the city.
"Thank you for the compliments." Harika smiled appreciatively as she touched her skirt, her gaze lingering on the shimmering stars layered beneath the materials before looking back towards Xipili. "This is one of many designs I have and I definitely believe they are on point with this one." If not better had she more access to materials and more time to create some of her more dramatic pieces that she had sketched out in her design journal. "Of course you mention the right investors so I have to wonder...are you one of those or someone that would have enough kindness to steer me towards the better investors here tonight?" It was a daring question, but Harika was determined to see this through. She had already risked her mentor's wrath so why not?
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Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2022 10:39 am
"Really?" He'd heard enough of Kirenta to know that her favor could be hard to gain and it was surprising to see of a no-named hybrid obtaining it. In all honesty it just made his curiosity grow.
"Cheeky." Xipili clucked his tongue and leaned back, leveling her with an intentionally sharp gaze. His eyes could be increidibly cold when he wanted them to be. He liked to see others sweat and for a moment he simply relaxed upon the cushions, his body language telling his mood before his features softened. "I like you Rika. I think the two of us could work quite well together. I have a great deal of wealth at my disposal and I'm interested in new blood. So long as a few conditions are met I think we can strike up a bargain."
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Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2022 11:14 am
"Yes." Harika nodded her head. She knew how hard it was but she was not going to admit how much trouble she had caused just to be noticed by the woman. It had taken quite a few days of stubbornly charging into the shop and showing new designs before she had actually taken over for someone else and been caught by the seamstress herself. Thankfully she had been impressed by Harika's edits on the design and had allowed her to stay at the shop.
Oh, spirits. Harika could only keep her expression calm, something that she had practiced during her time with Kirenta and from dealing with her stepmother. "Good to hear." She let out a breath before smiling towards Xipili. "So you're volunteering as a sponsor then? Provided I keep your interest?" She raised a brow but she was not put off by the idea at all. If anything she wanted to see what he would want from her.
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Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2022 11:20 am
Xipili raised his hand and snapped his fingers to catch a passing servants eye. After a few 'subtle' flicks toward his empty glass with his index finger it was not only filled, but they had also been provided with a bevy of snacks. He may not have known the servants name - it wasn't important - but he was polite, unlike a lot of their noble guests. It was hard not to eavesdrop on the conversations going on around them and listening to the comments about some of his staff...it was irritating.
"Precisely. I have an eye for the unique and the upsetting." Raising his glass, he gave the liquid within a gentle swirl. "I'm interested in beauty same as anyone else, but I want to surround myself with people who see the same world I do. I think you're one of those people, Rika. Do you agree?"
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Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2022 11:34 am
Harika let out a chuckle. "Then I hope to be both when fitting." She replied as she took a glass for herself, nodding her thanks towards the servant before taking a small sip. The girl raised a brow with curiosity at Xipili's explanation before giving him a sly smile. "I suppose we would have to find out. I'm not going to blindly agree to please anyone but based upon your interests and your attire I would like to assume we have similar opinions of the world. I personally feel like nature has a wealth of beauty but we tamper down its potential in our lives. I want to capture nature's vividness, the excitement of colors, the dreams that always seem out of reach at night when I design." She glanced at Xipili's outfit once more. "If you're looking for a spark that can turn into an inferno I would like to suggest adding a bit more wind to my fire." Perhaps it was a bit cheeky indeed but she was honest. She needed some support to get her true start and Harika was not one to laze about. She had been working hard the past year in the city and it was why she was here today instead of holed up somewhere just dreaming about this life.
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