|
Post by Èdan on Oct 26, 2020 12:23:17 GMT -6
A lonesome figure walks along the streets of the City and for perhaps the first time since arriving here, has little to no trouble blending into the populace - All around different groups of people wander in all manner of costumes, each more bizarre and stranger than the next. The masquerade is not likely to be the only party in the City tonight, though it might yet prove to be the biggest in terms of venue. The young ones skitter back and forth along the streets, shouting various versions of "Vai min mur" (Or the more common-specific "Trick or treat"). He has no candy to give them (He realized a little too late how the whole thing works), and even in the present outfit - not the knight's usual attire - the people around him don't seem to be too bothered.
One could get used to this. (One probably doesn't want to, but the temptation is there).
Of course, the more approachable manner of the peers could also be explained away by the knight walking along the streets with no glaive over the shoulder, as he's done previously. There's still a longsword sheathed to his side, but between the cloak and the dim of light, not many seem too disturbed to spot it. (Some might even confuse it as part of a costume, and not realize it's still all too real). The assignment tonight is one of escort and protection, and since the purpose of the escort is to attend a party, it seems such poor form to show up to it so heavily armed. (Which is not the same as being unarmed).
The hooded knight reaches the familiar bend in the road and takes the path towards a faint light in the distance, coming from a small house. Along the way he keeps and eye on the sides of the path, as while the lady may have been jesting, tonight is proving to be one where anything could happen, by virtue of ominous probability. It is the theme of the night, after all. Once he reaches the patio, he pulls down the hood as to not frighten the lady and knocks on the door.
. 1 .
|
|
|
Post by Nadia on Oct 26, 2020 13:08:17 GMT -6
Nadia had been thrilled to hear of the Masquerade. Though gatherings of large numbers of people still made her anxious, she could not hide her delight at the concept of attending a party; it had been so very long since she had gotten the opportunity to dress up. Any excuse was a good excuse. Hours of consideration had gone into ideas for a costume, and she had at last settled on something that was... honestly, rather typical for Vai Min Mur. She was going as a witch. That didn't mean that it couldn't be high fashion, however! Her tailor had done a wonderful job, embroidering rich, heavy fabric with stars and celestial bodies. The chiffon sleeves and attached cloak glittered in the light - she couldn't help beaming at herself as she spun in front of the mirror. Her hair had been left in loose waves, falling to her waist as it usually did. The only sticking point was her corset lacing. It was a bother, without someone to help her, and-- A knock at the door! Oh, dear. She frowned as she swept up her skirts and padded down the stairs; her inkrum took the opportunity to skitter in front of her, forcing her to sweep him up into her arms. The knight was outside. The no-shell squirmed in her grip while she opened the door with her free hand.
"Sarv! Good evening!" Her composure was less refined than she would've liked it to be. Boo blinked. "Please, come in, come in..."[1]
|
|
|
Post by Èdan on Oct 26, 2020 14:09:34 GMT -6
He stands, waiting and listening for the sounds from inside. It's not long before he can make out footfalls, and less still that the door clicks and opens to reveal.. Something small, round, big-eyed and black-pink? (Oh this will be quite interesting). It takes him back a little, but only long enough to remember his place and focus on the lady holding the creature instead. "Good evening, lady Nadia," he gives the deep customary bow of one who serves. At the invitation to enter, he looks up to her, that slow northern drawl of "Ah, apologies, I must have been too early. The invite wasn't quite clear.."
All the same, at the insistence he enters, head ducking slightly out of instinct to avoid the horns hitting any beams (It isn't that he's all-too-tall, but one would be surprised how easily that tended to happen), while subtly keeping an eye on the creature, as they rarely did well around him. "I hope I have not interrupted your preparation..?" The voice being part apologetic, part hopeful it would be quite that simple. Nadia's attire is certainly a sight to see, the elegance of the dress along with the long hair untamed - For all the world, it's beauty enough to have little to contend with it (But he also knows that doesn't necessarily mean the lady wouldn't want to add more to it).
. 2 .
|
|
|
Post by Nadia on Oct 26, 2020 14:26:24 GMT -6
There was a beat of calm, while Boo regarded the man before them. Then, without any warning, the little creature made a shrill sound and began to squirm ferociously in Nadia's arms; she had to move quickly to let him down without dropping him. As soon as his feet hit the floor, he was away, scuttling off to hide who-knew-where. That was unusual. The inkrum was typically over-friendly with many of her guests. "Oh, pardon him, he is..." Her words trailed off, as she got a good look at Sarv's costume. Still with the ever-present helmet, but partnered with more elegant looking garments, in tones to match but not outshine her own. It suited him well. She thought to say as much, but found herself blushing and looking down instead. "It matters not. You are perfectly on time, in fact - there is a matter you can assist me in." As she turned to put her back to him, she swept her hair to one side, to reveal the loose lacing at the back of the corset-like bodice of her dress. No skin is exposed below the nape of her neck, thanks to a slip worn as an undergarment. Still, it was rather presumptuous of her to assume he would be willing. "Would you mind pulling the lacing taut, for me? I managed to thread the laces in correctly, you just need to... to pull, and tie a bow." [2]
|
|
|
Post by Èdan on Oct 26, 2020 14:43:38 GMT -6
Ah, and there it is. There's a faint sense of grimace visible from the small part of the knight's face not covered by the helmet, as the creature shrieks and takes off. (Mark that as business as usual. Although the lady wouldn't realize that the fact it took the fuzzy thing that long to bolt was more credit to it's accepting nature than most others). At her scrutiny and trailing off, the knight adjusts his posture some, almost awkwardly, still apologetic as he tries to explain, "As I've said, the horns.. well, the creatures seem to be scared of them. Perhaps they mistake me for a drake." It was a very far-fetched leap to pull, in the City of all places, where creatures tended to range from vegetables to telepathic dragons. But if nothing else, perhaps it could play off as a joke.
The offer of assistance comes almost as a saving grace for the poor socially stumbling knight.. right up until it's explained what it is. "Of course, my lady," he begins, but when she turns, there's a moment of confusion, followed by silence as she explains the lacing task. (It's a decent amount of skin, thankfully, otherwise the knight would really be in social trouble. To see a lady half-dressed is nothing short of a scandal. Especially if they're attractive). "Oh, uh.." he tries to speak again, but still having that sense of being unsure. Corsets weren't really in a knight's usual skill-set. "Forgive me, my lady, but.. I'm afraid I have not laced a corset before."
. 3 .
|
|
|
Post by Nadia on Oct 26, 2020 14:54:18 GMT -6
Nadia laughed. It was indeed difficult to imagine creatures taking a humanoid for a drake, but she supposed it was possible for them to understand the threat of a knight - she was a firm believer that their senses in those matters were far more attuned than that of humanoids. Other than that slight shaking of her shoulders, she stood there still, until... ... Oh. The colour blossomed brighter in her face, and she was thankful he couldn't see it. However, she didn't think that she could backtrack now, in fear of looking the fool. Time to improvise. "I shall instruct you. Take the laces in your hands," She said, willing her voice to remain even as she spoke. "Once you are holding them, pull. Do not be afraid of hurting me, I am well accustomed to this. Once it is sufficiently tightened, I... I shall tell you more." She could only hope that the knight would not be offended, or think her common. [3]
|
|
|
Post by Èdan on Oct 26, 2020 15:06:12 GMT -6
Well, here it is, the perfect social conflict: On the one hand, it's the lady's wish. On the other, it's really not something a knight usually does (Or ever does, really..). If he argues against her, it's against her direct request (Which is bad). If he does follow through with the request, there's probably about five different social taboos that end up being overstepped. (Which is also bad, just in a different way. And the worst part about it is the task isn't even that hard. Like leather armour or boots, lacing things tends to have pretty set rules that don't really differ from one another. Except in this case it stops a woman from breathing half the time).
While he can't see her face, neither can she see his, showing the visible dilemma (It's quite a performance). "I feel this is perhaps improper of me, but.. If you wish, I shall try, my lady." He steps closer to take the hanging laces and pauses again, re-processing one previous mention. "But I do not wish to cause you pain.. Perhaps these can be laced by avoiding that? If it were armour, lacing it too tight wouldn't be beneficial." The initial pull of the lace is gradual, just to prove the point, but he does wait for her signal on when it's enough.
. 4 .
|
|
|
Post by Nadia on Oct 26, 2020 15:20:07 GMT -6
Nadia understood his reservations. It did overstep boundaries, to ask such a thing of the knight - but she needed assistance, and he was sworn to give it, whether it be for this or for more chivalrous purposes. This internal conflict went on in her own head and on her face, so it was undoubtedly a good thing that they weren't facing one another! "Consider yourself forgiven for any discomfort or improperness, Sarv," She offered, hoping that it would help to assuage some worries. The first tightening was good, but she knew it was not sufficient; she was perfectly willing to sacrifice her comfort for the perfect figure. "Please, again. I do promise that I will not allow you to hurt me." It was strange, now she thought about it, that Boo was upset. The inkrum was reconcilable to temperaments of all kind, and it took serious missteps to get him to scurry off. What a peculiar situation. Perhaps he was affected by the Vai Min Mur atmosphere. [4]
|
|
|
Post by Èdan on Oct 26, 2020 15:37:51 GMT -6
Of the ways the evening could have gone, the present situation had definitely not been among the anticipated moments. But.. the lady is insistent and her word is command (And he hasn't yet seen what anger looks on her, but it's surely to be a regrettable sight). The knight cranes a brow briefly, then takes the laces again. "Very well, my lady. Please prepare yourself." He adjusts the grip, one more familiar to when lacing leather armour, tugs lightly to line the strands into place, then pulls slowly but gradually tighter, waiting for the signal of it being enough.
The result would surely be worth it, that much he knows, but the art of corsets is different to the idea of corsets. Someone, somewhere, had decided that crushing one's ribs was beneficial to beauty and when taken at rational value, it's honestly a mind-boggling concept (They weren't wrong about it, necessarily.. But even to his eyes it sometimes felt that these things could go too far. Once he'd heard tell from a travelling companion about a place somewhere across the sea, where corsets made the waist so small, one could put their palms around. He's not expert on anatomy, but he's pretty sure there's organs in the waist that kind of need the space there).
As soon as she gives the signal, he pauses the pull and waits for further instructions, mindful that usually corsets aren't being pulled by knights not just because it's improper, but because they tend to have a different sort of strength to most ladies-in-waiting.
. 5 .
(added)
|
|
|
Post by Nadia on Oct 26, 2020 16:11:06 GMT -6
Nadia took a steadying breath, and inclined her head in a sharp nod. It relieved her, that he agreed to assist - it was fine for her to attempt to do it alone, but the laces often ended up wonky and she was not capable of giving as much effort to the cinching at the awkward angle. The second she felt the bones of the corset begin to tighten and press, she made a soft, barely-audible squeak. It was strange, she supposed; she must've felt so lightheaded because she was unused to anyone else assisting her in dressing now, much less a man. When she felt like the laces were pulled sufficiently snug, she held up a hand. "That is very agreeable, Sarv," She said. "All you must do now is knot them, and I shall cease embarrassing you for the evening." A bold promise. Her own humour brought a little smirk to her face. "Mm... perhaps not the whole evening, but for now." [5]
|
|
|
Post by Èdan on Oct 26, 2020 16:22:57 GMT -6
When the hand is raised, he pauses, holding the laces to where they are and waiting. "Understood, my lady," he replies, taking both laces to one hand, and using the other to start the knot. Out of the whole process, the knot is perhaps the easiest part to perform, albeit the 'bow' part of it looks a little plain and slightly uneven. In his defence, lacing knots of armour isn't generally given the same aesthetic attention as it's on corsets (In fact there's a whole category of practical reasons to use specific knot types over others, none of which look really 'pretty' even at the best of times).
Once that's done, he lets go and steps back, giving her space once more, "It is done, my lady." The usual posture of standing ready, arms folded behind him and a sense of relief at having escaped the social taboo moment (more or less) intact (If she doesn't bring it up anywhere, there's likely little to worry about. He certainly wont). At the jape, there's a change in the eyes, that hint of a small smile beneath the helmet, as he responds, fully serious in words, but perhaps not entirely so in tone, "I shall endure, lady Nadia, embarrassment and all. But.. perhaps I could interest you in an armoursmith in future? If one is to lace themselves up so fully, it should at least protect you from harm in the process."
. 6 .
|
|
|
Post by Nadia on Nov 2, 2020 11:25:52 GMT -6
Nadia wouldn't have dreamed of mentioning that crossing of boundaries in public. She was, however, greatly appreciative of his service, and curtseyed to him once she had turned around, the glimmer of humour still in her eyes. "Thank you, Sarv," She said. "Armour... it would indeed be helpful, but I fear I would have to sacrifice good fashion for it. That is a bridge too far." A jest, by all accounts, even if she did have real concerns about having to trade in style for practicality. Back to the current predicament - she found herself ready to go, once she had taken her cloak down from the pegs by the door. A little purse had been hooked onto her belt in case she needed coin for anything. "Your outfit is wonderful. It suits you well," She teased as she pulled the cloak around her shoulders. "I could see you wearing this on a daily basis." [6]
|
|
|
Post by Èdan on Nov 2, 2020 11:57:04 GMT -6
There's a short chuckle, muffled some by the helmet. That much is true, at least if one purely focused on practicality. Much like with so many other things, however, you could get away with some creativity without it impacting the practical side all too much. And if the armoursmith is good enough (And doesn't ask too many questions) one could practise quite a lot of creativity within that slim boundary. (Not that it stopped the City populace from being contrary out of principle - He's seen glimpses of armours that were more slim and decorative than anything to truly guard someone. Fine to appreciate, terrible to behold.)
"Perfectly understandable, my lady," he bows the head, "But should I find one who is able to mix protection with a fine sense of fashion, I shall inform you at first opportunity."
It seems they are getting ready to take their leave, so he follows after her, helping adjust the cloak as she dons it. At the compliment, he glances down to himself a moment, as if unsure himself, "Ah, your ladyship is most kind, but alas it is but a simple outfit for effect. I believe the local tales would call it an attire of a 'warlock', if I understood it correct." With them at the door, he extends the arm for her to take, should she choose it, "And if it is not too bold of me, your elegance tonight is surely to make anyone else pale in comparison at the gathering, myself included."
. 7 . (added)
|
|