🔥 001; week one.

[deflagrate]

[ in the interest of keeping things PG, karen has dressed for this her first occasion of putting herself on The Network. years of practice putting herself together without a mirror means she's fresh-faced and clean, much as anyone can be given the circumstance, and maybe even glowing. is she glowing? certainly she's not giving off steam, that would be odd. ]

Hello. My name is Karen. Out of curiosity, are there any tailors or dressmakers present? Maybe even a leatherworker or shoemaker?

I realise this all sounds very inconsequential, given everything that's happening and has happened to this place. But I have a need for a particular kind of wardrobe, and I'm embarrassed to say I don't know to tailor clothes for myself.

Any help would be appreciated! I'll owe you a favour, truly.

Comments

[longwillows]

[ma'am.

Kalmiya appears more as a sparkling pink specter than a corporeal figure, but her interest is still clear in the forward-leaning posture of her figure and the alert forward turn of her fox ears.]

I've found places to get cute clothes, but I'm afraid I'm useless for repairs or tailoring!

One of our artificers might be able to help, though. My partner fixed up a set of bedsheets once!

[deflagrate]

Artificers? I'm afraid I'm not familiar with the term.

[ but she is likewise alert and curious, her connection communicating a genuine interest in what the other person is saying. ]

How cute are we talking about? Playsets, lace clothes, maybe even embroidered patterns?

[longwillows]

Oh! [not everyone reads the FAQ, kalmiya!!!] It's one of the types of Vessel that people who are brought here can become. They're Tokens—mages—who are very good with...hm, I suppose you could say engineering? Materials and tools with specific functions.

As for the clothes— [there's an interjection of a sweet titter of laughter.] —all of the above? I've been told it's very important to wear things you feel cute in, so I've kept an eye out!

[hallowedly]

...oh, Caelus?

[deflagrate]

My, you do know everyone, don't you?

[hallowedly]

You don't even need to owe me a favour.

[trashblaze]

[ ??? But he's an engineer, not a tailor! Hm, but technically, he can do it because he's an Artificer. He just… never tried before. ]

Ah, I— I could try! But I've never… made clothes before…

[ Much more, a girl's clothes! ]

Is that all right with you?

[hallowedly]

Now, now, don't worry. Kasumi's clothes are as much about what's there as... what isn't.

[deflagrate]

[ oh, it is he! ]

Oh, we've met! In the dream, right? You were very nice to me, I had hoped I didn't imagine you.

If you make it I'll be more than happy to try it on. Have you made other things too?

[sorte]

As long as your wardrobe style has nothing to do with outdoor survival or extreme sports and practicality for this kind of situation, you can find pretty much anything in the right boutiques and shops here.

[ not that much different despite being a post-apocalypse situation, if he's honest.

Aventurine himself is extremely clean and well dressed, although absolutely not in a way that would be considered useful to their circumstances. More fashionable and delicate fabrics rather than useful, but Aventurine is a firm believer in the apocalypse being no reason to stop dressing and talking care of oneself to self-standards. ]

...As some have already mentioned, the Artificers can make fabrics and such, but if you want someone who actually did such things themselves before arriving here, Ain would be my recommendation.

[deflagrate]

[ outdoor survival or extreme sports — there's a burst of clear, bright laughter from her end, psychically, because she's never participated in either. nor does she wish to! ]

I don't think I've ever gone camping a day in my life. Worse comes to, I'm open to learning how to alter my own clothes.

And thank you for the recommendation! Ain is a good friend of yours?

[retaliatings]

Nothing inconsequential about requiring clothing, I would not want to be underdressed in this place. I cannot offer any help aside from accompanying you in search for whatever wardrobe it is you're looking for.

[deflagrate]

Any help is better than none at all, I'm thankful for the offer!

—Ah, and I think we've not met before? I hope it won't be an inconvenience for you to join me.

[retaliatings]

None at all, I trust your familiarity with this place far above my own. And it would not be right to be ambushed while you are not properly [ ... ] attired.

[ ...listen ]

[pointedlook]

[ Oh, a familiar face. They're not so well acquainted, but her interest in fashion gets a warm curiosity over the Murmur. ]

I know some places you could start looking, if ready to wear isn't a turn off. Some of it is still in wearable shape. Other pieces may just need some cleaning and mending; anyone with handy with a sewing kit should be able to handle that.

Is there a particular style you're seeking? [ Based on her look in the dream, she strikes him as vintage Dior or Chanel, but maybe that wasn't her first choice. ]

[deflagrate]

[ vintage dior or chanel would be right, but she's not above a bit of schiaparelli or de la renta, either. a little warmth to soften the collars never hurt anybody. ]

We meet again, hi. [ she greets him first, pink mood suffused with calm blue, like the simmer of silk on an april afternoon. ] I don't know if I can afford to be picky, but something pretty-casual would be best? Like those pretty girls in the glossy magazines, wearing their big dinner jackets and coats over their prim little dresses.

I must seem so frivolous, asking about this. Especially when we've had such an enlightening conversation before.

[pointedlook]

Hey to you too. [ It's no spring sun but it's the unexpected splash of red on the inside of a charcoal coat. At her description, there's a low humming over the Murmur; the quiet whir of fans on a motherboard. ] Taylor Swift in the Anine Bing? Or more Alexa Chung?

[ Though, he supposes the first isn't as casual as the second. ] People can contain multitudes–not everything has to be high-octane dream walking or holding the end at bay. Besides, if our benevolent deity is going to make things uncomfortable for us, we might as well look good when dealing with the bullshit.

[vixenish]

Karen! It's good to see you again.

[ she doesn't sound nearly as cheerful as the day they met; her presence in the murmur comes with a scratchy sort of exhaustion. she is, nevertheless, making a valiant attempt. ]

I have an interest in a good tailor myself, so I'm happy you've asked. Do tell me if anyone offers their services, hm?

Though, that said... if you need help with clothing, I could certainly provide you some. My company has plenty in stock, especially for women~. You'd be more than welcome to come take a look.

How have you been settling in, Karen?

[deflagrate]

Miss Lortel! We've met again! I even made it to the waking world, like some have mentioned. It's a lot more dusty here than I was expecting.

[ haha, because of all the concrete ash and mold, and the general state of matters in a post-(? ongoing?)apocalyptic world. all the same, karen keeps her side of the connection warm and pleasant. maybe a bit flattened on instinct, but it's easy enough to chalk up to characteristic politeness than any sort of guarded outlook. ]

I've gotten a few recommendations also, but I haven't seen their work yet, so I think I'll report back by then when I do.

[ but——company? surely not the same as company, right? ]

When you say 'company', what exactly do you mean? Are you a fashion model, Miss Lortel?

[regulate]

I see you still have not found any more clothing to suit you. There are a few boutiques down fifth avenue, but they may have been raided already, assuming that mold spores did not ruin the good clothes first.

[deflagrate]

Hello again! And isn't such a wonder? You'd think it wouldn't be so difficult for a girl to find something nice and practical to wear, but I suppose the end times isn't the best for that sort of thing.

When I imagined shopping at Fifth Avenue, New York, I didn't expect it to look like this.

[sculptedash]

No no. You're priorities are so good.

What's the point in surviving a nightmare if you can't look cute doing it.

[deflagrate]

Exactly! Even if this were just a bad day, it never hurts to look our best. The horrifying things will persist despite us, won't they?

[fatedfinality]

Unfortunately, I've yet to find anyone worth their salt in regards to this.

But I have been on the look out myself. It's a small comfort, but it still is one. Don't feel bad for asking.

[deflagrate]

Perhaps that's something to keep in mind for the next group who wanders over — 'do you need heels, or are you good with some running shoes?'

I'm kidding, but it's honestly a worry I never expected myself to be concerned about. What's your preference? Suit and tie? Or—oh, like in the dream I was in, do you prefer a knight's armour?