Gown fit for a Hekateris

[Medousa Asterius (H)]

The shop looked promising as the carriage rolled up to it.

In the display window as I walked in, a bolt of stunning midnight blue silk caught my eye. Pharinet would look stunning in that color, even more so than the green... it disturbed me that I had thought such a thing. I shook it off.

The shop appeared empty, but was most tasetfully appointed. I let my fingers trail over a few bolts of silk, reveling in the softness.

[Jean-Basile Goussand (I)]

I heard the door open and turn my attention from the invoices that still need addressed. Myth was arranging some new gowns for display, so Jean went to assist whomever just entered.
As Jean entered the front of the shop, he was treated to a sight of stunning beauty. The women browsing the silks had a gorgous wave of hair running down her back that seemed to shimmer between raven and burgandy in color. She was tall and well built, and as she turned his blood started warming as he looked into the face striking beauty. "Greetings Mademoiselle and welcome to my shop" I say as I walk towards her and taking her hand, brush a kiss on it. My name is Jean-Basile and how may I be of assistance?

[Medousa Asterius (H)]

I blushed a little as he kissed the back of my hand. It was a gesture I had never seen in Kriti, and found I liked it.

"I am in need of several gowns of D'Angeline style. I will also need an Akkadian costume for a fete being held by the Duchesse L'Envers."

I looked at the carpet for a moment, unsure of how to phrase my next words, thinking in D'Angeline was still not my strongest linguistic skill.

"You wouldn't happen to speak Hellene with any fluency, would you? I'm not quite sure how to say what I want."

[Jean-Basile Goussand (I)]

"I just happen to of received several magnificant gowns this morning from my seamstresses. I believe assistant is just fitting them for display." I say. "Nay m'Lady, I can't claim fluencey." "Perhaps in Cearddican" I ask in Ceasrddican?

[Medousa Asterius (H)]

I sighed with releif. I had spoken Cearddican since childhood. I replied in the same language.

"Wine would be lovely. And I must warn you, I have no idea what the modish fashions are for D'Angeline couture. Phaistos, on the other hand, I am an expert on the styles of the moment. I'm Lady Medousa Asterius."

[Jean-Basile Goussand (I)]

"Its a pleasure to meet you m'Lady. Rest assured that we will have some of the most stunning and elegant gowns in all the City" I offer my arm as I lead us towards the back of the shop where along one wall there are displays of various styles of gowns. "These are all available in any color of silk that you desire. I believe our newest gowns are ready for display" I mention as we walk past displays of lingere. "Of course we provide anything you may want"
Upon reaching a back parlor, I excuse myself to fetch the wine. On a table near the back I show you some sketch books of various styles for you to view.

[Medousa Asterius (H)]

I flipped through the many sketches filling the books. So many lovely gowns caught my eye. I had no real idea if they were fashionable or not, so chose the ones that best suited my personal aesthetics. I placed narrow strips of paper, found in a convenient basket, between the drawings I liked.

One gown in particular caught my eye. It was a simple sheath, with gently caped sleeves, leaving most of the arm bare. The waist was high, right under the bust line, with a smooth fall of skirt that left the shape of hip and leg hinted at. The neckline was deeply scooped and rounded, front and back, and would expose a lovely expanse of skin.

I thought of the dress Pharinet had worn to the coronation, how outdated it looked to those of the other nobles surrounding her. I pictured this gown in the midnight silk. I knew the answer to my dilemma. This gown would be my answer to her request.

I waited for Jean-Basile to return.

[Jean-Basile Goussand (I)]

Upon leaving Lady Asterius I went to find Myth and instructed her to find Joséphine and for them to quickly change into the newest gowns and to come into the parlor to model them for the Lady.
Then, finding the wine and grabbing a quil and parchment, I headed back, hoping I hadn't kept her waiting too long.
Handing her a glass, I filled it saying first in d'angeline and then quickly switching to Cearddican "Have you smapled many of our Citys fine wines yet? This sweet red happens to by my favorite."
Noticing the tabs in the book she was browsing I ask if she noticed any that cought her eye. "If not, I've asked two of my assistants to bring our latest gowns in. They should be here shortly" I say with a smile.

[Medousa Asterius (H)]

I sipped the wine, enjoying the sweet, mellow taste. The wine's in Kriti and Phaistos were not nearly as delicate of flavor, but rather a bolder, richer taste.

"I have had very little chance to experience much of your country, or the delights it has to offer. The one wine I did have, that really struck my fancy was a white wine that had bubbles. I don't know what it's called though, I had it at the celebration last night." I took another sip.

"There were indeed several gowns I admired from the books, and I would be delighted to see your newest creations. This one though, I want commissioned for a friend. The midnight silk in the display would suit her to perfection, and I think cream colored lotus blossoms embroidered at the bodice and hems. Would it be possible to deliver the gown to her home, and then let her come here to have it fitted?" I flipped open to the page with the high-waisted gown.

[Jean-Basile Goussand (I)]

"Perhaps you speak of champagne? I have several varaties here and it would be my pleasure if you would share some with me"

I walk over towards the book and look at the gown she was talking about. "Ah yes, this is a nice design of gown. I trust your friend would feel comfortable with the absence of fabric?" I ask with a mischievous grin. "But yes, we can have it delievered discretely or not, whatever you wish, we will make it possible"

Just then Myth enterend wearing the first gown, which had a plunging neck line and had one leg gathered to the thigh.

[Medousa Asterius (H)]

Champagne. I must remember that and have some sent to my mother. I noded pleasantly, but my attention was caught my the girl entering the room.

"Lovely, very lovely. Are there others? I would like to see them all before I have to make such a hard choice as to which is the most becoming." I pictured the gown in black silk, my onyx diadem sparkling like a midnight star.

I noticed for the first time how late it was getting. I felt terrible, but I doubted I would make my appointment with Janyx this night.

[Myth Celebrantè (D)]

Myth adjusted the dress a moment before brushing into the room. Jean had lined up a few of these dresses for her to model for the patron of the shop who held a crystal flute in her hand and sipped it daintily. She moved to the open area just before the pair of them and turned, swaying her hips as she walked so that her leg flashed through the gathered fabric over her thigh. She turned, feeling a bit nervous at the amount of flesh visible down her front. After one more turn and a nod from Jean, she moved back towards the doorway to the changing room beyond, her hips again swaying gracefully and her leg flashing through the part in the silk skirt. She looked once more over her shoulder before leaving the room, watching the woman's body language and memorizing the expression, the set of her shoulders...anything that would be of later use.

[Jacques Blanchard (I)]

"Quite stunning, wouldn't you say m'Lady" I ask as Myth stalked away. From the look she gave over her shoulder, I knew she was up to something.
Next Josephine walked in, wearing a conservative appearing gown, yet if she moved just the right way, sheer panels gave a glimpse of her chest.


OOC OOPPPS I was logged in as the wrong character. Sorry guys!

[Medousa Asterius (H)]

I watched the second girl enter with keen eyes. They widened, for as she moved flashes of her bare torso could be seen. I smiled into my goblet. If I could go bare breasted in front of the nobles of the realm, I could pull of this dress. I wanted to see a few more before I decided.

[Myth Celebrantè (D)]

I stripped the dress off and reached for the next, my fingers loving the feel of the silk as it slid off the hanger and into my waiting hands. I pulled it over my head, my fingers moving to the fastenings at my back as the rich fabric molded to my curves. This dress was among my favorites, the bodice curving low enough to more than hint at the cleavage tucked away beneath, the waist high under my breasts and the skirt flowing to the floor in crimson waves. The sleeves were short and capped, leaving most of my shoulders bare. My favorite part of this gown, however, was the slits that became visible as I walked towards the door. I caught sight of myself in a mirror near the entrance to the other room and smiled, noting that when my stride was short, the dress looked refined and lady-like, a gown that would be the toast of any fete. During a dance, or if my stride became any longer, a series of multi-leveled slits bared my legs almost completely.

I kept my stride small as I crossed the room to the woman and Jean, stopping just short of the pair and turning slowly, as not to make the slits visible. "A dance, perhaps, Monsieur Goussand?"

[Jacques Blanchard (I)]

OOC Dang it! I did it again. This should be Jean-Basiel

My breath cought as Myth seductively stalked into the room. I new in that instant whe she walked like that. Wondering if she adorned stockings or if her legs were bare, I knew my questioned would be answered when she offered the dance.
"Excuse me m'Lady, but I think in a moment you will see the reason for this...." I left the rest hanging as I embraced Myth, keeping my back to Lady Asterius, I kept Myth tight, feeling her curves against me, then cheek to cheek, we turned and taking a over exagerrated step to the side. Just as designed, the dress barred her leg.

[Myth Celebrantè (D)]

I smiled at Jean as he exaggerated the side step and turn, the skirt flared, the slits parted and the lace trimmed stockings gartered to my thighs flashed. The skirt settled like a cloud falling to the earth and Jean moved again, continuing the steps of the dance as if the exaggeration were a normal part of the dance and biting my lip a bit to keep the laughter from flying free of my throat. Jean twisted me away from him, holding one hand and bowing slightly to end the dance as I curtseyed, the slits in the skirt again baring my legs as the delicate fabric landed around me. I rose slowly, dipping another curtsey to Jean and then the woman before us, before making my way back to the doorway. My cheeks were flushed, my pulse throbbed in my veins and I could nearly see my eyes glittering as I passed through it. One more dress to model for the patron stood in wait for me and slowly pulled the crimson silk from my body, reluctant to let it go.

[Medousa Asterius (H)]

I smiled into my gobblet at the model's cheeky attitude. She reminded me fiercly of my older sister Ariade, darling of my cousin's court, and the bane of my mother's sanity. I was fairly sure of which gowns I wanted comissioned, but would wait to see the last few.

[Jean-Basile Goussand (I)]

After the few steps with Myth, I resumed my place next to LadyAsterius. Myth always seemed to have a unexpected way to make things interesting.
Josephine entered adorned in a gown of midnight black, whith a conservative neckline but with a panel cut out the back that left a dangerous amount of her back side showing.
"We have one more new design to show you m'Lady. Has any cought your eye yet?"

[Medousa Asterius (H)]

"Your gowns are stunning, Monsieur, quite beautiful. I am most taken with the last two gowns I have just seen, this one with the daring back, and the other that showed unexpected flashes of leg. I'll need some brightly colored hose for that one. I would like the backless gown in a burgundy silk, the one that showed so much leg in black." I sipped my wine again.

"I liked the first gown, but am unsure of a color for it. Your expert opinion would be appreciated. As well, I will need all the proper accouterments and undergarments to go with these gowns."

[Jean-Basile Goussand (I)]

As we wait for Myth to show the final gown, I excuse myself for a moment and return with a bottle of champagne. After pouring you a glass, I set to writing which gowns you prefer.
"You mentioned before that you wish to be noticed. The first gown alone should garner all the attention you wish for. However, in order for you to immediately stand out in the crowd, I'd suggest this very bright red" I say as I pull out a book with a multitude of shades of silk in it.
"As for your intimates, we can also produce them in any shade of silk you desire. Our stockings range from a net through sheer and up into a very opaque. If you would like I can have the girls show you our various styles. I think you’ll find our selection to be from traditional to very daring and unique.”

[Myth Celebrantè (D)]

I pulled the last gown from the hanger and slid it in place over my body. It was a very simple design, covering most every inch of my torso. The straps were thin chain links, delicate against my pale skin. I twisted her hair up, stabbing it in place with silver chopsticks but letting stray curls tumble over her shoulder. She turned in the mirror, the small flare of the skirt adding definition to the almost greek style of the dress. It was a soft white silk, the stitching done in silver threads and a small collection of silver roses lining the hem. I could imagine the dress in any play I'd seen performed in Night's Doorstep and ran my hands appreciatively over my curves. For a dress so proper, the lines left little to the imagination and, in the right shades of silk, would more than hint at each curve of a woman's body. I sighed and lifted my chin, pushing through the doorway to cross the room back towards Jean and the lady searching for a gown. I doubted seriously whether this dress would draw her eye, but I guessed it would depend on the event it was being worn to.

[Medousa Asterius (H)]

The last gown, stylistically, resembled many of my own gowns. It was lovely, especially on the girl, but I had many like it, and was looking for something more exotic than what I wore everyday.

"I'll take the three we discussed, and in the colors spoken of. For the black gown, I'd like a pair of white hose embroidered with black spirals, a pair of red, and one of turquoise. The bright red will be fine as well." I tapped the book I had marked earlier, there were several lovely day dresses I liked for myself. Pharinet's was taken care of. "I'd like these made up as well, the choice in color is up to you."

A bolt of gold shot black silk caught my eye. It would be perfect for the fete. " And this, for the fete costume. A halter top and a circle skirt would be sufficient. And I'd like a burnoose made of white silk as well."

We talked price, haggled, and I smiled in satisfaction as we shook hands. Jean-Basile would receive payment for the gowns upon completion and delivery. It was very late by the time I left the shop. I apologized to the coachman, who had been waiting the entire time.

Once back in my rooms I penned a brief note to Janyx, apologizing for missing our appointment and had Thalia find someone to deliver it.