Looking for Gowns and Friendships- Olga and Mercy

[Mercedes de las Aragonia]

Set between the Late Summer Soirée and Delaunay and Azabelle's Wedding

I had written to Knjazina Olga, inviting her out to shop for gowns. I was glad that she had agreed. With the thoughts I was having concerning her brother bubbling in the back of her mind, I thought it was time to meet more of Sergei's family. And from everything I had heard of Olga, she was certainly someone I would have to impress.

So I was rather nervous as I stepped out of my carriage in front of Bella's Boutique, but also hopeful. There were few other non-D'Angeline ladies around it seemed, and I was looking forward to a possible friendship with a woman who was raised more like I was.

[Olga Romanova]

One of the women with whom Sergei had been spending time- and mentioned in decent tones, which was somewhat unlike his usual tastes for more common fare- had intrigued me; and there were few enough women around here whose idea of shopping didn't lead to less rather than more. I'd accepted her invitation politely and warmly and made arrangements to meet her where she indicated.

It wasn't the most highly priced portion of the City where I ended up- but having been into some of those stores I thought they were less suitable overall than the unassuming realm where I'd landed. At least hopefully here there would be something with sleeves.

It seemed that Princessa Mercedes had arrived just before I had; gracefully but without fanfare I stepped out of my own carriage with a friendly expression. After all, this was also one of Eduardo's relatives and that was a valuable asset to have for a friend as well- and she looked modest and pleasant. I was a bit lonely for suitable conversation, there is only so much one can say to their brothers. "Buenos dias," I greeted her in as close an approximation to her native tongue as I could.

[Mercedes de las Aragonia]

Her accent was terrible, but it was the thought that counted and it made me smile warmly. "Buenos dias your highness," I replied, then switched into her tongue. "It is an honour to meet you." I took her in, noting the cut of her gown and the haughty beauty that leant her features their striking quality.

[Olga Romanova]

Where she'd learned Ruskovian so quickly I couldn't guess- but her phrasing left a good deal to be desired and she tended to extend the wrong sounds. The languages were very different so there was a chance they would never cross over very well. "And you as well, Princessa," I replied in my own tongue- it was the last one we'd spoken in and it would be rude to switch to something else. "How are you faring?"

[Mercedes de las Aragonia]

"Please forgive me," I said in D'Angeline, an apologetic smile on my face. "I'm afraid my knowledge of Ruskovian is rather limited. But I am doing very well. Yourself?"

[Olga Romanova]

"I am also well," I replied, switching to d'Angeline as well, though I probably couldn't speak it as well as she could. Eduardo could as well, I had no doubt it was a common language for their children to learn. "Shall we go inside and see what there is?" I gave her a polite smile, waiting to see how she responded to me before offering more.

[Mercedes de las Aragonia]

"Of course," I said with a smile, moving towards the door. "Tell me, have you a gown for the wedding?" I held the door open for her politely. It was more a thing of common courtesy, though I supposed she was a higher rank than I.

[Olga Romanova]

"I have one that will suit, but if I find another that is good as well," I replied, moving into the shop and then out of the doorway so she could enter easily- my full skirts had blocked many a doorway if I wasn't careful. "I have agreed to wear red with accents of black to match my escort."

[Mercedes de las Aragonia]

"Who is escorting you?" I asked curiously as I followed her inside. Black seemed an odd colour for a wedding.

[Olga Romanova]

"Principe Eduardo- I believe he is a relative of yours," I replied with a slight and politely cordial smile; just because there was blood involved did not mean the people would get along very well or enjoy hearing about the others comings and goings.

[Mercedes de las Aragonia]

"Oh," I said, surprised. But it was a pleasant surprise, and I smiled at the news. "That's wonderful. When did the two of you meet?"

[Olga Romanova]

"The Romanov fete- and we had dinner a few nights ago," I replied, smiling more warmly at her enthusiasm. I didn't want this to be a tense meeting. "I have heard that you know my brother Sergei."

[Mercedes de las Aragonia]

"Yes, we met at the fair held at Midsummer," I said as we moved further into the shop. I began to look through the gowns, instantly dismissing most of them as too revealing. I was glad for the distraction, thinking on Sergei usually had me blushing in no time.

[Olga Romanova]

The gowns here were very much typical d'Angeline fair- and completely unsuitable as far as I was concerned. It seemed the Princessa felt the same way. "I do not understand these clothes," I said quietly and discreetly. "Why do they show so much?"

[Mercedes de las Aragonia]

"I honestly don't know. I've been wearing my boleros quite often since I arrived because of the cuts of the gown. They are pretty, just not seemly," I replied, my voice pitched to match hers. "Sometimes you can find something among the racks though, which is why I haven't given up completely."

[Olga Romanova]

"Perhaps this will be a day for good luck and we will manage," I suggested, moving aside a few things as I looked for something a bit more decent. "In Aragonia the clothing is not like this, yes?"

[Mercedes de las Aragonia]

I spotted a manikin nearer the rear of the store that was quite decently dressed, and so that was the direction I headed. "Back here looks more promising," I said with a hopeful smile. "And yes, Aragonian gowns are different. The fabric tends to be heavier than here, and there is much more lace for accents."

[Olga Romanova]

Thanking her with a nod and a grateful smile I walked serenely over to where she was looking. "I am used to thick fabrics- in Ruskovia there is a lot of brocade and furs to work with," I replied; the fabrics here were soft beneath my hands but the cuts of them was still inappropriate.

[Mercedes de las Aragonia]

I brought one out that I thought might do, but when I saw it all, I shook my head. "If it covers enough, it seems it is made for an old woman. Or a large one," I said, holding up the gown for her gaze.

[Olga Romanova]

"They do not know how to work with fullness to make shape," I commented, nodding at what she held. "But if you can sew than a larger dress could be brought down."

[Mercedes de las Aragonia]

"Unfortunately, I am not that skilled," I replied, hanging the gown back on the rack. "I think I might have to return to Eglantine and explain what I want."

[Olga Romanova]

A green gown passed under my grasp and I picked it up by the shoulders; the fabric was soft and flowing, far too revealing across the arms for my tastes but I remembered that some Aragonian clothing was modeled in the same Hellene fashion. "What about this?" I suggested, holding up the fabric neatly and with experienced hands.

[Mercedes de las Aragonia]

The fabric she held up was perfect, soft and floating. "It's beautiful material," I said, taking a step closer and feeling the light fabric. "I must try this on, thank you your highness."

[Olga Romanova]

"You can call me Olga," I suggested, pleased to see that she liked the choice I had made. It would look very lovely on her.

[Mercedes de las Aragonia]

"Mercedes," I replied with a pleased smile. Spotting a gown that had been hidden by the dress that Olga had pulled out for me, I pointed it out to her. "And what about that one for you?"

[Olga Romanova]

It was a little more daring than what we wore at home, but in small ways; the sleeves were a bit off of the shoulder but not indecently so and the skirts were full which wouldn't show off anyone's actual curves. In Ruskovia a very liberal woman would have worn such a gown but here it would seem very conservative. "That is very good," I replied, my eyes fixed on the gown for a moment as I pulled it free; then I turned back to her with a full, warm smile. "What do you think of it? Will it be suitable for a wedding in this land?"

[Mercedes de las Aragonia]

"With that cut, I think you will look stunning. I'm sure that Eduardo will like it," I said as I returned her smile. "I believe that there are changing rooms in the back. Shall we go try these on?"

[Olga Romanova]

"I think that is a good idea, though I hope the attendants know how to assist with a gown such as this," I replied with a slight laugh.

[Mercedes de las Aragonia]

I chuckled. "We can hope that they aren't that backward," I replied merrily, though my voice was pitched for her ears alone as we headed over to where an assistant waited. She saw us coming and put down her stitching with a smile. Since it seemed there was just the one assistant, I suggested to Olga, "Why don't you try yours on first?"

[Olga Romanova]

"You may go first, if you like," I offered in a friendly fashion; I was used to sharing time with my sisters and didn't mind doing so with others. "It is probably best; once i am in this gown I may be too distracted to compliment your own."