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Post by Raisa Valois on May 4, 2011 23:41:00 GMT -5
I walked around the artisan's district, for the first time at my leisure. It had never occurred to me to try my luck at a trade other than that of my mother's, and with all the variety of services available here I began to think it might just be possible for me to make my name in my own right.
Artists, musicians, players; I hadn't realised there were so many creative outlets, right around the corner. True, stalls in Night's Doorstep offered some of the same things, but there was a touch of expertise here that those hagglers lacked.
For the moment I merely circuited the district, wishing to acquaint myself with the area. I decided I would start simply, maybe find employment mending costumes and work from there into a theatre.
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Post by Sayuri Ai on May 6, 2011 21:54:44 GMT -5
Just as when I'd come here the noise of this place was distracting and almost disheartening. It was expected that there would be shouting and bustle in a city but with these people, who were all so beautiful and healthy, you'd think they would pursue more culture. Though no doubt some of this irritation showed in my eyes I was careful to keep my eyes respectfully down and my features serene, my pace steady, not moving too fast or so slowly that I'd get in the way but I still saw everything. The signs on the shops I passed were impossible for me to read yet but I'd pick it up when I could, and otherwise the pictures were clear enough.
Now I only had to concern myself with finding somewhere to work. My fingers were nimble for embroidery and sewing, and I could weave and dye fabric well enough, but I also knew that most places weren't the most accepting of foreigners, especially small, quiet ones. Even the Tsingani had mentioned that the people here were protective of their bloodlines, much as they were in Ch'in. That meant being unassuming and useful would do well, especially if I didn't ask too much, and it would be better to work with other foreigners. I didn't expect to see anyone from my homeland, but perhaps other Tsingani or the Illyrians, or even the Bhodistani..
As I looked at a shop I stepped very close to someone, much more so than was comfortable to me, and with a small bow of my head I told the girl in my thickly-accented pidgin d'Angeline. "Very sorry," before rising slightly.
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Post by Raisa Valois on May 6, 2011 22:07:57 GMT -5
I gathered my bearings, somewhat unbalanced having bumped into a stranger. I found myself face to face with a rather austere looking woman; no mean feat for me considering my height. It wasn't just that though, she looked positively exotic, standing out from the crowd. I silently reprimanded myself for staring and cleared my throat.
"No I'm sorry, I wasn't looking where I was going," I apologised, frowning as I tried to place her accent. "Are you new to the city?"
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Post by Sayuri Ai on May 7, 2011 9:41:42 GMT -5
It wasn't odd that people here looked at me for much longer than would have been polite in Ch'in, but then it took a good bit of courtesy not to watch them too closely either, especially in the places with thieves and criminals. Taking in the beauty could get you robbed or hurt, so it was better not to take the chance noticing.
The person who I'd bumped into though was a girl, younger than me and almost as small, with features that weren't exactly the same as those around her, but I hadn't seen everyone here yet either. She spoke quickly, like a person who had lived here for a very long time, and as she frowned I watched her cautiously, then decided to answer her. "Don't think was looking either, so is alright," I said in a very polite tone. After all, even if something was another person's fault it was bad manners not to take some of the blame. "But yes, just here a short time. Before was traveling."
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Post by Raisa Valois on May 7, 2011 10:21:51 GMT -5
"Oh, then welcome," I said cheerfully. She spoke in broken grammar; she had probably just begun learning D'Angeline then. "Where do you hail from? I don't think I recognise your accent."
My smile faltered a little at her somewhat stiff attitude, maybe I was babbling too much. "I'm sorry if I'm being too forward."
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Post by Sayuri Ai on May 7, 2011 18:08:42 GMT -5
I knew from when I was younger, as well as being around some of the more exuberant Tsingani girls, that many often misunderstood my manner of speaking and demeanor as a sign of something negative, though that was likely because they were raised so often to express everything that came into their heads. My family had always taught me that a lady's place was one of silence, where the only words that would be heeded were those of great import unless one was in the presence of sisters or friends. But then I'd never liked those ways, and often had to be reprimanded for that very thing, which could have been why it was so fresh in my mind. Perhaps it was time for a change.
When the girl's frown deepened my features softened slightly and I glanced sideways in shame before looking at her once again. "No, is not forward. Apologies for seeming so, just takes moment to understand words and say others. Thank you for welcome, am sure will like place in time, once find a job." There was always a part of me that was concerned about saying where I was from, but I knew that Ch'in was far from here and so large that no one may know of the province. "Am from Ch'in. You are from this place?"
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Post by Raisa Valois on May 7, 2011 20:42:11 GMT -5
Ch'in, the place to me sounded like some distant fairy tale land. I remember my father had mentioned it once when I was very young, but only in passing as some new and wonderful place he'd just heard of.
"Ch'in! You must have come a long way," I exclaimed. "Is it very different? I grew up here. I've never left the city."
Then the rest of her words caught up with me. "Hold on, you're looking for work? So am I." I knew I was gushing but I couldn't help it, my thoughts were moving too rapidly. "Do you want to look together? My mother was a seamstress in Mont Nuit but I thought it was time to change clientele. What is it that you do?"
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Post by Sayuri Ai on May 9, 2011 21:32:04 GMT -5
It took another moment or two to puzzle out exactly what she was saying, but I simply waited for a moment after she was finished and managed to get the general idea of what she was saying, as well as what might have been questions. "Yes, very far and very different. Took years to come here, but came anyway." Why I came wasn't being asked, at least as far as I knew, and therefore it wasn't rude not to say. If she had asked I probably would have lied anyway, if only because the story was a long one that would bring even more questions.
The second part was more tricky, especially since this meant she was looking for a job of her own and that we may be in competition. She didn't seem to be that concerned about it but the girl was obviously somewhat well-bred and may not have realized such a thing. "Can do seamstress things, but better at needlework, dyeing and weaving. Think will be places here looking for two people with those skills? Shops places not always hiring many people."
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Post by Raisa Valois on May 10, 2011 8:00:29 GMT -5
Needlework, dyeing and weaving. I should have known; she had pretty, subtle beading that went with her attire, I can't believe I hadn't noticed it earlier. I smiled, anyone would have felt threatened at finding themselves with a rival but I couldn't be more excited. Back in Mont Nuit there weren't many other professional seamstresses or the like, they just knew enough to get by.
"We're in the Artisan's District, it's pretty much the creative centre of the city and even Eglantine adepts have set up shop here, " I replied. "There's always going to be work for people like us here. Of course there's competition but everyone knows that also means pressure to hire many skilled craftspeople."
Warming to the thought, I continued. "Besides, I'm sure that they'd love someone who can dye and weave, especially if you come from Ch'in. You probably know of different styles of fabrics and lovely dyes that we don't have here." I didn't know this for fact but it was most likely true; most other countries had their own unique textile secrets.
"And in any case," I laughed, "this is Terre d'Ange. D'Angelines would buy flowers rather than bread and starve to death, such is the value that is placed on beauty. Oh, and I'm Raisa by the way." I added sheepishly.
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Post by Sayuri Ai on May 12, 2011 21:51:06 GMT -5
The picture she painted of a group of people who would rather not eat and have some flowers that would wilt was something that seemed to be shared by nobles everywhere, but from what she said even the craftsmen and shopkeepers were the same way. My mother had always cared a good deal about appearances too, making sure that even the most practical items were delicately graceful and well-made but I'd had seven years of lean times to learn a more pragmatic way of life. Still, if I could get these people to enjoy my skill what difference did it make what they sacrificed for it? Their gods would take care of them if they were deserving of that blessing, but I had to look out for myself.
Nevertheless the girl, Raisa, was eager and cheerful, enough so that I could feel she'd either had very little hardship or had made herself stubborn about keeping a smile and a pleasant tone. "Is good to know, thank you," I replied politely, giving her a slight bow of thanks for her introduction before giving my own. "Am called Ai. Not sure if weaving here makes same fabric, seems things are rougher and thicker, but can at least make dyes to work and show better weaving." No matter how nice the place here was I wasn't the kind to spend money on art, not now. There were bigger fish to fry.
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Post by Raisa Valois on May 13, 2011 4:14:29 GMT -5
"Ai," I repeated, tasting the word. It was simple compared to D'Angeline names, but nevertheless pretty. "Ch'in fabrics must be very delicate then." To me, D'Angeline silks and the like were already very fine, maybe rivalled by a few experts in La Serinissima, but still among the best. It made me curious to know more about Ch'in, though I kept my questions to myself. I'd probably already come across as rather extroverted, which was a surprise in itself even to me, but this stranger and her somewhat reticent nature provoked my inquisitive side.
I cleared my throat. "We better get a move on. There are so many textile vendors here that it will probably take us a few days to get through them."
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Post by Sayuri Ai on May 15, 2011 20:16:18 GMT -5
With Raisa being a seamstress I wasn't surprised that she was interested in fabrics since they were the materials that made her a living as much as a carpenter needed to know wood. "Other places can make silk but is best in Ch'in. Can make it delicate enough to see through, or weave rope strong enough to hold trees," I told her with a slight smile, glancing down and sideways as I thought polite.
Then the girl cleared her throat and I pieced her words together, then nodded. "Is important to see everywhere then?" I asked when I heard how long she was planning to look, as well as the fact she was hoping to see everywhere. "Don't know how jobs work here, but most of time take first good job offer, or else they find someone else and other places may not need work." Didn't the employers here still have their own work to do without waiting around to see if a girl wanted to sew for them while they looked for a better offer? It was better to take the first chance and know you'd have money than chance never getting another one and having nothing, at least in my experience.
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Post by Raisa Valois on May 15, 2011 21:26:27 GMT -5
"That's true," I agreed. "But I think it's going to take us a while to find a place where they're looking for skills like ours," I gestured around me vaguely. "And I'm not exactly as familiar with this area as I'd like to be. I grew up between Night's Doorstep and Mont Nuit."
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Post by Sayuri Ai on May 18, 2011 12:55:50 GMT -5
I had no idea where the places where she was talking about were, but the Doorstep was what they called the place where the carriage had dropped me off. Mont Nuit was an unknown though so I simply stayed silent on that matter. "Would rather head up toward top than start at bottom. Would be better pay with wealthier shops because will want finer work. Don't know where that would be but should go to richest place. Can always come back to poorer."
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Post by Raisa Valois on May 18, 2011 18:26:26 GMT -5
"Mmm..." what she had suggested was perfectly logical of course, but it had never occurred to me. I imagined what they'd make of our appearance at the Palace District; a scrawny girl from the poorer end of town with a traveller, seeking employment. They'd be bemused more than anything.
"Richest to poorest, then we'd better start at the Palace District," I said eventually. "You wouldn't happen to have samples of your work on you? They'd be a lot more sympathetic if they could see what we could do."
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Post by Sayuri Ai on May 20, 2011 10:18:20 GMT -5
Having a sample of work on hand was always a necessity and I had some small examples of embroidery as well as carved beads I'd done and some fabric I'd painted with dye to mimic what I'd learned as a child. "Yes, brought things," I said with a nod, reaching a hand down to lightly brush the pouch at my side to make sure it was still there. Any thieves probably would have been able to tell there was no money inside by the lightness and the shape but sometimes children would take a chance, especially if they were hungry enough. "And have clothes am wearing, which made. If want more can ask me to make something there, yes?"
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Post by Raisa Valois on May 20, 2011 18:45:02 GMT -5
I surreptitiously appraised Ai's handiwork with a quick but thorough glance, then nodded. "That's good then. They probably would ask for a demonstration but it's easier when they've already seen something."
I smiled encouragingly. "Well, we better head to the Palace District then."
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Post by Sayuri Ai on May 26, 2011 11:43:04 GMT -5
Nodding in understanding I took another look around so I would remember where I had started, then glanced back at Raisa again. "Should thank you for help. Don't even know where to start in City, since is so large. Would guess Palace District is toward real palace or is name for another place?" I asked respectfully, not wanting to make an assumption even if it did seem like the most common-sense one.
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Post by Raisa Valois on May 26, 2011 18:06:34 GMT -5
"It is closer to the palace I suppose," I told her, noting that she was rather astute, "though it's still in the Business Sector. Up north." As if to demonstrate my point, I started walking in that direction, beckoning for her to follow. "You'll recognise it as soon as we get there. It's a lot nicer looking and we'll pass by Elua's Square too."
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