Gilded lilies

[Tatiana Ivanov]

Tatiana had been content to quietly sit and read Valentina's content and yet focused aura, enjoying the colours that master craftspersons seem to produce when engrossed in work that they love.

Erika's summons broke her brief reverie, the sketch was indeed very fine and would suit the Prince in her male form.

She paused to look between the sketch and the Prince's face several times, tilted her head and reached out to brush a small strand of hair away from Erika's ear lobe. The sensuality of the manoeuvre designed to not only assess the ear but also the reflex it would provoke.

"I think there will be a number of options you could explore from ties pins to give a glimmer at the throat, maybe even jewelled buttons. Then you could move into the more traditional masculine accessories of watches and cufflinks, but that seems too expected and contrived in some way, even with it being the convention of male fashion, what do you think? Maybe some simple studs for the ears to avoid detracting from the fabric of jacket". Tatiana looks to the two women to hear their opinions.

[Erika Leroux]

There's something almost catlike in Erika's response to Tatiana's touch, subtle, a slight move of her head towards the jeweller's hand. She pauses briefly, nothing in the grand scheme of things, but there's a distinct delay for those with lightning reflexes.

"Hmm. I like this idea. To veer away from the expected while presenting style? I appreciate that. I appreciate that a great deal."

She scans the faces of the two Toreador, a smile crossing her lips. "Though I am Prince, I am but a peasant when it comes to matters of style. While you are both Queens of your arts." She bites her lip, a thoughtful expression crossing her face. "I would be extremely intrigued by the outcome should you choose to work in conjunction. I cannot begin to imagine what delights would be possible!"

[Valentina Audley]

Valentina watches the interaction between Tatiana and Erika with a small smile playing about her lips. Her aura flares with pleasure at the sight and she files any number of pleasing ideas away for later. It would appear Erika really is starting to stretch her wings and for that Valentina is quietly thrilled.

"I am not adverse to the idea of working in partnership darling, though honesty compels me to say my time for such projects is limited. I do not think I could do justice to search an undertaking until after this little gathering in April!"

She pauses thoughtfully. "I suspect until you have a workshop of your own you are similarly busy darling?"

[Tatiana Ivanov]

Tatiana settles in her seat once more before replying to Valentina

"If you can put up with everything not being a masterwork, then I'm sure I could find things from my personal collection to suit a need" she offers helpfully.

Pausing for a moments thought she continues, "How many outfits are you showing in your collection?"

Tatiana has dredged from her memory some passing conversation about a fashion exhibition but isn't fully sure if she imagined it or not.

[Valentina Audley]

It's Valentina's turn to be thoughtful.

"I haven't entirely decided yet darling. I've made a few things, but nothing at the height of my art as it were. I'm hoping to start on that after April."

She frowns a little. Political manouevering does so badly cut into sewing time.

"I doubt there will be more than twenty outfits but probably more than ten." She smiles cheerfully at Tatiana and Erika.

"If you'd like to see, I have two of the dresses here currently. Jacob has been checking their particulars, in order to send teasing snippets to the papers nearer the time. They're mostly to Kine interest, but they give a few to the overall feel of the collection I think. Shall we?"

And with that she stands and gestures, not intot he shop front but back through the other door into the workroom itself.

[Tatiana Ivanov]

"Oh, how fun!" Tatiana exclaims rising from her seat to follow Valentina.

Enthused by the chance to see the modern fashions of England, Tatiana asks "What is the narrative of your collection?.............. Do you have a colour palette that I could see?............."Oooo, is it a mix of day wear and evening wear?"

Without thinking, she makes to immediately follow Valentine but forces herself to a halt to allow Erika to proceed before her. Eyes downcast, she murmurs humbly "Please forgive me, My Prince."

[Erika Leroux]

Erika laughs delightedly at Tatiana's enthusiasm. Reaching for her hand, she gives it a gentle, reassuring squeeze.
"Ah, please, here there is no need for apologies. You are both queen's in this world and I am the luckiest of bystanders. It is I who am honoured to be here." Her smile is encouraging, genuine. A moment of pleasure.
"I am in your hands."

[Valentina Audley]

From just inside the work room door Valentina gives a wicked little laugh. "I'd rather you were both in my workroom darlings."

As they enter the room, she's moving about the place gathering supplies. Unlike the the sumptuous surroundings the rest of the shop displays, this room is decidedly utlitarian. It's white washed and spacious, with an enormous cutting table taking up most of the room. The rest of the space is full of cupboards and mannequins, bursting with fabrics and clothes in various stages of construction. There is a sofa in here, but despite it's comfy look it has clearly seen better days.

On the cutting table, Valentina has laid out a collection of sketchbooks, flipping through them to open them at various pages and slowly the shape of a collection forms in front of her guests. It's autumnal in colour, using rich deep reds, greens and golds, cut on an elegant line, that suggests a Parisian influence, but there's an indefineable twist to it that somehow manages to convey a hint of vivacity and amusement entirely Valentina's own.

Next she drags out two of the mannequins, to be at the front of the crowd. One of them is in a delicate walking dress of gold and brown satins, featuring cream lace cuffs and a saucy tilt to the jacket collar. The other is a deep red ballgown, with an inordinate number of flounces, draped with strings of jet beads and deep crimson crystal drops.

She invites them over, to more closely examine her work with the crook of a finger and a saucy grin, but there's a slight ripple of uncertainty to her aura as she casually says 'My more complete notes are back in Bristol of course, but I think this gives an idea of my thoughts at least. What do you think?"

For all her outwards calm it's clear Valentina worries about public perception of her work.

[Erika Leroux]

Erika's eyes widen at the selection of colours, sending a flash of a memory of her being autumn and her lover spring through more fractured moments. The greens caressing, the golds, candlelight. Deep, rich, sensual moments, colours that call to her very soul. She drinks in the cut, perfectly French, and determines that she must have at least a couple of these designs.

"Mon dieu, mon beau papillon, ceux-ci sont plus beaux..." she murmurs under her breath, before she turns her attention to the two outfits Valentina has brought to her attention. For a moment she is silent, but she is imagining wearing such a creation, of the mask she'd wear to compliment such an outfit. She shakes it off, smiling inwardly. Yes, she'd once been vain, but she had, at least been cured of that over the years.

"They are exquisite." she finally murmurs.

[Tatiana Ivanov]

Tatiana nods appreciatively at the collection, it is indeed very fine. She does not, however, lose herself in its beauty as the Prince does.

Instead, she approached the two mannequins to look more closely at the details of the pieces, the direction of the ruffle folds and the symmetry of the construction. Taking care not to disrupt the artful arrangement of the fabrics she gently touches then to feel the weight and weave. Surreptitiously her senses reach out to see if any dye smells remain on the cloth.

It is indeed a greatly pleasing ensemble of fashion, "It is most exquisite Miss Audley, I applaud your interpretation and palette choices." Tatiana purrs appreciatively.

Turning away from the formed pieces, she runs her fingers over the pages of a few of the notes books. Finding a pleasing visiting gown she comments "This would look very fine with amber beads at the throat", Tatiana looks up to gauge assent.

She may not know many people in this new city, but she at least now knew where to come to have her gowns made.