Fabrics and Colors (oh my!) *Open*

[andrecia]

Aeria hadn’t spent much time in the Griffin city. Her journey here had not been a difficult one, but it was her memories here that had started to plague her. The nightmares that she didn’t know what they were coming from nor the cause of it. A shadow had taken hold of her, no matter how far she could grasp to reach out of the darkness, it always called back to her. It had enveloped her, taken hold and hadn’t let go of her. She did not know if she had wanted out of this darkness. Had she done something so vile that she was being punished?

She was living off the generosity of others for a few weeks until she had finally settled in it seemed. Her talents for stitchery had been spread by ear and soon she was slowly getting a small trickle of customers to make clothes for. It was a mindless task, something that almost came as second nature and the time she had spent with fabric and doing her trade was almost comforting. Still she did not smile, but she was always polite to her customers. Now in fact she had a few dresses of her own she had made. Where this hidden talent had come from she didn’t know, perhaps she had assumed she always possessed it.

Her dreams were still becoming more vivid and she was so often hearing a name in them. Andrecia. Who was that? The name that was so often spoken to her. There was also a man, a man who had seemed so harsh and cruel, yet was gentle when he had spoken her name. The man was ever so a constant presence in her dreams, as well as a child. A small boy who very much resembled the man, except for the fact of his eyes. She saw her own eyes in the boy, a replica of what was her own, but there were other features of the boy that were not like the man at the same time- the roundness of his cheeks, the shape of his nose.

Aeria did not make sense of these dreams but could only guess- were they a clue to her past? Were they a part of who she was, or still is? Did she have family somewhere? As she had risen for the day and had gotten dressed, she waited for another customer, perhaps one to soften her mood that was darkened. She didn’t know what had taken hold of her, but she was going to try and find out. There was a nock. “Come in.” Her voice was normal, but still not threatening. Who would be coming at this time of day?[/color]

[chantalrose]

It seemed that joy, for those in the Rose family, was to come after the Yuletide season. Instead of pleasure upon the day of Synnovea and William's birthday they had been alone, in a strange place, to care for their brother while they dealt with the tragic death of Elspeth, Brycen, and Broden. They had been at Red Wall, protected and safe, while worrying of their Mother. Lord and Lady Asad-Aziem, and Maahe's sister Anulia, had been very sweet to the children. Each of the children had taken to them.

Meanwhile, Chantal had been worrying over the safety of her children. After the attack by Mikhail and them missing, she'd assumed they had been taken. The worry had made her go into early labor. She'd given birth to Isadora Nasrin only nine days ago, a beautiful baby girl that was precious and of lighter skin than her brother Haji. She'd been blessed and then that had doubled upon the safe arrival of her children in Turas Lan. She owed Lord and Lady Asad-Aziem much for protecting her children.

Upon learning that it'd been the wolves who'd struck, killing three of her close friends, Chantal had been filled with sorrow. She had went to the church to pray for them earlier and today walked the streets of the city, seeking to bring some smiles to the little faces on each side of her. All the children were dressed warmly with cloaks, Haji carried on the hip of Synnovea and the newborn Isadora wrapped snuggly in blankets while cradled in a sling across her Mother's chest.

Chantal herself wore a cloak as well, the edges protectively over the babe too, and was talking to the children enthusiastically. William seemed the most reserved, as if trapped in his mind, and sometimes she caught him staring at Synnovea and Haji thoughtfully. She knew that he blamed himself for the death of the others, that he felt guilty for not better being able to protect his siblings, and that was alot to weigh on the shoulders of a young boy.

"Is she not beautiful, Haji?" The little boy peeked over at his sleeping sister, still fascinated by how small she was, and gave a shy smile. Chantal laughed and kissed his little cheek. It was not long until they came upon a shop that she'd been told about. Here she would go this day to buy fabrics, clothing even, for the tiny bundle in her arms and the other children. After a brief knock the cute family stepped inside.

"Excuse me?" Chantal spoke in that soft voice of hers, sapphire eyes moving about until finding the woman inside. Giving a friendly smile, she murmured,"I did not mean to come unannounced...but...are you open?"

[andrecia]

Aeria had not been expecting anyone within the shop today. She knew they would be coming, yes that was unavoidable but she had hoped for time on her own. Such was the life of a worker and if she was to work she had to do it somehow. She had nothing to call her own, no past and she did not even know if she did indeed have a future here within the isle. Things were so fleeting- she could only perchance to what was happening in the present.

There was no smile on her features but she was still pleasant when the woman came into view. She had children with her. Immediately something had trigged within her- she had a child. Where had this thought come from? Had there been one within her at some point? There must have been, there was no way to explain her dreams that were plaguing her. Was there another explanation? She would have to determine that at another time as she had a customer now. “It is quite alright, come in.” She answered politely, but there was still no smile on her features, but she was still kind.

Aeria couldn’t help but stiffen though, at the sight of the children. She could not help it nor could she understand it- what had happened? Had she done something so horrible that she could not contain herself? Her breathing had quickened and she realized she was becoming anxious. “Excuse me, miss for a moment.” Aeria spoke politely before she went back into another room to try and contain herself. Her heart was racing and for a moment she could not understand why. What was wrong with her? Once she had calmed herself as much as she could she returned, refreshed as she clenched fists to calm herself before putting on what seemed a serene face. “May I help you with anything? You have a darling family.” Aeria was making polite talk, or an attempt to.[/color]

[Queen Beathag Aberdeen]

Our hearts grow frightened of what we don't understand, as if they could live outside of our bodies. It pines for what we had even if the mind will not remember. Beathag didn't know the shopkeep who ached at the sight of children, but could recall the face of the woman who had stood beyond her chamber door not so long ago outside when inside had been an arrogant, insistant young man come to plead his case. That was long ago! Things changed when you were not of the world, she thought. Her belly had rounded and the need for perhaps one last chemise to see her through until the spring was so persistant that it met with the need to see the city at its best before fear stole it back to another time.

"Aye, this looks a fine place tae gae, when ye see familiar the place becomes familiar, says I." It was not an imperial entourage or a royal bunch of folk, but the presence of the Duchess and even but one guard was enough to cause some notice. As it was, her voice was still small by comparison as she waited, like any other, for a chance to ask after the good of the shopkeep.

[chantalrose]

Chantal allowed William and Synnovea, upon stepping inside, to move off to look at fabrics if they wished. Clothing could be afforded for each of the Rose children, who deserved something to cheer them in such dreary times. Haji was lowered from Synnovea's hip and his dark hand, the color of chocolate, taken in Chantal's own fair one. Yet, there was no denying that the child, as the one in the sling of lighter color than Haji, was hers. Observing the woman quietly, Chantal was just about to speak when she excused herself to the back.

Such behavior was not unusual for one seeing a child so dark. That was what Chantal put it down to. Moving about, sapphire eyes taking in beautiful silks, satins, velvets, and linens of varying shades, she talked idly to Haji. The little boy had not a single interest in the clothes such would make, but instead in the loveliness to be found in them. Smiling down at him, she murmured,"Do you like it?"

In her hand she held a silk the color of gold, smooth and pleasant to touch, that would look majestic aside his skin tone. Her little Prince. Or so Astennu had always called him. At the thought of the man who still held her heart in hands long cold, Chantal glanced down at the small babe and wondered what he would think of his new daughter. Would he find her as beautiful? Would he cherish as he'd done Haji? Would he love her as much?

Sighing softly, Chantal's maudlin thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the shopkeeper's voice, and she turned around. "Thank you, miss." To the comment on her family. A warm smile curved her lips,"Oh, I came seeking garments for my children. Though it has been some time since I have chosen fabrics or designs. What is the current fashions?"

At the sound of another voice, a new arrival, Chantal turned around. None in Skye would be able to mistake the woman's identity. It was none other than the Duchess. She had met the woman once, though briefly, shortly before the Lord and Lady's trip to Aberdeen. It was only then to let the woman know that it was the Aberdeen's she backed. Of course, considering all that had happened since then, it was likely the woman did not recall.

"Good day, Your Grace." And Chantal did her best to curtsy low, holding Haji's little hand in her own and with the babe in the sling over her chest.

[andrecia]

Aeria hadn’t hoped the woman didn’t think she was being discriminatory. She had just had a sudden fit of emotion- she really did not know why. Things were very confusing to her as of late- there was a fog surrounding her and she couldn’t ever understand why. Her memory had passed her by and no matter how hard she had tried to regain it- she just could not. What was it that plagued her so? She wished she could have remembered. She had wished she could with everything that was in her.

Her episode had probably made her appear weak. That was not what she had meant to do- she was supposed to be the poised shop keeper. Finally when she had returned to her calm state and watched the woman’s children play with the fabrics. Such a sight brought a small smile to her features. Aeria could have sworn she had known children before…had she had some of her own? “There are certain things instyle now…yes this…” she went over to a piece of fabric to pick it out when suddenly someone interrupted them.

Aeria normally would have gotten a little annoyed at someone interrupted her while she was doing business, but this was certainly a surprise. She had not been expecting the duchess. “My lady.” She spoke before nodding her head. She knew she would wait her turn and following Chantal she bowed, such was a formality but she immediately went back to helping her first customer. “Something such as this would be lovely..which children are you looking for clothing? All of them?” This woman did have plenty, but it wasn’t anything that was uncommon.

“Is there anything you needed, your grace?” She turned to Beathag, wondering why the lady of the isles was in her shop. Had word gotten around?[/color]

[Queen Beathag Aberdeen]

Two women addressed her by the formal. One lowered, with children, while the other gave respectful bend of head. For her part, she allowed them rise with a, "Come now, be up. Ah be 'ere because m'sewin is limited these days. Can nay make sae ornate a things as Ah wear now n' m'hands dun nay dae well with the needle because o' the scars. There are a few pieces I need tae carry me 'o'er with the babe within." Her eyes lowered down to the evidence of condition. Chuckling softly, she did reflect the babe hadn't grown her too uncomfortably, but surely the last bit of bulging would test the limits. "Sae I came tae see wot fabric ye had available, miss, n' ask after ye prices o' the same. Dun nay mean tae disturb yer business with any fuss." To Chantal she would shake a gentle finger in reminder, "Now ye I recall, but did nay know ye were carryin' tha' small one there aboard! Handsome family, m'lady." Dark flesh did nothing to her eyes but make them see dark flesh. It amazed her that she was not the only woman with a lot in life to have borne a babe with darker skin and care for him thus. Aodhan was at the point in his life where his lessons took presidence over following his mother wherever he feet took her. The boy was still young enough to not be concerned with the world of becoming a man.

The way he touched the fabric was how she and Aodhan had, and the shop full of wonders reminded her of a sea of miracles once, where the bolts unfurled under her steady merchant hands, not so long ago.

[andrecia]

Aeria nodded. This certainly was a surprise. She was not expecting to see the lady of the isles, and certainly in her own shop! What was she going to do? Well the Duchess had always made it obvious that there was no formality needed when talking to her, but Aeria was sure that she would always give formality where it was needed. It was not that she hated it so, it was more the fact that she did not want to be perceived as rude to anyone that was undeserving or above her. She knew her status.

However Beathag's remarks did not earn a smile, but a mere polite nod of the head. Aeria hardly smiled- she was merely polite and docile for the most part during the day, at least when she was not being plagued that the darkness that had threatened to overtake her. Long had she spent, her thoughts in the dismal abyss that threatened to overtake her. She did not know where this darkness had come from- but she was certain she did not wish t find out where it had come from either. Aeria was quite content with not having her memory of who she was or even where she had come from, but it seemed fate had something else in store for her.

"I can make you clothing if you wish, your body is certain to change." She added with a gentle tone before going over to examine the lady's figure. "Would you like me to make them looser for you as well so that you may grow with them? I know a way of stitching the fabric so that it is a bit lose in the midsection." She did not know where this technique had come from, but she was grateful she had it. Aeria finished her gazing before looking back over at Chantal again.

"Well, pick out some fabrics, the both of you. Anything that appeals to you- but I have to admit- these colors would look lovely on you both." She motioned for newer fabrics that had just arrived and they were interestingly colored. "Now just what exactly do you wish? Dresses, aprons...anything simple hmm?" She began to think. This certainly was an increase of her business.