[indent][indent][indent][indent][indent][indent][indent][indent][indent][indent][indent][indent] [img]https://i.imgur.com/TtWCI2Z.png[/img] [/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent][center][sub][sub][url=https://i.pinimg.com/564x/b8/9e/28/b89e28be3ae7421612d4000d15dcd99d.jpg]♖ O U T F I T ♖[/url][/sub][/sub] [/center] [table] [row] [sup][h3][b][color=2e2c2c] ▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅ [right]▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅[/right][/color] [/b][/h3][/sup] [/row][row] [cell][color=2e2c2c]______________________________________[/color] [center][color=gray][sub][sub]I N T E R A C T I O S N :[/sub][/sub][/color][/center] [/cell][cell] [color=2e2c2c]______________________________________[/color] [center][color=gray][sub][sub]M E N T I O N S :[/sub][/sub][/color][/center] [/cell] [/row] [/table] [indent][indent][indent][indent][indent] [img]https://i.imgur.com/eHHlypM.png[/img] [/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent] [indent][color=gray] With her head in the clouds and floating feet, Zarai had somehow wandered to a small group of ladies talking amongst themselves. Well, more gossiping about the events that had transpired in such a short amount of time. Zarai paid no mind to them, not that she could really. Their voices were all blending into one as she stared at the ornate designs of one of the ladies' skirts. The subtle greens and blues blended perfectly with the silver that adorned the fabric. Zarai almost wanted to reach down and touch the material, but despite the high, she still did not wish to cause a scene. [color=silver]"Lady Lesdeman?"[/color] Zarai snapped out of her trance, green eyes looking up to the lady looking directly at her. Was it Lady Snufflebottom? She didn't remember her name. [color=silver]"Would you mind telling us your inspiration for..."[/color] the woman looked up and down at her, [color=silver]"your... suit? The emerald green is gorgeous on you, and the white trousers- something we have not seen before."[/color] The other ladies nodded and leaned in closer to Zarai, awaiting her answer. [color=95AA71]"Uh-"[/color] She blinked, looking around to see the group of ladies looking at her and expecting an answer. [color=95AA71]"My brain? I... I mean, inspiration just flows through me, ladies; painting and sketching are simply not enough, and thus I've decided to bring my art into my clothes."[/color] She laughed softly, sipping from the cranberry juice she had ordered moments before approaching the group. Wine would not be the best right now, and while Zarai was always up to some chaos, she did not want to further cloud her mind with alcohol. There were a few "ooh"s and "ahh"s from the group, but Lady Snufflebottom just nodded, eyes locked on hers, and it was starting to make Zarai feel funny. [color=95AA71]"Of course, I can share some of my sketches with you if you would like. I have a lot that could "[/color] she offered, hoping that the lady would ease up on the staring. [color=silver]"Luzero?"[/color] Zarai's back tensed at the sound of her mother's voice. [color=95AA71][I]Oh fuck.[/i][/color] She turned around to see her mother standing directly behind her; Duchess Lesdeman closed the fan and slapped it against her palm before signaling Zarai to follow her. With no other words, she turned around and began to make her way away from the group without looking back to see if her daughter was following or not. [color=95AA71]"Excuse me, ladies."[/color] Zarai bowed before hurrying after her mother. [color=silver]"Where is your dress? The one that I commissioned for you?"[/color] The Duchess looked at Zarai from the corner of her eyes, glaring at her daughter's outfit as if it had slapped her mother. [color=silver]"I always buy you such nice things and you continue to change them and completely ruin them. Zarai, you are a lady for Creator's sake, act like one. If you are to marry after this season it should be in your best interest to act like a proper lady. I should have listened to Queen Alibeth and sent you to a boarding school here. Caesonian values are much more suitable for a lady of your standing."[/color] [color=95AA71]"It was stuffy."[/color] Zarai shrugged a shoulder, ignoring the patronizing tone of her mother's voice. Instead, she shoved her hands in the pockets of her trousers, looking for a minor distraction which she indeed found. A small piece of folded paper that was not there before, Zarai pulled it out while her mother continued to scold her as they walked. [indent][indent][indent][indent][I] Dear Zarai Lesdeman. The night has just begun. Come to 420 Wicker Street. It's the only warehouse in sight. Titles will be left at the door. Anyone who looks down on controversial ways of amusement, or who would inform who they shouldn't, shall not be invited. Tell no one you are going or where you are going [/i][/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent] [color=95AA71]"Oh shit-"[/color] [color=silver]"What?"[/color] Her mother stopped, and Zarai almost bumped into her mother, but trained feet and quick reflexes stopped her from doing so. She shoved the note into her mouth before her mother could turn to look at her. She shook her head quickly with an innocent smile; her mother just narrowed her eyes and turned back around to continue her lecture. [color=silver]"You will dance this time, and you will not leave my sight for the rest of the night, Zarai Luzero."[/color] The Duchess finally stopped walking and turned to look at her daughter. Her dark eyes glared daggers down at her daughter. [color=silver]"I will find a [I]man[/i] with a title and wealth. And if I cannot, I will fetch Lord Monet because I do not know a single man from Varian willing to dance with you after you've driven your reputation to the ground."[/color] Her words were like needles to Zarai. They were small and insignificant, but with enough of them and the right amount of pressure, they stung enough to make anyone shed a tear. Zarai was no different. Although she had heard those words for years now in a myriad of ways in all tones one could possibly produce, the works stung like a snake's bite today. Tears began to swell up in her eyes but Zarau would curse herself if she allowed herself to cry in the presence of her mother. She bit her tongue, and a bit of the note, looking at her mother but unable to meet the cold gaze. Everything fiber of her body screamed for her to do something [i]anything[/i]- but her body felt like she'd been thrown into the Northern Seas. All she could do was nod. The Duchess took a deep breath before speaking again, [color=silver]"Zarai, I want the best for you. I want you to be happy, a proper lady in a good marriage with a respectable man who will continue to run Puerto Vira."[/color] Her voice had softened now, almost gentle and soothing, but Zarai could see through it all. [color=silver]"Stay here, okay? I'll find a nice gentleman for you."[/color] The Duchess took her daughter's hands and gently squeezed them before pulling back and walking away. Zarai watched her mother and made sure she was out from sight before finally allowing herself to breathe and quickly spit out the note. [color=95AA71]"[I]Your reputation bad, find you a man, run the city-[/i]"[/color] She rolled her eyes and pocketed the piece of paper. Her mother was right, though; she had to find a husband and not because of the Duchess's reasons, but because Zarai would not allow herself to be married off to whoever her mother wished. Her nose continued to sting as tears threatened to spill. Luckily a distraction presented itself; the sound of the slap overtook the music. Zarai's head snapped to the growing commotion but dared to not move. She could not quite see what was going on from her position, only hearing a noblewoman complain and belittle a servant. She wanted to move, to step in or do something but the venomous words of her mother continued to echo in her mind. [/color][/indent]