Cherubplay

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The suit did look quite fetching and he followed quickly, going into one of the dressing rooms when she indicated them. He liked the subtle touch of opal on the buttons, and once the vest was handed to him he oohed over it a bit. It was beautiful, and he did love paisley sorts of patterns, and soon slipped it on, buttoning it before fastening the waistcoat over top of it. "Kanaya you are a dream, this vest, this ensemble is spectacular. You should be more appreciated, with this kind of tailoring and eye for design." He stepped out of the dressing room and spun for her. "You know what I think of it, but what do you think? Fitting?" he grinned. "Do you think I'll need some manner of necktie or are those not 'in'?"

"Sure, thanks Tavbro," he smiled, taking the little fruit. He ate one of the sections, and marveled at the flavor. Citrus wasn't something that grew readily out in the woods, requiring a lot of sun, even more than the little spaces without trees could provide. He thought it would make a very bright uplifting sort of dessert... something he really wanted to try. "It's very good... If you think we've got enough for it, you should get a number of them. I've got an idea for 'em I might be able to try out."

2014-08-08 07:02:22
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"Many thanks, dear. As for neckties..." Hers was the type that was quick to approve but even quicker to criticize. Oftentimes, she adopted a specific look on her face, a particular squint of the eyes and a hold of the chin as she stared at the outfit. It looked dashing on him, the cut was perfect and Eridan was more regal than Gamzee, sophisticated enough to appreciated a double suit coat as opposed to a single. Just a matter of poise. "It appears uneven without something to accentuate the collar," She decided, looking over the shelves of bowties and ties to the right of the racks of suits. If she chose a normal tie, it would cover the buttons, -which she had painted herself- and that would not do in the slightest. She chose an elegant black bowtie, a classic with the very outer edges outlined with the same opal-like color as the buttons. "Try this," She handed the tie to him, "I believe this will highlight the buttons, which are otherwise understated without a bit of assistance."

Vriska was pretty used to more tropical flavors, and the clementine just made her nostalgic for the quaint island by the Screechlands. They often had oranges and limes there, sometimes would infuse them in their teas, and she suddenly remembered the first tea she had ever tried from them: Morning Citrus, and it was a bright tea specifically to wake one up and rejuvenate them. She was almost saddened by it all, but distracted herself with browsing. Excited at the prospect of getting more clementines, he rushed back to the vendor and hastily asked for the price. Since producing fruit by magic was a relatively easy means, most fruits and vegetables were cheap. Tavros bought the midblood standard, twelve clementines for two bronze, -a deal that would have been laughable in Alternia- and returns to Gamzee with such a grin, he almost thought he was going to get stuck that way. "Gamzee, I can almost not believe it; have you seen these prices?"

2014-08-08 07:37:56
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He took the bowtie almost eagerly and walked back to the dressing room mirror, tying it effortlessly. After straightening it he came back out, practically preening. "It really does help the buttons stand out more; it's lovely. ...after all this you'll have an awful lot of business if you stay here; I'm already planning on showing this off to friends back home. I don't doubt they won't want to come up and get some things from you." It felt fantastic to be so fancy. He wondered what kind of attention looking this good would get him in Starnette... begrudging respect, or even more revilement for posing as one of them, perhaps? He'd just have to wait and see. After Kanaya had given it her final approval, he started redressing in his previous clothes.

Putting the clementines away in his bag, he browsed around for the other ingredients he'd need for what he was planning. "Yea, they're wicked low. Little surprised. How much were those fruits? Never seen anything like 'em before.... seem to have a lot of similar stuff here, though..." He acquired small bags of flour and sugar, just what he'd need from what the recipe he'd looked up in his book said. A few eggs, delicately packed and cartoned -well cushioned for the journey-, frozen milk so that it would keep over their travel time. They were small amounts so they didn't take up unnecessary room, and he fit more vegetables in among what he already had. "Think that's pretty good for food, Tav," he said, after getting a dark loaf of bread. "Want to head over to Kanaya's now, or keep browsing a little?"

2014-08-08 15:06:02
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She smiled, a bit embarrassed as she fiddled with the rings on her fingers, "Oh, Hare, dear, you flatter me so! I will have to work on a line of clothing specifically for sea dwellers," She wasn't sure how well that suit would do near water, -she doubted it would do well at all- but she had never had sea-oriented customers before. "I would probably have to look into my own strands of fabric," She mused, "I get my swatches from Starnette, usually, but I highly doubt they have anything for sea dwellers at all." It would be a worthy project, she supposed, to find what clothing was best for water. Before she got too invested in it, she waved Eridan over once he was out the dressing room, "This is one of the more expensive cuts, so it is still a little pricey, even with the discount. It'll be 20 silver, please."

Vriska strayed back to them after a little while, a couple different fruits in her hands. Some of the nicer vendors gave out free samples, and, seeing how Tavros and Gamzee had never had much to taste in terms of food, it would be good for them to have a broader palate. "I think we should get to Ms. Kanaya's, Tavros decided, his eyes falling on the fruits that Vriska brought. She smiled slightly, "Do you have any idea as to what these are, Alice?"

"No idea."

Vriska named off the different fruits in her arms: a kiwi, a banana, a lemon, and an avocado. The names didn't make much of a difference to Tavros, who wanted to munch on them all right then but thought they should get to Kanaya's, first. So he headed out the market place and back towards the boutique.

2014-08-08 15:25:52
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He paid her and packed the suit away nicely. "That would be quite nice, things for under the sea as well as on land. I'd have to bring more people to make it worth your while. And twenty silver is still much less than what I'm sure other places would charge for such a fine set... Do you mind if I just wait here with you for the other's to arrive?"

Gamzee followed along, lost in plant thought. If course he was also keeping his mind off of other matters, like their play acting they'd need to take up soon. He hoped their would be minimal trouble and that his fears would end up looking foolish.

The fruits were intriguing and he remembered their names, wanting to see how they tasted also but not planning on asking. He thought maybe Vriska was putting the pale moves, so to speak, on Tavros and didn't want to disturb that. He could always get some later which he could also experiment with.

2014-08-08 16:08:27
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"I do not mind at all," Kanaya replied, glad for the company, as she was usually alone if she was not with a customer. Speaking of which, a woman rushed into the store shortly after Kanaya took to packing Eridan's elaborate suit into one of the paper bags. She often shopped at the boutique, evidenced by the style that was uniquely the Maryam's, She was off to work that morning when her heel broke, and she could not /possibly/ step foot into the workplace looking that way! She hadn't the time to go back to her hive, so the only way she could make it to work was to stop by the store. Kanaya took one look at her work uniform and found suitable shoes, -at an affordable, nearly cheap price- to which the woman paid immediately, pecked Kanaya's cheek, then flew out the store almost as quickly as she came in.

Kanaya laughed, "You would not believe how many fashion-related disasters she suffers."

Tavros chattered excitedly with Vriska about all the different things he had never tried before, and Vriska spoke to him about her travels on the sea. It was easy to be as seasoned as a highblood while maintaining her lowblood status with her ship and her treasure hunting. Economically, both she and Eridan were of at least a yellowblood's status, but because of their blood, they often could not carry more than bronze or the occasional silver on them. Once in Kanaya's store, they were greeted with her usual bright smile and a happy 'hello!' to which both Vriska and Tavros returned with greetings of their own.

2014-08-08 16:43:23
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"What will they do here without you?" Eridan smiled. When the others came in he gave then another quick smile in greeting, settling around the other males aimlessly expecting that Vriska would be getting the same treatment that he just had. He wondered if Tavros had explained the landdweller sentiment to Gamzee or of he was still clueless. He'd figured he'd better explain in case he hadn't but waited to pull him aside until the others were busy.

Gamzee, in the wake of the other two was just cruising on auto pilot following them, but noticed and returned Kanaya's greeting. If they were going to do anything before this train shenanigans he'd be present but probably silent.

2014-08-08 17:02:57
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The jadeblood had taken Vriska to the side to find a suitable fancy dress for her as she, similarly to Eridan, was normally wearing something rather high-end to begin with. Vriska settled with a tight-fitting dress with a corset, something a bit more 'elegantly flashy' that she thought matched Vriska's personality to a T.

Tavros, while the girls were going over clothing, had taken the fruit from Vriska and was studying it. First up was the banana, a fruit he had never seen before, and was currently trying to figure out how to eat it. Did he just bite it, like an apple? He looked to Eridan a bit helplessly, "Have you had one of these, before? Vriska said it was, um..a nabana? Nana,,," He was clearly struggling with the pronunciation, so he just held out the fruit sheepishly, "One of these."

2014-08-08 17:17:07
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Eridan looked over, surprised to be talked to. "Banana, sure." He took the fruit and punctured the skin with a claw tip make pulling the peel away easier. He peeled it down for him a little ways and handed it back. "The fruit is on the inside; the peels are completely terrible, though. Completely bitter. They're pretty strange, you ought to see how they grow." While Tavros marveled at the fruit, he spoke in hushed tones to the other violet.

As he'd expected the other had equally little clue about such things, and immediately felt awful and embarrassed that he'd made the others uncomfortable. Gamzee would have asked Tavros why he didn't tell him about the privacy of purring, but thought the copper blood would have expected him to know. He'd have to pay closer attention to that in the future. While Vriska was dressing he went and quietly apologized to the jade, not making excuses for his ignorance even if he didn't have cause to know about such a custom.

2014-08-08 17:34:57
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Kanaya, really, was over the dinner issue of the evening before, and she waved off Gamzee's guilt. "It is fine, honestly," She assured, "A minor offense, if anything. I understand that there are just some cultural things that will go over your head, which is fine," She looked over at Vriska when she came out with her normal clothes on after having displayed her fancy dress. Kanaya had made some minor adjustments, mostly towards the bust and the corset itself, but Vriska paid for the clothing easily and packed it away with her things.

Tavros scampered over to Vriska after thanking Eridan for explaining the fruit to him and peeling it. He smiled up at Vriska, who, somewhat bashfully, returned it and split the banana with him, but Tavros didn't eat it yet. Instead, he broke his piece in half and waited for Gamzee to stop talking to Kanaya to offer him a piece.

2014-08-08 17:49:03
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It was nice that she was over it but it didn't keep Gamzee from thinking about everything he potentially didn't know. If he did something wrong in Starnette it could mess this up, so he felt immediately inclined to learn more social conduct. He found the whole incident troubling and hated that he'd caused someone as nice as Kanaya even a moment of discomfort. He wandered back to Tavros's side absently, hardly paying attention and not noticing the fruit offered to him in the slightest he was so deep in thought. If only her had a proper book to read about it all.

Eridan was mulling around and biding his time, and wandered to Vriska's side. "It suited you well." He commented about the dress. He wasn't all that annoyed anymore.

2014-08-08 18:02:50
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Having fully expected Eridan to just ignore her, Vriska was caught off-guard when he actually spoke to her. "Oh," Her eyes focused on him, raising an eyebrow as if asking what he was up to before politely answering, "Well. Thank you. Kanaya has excellent taste."

"My, you all are going to stuff my ego silly!" It was one thing for locals to like her work, it was another for outsiders, -even Alice!- to think that her clothing was something remarkable. It was obvious how much work Kanaya put into her clothing, and she regarded every piece, every completed ensemble, as a work of art. Tavros, feeling a little ignored, lowered his hand, as well as his ears; he guessed that Gamzee wasn't purposefully ignoring him, but he still felt a little weird about it.

Kanaya pulled off her work apron and hung it up on a peg behind her desk, taking her own bag from underneath it. It was not the standard pack for one's back, but a stylish tote mostly holding her clothing, "But, I believe we have everything sorted? There is a train that leaves at ten thirty, we have a little bit of time to catch it."

2014-08-08 19:34:01
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Surfacing from his thoughts almost like he was washing up, Gamzee looked down at Tavros with a puzzled expression. "Why the droopy ears, Tav?" He had to work on focusing a little bit, so his eyes were a bit unfocused until he managed to Vincent fully on his little matesprit. "That one of those killer fruits Vriska gave you? How do you like it?"

Eridan nodded his agreement to Vriska's compliment. "Is the station far? We may need some extra time to finagle ourselves aboard." He pretty much ignored Vriska's look, not up to anything at all.

2014-08-08 19:44:28
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"It's alright, it is sweet. Sort of, uh. Tangy? I do not like the after taste very much, but the texture is okay. I probably would not eat another one if I could help it." He was nibbling on his banana at the time of the question, and he glanced up at Gamzee, trying to force the slightly gloomy look from his disposition. "Oh, uh. I am fine. It was just that I was talking to you and you kind of ignored me." He shook his head, not really wanting to dwell on it - he didn't think Gamzee would ignore him on purpose. Holding out the banana portion, he offered, "Here."

"From here? About a twenty minute walk, not too far at all." Kanaya flicked off lights and took her keys, locking up the back room and making sure the heavy metal that went over her windows was pulled down to make sure no one broke in while she was gone. "We should get going, then," Vriska readjusted her bag on her back, "You think so, Alice?"

Tavros nodded, a bit of a blank look on his face for a couple seconds as he thought about everything; he had to make sure that they had everything before they went to Starnette, but he could not think of any other pressing matters. So, he headed out, waiting briefly for Kanaya to lock up the shop behind her before they all walked to the station.

2014-08-08 21:51:53
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He was slightly taken aback. "Shit, Tavbro, I'm sorry, I was thinkin' real hard and musta zoned out somethin awful. Sorry, sweetheart," he muttered, expression turning a bit droopy too; he felt like such a fuck up. "...thanks," he said, when handed the banana, and nibbled on it. He pretty much agreed with Tavros's assessment, but thought they might make something better cooked...maybe he'd have to look into recipes in his book when they were on the train and see if it had anything to say on the matter.

The station on the Undlegire end was set up in the same design as the rest of the town, though the actual train was more flashy and somewhat incongruous. A first small look at the tastes of Starnette. Gamzee and Eridan began playing their parts, both standing behind Tavros, and actually able to look around a little instead of hunkering. They followed the other three up to the station and the ticket master and a couple other workers, waiting to see how their ruse was taken by the employees.

2014-08-08 22:14:59
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Undlegire was normally used as a passageway to Starnette, so while the midbloods themselves were usually less inclined to be too uptight about bloodcolor, the officials of the city that were closely intertwined with Starnette, thought differently. Vriska, for the most part, was silent; she simply looked around, her hands by her side and her stance a bit rigid, and she stood a couple steps behind him, not on the same level as Kanaya and Tavros. The ticketmaster, much like the guards outside the city, asked for blood color and occupation, to which Tavros smoothly replied.

"Behind me are two purplebloods, both of which are my body guards. My assistant," He gestured to Vriska, "A blueblood. And just a friend," He inclined his head to Kanaya, "A jadeblood."

The ticket master, familiar with Kanaya from having seen her every single weekend for sweeps, nodded to her and smiled a bit; she was an upstanding young lady, quite respectable in the merchant world after having made a local name for herself. The ticket master stated the price, and Tavros paid easily while a few of the workers looked over their bags and checked their pockets before deeming them safe. Ten-thirty soon hit, and Tavros found the car that they were supposed to stay in for the three hours to Starnette.

Just like the outside of the train, the inside was just as gaudy, and Kanaya groaned, "That is the only issue with traveling from Undlegire to Starnette," She complained, "The decor is such an eyesore that I am nearly blinded!"

Tavros, due to his blood color, was not allowed to sit anywhere that was not first-caste. His companions were free to roam, but, legally, his ticket in particular could not state he sat in the middle-section unless the first-caste was completely filled. He thought this to be preposterous, and eventually moved from the high-class seating to middle-class, which really was not that much of a difference aside from decorations and the prices for things, as well as the service. An attendant assisted them in putting their things away, the train organized like all the ones running through Starnette, that being it held two rows of booth-like seats with polished wood in-between them. Tavros smoothed into one seat after tucking his dress beneath him, and Vriska sat in another behind him. The train had not yet left, and he stared out at the station from his seat. He hoped that Gamzee would sit across from him, and that Eridan, Vriska, and Kanaya would sit in the seat behind him.

The jadeblood slipped elegantly in a seat across from Vriska, noting her slightly tense posture. Vriska wasn't too keen on fast speeds, mostly used to the gentle rock of her ship.

2014-08-08 22:31:39
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Eridan felt nearly blinded himself, with all the metallic finishes on everything. He bid a silent somewhat sad goodbye to Undlegire and especially it's much gentler design choices as he sat next to Vriska. He wasn't all that sure what to expect from train locomotion, but the cobalt he sat next do didn't look too excited about the prospects. He was a little worried about being bored on the three hour trip, but supposed he could talk with the two ladies some to pass time. They were pretty enjoyable company.

Gamzee did sit across from Tavros, also wondering what this contraption was going to be like. He wasn't terribly nervous yet, as their story had gone through all right, but the closer they got to Starnette he imagined the more worried he would get. That or it would hit him all at once as they got there and he would act like a frightened rabbit until they were somewhere safe. It annoyed him that he felt like such a coward when it came to this new city, but it was conditioned in him. Also he really didn't want Tavros to have to deal with any sort of bullshit above what he was likely to get at the hands of the royal classes when he went to meet with them and attempt to switch things around.

Parts of the riddle came back to him and he thought about them slightly distracted. But soon he came out of it, not wanting to seem like he was ignoring Tavros again. He did wonder what kind of ...was it hardships? that Tavros was supposed to understand? Or something like that he had to learn about. Maybe it had something to do with this knight character, who he hoped was an okay dude. Maybe since he'd been hidden away, too, he might be just as clueless as the rest of them. What a curious final riddle.

He smiled a little at Tavros to show he was paying attention, wondering if they'd talk on the journey or if there would be people to avoid looking too friendly in front of in the cars the whole time.

2014-08-08 22:52:48
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As per usual, Kanaya had taken her sketchpad and a couple pencils out of her tote and began to scribble away on new designs. "Vriska, dear," She looked over at her, "How do you fare when it comes to the sea?"

She looked confused, "As you could imagine, I am often by the sea or in it. Normally, I'm on a ship. Why?"

"Eridan and I spoke about my creating a line of clothing for seadwellers," She smiled, "And, I was thinking, whoever else is so fond of massive bodies of water."

Tavros wasn't sure if he was allowed to be too lovey dovey with Gamzee; he was in the midblooded cart with everyone else, and, thus, was the only highblood in the cart, but it still made him uneasy. He decided to opt for little means of affection, like patting Gamzee's hand with his own and returning his smile tenderly. "Are you okay?" He asked, "You, um. Seem very concerned."

2014-08-08 23:15:21
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"That's brilliant, Vriska's had a couple things not hold up as well under the salty breezes. If you found some material more resistant to the wear... obviously whatever you designed would be lovely, I've no doubt." Surely such a fabric could be used for people living close by the seas too.

"Ah," Gamzee hadn't meant to look outwardly nervous. "I suppose it's just Kanaya's account of the state of things, and past experiences, gettin all tangled in my thinkpan. Probably just over worryin what won't be so bad." At least he dearly hoped so. He turned his hand up for just the briefest of moments to sort of hold hands with his copperblood love. Unlike Tavros's sweet pats he couldn't reach out, lest it look quite strange. A higher blood could be comfortable like that with a 'servant', but the opposite was not the case and it may have looked quite scandalous for Gamzee to initiate such contact, even though he wanted to return the small affection. So he made due with smiles.

2014-08-08 23:44:50
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Kanaya smiled a bit bashfully, "Truly, my dear Eridan, you give me more artistic licence than I believe I deserve! I will create some sketches now," She began, beginning a figure on her paper as she hummed happily, "Please, let me know what sea dwellers have a tendency to wear. I am afraid that I am really not too versed in the fashion there."

Vriska let out a little 'hmm' in thought, her chin in her palm as she peered over at Kanaya, "Definitely most anything with buttons, as zippers are liable to jam or rust out with the sea water. Normally something tight-fitting or loose, and showing skin is a must to some capacity."

Nodding understandingly, he gave a nearly imperceptible squeeze to his matesprit's hand. "Even if it /is/ that horrible, it will do no good to worry excessively. Please, do try to keep calm," He smiled softly at him, but it was riddled with his own concerns and sadness, "Things will change for the better soon enough. We just have to be patient and courageous."

2014-08-10 02:49:55
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"Certainly around the gills," he smiled. "Usually things that are streamlined for swimming, but for relaxing we like things more flowy, as Vriska mentioned, so it goes with the water currents. I could show you some pictures of home, might give a better idea than just my blabbering on." He was happy to pay plenty of compliments to one as nice as Kanaya, and dug around in his bag for a moment to pull out some stills. A number of them had other seadwellers, some were just pictures of coral reefs and different fish. There were a couple more action-like shots, one with someone who could have been Eridan's brother swimming toward a large animal-a whale or shark- and another of a female seadweller floating around with some cuddlefish.

Sighing a little Gamzee looked up and nodded at his matesprit and smiled gently. "What about you, Tavbro? Don't look to chill yourself, little droopy still. Worried about how everything's gonna get done?" He moved his fingers only a couple millimeters in a comforting pet under Tavros's hand.

2014-08-10 03:10:37
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Grateful for the photographs, her jade eyes poured over them, hastily scribbling down written details in a random corner of the paper. Kanaya was a perfectionist by any extension of the word, and she would probably spend many months perfecting prototypes and sketching designs until they were of the utmost flawlessness. If Eridan and Vriska would not wear her sea-inspired clothing, then no one would, she was convinced. Both of them had very unique styles but one could tell from first glance that their clothing was meticulously picked and arranged in such a way that reflected their personality. Kanaya could tell that Vriska was a bit wilder in her personality, she was a fiery, feisty gal, and Eridan looked much more reserved and sleek, but still biting in his own regard. Even Alice was neat and tidy in his clothing, cute with a touch of childishness, and Gamzee's clothing depicted a more laidback nature. Kanaya flipped to another page and began sketching again, a new idea in her mind, "You know," She initiated, "It is amazing what you can infer from one's fashion choices."

As interested in her words as ever, Vriska grinned, "Oh, yes? Tell us about your adventures in this boutique of yours, Maryam. Your trials and tribulations, your accomplishments and triumphs. I would certainly like to know how you came up with the idea of starting your own business. I appreciate good economics."

"Of course!" Tavros suppressed a sigh as he peered out the window, watching the world whirl by in elongated slinks of merging color, "I am both nervous and excited about starting! But, uh, at the same time, I have this unshakable feeling - and you know how I am about those." Intuition and feelings had never failed him now, and Tavros wasn't about to ignore them, "I feel as though Karkat Vantas will be very unlike, what we predict."

2014-08-10 03:24:59
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Eridan nodded at Vriska’s suggestion, as eager to hear what Kanaya would say and interested in knowing what she meant. Just from the small experience from the one other patron he’d seen outside their little group, he knew she was obviously well respected for advice and fashion assistance by at least her customers. The business in Undlegire must have been quite colourful at times, being something of a central point with the train to warmer blooded cities and their acceptance of the lower blood classes.

“What do you expect from such a brother? Got any other inklings of how he might be different?” Gamzee had no idea how this person was going to be. Sure, he was technically red, though brighter, but he’d also been secluded because of it. He couldn’t help feeling some empathy, and he was supposed to help them after all. Did Tavros think he might be difficult to convince? Everyone else had been relatively easy to get to go along with them. Perhaps Karkat would be quite difficult...the poem riddle did say something about a heavy amount of secrets. “Suppose he might be hard to convince?”

2014-08-10 03:48:03
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Kanaya had never given herself the title of 'good businesswoman' but she treated people of all bloodcolors and walks of life with respect and just tried to do well by everyone, which seemed to have paid her back in full. "You both know how I had just left Starnette after becoming utterly exasperated with the warmbloods," She paused to draw the motion of a particularly flowing skirt, "I made good money with Sollux, but it was not enough to purchase my own building, so I had first started in an apartment." She smiled down at her paper, remembering her beginning days with some fondness, "I made a few sparse shirts for the working men and women of my complex, and they thought that my work was spectacular. I had left Starnette thinking that I would find simple living within Undlegire. It was close enough to Starnette that I could see Sollux regularly, -I suppose he likened us to moirails, to an extent- but I was also safely tucked away among other midbloods. I had never thought that I would do much more than make my own clothes and make clothing for the friends I found in the complex; I had thought that the only way I could make and sell clothing is if I bought all the fabric from Starnette and started from scratch. It was the way I had always done it. But when I began making prototypes from local fabrics that some of my closer friends actually /adored/ - well, I guess you could say I knew that it was my calling." She laughed and flickered her eyes up to her friends, "I remember phoning Sollux after going over all my bills; taxes had gone up that sweep, and most of the money I had saved to purchase my own building went straight to maintaining my current living situation. He told me all sorts of things that were not quite reassuring; anywhere from 'that is horrible' to 'such is life, Kanaya.' But the next day, as I checked my mail in the first floor, a package had come in with all the money to buy a good sized corner building! Can you imagine!"

Clearly, in her mind's eye, Vriska could see the sheer excitement on her face, how thankful and grateful she was to have a friend like Sollux in her life. The gruff type that didn't seem to care but actually pulled through in the end. "Wow. It is hard to imagine that a yellowblood would be so generous."

"He is much more gentle than he likes to display," She said knowingly, "I bought the building that you all were in earlier. The location was perfect; it is so close to the marketplace, and the normal route that many take to get to their jobs, that it is honestly difficult to miss. I had enough to buy it and even begin the interior design. But by then, I was already hellbent on repaying Sollux for his generosity. It may have been pocket money compared to the amount that the government dishes out on his salary every month, but it meant so much to me. I was glad to know that our relationship did not just cease after I had moved away and stopped being his assistant."

Slowly, he shook his head, "No, it is not that I think he will be difficult to convince. It is more like...his personality. I believe we all thought, uh, of him as some kind of saintly figure?" Tavros tilted his head slightly, trying to find a way to phrase things that made so much sense in his thinkpan, "That he is patient and relatively easy to get along with, but I feel differently. I think that all these sweeps of isolation has made him callous and short tempered. I believe under all those layers is some sweetness, but, uh, it will be more difficult to get under than it was, say, for me with Vriska. I do not think that simply flashing the fact that I am Alice will do any good there."

2014-08-10 04:10:55
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Her story was quite interesting, and working her way up the way she had was impressive. This Sollux guy must have been nice somewhere, even if he didn't like to show it much, as he'd given her the ability to start her own business...just what she'd wanted. The potential early gruffness might not be the best start to things, but they'd all have other things to worry about too much to be all that concerned. Also he'd just have to get used to it and wasn't at his apartment all that much anyway by Kanaya's previous accounts, so that probably wouldn't end up being much of a problem.

Listening with interest at what Tavros had to say, he nodded his understanding. "I can see that. Probably might like to know you're honest, not just another highblood who'd rather he go away," he said quietly, not wanting to be overheard. "Different from the rest of the group, but not much. ....you know, I don't think Hatter and Hare expected you to be as nice as you were 'cause you're a highblood here, but maybe he will? If he's had contact with any of them...or maybe not? Surely once he gets to know you, and how we feel about you, he'll warm up some." He hoped the cherry blood wasn't too short tempered. He didn't do the best with yelling, and didn't really want to act like a chicken shit around their future acquaintance just because he was uncomfortable.

2014-08-10 04:30:38