It's A Fashion Secret!
Oct. 26th, 2009 12:49 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
kolfandom: Kingdom
characters: Loni, Mara
prompt: 31_days November 3rd: we are but weaklings pretending to be tough
Note: this is an initial draft, so there's a lot of telling instead of showing and things being repetitive/obvious. Will edit later <3.
Melodic tinkles wafted to the back room of the fledgling Hele Loa Boutique. Loni’s eyes raised from the gown in surprise, her plump lips gingerly spread around pins and needles. It was late afternoon, not long before the Boutique was set to close. Tourist season had ended, leaving customers few and far between during the hours Loni helped at her mother’s store. It had been two days since the door chimes had last announced the presence of a curious shopper on Loni’s shift.
But sales were sales, and the beading on this gown could wait a few moments.
Carefully Loni set the tools of her trade on the cluttered parsons table, tongue wetting dry lips. Her mother had left for groceries an hour ago; there was a good chance she could finish with whomever was out front. Already the white gown was beaconing to Loni’s fingers, wanting to be finished, worn, and adored by someone besides Loni’s biased eyes.
“Welcome to Hele Loa,” Loni’s smile was easily summoned as she pushed her way through the doors, searching for the client. Her instant cheer was not an act— she adored the Boutique, loved helping women find what suited them, watching them leave with a smile and none of the apprehension shopping always seemed to give adults.
Fashion should always make a person feel better about themselves, and if Loni could brighten a persons day with a beautiful skirt, so be it. There were other ways of saving the world than slaying daemons.
A rustle by the skirts Loni had painstakingly pieced together from vintage scarfs in June betrayed the client, and Loni pounced, parting the hangers to reveal….
To reveal a startled Mara, glasses hanging off her nose and mouth stretched thin in surprise.
“What are you doing here?” The woman demanded, taking two steps back.
Loni had seen a few Hele Loa items in Mara’s wardrobe, so her surprise at seeing the hunter here was not as profound. It would have been different story if she’d found a classmate here, but Mara was easy to manage and, hopefully, trust to keep a secret. “Robbing the place, of course!” She chimed, hands falling on lush hips.
Mara’s jaw dropped further, eliciting a melodic giggle from Loni not unlike the twinkle of the Boutique’s door chime. “Relax, darling, my mother owns the place. I’m surprised it wasn’t obvious— I’m pretty sure the two of us are the only Hawaiians in town. Now, what can I do for you? I hope not another skirt, you should really show off your legs more.”
“I— This isn’t you trying to give a makeover again, is it?” Mara suspiciously looked around, as if trying to find Loni’s Guardian Cohorts in the wings. But they were alone in a shop of beautiful clothes, and a bit of the tension left Mara’s shoulders. “Because no offense, but I don’t want to look like a teenager.”
“Silly, I do makeovers all the time for women that are totally age appropriate!” Loni leaned through the rack to grasp Mara’s arm, smiling brightly. “And Mara, your clothing really isn’t age appropriate in the slightest. Those baggy shirts are designed to hide what nature has taken from the middle aged, not showcase the body I know Hunting has given you.”
Mara shoved Loni’s hand away with the back of her hand, defensively covering her bust with her arms. “I don’t want to look like a tramp and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with the way I dress. I’m comfortable and that’s all that matters.”
Loni shook her head, working her way around the rack to take in the rest of Mara. She was, surprisingly, wearing a pair of pants and not one of those awful skirts Loni had come to associate the purple haired hunter with. Now that she thought on the matter, it surprised Loni to realize she hadn’t seen Mara in a skirt in quite a while.
“Well, the pants are a start. Obviously something must have triggered a need for an improved wardrobe— are you trying to catch a guy, Mara? Because I really think that De-”
“I don’t need to wear skirts anymore,” Mara said a little too quickly, one hand rising to rub at her reddening cheek. “No skewer, remember? Don’t need to lug it with me everywhere.”
Loni’s eyes disappeared in the crinkle of her smile. “I have to admit, that was an ingenious way of using fashion to your advantage, Mara!”
“Yeah, whatever. Look, I was just coming in to see if the shop had anything like, well, but you don’t, so I’ll just be going.” Mara backed away, flustered and stumbling over her words.
“Darling,” Loni’s hand reached out faster than Mara could run away, anchoring the older girl with her steel grip. “There’s no shame in needing help. I won’t judge, just tell Loni what you need and you’ll get it.”
Mara’s eyes beneath her glasses were too wide, her skin too tense beneath Loni’s fingers. Something was truly bothering Mara, and Loni was sure it wasn’t just fashion related. Concern flooded Loni. What could be going on in the hunter’s life to make Mara unable to meet Loni’s eyes?
“The shop really doesn’t have what I need.” Mara grumbled, eyes falling to the stained wood. “I should be going.”
Loni signed, removing her hand from Mara’s shoulder. She really hated to see another person in so much distress, especially when she didn’t know how to fix it. “I suppose with the hunting this is kind of silly to be asking, but can you keep a secret?”
That sent Mara’s eyes up, finally meeting Loni’s. “What kind of secret could you possibly have?”
“One that could ruin me,” Though the words were dramatic, they were spoke so soft, they barely left Loni’s lips. “If the kids found out, it would be just like how things were in Kapalua.”
She didn’t see Mara rolling her eyes, but it was obvious in the older girl’s tone. “We don’t exactly run in the same social circles outside of hunting, so I’m pretty sure any secret of yours is safe with me.”
Loni met Mara’s eyes, her lips set in a stern line. “I can make anything.”
“That’s your secret?” Mara was clearly not impressed, jaw tightening as if she contained a real secret, not a pitiful one such as Loni’s. Curious, Loni knew she had to solve what was bothering the other girl— if anything, it could take Loni’s mind off the weight she was confessing. Jane was the only other person who knew, and she wasn’t even aware of how much Loni did for the Boutique.
Loni waved distantly to the garments around them, mind still whirling with possibilities for what sort of a secret Mara could be holding in. “Half the things you see here? I made in my spare time. I can’t design, not like Jane can, but if you show me what you are looking for, I can create it, no problem at all.”
Mara looked around, taking in all the beautiful garments hanging in the shop. “You don’t want the other kids knowing you can sew? That’s a weird secret, but I guess I can get why you wouldn’t want people to know. Afraid people will be jealous?”
With a shake of her head, Loni laughed softly. She only wished. “We came from nothing on the islands. My mother made a living sewing, and I helped. Everyone at school knew… it was harder there, not being the new kid like I am here. Everyone knows your secrets back home.” Loni’s hands straightened a skirt on a nearby hanger. “It would be different here, of course, but everyone has those the little secrets you need to keep.”
“Well, I suppose you could help me… but it would have to be just the two of us. I can’t have anyone else knowing that I’ll be wearing it. Deon alone would never let me live it down. You have no idea how happy I am he’s not that sort of person, so as long as no one tells him I’ll be in the clear.”
“So it’s a fashion secret?” Loni’s eyes gleamed. They really were the best kind. “Of course I’ll keep your secret… if you’ll keep mine.”
Mara thrust out a hand, which Loni wrapped her own around. “We have a deal. Now, you said you can’t just design out of thin air, but can you make something off a picture? Or… from a still from tv?”
Loni’s teeth flashed white, like fangs against her tanned skin. “Of course, darling. I can do anything.”
characters: Loni, Mara
prompt: 31_days November 3rd: we are but weaklings pretending to be tough
Note: this is an initial draft, so there's a lot of telling instead of showing and things being repetitive/obvious. Will edit later <3.
Melodic tinkles wafted to the back room of the fledgling Hele Loa Boutique. Loni’s eyes raised from the gown in surprise, her plump lips gingerly spread around pins and needles. It was late afternoon, not long before the Boutique was set to close. Tourist season had ended, leaving customers few and far between during the hours Loni helped at her mother’s store. It had been two days since the door chimes had last announced the presence of a curious shopper on Loni’s shift.
But sales were sales, and the beading on this gown could wait a few moments.
Carefully Loni set the tools of her trade on the cluttered parsons table, tongue wetting dry lips. Her mother had left for groceries an hour ago; there was a good chance she could finish with whomever was out front. Already the white gown was beaconing to Loni’s fingers, wanting to be finished, worn, and adored by someone besides Loni’s biased eyes.
“Welcome to Hele Loa,” Loni’s smile was easily summoned as she pushed her way through the doors, searching for the client. Her instant cheer was not an act— she adored the Boutique, loved helping women find what suited them, watching them leave with a smile and none of the apprehension shopping always seemed to give adults.
Fashion should always make a person feel better about themselves, and if Loni could brighten a persons day with a beautiful skirt, so be it. There were other ways of saving the world than slaying daemons.
A rustle by the skirts Loni had painstakingly pieced together from vintage scarfs in June betrayed the client, and Loni pounced, parting the hangers to reveal….
To reveal a startled Mara, glasses hanging off her nose and mouth stretched thin in surprise.
“What are you doing here?” The woman demanded, taking two steps back.
Loni had seen a few Hele Loa items in Mara’s wardrobe, so her surprise at seeing the hunter here was not as profound. It would have been different story if she’d found a classmate here, but Mara was easy to manage and, hopefully, trust to keep a secret. “Robbing the place, of course!” She chimed, hands falling on lush hips.
Mara’s jaw dropped further, eliciting a melodic giggle from Loni not unlike the twinkle of the Boutique’s door chime. “Relax, darling, my mother owns the place. I’m surprised it wasn’t obvious— I’m pretty sure the two of us are the only Hawaiians in town. Now, what can I do for you? I hope not another skirt, you should really show off your legs more.”
“I— This isn’t you trying to give a makeover again, is it?” Mara suspiciously looked around, as if trying to find Loni’s Guardian Cohorts in the wings. But they were alone in a shop of beautiful clothes, and a bit of the tension left Mara’s shoulders. “Because no offense, but I don’t want to look like a teenager.”
“Silly, I do makeovers all the time for women that are totally age appropriate!” Loni leaned through the rack to grasp Mara’s arm, smiling brightly. “And Mara, your clothing really isn’t age appropriate in the slightest. Those baggy shirts are designed to hide what nature has taken from the middle aged, not showcase the body I know Hunting has given you.”
Mara shoved Loni’s hand away with the back of her hand, defensively covering her bust with her arms. “I don’t want to look like a tramp and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with the way I dress. I’m comfortable and that’s all that matters.”
Loni shook her head, working her way around the rack to take in the rest of Mara. She was, surprisingly, wearing a pair of pants and not one of those awful skirts Loni had come to associate the purple haired hunter with. Now that she thought on the matter, it surprised Loni to realize she hadn’t seen Mara in a skirt in quite a while.
“Well, the pants are a start. Obviously something must have triggered a need for an improved wardrobe— are you trying to catch a guy, Mara? Because I really think that De-”
“I don’t need to wear skirts anymore,” Mara said a little too quickly, one hand rising to rub at her reddening cheek. “No skewer, remember? Don’t need to lug it with me everywhere.”
Loni’s eyes disappeared in the crinkle of her smile. “I have to admit, that was an ingenious way of using fashion to your advantage, Mara!”
“Yeah, whatever. Look, I was just coming in to see if the shop had anything like, well, but you don’t, so I’ll just be going.” Mara backed away, flustered and stumbling over her words.
“Darling,” Loni’s hand reached out faster than Mara could run away, anchoring the older girl with her steel grip. “There’s no shame in needing help. I won’t judge, just tell Loni what you need and you’ll get it.”
Mara’s eyes beneath her glasses were too wide, her skin too tense beneath Loni’s fingers. Something was truly bothering Mara, and Loni was sure it wasn’t just fashion related. Concern flooded Loni. What could be going on in the hunter’s life to make Mara unable to meet Loni’s eyes?
“The shop really doesn’t have what I need.” Mara grumbled, eyes falling to the stained wood. “I should be going.”
Loni signed, removing her hand from Mara’s shoulder. She really hated to see another person in so much distress, especially when she didn’t know how to fix it. “I suppose with the hunting this is kind of silly to be asking, but can you keep a secret?”
That sent Mara’s eyes up, finally meeting Loni’s. “What kind of secret could you possibly have?”
“One that could ruin me,” Though the words were dramatic, they were spoke so soft, they barely left Loni’s lips. “If the kids found out, it would be just like how things were in Kapalua.”
She didn’t see Mara rolling her eyes, but it was obvious in the older girl’s tone. “We don’t exactly run in the same social circles outside of hunting, so I’m pretty sure any secret of yours is safe with me.”
Loni met Mara’s eyes, her lips set in a stern line. “I can make anything.”
“That’s your secret?” Mara was clearly not impressed, jaw tightening as if she contained a real secret, not a pitiful one such as Loni’s. Curious, Loni knew she had to solve what was bothering the other girl— if anything, it could take Loni’s mind off the weight she was confessing. Jane was the only other person who knew, and she wasn’t even aware of how much Loni did for the Boutique.
Loni waved distantly to the garments around them, mind still whirling with possibilities for what sort of a secret Mara could be holding in. “Half the things you see here? I made in my spare time. I can’t design, not like Jane can, but if you show me what you are looking for, I can create it, no problem at all.”
Mara looked around, taking in all the beautiful garments hanging in the shop. “You don’t want the other kids knowing you can sew? That’s a weird secret, but I guess I can get why you wouldn’t want people to know. Afraid people will be jealous?”
With a shake of her head, Loni laughed softly. She only wished. “We came from nothing on the islands. My mother made a living sewing, and I helped. Everyone at school knew… it was harder there, not being the new kid like I am here. Everyone knows your secrets back home.” Loni’s hands straightened a skirt on a nearby hanger. “It would be different here, of course, but everyone has those the little secrets you need to keep.”
“Well, I suppose you could help me… but it would have to be just the two of us. I can’t have anyone else knowing that I’ll be wearing it. Deon alone would never let me live it down. You have no idea how happy I am he’s not that sort of person, so as long as no one tells him I’ll be in the clear.”
“So it’s a fashion secret?” Loni’s eyes gleamed. They really were the best kind. “Of course I’ll keep your secret… if you’ll keep mine.”
Mara thrust out a hand, which Loni wrapped her own around. “We have a deal. Now, you said you can’t just design out of thin air, but can you make something off a picture? Or… from a still from tv?”
Loni’s teeth flashed white, like fangs against her tanned skin. “Of course, darling. I can do anything.”
