Wintersend Gifts

[madame_de_fer]

WHO: Vivienne and YOU
WHAT: Giving out Wintersend gifts
WHEN: Wintersend (backdated to Feb 1st)
WHERE: Skyhold
NOTES: If you have a shred of positive CR with Vivienne, or happen to be someone that would be considered a key political ally to have, gifts are forthcoming.

Shoot me a message and I'll set you up a subthread. Come get your goodies!

Comments

[kallian_endris]

Kallian has no idea what to truly expect when she is summoned. Truthfully, she's still getting used to the idea of people paying attention to her at all, let alone bestowing her with gifts. She drops a small curtsey upon arrival, a small box clutched in her hands.

"...this is for me?" she asks shyly, half-disbelieving, when presented with the parcel, "That's very kind of you, madame, thank you."

And then she actually opens the gift and sees the beautiful scarlet silk that spills over her hands, and she actually gasps aloud and very nearly drops it in shock.

"Oh... oh, madame! Oh my goodness, it's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen! I've never had anything like this before. I-I don't know what to say. Oh... Oh, Maker, you are far too generous, madame. I don't know where I would even wear something like this!" she gushes. "Truly, madame... It's... it's too much for a simple healer." She blushes.

[madame_de_fer]

"Nonsense, darling, it suits you perfectly. I am a little concerned if it will fit you properly, I had to give your measurements by sight alone." She's not worried about it being too tight, but that something might lay slightly off. It shouldn't though. Vivienne's got a good eye for these things.

She does smile at the enthusiastic reaction, however. It's endearing. "Servants in the houses of Orlais dress in colors to match the masks of their lord or lady. It allows them to be identified as a representative of the house while going about their business." All part of the Game, when even the servants buying food or supplies in town implies where the noble's preferences lay, and where others should send their business.

[kallian_endris]

"I... I could try it on..." She sees a little area where she can change clothes. "I'll be right back."

She darts into it and a few minutes later comes back out in the red dress, though it's slightly loose on her.
"Um... I can't quite get the laces tight enough in back... Could you help me, please?" she asks shyly. Meanwhile, she's playing with the skirts a little, making them swish around her legs.

[madame_de_fer]

In Orlais, a woman of any standing helping dress an elf like she were a lady's maid would be an unforgivable scandal. But in Skyhold with no one around to see or comment or shun, it's nothing for Vivienne to see to Kallian's laces. She's done as much for her fellow mages while growing up in the Circle and she would dare anyone to call her out for it regardless.

As she thought, the dress was perhaps a hair loose, but the lacing allowed for that slight problem to resolve itself. As she finishes tying them into an elegant knotted bow, Madame de Fer shares the remainder of her gift. A choice.

"I have something more for you. You will, of course, wish to consider it fully before making a decision. I will write to the du Poivrers and secure you a place in their house." She pauses, partially to allow the information to sink in. Partially to give Kallian a look over and decide she's satisfied with the effect of her handiwork with the dress. "Or, I can offer you a place in my employment."

It would mean the mask and the colors would change, but that's a trifling matter.

[kallian_endris]

Kallian is stoic as the laces are properly tightened. At least, until she catches a glimpse of herself in a mirror and blanches.

"Oh... Oh, Maker." She stares, not sure whether to be amazed or horrified. All eyes would be on her. And, oh, goodness, it did make quite a show of her charms, putting much more of her pale skin on display than usual. "Everyone... everyone will be looking at me in something like this. I... I didn't think elves were allowed to dress like this. Even for our weddings. This dress is nicer than any bride's I've ever seen..."

And then her eyes get big and round at Vivienne's offer.
"You... want to place me with a noble house? Madame, I... That was always my mother's dream for me, but... I will certainly think about it." She bites her lip. "What would it mean to be in a position like that?"

[madame_de_fer]

"My dear, you look beautiful." Vivienne gracefully sidesteps the question if elves were allowed to dress thus. Of course they are, they seldom do, being typically unwilling or unable to.

Instead, she makes herself busy inspecting for correct flow of the fabric, that all is laying as it ought. A slight adjustment to one of the sleeves. In just one dress, Madame de Fer has confirmed just what she suspected all along: that this pretty elf could easily slide into the halls of the nobility as a favored servant or bard. All she would need would be adequate training and perhaps a stylist for her hair, for the best effect.

To answer Kallian's question, she finally stops fussing with the dress. It's quite good. "That would depend entirely on their staffing needs, though I cannot imagine they would put someone so pretty, with your gifts, in the scullery scrubbing. Perhaps as a maid for one of their daughters. Of course, you would wear the family colors, so you would represent them outside their home as well, while at the market for example, and thus you would want to do so in the best light possible."

[kallian_endris]

"I... I see, ah... thank you..." She's blushing, not used to attention or compliments. "Though... if I did... I would have to leave Skyhold, wouldn't I? Leave the Inquisition, if I went to work for them?"

Shyly, she looks up again.
"And... what would it mean were I to work for you, madame?"