"This ensemble would work well for tonight."
A
sapphire blue sweater
with slim-cut black pants was handed to me first.
"The material of both are a wool blend that’s warm without being bulky. They’ll be plenty warm."
I ran my fingers over the fabric. Nowhere near the wool from my world’s
most lauded
sheep shifters, on that
distant island nation
of theirs... but it had a pleasant enough feel.
The particular blue seemed to brighten the sense of my
light complexion
even further in this room’s lighting.
"These are some other selections I believe will fit."
Holding up a blouse with what she called a
crossover front
, I was immediately
intrigued
. Like a shirt that implies some of the lines of a robe.
Several other more
neutral
and
simple
tops were brought, but it was hard to look away from the first and she could obviously tell.
"It would still work as a layer underneath the sweater and be striking when worn alone. Your skin is rather fair and with your black hair, bold reds have quite the contrast."
The rich color had certainly drawn my eye - as a reminder of my
former status
. As well as... a momentary reminder of the red worn underneath a
sleek white suit
.
"I... like it."
Words that came out with more
uncertainty
than assurance because of my
stray thoughts
, but Anise didn’t prod. She let me touch and hold up some of the simpler colored items before bringing another choice.
"For special occasions - or meetings where you need to make an impression."
A solid black dress with s
heer fabric
from the top of the bust to the neckline and shoulders that she said was an ’illusion’ neckline.
The material looked
well fitted
to the point that I would be surprised if anyone without the
exact right measurements
would ever find comfort inside it.
"It’s a modal blend designed to be versatile. Closer to the feel of a natural fiber but with added durability. The simplicity allows for accessorizing according to the occasion - and the structured tailoring ensures it flatters your specific figure."
The black reminded me too much of the
fur
of the Duskpaw for my preference. Yet, my
alternate forms
were not just going to
sprout
a different color.
They are also
not the only
black wolves in the world.
As much as I wanted nothing that would
connect
me to them, a
neutral color
should not be my ’line in the sand’.
"I’ll try it on, but I usually prefer items with more vibrancy. You mentioned accessories?"
"I can bring a few things over that I think might help make the look yours when you are trying it on."
With a nod given, she moved to point out a few final things.
"One sweater is going to get old, so you’ll need something else for colder days."
She presented a lightweight but
warm-looking
’cardigan’ in a deep navy. Helene had owned one of the button-up sweaters in the
earthen tones
the Duskpaw favored.
A gift from
Kyle’s mother
for her eighteenth birthday. One of the few especially kind women in that village.
Of course, with the original body’s
terrible luck
, it was the clothing she was wearing when she
half-drowned
in a lake.
> You don’t have to feel so much shame just from seeing a piece of clothing. It wasn’t your fault that it tore when you shifted to save her. Maybe you should be in charge of my time when there is a chance for me to primp. I do not desire to be this world’s cliche of a woman who takes two hours to get ready to go anywhere. A comrade, of sorts! The number two is balance. It is correct. Not too much that it grows excessive, but not so singular that it feels alone. <
Vrika paid no attention to my
monologue
, too eager for me to get to tasting the food. Which was still hidden beneath
black ceramic lids
emblazoned with silver characters.
The language... I am
unfamiliar
with from both sets of memories. Not that I expected any different.
"Thank you as always, Reina. Please tell your grandfather I’ll actually find the time to come in person someday."
The young woman
bowed gracefully
from her hips before departing. An interesting action for a person of this ’modern’ world to take.
Cultural? Not something I think I could
ever
do so
easily...
Being so...
trusting
.