Timestamp: 15 Summer, 512AV
Stepping out of her shelter - a shanty that was formerly the shack (generously called, of course) she had grew up in, Ariadne loosed a satisfied sigh. With literally the clothes on her back and the possessions in her bag, she would be leaving the house (now that was just delusional) that had served for her home for many years. And all those years were haunted by ghosts better left buried than lived nightly as she came back to this place. All of that was soon to change, though, as she had submitted her application for a new living quarter today. She still smiled whenever she thought of living somewhere else rather than the place that she had literally grown up in, and leaving all the memories it contained.
The house was more now of a lean-to shelter, the storm last spring decimating the poor dwellings she had lived in all her life. Two walls were still standing somehow, a feat she tribute to luck more than craftsmanship. A third wall had been halved, and the fourth was missing completely. The roof was slumped in some places and missing in others, and no matter how often she cleaned the floor of debris it seemed that the following day there would still be some to remove. The most embarrassing part was that it looked poor. Ariadne could live poor (though she absolutely hated every minute of it) but for Rhysol’s sake, appearances were everything to her.
Ariadne looked over her former home, and didn’t quite understand the emotions that surfaced. Jubilation, certainly – she had been waiting for this for so long, holding onto her dream of escaping those four walls with a nearly vicious tenacity. Yet others rolled under the joy she felt, however. The expected nervous fear that all children felt when they left the roost: this was her childhood home, and regardless of the less-than-satisfactory childhood she had, there were good memories scattered among the sour ones. Panic, though she lumped that with the fear. And a strange, reflective disquiet filled her, the overwhelming yet subtle sensation that was the culprit for her hesitation. The young woman could not begin to understand what would spur such a reaction, but she learned a long time ago how to combat it – alcohol. Or some other such substances that could offer the same oblivious escape.
With one last look Ariadne left without looking back, falling into the rhythm of a brisk walk. Dwelling on such unpleasantness was a waste of time, and she had errands to run today. In particular hitting a few shops and making some purchases. Absentmindedly her hand crept under her fitted hip-length coat to feel the reassuring weight of the gold mizas contained within. Since the robberies following the storm, she had to recuperate some of the lost items – some cosmetics and perfumes, perhaps another outfit, a small knife. The knife especially – it had a habit of making pick-pocketing easier.
After a little walk she found herself outside of the first shop on her agenda. A carved sign hung above the door, the only object outside the storefront to be called “plain,” and in simple script declared the shop “Odds and Ends.” The shutters had been thrown open to reveal colourful merchandise inside, no doubt to catch the eye of a passing customer-to-be. Ariadne could not deny that the tactic was effective - she operated in a similar fashion, as it were.
Ariadne walked in and was immediately greeted by an extremely large man holding a make-shift weapon of thick wood and iron spikes. Although she had expected him, the man still managed to shock her near wit-less. Ariadne offered a beauteous smile and was utterly ignored after he glanced at her once. She had been expecting that as well and dismissed the large man to walk deeper into the shop. She didn’t need to go far to find Gloria in her usual place. The woman was a little shorter than Ariadne and significantly rounder than the young woman. She smiled warmly at Ariadne and greeted her, waiting patiently until Ariadne might need assistance. The young woman walked around the store, taking in the shelves and racks that lined the walls from floor to ceiling and were laden with items from shovels to belts, the array of colours mildly dizzying. Elsewhere, tables, crates and chests were crowded with other items. Ariadne took her time, curious hands feeling fabrics and leathers and countless others until she came upon a table with sundry beauteous items laid out. She found a kit that contained various cosmetic items – kohl for the eyes, paint for the lips and eyes, and powder for cheeks. Ariadne picked it up, intent on purchasing it, when she espied another need-to-have purchase – a bottle of perfume. She picked it up and unstopped the cork, smelling the opening inquisitively. The perfume smelled common, a simple mix of something sweet yet slightly spicy. She put her finger on the opening and upped the bottle briefly, and dabbed the perfume onto her wrist. She smelled her wrist, and although the perfume smelled cheap, it also had a slightly alluring scent to it. Not something she would normally wear, but considering her depleted supply Ariadne supposed that beggars really couldn’t be choosers. She added the bottle to the cosmetic kit.
Not finished with her shopping, Ariadne looked around until she found a pair of leather pants, complete with corset ties up at the top. In rapid succession she collected a red linen chemise and a pair of leather gloves. She stopped at a chest full of copper jewelry, briefly tempted to look through the collected treasures. Unfortunately, there was more to buy and no spare mizas for frivolous purchases.
Ariadne walked up to the desk, Gloria still patiently awaiting her. The young woman placed her treasures on the table for Gloria to tally up. Once finished, she gave Ariadne the final price and with a repressed wince Ariadne unstrung her purse and thumbed out the appropriate amount while Gloria put her purchases into a sack for easy transportation.
Cosmetic, Unusual (Kohl) – 25 sm Cosmetic, Unusual (Lip paint) – 20 sm Cosmetic, Unusual (Cheek powder) – 10 sm Cosmetic, Unusual (Eye paint) – 15 sm Perfume – 4 gm Leather, Pants – 8 sm Chemise, Linen – 1 sm Leather, Gloves – 5 sm
Total: 4 gm, 84 sm Ariadne collected her belongings and left the shop, heading to her next destination.
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