[Beautyfest] Makeup Stalls

by **Magpie** on October 1st, 2013, 1:10 pm

Timestamp: Late afternoon, 68th of Autumn 513AV

The makeup stall is in fact a series of stalls, with comfortable chairs lining the front counter, giving it the appearance of a very posh outdoor bar. The overhangs have been lengthened with thick white cotton, to allow the sunlight to diffuse inside, while still giving some respite from the direct sun. Each stall has 4-5 chairs in front of it, and each chair has an assortment of cosmetics displayed around a small mirror.

Tiny pots of powders and liquids, brushes, pencils, and numerous other cosmetic instruments are littered across the stalls, though the assortment is deceptive, as many items are duplicates of others found in front of the other chairs. Unusual applications are found as well, such as unusual colors, false eyelashes, and sequins. Women bustle behind the counter, supplying advice on technique and color, as well as offering to do a patron's makeup for them if they lack the skills themselves.

Generally, conversation is quiet but friendly, with frequent pauses as women lean forward to add that last line or brush of color between sentences. Advice is tossed back and forth, and some women make frequent use of the soap and napkins to erase their work and try again. While use of the makeup is free while at the counter, taking away any items from the counter requires a purchase, something the attending women strongly recommend in order to touch up one's eyeliner or lipstick throughout the day.

Makeup applications are typically grand, and more indicative of a woman's personality than a simple accentuation of the face. Kelvics may get animal prints along the side of their face, or a fire reimancer may get a display of flames around their eyes. For today, there is no such thing as too bold.

OOC Info :

by **Rosela** on October 3rd, 2013, 3:52 pm

It was a beautiful day out. Sunny, warm, not too much breeze... Rosela couldn't remember being more excited for a single day. For such an occasion, she had taken two days off the shop, one to prepare herself, and another for the festival.

The day before had been spent with moisturising, brushing, plucking, and all the mundanities of maintaining beauty. The last of her latest rose hip concoction had gone into her hair for a solid bell, refreshing her red highlights. She could have saved time and effort by simply getting her hair done the next day, but her nerves refused to allow her to trust her hair to a stranger's hands.

Her dress for the day was a slim affair of lucious burgundy velvet with a line of ruffles along each armhole. It had cost nearly as much as her entire bed, had been hung precariously between her table and a chair for the night, desperately avoiding even the faintest wrinkle. It had been a long, difficult day, with an early bedtime to assure she was well rested the next day.

She had prepared to the best of her abilities. The only thing left was to win.

The next morning was spent analyzing her form from every angle in the mirror, testing out different hair styles and second guessing her choice of dress. Was it too ostentatious? Too noticeable? There was nothing worse than appearing to try too hard. Her makeup was much more understated than she usually wore, though even the promise of an entire stall of free supplies couldn't convince her to go out without anything on her face at all. It took her two tries to get the minimal eyeliner just right, but a bell after she had considered herself ready, she finally strutted out the door.

The festival was well under way in the city, and the click of her heeled boots on the pavement was gradually drowned out by the general bustle as she approached the Zhongjie Warrens. It was surreal to see so many women in one place; being the minority tended to make other women fade into the background. Pale Kontis seemed to be everywhere, and Rosela flipped her hair over her shoulder, flaunting her dark skin. It was a bit early to be trying to stand out, without even proper makeup, but it couldn't hurt.

The makeup stalls already had gaggles of girls clustered around, and Rosela took a spot at one of the empty stalls. One of the women behind the counter, a thin Konti with a spray of leaves stenciled around her eyes, hurried over.

"Hi there! Can I help you find anything? Looking for your best colors?"

"I'm fine, thank you." Rosela smiled up at her as she turned her seat to the side to cross her legs. Her best behavior was needed today - any hint of cattiness and the men would scatter.

"Oh good, just let me know if you need any help!" The Konti disappeared, gravitating back to the group of girls occupying the stall to the right.

Two hands smoothing down her dress, the other four danced over the array in front of her. Eyeshadow first. Now where was the red...

by **Radovan** on October 3rd, 2013, 5:14 pm

It was, indeed, a gorgeous day, and how appropriate was that? A beautiful Fall day to celebrate the beauty of the women of Riverfall! It was almost as if Syna and Zulrav had conspired specifically with Laviku to bring together a brilliant blue sky, a gentle breeze and sparkling, clear water for the enjoyment of this special day, for the contestants and those just come to watch, socialize, flirt and enjoy themselves. Radovan didn’t exactly fall into any of these categories. Oh, he’d certainly be looking, at all the lovely ladies, of whatever ilk. And he’d happily chat to any of them – or to anyone for that matter. He was a very sociable kind of guy. But he wasn’t very good at flirting, and he wasn’t intending on really hanging about, not for too long anyway. He’d already given his beaded necklaces away – to a Konti girl that he’d known since childhood. They’d grown up almost like brother and sister, and this was her first year competing in this festival. So he’d wanted to help her out all he could. Besides, he didn’t really fancy the idea of going up to a woman he didn’t know and just handing her what amounted to his “vote” – that thought made him feel awkward. Rad was still a bit young to be so very worried about finding some way to produce the next generation of his family. He’d leave that to his older brother for now. In fact, it was directly because of his older brother that he was here, fast approaching the…er….make up…place This was the right spot, right?

His normally fast, purposeful gait slowed as he peered about uncertainly. Yes, there were a bunch of young women, of varying races, sitting in chairs pulled to counters and dabbing brushes to their skin and eyes and lips. His light colored eyes darted here and there, as he searched for a glimpse of his Konti mother amongst the contestants who chatted and giggled and laughed and worked on their “look.” His mom was not competing. She had volunteered to help out, and she loved make up herself. She loved creating things of beauty, and so she always liked to lend a hand here, if requested. He didn’t see her right off, so he moved closer, picking a stall at random – mostly as it wasn’t packed with girls. There was only one occupant of this particular stall, and Rad’s eyes widened when he picked up on the fact that she had – three, four, five, six arms! He’d seen Eypharians before, but not very often. They still sort of amazed him. He wondered how they coordinated all that movement. But he wasn’t really fazed by her multiple limbs, and so he kept moving, underneath the fabric covering of the stall, put up to block the strongest of Syna’s rays.

He’d already given his beads away to his friend, but in his large, dark jade hand he carried three more. This was the purpose of this search for his mother. His idiot older brother had gone off and left them with Rad, after asking him to hold onto them for him for a few moments, a while back. They had parted company a good twenty chimes ago, and Rad was anxious to return the beads and go find something more entertaining to do other than chasing after his brother. Knowing that his older sibling would be here, somewhere, trying to chat up the ladies, and knowing too that their mother would be keeping an eye out for both her strapping sons, Rad had decided to check with the petite Konti and see if she had seen idiot boy. Anyone looking at Radovan, though, would almost certainly assume that he was poking about with the intent of giving away his necklaces, as most of the men drifting about were doing.

Coming up beside the Eypharian woman, Rad could not help but pause to admire both her beauty and her grace. He simply could not imagine how she managed to get all those arms working at once. He’d meant to be looking for his mom, on beyond the counter and the curtains beyond, but instead, he sort of gawped at the woman and asked bluntly, “How do you do that?”

OOCFeel free to treat Rad like a total half wit but as he has the necklaces (thought they aren’t his) it might be funny if Rosela tried to be nice – and all for nothing

by **Rosela** on October 4th, 2013, 12:50 pm

Mouth unconsciously open, Rosela slowly swept the brush of red eyeshadow over her other eyelid, leaning back and blinking in the mirror to gauge the effect. Brush and powder pot clasped in two hands, a third reached up to touch softly at the corner of one eye, evening up the powder. People moved back and forth behind her in the mirror, though their looks of surprise were clearly, and disappointingly, more in reference to her many arms rather than her beauty. Even a year after she'd arrived in the city, she simply could not get used to it.

Perhaps they somehow could feel it, how much she wanted to win. Nothing was more unattractive than desperation, though she liked to think she wasn't full-on desperate. Something so public as being crowned Queen of Beautyfest would do absolute wonders for her business and make her - and hopefully her fashions - the latest hot gossip. Not to mention it would be really, really nice to be told she was the prettiest in the city.

One hand replaced the pot of red powder and picked up the one she'd placed next to it, a red so dark it looked almost black. She wished it had some manner of shimmer to it, but after scouring the table, she hadn't found any such color, just some sparkle dust she'd have to brush on afterwards.

Someone pausing behind her caught her eye, and she watched the mirror in her peripheral as she fluttered the brush over a wrist to clean it. He didn't appear to be looking at her, no wait, now he was... Now he was coming over...

Caught off guard by his sudden question, which wasn't at all what she was expecting or hoping for, for a moment she just looked up at him in surprise. "I...um..." Her hands hovered in their various states of action as she searched for a coherent answer. "I just...don't think about it? Grew up working on it, I suppose." She laughed lightly, attempting some levity to break the awkwardness. The shadows around the tiny pots and instruments on the counter seemed to jump and shift with her laugh. Could they feel how nervous she was?

Don't look at the beads, don't look at the beads...

She managed to successfully keep her eyes off the beads in his hand, and one hand reached out to pick up the pot of dark eyeshadow from in front of her, hoping a partial return to her task would keep her mind turning smoothly. "So, enjoying the festival so far?" Not one of her best attempts at a conversation, but it would do for the moment.

OOCOkay, just expect her to be reeeeally sad when you leave without giving her any...

by **Teresa Deepseeker** on October 6th, 2013, 1:16 am

Teresa never needed an excuse to join a celebration. Or an invitation for that matter. Having left her casinor early to wander the streets enjoying the bright colors of the banners and decorations, and the unique colors of the male population wasn't half bad either. Constant attention from the men all eager to give out beads to any woman who would offer so much as a smile in their direction left the Svefra glowing with new confidence. And the fact that she was underdressed didn't seem to matter either. Her simple blue blouse and dancing skirt was all she had really, her hair was unbound and flowing freely around her shoulders and honestly she looked the same as she did any other day. But she was having fun, and it showed. Her steps were light as she dodged and danced around already established couples letting herself flow with the crowd, a genuine smile never leaving her face. She was free with her affection too, her boldness and mischievous nature in this situation came naturally as a Svefra, already a bold and inhibited people.

Having escaped the last Akalak attempting to test the limits of public decency, Teresa found herself roaming in front of a line of stalls eagerly beckoning groups of giggling girls to look at wares or participate in free services.

"Hello Miss" coos an elegantly dressed Konti in a nearby stall, the corners of her eyes dressed in layers of vibrant colors shaped into flowing birds feathers following the line of her jaw.

"Would you be interested in trying our makeup application? You have such beautiful eyes, all you would need is some khole and a bit of color and you could have your pick of any of these fine gentlemen." The first thing Teresa wanted to comment on was the stretched definition of 'gentlemen' becoming the theme of the day. But it was all in good fun and grudges had no place in a party atmosphere.

Instead a laugh and a nod escaped the Svefra's lips.

"I doubt if you were out there not so much as a passing glance could be spared for me, perfection like you should not be kept behinds desks and counters my lady." A cheeky wink was offered to the young Konti woman as she allowed herself to be lead to the counter filled with various cosmetics. For all its worth it could be mistaken that Teresa was actually flirting with the woman, and while it wasn't taboo or in fact uncommon to experiment in the footloose Sverfa lifestyle, all she really wanted was to make the beautiful woman blush.

And her labors payed off as color bloomed at the top of the Konti's cheeks and a shy smile tugged the corners of her lips before Teresa was ushered into an empty seat. A sly smirk of satisfaction centered itself on her face as she felt around the offered products. Reaching for a dark length of khole Teresa knocked wrists with her neighbor, she retracted her arm and gave a quick apology before she noticed another join the first. And a third.

The confusion was clearly painted on Teresa's face as she looked quickly at the woman and her handsome Akalak companion. The woman -the four extra appendages aside- looked absolutely flawless. Bronzed skin, shimmering hair, and dark piercing eyes dressed in red showcasing her many assets, put together perfectly, every inch of her body thought out and planned to please the eye.

But her moves were too calculating, it was all business and I didn't seem like she was having the fun the situation merited. She could have so mush fun if she just learned to let herself go and not worry about this perfect image. And already Teresa was planning situations for the woman, she wondered if she knew how to dance, or how to swim.

And wondered idly how well she holds her liquor.

"Hey tall, green and handsome, stopping by for the view?" a large sweeping motion and a wink to the Akalak behind the many-armed lady made it clear who she was referring to. Forcing herself up she rightened herself in her chair to face the woman properly "Looks like you might know what your doing here, mind telling me where to start? Name's Teresa by the way." She began to extend her hand in a gesture of friendship but quickly withdrew as she got confused on which of her many hands to shake, or was it all of them? She made a mental note to ask questions about the extra limbs later.

"And you sir? Do you have a name? And more importantly will you let me try this on your face first." She laughed holding up a bottle of sequins and a dark blue powder with a brush.

by **Radovan** on October 6th, 2013, 4:56 am

Very smooth, Rad…. came the internal voice that heralded some observation by Radovan’s ‘dark brother,’ Jozef. You really know how to charm a woman, don’t you? Jozef smirked. We’ll die a bachelor. I just know it.

Radovan snorted a bit, retorting inside his head, Think you can do better? I seem to recall the last woman you chatted with ended up smacking you in the face! His lips curled into a smile as he recalled that evening, though it was his cheek as well that had felt the blow bestowed by the indignant Drykas girl.

But Jozef wasn’t fazed, or quieted, by that memory. At least I got a hand on her thigh. Have you even touched a woman? I can’t quite recall… Jozef chuckled, as Rad muttered, Oh, shut up!

This all transpired internally though, while the Eypharian first looked at him in surprise (no doubt in part due to his rudeness) and then, instantly recovering her aplomb, she replied smoothly, "I just...don't think about it? Grew up working on it, I suppose."

Radovan, trying to shove Jozef (protesting) back into a hole somewhere, nodded, accepting that answer. “Of course, it must be no different from a beetle, hatching from its egg knowing how to use all six legs. Or a centipede for that matter, with a hundred.” Maybe Jozef was right. Here was Rad, drawing what could easily be construed as a less than complimentary comparison between the beautiful Eypharian and a bug! And he wasn’t even cognizant of the possible implications of his comment, for he smiled, oblivious, pleased with the analogy he had come up with.

The Eypharian, for her part, seemed to take the comment in stride – at least outwardly she had enough grace to ignore it, though inwardly, who knew what she made of it – or him. She continued on with her efforts to make a pretty face even prettier, plucking up a pot of something, and putting her question to him with an air of casual bonhomie.

“Oh. Um, yes…?” His response was almost half question itself, for he hadn’t been thinking of his own reaction to the festivities. “It’s really… nice?” His eyes, though, were not roaming about to take in the sights about them. No, they were very much stuck right there, on her, and her arms, that moved with such fluid elegance. He found the whole effect quite…entrancing. Unthinking, he jiggled his hand a bit, the one holding the strings of colored beads – just some nervous reaction to not exactly knowing what to do with his own bulk, for once. Combat training and mining were easy. Socializing with women – a bit less so. Rad wasn’t shy, just unpracticed, and untempered as of yet. In a city bereft of females, it wasn’t even a given that he would ever get the chance to put a polish on such skills as he might possess.

A distraction from the need to think of more to say came in the guise of yet more loveliness, this time a human, or so Rad took her to be, slipping into the seat beside the Eypharian. The two were as different as night from day, in their coloring, and overall air – the dark beauty all sleekness and polish, the fair one all sunshine and freshness. But each owned her own unique charm. The newcomer shot Rad a glance, a wink, and a quick question.

"Hey tall, green and handsome, stopping by for the view?"

Jozef, unable to contain himself any longer, practically bellowed, Say something intelligent, in the name of Wysar! Or let me speak! Rad…! Do not…

But his lighter brother wasn’t willing to relinquish the reins, and risk another slap, or maybe even a kick to the privates – Jozef could really push some buttons when he was taken off the leash. Instead, Radovan smiled politely at the fair haired woman, and replied with a fairly innocuous, “Yes, and finding it a lovely one, though actually, I’m looking for someone.” He didn’t elaborate, as he was then waging an internal war with Jozef, so he was preoccupied for a moment, while the newcomer made some remarks to the Eypharian. But he was brought back to the conversation, such as it was, by another question from…Teresa was it? Yes, he was pretty sure that was the name she had given as her own.

"And you sir? Do you have a name? And more importantly will you let me try this on your face first." This was accompanied by a merry laugh, and Rad chuckled just to be a part of the girl’s mirth.

“Radovan Tadeus,” he replied, with an amused shake of his head. “I’m afraid you can’t do much to make this mug look better. I think you’d best save that…” He nodded at the powder and sequins. “For something worth looking at.” His light green eyes glinted then, with some spark of…mischief? When next he spoke, if one had been listening very, very carefully, they might have noted that the timbre had changed, the pitch dropping to a slightly deeper tone.

”But if you really need a palette,” Jozef said, moving slightly closer. ”I suppose it’s the least I could do to offer up something.”

His fingers went to his shirt, and he unbuttoned it methodically, almost slowly, before pulling it off his rather massive shoulders.

by **Kavala** on October 7th, 2013, 5:42 pm

Kavala woke up feeling less than stellar. She rolled out of bed, did her chores, and managed to take a bath all without too much issue. Cadra had prepared a large breakfast for everyone, but Kavala couldn't stomach most of it. The stage of her pregnancy was thus that she was holding food down now, and often hungry, but nothing really appealed that wasn't raw and from the sea. And since Cadra was a kelvic cat, there was no point in even remotely luring her towards the coast. Aweston had brought in clams, and that went into a chowder for lunch. But that too had too much milk in it to make Kavala's system to happy. So she'd wandered down to the shore, harvested some breakfast for herself, and then got ready to go to town.

Beautyfest. The whole thing sounded exhausting. But Sybel wanted to go, and Kavala had agreed to meet the Benshira up in the tents - namely makeup - to give her friend some support and fun. Vanator would probably be there later, and Kavala knew Sybel wanted to look her best for Kavala's brother. Everyone at The Sanctuary was expecting a wedding soon, though so far the couple hadn't stated a date or asked the matriarch for any assistance in planning. Kavala hoped they'd get to it soon. She didn't want to be the only one around the complex reproducing.

The Konti was large now, too big to be comfortable, and far bigger than with her first pregnancy. She still thought often of her second one, the child she had lost during the Djed Storm of 512, when she'd overgiven to save the life of the people in her care and miscarried. What would he or she look like now? Would they h ave looked like their father who was still missing. Another lost Akalak, either lost to himself or lost to the world. Kavala didn't know. All she did know is that she felt ridiculous changing into a nice dress. It wouldn't hide her size, nor the fact that she was entirely too pregnant to be out and about town at a festival. No amount of make up and hair would make her feel pretty or useful. And where in the world would she hide daggers on her person in the long dress.

It wasn't fancy anyhow. It was a long green and orange floral design that expanded neatly over her midsection and cinched up tight around her now full breasts. By the Gods she felt awful. Wiggling into the dress and brushing her hair out straight left her tired. And while Aweston had promised to drive her to town in the pony cart, she didn't know if walking through the festival was a good idea. Kavala put on some light sandals, threw a cloak about her shoulders in case it got cooler later, and headed to town with her adoptive cousin who had to go get supplies anyhow. Sybel had promised to meet her at the makeup stall, so Kavala had been dropped off very nearly upon it, and had not very far to walk to head in. She picked a random chair, perched on it, sighed, and leaned back.

People watching was her favorite thing at festivals. Kavala wasn't really a joiner. But there were plenty to see and do, and now that she'd managed to get here, she didn't regret it. The merchants were hawking wares, women were everywhere, and they looked to be having the time of their lives. Kavala had brought Tasival, her son, last year because he'd gotten his face painted and had enjoyed visiting the booths with his mother just as much as she had. But this year, he hadn't wanted to go at all, declaring festivals were for 'babies' and that Larik was going to show him more bow work. Kavala was sad about that.. for more and more her very young son had been choosing to spend time with the males of her family and less time with her. He'd even started spending time with Riaris at the Kuvay'Nas headquarters when something was going on there that interested the boy. Kavala was grateful for the big Akalak's interest in her son, but she was sad as well, for he needed her less and less these days. Soon, he'd want a suite of his own, a bedroom to claim, and he'd not even want to spend nights with his mother. Riaris had warned her that time was coming soon and that she ought to hollow out chambers for the growing boy to have some privacy and to house his own things. But Kavala was dragging her feet. And even though the new child growing within her was coming fast, Kavala didn't want to let Tasival grow up too fast or gain too much independence too soon. Shay and Tasi were one of the only true things in Kavala's life that she considered hers and hers alone. They were, in many ways, her greatest achievement, and that which she loved the most.

She loved all her family... Riaris... and even those under her employment. But there was something about a mother and a son bond that knew no equal. And that he wasn't here, at her side, spoke volumes. Kavala didn't feel so beautiful, so appealing, so loved. She felt fat, useless, and unnecessary and so she sat on her stool watching the other ladies and moping around.

And as she looked, she noticed she wasn't the only pregnant woman in attendance. There were a great deal of others. She'd been momentarily caught up in her misery that she hadn't realized the fact. She noted the kelvics immediately, for there were several. Konti roamed as well, some swollen with child and glowing with pride. That made her smile slightly. But it was the humans that snapped Kavala out of her own personal pity party about her son's growing distance. There were two humans together, both heavily pregnant, that were getting made up and had looked to already have visited the hair booth. They were holding hands, sitting side by side, and though she was not gifted at sensing emotion, Kavala could see the quiet desperation in their features. They wore bracelets too, which told her they were Nakivak and possibly rescued from slavers. Their births would be soon, and that meant their deaths were most likely going to come shortly. It was very rare for a human to sire an Akalak son and survive. And because they lacked the glow of most happily pregnant women, she knew their children where Akalak.

Humans should never be forced to reproduce for the warriors. Kavala knew in her heart it was wrong, not how the Gods had designed it. The Konti were the Akalak's fated mates, even if the Akalak all couldn't see that clearly. Kavala could usually tell a man's mother's parentage by how he looked, his relative intelligence, and his motivations. In her mind, human mothers produced inferior offspring. They were often smaller of statue, the type of men that weren't as stable, and even whom got branded on their faces early. Kelvic children were better, more balanced, but they still sometimes had the unrefined feral qualities of their mothers. But in Kavala's experience, the Konti mothers produced fit sons with larger frames, keener mines, and a drive to better themselves that was very characteristic of the Akalak race as a whole.

So it was a shame, and a waste in Kavala's mind, that there were human females here pregnant. Even if they owed a debt to the Akalak, breeding shouldn't be considered a way to get it paid off. Work? Sure. Even pleasure them if they were of a mind too... was acceptable in the Konti's mind. But be broodmares for them? No. Never. Kavala rested her hand down on her swollen abdomen, stroking it lightly. She was glad Sybel was human and so too was her brother. She would not want to loose another sister, not in that way, especially.

A voice spoke to her and Kavala glanced up, pulled from her train of thought. A woman sat in front of her, an assortment of cosmetics in her hands. "Would you like me to do your face? I'd love too." Kavala blinked, and realized the woman had asked her the same question more than once. Kavala smiled. "That'd be great. But please nothing fancy. I'm not hunting beads today. I'm just here to support a friend, my future sister in law." The woman nodded, leaned forward, and got to work on Kavala's face. She gave her simple eyes to match her dress and complexion, only adding flex of crystal to her eyelids to make them glitter. then she gave her a soft orangish lipstick and a little green hint on her cheeks to augment her dress and that was that. Kavala sat back, studied herself in the mirror, and smiled. She tipped the woman with a healing scroll she'd bound in a glyph. The festival was free, but Kavala always brought things to reward helpers with especially things they could not get easily with money.

Then she looked around again, waiting for Sybel.

dress and makeup :

by **Favchean Hronis** on October 10th, 2013, 7:15 am

The entrance to the make up tent darkened ever so briefly as a tall, broad shouldered Akalak enters in. His clothing was functional, leather and scarred in places but well maintained. Favchean Hronis stands in the entrance for just a beat before moving further inward. In his hands were but two strands of beads, one a delicate green shade and the other a deep shade of midnight blue. His fingers tease across the surfaces of the beads, causing tiny clinking sounds occasionally but otherwise his steps are all but silent.

He moves through the stalls, seeking no one in particular but he did pass on by the nakivak humans. If his lips twist gently it is just briefly, for he knew why the Nakivak were used, and if he did not find his Konti mate in the next few years he too will be expected to make use of those who owe a debt. However, his reverence to all things female cut through that theory as easily as a blade through flesh. Which was why the Akalak was out on this day, with beads.

The first thing he noticed once he stopped walking and actually looked was the obviously with child Konti woman. It did not matter if she was mated, married,, or otherwise engaged to an Akalak, human or any of the other races in Mizahar. All that mattered was that she was nurturing life within her. To Favchean that was all that mattered, all that made her exquisitely beautiful.

Moving to Kavala he swept into a half bow, not quite deep enough to be silly but neither was it so brief to be considered disrespectful. Gently he leads the blue strand of beads off his hand, his green skin hiding any kind of blush that might rise as he offers the beads to the pregnant Konti. In Kontinese, albeit broken, he speaks "Lovely you look," Smiling he switches back to common, "I hope that I do not step on any man's toes by offering you these beads. The sight of a woman who is great with child is often a sight that finds me marveled. If you would accept these beads."

by **Rosela** on October 10th, 2013, 1:19 pm

"Oh yes...centipedes..." Her smile was vague as she attempted to gloss over the fact that for the second time in recent memory, she had been compared to an insect.

The motion of his hands jingled the beads and her eyes darted to them, wondering if she even wanted beads from a man who compared her to bugs.

She felt herself feeding off of his awkwardness, spiraling downwards as she attempted to find something to say. "That's...ahem..."

Distracted as she was by the male visitor to the stall, Rosela made a small noise of surprise as something bumped one of her wrists. Turning in surprise, and hoping she hadn't just spilled something, she smiled when she realized it was just another woman. "I'm sorry; silly me, not watching what I'm doing." Her arms seemed to be a point of focus today, and she suddenly wondered if she shouldn't have worn her gold bangles for a bit of decoration on them.

The woman, Teresa apparently, was quite animated and her motions oddly put Rosela at ease. It was relaxing talking to someone from whom she would not be receiving any beads. An eyebrow raised with a discreet smile as she acknowledged the Akalak, glancing up at his reaction. She was certainly a forward one, and a curl of jealousy rose in Rosela's stomach. In a practiced mental motion, she quickly let it go, however; jealousy would do nothing for her today, and she had a feeling this woman was going to make her day more than just a grab for beads.

In an effort to extend the same affinity, Rosela laughed genially at her awkwardness around her arms and as she withdrew her hand, Rosela reached out to grab it gently with two of hers with a brief, friendly squeeze. Teresa's hands were rougher than her own, and spoke of a harder life than Rosela would have guessed for the petite woman. "Lovely to meet you, I'm Rosela. And I must say," She pointed the brush in her hand at Radovan. "You would look just darling in dark blue and sparkles." She twirled the brush absently as she turned back to Teresa. "Come to think of it, so would you... Though maybe more of a bright blue, or a dark brown if you wanted something a bit more natural..." She felt significantly more at ease now, well-practiced in spotting ideal colors from doing it daily at the shop.

It was hard to miss the abrupt change in Radovan, and she gave him an appreciative sidelong look as he began to unbutton. She'd been in Riverfall long enough to learn of the dual personalities, and immediately wondered how they could get this one to stick around. "Hmm, I take it we have the pleasure of a new friend with us?"

by **Sybel** on October 10th, 2013, 7:33 pm

The aroma of woodsmoke and earth enticed her throughout the day as she did her usual chores: helping to cook and clean breakfast, checking her new batch of black ale, splitting wood and helping others where she was able. The ale was in particular required most of her time and attention, to which she was glad; she wanted it rich with malt and wild yeast, complimentary to the onset of the Winter.

It was coming along nicely too, the wort murky and dark post-boil, ready for straining and then fermentation. She worked quickly, siphoning the liquid through the thick metal sieve within the copper and draining it into a new, temperature controlled cask. Sybel was finally working past the clumsiness, at home within the brewery. This was her domain. It reminded her of days spent at the Trough, bearing bittersweet memories of her time amongst the horseclans.

It took both Chalce and Cadra to drag her out of the brewery. Sybel had a single-minded focus when it came to craftsmanship, a side she’d not accessed in some time. It felt good to be productive, to own a space and to create within it. She felt strangely adult, rooted in simple pleasures and the warmth of a true home. Thus, she bathed quickly and slipped on the extravagant silk number, doing a few twirls here and there for their collective amusement before the three were off to the city proper.

The dress in question cost an ass. It was very obviously from the south, inspired by the original Alaheans and their penchant for finery. Or so she was told. Sybel just chose it for the way it gathered at the waist and draped, folding seductively across her skin. It was crimson to contrast her eyes and complement her flesh, belted in black and floor length – something she was not accustomed to. Therefore, despite protests from the merchant, she prudently bought a pair of sandals to go with it.

As soon as she entered, her eyes found Kavala’s, and a broad smile spread across her face. The Konti was budding, ready to bloom. There was a stab of contrition at her friend’s obvious discomfort - it was a bit unfair to drag the woman about town in her obviously pregnant state. But she needed reminding sometimes that she was beautiful, desirable and most of all, a woman.

”Hey,” she said, smile shifting to a grin. ”I see you’re getting a make-over.” Sybel quickly scanned the room, settling in next to her. There was an Eypharian amongst the Humans and Konti, much to her silent distaste, but her eyes said nothing and she passed her over with little more than a glance. ”May I have one as well?” She asked of the woman opposite. ”You must be the sister-in-law,” she said with a smirk, drawing a kohl swoop from the corner of Kavala’s eye.

”Ooh, allow me!” A brunette girl with coquettish charm leaned in, already having claimed a set of beads. It seemed everyone was intent on getting ready, Cadra and Chalce already having whisked away themselves. ”Be my guest,” she said wryly. Bel didn’t know the first thing about feminine beauty rituals.

”I just barely got the winter brews in the cask,” she said to Kavala, allowing the girl adjacent to do start applying a light sheen of foundation. ”Those two had to chase me out of there.” She peered over. ”Where’s Tasi?” That was odd. She normally had him there with her. Then again, the kid was getting more insolent with each passing day.

dress & make-up stuff! :

Open [Beautyfest] Makeup Stalls