Closed [The Great Bazaar] Ribbons & Bows (Elann)

[Nevin Margaitis]

Livi laughed at the wrinkled face Elann made at her shirt. She had a great eye. It seemed like they had more in common by the chime. Having her co-worker to scrutinize whatever she made would be perfect. If something got past the weaver’s high standards, it would be close to passing her father’s. The idea of making him happy made her smile all the wider.

All the bolts Elann held up for her were nice, but she had to admit she liked the grey the best. The girl really had good taste. Livi could envision the way the fabric would drape over her body. She was already creating a new pattern in her head that she could scribble down and tweak until every measurement was precise.

Being invited to Elann’s place made her nervous though. Being in close confines with women had never ended well for her in the past and she was reluctant to do it again, but the young woman had proven different in every way so far. Though the tailor’s heart leapt in her chest, she was willing to ignore it because she found the weaver more interesting than worrisome. Going home with her might not be the terrible trap she envisioned it to be. There was only one way to find out how different she truly was.

Besides, for all the time she’d wasted at the bazaar thus far, she had nothing to show for it that hadn’t been given to her by Elann. It was only a matter of chimes since she’d been chased away from the last table and she couldn’t head back that way. Her only option was to follow Elann, however uneasy that made her. She’d deal with what that meant when she got there.

“I like that one.” Livi pointed to the grey bolt of cloth dangling from Elann’s hand. “It’s the perfect color for what I have in mind.” To be sure, she ran her fingers gently across it, stroking the material to get a good feel. It was sturdy, lightweight and it was as good as she could afford, which was exactly what she’d asked for. “That’s the one I’m going to buy, then I’m wrapping it up here. When you’ve finished, we could go to your home and perhaps we can collaborate on this new project.”

[Elann]

A tactile finger stretched out from Nevin to experience the feel of the fabric in her hand and it made Elann smile. Many people didn’t seem to have a sense for fabric or fiber to know whether it was good or not. He seemed to like it. It was manly and could be used for his desires, and yet it was womanly at the same time and could be used for hers. Elann agreed with Nevin’s assessment.

“Perfect.” she said, and handed the bolt to the woman across the way. “We will need about ten yards please.” Elann then snuck in to Nevin after his display with the mirror, “I’m paying.” The woman quoted a price of 10gm/yard. Elann shook her head no sternly, displaying that Elann, while cute and frumpy, she had a stern strong side to her and a good sense on what a price should be. Whatever it was, either the years of selling things for her father or something else, she didn’t put up with greedy people. She had bought from them before and sought to use it for her advantage.

“I could pay you ten gold mizas today and probably won’t come back, or you can charge me the three it should cost and then I’ll come back probably every month to buy more fabrics from you.”

The woman seemed somewhat shocked that a young woman like her, all alone in the city was so haggle savvy and she countered, “I want at least five per yard for it. It is good quality.”

It was actually a very fine quality linen and very little at this stall was better except exotics and some colorful fabrics, but Elann shook her head and produced three gold Mizas and held them up so the woman could see. “I think it’s good quality, true, but you will get three per yard or nothing at all.” Elann gave the woman a stare, one could almost say as a form of intimidation, but it wasn’t really. She wasn’t trying to influence with her look, but where as a normal human’s stare could be ignored, a Benshiran had such bright eyes that it was hard to avoid. When those same eyes stared you down and held gold in your face, it was hard to deal with. The woman eventually gave a caving nod and knew the price was fair.

The deal really wasn’t an exchange for gold now, but rather a repeat customer and gold. Elann waited for them to cut it off the bolt and then looked back to Nevin, all told it would cost her thirty gold mizas and in her mind it was worth it. “Do we need more?” She wasn’t a dressmaker, she was a rug maker, but she didn’t think they would need more than that. It took generally five yards for dress experimentation, and about two for a shirt. All told it would leave her either with some fabric to spare or something they could use if they screwed up.

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