Spring For It | closed

[Asvarya Chadha]

HAZY DAZE, a boutique
Late February

Every change of seasons meant of course a change in clothes. Asva couldn’t help but feel the draw of new cuts, the touch of new fabric, and appeal of some new fabulous color. Especially now she had money of her own, it all felt particularly nice.

But she didn’t have quite so much money, so despite her desires, Asvarya had to make a choice. If she couldn’t have everything, she wanted the best. Confident as she was in her own style, certainty liked company.

Pulling back the velvet curtain of the dressing stall, she peeked out, asking, “Do you think these are too tight around the waist?”

She did a quarter turn, looking over her shoulder, displaying a different angle.

What opinions some held around the professionalism of women in pants had certainly not had the experience of working a full shift in a dress and heels. Not that these powder blue flared trousers wouldn’t also look great with heels. But having options was always nice.

[Elspeth E. Tilden]

"Not at all."

Elspeth's eyes lit up as Asvarya stepped out from behind the curtain, mouth parting in a gasp. There wasn't a single colour that did not compliment the golden hues of her best friend's skin tone. Many pastels made her own complexion look a little gaunt, or at least that's what her mother seemed to think, and so she often opted for warmer, autumnal tones with some purples here and there.

"Why shouldn't you flaunt what you have?"

And good God, did Asvarya have it.

Hung over her own forearm was a deep, olive green pinafore folded over her forearms -- something Elspeth would pair with a long sleeved turtleneck for spring as she always ran cold and needed the extra length over her arms.

"Anna what do you--" Elspeth turned to find their fellow brunette had vanished, to which she frowned, "Anna? Where did she--"

[Anneliesse Sauveterre]

The shop was a jungle with many colors present. Probably too many for things to make proper sense.

Anna had found a pair of boots. They were tall, white, shiny, with thick heels and a zipper up the side.

They were up on a shelf, but Anna had dragged over the stool from behind the counter and removing them from the top of the display had been a matter of climbing, standing, swiping, and getting back down. It took her less than thirty seconds, which was very quick indeed.

She kicked over the stool and sat down on the floor, gracelessly removing her oxfords and letting them fall one by one. Then, legs splayed, skirt falling up her thighs, she began pulling the boots on.

After a moment, she pulled herself up to standing, and teetered over to Tilly, who she now eclipsed in height by at least two inches.

"Tilly. You said my name."

Anna looked at Asvarya, impassive.

"These are very tight trousers. Will you breathe?"

[Asvarya Chadha]

Asva smiled, tossing the flounce of her hair over her shoulder and smoothing her hands over her outfit to look back into the mirror. It was true the tailoring do also make her look a bit taller too. Tilly was right, as usual.

She could already see herself striding through the halls of St. Mungo's. She gave a slight kick to watch the flared pants leg away, enjoying the feeling of the fabric's weight in the simple movement.

Behind her, haphazard sounds announced Anna's reappearance.

Time and distance changed much and changed little. Looking back at Anna and Tilly through the mirror, she could almost see them, all half a head shorter, clad in their uniforms.

"I suppose I might have to sit very straight," she answered Anna. She thought by way of contrast of the many yards of heavily embellished lenga already in her closet, the weight of hair adornments, and the sound of stacked bangles. She breathed in and out, "but I think it's comfortable enough."

Grinning at Anna's new height, "Will those be difficult to run in?"

[Elspeth E. Tilden]

"Oh, wow."

Suddenly Anneliesse was much taller than she had been, though the loud clack of her boots took away from the stealth she was known for. Elspeth rested her head against Anna's shoulder rather than on it when she finally managed to wobble over.

If only she wore shoes like that all the time.

"The important thing is," She began, eyes scanning the length of Asvarya's perfectly tailored trousers, "Is that it looks like you've put thought into it. That's important for work."

The words sounded confident, as if she knew exactly what she was talking about, but despite being twenty-five years of age, Elspeth was yet to have a full-time job. She did, however, grow up watching her parents prepare for each day as if the business opportunity of a lifetime was just around the corner -- and a perfectly curated outfit, purposefully styled hair, and a nutritious meal were all crucial for success.

"I think I saw them in magenta too."

Dark eyes flit up towards Anna, who still seemed concerned. Elspeth smiled.