Chapter 35: Chapter 35 - Measured By Cup, For Bare Necessities
That Lucinda werewolf would surely
to Victoria now. People like her are only
pliable
when in reach.
But that problem was for later.
The ’boutique’ attached to Crystalline Spa was bright and airy.
Recessed lighting
that shone down and highlighted the clothing rather than
overwhelming
it.
Nothing like the royal tailors’ chamber with its tall windows, rows of cloth spools, and silk-draped mannequins
custom carved
to our general shapes. But it’s probably impressive by this world’s
commercial
standards.
At least seems a lot
higher end
than the
few
shops Helene went in when she was young.
"We specialize in items that work well from the spa to your everyday life. Pieces that show off shoulders and legs are especially popular."
The racks of clothing were organized by
color tones
rather than style. Soft neutrals on one end gave way to deeper
jewel tones
.
As far as I can tell without feeling them, the fabrics
looked
decent enough in make. Though nothing as intricate as the
hand-embroidered silks
I once wore.
> The crimson skirt over there looks rather nice, actually. <
A woman approached us,
different
from the other workers I’d met so far. Her ’strawberry blonde’ hair was styled in a
crown of braids
and she wore a tailored black dress.
Details that spoke of higher
authority
than the spa’s white-robed attendants. Perhaps that’s
my bias
setting her apart, or perhaps it’s just that she truly is ’in charge’ of this part of the spa.
"This is Anise, our style consultant. I’ll leave you in her hands. Thank you for visiting Crystalline Spa and we hope to see you again."
Tess introduced her before
quietly
excusing herself. I chose only to nod and sever that
small bond
.
"Welcome. I understand you’re in need of a complete outfit today?"
"Yes. Something appropriate for the season."
Unlike my last encounter, this woman’s scent was present. Human - with perhaps a little too much
sandalwood
perfume to mask the
smell of cigarettes
.
Pale blue
eyes traced the lines of my body through the plain silk spa robe. A gaze I’d felt before from that
craft oriented
spider shifter in our employ.
Someone who understood draping the
architecture of cloth
along bodies as a
mathematical formula
to be solved in specific ways. Her next words proved that true.
"We’ll start with measurements to ensure you have a proper fit. Would you prefer a private fitting room to do it yourself?"
"That’s not necessary. I trust your abilities."
False
modesty was a waste of everyone’s time. I had been measured on countless occasions by a
half-dozen attendants
simultaneously.
Every time a new gala or
important
tea party required them to see if I’d been
overeating
.
You simply cannot keep a
shred of innocence
and
shame
in an environment like that. The woman tilted her head at my nonchalance in the matter.
Or perhaps my general mood. I’m not getting
hungry
again, I hope.
"Very well. If you’ll just step over here..."
She moved me behind a set of
folding panels
and produced a clothier’s measuring tape.
"Bust, 39 inches. Waist, 28 inches. Hips, 39 inches."
She called out while noting each number on a pad of paper. The exact quantity meant very little to me.
I had not had the time to make
sufficient
comparisons to my world’s
practical arithmetics
. It was easier to just trust she knew what she was doing.
Which I did, because all of her movements were within my expectation. Checking my
shoulders
next, from my
neck to waist
- back and front, and then finally...
"Bra size will be 32G."
Measuring around my rib cage, below my bust, and then
double checking
the fullest part of it gave her this near
gibberish
to tell me. Only ’near’ because Helene had somehow learned of ’cup sizes’ and what they mean from an Omega.
The Duskpaw shifters tended to avoid bras, though the original body was one of their
exceptions
. Which isn’t to say she owned one... but she
begged
her mother a few times.
> Your magic may have helped her regenerate, but it doesn’t stop the discomfort and strain of excessive weight. <
A quality which I was well
accustomed
to already. In my
old form
... well, I’m not actually sure because I don’t know what the underbust would have been?
That seems to be
rather crucial
to this sizing.
But if I’m judging solely based on the memory of
looking down
... perhaps two of these ’inches’ and ’cups’ further round.
> What a loss... <
The wolf inside my mindscape looked fed up with my
vixen’s scream
. I ignored it and poured my heart out, wailing in privacy.
"Inseam 30 inches and finally... shoe size 7.5D."
What a strange metallic contraption she brought underfoot. Capable of noting both length and width, with lots of little notations upon it.
"Might you know what this measuring tool is called?"
Anise
looked at me as she stood from her kneeling position, seemingly
surprised
that someone would ask.
"It’s called a Brannock Device, named for the man who came up with it. I’ve worked here eight years and never has anyone bothered to ask this bit of trivia."
"Ah, because it must be common knowledge."
She chuckled at me and smiled. One of the
most sincere
ones I’ve seen since the
woman in the park
.
"No, I highly doubt it. Most people simply are not curious about things. At least... past whether it gets the task done or not."
"Of course. That sadly makes more sense."
She handed me the spa robe to put back on for now, then Anise led me to a section toward
the back
of the boutique. Racks of
delicate fabric
in various cuts and colors lined the wall.
"Before we select outerwear, we should get you a little less... bare. You have excellent proportions, but we don’t need that revealed on camera."
She pointed toward the corners of the shop at the
security devices
. I nodded
obligingly
.
> I suppose even if I do not care, others might. It could also be used against me in this world. How troublesome. <
The array of
undergarments
was more extensive than I expected.
Flimsy scraps
that hardly deserved the name made from materials that ranged from cotton, silk-lace, and even something ’synthetic’.
"We have several styles to choose from. For your measurements, I’d recommend something with proper chest support for daily use."
I ran my fingers across the different fabrics, assessing their quality before selecting a
light grey
set with
minimal
embellishment. It looked elegant enough to not feel entirely unremarkable.
"I think I prefer this. Would the material be appropriate for day to day wear in this city?"
Her head tilted again and her face grew
amused
. I imagine she has realized that I am predominately
ignorant
.
"It’s certainly a modern choice. The microfiber material breathes well and won’t show lines under most light clothing. Would you like me to bring a set in your size to try on?"
When I nodded, she disappeared to retrieve them from a place in the
back of the store
. I glanced at some of the others, considering their colors.
Grey was neutral and matched my eyes, but the
blue and reds
are tempting. As well as the pale,
pastel purples
that remind me of my old eyes.
I would love to have
a few sets
of each.
> No, I should only buy what I need and can carry. <
A bark that I can’t
really
tell what means
echoes
loud in my head.
How can it agree that I should hold back and also think she wouldn’t mind if I was
selfish
?
"You should just tell me not to ’go crazy’ and leave it at that, stupid wolf. Don’t *tempt* me..."
My
mutters
just cause more
know-it-all barking
that I tune out.
Comments