BaNaNoRaMa

Do you know what's just fabulous for bulking up your word-count? Clothing description. Oh hells yes. This is another "gone-back-and-added-in" scene. Originally I had Sera running around in a plain white shift for, like, 3/4 of the novel, but I decided she needs something slightly more sensible. The theory behind this outfit is that Sivon knows what's to come, and wants her to have decent garb to travel in. This thing looks wispy, but it's actually quite tough and- best of all!- totally stain-resistant. Yep, the Immortals have access to some totally awesome fabrics... Also, I just realized I forgot to throw in the description of the shoes, which is thrilling because I can totally use that to help bulk up tomorrow's word count. My goal is to break 40k tomorrow, and it would be really nice if I could hit 41k. I don't expect to be able to do much writing on Thursday or over the weekend, sooo... write while you can!

***

“I have revised my early opinion about your attire,” Sivon said as they moved through the paper-hallways of her home. Sera glanced down at her silk shift, wondering if it was going to be exchanged for a skirt and necklace like Sivon’s. She hoped not.

“That is to say,” Sivon continued, “I retain my opinion that you are lovely just as you are, but I believe that for Court you might feel comfortable in something just a little less unadorned. We Immortals do love to dress up for one another, even as we sacrifice some of our more personal preferences’ for fashion’s sake.” Sera remembered the stiff robe Sivon had briefly appeared in, and how Dramen had suddenly worn a shirt. Apparently one did not go topless at Court, regardless of one’s status or gender.

“As such,” Sivon led her into a brightly-lit room. “I have had something sewn for you, and I would like for you to try it on and either approve or disapprove.”

“Alright,” said Sera, still feeling nervous about what Sivon’s personal taste might put her in. As though she could read her thoughts (and Sera wasn’t entirely certain she couldn’t), Sivon smiled reassuringly and gestured to a servant.

“Here,” she said as the woman stepped forward with a neatly folded bundle of white. “See if this will not suit you.”

Sera took the bundle with a nod of thanks, and retreated behind a screen to change clothing. The new items were made of the same fine material as her shift, which was itself the finest she had ever worn. But these clothes- she stepped out again and found that two servants were holding up a mirror for her to see herself in.

The design for the outfit had obviously had its origins in what she had once worn in her home village: a loose blouse paired with a corset and a long skirt. But there the resemblance ended; rather than the daughter of a prosperous artisan, she looked like a romantic’s concept of a shipwrecked princess. Everything was white on white, right down to the wave-patterned embroidery of the corset, which was really more like an extremely low-cut vest than the simple waist-cincher she was used to. The short sleeves of the blouse had been artfully shredded, so that they did not do much to cover her shoulders, but did float about charmingly with every little breeze. There were two belts that crossed her hips like sword-belts, each sewn with four pouches; the material was very sturdy, like suede, so she knew she could carry heavy things without fear of them tearing off- but she had no idea what she was expected to carry. The skirt was made up of dozens of sheer panels sewn together until mid-thigh, where they suddenly swirled free in a manner that would allow her legs to show when she walked. The skirt, like the sleeves, appeared purposefully and attractively tattered.

The effect was surprisingly ethereal, and Sera stared at her reflection for long moments.

“I should look silly in this,” she finally said, “But I don’t.”

“No, you don’t. You look as though you’ve been cast adrift, which is as I intended. I want those who have not yet chosen a side to feel compassion for the poor, brave mortal, so far out of her element.”

“Brave, am I?” Sera thought of the heaviness that manifested in her belly any time either sibling mentioned the nightingale queen. Sivon looked her in the eye and raised a single brow.

“How many mortals do you know that dare to consort with Immortals? Let alone venture to one of the Sidereal Courts!”

“I suppose that’s true.” Seral looked back at her reflection. She may not feel brave, but at least she could look it. For Dramen she could do anything.