One more customer was satisfied, and two to go.

Like a living bronze statue, Mario the royal tailor wore his black eyeglasses and turned toward the other patron. 

'Misus Yvonne. It has been a long time since I make a finery for Rosenving." he said with a perfectly straight face. "You may not remember me, but most of my career as a needleworker was usually spent in either Rosenving Mansion or The Royal Palace. I do not know if you would like it, but His Majesty had given his order. 

One of his assistants brought up a wooden mannequin wearing a navy blue dress with embroidered bodice. [b]"I know you would prefer gambeson and breeches, dyed in a darker color. But this is a Royal Celebration and a woman wearing back on such occasion might as well go to a funeral."  [/b]

[b][color=#a4161a]"Ah, I know I've seen you somewhere before."[/color][/b] It finally clicked why she'd find the tailor familiar. Yvonne didn't get too close to the servants, back in the days, leaving her with a niggling sense of dejavu until the man introduced himself.

[b][color=#a4161a]"Dont worry too much, it does looks nice. Maybe a bit tight around the waist..."[/color][/b] The mercenary circled around the dress, noting that it did seemed around her size. A bit creepy if one think about it, but let's not dwell too much into it. [b][color=#a4161a]"Easier to keep a blade under a dress, yeah? Then we can still make it a funeral if necessary."[/color][/b]

She let out a hyena cackle after that, and it was unclear whether she's joking or not. Mario could only shake his head, while Yvonne returned to her party, eager to see what's in store for Sparky. The elf cut a stunning figure, that much was obvious.

[b]"Well, glad if you like it.[/b]" Said the tailor, and like Cedar's newly acquired garbs, it will be delivered to their room. 

The man looked at his clipboard. 

[b]"Miss Jazdia Crystalspark...[/b]

[center]***[/center]

Nobody knew since when Jazdia had slipped away unnoticed and was now busy looking around the machinery and finished produce. It wasn't a particularly novel sight to behold, but sometimes she missed the charm of industrial progress and was eager to wander about and sate her curiosity by using her power to inspect a hand-powered sewing machine that seemed the have been imported from Helvetia. 

Next to it were lines of samples of finished gowns, colored with exotic dye-job that pleases the eye but seems to be too radical for today's fashion trends. Perched on a head of a wooden mannequin was a hat with semi-transparent trim adorned with eagle feathers. while the body of the display dummy itself wore a very ridiculous robe with a ridiculously high collar. 

The tailor coughed to get her attention and Jazdia answered.

Next to the tailor was a box layered with cheaper-looking fabric. When Jazdia approached, he removed the lid and showed a red dress folded like an accordion. "It was commissioned by His Highness..." he shook his head and revised his words. "OF course everything was commissioned by our Milord, but this particular one came with instructions."


Smugly, he smiled again. "The details, I can't tell. But it's a sleeveless design to emphasize your flawless shoulder, neck, and collarbone. I figured you would prefer having the hem hanging slightly above your ankle, to amend your dislike of wearing high-heeled footwear. Yours was the first I finished, Milady," he said, beaming as he invited Jazdia to take a good look at her soon-to-be evening dress. The elf however gestured a polite decline and eyed the tailor.

[color=ec008c]"I don't see either Cedar or Miss Rosenving complaining. You seemed very sure with your handiwork. Mister Mario."[/color]  Jazdia tried to keep it light and unoffensive, though to be honest, being complimented with a deadpan tone was rather unnerving. 

[b]"Ah, the question often asked,"[/b] he replied with a mirth. [b]"My crafts require precision I know, and you don't see measuring tape hanging on my neck, nor we have ever done any measurement."[/b] he tapped his eyeglasses. [b]"That shouldn't trouble you, Milady, my clothes are made to fit their wearer, and how do I know your sizes? I can measure just by seeing, and I can confidently say that because my expertise is indeed [i]that[/i] good."[/b] 

Silently Jazdia acknowledged the claim, though, she couldn't resist but to quip gamely. [color=ec008c]"Is that so?" [/color]

[b]"Yes, it is,"[/b] said the man, staring emotionlessly at his clipboard. [b]"your height is 173, your bust size is, 67, your waist is 49 or 50, and your hips are 84. Our young Lady Rosenving's height is 151 her bust is 77, her waist is 58 and hips is at 86. All in centimeters. If the measurements were proven wrong, I will be more than happy to refund His Majesty's generous payment and remake the commissioned outfits free of charge."[/b]

Jazdia stared at the box containing her ball gown, assuredly bemused. On another day and another time, she would have no qualms about slapping anyone who dared to spew her three sizes, but the tailor's detached and professional tone and the context behind it made her nod in acknowledgment. Not sure about Yvonne though.

She touched her dress once, feeling smooth satin before closing the lid, still refusing to do any further. It was after all, a gift, and it was best to not waste a good moment on one occasion.