A (Belated) WIP Wednesday
I was tagged by @arthdoesart This is part of what is supposed to be the next chapter/one shot of this story:
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
It centers on my OC Chiasa's father Tak, but why not give a little glance of baby Chiasa too. On with the show:
As the young couple wandered in, a whine had Tak turning back towards the living area. Aurelius was in a chair with his son, Octavian, on his lap, picking ribbons out of his hair and… Old tinsel???
“I know…” Aurelius lamented.
“I'm sorry…” Chiasa piped up, “I didn't think it would get stuck…”
“But it did! It's… electric and stuff!” Octavian protested.
“Static, static is what you're looking for, son” his father added.
“Chiasa… Let's leave those kinds of decorations to professionals, okay?” said Tak.
“Okay… I really am sorry… None of the other girls are here yet, and he wanted to look festive,” she lamented.
Another buzz had Sei rushing to the door before a rare chuckle emanated through the foyer. Tak had to wonder who could have caused such a thing before Chiasa suddenly smiled and gasped at the new face.
“Speaking of professionals… Look who's here everyone,” Sei added, “Let me set this by the bar…”
Tak turned to see Tigris standing with her hands folded and that beautiful shy smile.
“Oh! Tigris, hello!” he happily greeted.
“Hi, everyone,” she greeted.
“Oh, hello…” Aurelius greeted, “So this is the famous Tigris. You're even lovelier in person.”
It was simply a fact that one of the reasons his two best friends were perfect for each other was that they were both notorious flirts. Somehow, though, Tak felt relieved that Octavian was able to stop his father from strutting over and giving her one of his infamous long hand kisses. Luckily, Lu was able to interject before he could.
“Now, now, Zolotse… She's a modest girl, not our type. Even if you're not wrong… I do hope you're well… I could certainly be better.”
“Your outfit’s so pretty!” Chiasa exclaimed as she ran over.
Tigris happily twirled and bon dieu… It was! So bright, so modern… The long skirt was checked in black and white, the yellow top flattered her figure, and the ruby red red belt tied it all together nicely.
Yet it all seemed familiar somehow… Yes! Last month at a different dinner, a stray page had fallen from her sketchbook right at his feet, and landed at his feet when he tried to help. This is it…
“This is the design from last month, isn't it?” Tak asked, “The one you were working on? You made this?”
“Yes, yes I did,” she confirmed, “You… You don't think it's tacky?”
“Tacky? No! You're… That is, it's gorgeous! It all looks so professional,” he praised, “You’ve got a real gift, I’m surprised you're not at least a featured designer.”
Tigris blushed and sheepishly rubbed the back of her neck. There was truly no need to be modest… Even if the pink in her cheeks suited her very well.
“It's not tacky!” Chiasa added, “It's pretty and cool! Who says it's tacky? Senator B? She says lots of things are tacky, but she's just boring.”
As much as his daughter probably should have been scolded for her words, Tak held off this time. She wasn't exactly wrong about Titania… There was a reason she wasn't invited.
“No, Senator Boudreaux didn't say that. Actually… You know what? It doesn't matter what they think. It truly doesn't matter,” said Tigris.
Oddly, she seemed to beam at such a conclusion before grabbing the opposite sides of her skirt.
“This is an A-Line, because it kind of looks like the letter A, see?” She dropped her skirt before gesturing to her top. “And this is a Queen Anne neckline… I don't know why it's called that, I guess because a queen named Anne liked it or made it trendy. The necklace is only beads, though… I’ve been told beads are important for Mardi Gras.”
“Why, yes, they are,” Tak confirmed. Maybe not exactly, but she was at least in the spirit. “I never thought about everything having its own name before… I mean, I know about dress codes and such, but nothing like this.”
“There's a lot that goes into fashion. Every cut, collar, color, pattern, everything has a name. For example…” She studied him a moment before beaming once again. “You're wearing a cream button down with a convertible collar… Under a pear green asymmetrical vest with a subtle pin check in chartreuse, and chinos in taupe.”
He didn't understand half of what she said, but she sure looked effervescent saying it. Maybe he could look into it a little more if she found it this interesting. She always looked amazing… Maybe it would do him some good to get on her level.
“Cool!” Chiasa exclaimed, “What am I wearing?”
“Well, of course you're wearing that gorgeous ruffled jumper!” Tigris replied, “And your blouse… Pastel pink with puff sleeves and a peter pan collar.”
“Wow… There's really a name for everything…” the young girl mused.
