New Hope [Completed]

[tenshinomakai.livejournal.com]

Character(s): Urd, open!
Content: Urd opens up her temporary relief shop to all!
Setting: Across the street from The Cheap Prayer.
Time: Week 24, all day!
Warnings: None.
Note: This log will be done via "party style" threading! Come in and make your own thread to get Urd's attention, or join into someone else's thread. It's all good!

Praetoris was playing dirty. Though Urd put on a casual, unaffected mood on the network, she was just as annoyed and insulted by this new attitude toward the visitors as anyone else. When it came to dressing "inappropriately," the goddess took it to a new level in a way that even modern-minded individuals would deem a little too sexy. She never minded much; she enjoyed finding new and colorful ways to show off both her style and her body. She was a goddess! You had to instill a certain amount of awe in people!

Her favorite tea shop had been adamant in not serving her and as a result, she had broken most of their cups in a fit of frustration. Really, they'd been lucky she hadn't set fire to the whole place! But once her temper had cooled and she had a clear mind, Urd admitted that fighting back had to be done in a better way. A smarter way.

Thankfully, poorer natives of the city weren't so quick to judge them. She'd always had a good relationship with the gypsies, in part due to her continued business with them (she had to get her ingredients for her potions somewhere). It didn't take much to strike a deal with them for her new plan: they'd supply her what she needed and she, in turn, would make sure the majority of the money the visitors had would go to them. Urd didn't need money, of course. Even if she wasn't a divine being, she had a djinn on her side!

Now the goddess floated in a reclined position in the middle of her shop, hands held out in front of her. Rich cloth and strings of beads flew up to the walls and windows, rags wiped the tables and floors on their own and merchandise of nearly every kind arranged themselves onto shelves and tables. She could have done it all by hand, but manual labor did not sit well with Urd.

Out front, a large embroidered banner read, "New Hope."

Comments

[tenshinomakai.livejournal.com]

"Mmm~? A scholar, are we?" Urd murmured, lowering her cup to watch Kida with a shrewd eye and a mild smile. "You'll love it here, then. I mean, outside of the whole natives hating and fearing us and a shadowy cabal trying to take us down and manipulating us for their amusement." This last bit was said flatly as she seemed to stare into nothing, a scowl on her face. But she blinked and her expression was back to the same mildly amused and interested smile.

"There's no shortage of people from different worlds, as you've probably already found out. And the library, of course, has all kind of books from apparently different worlds as well." She took another drink from her cup and leaned back. "So why haven't you been able to learn about other cultures?"

[crystalchamber.livejournal.com]

Kida chuckled. "A scholar I am not, but my love, Milo, is." However, the amusement was expelled with a sigh. "And the natives' opinions have not been lost on me," she said, her voice having dropped in pitch to mirror her lack of amusement. "I cannot even buy proper attire so that I can adhere to the dress code." She leaned an arm on the counter.

But Kida nodded about other worlds. Indeed, it had been quite a source of interest for her. As for the library... Kida frowned slightly. She looked away when Urd made her inquiry. Her expression was one of sad memories, but the pause was actually because she had to choose her words carefully. "It is for the same reason I have difficulty visiting the library. Until recently, I could not read." And this much was true. Kida, though she was a weak reader in English, could however read and write in her own tongue with ease, now.

[tenshinomakai.livejournal.com]

Urd watched Kida thoughtfully. After a moment, she set her now empty cup to the side and slid gracefully off the table. "Ah, but you're starting to read now, and that's more than a lot of people who've come through those gates can say," she said with a gentle smile. "Not much of a reader myself, but you might find some kindred spirits here to help you. If you wanted."

She held up a finger and grinned. "I can't help you with that, not that you asked, but I can help you with that first bit." She turned and walked through the shop as she continued to speak. "The natives' opinion is stupid. Can't believe they're asking hot ladies like us to cover up, it's..." The rest of her words were muffled as she disappeared behind a tall rack of clothes.

There was a moment of silence before Urd's voice was heard once more, this time behind Kida. "Here we are! Boring clothing for archaic rules." The goddess sighed, dropping a bundle of Victorian-style dresses in Kida's lap. "And you have such lovely skin, too. Do you moisturize?" She leaned forward, her face inches away from Kida as she smirked.

"I bet this 'Milo' guy likes how you dress, huh?"

[crystalchamber.livejournal.com]

"Perhaps. I believe first it would be best if I learned how to properly use the journal I have." Kida pulled out her journal and gestured with it. "With it's ability to capture my speech and read for me, I can check my own efforts after reading for myself." She smiled at Urd with a look of curiosity. "And I believe exploring this strange castle will also help me with this. Though trapped far from home, it does provide many opportunities to learn."

"Hot ladies?" Kida cocked her head and shoulders, misunderstanding the slang entirely and displaying an expression to match.

"Moisturize?" Kida asked. "I do not understand. ...I drink plenty of water, if that is what you mean." Atlanteans lived a blessed life with their crystals keeping them healthy along with youthful. The queen, inquisitive as ever, pawed through the collection in her lap after her inquiry.

Finally, some of what Urd had been talking about began to sink in, thanks to context. She gave a slight shrug with a smile. "In Milo's culture, bare arms and legs are apparently very unusual for women." She went back to looking through the dresses while she spoke. "I do not understand why that would be so attractive. We are a practical people depending on our role. What do I show that is indecent?"

Kida pulled up a few dresses to herself before settling on one in particular she seemed to enjoy. (http://gallery.nen.gov.uk/gallery_images/0708/0000/0098/victorian_blue_skirtbodice_mid.jpg) "Since I am certain mere silk leaves and twigs are worthless to one who knows better, how might I pay you for this?"

[tenshinomakai.livejournal.com]

Urd opened her mouth to explain what she'd meant by hot ladies, but closed it a second later. Clearly, she'd have to take some time to introduce a variety of topics to Kida at a later date, including why Milo would find her current mode of dress...appealing.

She smiled and gathered the rest of the dresses up. "That'll be enough, for now. I need to pay my suppliers. But I may need something from you in the future." She turned, her hooded gaze still watching Kida from the corner of her eye as she moved away. "If I need your help later, I hope you'll remember this day."

[crystalchamber.livejournal.com]

Kida cocked her head, furrowing her brows when Urd stopped short of answering her questions.

"What is enough?" She blinked as Urd moved away, realizing what she meant. The woman gave the goddess a courteous bow with a smile. "Then I hope I shall be able to repay you for such kindness. Thank you." With a smile, she carefully folded the dress over her arm and turned. At the entrance, she paused, looking back inside for a moment, then looking around to note the store's location.

Though she may not be Atlantean, outsiders should still stick together.