The Debs

[RogetThesaurii]

Geneva looked at her gathered friends, and the elf being held by the Zheng thugs assigned to her for protection by Thabo. The scandal-monger caught her eye as she obviously pocketed the strange ear piece jewelry. "So, take your effects, I guess. And don't come back where you aren't wanted!" Geneva shoved the sketchbook, the call stones and a couple pieces of random chalk back into the elf's bag before tossing it to Strom, who caught it dexterously.

"See this fool out. Make sure the Watch take him into custody, and let them know that I will be pressing charges!" Strom and Rob nodded at Inez, spun the elf around and marched him towards the front gates of the property. Every one of the girls at the table saw the elf's face sag with relief once he had his pouch and stones again. Within seconds, it was only Inez, her guests and tiny Mathhilda still on the patio.

[RogetThesaurii]

Inez waited just long enough for any final comments to follow the elf's departure, then looked at Fifi and Geneva. "Ladies, this soirée sounds like the kind of affair we will need some dress duds for, so why don't we spend the afternoon shopping for... something appropriate. We'll likely need to dress the boys, as well. I'm certain neither of them has ever worn anything fancier than their parade uniforms when they were still soldiering. I'm thinking we should go... covert... with our ensembles. Fi? What do you think?"

The Mendozan heiress nodded once and smiled. "Findelathra's Finery. We'll stop there on the way down but really, I think a trip to the Shade Market, or even just the WitchMarket, will also get us a lot of what we'll need." Inez was nodding, but Geneva, and Penny, looked a little lost. Inez explained. "'Neva, do you remember me mentioning that dressmaker I used for the fest-, on Plantpocalypse?" Geneva was nodding at her friend. "With the frills and the living flowers on the hem?"

"That's the one. Findie made it. She makes the most beautiful dresses, and she knows how to... give them some kick. I've wanted to introduce you to her, and this seems a perfect opportunity." Fifi butted in to offer her own recommendation. "That Name-Day dress I wore a couple months ago? That's a Findie. That one was a custom fitting, though. Took her almost three months to complete. We'll have to go off-the-rack today. And for the boys... Gus's?"

Geneva, Penny and even Mathhilda knew that reference. Gustavo Funderbinder's Fine Sashes and Suits was the premiere tailor in the city. The halfling's whole clan worked in his store, and they were usually booked out for months in advance for custom jobs as well. But every noble and well-heeled fella in Cordoba was wearing, or wishing he was wearing, a 'Gus'. Geneva had already fitted Thabo for several, and they would be ready in only two more weeks.

In short order, Inez and Fifi and Geneva had herded Penny and Mathhilda back into the house, gathered up a returning, and slightly confused, Strom and Rob, and scooped up a patiently waiting Dempsey feeding horses to his team in the drive. The ladies were soon loaded into the coach and Dempsey set the team on course for a return Downslope to the Wine District.

As they rumbled out the gate and down the street, Inez sat back and said "I wonder, should we upgrade Dempsey's coach? Like the Salcedis? Or at least give him some options? I mean, why don't we get him a centralized location for storing this beast. Then get like three coaches to use. 'Neva, your man Thabo is always into real estate opportunities. Does he have any ideas where we might set up a livery for Dempsey?"

"While you're asking, find out if he knows of any office spaces. I need to find something better to do with my time. There haven't been too many answers at the bottom of the bottles. Maybe it's time I took a different tack. There's... more to me lately." Both Inez and Geneva smiled at Fifi. "We know. We can tell." Geneva leaned forward across the seats and hugged Fifi, immediately joined by Inez, Penny and little Mathhilda. All were hugging as the carriage rolled past a group of Watch transporting a disconsolate and bored elf.

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This conversation is the seed of what will eventually become The Dirnoy Foundation and the orphanage and Dempsey's livery, all in Devil's Ditch. This would be shortly before, timeline-wise, Bumble and Cousinz incorporate CBT. In my head, Kayli and her crew are weeks behind both Our Man Bumble and this thread. At this time, Bumble would be newly working for Thabo and he would be handling the Manyfold War stuff. Thabo would be in Ispep at this time. Thus the rift with Geneva, for instance. When Thabo gets back, he spends roughly 2/3-3/4 of the next two-three months finishing the hunt for Hait and running around the world's dungeons and other locales to find info. Geneva and her crew should be thick in their own adventures during this time, alongside Bumble's crew. I'd like to have them tangentially involved in Bumble's Big Bust-Out, which we will get going as soon as Mark can return to posting.

The ladies can do some dress-shopping. LMK if you'd like to 'design' a dress based on some of the example ones we all showcased. Not sure where you found those others, but please let me know. Money shouldn't be an issue. Fifi can absorb the costs effortlessly, and Inez is even richer. Geneva is fully capable of handling her own costs, but this would be a purchase that might get some attention from her family as 'frivolous'. Might get their attention....if she won a bunch of money while gambling (to cover the cost), maybe not.
Gus can provide suits for the Boys. I include Dempsey in this as well, bc I think Inez, Fifi, and Geneva are the kinds of folks that would. Heck, let's include Mathhilda, though she doesn't need anything magic. Get her fitted and measured for custom dresses, and buy some off-the-racks for the girls going on the boat. Gus's suits for Strom and Rob act as Studded Leather +1, and gives them each Expertise in any Gaming sets they are already proficient in; 1/day the suit can provide Advantage on 1 skill or ability check related to Gaming Tools/activity (I'd allow it to apply to an Insight to read if someone was bluffing at cards, for instance, or just to a Gaming Tool roll to 'win' a hand. Either is suitable to intent of item.)
Dempsey's suit instead provides the same on (Land or Water) Vehicle skill checks. All three are also stain proof and self-mending unless destroyed. If they receive basic tears and cuts (from combat, for instance) these will not need repair. Over the next day they will regenerate fibers and studs, etc, to re-construct the suits to be flawless again.
Penny will choose the Gem dress. She likes the way the fabric feels and the weight of the stones seems 'comforting' to her. I'll get to statting Penny here shortly. She's a tiefling wizard.

 

[Drakestendor]

 

Fifi knew that everything was changing. She know knew that she was, and had been for some time, touched by the Cat. It explained so much of her prior life troubles. She wasn’t completely crazy… a bit skewed by her distorted version of “reality”, maybe… but not crazy.
 

This “Spider” was her guide… her tether, maybe? Always with the advise and the stories... And now, nightmares... It would become clear in time, she hoped.

This knowledge had made her rethink everything. She now just had to figure out her purpose. She decided to follow the distractions, as any good cat would, and it would lead her to something...

 

She was excited to rob a casino. She didn't know it was on her bucket list. She was also excited about shopping. Shopping was healthier than drinking. She was sobering up a bit, so a plan needed to be made. Running off half-cocked never left a lady satisfied.

 

"So, we need disguises? Tickets shouldn't be an issue. We're gonna need an exit strategy, at least."

 

 

Edited May 6 by Drakestendor (see edit history)

[RogetThesaurii]

Dempsey followed the relayed directions from Inez to Strom to the driver himself. He slid the carriage into a slot along the street across from the dressmaker's storefront. Findelathra's Finery sat prominently at the top of The Grapeway, only three blocks from the Embassy District gates. Taking up three full storefronts, the massive business was mostly window space, featuring spectacular examples of the merchant's wares. A steady stream of day-dreaming window-gawkers walked back and forth along the length.

Strom and Rob each took a flanking position on the carriage and walked out into oncoming traffic blithely, halting the flow and providing a window for the ladies to cross easily. The men followed a few paces behind, backs straight and hands at their sides. Their scuffed boots and worn armor still looked mightily out of place and they seemed comfortable staying outside on the street rather than traipsing through a dress shop.

Inside, pink dominated the eye. The walls were draped in it, in varying shades and swathes. Most shelving along the walls was covered in the color in various materials. A prominent corner of the store contained a literal rainbow of other colors, from red to indigo; examples of the options and the materials available.

Three girls a few winters younger than Penny, escorted by an older woman and a much older dame were speaking with two half-elven women wearing a Findie's Sash over their outfits. Inez knew Fifi was familiar with procedure, but she explained for Geneva, Penny and Mathhilda's benefit. "So, look for someone fashionably dressed, wearing one of those red and white 'Findie's' sashes. Those are the store reps. They'll help us."

Seeing a handbell on a nearby stand, Fifi took a step closer and rang the bell lightly before returning it to the stand. All of the women in the other group looked up and one of the be-sashed women raised a hand in acknowledgement before returning to speaking with the young girls. She scribbled on a slate board and handed one from a stack she carried to each of the young girls.

Swanning out of the back of the store came a tall half-elf woman of Lai-nu heritage. Though she herself was already almost six feet tall, she piled on an additional two feet of hair-do, a waterfall of glossy black locks braided and combed and pinned in a tower of some weight. She wore a dress in gold and green silks, fanning out behind her in a luxurious train nearly four feet long itself. It was pinned and draped around her artfully and with purpose. She was gorgeous.

"Your Grace, My lady Inez! Most welcome is your party today! Tell me, no! Let me guess... these are friends? Or is this for business only?" Findie glanced at Mathhilda, holding herself to Geneva's side and carrying her lady's purse-and-train, with a big smile. Squatting down closer to eye level with 'Tilda, Finde said, "I'm gonna dress you in daisies, and it'll be airy, and flowy, and with a bow... there!" Findie's hand shot out to Tild'as rib in a tickle the fascinated girl had not anticipated. She squealed a laugh as Findie relinquished and rose back to standing, all smiles.

The half elf woman paused and stared at Geneva and Penny, and a bit at Tilda, too. She quirked her mouth up and leaned back, posing. Her eyes roamed across both women before her for some time. While she was quiet, a pair of young girls in sashes came from where Findie had come from, carrying a low table and a tray of drinks. They set the table with the tray and directed the group to each take a glass of what appeared to be sparkling wine before retreating. Findie finally spoke.

"Those boots under the dress are fine work. That's real Parcian reed-stitching there. I'd say it was Generia, or maybe one of her younger cousins. They're too worn to be her grandson's. And there's few enough I know who wear boots that well-made outside of cavalry officers and boot fetishists. And Gaultans. That would make you 'Neva?" She let Geneva affirm her guess and Findie turned on Penny.

"Slight frame, hell-hued, 'cared-for' seamstress-work, spectacles and barely big girl yet. Can't be else but young Penny." Findie said something in a language Penny recognized with a start, though the others understood not a word of their exchange. Findie explained herself. "I've magics for speaking the native tongue of most anyone. Penny here prefers her mother-tongue still for easiest communication, so I switched there. She's too shy for that pretty! We can't keep hiding the pretty, so we'll have to lose that shy! Now, what can Findie do for you today, ladies?"

 

OoCFindie recognizes the work of the boot-maker Generia of Parciae, the 'capital' of Gaulta. Generia is famous in Gaulta as the finest bootmaker there. Few people know about Generia unless they happen to be a boot fanatic, a horseman or, a Gaultan.

Hell-hued is a polite covers-all reference to tielfings and their various colors of skin.

Both Fifi and Inez have talked about their friends with Findie before. She recognizes them from stories told to her about 'the confident Gaultan noble lady' and 'the tiefling scholar/young girl'.

Both Fifi and Inez alone are important enough to get the owner's full attention and special service. Both together with friends? Break out the champagne...

Edited May 8 by RogetThesaurii (see edit history)

[The Elder Snail]

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