abraxaslogs | [October Catch All]

I think the laces are just right. I can test the movement if you'll let me open my eyes.

[Alucard feels a little silly, standing in Hilda's office with his eyes closed.
For a final fitting, there is a lot of emphasis on surprise. He's played along, discarding the sheer lace shirt he brought along in case there was a need for a little buffer layer between corset and skin, and stood quietly with his eyes closed so that the reveal of the corset would be on his body rather than being presented in Hilda's arms.

He feels comfortable. There's a lot of skin to show, but he has his embroidered coat with him if it feels too overwhelming. Someone has added padding, and there restriction around his midsection does not feel like it will come undone any time soon.]

[ After their initial fitting Hilda had indeed asked Navi to help her create a new corset from scratch. Even if he didn't wear it ever again after this she hopes that he'll keep it. Or if that doesn't happen, let her keep it. She had put a lot of work into it and dare she say, she was proud of the final product - even if a part of her still itched to add just the final touch.

It takes Hilda twice as long today to ensure that the corset fits. It's a dark black satin, buttery smooth to the touch, carefully chosen so that it would stand out against his pale skin while complimenting the embroidered coat. The resin apparatus made to look like stained glass sits like a cage fits snug and close to the fabric, the gems and precious stones she's chosen for it glinting in the light of the fading day that streams through the window. Any time he moves, the soft clink of beads and crystals sounds.

She forces herself to knot the ties at the back and takes a step back. Her hands move him towards the mirror and she lets out a breath. She keeps a close eye on his face waiting to see his reaction to the corset. Would he hate it? ]

Okay. You can open your eyes.

[Even before Alucard's opened his eyes, the beads and crystals make themselves known. There's movement in the garment even if it is meant to sit snug against the skin. That also means weight, two things that he'd never naturally associate with a corset.

So he can be forgiven for being breathless when he opens his eyes and takes a good look at what Hilda has created. There's no noise, only wide eyes and the immediate look downwards to his own chest to try and examine more of the details. His fingers move over the beads, curious and careful. To wear the corset is to not be able to examine some of the details properly, but that's also the point. The fit is more important.

Still, Alucard takes several steps closer to the mirror to try and get a better view. Turns and twists, trying to look at every angle possible. Vaguely, he thanks himself for keeping it simple and just wearing black trousers and his regular boots.

He keeps turning, curious if there are any details on the back. But Alucard can't 180 on himself, and it finally leaves him looking at Hilda, aware that his quiet was likely causing anxiety at this point.]

I am so rarely at a loss for words. I still don't have them. That is how well you've done.

[ When he opens his eyes at first she's convinced he hates it. He isn't saying anything after all and silence has always been the worst conversation partner that never fails to incite anxiety in her.

A torrent of apologies is on her lips but then he moves away from her closer to the mirror literally swaying from to side sending the strings of crystals and beads singing as they hit one another. She tries not to laugh at him in that moment because despite still looking as ethereal and regal as ever he still looks so silly. Hilda's lips twitch uncertainly still not wanting to jump to any conclusions about him liking the corset. Not until he said it aloud himself. She feels like she's holding her breath right until he actually speaks. Relief floods her features. ]

Really? You like it? Oh thank Goddess I was so worried that you would hate it.

[ She spins on her heels, suddenly overcome with embarrassment and hoping to hide the flush of happiness spreading across her cheeks for a little while longer. There's a purpose to it though. A box sits on her desk that is quickly retrieved. The lid is pulled up to reveal the choker inside. ]

Now you don't have to wear this - I just got carried away because there was some leftover material that I didn't want to go to waste. It's just more like they're a set and you should see them together even if it never sees the light of day.

--There's more?

[The question is surprised and breathless. It feels like something Alucard should have expected if he is being honest with himself, but....no, he didn't expect it. What an idiot he is. And what an excellent flourish that Hilda has created that aligns so perfectly with the rest of it.

He's been rather physically repelled by holy things in the past, but it isn't like there's a Church in Abraxas. They can roll the dice.]

Well, why don't we see how they look together and if one detracts from the other? Then-- [Wait.]

Dare I ask what you're wearing to these festivities?

[Not that Alucard isn't moving his hair out of the way to make Hilda's life easier when it comes to getting the choker on.]

[ A pleased little shot of colour deepens her cheeks as he begins to pull his hair away from his neck. It's a silent acceptance of her "something extra" and she wastes no time in helping him fit the choker around his neck. ]

I was going to go down to the costume room to find something.

[ All of her concentration and energy had been focused solely on his corset that she'd barely had a moment to think about her own costume. As much as she enjoyed dressing up, the project had quite literally possessed her to the point where she hadn't had time to consider what she'd wear. ]

There. Too much?

Well, at least let me help with that much.

[Once the choker is in place, Alucard lets his hair fall where it may, then straightens up. There's no burning flesh or other reaction from the cross, which counts as a net positive for certain.

Looking in the mirror, he considers it, moving the main cross to align with the center of the corset itself. There's a soft hm before he turns to Hilda.]

I'm not sure, but I also don't think I am a good judge at the moment. What do you think?

I figured you helping me was a given since it's the least you can do to repay me for the amount of blood, sweat and tears I put into this. [ She hadn't actually had to do much sewing so the blood is a bit of a stretch. ] The costume room is scary in the dark!

[ Nevermind that there's lights there. It's more like the eeriness of the silence sets in when there isn't someone working furiously away which is a rare thing. The spirit of creativity always seemed to incite someone at any given hour and she can't help but wonder if there would be someone there now. There's a huff of amusement from her as he steps back to soak in both pieces together.

It hadn't even occurred to her that crosses would be a problem for him. It doesn't now either considering they didn't have crosses as a religious symbol in Fodlan. If something did happen though she would have clued in rather quickly and immediately felt awful about it. Instead she stands back to regard - and admire him - in all of her work. ]

I think if you really wanted to make a statement the two together isn't too much. But if you were going for more subtle - [ Here her lips quirk. There's nothing subtle about the way Alucard's chest is pressed up in that corset. ] you can probably do without the choker. And if you do decide to do that, I won't be that offended.

It is not that scary in the dark, but I take your point.

[The better word might be disconcerting. Either way, Alucard knows he'll be thinking on his feet for this. Hilda has put a stunning amount of effort into what originally felt like a gentle joke, and to not have her look just as good if not better would be an actual crime.

So Alucard goes to the door and opens it, going so far as to offer his arm as an escort.]

Let's see what we find for you, then worry about finalizing things. Perhaps you'll find something and the choker will coordinate between us.

It is scary in the dark. Just because some of us can see as well as they can at night as they can in the daytime doesn't make it any less creepy.

[ A couple of things are whisked back into place before she clicks over to him in her heeled boots. The outfit she had chosen today isn't anywhere near as elaborate as she might otherwise wear. She had expected to be putting on something a little more showy after all and didn't know how much elbow grease she'd have to put into getting Alucard into the corset. Thankfully it hadn't taken that much effort and she was still glowing from the praise he had bestowed upon her. ]

You want us to match? [ There's a sparkle to her eyes as she slips her hand through his offered arm. ] If I had known that I would have made a corset for myself.

[Okay, you got him there. A soft little hmph! means that she's won, and Alucard won't fight it this time around. Still, rude.]

I thought you had planned for that to be the case?

[But still they walk, onwards to the costume shop.]

Or am I being too forward?

[ Her lips curl triumphantly, smugness rolling off of her like a cat. What's the point of being subtle around someone she's comfortable with? What's the point of being able to pleasantly petty if not in the moments like this? ]

No, not at all. I just wasn't sure you'd want to match with me while you're dressed up like this.

[ This is punctuated with a flourish of her hands because yes, she will be riding this high of creating something that had started out as a whim. She really hadn't had any idea where this would land otherwise. ]

I'm not sure there will be anything in the costume room but at least it will be mostly up to par.

[ When she had officially joined the Old Public Hall team she had immediately done an inventory of the costumes disposing of costumes that would crumble if they were put on another body, ones that could be salvaged or given a second life and ones that would do for the next several years or so. ]

Well, if anyone asks me where I got this, I am going to give a referral. I can't imagine denying you credit for your vision.

[The flourish gets an eyeroll, but it all works. This is comfortable in and of itself. Just teasing. A comfortable back and forth.

They make it to the costume room within a few minutes. Ever the gentleman, he holds open the door, then casts an eye around the room.]

What should we start with?

[ The thought of others knowing that she had created this is more anxiety-inducing than she expects it to be and her body language stiffens a little as a result. None of that nervousness shows in her voice though as she gives him a light, airy laugh. ]

Oh, you don't have to do that. I don't know if I'm ready to be taking referrals any time soon. That sounds like a lot of work. And expectation.

[ Neither of which are her favourite things in the world.

She breezes in through the opened door but not before giving him a mock little curtsey in response. The lights are on which means that there's probably some seamstress working away - or someone had forgotten to turn the lights off. It wouldn't be the first time. If that were the case she'd have to leave some sort of aggravated memo about remembering to switch off all the lights if someone were the last person out. She hopes this scenario is the former.

Hilda leads the way down a familiar row. All the costumes are sorted by colour and hang dutifully on racks in clothing bags to keep both the dust and the moths off of them. Little signs indicate which row is what. ]

Well if you want something to match we probably want something on the darker end of the spectrum, right?

[ She didn't exclusively wear pink but certainly aired to lighter colour palettes. ]

You can gauge interest and see if it is something you want to explore later. Besides, I expect many people will be more focused on celebration.

[Alucard's noticed this more than once. Hilda's skilled in her arts, but she never owns it as much as she should. Immediate pride is one thing, but branching out beyond her immediate circle is not a strength. He's never asked about it and won't be doing so now, but it is impossible to miss.

An immediate grin crosses his face.]

What, blood red isn't an option?

[But to the blacks it is, Alucard considering carefully as they move down the spaces together.]

Do you want volume or do you want something more slinky?

I didn't say blood red isn't an option. [ There are red crystals that hang heavy like dark rubies in the strings she's beaded by hand after all. ] Black just generally makes everything else stand out.

[ There's a soft hum from her as they stroll the racks. Nothing particularly catches her eye. Then again, there isn't much that can compare after she's been staring for countless hours on end at the corset that Alucard currently dons. Maybe she would make another one - not for herself before the costume gallery just in case the right play came along for it. ]

I'll let you pick. Although if you're going for more of a slinky look [ Here she gazes teasingly over her shoulder and gives him a little eyebrow wiggle. ] then maybe I should go with more volume.

Hm. Maybe as an accent color then.

[Alucard considers colors and volume as he walks the row, hand trailing after him, feeling each garment's fabric. These are things meant for the stage, and it shows.

Dark, dark, dark and---

hm.

The dhampir pauses in front of a dark colored dress, then pulls it off the rack. A tag identifies it as an opera costume for a firebird, and the bird motif shows as he turns it around to face the both of them. The sleeves catch Alucard's attention first, all peacock feathers made in vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows with faint traces of pink mixed into the fringes at the sleeve to create an ombre of reds. The front is plainer but that's just fine. The sleeves are the point.

He turns the garment towards Hilda.]

Would this suit?

[ There's no patience being practiced as Hilda immediately peers around him in an attempt to see what had caught Alucard's eye. ]

Oh!

[ It's clear without her saying so that she thinks it's a stunning piece. Were it not for the bright array of warm, vibrant colours that adorn the peacock feathers, she probably wouldn't have cared much for it herself. Too much darkness made her feel like she looked a little sallow. But this felt like the right amount to offset her being swallowed up in a void. And she thinks she has the right boots for them upstairs in her office.

Before she decides to give a final verdict however she looks expectantly at him. ] ]

And the accessories?

Is there not a dedicated accessory section?

[He's serious. He doesn't know how this part works, okay???]

Of course there is.

[ Hilda's lips twist amusedly. ]

You were apart of the day-to-day for a little while, weren't you? And more importantly this is the theatre. Of course there's an accessories section.

[ One that now sported many of her own creations. Most of them were made of crystals than actual gems because they were cheaper to make and less costly to replace if something were misplaced or taken. That didn't mean they didn't shine with any less gusto under the stage lights however.

Deciding to show him some mercy she motions towards what is essentially a small walk-in closet that houses all of the accessories. ]

I was asking if you have any ideas to go along with it.

Not to this extent!

[Alucard is going to stop defending himself. He instead is going to shut up and actually start to look through the accessory drawers, opening them, making hmmmm noises, and then closing most. It continues with the occasional pause.

The first thing he pings onto is a pair of earrings, meant to highlight colors and add to flow. It helps make a few further determinations, and so he moves to drawers of necklaces, knowing that long will suit the cut of the dress best. A few attempts finds a long Y-shaped gold necklace with a coordinating red crystal, an elaborate braid around the setting itself. He offers it to Hilda for inspection, aware that in comparison to what she has made, it is almost shockingly simple. All of the ornamentation is on the sleeves for her, and Alucard hopes it will work.]

And I'll leave it to you decide if there should be anything else included.

[ For someone who has no problem being very vocal about her opinions when it comes to accessories, she's surprisingly quiet as she watches Alucard rifle through the drawers and display cases for something suitable. She spends enough time here to know what was available and from there, knew what pieces could possibly go with the outfit he had chosen for her. And it's for that very reason that she offers nothing in terms of a reaction if he so much as hovers or contemplates a certain piece.

She didn't want to interrupt his thought process. And frankly, she's curious to see what he thinks she'd look good in. Which is an interesting thought in and of itself that she mulls over in her mind. As he offers her the braided gold necklace she's drawn from her thoughts before it can go much further than that. ]

It's perfect. [ And she means it if the smile on her face is any indication. ] Why don't we head back up to my office so I can change and we can see everything all together?

[ Because that would be the real test to see if everything he had picked would go together. They would. But she isn't about to step outside looking anything less than put together. ]

What did they do for the festival last year? Was it more or less what they're doing tonight?

[That Hilda finds the earrings and necklace to be Satisfactory feels like a massive achievement in Alucard's books. Never mind her full knowledge of what would be available, it is more about how she always looks so put together, and that he dresses far more down than she does. Perhaps friendship with Jaskier is a factor. Or luck.

He folds the dress over one of his arms and trusts Hilda with the rest, starting to head back towards the office.]

More or less. I think more homes and businesses are open along this block this year, since in front of the Hall is a nice landmark for others to use to meet up. Next year I imagine you might go all out with an event, but you've all been so busy lately.

Should we try and plan something for next year?

[ The thought flies from her mouth before she can stop herself. Thinking long term isn't necessarily something she's in practice of doing. War didn't provide that opportunity even though she often spoke at length about the things she'd like to do after it. None of them had been concrete plans; they always along the lines of her finding more time to nap or maybe doing more shopping once the roads and markets were open again. Maybe even seeing Thinking long term in a place like Abraxas where it felt like permanence wasn't guaranteed...that gives her some pause.

Thankfully walking back up to her office provides some room for her to pretend that such far flung things haven't taken her by surprise. ]

Maye next year I'll get someone else to make my costume instead so we'll have more time to plan.

We could hire someone and have them plan the use of the space. Outsource what can be outsourced and such.

[There's a gentle shrug. They might be here next year. He wants to be. But they don't know, and they're at Hilda's office now.]

I'll wait out here.

Closed | Hilda | Eifstide

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