[closed post: shadow and bone]

[ravkanwitch]

Nina is back in the library but with a different task in mind today. She has a couple books on weaponry spread out on the table in front of her this time and she's flipping through them idly, glancing at some designs. Weapons have never been her forte; who needs them when all you need to do is think and squeeze a hand and be able to incapacitate a man that way? But death - death is more fickle than life. She can't just defend herself with the concept of death, especially in a place that seems to lack it. No bodies to control, no graves with secrets to collect. She needs something more substantial.

And yet, it's a slow process. She finds herself distracted, thinking about the day of visitors. Seeing Kaz Brekker in the flesh again. Liu Mingyan. Speaking with Baghra about the Darkling. She's thinking about the long, long life that must have led to lead him to who he is now. She's not necessarily sad, just -- pensive. Lost in thought.

Comments

[ravkanwitch]

Now that Nina has a better idea of what he’s looking for, she focuses really hard on bringing all the elements together and opens the wardrobe again — and it’s promising, it really is, but it’s distinctly fuschia, which is probably not the color he’s looking for.

She makes a face. “Well, see how this fits you, at least.”

[sagramore]

He laughs, but changes into the new dress -- the fit is perfect, and the stays fit snugly around his chest, the neckline creating the impression of the swell of breasts. Immediately he turns for the mirror, and his expression is delighted. "That's perfect! I mean, not the color, obviously, but otherwise--"

[ravkanwitch]

“Nice fit. Nice collarbones too,” Nina says, appreciatively. “Maybe you try? You had a specific shade of red in mind, didn’t you?”

[sagramore]

"Yes, that's imminently sensible." He reaches into the wardrobe and pulls out nearly the same gown, but this time in the rich red of a sun sunk nearly to the horizon. The stays are brocade, the embroidery a pattern of sprays of Solomon's seals, and the sweeping, gathered skirt is satin, and moves fluidly around his legs when he holds it against his body. He whirls around to show her.

[ravkanwitch]

Nina claps her hands together. "Perfection," is all she says.

[sagramore]

"Now thee," eagerly. "What wilt thou wear?"

[ravkanwitch]

"Is there a dress code?" She asks, curiously. "I've been dressing differently since I arrived here -- more simple, honestly, but I don't want to wear anything too traditional or sleek. I want something fun."

[sagramore]

"Thou shouldst wear whatever thou wouldst love to dance in -- as I will."

[ravkanwitch]

"Hmm," Nina thinks. She closes her eyes for a moment. After opening them, she opens the wardrobe and pulls out a beautiful gown with a bit of a v-neck, a mildly corseted front, and a lot of tulle. The only problem is that it's black. "Well, fitting for a Corpsewitch," she says, a little wryly. "Also not the color I was looking for -- but we'll see if it fits."

She isn't too concerned about changing in front of Sagramore (he's seen a lot more and she's seen a lot more) but she does turn around and quickly change into it facing away from him. After that's done, she spins back around again and does a little twirl.

[sagramore]

Sagramore averts his gaze politely, although she's quite right, and he hadn't been particularly shy about changing in front of her. When she turns around again he applauds her twirl.

"Aye, that's too dour a color for thee, but the shape of it is splendid. Thou wilt have every eye on thee."

[ravkanwitch]

Nina grins at him, giving the dress another tentative swirl. “I’ll try and find a better color. Are you anxious about the dance at all? Excited? I mean, you’re already married — but the dance will be so symbolic and meaningful.”

[sagramore]

"Anything that pleases thee will suit. --This isn't the sort of thing that makes me anxious," with a laugh. "He knows I love him. I just want him to have a wonderful time. And, ideally, to dance with Enjolras."

[ravkanwitch]

“We’ll all have a wonderful time,” Nina reassures him, squinting one eye at the wardrobe. Maybe that will help. This time, she pulls out a dress very similar to the one she’s wearing — except in a beautiful burgundy color.

“And Enjolras? He and Laertes are… together?” She asks, curious. She rarely asks him about his romantic life and his partners since he can be so secretive about it — but they’ve only become closer over time.

[sagramore]

"Yes," his voice gone soft with affection. "Laertes loves him. I'm glad of it. We're built so similarly, and I wouldn't want him to think he couldn't love other friends or try out every possible way of enjoying himself. It's good. But," he adds, with a grin, "I do want to see whether Enjolras and I can fluster him."

[ravkanwitch]

Nina laughs approvingly, changing into this other gown. “You’re terrible.”

The burgundy gown on now, she gives him another spin. It fits about the same but the dark color of it goes well with her brown hair and emphasizes her green eyes. “Much better. The color, I mean.”

[sagramore]

"I like to be terrible. It's good for me."

And then, "Jesu, it's marvelous. It makes the color of thine eyes more rich."

[ravkanwitch]

“Thank you,” she beams, giving it another spin. “We’ll both look amazing at the dance.”

[sagramore]

"Thou wilt do me the honor of at least one dance, wilt thou not? That Zemeni one thou hadst instructed me in last time?"

[ravkanwitch]

“Of course! I’d be insulted if you didn’t ask me,” Nina huffs in faux outrage. “I’m hoping to dance with as many people as I can.”

[sagramore]

"As am I! We should keep track. A friendly competition?"

[ravkanwitch]

Nina makes a small face. "Well, you'll definitely win since it's your dance and you have so many friends here, but I can never pass up a friendly competition... so you're on."

[sagramore]

"Splendid." He begins putting his other clothes back on, and after a thoughtful pause, turns back to her. "Ah, I meant to ask thee-- didst thou speak to Asmodean about the talent show? I was surprised to see him there."

[ravkanwitch]

"You know," Nina says, thoughtfully, "I actually hadn't met him before the talent show, which was surprising to me. We ran into each other in the library, though, and we had an interesting conversation. Why were you surprised to see him there?"

[sagramore]

"He's-- I've thought of him as someone who keeps to himself, I suppose. Did he seem well?" His tone is complicated -- hopeful, cautious, a bit wistful.

[ravkanwitch]

She frowns slightly at the tone. "He seemed well to me. We talked about the differences between the small sciences -- Grisha abilities -- and his channeling, and... and about this place being a second chance. An escape."