witheredpeonies | Pumpkin Hollow Inbox

Oh wow, she's so elegant! A proper lady to be sure -- Shen Qingqiu is now absolutely certain this is the person he needs to speak to.

"I appreciate it." Shifting his notebook under one arm, he cups one hand over the other and bows to her deeply. "This humble one is known by the family name Shen, courtesy name Qingqiu. I'd hoped to treat with you for the commission of a new suit of clothes, in a style to which I am more accustomed." Maybe, hopefully more than a single suit. But one thing at a time, correct?

Annabel offers a formal curtsy in response to the deep bow, lowering her head politely.

"I don't think the style you're accustomed to is one I've worked in before, but if you can explain how the garments are constructed, I'm willing to learn more."

"I actually prepared some sketches, to help you get an idea of what I'm looking for," Shen Qingqiu explains. He holds out the sketchbook for Annabel Lee's inspection; the first three or four pages contain delicate watercolor sketches of himself dressed in green and white robes. The final painting is a more detailed sketch of what he hopes his enforcer uniform to look like: an outer robe in the heavy blue fabric of the enforcer coats, but with a longer waist and sleeves and a looser fit, over lighter robes of tan. He also penciled in a few notes about potential locations for extra pockets in the lining and sleeves.

"I'm also happy to answer any questions you might have," he says modestly, "Although since I have no knowledge of sewing myself, you might need to explain a few things to me along the way."

Annabel examines the sketches, asking some questions about how things are fastened and underlayers. It's well outside her wheelhouse.

That doesn't mean she's not going to try.

"I'm not sure we have anything as fine as the material you're used to. I imagine silk was popular, where you're from?"

"It was, but we also wore garments made from hemp or linen, as they do here." Mostly underwear and peasant's clothes, to be fair, but there's no need to embarrass them both by saying so. "I don't mind adapting to local customs in a few small ways, it's just..." He sighs quietly, glancing up at the ceiling as if to conceal his own expression of embarrassment. "Adjusting to such a big change in my daily dress, I can't say it's been easy or pleasant..."

It's strange that he should be struggling so much, considering that he grew up wearing stiff jeans and t-shirts, not that different from the clothes worn by the local islanders...and yet, the more he considers the prospect of never wearing cultivator robes again, the more his blood runs cold and his palms itch with sweat. Even dressing like a simple sellsword feels better than that.

"I will see what I can do with these patterns. Come in perhaps on Thursday or Friday to try on a mock-up and we can adjust from there?"

She's determined to do what she can for him, but it's a very daunting prospect with no real former knowledge to work from. Still, the effort must be made!

"I'd be happy to!" Shen Qingqiu bows to her deeply, adding, "I really do appreciate you making this effort. Even if it doesn't come out exactly the same, just the attempt will be very valuable to me. Please let me know if there's anything else I can do to make your job easier."

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