["Mercurian miss," Secilia waited for her to finish before she'd spoken up, lounging back on the couch, one leg crossed over the other. "To help you, I need to know some things."
"But," Suletta's protest was gentle and puzzled, "I explained-"
"No," Secilia had waved a hand in lazy impatience, "not about your situation. I understand that. Tell me about Miorine."
So Suletta had, and she'd watched as Secilia's expression had gone intent and shrewd.
"Okay," she'd said, as Suletta finished, "here's what you do."
In the present, Suletta considers Miorine's answer. She frowns to herself. And instead of rushing to obey, she sends another message.]
That's true. I shouldn't have assumed. Ah, but now I feel a little unsure... Do they suit me after all? But if they're too snug, I don't want to be inappropriate... Is there anything that stands out?
[ She's not even so sure herself why she grows so impatient so quickly. Even for her this was a new record. ]
I mean it's not actually inappropriate. On someone else nothing about this would stand out.
[ Vaguely, she wonders if Suletta is playing dumb. She was naive, but far too conscious of how she was perceived to suddenly be speaking to her like this. ]
It's more skin than you'd usually show. Is this you worrying you're too lanky again? If that is the case the stockings are a good choice, they extenuate your curves.
She makes a neat tally mark in her notebook beside a cutesy sticker of a red panda. Beneath this is a similarly cutesy sticker of a little white cat.
Round 2.]
Ah, you guessed! I was worried about it again. All the magazines I read said that this style was good for taller people.
How about this?
[She sends her next image. This time, she's sprawled out in bed, sheets rumpled around her ankles. This one shows her face — though she looks off to the side in this, her expression distant and almost bored. One arm is slung above her head, her hand loose and relaxed.
This time the stockings are nude, just as high. She's paired it with a dress shirt that's a little oversized on her, the sleeves rolled up to her forearms. The top buttons are left undone. There's a gold bracelet on one of her arms - a simple gold band.
This one, Secilia had needed to egg her on (read: bully) her into doing. She'd tossed several of her initial attempts out (too stiff, you look like a terrified duck - nevermind what that means, keep your eyes open! almost, just turn your head-) until they had settled on this.
Suletta waits for a few moments, and compiles her explanation together. She remembers that Secilia had given her a trump card, and feels the stress that had been rising inside of her turn down to a low simmer.]
The magazines all said that taking pictures this way helps with feeling comfortable. That's why I decided on this one. I like the bracelet. This shirt - I thought it would be nice to wear under the jacket, but it's a little big on me. It's roomy and nice to sleep in though, so it's still useful. What do you think?
[ This development is so alarming that Miorine actually reaches over her balled up sheets and across the mess of her nightstand to her lamp on. She rubs the drowsiness from, her eyes and holds her phone with both hands.
Her first question is: Is real? But she answers that one immediately - it had to be. Suletta never did things like this and it wouldn't even cross her mind to doctor photos. Her next question is who took this photo? She combs through a mental list of candidates, none of them really making sense.
What kind of dumb magazines are you reading???
[ Is her knee jerk response; there's a part of her still wondering if this was some kind of prank (granted, Suletta's pranks were usually silly and stupid). ]
Whose shirt is that
[ The shape of Suletta's figure is visible for once, as are the curves of her chest. ]
[She thinks that Secilia surely must be a genius. Suletta draws another tally mark. This was steadily becoming less and less nerve-wracking by the minute. Instead it felt a little bit like a game, and she was always really good at those. Almost as good as her mother.
She waits cross legged on the bed, takes a few deep breaths with her eyes closed, lingers over the messages. She chews on a thumbnail.
The first response Miorine had given wasn't all that important - if she spent more time on it than the other two, it would frustrate her. The second is the question Miorine really wants answered, the third is the hardest one, but it was her version of a compliment, which Secilia had been displeased at her with when she'd explained. That's it? She's lazy. Make her work.]
I borrowed them! There are all kinds of useful tips. There's makeup ideas, and pretty dresses. I didn't know that girls as tall as me wore heels! I want to try those. If I start small, it shouldn't be too hard, right?
Just fine? That's true - you're right. I thought so too. It's not very practical, is it? If I do things that way, I'd have to get a blouse that fits better.
[ Miorine doesn't realize that her blood pressure has spiked until Suletta responds to her and she finds her heartbeat calming some. This was much more business as usual.. maybe she'd been over thinking it. ]
Heels are a good idea they look better on tall girls anyway You have the legs for them you won't look like a kid wearing her moms shoes You probably won't even have any trouble wearing them, you have good balance And honestly you're not even THAT tall
[ Leave it to Miorine to turn this into a very technical conversation about fashion.
That last bit is less reassurance and more Miorine's own annoyance at being so small. ]
Well you could still wear that one Cinching it at the waist would help Or wearing form fitting bottoms It's about balance
Amazing... [Secilia was amazing! She guessed exactly right - no wonder she was a counselor.
Suletta mulls over this.]
Eh? Is she a counselor?
[Something to ask later. For a time she allows herself to soak up the compliments sprinkled throughout Miorine's exacting advice. She's not sure if Stage 3 will work, but she adds another tally mark to her score for her victory in Stage 2. She feels a little bad - Miorine hadn't scored points so far.
However, Suletta was a graceless winner, and a sore loser. She didn't feel all that bad. Games were meant to be won. That's what her mother said, anyway.
Stage 3 begins with a breadcrumb.]
Balance, balance...
That advice is so helpful. I wrote it all down. It's close to what my friend said too when they were helping with the pictures. Thank you, Miorine!
[This was risky in the same way that any tactical manuever was — if it landed, that was good. If it didn't, then - adjustment in the little heartbeats of space between a beam rifle powering up again. Weaving her way through lasers, through pitted asteroids. Easy.
She waits a moment. Then:]
Ah, it's gotten pretty late, hasn't it? I didn't mean to keep you up so long with something like this. Are you tired?
[Suletta's dancing around on top of the bed, twirling like she's in an old romantic film and being guided by an invisible partner. Then she remembers that other people are still sleeping, and flops back onto the bed with a big triumphant grin.
She rolls over when she remembers to add another tally mark.
Oh, and to respond.]
Ah, yes? When I brought up my troubles figuring out clothes, they offered to help. They're really talented with things like this! It was nice of them. Oh, it wasn't forced - they wouldn't do that! They just gave advice. Mm, I guess they did help with posing a little... And with some of the lighting. I wouldn't have been able to figure it out on my own. Didn't they turn out fashionable?
[ Truthfully she hardly reads what Suletta has said, growing more and more frustrated with SUletta's non-answers. She's typing very aggressively. ]
Your friend is a pervert Don't do this sort of thing with them ever again If you need help with stuff like this ask me first or someone like Nika or Chuchu. Also stop covering for them who was it???
[Suletta is blissful. She's biting the inside of her cheek to avoid giggling. Her response comes back after a measured pause as always... as soon as she adds another tally mark.]
Pervert? No, no, it isn't like that! She really did help. I thought of you, but you're always so busy, and ah, this sort of thing is a little embarrassing... I didn't think Chuchu-senpai or Nika-san would be interested in this kind of topic. I'm not covering, you just - You seem upset. I don't want you to take it out on her.
[ Miorine takes a moment to mull this over, scrutinizing Suletta's message in the same way she would a business plan or correspondence during a negotiation. ]
[Her imminent victory means that it takes her a moment to catch up to the tone of the message. She glances over to her tally marks, then her cheeks puff out.
Begrudgingly, she places a single mark next to the cat.]
She's frowning when she adds another tally mark to Miorine's side. That still wasn't a lead, and she still had her trump card, but she'd been hoping not to use it... not so soon anyway.
Ah, well. Secilia had shrugged when she had expressed her reservations, and said with the sort of lazy disregard that indicated a truly pathological lack of fear, that she had been subject to worse than the wrath of Miorine Rembran.]
Ah, that's not- I didn't say that. Please don't be mad, but... well. It was Secilia-san. She said that she noticed me fretting and wanted to help. It wasn't much. She gave me advice.
Though she isn't foolish enough to blame it all on Suletta. This side of her was new but when she connected all the dots she was beginning to draw a picture that almost made sense.
Miorine wonders if this was on her list too. ]
Secilia? Your first mistake was asking her for any help ever. But I'm not mad What were you so worked up about that she felt like she needed to help you out?
[A sigh of relief. Suletta decides not to give herself a point, but she doesn't give one to Miorine, either.]
Ah - no, that isn't true! Secilia-san is... She's bold, but she gives good advice. She's knowledgeable.
[Her defense of Secilia given, and perhaps a little sullen that the game seemed to be over, she continues on.]
It was clothing advice, really! But, ah... also. I suppose it was romance advice too. When I told her that you and I don't see much of each other, she suggested something like this. It sounded like something you'd like.
But once her ire has passed she feels a little bashful, affection bubbling in her stomach.
She underestimates how Suletta might feel about her being gone, especially when she always has so many others to keep her occupied. Wordlessly, Miorine sends Suletta two pictures:
One is of her lock screen, it's a picture of Suletta trying ice cream for the first time. Her cheeks are stuffed full of dessert and she looks euphoric.
The other screenshot is of her wallpaper once her phone is unlocked. It's the picture Suletta has most recently sent. ]
[The pictures she's sent make Suletta first look exhausted — not that picture, she thinks — whereas the second one makes her flush in a mixture of pride and embarrassment.]
Ehe I practiced this time. After a while, it wasn't as scary to take the pictures. Secilia-san was patient while I got it right. Oh! I'll send another.
[In this one, she's in a black dress. It manages to be tasteful, but it's far more daring than anything they'd wear to school. It's strapless, leaves her back exposed, and it clings to her body in a way nothing else had thus far. Her posture while seated in the windowsill again is relaxed — the dress is long and flowing, but the leg crossed over her knee is exposed. She's wearing a pair of strappy black heels, and the photographer has caught her in a candid moment, because her head is thrown back in laughter.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2023-06-22 04:06 pm (UTC)"But," Suletta's protest was gentle and puzzled, "I explained-"
"No," Secilia had waved a hand in lazy impatience, "not about your situation. I understand that. Tell me about Miorine."
So Suletta had, and she'd watched as Secilia's expression had gone intent and shrewd.
"Okay," she'd said, as Suletta finished, "here's what you do."
In the present, Suletta considers Miorine's answer. She frowns to herself. And instead of rushing to obey, she sends another message.]
That's true. I shouldn't have assumed.
Ah, but now I feel a little unsure...
Do they suit me after all? But if they're too snug, I don't want to be inappropriate...
Is there anything that stands out?
no subject
Date: 2023-06-22 06:00 pm (UTC)I mean it's not actually inappropriate.
On someone else nothing about this would stand out.
[ Vaguely, she wonders if Suletta is playing dumb. She was naive, but far too conscious of how she was perceived to suddenly be speaking to her like this. ]
It's more skin than you'd usually show.
Is this you worrying you're too lanky again?
If that is the case the stockings are a good choice, they extenuate your curves.
no subject
Date: 2023-06-22 06:41 pm (UTC)It worked...!
[Suletta: 1.
She makes a neat tally mark in her notebook beside a cutesy sticker of a red panda. Beneath this is a similarly cutesy sticker of a little white cat.
Round 2.]
Ah, you guessed!
I was worried about it again. All the magazines I read said that this style was good for taller people.
How about this?
[She sends her next image. This time, she's sprawled out in bed, sheets rumpled around her ankles. This one shows her face — though she looks off to the side in this, her expression distant and almost bored. One arm is slung above her head, her hand loose and relaxed.
This time the stockings are nude, just as high. She's paired it with a dress shirt that's a little oversized on her, the sleeves rolled up to her forearms. The top buttons are left undone. There's a gold bracelet on one of her arms - a simple gold band.
This one, Secilia had needed to egg her on (read: bully) her into doing. She'd tossed several of her initial attempts out (too stiff, you look like a terrified duck - nevermind what that means, keep your eyes open! almost, just turn your head-) until they had settled on this.
Suletta waits for a few moments, and compiles her explanation together. She remembers that Secilia had given her a trump card, and feels the stress that had been rising inside of her turn down to a low simmer.]
The magazines all said that taking pictures this way helps with feeling comfortable.
That's why I decided on this one.
I like the bracelet. This shirt - I thought it would be nice to wear under the jacket, but it's a little big on me. It's roomy and nice to sleep in though, so it's still useful.
What do you think?
no subject
Date: 2023-06-22 07:46 pm (UTC)Her first question is: Is real? But she answers that one immediately - it had to be. Suletta never did things like this and it wouldn't even cross her mind to doctor photos. Her next question is who took this photo? She combs through a mental list of candidates, none of them really making sense.
What kind of dumb magazines are you reading???
[ Is her knee jerk response; there's a part of her still wondering if this was some kind of prank (granted, Suletta's pranks were usually silly and stupid). ]
Whose shirt is that
[ The shape of Suletta's figure is visible for once, as are the curves of her chest. ]
It fits fine.
no subject
Date: 2023-06-22 08:16 pm (UTC)She waits cross legged on the bed, takes a few deep breaths with her eyes closed, lingers over the messages. She chews on a thumbnail.
The first response Miorine had given wasn't all that important - if she spent more time on it than the other two, it would frustrate her. The second is the question Miorine really wants answered, the third is the hardest one, but it was her version of a compliment, which Secilia had been displeased at her with when she'd explained. That's it? She's lazy. Make her work.]
I borrowed them! There are all kinds of useful tips. There's makeup ideas, and pretty dresses. I didn't know that girls as tall as me wore heels! I want to try those. If I start small, it shouldn't be too hard, right?
Just fine? That's true - you're right. I thought so too. It's not very practical, is it? If I do things that way, I'd have to get a blouse that fits better.
no subject
Date: 2023-06-22 08:24 pm (UTC)Heels are a good idea they look better on tall girls anyway
You have the legs for them you won't look like a kid wearing her moms shoes
You probably won't even have any trouble wearing them, you have good balance
And honestly you're not even THAT tall
[ Leave it to Miorine to turn this into a very technical conversation about fashion.
That last bit is less reassurance and more Miorine's own annoyance at being so small. ]
Well you could still wear that one
Cinching it at the waist would help
Or wearing form fitting bottoms
It's about balance
no subject
Date: 2023-06-22 08:50 pm (UTC)Suletta mulls over this.]
Eh? Is she a counselor?
[Something to ask later. For a time she allows herself to soak up the compliments sprinkled throughout Miorine's exacting advice. She's not sure if Stage 3 will work, but she adds another tally mark to her score for her victory in Stage 2. She feels a little bad - Miorine hadn't scored points so far.
However, Suletta was a graceless winner, and a sore loser. She didn't feel all that bad. Games were meant to be won. That's what her mother said, anyway.
Stage 3 begins with a breadcrumb.]
Balance, balance...
That advice is so helpful. I wrote it all down. It's close to what my friend said too when they were helping with the pictures. Thank you, Miorine!
[This was risky in the same way that any tactical manuever was — if it landed, that was good. If it didn't, then - adjustment in the little heartbeats of space between a beam rifle powering up again. Weaving her way through lasers, through pitted asteroids. Easy.
She waits a moment. Then:]
Ah, it's gotten pretty late, hasn't it? I didn't mean to keep you up so long with something like this. Are you tired?
no subject
Date: 2023-06-22 08:55 pm (UTC)Someone TOOK these photos??
Did you TELL them to take them that way?
Or did they force you into it?
Who was it??????????????????????????
[ the rest of the message is ignored. ]
no subject
Date: 2023-06-22 09:10 pm (UTC)[Suletta's dancing around on top of the bed, twirling like she's in an old romantic film and being guided by an invisible partner. Then she remembers that other people are still sleeping, and flops back onto the bed with a big triumphant grin.
She rolls over when she remembers to add another tally mark.
Oh, and to respond.]
Ah, yes?
When I brought up my troubles figuring out clothes, they offered to help. They're really talented with things like this! It was nice of them.
Oh, it wasn't forced - they wouldn't do that! They just gave advice.
Mm, I guess they did help with posing a little...
And with some of the lighting. I wouldn't have been able to figure it out on my own.
Didn't they turn out fashionable?
no subject
Date: 2023-06-22 09:15 pm (UTC)Your friend is a pervert
Don't do this sort of thing with them ever again
If you need help with stuff like this ask me first or someone like Nika or Chuchu.
Also stop covering for them who was it???
no subject
Date: 2023-06-22 09:29 pm (UTC)Pervert? No, no, it isn't like that! She really did help.
I thought of you, but you're always so busy, and ah, this sort of thing is a little embarrassing...
I didn't think Chuchu-senpai or Nika-san would be interested in this kind of topic.
I'm not covering, you just -
You seem upset. I don't want you to take it out on her.
no subject
Date: 2023-06-22 09:34 pm (UTC)I get it now.
You were the pervert all along.
no subject
Date: 2023-06-22 09:39 pm (UTC)Begrudgingly, she places a single mark next to the cat.]
Huh?
What do you mean?
I'm not being a pervert.
no subject
Date: 2023-06-22 09:45 pm (UTC)I wasn't born yesterday
If you're not the pervert then your little friend is
Which is it going to be?
no subject
Date: 2023-06-22 10:02 pm (UTC)Darn.
She's frowning when she adds another tally mark to Miorine's side. That still wasn't a lead, and she still had her trump card, but she'd been hoping not to use it... not so soon anyway.
Ah, well. Secilia had shrugged when she had expressed her reservations, and said with the sort of lazy disregard that indicated a truly pathological lack of fear, that she had been subject to worse than the wrath of Miorine Rembran.]
Ah, that's not-
I didn't say that. Please don't be mad, but... well.
It was Secilia-san. She said that she noticed me fretting and wanted to help.
It wasn't much. She gave me advice.
no subject
Date: 2023-06-22 10:22 pm (UTC)Though she isn't foolish enough to blame it all on Suletta. This side of her was new but when she connected all the dots she was beginning to draw a picture that almost made sense.
Miorine wonders if this was on her list too. ]
Secilia? Your first mistake was asking her for any help ever.
But I'm not mad
What were you so worked up about that she felt like she needed to help you out?
no subject
Date: 2023-06-22 10:35 pm (UTC)Ah - no, that isn't true! Secilia-san is...
She's bold, but she gives good advice. She's knowledgeable.
[Her defense of Secilia given, and perhaps a little sullen that the game seemed to be over, she continues on.]
It was clothing advice, really!
But, ah... also.
I suppose it was romance advice too. When I told her that you and I don't see much of each other, she suggested something like this.
It sounded like something you'd like.
no subject
Date: 2023-06-22 10:40 pm (UTC)[ It's a little payback, maybe.
But once her ire has passed she feels a little bashful, affection bubbling in her stomach.
She underestimates how Suletta might feel about her being gone, especially when she always has so many others to keep her occupied. Wordlessly, Miorine sends Suletta two pictures:
One is of her lock screen, it's a picture of Suletta trying ice cream for the first time. Her cheeks are stuffed full of dessert and she looks euphoric.
The other screenshot is of her wallpaper once her phone is unlocked. It's the picture Suletta has most recently sent. ]
no subject
Date: 2023-06-22 11:00 pm (UTC)[The pictures she's sent make Suletta first look exhausted — not that picture, she thinks — whereas the second one makes her flush in a mixture of pride and embarrassment.]
You liked it that much?
[This question is genuine.]
no subject
Date: 2023-06-22 11:02 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2023-06-22 11:18 pm (UTC)I know.
What else about it did you like?
I like knowing your thoughts.
no subject
Date: 2023-06-22 11:27 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2023-06-22 11:33 pm (UTC)And then, a miraculous event.]
No. I asked you first.
no subject
Date: 2023-06-23 12:38 am (UTC)Your confidence.
You're never not self-conscious
Even around me
no subject
Date: 2023-06-23 12:59 am (UTC)I practiced this time.
After a while, it wasn't as scary to take the pictures. Secilia-san was patient while I got it right.
Oh!
I'll send another.
[In this one, she's in a black dress. It manages to be tasteful, but it's far more daring than anything they'd wear to school. It's strapless, leaves her back exposed, and it clings to her body in a way nothing else had thus far. Her posture while seated in the windowsill again is relaxed — the dress is long and flowing, but the leg crossed over her knee is exposed. She's wearing a pair of strappy black heels, and the photographer has caught her in a candid moment, because her head is thrown back in laughter.]
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