Completed From the Bruised Breasts of Caged Birds

[Seryn Lusce]

It was with her keen hearing that she heard Signe correct the seamstress, but Seryn was always too polite to do such a thing. With her signature small, polite smile, Seryn turned her gaze to watch her sister move about and browse what was on offer. For her to ask for brown was not unheard of to Seryn, who always noted that Signe preferred the darker hues when she delighted in soft colours. No matter how much Seryn would try to get her sister to wear something light, it always looked much too odd on her.

Signe was a beauty all on her own.

"Brown only suits you, dearest Signe. I cannot see any other Lusce sporting the colour unless they wish to be washed out... but brown..." Seryn had spied a scrap piece of brown satin and draped it over Signe's shoulder for comparison. "Do you not agree?" She asked, turning the question now to the seamstress, who was fascinated that the idea worked so well with the taller Lusce.

Signe Lusce

 

[Signe Lusce]

Fae couldn’t lie. Seryn’s true words brought momentary joy.

“Everyone looks good in brown.” Signe said with a smile, looking at the piece of fabric that Seryn held up against her. “It just depends on the shade.” A small purse of her lips. She had seen this fabric, but strangely enough, it had looked more copper. Now in the natural shadow from her head, the fabric looked like a deep brown.

Signe would have never gone for satin, if only because silk was seen as the superior fabric, but as she took the sample from Seryn’s hand and inspected it in the light and away from it, the more did she grow to love it. It was clearly brown in neutral lighting, but there was something fascinating and fun in how it didn’t remain brown. She liked the copper sheen in the right light, appreciated how when dark it seemed to blend in with shadow.

“Well, I don’t think I need to look for anything else. This is perfect.” And it suited her and her shifting moods. It suited her thoughts of feeling like a leaf midair, being there and wondering what was here. She turned to the seamstress, grinning. “And it’ll go well with the gold I have.”

She nodded in agreement, flying over to the two duanann to look at the sample and then go to collect the bolt of fabric.

“Would you like to look through our book of styles? And then if I could collect your measurements.” Everything from this point on would be standard procedure, but Signe went to the book that the the sidhe had pointed out anyways.

“I wonder what our brother will be wearing?” She asked, half curious and half knowing.

Seryn Lusce

 

[Seryn Lusce]

The vision was coming to Seryn, her sister adorning this colour and no doubt will look enchanting. She did not agree that brown would suit her at all but Signe always had an eye that captured her well. It was in this trust that Seryn often listened to the wise words of Signe when it came to fashion and appearance, for who better to direct her than that of her favourite sister?

Seryn smiled, watching her sister with a quiet excitement.

"Something outlandish but yet, so very the essence of his being. I much look forward to seeing what he delights us all with next!"

Her fingers then go to brush against several pieces of white fabric, laying a piece of chiffon out before her and humming to herself. "This would be lovely to embroider some flowers on it... do you not agree, Signe?"


Signe Lusce

 

[Signe Lusce]

Signe hadn’t ever realized how lucky she was to have a older brother that loved getting dressed up more than all his sisters combined did. She thought she was quite the picky fashion icon, and in some ways, she was. Every sibling had their own unique style, and more often than not, they each greatly preferred their own to everyone else’s.

Saang did have a special way of getting all eyes on him, more astounding than his grand entrances was how every gaze continued to linger on him throughout the festivities. Signe was sometimes envious of it, wishing she could be more bold but whenever she had tried to force herself into that mold she was always riddled with anxiety.

She didn’t mind watching others have the things she could not. At least, she thought she didn’t.

A slight nod of her head as she flipped through pages, not yet finding a design that matched the one in her head. Signe already had a idea of what she wanted the dress to look like, now she just had to find something close enough to it so when she described the finer details the seamstress would understand. She paused in her search to look at the chiffon presented and nodded her head once more.

“A dress for spring?” Signe asked, looking back at the book. “You should find a few more embroidery projects. I don’t see these next weeks suddenly turning exciting for any of us while here.”

Seryn Lusce

 

[Seryn Lusce]

Seryn delicately scrunched her face at the prospect of a quiet season. She always thought of possessing the most beautiful things and spending time on her appearance, even if no one else were to see her that day besides the staff at the estate. To wait until Spring for any event on the horizon was a lifetime of boredom awaiting her.

"Or simply a new dress to make me happy. I can make it myself... perhaps I should embroider the gardenias Mother had sent us. A touch of home..." She softened at the end, realising that home was no longer there. The Winter Court was their new residence now, but it was becoming hard for her to truly adapt. Seryn had spent most of her life perfecting herself to be a respectable member of the Night Court, and now she was given freedom she had nought to do anything with but to make pretty dresses and chastise her younger sisters.

"The chiffon or the silk... I do love the feeling of silk against my cheek. Why not a handkerchief, Signe?" A small token! How delightful of a gift it would make. One each for her sisters and herself.

Signe Lusce

 

[Signe Lusce]

Lilting laughter spilled through her lips and once more, her green gaze was on Seryn. They softened, morose melancholy settling in as if she had never giggled. Home was a sore subject for the both of them. She tried to think back to the party at hand, reminded herself that she would look forward to it.

“Silk.” Signe said succinctly, and it was fate as the next page she turned happened to be almost what she had in her head. Simple and sleek with no frills and lace. It was understated and right now, she liked that more than ever. “Everyone always prefers silk over chiffon.” There seemed to be a giggle from the seamstress, pulling Signe away from Seryn.

“I‘ve decided. This, but sleeveless.” She looked back to Seryn. “The measurements should go fast and then after this should we… go straight back home? Or do you think we could head elsewhere?”

Seryn Lusce

 

[Seryn Lusce]

Seryn gave her sister a blank expression while she thought on what else to do. She convinced Signe to dress and leave the home today, and felt compelled to keep her out longer as they rarely ventured outside the home. Seryn smiled once the idea popped into her head.

"I need new dancing shoes. The shop is only down the street if you wished to accompany me, Signe." None of Seryn's pastel coloured shoes would pair well with the deep emerald dress, the silk from memory feeling so light against her skin she felt too exposed. As a Lusce in society, it prepared the daughters to be expected to own an arrangement of jewellery, and Seryn perhaps had the largest collection. Gold accessories were easily achievable, but it was the shoes that she needed to be sure she was ready for this event.

"I cannot borrow shoes from you or our other sisters when I have the smallest feet. Perhaps Sybil, but that little hellion... I would hate to see what condition her dancing shoes are in..."

Signe Lusce

 

[Signe Lusce]

Signe gave a audible gasp.

“I love shoe shopping.” Just like that, Signe’s day was made. There was nothing better than getting a new dress and helping a sister find new shoes. She would have said more but she was brought to the back to the individual dressing rooms.

It took little time for Signe’s measurements to get taken as she had already had quite a few numbers memorized. When finishing touches (and a poorly drawn sketch by Signe to help the seamstress really envision what she was envisioning) had been made and agreed upon, Signe strode up to Seryn with an excited grin.

“Shall we go?” She had figured Seryn had already purchased the fabric she wanted, but if she needed more time, Signe supposed she could wait a little longer. Time wasn’t an issue, but containing Signe’s excitement would be. After all, she loved shoe shopping.

Seryn Lusce

 

[Seryn Lusce]

Seryn would visit the seamstress again tomorrow, she decided, for the readiness Signe had for continuing their time together was enough to make her feel caught up in the excitement. She was not one to have favourites, but Signe put her other sisters to shame in terms of finding the things Seryn loves. They were the most alike, and she cherished these little delights she enjoyed and shared with her sister.

Arm in arm, her polite smile stayed pulling at her painted pink lips as they made their short walk to the shop that specialised in shoes for all occasions.

"What do you think would suit emerald, Signe? I need your input... I am working with rich colour..." and in truth could not trust her own opinions when she already thought her dress to be too revealing for her personal taste. It was a gift from their mother, a gift she would wear regardless.

Signe Lusce

 

[Signe Lusce]

“Black.” Signe said with no hesitation. She was bold in her statement, knowing more than anyone else that Seryn disliked wearing such a color. Signe loved it though. There was something about the color that drew her in. Black, more than white, seemed endless. It reminded of possibilities, of the night sky, of shadows and how they didn’t seem bound to rhyme or reason.

More importantly, black shoes went well with the dress that Seryn wanted to wear.

“The focus should be on the dress. On the slit in particular.” Signe tilted her head to the side. “So the shoes should be less grand. You’ll want to dance so you won’t want heels, and if they’re black then the dress can shine.”

Seryn Lusce

 

[Seryn Lusce]

"Black?"

Perhaps she had been a little hasty in seeking advice from her sister, who preferred rather the opposite of what made Seryn comfortable. The darkest colour of shoes she owned were a pair of riding boots, brown in leather. For everyday splendour, she owned a darker tone of mauve that went beautifully with a dress of the softest yellow that it looked like champagne.

"Black shoes, but not heels..." She tried to wrap her mind around the idea, grimacing lightly as they stepped into the shop and her eyes scanning the new styles and colours on display.

Would they even have the shoes that Signe was picturing?

"What if we were to go with a cream colour instead?"


Signe Lusce

 

[Signe Lusce]

Signe gave her favorite sister a sidelong look that clearly expressed her opinion on the color cream.

“Why? So you can look like you’re barefoot?” Signe did consider that option, and she was certain there was nothing wrong with it, but the vibe suited that boho chic she didn’t much care for. She couldn’t see Seryn pulling it off either with her demure smile and reserved eyes. Maybe for one of the bolder sisters.

“I know you don’t like the color black but everyone needs a pair of black shoes. It’s a crime not to own a pair.” Signe said as she began to look for shoes that she pictured in her mind. They had to go to the duanann section which was in the back.

Seryn Lusce

 

[Seryn Lusce]

Seryn widened her eyes and exhaled so softly, "Signe..." She was surprised at her bluntness, not a true surprise, but she had not expected her to say such a thing to Seryn. Her cheeks coloured to pink, stunned into silence as Signe led the way to the right section of the store.

They had every shoe style and colour imaginable, and Seryn was both overwhelmed and ready to search for the perfect pair.... with the help of her sister and her eye for fashion.

The vision Signe had for her was striking, something that would definitely catch the eye of many. Seryn was not one for being in the public eye, but with Signe by her side, she doubt she would attract too much attention.


Signe Lusce

 

[Signe Lusce]

The younger sister shrugged at the soft exclamation from Seryn and thought little of it. She wasn’t lying or trying to lie. There was no need to hide it or to defend her words. Instead she focused more on the task at hand. While she knew Seryn liked heels due to her insecurity about her height, Signe had never found it to be a flaw.

It had to suck that as one of the oldest, the younger sisters tended to be taller. Signe’s lips quirked up when she first noticed that Seryn had to look up to chide her. She had teased her for a whole month on that affair until realizing the teasing hit harder than she had intended.

“They do enjoy their slippers here.” Signe said, finding over a dozen pairs that nearly looked the same except for a few minor details. “But these are nice.” She held out her favorite. “Or these.” Just a slight half-inch heel in this pair. “But you might like flats.” Another pair. “Oh, but these are lovely. So shiny!” And another pair of shoes was brought to Seryn’s attention. “Do we go with velvet or matte leather or shiny leather or should we avoid those materials and just go with something soft?” It turned out that even plain black shoes could be a ordeal.

Seryn Lusce

 

[Seryn Lusce]

Seryn had taken a seat on the plush settee while Signe held up each pair of black shoes she could not decide on, presenting them for the older Lusce to weigh an opinion in the mix.

"I do not like shine to my shoes." She offered, hoping if she gave small ideas here and there, Signe would find the perfect pair and they could return home sooner. "And a slight heel is not a bad idea." She was not blessed with height like most of her siblings, and it had always been whispered at functions of her shorter stature until she learned to walk and moderately dance in some of the highest heels available.

If someone could appreciate her as she was, she would not need to fuss so much on her overall appearance.


Signe Lusce

 

[Signe Lusce]

“No shine, a little heel,” Signe mused, dropping down the four options that she had shown Seryn. She hadn’t said that she liked any of them. “Let’s see, maybe….” She did a slow spin, taking her time to look up and down. “Oh, these would be lovely, Seryn, look at these!” Signe wasted no time in heading to a bare of very high thigh-high boots. No shine, slight heel, and a statement piece through and through. “These would be perfect for your dress!”

Seryn Lusce

 

[Seryn Lusce]

Seryn gaped at the boots, watching her sister hold up the leg of the boot to show the length.

"Courtesans would not dare wear something that high up the leg!" She blurted.

She stood up and examined a single boot at her side. "I forgot about the slit in the dress. Signe. Be serious for a moment with me... Do you honestly think I will look nice for the Hunt?"


Signe Lusce

 

[Signe Lusce]

“Why would I lie?” Signe asked, raising a brow more curious than upset. “And why would I not want you to look nice for the Hunt?” Now her eyes softened and she set the shoes down. “Try them on, they’re already in your size.” She said with a gentle smile. “The dress has a large slit in it, doesn’t it? But this will help you not feel so exposed, because most of your leg will be covered. And,” Signe said with a sly grin, “you’ll still look lovely as always.”

Seryn Lusce

 

[Seryn Lusce]

Seryn pursed her lips before twirling back to her seat and promptly sitting back down. Pulling her soft blue skirts up so that Signe could help her get the boots on to try, Seryn wordlessly went ahead to try the suggestion of her sister.

She was right, it covered her entire leg until halfway up her thigh. The dress, from memory, went as high as her hip, but having this give her some sense of modesty was appreciated.

Signe certainly knew how to sell a look to her.

"It is actually comfortable." She breathed, moving to stand and admire the way the boots accentuated her slender legs.

Dare she say it? Let alone think it? The overall look Signe helped put together was sensual, playing with her feminine features. It was certainly not her comfort style, but the way the boots made her feel...

"I think these are the right pair."


Signe Lusce

 

[Signe Lusce]

Signe was more than happen to crouch down and help the boots onto her sister, tying it up at the top so that it wouldn’t fall down below her knee.

“I’m glad you think that. They suit you perfectly.” The top of the boot didn’t dig into her skin, even when firmly tied, and while they might have gone up higher on Seryn’s leg than Signe’s, it seemed far more preferable that way than if it ended lower. “And they’re not shiny. There’s some heel. Really, they’re everything you could want for that trust.” Signe turned her head then, raising a hand to get the attention of an associate. “We’ll take these!” The redhead chimed.

Seryn Lusce

 

[Seryn Lusce]

Seryn and Signe were a giddy mess again once they found themselves back in the elder Lusce's room, green dress and boots donned to see if the vision was there for the younger Lusce. Signe had insisted her auburn hair to be loose so that it could be striking in comparison to the emerald green.

When she first saw her reflection, Seryn went to cover her chest and pull at the skirts, so unused to the revealing of flesh. Night Court had her covering up so much to look modest and not attract unwanted stares...

"I look... like a new woman." It was so silly of her to say, but it was true nonetheless. There were curves to her that she never thought possible, and the slit opened at the barest touch to show the new boots Signe helped lace up again. If her friends from the Night Court could see her now... she knew the young lords in her cicrcle would be whistling and making remarks, but Seryn felt confident in herself now, almost enjoying the edgier look.

"With you next to me on the night, we are going to have to keep any potential suitors at a distance." All worries ceased once she saw the ensemble, and Seryn reached back to grasp Signe's hand to squeeze. "Thank you for putting up with my fussing. Now... help me out of this so that we may freshen up before dinner is ready?"