IV. A Day Out

[madaboutit]

Leashing Ritual
Glamour Ritual
Meeting Jinx
Second attempt at Bathing Ritual


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Sweeney arrives in a timely manner, laden with more than normal. Breakfast is modest, but it's still plenty to fill her belly before they leave. He also has a couple of additional bags slung over a shoulder.

When he enters, he doesn't pause, as he normally would; Sweeney just bows his head in greeting and starts to the vanity to unpack. As he sets things down, it becomes increasingly clear that this is not a casual outing for him either. His attire includes a long blue-grey doublet detailed in gold.

"I hope that sleep was kind," he offers gently.

Comments

[whatsinfrontofyou]

"I'm well rested."

Vex's assurance is true enough, but comes out distracted as she looks over both Sweeney's clothes and the extra gear. She expected a dress, of course. And the leash. Breakfast. If she thought about it, she'd expect shoes and such as well. Still, that doesn't fully account for everything he seems to have brought, or his own fine clothes.

She drifts closer to get a better look. "What's all this?"

[madaboutit]

"You wished ta go out." Stating the obvious, but with a sense of affection. Sweeney pulls out a neatly folded bundle of blue fabric and lays it on the bed, not looking to rush her to dress.

"I want ta make sure ya have everythin' that ya need ta do so."

When unfurled the draped gown is revealed to provocative, but with full coverage, in a similar color to his own attire. Sweeney busies himself with setting out food for her in the meantime.

[whatsinfrontofyou]

Vex is drawn to the dress, running her hands over it appreciatively. While not what she's used to, it's still a welcome change from the shift she's worn here. If nothing else, the color a nice change, and the fact it feels like real clothing rather than a nightgown or undergarment.

At least that hasn't scared her off, though she takes a moment admire it rather than immediately putting it on.

"So I see. I didn't realize it would be so much work." Then, after a pause she asks the obvious question. "Do you expect we'll be seen?"

[madaboutit]

"Yes."

He doesn't look up from his work. Of course, they'll be seen. Otherwise, the leash would be less on an issue.

"I suspect many folk are interested ta see you, given it's yer first time out."

Sweeney produces matching slippers and crosses to set them on the bed beside her.

[whatsinfrontofyou]

Vex hesitates a moment longer, considering asking him not to look, but decides again that it's nothing he hasn't already seen. Somehow it's easier to have him view her when it's more... incidental.

And when she's not ass up.

The shift comes off, set aside on the bed, and she pulls on the dress. It gives her something to do while she imagines meeting—or at least seeing—more faeries. Other than Sweeney and the Emissary, the only fae she's seen were briefly as she was led to her room and the one maid who brought her meals when Sweeney didn't.

She's curious. And she worries what they'll make of her.

"Not His Grace, though."

[madaboutit]

Though he sees the motion and a flash of flesh in the corner of his eye, Sweeney makes no attempt to actually look at her while she's changing.

"No." That's an easy answer. He pauses to reflect.

"I'm guessin' some'a the other--" Sweeney catches himself from using the title of Groom. "--folk who would have rather taken ya on will try ta get an eyeful of what they're missin' out on." Obviously.

"Other servants, mostly. Doubt any courtiers will be headed out that way."

But he can't promise her that for sure.

[whatsinfrontofyou]

She makes a sound, not exactly understanding but acknowledging that she heard him and letting herself wonder what that means.

She settles the dress over her body, running her hands over her curves. It fits as though it was tailored to her shape precisely, which seems odd considering its construction, but who is she to argue with fae tailors?

"Anyone I should be careful of?"

[madaboutit]

The question makes him turn to her fully.

"No." He has no doubt. Sweeney steps up and starts fitting the belt to see the lines lay properly.

"It's my duty ta keep you safe." And he takes that very seriously.

"Besides, ya'll be Green." Even though the dress clearly isn't. "No one will be permitted ta speak ta you." He shrugs a shoulder as he looks up to her.

"They'll only be able ta approach if they have pressin' business they need ta speak with me about." Sweeney tilt his head in assurance.

"An' it best be damn important if they interrupt us on our way."

[whatsinfrontofyou]

Her brows bunch of in obvious confusion. There is, at least currently, nothing green about her. While she does respect his assurance and doesn't doubt that he means it, the answer still only highlights that there are rules here she doesn't understand.

"What does that mean, being green?"

[madaboutit]

There's only a fleeting pause before Sweeney reaches under his doublet and into his trouser pocket to produces a velvet pouch. Opening enough to get his fingers in, he pulls out what looks like a pendant, a bright green stone carved into a leaf, set in gold and embellished with a diamond and pearls. The chain it's attached to is also gold, ornately woven and about a quarter inch wide. He doesn't take it all out though; just enough to illustrate the piece.

"This will let folk know that ya aren't expected ta be available fer conversation." She's too new, too untrained.

[whatsinfrontofyou]

Well. It is green.

Beyond that, Vex isn't sure what it means.

What she does know is that the pendant is beautiful, and the chain finely made and clearly a work of skilled craftsmen. It all seems to her like it must have cost a small fortune.

She looks from the necklace to Sweeney, wide eyed.

"This—this isn't for me?"

There has to be some kind of mistake.

[madaboutit]

Sweeney nods, assuring that it is for her, but then he tucks it back in the pouch and cinches it shut subconsciously. He gestures to the food with a small sweep of his finger.

"Eat first."

[whatsinfrontofyou]

"I still don't understand."

Doesn't understand, and is somewhat baffled. Somewhat overwhelmed, even.

She does help herself to breakfast, though, smearing butter and piling cold meat on a piece of toast. If they're going to be out for a while, making sure she starts well fortified is important.

She chews her first bite thoroughly and swallows before she presses more.

"Is there a language of jewelry that I'm going to have to learn too?"

[madaboutit]

His brow lifts at the question, but he's not hesitant to answer.

"Pretty much everythin' means somethin'. Some things are just more important than others." Sweeney shrugs a shoulder.

"As far as this, folk just need to be able ta see the color at a distance, so they leave you be."

[whatsinfrontofyou]

She takes another bite. It's not a fully satisfying answer, but Vex has asked and this is as much as Sweeney seems willing to give her for the time being.

She makes a note to pay attention, to see if she can find out more later, but for the time being she lets it rest.

There's breakfast to worry about, and the fact is, she's excited to get out of her cage and stretch her legs. The promise of fresh air and space, even from a leash, keeps her focused as she puts away the food.

[madaboutit]

He takes the opportunity to move some things between the bags to condense down to a single, smaller one. She can have the time she desires to prepare; he's only expecting to manage one lesson today, and he expects it to be easy enough. Hopefully, that will mean less stress and frustration for both of them.

[whatsinfrontofyou]

Vex eats standing, and when she's done finds a napkin to wipe her hands on, keenly aware of not smearing crumbs or grease on her dress. It's short work, but she eats a good amount, toast and meat and eggs and fruit, before she cleans up and turns back to him.

Her chin comes up, have curious and half challenging.

"What now?"

[madaboutit]

Sweeney turns to look her over, checking how her hair is done and the smoothed lines of her dress. Then he bends, just a touch, as if to peek under the hem of her dress.

"Shoes on?"

[whatsinfrontofyou]

She lifts her skirt slightly, poking out the toe of one slippered foot.

[madaboutit]

"A'right." He nods in approval, then moves to explain the next part.

"When we walk together, stand ta my left an' a touch behind." Sweeney tries to clarify before they get to the actual practice.

"Not a full step, but enough that if I were to stop abruptly, ya'll bump yer shoulder inta the back of my arm." Encouraging her to stop, but not tripping her up.

"Does that make sense?"

[whatsinfrontofyou]

It's not lost on Vex that she's being asked to heel She licks her lips, tamping down on her first reaction to question it or fight back.

The instructions aren't really unexpected.

After a moment, she nods. "It makes sense."

[madaboutit]

"Show me," he instructs gently, turning his back to her.

[whatsinfrontofyou]

Putting on a face that she hopes is neutral, Vex does as she's told, stepping close to his left side, perhaps half a step behind and a little to the side.

No complaints, even.

She is trying.

[madaboutit]

Sweeney knows she's trying. So is he. He doesn't want her to feel disrespected; this is just how things are. Glancing back, his voice is encouraging.

"Come a bit closer. I want you ta be able ta feel my warmth. Let me see ya out the corner of my eye, but give me room ta draw a weapon, if I need to."

[whatsinfrontofyou]

She moves forward slightly, not even really a step so much as inching her feet forward.

"Is it likely you'll need to draw a weapon?" she asks. This time, she can't hold it back. Then, as she glances over him. "Do you have a weapon?"