CHAPTER 230: CHAPTER 230 - NOW, SHOW ME CONDESCENDING! OUCH...

Whatever expression I am making as I struggle with those feelings and look toward the camera must have been exactly what this Jess wanted... because she took *several* quick shots before shaking herself.

"Uh, perfect! Okay, last one - give me some defiance. Like your aunt just told you that you can’t do something... and you’re about to prove them wrong."

Now that was highly specific, but still within a sort of territory I knew well. I straightened my spine, crossed my arms, set my jaw and let my challenge creep into my eyes.

The kind of look I’d given my oldest brother when he suggested I couldn’t handle the diplomatic negotiations with the insect shifters. All because I liked to eat their ’normal’ kin when I was young!

Your late twenties is still quite young, thank you very much. How old are you, anyway? Care to compare?

At this, Vrika turns away and curls up again. I swear the spirit conserves all of its energy in here just so it can bug me whenever that sweet- I mean, that silly wolf is around!

More rapid clicks ensued before she lowered her camera and gave me a slightly unprofessional double thumbs up. Not that I minded, she’s kind of cute with her optimistic energy.

"Wow. You’re a natural at translating emotion. My old roommates would be jealous."

There’s something about her that makes me want to ruffle her hair even if we’re about the same age - and I’m beginning to think I’m not the only one. I can see that the blonde seamstress I came with is still looking at the youth’s back with a frustrated expression.

Not very similar in the face, hair is different color, eyes are not the same blue - but they are both blue. Hm...

"That last expression might be a bit too intense for fashion editorial work. We don’t usually want too much obvious confrontation on our models, like a movie poster might."

I blinked slow at Ember’s words and immediately tried again, letting the intensity of the wounded-pride I used behind my earlier example fade and leaving only a quieter self-assurance that I can do anything even if told I cannot.

"Like this?"

"Much better. You take direction and criticism well. That’s crucial - photographers often need to make quick adjustments... and models who can adapt so instantly are worth their weight in custom tailored clothes."

I have to say it’s actually relieving that he is not as I feared. He does seem to be testing me thoroughly, even if he has pretty much completely decided already. Maia looked up at him from checking boxes on her tablet notes.

"She definitely has the required basics down-"

I wonder if I cleared them all? Or rather, I wonder if I am supposed to clear them all... there could be bad checkmarks in there. Just like there are bad Tasks in my checkmark...

"-natural grace, good instincts, responds well to feedback. Aside from the claim of inexperience, she’s probably better than who you picked before."

"Don’t let that woman’s agency hear you say that. They’ll probably try to hire her then blacklist her to protect their longer investment. Still, we need to see how she handles the actual product, don’t we?"

The one known as Simone warned while standing up. She turned to the mobile rack behind them and grabbed something off of it, draping it over her arm as she approached.

She unzipped the garment bag with more reverence than someone handling a normal piece of clothing would usually use. Dark and luxurious, a coat that was as much a work of art as it was a practical piece made me understand things immediately.

Even pictures don’t tell the tale real well. Of why the Frost & Ember line has remained a part of high fashion over the last years...

There had been some reviews and descriptions I skimmed through, but this new piece was stunning in a way they didn’t describe. The overall cut was a bit structured in the lapels but also not rigid, with clean lines that would lay against the body and flatter the wearer.

Dark wool with silvery patterning in the brocade weave - like the green dress I wore to meet BoundaryKeeper for the first time. The depth and texture with these colors created a much more paradoxically intriguing and yet unobtrusive play of light than that example.

"One of my favorites from this season’s collection. Quality and comfort. Sophisticated enough to be the center for a magazine spread but practical enough that women would actually want to own it."

His voice oozed an artisan’s pride in his work, clearly not uncertain at all that it would sell - and *well*. Not that I’m an expert, but I would agree that there are likely enough that this will appeal to that it will become a status symbol unless they can make thousands of them.

With modern technology that might not be impossible, but I take it to understand that these are much more limited run items that are built with high quality, professional tailoring, and brand value as the way to turn their art into profit.

Though knock-offs will hit the market quickly enough. A shame for the designer, but I suppose that is one of the pitfalls of the reliability and proliferation of information in this world’s technological age.

Vrika doesn’t have anything to say to my ’spilt milk’ musings... and doesn’t care much about the coat after eyeing and deciding that the metal threads were not silver. After all, we have fur anytime we need it and it is surely just as warm.

Though maybe not as waterproof?

"We need someone who can make the garment feel alive. Not like the piece is wearing them. And your proportions could help show that it flatters even women of your size."

I can’t help but look southward from her glasses after she finishes speaking these lines. Judging by the way she clears her throat unhappily, I’ve been caught in my thoughts this time.

"Understood. Though I’m sure this will look lovely on all women."

The stylist gestured for me to approach while holding back a smile. She whispers when I get close.

"Smooth... okay, arms up, please."

The weight was substantial enough to feel like it was certainly not something I’d want to wear to relax in. But not so heavy it would be too cumbersome during a long shoot... even for someone who could not cheat by using werewolf enhanced strength and stamina.

An inner lining that felt like silk was cool against the skin that brushed against it as it was guided over me. Dark and glossy, it visually matched the outside well with its sheen.

"You have a good shoulder line, we won’t need any padding for this piece. Turn about, let me see the back in motion."

Simone murmured while adjusting the collar before giving me a little order. I smiled slightly, thinking how a certain someone might find it aggravating. That I could so easily listen to others... while being firm and commanding with her.

I do have my pride, but the difference simply is that Kyrie Voss is not other people. Not a person who I could care less over what is ultimately thought of me, beyond how it lets me survive here from moment to moment.

Which is why I told her all that I did. Even though it risked her deciding that I absolutely could not be left to my own devices...