percivalthegale (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
percivalthegale) wrote2008-03-20 12:21 am
percivalthegale) wrote2008-03-20 12:21 am
Prose log with Sasarai
Who: percivalthegale and untainted_dust
When: recently
Where: Vinay del Zexay
What: shopping!
percivalthegale and untainted_dustWhen: recently
Where: Vinay del Zexay
What: shopping!
The streets of Vinay del Zexay were clear of snow and dry, as Percival led the way down toward the port and commerce center. He had gotten relatively little fuss at the gate when he left their horses with the barracks stable - since he was, after all, a Knight of Zexen - and felt free to roam around the city playing guide to Sasarai now. "Have you ever been here before, Lord Sasarai?" he asked idly of his travel companion.
Sasarai looked around his surroundings with interest, almost missing the knight's question. He quickly turned to his companion in embarrassment. "Ah, sorry! No... I've never been to Vinay del Zexay before. It's completely different from Crystal Valley. It's quite busy, isn't it?"
Percival smiled cheerily. "Yes, of course - it's Zexen's main port, after all. Trade goods from around the world land here and are transported to the countryside, and beyond." He swept an arm out to indicate the city as a whole, as they made their way downhill along one of the main streets. "It's Zexen's oldest city, as well - and there you see the Guild Hall, where the Council meets. The biggest landmark."
"The city definitely shows its rich history," Sasarai commented as he followed the other man's gesture with his gaze. The old building definitely had its charm. A group of children was playing tag rather noisily near the fountains. They passed several people giving their direction a polite and cheerful nod, and a small group of young girls giggling at one corner as they shyly glanced at their direction. Sasarai grinned mischievously, "Well, I see that the reputation of your own history was not mere jest."
Percival gave the girls a little smile and wave, but kept walking. "Ah, sorry about that. I'm afraid that even off-duty and out of armor, I'm going to be recognized in the city. The only one who can trump me in celebrity is Lady Chris herself." He shrugged for Sasarai. "It won't prevent me from assisting you, though. We'll go on down to the shops along Port Street, they have the best selection."
"Ah, before I forget... let's make sure to pass by a jewelry shop before we set off. I promised Lymsleia to bring her back a birthday present. She hinted that she wanted a pair of earrings," Sasarai stated aloud. He made a small frown. "Though to be quite honest... I'm not really good with choosing those kinds of things."
"Earrings, hm? All right. I think I know a place or two." Percival smirked a bit. "I haven't quite graduated to purchasing jewelry as gifts. That implies a level of commitment. But, we'll put it on our list of places to stop." He ignored a woman on a corner who did a double-take and nearly fainted at the realization that Sir Percival had just walked past, and turned to the right, walking along the waterfront. "Here we are - the apparel shops are this way."
Sasarai blinked, half distracted by the woman they just passed, but followed the other man into the nearest store. "I didn't realize that there are standards to giving gifts... I mean, I understand giving gifts for diplomatic reasons... though with personal gifts, I always assumed that it was enough to give someone a certain gift because that's what they wanted."
"Oh, well...there is that," Percival conceded as he held the door for the bishop out of instinct. "Young children break all the rules, but as I don't really have any children to buy for...it's only friends and colleagues. Women...now there's where it gets complicated," he chuckled. "But I'm rambling. What do you suppose you'd be interested in...Sasarai?" He left off the title, not wanting to draw attention to a Harmonian bishop in a place like this.
Sweat beaded on the bishop's forehead as he looked dumfounded at the shop's various wares. "Uhm... what exactly are we looking at?"
Percival blinked at him. "You...haven't been shopping before? Well," he quickly went on, shaking his head, "let's see. You'll need at least trousers and a shirt or two...maybe a waistcoast, or vests or something. And a coat, for outside," he added, nodding at the spare wool coat Sasarai was currently drowning in. "Perhaps you should try on some trousers, first? It's the anchor of any gentleman's outfit."
Sasarai let out a small apologetic sigh as he followed the other man helplessly. "I'm sorry for the trouble. Back at home, attendants usually prepared my clothes for me. And normally, I just let them choose what I wear for the day. Then again, I'm rarely out of my uniform in the first place, so I never had really had to think of any other clothes."
"Ahh...I see," Percival said understandingly. "In that case, allow me to introduce you to fashion." He led the way to a rack of trousers in various colors, taking a couple different pairs off to hold out. "On the one hand, there are long trousers such as theeese..." He proffered a pair of dark green ones. "...or else, perhaps knee-length breeches like these!" He draped a navy blue pair over his left arm. "It really depends on your taste - and how much you want to tuck into boots, if you wear boots."
"I... I s-see..." Sasarai replied uncertainly as he tried to absorb everything the other man was instructing him. "Well... my uniform utilizes pants tucked in boots, so that's one thing." Looks at the green colored trousers with distaste. "But can we please stay away from that hue and color?"
"Oh...all right." Percival put the green ones back and selected gray instead. "Hm, this isn't bad. Yes, you're already used to blues and dark colors, I think blue or gray would look fine on you." He held out a couple of pairs in his arms for Sasarai to take. "Duck on through that curtain over there and try them on for size."
Sasarai took the pants and stared at the Knight in confusion, "Try them on? Can't the shopkeeper just get my size and we'll take the ones we need?"
Percival's dark eyes gleamed with a suppressed grin. "Do you know your size, Sasarai?"
"No... but doesn't the shopkeeper have means of taking it?" Sasarai replied as he looked at the trousers in his arms in disdain.
A giggle escaped Percival before he could clamp down on it. "That's why you try them on." He gestured to the curtain hiding a tiny room set into the far wall. "It's all right, it's private enough. I'll stand guard outside if it'll make you feel better. Really, we could ask the shopkeeper to take your measurements, but that would mean putting his hands all over you, and even then he could get the size wrong."
Sasarai's face paled at the other man's comment about the alternatives to getting undressed in a strange room. He sullenly walked into the fitting room and closed the curtains behind them. "I didn't realize shopping for your own clothes can be so tedious."
"Yes, it can be," Percival sighed, taking up position immediately outside the curtained cubicle with his back to it and his arms folded. "Even for someone like me who likes to look his best. As long as the shopkeeper doesn't come over and try to help - it'll get even more tedious then. He'll try to sell you things you don't want."
"Is that so? I didn't think about that..." Sasarai replied as he struggled with the clothes behind the curtain. "It seems much more practical to simply hand your measurements to the tailor and get the clothes that you want sent to you, isn't it?"
"If you want plain, unadorned clothes that all look the same, yes," Percival replied dryly. "People like variety. And they like to outdo each other. Thus, a wide selection of apparel shops with different cuts and styles, different fabrics, embellishments..." He made a small noise of interest. "I hadn't really ever thought about it before, until I had to explain it. It really is rather pointless, isn't it?"
"I suppose if you cared for those kind of things..." Sasarai answered a matter-of-factly. "I never really cared too much about it. I always figured that as long as I had something warm and comfortable to wear, it was more than enough. I personally hated the ceremonial clothes that I had to wear... especially those damned hats. They're such a bother when you move around. Try chanting a spell in the middle of a gale with the hem of your robes flapping against your face. If it wasn't so indecent, I personally would prefer to run around naked and just be done with it."
The laugh bubbled out of Percival before he could clap his hand over his mouth and contain it. "Really? Goodness, Sasarai...I've never heard you this...unrestrained, before." He chuckled good-naturedly. "It's rather refreshing if you ask me. Though, really...even if it is tending toward spring, this is not a good time of year to be naked." He glanced over his shoulder at the closed curtain. "How are you doing in there?"
"Funny you should say that... The last time I left Crystal Valley for an extended amount of time, my companions said the same thing. Nonetheless, I personally think its the bad influence of the company I keep," Sasarai retorted with a wry grin before he stepped out with the rumpled ball of clothes. "They all fit some way or other. I suppose I could take any which one of them and let's head on off to the next shop so we won't waste any more time."
"All right," Percival conceded, looking to the bundle in Sasarai's arms. "Which color do you prefer, the blue or the gray? Or maybe one of each, just for the sake of getting it over and done with?"
Sasarai shrugged. "I really don't care, one of each should probably be the easiest choice."
"Indeed." The knight showed him to the counter to pay for the selection, discreetly folding away the extra pairs somewhere for the shopkeeper to find later. "A couple of doors down is my favorite place to shop, they have the best variety of shirts and coats. If you'll indulge me, I'll have you looking quite handsome by the time we're done."
"I personally would settle for a proper shirt, not to sound unobliged..." Sasarai replied as he pulled on the sleeves of the oversized shirt he was wearing before donning an equally oversized borrowed coat. "Though I would gratefully accept anything you have to offer."
Waving a hand to get his charge to follow, Percival headed back to the street and down a little further along the wharf. "A proper shirt is what you definitely need," he acknowledged, "and then some. At least there I can guess your size - I wear a medium, so you might do well with a small." He stopped at a shop with dressforms draped in fine coats in the window, and held the door open. "And then we'll have some fun."
The Bishop notes the different shirts and coats inside the shop. At least three times more the selection of trousers from the other shop and paled. "That custom tailor is definitely sounding better by the moment."
"Nonsense. This will be an adventure," Percival said brightly, breezing into the shop. A couple of women shopping on their own turned and tittered as he passed, but he paid them no mind as he sought out the basic men's shirts - and even these displayed a variety of collar and cuff styles. He rifled through the "small" section and pulled out four different kinds, laying them on the nearest surface. "There you are. Pick two. Any two you like."
Sasarai sighed and simply picked the nearest two within reach and handed it to the other man in complete disinterest.
Not deterred in the least, Percival draped them over his arm and paused to examine Sasarai head to toe, scratching his chin. "Now. If I put this in terms you might be able to visualize..." He drew back a fold of his coat to indicate the waistcoat he was wearing underneath, cut to mid-thigh with dozens of buttons down the front. "If you had to admire someone's clothing, would it be something like mine? Or something more like...hmm, like Master Thomas - that short vest he wears?"
Sasarai sighed again. "I really do appreciate the effort, Percival... I'm really clueless when it comes to these kinds of things. For me a shirt is the same as any other shirt. I'm quite pessimistic that an old dog like me who is set in his ways would be able to even learn to comprehend this. If you really feel that I need to make some sort of fashion statement, then I put my faith in your much superior sense."
Percival tilted his head sideways in a sympathetic sort of look. "Well, I suppose I could do my best to pick for you. But what a man looks best in is what he feels most comfortable in. I could dress you up like a doll, but it wouldn't make you feel any better about it." He scratched his chin again. "Hmm. You said you don't like it when the wind blows your robes around?"
Sasarai nodded. "As long as I can move around comfortably, that's really all I could ask for."
Percival raised a finger as if coming to some bright conclusion, and swept through the shop to a different rack of clothing. "Then you might be happier with a short vest, something that fits closely to you." He hummed a little to himself as he picked through the selection, looking only for the best fabrics, finally coming away with one in a houndstooth pattern of blues and white that matched both sets of trousers. "What do you think of this? It should come to your waist, no further, and button snugly."
Sasarai brightened at the piece of clothing in the other man's hands. "I suppose that does looks pleasing to the eye, doesn't it?"
"It's very sharp," Percival agreed. "These even look like antique buttons. Very stylish." He grinned sidelong at Sasarai. "I noticed your uniform has a high collar. Do you mind having things so close to your neck, or is it no big deal?"
Sasarai shook his head. "It's not a big deal. Though, I suppose having clothes with a similar cut to my uniform wouldn't hurt."
"I was thinking mainly of a cravat," Percival explained, "even if I have to teach you tie it, myself."
Sasarai blinked. "Cravat?"
Grinning even more widely, Percival tugged at the silken neckerchief tied neatly around his throat. "One of these."
"Ah... so that's what it's called," Sasarai grinned sheepishly. "I can't say that I've ever worn one. It might be awkward wearing it in the long run... but I suppose it won't hurt to try it just this once."
"Certainly. If you dislike it, you can always just...forego it. But it is nice when you want to present a more polished appearance. And they're cheap," Percival chuckled, "if you don't want ruffles and lace."
"Let's not go that direction..." Sasarai replied with a frown. "I think my features are effeminate enough without any enhancements."
Percival's winsome smile practically glowed. "Don't worry, I wouldn't do that to you! Right, let's just nip one of those, then..." He snagged a white silk cravat from a pile of them nearer to the counter as he brought the vest and shirts along to be paid for. "Hmm...was there anything else you need? A coat, perhaps...?"
"I would certainly need one until the weather warms up, don't I?" Sasarai answered.
"True." Percival looked around, inadvertently giving a smile to one of the shopping women who was ogling him from across the way. "Do you see anything you like in here? Or we could look somewhere else..."
"Since we're already here, we might as well get everything done in one place," Sasarai stated, not bothering to hide the edge in his voice. The prospect of going to yet another store for a coat didn't bode too well on him. "Like I said. I don't really care how it looks like as long as it's comfortable."
Percival raised an eyebrow at him. "Do you trust my judgement enough to let me just pick one for you? You can always reject it if you don't like it."
Sasarai shrugged. "I have a feeling that if the choice was left to me... I might as well change professions and become a clown or jester of some sort."
"Oh, I don't think it's quite that bad..." Nevertheless, Percival left Sasarai with the pile of his purchases and poked at a few of the stylish coats before waving off an eager shopkeeper and tugging one down off a display. It was a lightweight wool coat, suitable for the time of year, that might have been short on a man his size but would come down to Sasarai's hips. Heather-gray, thick collar, deep pockets. He swept it over and held it up to Sasarai, scrutinizing the color against the young man's hair and eyes. "Yes, I think that'll do."
Sasarai took the coat from the other man's hands and slipped into it as if it were made just for him. He gave the knight another wry grin. "You definitely have a good eye for these type of things."
"Well, I like to think I do," Percival laughed. "What do you say? Do you want to change into your new clothes while we have the benefit of a fitting room close at hand? It would probably be better than flailing about in the borrowed stuff any longer..."
"That would be a good idea," Sasarai agreed, as he handed a pouch of potch to the other man. "Do you think this will be enough to cover everything?" Starts to look sheepish. "To be quite honest, I never really had to shop before. Dios usually handled everything for me."
Percival took the pouch and peeped inside, and tried not to double-take. "Oh, certainly," he replied smoothly. "I'll take out what you need, you should have some left." He nodded toward the fitting room, this one with wood-slat doors that latched. "Shall I stand guard again? In case those ladies get curious?" He winked.
"Ah--- what? I-I don't think that would be necessary! Surely the women here have a sense of decency than that!" The Bishop's face instantly turned into a shade of red as he took the clothes and stiffly walked towards the fitting room. He stops short of going through the curtains as he turned back to face the other man uncertainly. "Don't they?"
Percival grinned slyly. "They ought to." He tried to assure Sasarai with a little wave, since he was only kidding, while he turned to pay the shopkeeper for their pile of garments.
Sasarai looked at his surroundings suspiciously before ducking behind the fitting room and making sure to fasten the curtains securely.
There was plenty of potch left in Sasarai's purse even after that generous sale, so Percival tightened the strings and hid it away while he turned to lean on the counter and wait, idly fingering some patterned cravats hanging next to him and giving the ladies in the shop aloof smiles to keep them placated. He knew he was successful when two of them giggled together and were so embarrassed they had to leave the shop.
In almost record time, Sasarai emerged from the fitting room in his new clothes... albeit looking flushed and disheveled, obvious that he put them on in a hurry, enhancing his boyish features. To those who didn't know who he really was, he created an illusion of a teen-ager uncomfortably trying on his first set of good clothes. He held out the silken scarf with a distressed expression as he pulled on his crooked collar. "I give up."
Percival smiled easily and took the cravat from him. "Here, let me show you." He gestured for Sasarai to come closer, for there was a small mirror on a stand next to the ties he had just been looking at. Positioning Sasarai before the mirror, the knight draped the cravat over his shoulders and reached around him to tie it for him. "Like this. This end, under, then over...and there!"
Sasarai was feeling more and more embarrassed by the second as he watched the taller man help him with his clothes from their reflection in the mirror. He let out a depressed sigh. "I'm really sorry about this. You have the patience of a guardian deity."
Percival gave him a cute smile in the mirror. "Well, perhaps it's because I didn't have any siblings growing up to dote on. No one to pass my vast knowledge on to, so to speak. I hope you don't mind my forwardness." He stepped back to allow Sasarai his space, nodding to himself. The cravat was a bit wrinkled, but tied neatly. "It looks good."
"You're an only child?" Sasarai looked up at him in surprise.
"Mhm," Percival nodded. "I suppose in a sense I consider some of my fellow knights to be like brothers...but it's not really the same thing."
"I suppose that explains it," Sasarai remarked. "Only children usually have the tendency to act more selfish and self-absorbed."
Percival shook his head slowly. "My mother didn't raise me to be selfish. Not that I'm anything close to perfect, mind you..." He wrapped up the spare clothes and the ones Sasarai had been wearing together into one neat bundle they could carry. "What do you say to a bite to eat before we ride? Oh, and you wanted to stop by a jewelry shop, too..."
"Ah! I didn't mean to imply that you---" Sasarai's eyes widened as he realized what his remarked might have sounded. He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. "Of course, I was talking from personal experience..." He took the bundle in his arms and followed the taller man out of the shop. "You mentioned knowing a jewelry shop nearby."
"Yes, just up the side street. Tucked away in a little corner." Percival led the way, a slight smile remaining on his lips. "Don't worry about it," he added. "I didn't take offense."
"I hope they have jewelry that would be appropriate for Lymsleia's age," Sasarai commented idly.
"A simple pair of earrings shouldn't be hard to find." Percival peered through the window to verify that the place was open before pulling the latch on the door and stepping inside. It was darker in this shop, with candles and small lamps placed to accentuate the sparkles of the jewels on display.
Sasarai stared at the collection speechlessly, before pinching the bridge of his nose, as if to ward an impending headache.
Bypassing rings and necklaces, Percival leaned over a tray of earring sets. "Did her majesty happen to say what kind of earrings she wanted? I'm afraid I'm no good at estimating a thirteen-year-old queen's taste."
"Hmmmm..." Sasarai simply mumbled as he followed the other man and scanned the collection of wares. He then froze as he noticed a tiny pair of earrings in the far corner and let out a laugh. "I think I found it..."
"Oh?" Percival straightened up and glanced over.
Sasarai grinned an pointed at a small pair of earrings made of thin white gold "braided bands" encasing a tear-drop shaped garnet stone. Upon closer inspection, the red stones almost looked like tiny strawberries. "For some strange reason, I have a good feeling with this one."
Percival purred in agreement, patting Sasarai proudly on the shoulder. "And it matches her royal dress, too. Good work, Sasarai." He looked around, and raised a finger to flag down the shopkeeper hiding behind the counter.
Sasarai let out a sigh, feeling rather pleased that he wasn't completely helpless with the entire trip. He glanced out the shop window and shifted uncomfortably as he noticed another pair of ladies watching them from outside with curious expressions on their faces. "Uhmm... how do you ever get used to them?"
Glancing to see what he meant, Percival could only sigh. "I try to ignore them as much as I can," he murmured, folding his arms and attempting to do just that while the shopkeeper handled the earrings for them. "Sometimes it's fun to flirt and play the game, but sometimes...ugh, they get in my way when I'm on duty, it's the worst. Sometimes I wonder if being sweet to them all the time isn't just encouraging them."
"Well that seems to be quite a predicament, isn't it?" Sasarai laughed nervously. "As much as I love to see more of the city, these girls following you around are making me nervous. Will we have enough sunlight to head back to Budehuc Castle, or should we seek refuge somewhere and sneak back home at the crack of dawn?"
"Mm...no, if we ride steady we can make it back to Budehuc by nightfall. As long as we don't stop to beat anything that attacks us in the forest," Percival chuckled. He was privately relieved, for nothing made him more uncomfortable than fans bothering him on duty, and some part of him felt that being responsible to Sasarai was pretty similar to duty. "I tell you," he went on as they stepped back onto the street with purchases in hand, "I rather like the idea of getting back and enjoying a hot drink at Mamie's cafe tonight."
"I hope they don't get the wrong idea..." Sasarai stated idly as he continued to watch the gossiping girls from the corner of his eye.
Percival flushed slightly, but he kept his eyes on the street as they walked. "No, I doubt they will," he muttered. "That would mean they wouldn't have a chance with me, and they'd never want to consider that possibility."
Sasarai stared at him, a bit confused. "Really? I thought you said that buying jewelry had some sort of significance. Seeing you in a jewelry store would surely create rumors."
"Maybe." Percival put on a bit of a smile for his companion. "They may just fight over which lovely lady I might have been buying for. Anything is possible." He turned down another side street, taking a bit of a back way out to the main street and the barracks stables. "After all, we both know some women have huge imaginations."
Sasarai sighed. "It seems that I inevitably may have cause trouble for you in exchange for helping me..."
"Nonsense." Percival moved to button up his coat as they neared the barracks. The side streets were less busy, meaning less people around to notice - fewer women to fawn over him. It wasn't as much fun without Borus beside him to tease about the attention. "It was a worthy trip. I needed to get out and ride, and visit the city for a bit. If for no other reason, than to appreciate what's back at Budehuc."
"I suppose you're right," Sasarai replied, feeling a bit better. "For all its worth, I really appreciate this. I know I'm probably the worst person to go shopping with."
That made Percival laugh outright. "No, that would be Sir Leo," he snickered. "I think the phrase 'like a bull in a china shop' was made because of him."
Sasarai couldn't help but laugh with him. "Nonetheless, I really do appreciate this. Let me buy you a round at Mamie's when we get back."
"It's a deal!" Percival said brightly, perking up.
Sasarai looked around his surroundings with interest, almost missing the knight's question. He quickly turned to his companion in embarrassment. "Ah, sorry! No... I've never been to Vinay del Zexay before. It's completely different from Crystal Valley. It's quite busy, isn't it?"
Percival smiled cheerily. "Yes, of course - it's Zexen's main port, after all. Trade goods from around the world land here and are transported to the countryside, and beyond." He swept an arm out to indicate the city as a whole, as they made their way downhill along one of the main streets. "It's Zexen's oldest city, as well - and there you see the Guild Hall, where the Council meets. The biggest landmark."
"The city definitely shows its rich history," Sasarai commented as he followed the other man's gesture with his gaze. The old building definitely had its charm. A group of children was playing tag rather noisily near the fountains. They passed several people giving their direction a polite and cheerful nod, and a small group of young girls giggling at one corner as they shyly glanced at their direction. Sasarai grinned mischievously, "Well, I see that the reputation of your own history was not mere jest."
Percival gave the girls a little smile and wave, but kept walking. "Ah, sorry about that. I'm afraid that even off-duty and out of armor, I'm going to be recognized in the city. The only one who can trump me in celebrity is Lady Chris herself." He shrugged for Sasarai. "It won't prevent me from assisting you, though. We'll go on down to the shops along Port Street, they have the best selection."
"Ah, before I forget... let's make sure to pass by a jewelry shop before we set off. I promised Lymsleia to bring her back a birthday present. She hinted that she wanted a pair of earrings," Sasarai stated aloud. He made a small frown. "Though to be quite honest... I'm not really good with choosing those kinds of things."
"Earrings, hm? All right. I think I know a place or two." Percival smirked a bit. "I haven't quite graduated to purchasing jewelry as gifts. That implies a level of commitment. But, we'll put it on our list of places to stop." He ignored a woman on a corner who did a double-take and nearly fainted at the realization that Sir Percival had just walked past, and turned to the right, walking along the waterfront. "Here we are - the apparel shops are this way."
Sasarai blinked, half distracted by the woman they just passed, but followed the other man into the nearest store. "I didn't realize that there are standards to giving gifts... I mean, I understand giving gifts for diplomatic reasons... though with personal gifts, I always assumed that it was enough to give someone a certain gift because that's what they wanted."
"Oh, well...there is that," Percival conceded as he held the door for the bishop out of instinct. "Young children break all the rules, but as I don't really have any children to buy for...it's only friends and colleagues. Women...now there's where it gets complicated," he chuckled. "But I'm rambling. What do you suppose you'd be interested in...Sasarai?" He left off the title, not wanting to draw attention to a Harmonian bishop in a place like this.
Sweat beaded on the bishop's forehead as he looked dumfounded at the shop's various wares. "Uhm... what exactly are we looking at?"
Percival blinked at him. "You...haven't been shopping before? Well," he quickly went on, shaking his head, "let's see. You'll need at least trousers and a shirt or two...maybe a waistcoast, or vests or something. And a coat, for outside," he added, nodding at the spare wool coat Sasarai was currently drowning in. "Perhaps you should try on some trousers, first? It's the anchor of any gentleman's outfit."
Sasarai let out a small apologetic sigh as he followed the other man helplessly. "I'm sorry for the trouble. Back at home, attendants usually prepared my clothes for me. And normally, I just let them choose what I wear for the day. Then again, I'm rarely out of my uniform in the first place, so I never had really had to think of any other clothes."
"Ahh...I see," Percival said understandingly. "In that case, allow me to introduce you to fashion." He led the way to a rack of trousers in various colors, taking a couple different pairs off to hold out. "On the one hand, there are long trousers such as theeese..." He proffered a pair of dark green ones. "...or else, perhaps knee-length breeches like these!" He draped a navy blue pair over his left arm. "It really depends on your taste - and how much you want to tuck into boots, if you wear boots."
"I... I s-see..." Sasarai replied uncertainly as he tried to absorb everything the other man was instructing him. "Well... my uniform utilizes pants tucked in boots, so that's one thing." Looks at the green colored trousers with distaste. "But can we please stay away from that hue and color?"
"Oh...all right." Percival put the green ones back and selected gray instead. "Hm, this isn't bad. Yes, you're already used to blues and dark colors, I think blue or gray would look fine on you." He held out a couple of pairs in his arms for Sasarai to take. "Duck on through that curtain over there and try them on for size."
Sasarai took the pants and stared at the Knight in confusion, "Try them on? Can't the shopkeeper just get my size and we'll take the ones we need?"
Percival's dark eyes gleamed with a suppressed grin. "Do you know your size, Sasarai?"
"No... but doesn't the shopkeeper have means of taking it?" Sasarai replied as he looked at the trousers in his arms in disdain.
A giggle escaped Percival before he could clamp down on it. "That's why you try them on." He gestured to the curtain hiding a tiny room set into the far wall. "It's all right, it's private enough. I'll stand guard outside if it'll make you feel better. Really, we could ask the shopkeeper to take your measurements, but that would mean putting his hands all over you, and even then he could get the size wrong."
Sasarai's face paled at the other man's comment about the alternatives to getting undressed in a strange room. He sullenly walked into the fitting room and closed the curtains behind them. "I didn't realize shopping for your own clothes can be so tedious."
"Yes, it can be," Percival sighed, taking up position immediately outside the curtained cubicle with his back to it and his arms folded. "Even for someone like me who likes to look his best. As long as the shopkeeper doesn't come over and try to help - it'll get even more tedious then. He'll try to sell you things you don't want."
"Is that so? I didn't think about that..." Sasarai replied as he struggled with the clothes behind the curtain. "It seems much more practical to simply hand your measurements to the tailor and get the clothes that you want sent to you, isn't it?"
"If you want plain, unadorned clothes that all look the same, yes," Percival replied dryly. "People like variety. And they like to outdo each other. Thus, a wide selection of apparel shops with different cuts and styles, different fabrics, embellishments..." He made a small noise of interest. "I hadn't really ever thought about it before, until I had to explain it. It really is rather pointless, isn't it?"
"I suppose if you cared for those kind of things..." Sasarai answered a matter-of-factly. "I never really cared too much about it. I always figured that as long as I had something warm and comfortable to wear, it was more than enough. I personally hated the ceremonial clothes that I had to wear... especially those damned hats. They're such a bother when you move around. Try chanting a spell in the middle of a gale with the hem of your robes flapping against your face. If it wasn't so indecent, I personally would prefer to run around naked and just be done with it."
The laugh bubbled out of Percival before he could clap his hand over his mouth and contain it. "Really? Goodness, Sasarai...I've never heard you this...unrestrained, before." He chuckled good-naturedly. "It's rather refreshing if you ask me. Though, really...even if it is tending toward spring, this is not a good time of year to be naked." He glanced over his shoulder at the closed curtain. "How are you doing in there?"
"Funny you should say that... The last time I left Crystal Valley for an extended amount of time, my companions said the same thing. Nonetheless, I personally think its the bad influence of the company I keep," Sasarai retorted with a wry grin before he stepped out with the rumpled ball of clothes. "They all fit some way or other. I suppose I could take any which one of them and let's head on off to the next shop so we won't waste any more time."
"All right," Percival conceded, looking to the bundle in Sasarai's arms. "Which color do you prefer, the blue or the gray? Or maybe one of each, just for the sake of getting it over and done with?"
Sasarai shrugged. "I really don't care, one of each should probably be the easiest choice."
"Indeed." The knight showed him to the counter to pay for the selection, discreetly folding away the extra pairs somewhere for the shopkeeper to find later. "A couple of doors down is my favorite place to shop, they have the best variety of shirts and coats. If you'll indulge me, I'll have you looking quite handsome by the time we're done."
"I personally would settle for a proper shirt, not to sound unobliged..." Sasarai replied as he pulled on the sleeves of the oversized shirt he was wearing before donning an equally oversized borrowed coat. "Though I would gratefully accept anything you have to offer."
Waving a hand to get his charge to follow, Percival headed back to the street and down a little further along the wharf. "A proper shirt is what you definitely need," he acknowledged, "and then some. At least there I can guess your size - I wear a medium, so you might do well with a small." He stopped at a shop with dressforms draped in fine coats in the window, and held the door open. "And then we'll have some fun."
The Bishop notes the different shirts and coats inside the shop. At least three times more the selection of trousers from the other shop and paled. "That custom tailor is definitely sounding better by the moment."
"Nonsense. This will be an adventure," Percival said brightly, breezing into the shop. A couple of women shopping on their own turned and tittered as he passed, but he paid them no mind as he sought out the basic men's shirts - and even these displayed a variety of collar and cuff styles. He rifled through the "small" section and pulled out four different kinds, laying them on the nearest surface. "There you are. Pick two. Any two you like."
Sasarai sighed and simply picked the nearest two within reach and handed it to the other man in complete disinterest.
Not deterred in the least, Percival draped them over his arm and paused to examine Sasarai head to toe, scratching his chin. "Now. If I put this in terms you might be able to visualize..." He drew back a fold of his coat to indicate the waistcoat he was wearing underneath, cut to mid-thigh with dozens of buttons down the front. "If you had to admire someone's clothing, would it be something like mine? Or something more like...hmm, like Master Thomas - that short vest he wears?"
Sasarai sighed again. "I really do appreciate the effort, Percival... I'm really clueless when it comes to these kinds of things. For me a shirt is the same as any other shirt. I'm quite pessimistic that an old dog like me who is set in his ways would be able to even learn to comprehend this. If you really feel that I need to make some sort of fashion statement, then I put my faith in your much superior sense."
Percival tilted his head sideways in a sympathetic sort of look. "Well, I suppose I could do my best to pick for you. But what a man looks best in is what he feels most comfortable in. I could dress you up like a doll, but it wouldn't make you feel any better about it." He scratched his chin again. "Hmm. You said you don't like it when the wind blows your robes around?"
Sasarai nodded. "As long as I can move around comfortably, that's really all I could ask for."
Percival raised a finger as if coming to some bright conclusion, and swept through the shop to a different rack of clothing. "Then you might be happier with a short vest, something that fits closely to you." He hummed a little to himself as he picked through the selection, looking only for the best fabrics, finally coming away with one in a houndstooth pattern of blues and white that matched both sets of trousers. "What do you think of this? It should come to your waist, no further, and button snugly."
Sasarai brightened at the piece of clothing in the other man's hands. "I suppose that does looks pleasing to the eye, doesn't it?"
"It's very sharp," Percival agreed. "These even look like antique buttons. Very stylish." He grinned sidelong at Sasarai. "I noticed your uniform has a high collar. Do you mind having things so close to your neck, or is it no big deal?"
Sasarai shook his head. "It's not a big deal. Though, I suppose having clothes with a similar cut to my uniform wouldn't hurt."
"I was thinking mainly of a cravat," Percival explained, "even if I have to teach you tie it, myself."
Sasarai blinked. "Cravat?"
Grinning even more widely, Percival tugged at the silken neckerchief tied neatly around his throat. "One of these."
"Ah... so that's what it's called," Sasarai grinned sheepishly. "I can't say that I've ever worn one. It might be awkward wearing it in the long run... but I suppose it won't hurt to try it just this once."
"Certainly. If you dislike it, you can always just...forego it. But it is nice when you want to present a more polished appearance. And they're cheap," Percival chuckled, "if you don't want ruffles and lace."
"Let's not go that direction..." Sasarai replied with a frown. "I think my features are effeminate enough without any enhancements."
Percival's winsome smile practically glowed. "Don't worry, I wouldn't do that to you! Right, let's just nip one of those, then..." He snagged a white silk cravat from a pile of them nearer to the counter as he brought the vest and shirts along to be paid for. "Hmm...was there anything else you need? A coat, perhaps...?"
"I would certainly need one until the weather warms up, don't I?" Sasarai answered.
"True." Percival looked around, inadvertently giving a smile to one of the shopping women who was ogling him from across the way. "Do you see anything you like in here? Or we could look somewhere else..."
"Since we're already here, we might as well get everything done in one place," Sasarai stated, not bothering to hide the edge in his voice. The prospect of going to yet another store for a coat didn't bode too well on him. "Like I said. I don't really care how it looks like as long as it's comfortable."
Percival raised an eyebrow at him. "Do you trust my judgement enough to let me just pick one for you? You can always reject it if you don't like it."
Sasarai shrugged. "I have a feeling that if the choice was left to me... I might as well change professions and become a clown or jester of some sort."
"Oh, I don't think it's quite that bad..." Nevertheless, Percival left Sasarai with the pile of his purchases and poked at a few of the stylish coats before waving off an eager shopkeeper and tugging one down off a display. It was a lightweight wool coat, suitable for the time of year, that might have been short on a man his size but would come down to Sasarai's hips. Heather-gray, thick collar, deep pockets. He swept it over and held it up to Sasarai, scrutinizing the color against the young man's hair and eyes. "Yes, I think that'll do."
Sasarai took the coat from the other man's hands and slipped into it as if it were made just for him. He gave the knight another wry grin. "You definitely have a good eye for these type of things."
"Well, I like to think I do," Percival laughed. "What do you say? Do you want to change into your new clothes while we have the benefit of a fitting room close at hand? It would probably be better than flailing about in the borrowed stuff any longer..."
"That would be a good idea," Sasarai agreed, as he handed a pouch of potch to the other man. "Do you think this will be enough to cover everything?" Starts to look sheepish. "To be quite honest, I never really had to shop before. Dios usually handled everything for me."
Percival took the pouch and peeped inside, and tried not to double-take. "Oh, certainly," he replied smoothly. "I'll take out what you need, you should have some left." He nodded toward the fitting room, this one with wood-slat doors that latched. "Shall I stand guard again? In case those ladies get curious?" He winked.
"Ah--- what? I-I don't think that would be necessary! Surely the women here have a sense of decency than that!" The Bishop's face instantly turned into a shade of red as he took the clothes and stiffly walked towards the fitting room. He stops short of going through the curtains as he turned back to face the other man uncertainly. "Don't they?"
Percival grinned slyly. "They ought to." He tried to assure Sasarai with a little wave, since he was only kidding, while he turned to pay the shopkeeper for their pile of garments.
Sasarai looked at his surroundings suspiciously before ducking behind the fitting room and making sure to fasten the curtains securely.
There was plenty of potch left in Sasarai's purse even after that generous sale, so Percival tightened the strings and hid it away while he turned to lean on the counter and wait, idly fingering some patterned cravats hanging next to him and giving the ladies in the shop aloof smiles to keep them placated. He knew he was successful when two of them giggled together and were so embarrassed they had to leave the shop.
In almost record time, Sasarai emerged from the fitting room in his new clothes... albeit looking flushed and disheveled, obvious that he put them on in a hurry, enhancing his boyish features. To those who didn't know who he really was, he created an illusion of a teen-ager uncomfortably trying on his first set of good clothes. He held out the silken scarf with a distressed expression as he pulled on his crooked collar. "I give up."
Percival smiled easily and took the cravat from him. "Here, let me show you." He gestured for Sasarai to come closer, for there was a small mirror on a stand next to the ties he had just been looking at. Positioning Sasarai before the mirror, the knight draped the cravat over his shoulders and reached around him to tie it for him. "Like this. This end, under, then over...and there!"
Sasarai was feeling more and more embarrassed by the second as he watched the taller man help him with his clothes from their reflection in the mirror. He let out a depressed sigh. "I'm really sorry about this. You have the patience of a guardian deity."
Percival gave him a cute smile in the mirror. "Well, perhaps it's because I didn't have any siblings growing up to dote on. No one to pass my vast knowledge on to, so to speak. I hope you don't mind my forwardness." He stepped back to allow Sasarai his space, nodding to himself. The cravat was a bit wrinkled, but tied neatly. "It looks good."
"You're an only child?" Sasarai looked up at him in surprise.
"Mhm," Percival nodded. "I suppose in a sense I consider some of my fellow knights to be like brothers...but it's not really the same thing."
"I suppose that explains it," Sasarai remarked. "Only children usually have the tendency to act more selfish and self-absorbed."
Percival shook his head slowly. "My mother didn't raise me to be selfish. Not that I'm anything close to perfect, mind you..." He wrapped up the spare clothes and the ones Sasarai had been wearing together into one neat bundle they could carry. "What do you say to a bite to eat before we ride? Oh, and you wanted to stop by a jewelry shop, too..."
"Ah! I didn't mean to imply that you---" Sasarai's eyes widened as he realized what his remarked might have sounded. He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. "Of course, I was talking from personal experience..." He took the bundle in his arms and followed the taller man out of the shop. "You mentioned knowing a jewelry shop nearby."
"Yes, just up the side street. Tucked away in a little corner." Percival led the way, a slight smile remaining on his lips. "Don't worry about it," he added. "I didn't take offense."
"I hope they have jewelry that would be appropriate for Lymsleia's age," Sasarai commented idly.
"A simple pair of earrings shouldn't be hard to find." Percival peered through the window to verify that the place was open before pulling the latch on the door and stepping inside. It was darker in this shop, with candles and small lamps placed to accentuate the sparkles of the jewels on display.
Sasarai stared at the collection speechlessly, before pinching the bridge of his nose, as if to ward an impending headache.
Bypassing rings and necklaces, Percival leaned over a tray of earring sets. "Did her majesty happen to say what kind of earrings she wanted? I'm afraid I'm no good at estimating a thirteen-year-old queen's taste."
"Hmmmm..." Sasarai simply mumbled as he followed the other man and scanned the collection of wares. He then froze as he noticed a tiny pair of earrings in the far corner and let out a laugh. "I think I found it..."
"Oh?" Percival straightened up and glanced over.
Sasarai grinned an pointed at a small pair of earrings made of thin white gold "braided bands" encasing a tear-drop shaped garnet stone. Upon closer inspection, the red stones almost looked like tiny strawberries. "For some strange reason, I have a good feeling with this one."
Percival purred in agreement, patting Sasarai proudly on the shoulder. "And it matches her royal dress, too. Good work, Sasarai." He looked around, and raised a finger to flag down the shopkeeper hiding behind the counter.
Sasarai let out a sigh, feeling rather pleased that he wasn't completely helpless with the entire trip. He glanced out the shop window and shifted uncomfortably as he noticed another pair of ladies watching them from outside with curious expressions on their faces. "Uhmm... how do you ever get used to them?"
Glancing to see what he meant, Percival could only sigh. "I try to ignore them as much as I can," he murmured, folding his arms and attempting to do just that while the shopkeeper handled the earrings for them. "Sometimes it's fun to flirt and play the game, but sometimes...ugh, they get in my way when I'm on duty, it's the worst. Sometimes I wonder if being sweet to them all the time isn't just encouraging them."
"Well that seems to be quite a predicament, isn't it?" Sasarai laughed nervously. "As much as I love to see more of the city, these girls following you around are making me nervous. Will we have enough sunlight to head back to Budehuc Castle, or should we seek refuge somewhere and sneak back home at the crack of dawn?"
"Mm...no, if we ride steady we can make it back to Budehuc by nightfall. As long as we don't stop to beat anything that attacks us in the forest," Percival chuckled. He was privately relieved, for nothing made him more uncomfortable than fans bothering him on duty, and some part of him felt that being responsible to Sasarai was pretty similar to duty. "I tell you," he went on as they stepped back onto the street with purchases in hand, "I rather like the idea of getting back and enjoying a hot drink at Mamie's cafe tonight."
"I hope they don't get the wrong idea..." Sasarai stated idly as he continued to watch the gossiping girls from the corner of his eye.
Percival flushed slightly, but he kept his eyes on the street as they walked. "No, I doubt they will," he muttered. "That would mean they wouldn't have a chance with me, and they'd never want to consider that possibility."
Sasarai stared at him, a bit confused. "Really? I thought you said that buying jewelry had some sort of significance. Seeing you in a jewelry store would surely create rumors."
"Maybe." Percival put on a bit of a smile for his companion. "They may just fight over which lovely lady I might have been buying for. Anything is possible." He turned down another side street, taking a bit of a back way out to the main street and the barracks stables. "After all, we both know some women have huge imaginations."
Sasarai sighed. "It seems that I inevitably may have cause trouble for you in exchange for helping me..."
"Nonsense." Percival moved to button up his coat as they neared the barracks. The side streets were less busy, meaning less people around to notice - fewer women to fawn over him. It wasn't as much fun without Borus beside him to tease about the attention. "It was a worthy trip. I needed to get out and ride, and visit the city for a bit. If for no other reason, than to appreciate what's back at Budehuc."
"I suppose you're right," Sasarai replied, feeling a bit better. "For all its worth, I really appreciate this. I know I'm probably the worst person to go shopping with."
That made Percival laugh outright. "No, that would be Sir Leo," he snickered. "I think the phrase 'like a bull in a china shop' was made because of him."
Sasarai couldn't help but laugh with him. "Nonetheless, I really do appreciate this. Let me buy you a round at Mamie's when we get back."
"It's a deal!" Percival said brightly, perking up.