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𝗡𝗔𝗛𝗜𝗟𝗜𝗔 𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗥𝗡𝗘
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Nahilia’s pace slowed as the boutique came into full view, its frosted glass frontage glowing with warm lanternlight against the cobblestones of Voxthain. The clockwork mannequins in the window rotated with a smooth, mechanical grace, their copper-threaded gowns shifting with every turn. She had spoken with the proprietor just the day before, having heard of the new boutique opening in Voxthain from an acquaintance, and had asked what they were trading for their dresses and services. They had recently opened—although anyone could see how beautiful and well-made the clothing they created was—and needed more customers to grow the business’s notoriety. As a Thorne, someone who interacted with the upper class often when they visited the hospitals she managed, Nahilia could certainly promise to direct her patients in for routine check-ups their way once she and her daughter got their dresses.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀It was a trade rooted not in vanity or need for jewels and goods—all of which she had grown accustomed to dealing in—but in strategy and reputation. That was a currency in itself, and she respected it.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀The boutique door gave a hiss as it opened at their approach, warm air spilling out with the mingled scents of oil, fabric dye, and polished wood. Inside, the whir of gears and the hush of layered silks created a strange harmony, elegant and industrial at once. Nahilia’s eyes scanned the space, cataloguing details with the same diligence she brought to her clinics, before pausing her movement.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Drawing in a measured breath, Nahilia adjusted the fall of her coat, ensuring each line lay just so. Appearances mattered in Voxthain, even more when one carried a noble name, and especially when entering into a public partnership. Her onyx eyes, sharp and steady, softened only when she glanced down at Avaliyah. Her daughter’s presence steadied her in a way she would not admit aloud. With a quiet smile, rare though genuine, she gestured for her daughter to step ahead, allowing her to cross the threshold first as though the moment were meant more for Avaliyah’s delight than her own business arrangement.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Because it was, to her. They had their moments of strife and tension, but Nahilia treasured her daughter more than anything. She realized that they hadn’t done anything together in far too long for her liking, and with the noble gala having been announced and coming up, she had invited her daughter along to find dresses for them both. She couldn’t bring herself to express the depth of emotion she felt aloud at times, but it was there. In the quiet invitations to go somewhere, the rare smiles, the attempt at physical affection at times that was only ever awkward.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Steady, wordless. Unspoken and, more often than not, deeply unapparent to her daughter.
❝ 𝓐𝓿𝓪𝓵𝓲𝔂𝓪𝓱 𝓣𝓱𝓸𝓻𝓷𝓮 ❞
⠀⠀⠀⠀Excitement sparked through Avaliyah’s chest, her dark eyes wide, reflecting the golden glow of the shop before them. In the lighting, fabrics gleaned before her in studded arrays of deep emerald, pure lilac, and the most royal blue. Her fingers itched with the girlish need to grab them, feel the soft silks, cool like a pond, between her fingers, then find the tulle and fluff it out, watch the light stream through it.
⠀⠀⠀⠀While ordinarily, galas were not something Avaliyah found a lot of joy in–she had spent more years than she could count pasting a smile and lowering her eyes with burning cheeks when someone with their head up their butts made a dig at her parentage, about her not belonging at galas–she couldn’t quite lie about loving to dress up. Looking in the mirror at herself, watching her eyes come alive, hands smoothing over the skirt of the gown she chose, seeing herself in a different light than usually did–someone worthy of being a noble in this city; magical.
⠀⠀⠀She had seen her as beautiful, as worthy always. The way her eyes had gone from their usual jade to a darker evergreen with a catch in her breath, the way she had tucked Vali’s hair behind her ear at the galas, sequestered behind their curtains, where they’d also had their first kiss, and then–and then. Nothing but a cold dismissal, and since that time, galas had become a painful shard of glass between her ribs, a dredge where the worst in Voxthain gathered to judge, gossip, and sneer behind cold smiles and sips of champagne.
⠀⠀⠀⠀But when her mother had asked her to get a dress with her for the upcoming gala, some of that spark had re-ignited, as if it had been truly just buried under ashes this whole time, cold and dark, and not extinguished forever. Feeling beautiful, looking regal…truly, Vali had never quite been able to resist that, nor spinning around in her room with her skirt flying, feeling every inch a princess of earth. And what was more, Mother had asked. So rare was their time together now, and while most of their interactions were filled with Avaliyah feeling stifled and misunderstood, this was one step towards what, Vali hoped, was a better relationship.
⠀⠀⠀⠀She loved her mother endlessly, but she knew they often did not see to eye to eye. Still, like with most people in her life, Avaliyah was afraid to bring some of it up. She wanted to, but confidence had never been her strong suit. Maybe if they started going on outing together again, she could learn to talk more about what mattered.
⠀⠀⠀⠀When her mother held the door open for her, Avaliyah looked up and returned her smile. “Thank you,” she said. “I’m–I’m glad we’re doing this,” she added, slipping through and then holding the door from the inside for Nahilia. All around them, the scent of new clothing, that dye and wood Nahilia had smelled, met her nose, and Vali inhaled deeply, closing her eyes. Yes. Her spine tingled as a small smile of excitement crept up her face, and her steps into the boutique had been more spring than a normal walk. Endless possibilities awaited them here, and Avaliyah wanted to try on all of it.
⠀⠀⠀⠀But as she eagerly scanned the offerings, waiting for Nahilia to enter after her, it carved through her like a knife–the Seavey accusations about Canneta, the way that meant people who were at risk were not being treated as well as they should be. Medical malpractice was something she actively worked against, but now…why was she getting a new gown when there were people in the city who couldn’t even be treated well? But no, she could do both, couldn’t she? Get a new gown and work on figuring out what was going on with Canneta. And meet her for a conversation tomorrow.
⠀⠀⠀⠀Avaliyah’s stomach lurched. Swallowing hard, she tried to push that ball of anxiety as well as the thought of the meeting out of her head. That was a problem for tonight and tomorrow, not now, she tried to remind herself. She and her mother were going to have a good day out today, finding gowns, and Avaliyah wanted to maybe take her for lunch after. Someplace classy, elegant, perfect for Nahilia Thorne. If Vali’s anxiety didn’t spiral. No. She couldn’t. Day out with her mother. Staying in the moment. More than anything else, that is what mattered.
