19th Design [video]

[threadthefire]

[Have a nice, interior shot of a very full passionné and a swivel to a very happy Cinna, standing on the stairs to the second floor.]

Well, I'll certainly say this is a nice way to cap off that week. Full house all around, my reputation must precede me.

If there's anyone here that would like to say hello, I'll be here at the shop, come on by.

[ooc: Anything goes, just don't tell him he's supposed to be played by Lenny Kravtiz.]

Comments

[clothiers.livejournal.com]

[ The hand previously at the side of Cinna's face rests now at the back of her own neck, her teeth catching on her lower lip as she considers the predicament in the silence only to blink and half smile at Cinna's words. She has no doubt that he has put his all into this unprecedented reprise of a bloodbath with old contenders, and she hopes she's giving Peeta as much in tandem. Swallowing an uncomfortable feeling in her throat, she nods absently before sharpening her focus again. ]

I don't doubt that. How could we do less?

[ Her smile is a little wider this time, not broad by any means but more heartfelt - that of someone who empathizes if from her own differing vantage. No two views are precisely the same even if they are on the same side. No two people understand this perhaps as well as they do. It's part of what makes it such a natural synthesis of work - their collaborative design and intent. ]

[threadthefire.livejournal.com]

They don't know. Katniss and Peeta. They're from after the Tour but before... the announcement of the Quell.

[He looks at her, knowing he doesn't need to ask her not to say anything, why would she? She knows, as well as he what the cost of their peace is, and how dear it must be to them in this place.]

Finnick actually came here from the Arena, so he's ahead of me, even.

[clothiers.livejournal.com]

[ Her lips press thin, knowing not to say anything about said Quell to the District 12 Tributes and yet feeling her mind reel at the thought of Finnick being so far ahead.

She can't help but wonder: do you know how we are?

It's selfish. The children have it so much worse but it would be a lie to say she doesn't long to know that Cinna makes it out of this too, maybe even herself. But she knows a too good to be true story when it's written, how it doesn't actually happen that way. She won't ask any more than she'll tell. ]

I think I'll be a rather boring dinner guest. I'm not feeling very curious about anything.

[ Blatant lie and her lilting tone implies it, something she knows Cinna will pick up on but it also says this: I won't say anything - whatever they have here, whatever you have here, I want you to be able to keep it while you can.

It may be the only time it's possible, she thinks, and then hates her own mind and heart for being presupposed to such darker conclusions. ]

[threadthefire.livejournal.com]

Oh, I'm certain we can fins things to talk about.

[He moves towards his desk and picks up the phone. They need to move onto lighter subjects, now that the essentials are out of the way.]

Let me call for some tea at least and I can tell you more about this place until dinner. Unless you've other plans? I shouldn't keep you if there are others you'd like to see?

[clothiers.livejournal.com]

I'll see Peeta later.

With that on the schedule, I'm in no hurry to go elsewhere. And tea sounds lovely.

[ With a quiet grace she moves to lean slightly against his desk, eying the things on top of it and identifying each as Cinna in their own specific ways. It's comforting to know some truths just don't change, no matter what happens, even as much as they are the underground matches for a bigger sort of revolution. Personal constancy is rather different.

Peeta has that.

Not so much Katniss, though Portia thinks if Katniss would let him, Peeta could give her that too. He'd give her anything.

And this Portia knows too. ]

[threadthefire.livejournal.com]

[He places the order quickly, apparent that it's something he does quite often. After that, he pulls up an additional chair for Portia to take, as perfect a host as he could be under the circumstances as he notes her looking at his work.]

Any feedback? It's been awhile since I've been able to have your input in my work.

[Business. It's safe to talk about business without everything else hanging over his head. If he can make these days, or however long she's here, a little calmer, a little easier than home, it will be worth anything.]

[clothiers.livejournal.com]

Your work is always impeccable. Though I'll admit some of these...have a different undertone than your usual designs.

Not that that's a bad thing. I like this one in particular.

[ She lets her fingertip hover over a clean silhouette blocked out on the paper, a dark take on a sapphire maybe judging by the color with an open back and an interesting cross-layer in the front. The gown could easily be too heavy but it's not; Cinna's handiwork is always toeing that line. Portia's is a bit more predictable but if he is the constant changing factor of mad genius, then maybe Portia is the control. It's hard to put these in cut and dry terms of course; they're people, not numbers, whatever their work. ]

It could be shorter. [ An evening gown but she thinks depending on the fabric it's something that at just above the knee would make an elegant daywear instead. ]