"I'm not sure. I know that on the actual market day, there are many, from varying countries, but I do not receive reports detailing who is from where unless I request it. If you would like, I can find a list, though it may take a while, and varies from week to week." she explained. "We can look for a merchant from your country, if you would like."
"Maybe a quick peak. I am curious, to see if I find anyone I am familiar with. I believe an…acquaintance of mine sometimes comes here, though it could be elsewhere he travels to, within your country." She said, taking the opportunity to explain. Not that it was exactly necessary. For some reason, she felt Rose deserved an explanation, however much truth was omitted from it.
As they grew closer to the market-place, Zarya's demeanor almost seemed to grow more lively. She loved busy cities, more than she ever would love small and quaint ones. She needed the energy of them. The people, the noise, and the children. Gods, she adored the children. They were loud and boisterous and so full of the innocent youth she missed. And they loved magic.
"Where might you keep your money, if you have any on you, my lady?" She asked, glancing over at Rose as the sounds of business and people grew louder, accompanied by the smells of a myriad of foods from different countries. "I would like to aid in watching for sticky fingers. It is too easy to rob even the most diligent of targets, when in a place with even slight distractions."
Rose blinked, and pulled out a small purse that had been tucked inside the high waistband of her skirt. "Here. It would be rather difficult to steal, given where it is placed, but I suppose some people might be able to manage it." she laughed softly, before tucking it back into the pocket on the inside of the waistband. She had had her skirts like this specifically designed with this inner pocket, so that she didn't have to carry a purse around with her.
Zarya clapped her hands together, eyes sparkling. "Oh, smart. I think to steal it might be pushing certain boundaries that would get one arrested." She said, her lips pulling into a half-smirk for a second. "Especially seeing as you are of status. Is that curry I am smelling? My poor skirt may be at risk, I cannot resist a good curry."
She laughed a little. "It certainly would be, and if someone dared to reach in there they would be in trouble for multiple reasons." She smiled. "It probably is curry, yes. Would you like to get some? I'm afraid I can only stand milder currys, I don't have the… ability to eat spicier curries without crying, but if it's a mild curry I may join you."
"There is no point to adding enough spice to make one cry. Why make a food and then make it impossible to taste? I enjoy flavor." Zarya stated, looking around. There were so many people now, so many stores and little stalls and things to do. A young girl with shocking red hair tore past the two, nearly knocking into Zarya's legs as she ran laughing, followed by a girl with ebony skin. A smile lifted the corner of Zarya's lips. "We may want to find somewhere to sit, if we do eat. Walking and eating curry in a place like this is roulette. First, I am going to drag you to look at these fabrics." Attention diverted slightly, she linked an arm through Rose's to guide her. She intended to let go once she made sure she wouldn't lose the queen. For now though, she headed for a stall featuring what had to be over fifty different fabrics draped over various shelves and hangars.
Rose nodded a little bit, and followed Zarya, letting the other woman drag her over to the fabrics. "Oh, some of these are lovely." She remarked with a soft smile, glancing up at Zarya for a moment, before reaching out to brush a hand against the soft, smooth fabrics, enjoying the way it felt beneath her hands.
When the older man running the stall greeted them in what Zarya assumed was his native language, she responded in kind, enjoying the surprise on his face at meeting someone who spoke it. Vellin was actually a decently easy language to learn, and a beautiful one at that.
The two spoke briefly, Zarya motioning to a few fabrics. At a nod from the seller, she took one down with a flourish, wrapping it around Rose's shoulders to consider it. "I do not know if this is quite your color. I believe green would suit you well, or even a yellow. Is burnt orange a good color on anyone?" She tried the color against her own skin, arching a brown. "Maybe. My search will continue."
Rose was quiet, looking down at the fabric for a moment, then up at Zarya. "Mm, I'm not sure either." She replied, smiling a little bit. "And I don't know about burnt orange, either. I'll be honest, I don't know much about clothing and fashion and all of that." She laughed a little, watching as Zarya moved around the little shop.
((if you have time, this board of mine has a lot of dresses, and i have an Idea. if any of them strike you for rose, let me know! i can also pick through myself lol))
"You are in the best hands, then. I enjoy referring to myself as somewhat of an expert. Hence, my search for someone who honestly pulls off burnt orange. Those Egyptian and royal blues near you, put one on each shoulder." Zarya instructed, examining a section full of greens. "It is custom, in my country, for a guest to offer as many gifts and help to their host as possible. I have never had the chance to give a gift quite like this, but I intend to make it incredible. Are patterned fabrics traditional or common in your country?"
(I cannot view Pinterest on my phone, so I can't look at the board, sorry)
Rose blinked at the words, then nodded slowly. "I see. Ah…patterns are not uncommon, but they aren't super common, either." She said. "Usually patterns are not used except as trimming or to decorate other colors, they aren't usually used as the main cloth. As far as I know, in any case." She smiled a little. "You don't have to do this, though. It's…I know stuff like this can cost a lot of money, and I don't want to place a burden on you."
((oh that's alright! what's a color you think would work best for a dress for rose?))
"Not a burden." Zarya said, turning to look at Rose. She appraised the colors, putting the Egyptian blue back to throw the royal over her shoulder. "A custom. And be warned, you will find me in an almost garish full pattern one of these days. I prefer more solid colors for the accessories they allow, but patterns are such a vibrant thing. Not unlike your eyes. Green and red." The red was a deep, but vibrant color, as was the green. The green was a bit darker, though.
(uhhhmmm probably like a pale pink (like a pretty pink, not a gross pepto-bismol pink lmao) or like. Blue? Something like that. Or green would probably work great too)
Rose nodded faintly. "Hmm, I see." She replied, watching Zarya quietly, smiling a little bit. "Patterns can be good, but…I don't know. I suppose it's just the difference in our countries; my seamstresses and tailors wouldn't know what to do with patterns to make them look quite as good as I'm sure your country's seamstresses would be able to."
"Brightly patterned skirts with solid colored tops are a common, and very good, pairing. The same can be said for pants." Zarya said, as she flitted about. Now, she was working quickly, almost appearing to be dancing with the fabrics as she held them up. She seemed to have switched from bright and vibrant colors to softer ones, trying various pinks and blues and greens. "Oh, I would love to wear this yellow. I have found that they look the best with as much fabric in use as possible. Layered, flowing skirts, draped saris and tunics, like that. Are there any fabrics here that strike your fancy for anything in particular?"
Rose nodded a little, watching Zarya dart around the shop. "Oh…I don't think so." She replied. "There are lots of lovely fabrics here, I don't think I could pick one." She laughed quietly, tucking back a strand of hair behind her ear again, trying to keep it out of her face.
Zarya paused for a moment, glancing over and studying the queen. It was a bit longer than necessary, and she almost seemed to catch herself as she spun quickly, pulling a patterned short length of fabric to add to her pile. "We shall just have to come back." She carried her neat pile to the seller, setting them down at his table to retrieve money from the garter bag she was wearing on her thigh. The slits were useful for bags like that.
The seller seemed thrilled that she was buying so much, and a few moments later, Zarya returned to Rose with a brightly patterned bag to keep the fabrics in, withdrawing the patterned fabric she had bought. "May I touch your hair, my lady?"
Rose blinked at the question, but nodded. "Oh, yes, you may." She said, hands hovering uncertainly at her sides as she watched Zarya. Her gaze lingered for a moment longer than, perhaps, was necessary, and she looked away again after a moment. When she felt Zarya's hands in her hair, the faintest blush painted itself on her cheeks, and she bit her lip just a little bit, eyes flickering around slightly.
A small smile played on Zarya's lips as she used the fabric to fasten a headband, moving around Rose to adjust her hair. "A century ago, this pattern was reserved for royalty in Azaria. In the last…twenty years, it began to be reproduced by the common folk, and worn by them. It is still often reserved for special occasions, weddings being the primary. Pretending it is still a century ago, it is fitting for you to wear, as a queen."
When she was done, she stepped back, admiring her work. And Rose. When she was satisfied that it looked good, she linked her arm through Rose's, guiding the girl back out into the fray. "You wear it well. Tell me, my lady, what you know of Azaria?"
Rose touched the headband softly, giving Zarya a little smile. "Thank you, Zarya. And I'm afraid I don't know that much about your country, just the basics. Much of my education was focused elsewhere, not on other countries." There was still a tiny blush on her cheeks, though it wasn't too obvious in the bright light of the marketplace.
"Then allow me to teach you what I can, while here. Did you know that the thing we are most known for is a great support of the arts?" Zarya's smile, in full force and looking a mix of amused and excited, was a thing to behold. It brightened up her features, bringing more light to her odd eyes than normal. "Most children in our country take dancing classes from the time they can walk, to their tenth summer. Beyond that, it is their choice what they do in most places, but they are encouraged to continue some path in the arts, simply as a creative outlet. We believe dancing connects us to our ancestors, and to the energy within us. Our most famously exported item is a plant, however. A root known as Yengbo, that thrives in harsh desert conditions and makes incredible bread."
She listened, nodding a little as she took in the information. "That sounds really amazing, sometimes I wish this country prioritized the arts a bit more. I've pushed for it, but I can't change the entire country in a blink." She laughed a little, smiling over at Zarya. "And perhaps if we find some of that bread in the marketplace today, we can try some?"
"You have to foster a love for it, first. Your own love of something is extraordinarily powerful, in a position like yours." Zarya advised, giving Rose's arm a small squeeze. "Bring in artists, dancers and musicians into your palace. Organize events and express your love for it, and your people will follow. And of course we will try the bread. That is another custom of mine, though it is a personal one. If you know there is Yengbo bread nearby, you must eat it. Maybe I can come up with a curse to add to it."
Rose smiled a little. "Yes, I'll do that, it's just that there is…so much else to take care of too that I'm not sure where to begin." at Zarya's words about the bread, she smiled again. "Perfect, then that is what we'll do." her eyes flickered around the marketplace, a smile still dancing around her lips.
"If it were you who had my utmost loyalty, I would offer my services in a heartbeat. As is, do let me know if I can help get the ball…rolling, I believe the term is." Zarya offered, leading the way through the marketplace. She walked with her chin up and shoulders back, but relaxed, almost as though she were royal herself. Truthfully, she was far from it. But nobody would ever guess that, not by looking at her.
"I read up, a bit, on your country before hand. Admittedly, I wanted to hear a bit straight from you, as the source. What endears you the most to your country?"
Rose smiled a little at Zarya's response to her. "Mm…well, maybe the fact that our laws did not bar me from taking the throne. I know in some other countries, I wouldn't have been able to simply because of being a woman. And it's a good thing that Korain didn't have to. He's not stable enough. And I love our history, and our writing. I love our architecture, even if it's different from the architecture that I'm sure you're used to."