held me down and tried to cure me

missvioletgcfashion:

“I’m glad we have that in common. It takes some getting used to, but we manage well, eventually.” I find it noble and admirable that she put herself through college. Independence was something I had aspired to have when I was in Princeton, however things happened then that did not allow me to exude it. But I didn’t regret it. My time of being with him was something I did not regret. In fact, I missed it and thinking about it was what kept me up at night. “That is certainly admirable and look you succeeded. Remind me to hire you as bar tender for my next dinner party.” I smiled. “Or you must show me about the mixing drinks, I actually do make time for the occasional cocktail here and there. Claude would enjoy it too.” 

“You are engaged?” Another surprise I just learned about. I glanced down at her hand and saw a very beautiful diamond ring on her finger. How did I not notice that? She did seem to have that bride-to-be glow about her. This sudden talk of engagement made me feel even more melancholy about my past. But I forced myself to hide it with another incandescent smile. “Congratulations, Harleen. We must celebrate after the shoot. How does an early dinner sound to you? I hope I am not imposing on your time, by the way, or kidnapping you from your fiancee.” I say sympathetically. 

“About the fancy dresses, well you will have an engagement party and rehearsal dinner won’t you? Those are perfect excuses to bring them out of the closet.” I suggested to her. She was incredibly lucky. “I agree, not mention more economical. It doesn’t have to be entirely designer, but a pretty piece or something that goes with the outfit. Men’s suits are somewhat of a weakness for me. I love them and yes, switching up the tie or even a new fresh shirt would do the trick.”

Claude coming out suddenly had shifted the enjoyable conversation. I smiled kindly at Harleen for her offering to help. 

“Well, she left already. Jess got her a cab because she just looked horrible.” Claude interjected before I could respond to Harleen. 

“Getting another model at this time is last minute and she won’t make it in time.” I glanced at Claude’s watch. I shook my head. It was already the traffic rush hour here in Gotham. I looked at Harleen and got the sudden idea. It would work. She even said herself she does clean up nicely, I have no doubt about that. “Harleen would you excuse us for a moment.” 

I pulled Claude away and looked at him calmly. By the look on his fair face he could tell what I was thinking. “Violet, are you sure about this?”

“At this moment yes. However, if she will be willing, I am not sure about that.” I said as stole a glance at her. I turned away when she caught me staring. “It is the only solution.”

“She is very pretty and has that British look about her.” Claude glanced at her as well. “Suggest it and see what she says.” He whispers to my ear. 

I only nod and walk back to Harleen. “Actually, Harleen, there is something you can do. How would you feel about being our model for the cover?” 

“Well, thanks. I don’t know about it being admirable, though, it was just something I needed to do. It made for good practice and was a fit for me in terms of my personality and the hours.” I smiled sheepishly and arched an eyebrow. “It’s been a while since I’ve worked as one professionally.” My thoughts wandered to a birthday party that I had helped set up and serve drinks at, one for my former boyfriend. I swallowed and turned my attention back to Violet.

“I’d be happy to show you and Claude some recipes if you want. I enjoy it.” I was surprised at her offer of a celebratory meal. “Thank you very much. I — no, he usually works late most nights. An early dinner wouldn’t keep us apart or anything like that. Are you sure you want that?” I was a little taken aback. She seemed too nice to be true, but I wasn’t unsettled, just caught off-guard by the kindness. I sucked in a breath when she mentioned an engagement party and a rehearsal dinner. We hadn’t even set a date for the wedding.

“You’re right, I can wear them again for that. It’s not like I’ve been photographed all that much. I’m not famous, thank G-d.” I’m stopped from speaking further by Claude and the news of the sick model. I was at another loss for words when Violet suggested another way I could be of service since their model had already left for home.

“I…you mean…you want…what?” I stared at the both of them in turn. “You want me to…the cover? Of your magazine? Me? Model for it?” My eyes widened and I could only stand and blink as I tried to figure out if they were both being serious about this.

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missvioletgcfashion:

“I don’t either. Unless I have a dinner or some sort of outing for the magazine.” I replied and understood what she meant. This career has taken up so much energy from me, but it was worth it. “My life revolves around this.” I acknowledged with my finger. I arch my brow in surprise as Harleen mentions that she used to tend a bar. I would have never guessed that she would do that. Of course I wasn’t judging at all, however I just found it strange. “A bar? How was that?” I couldn’t help but be more curious about her. “Well, yes events such as galas and charities would require going back home. But unexpected dinner dates or grabbing a drink after work wouldn’t. I go about what the reader’s suggest and most women have been avid about that.” 

Fortunately to my relief she laughs at my jest. “You passed with flying colors and from what I saw you are the right amount of knowledgeable, nowadays new brands and designers are coming from left and right. It is hard to keep up- even for me.” I smirked. “That is a good thing. I am not a believer in wearing something once. That is just a waste of fashion for me. The designer spent months trying to create something and for the consumer to just wear it once is not at all sensible  My advice is to make it different by pairing it with new accessories or shoes.” I took notice of her blush when she confessed about her night wear. “Well, no one will see it so its okay.” I whispered so that no one of my staff would hear me. 

“Violet!” Claude called out and came running from the dressing room. “We have a problem.”

I sighed. “Naturally, what is it?”

“The model is not feeling well and almost puked on one of the Burberry coats,” Claude held up his hand to me to calm me down. “but Jess managed to get the trash bin within her reach. The problem is that she is not up for this, we need someone else.” 

I laughed softly at when she gestured at the studio. “I can’t imagine how consuming your work must be. Seems like we’re both on call in some way or another.” When she looked surprised at my having tended bar, I gave her a little shrug. “I did it all through college to help pay my way through. I loved it. I enjoy talking to people, listening to them, and mixing drinks and coming up with new ones is a great amount of fun.”

I pursed my lips at the mention of unexpected dinner dates or after work drinks. It wasn’t a bad look, it was just one of resignation. “I’m afraid that those types of activities for me and my fiancé are relegated to the family room when he gets the chance.” I smiled at her. “It’s the nature of the job. We’d both rather be barefoot and in jeans anyways.”

I smiled again at her compliment. “Thank you. I agree with what you’re saying. I just can’t think of wearing something once and once only. I have to admit that I have one or two fancy dresses that haven’t seen too many galas, but they’ll make it back out some day, provided I still fit in them. I think switching up accessories is the easiest thing for someone to do. I keep thinking of how men could change out their tie and the same suit takes on a different feel.”

I blushed a little more deeply at how my mouth seems to take a life of its own, but that disappeared when Claude entered the room. I looked from his face to Violet’s. The mention of the model being ill caught my attention. “She’s not feeling well? Is there something I can do?” I was a doctor, at least, and being there seemed to be a good coincidence.

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missvioletgcfashion:

I watched as she moved about setting a day and night hybrid outfit together. For this being something of a first to her, I was beyond impressed. I was hoping she would go for bold with the night jewelry. “With an outfit such this, in which you can wear during the day for work and then switch it up with only accessories for the night life, is something the everyday woman needs. Pearls are sensible for day and the Valentino scarf and Stella McCartney belt is a nice touch. The watch is a good thing to go for as well. Night life is all about boldness and the goal is to make the outfit look different without even changing out of it.” I smiled at her as I moved toward the handbag table. Handbags were my weakness and I loved collecting many. I glanced at the Hermes Birkin bag and placed it by the outfit. “This is for day,” I went back to the handbag table to get a clutch. I picked up the Marc Jacobs navy blue Bianca clutch. 

“Big bags have become a trend for the day and the clutches have been more apparent in the nightlife.” I stated. I hoped I wasn’t mind boggling her with so much information. When it came to talking about this, I could never really stop. “Well, Harleen you have managed to pass my little test.” I laughed a bit to prove I was only jesting. 

“I don’t usually go out at night, after work,” I told her. I watched her select the handbags for day and night and set them next to the outfit. The logos I recognized. I was pretty sure I could never afford the Hermes. The Marc Jacobs I might have had an outside shot at. “I’m a little bit of a homebody, more so the last couple of years than ever before.” I gave her a crooked smile. “I used to tend bar, so I know a little too much about night life. I’ve been to charitable events, though, but that usually winds up with a trip home to freshen up and get dressed up.”

I blinked at her when she mentioned it being a test and then laugh when she does. It seemed like my new acquaintance had what could be a mischievous sense of humor. “I’m glad I passed the audition,” I grinned. “I clean up pretty well, but I’m lucky if I know half of what it is you have on the racks and on the tables here. I tend to buy something and wear it for a while. You’d probably be horrified by what I wear to bed.” I blushed slightly. The words came out without me really thinking about them.

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missvioletgcfashion:

“That is very kind of you to say.” I let out another small laugh. Harleen looks over the racks. “Interestingly enough the theme is 1960’s London with a modern mix. The designers for the shoot are a variety. But it must go with the theme.” I explained and let it sink in as I picked a Lanvin camel colored pencil skirt and a navy blue Valentino peplum top. “You see that the pencil skirt is something from the 1960’s and the peplum top is a modern twist to the average blouse.” I laid out the outfit on the table for her. “How would you make this a hybrid outfit for the modern day woman? By hybrid I mean a work outfit and then an outfit for a dinner date.” 

I held back a sigh and looked over the outfit on the table. This almost felt like a test to me. I stared at the top and the skirt and my mind started to race. How did I even get dressed in the morning? It was a skirt and top, not unlike anything I would wear to work, only the designer names kept it from my budget.

I adjusted my eyeglasses and asserted myself. “A Sixties inspired skirt and peplum top that need to move from day to night,” I murmured. I thought to the only two stylish women I knew, Selina Kyle and Pamela Isley. I wasn’t too fond of Pamela at the moment with what I’d learned, but she dressed with something of Sixities sensibility. Selina was one with designer tastes. I fixed them in my mind as I looked over the accessories.

“The simplest thing would be jewelry, made a scarf and a belt,” I said to Violet. I picked up a skinny belt, Stella McCartney according to the label, and a silk scarf by Valentino. It had navy and gold and cream tones to it in a peacock feather pattern. I picked out a DKNY rectangular watch, one that was matte gold and crystal. It was warm in tone and very feminine. I matched that with a necklace and drop earrings of baroque golden pearls. “I think that would be the day time set, for work,” I explained.

I moved to pick out more jewelry. This time I opted for large and bold with citrine drop earrings, a mosaic statement necklace in yellow and pink, and a gold cuff bangle with a deep blue quartz crystal featured. “I’d pair down to these three items, no scarf, no belt, for the evening. So it would be like this. Pearls by day, something more attention grabbing at night. I’m not sure I’m happy with the earrings, though.”

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missvioletgcfashion:

Claude only smirks. “Trust me is is not easy. Violet is a bit special when it comes to all this.” He glanced at me and gave me a wink. “But that is what puts Crimson at the top.”

“Oh Claude thank you for that.” I can’t help but laugh a bit. He made me laugh when I needed it and he was just there to help me when I felt overwhelmed. “Now go check on our model.” 

“She is incredibly bossy too.” Claude whispered as he unhooked his arm from my own and smiled at Harleen. He gave her a wink and left us alone. 

“He is far more gregarious than me.” I admitted as I walked over to the racks filled with skirts and blouses.

I watched the two trade gentle verbal jabs with one another. There was a shared amity that was apparent between Claude and Violet. It seemed as though they had been friends for a very long time. Claude was maybe even protective of her.

I couldn’t help but to grin back at Claude when he winked and I suppressed a laugh. “He’s charming, but so are you,” I shrugged. I followed her over to the racks. “Um. What’s the theme for the shoot today?” I asked her. “Is there a particular designer or the season or…well, I don’t really know.” I gave her an apologetic look. I felt useless when it came to that subject. It could have been about New York Fashion Week or a movie for all I knew.

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missvioletgcfashion:

I had to agree with her on that. It was an achievement. Especially in my current state. “Happiness I find is something rare you attain. I had it once.” I did not mean to sound so cryptic because I only have just met her. She glanced about the table scattered with the latest accessories a woman would be in need of or desire. I picked up the burnt orange Hermes bangle and handed it to one of the girls that was working with the stylist. “I must admit it is not for everyone-nevertheless it was something that shaped me.” I was slightly taken back by her allowing me to call her by her first name. I didn’t mind at all.  I smiled and nodded. “Well then in that case please call me Violet.” I felt a light tap on my arm and I turned around to see Claude. “Claude I would like you to meet Dr. Harleen Quinzel. She will be joining us today.” I stepped aside and encircled my arm around his. “Harleen this is my most trusted advisor and prized assistant Claude De Lesseps.” 

“Very nice to meet you Dr. Quinzel.” Claude extended his hand to her. 

Her comment about once having happiness made me frown. There wasn’t regret in her tone, but I couldn’t place the feeling. I didn’t expect their to be follow up since we barely knew one another. I sometimes had a knack for having people open up to me, something that came in handy given my chosen profession. I wasn’t going to press it.

She seemed surprised by my asking her to call me by my first name. I felt a moment of panic as my brain scrambled to determine if it was some huge social misstep I’d just made. I’m relieved when she offers her first name in kind. “Thank you,” I said with a smile. I kept the smile on my face as she introduced me to her assistant. I assumed he was an executive assistant since he was also her advisor. Most trusted, as Violet put it. I reached out my hand and give him a firm handshake. “It’s a pleasure, Mr. De Lesseps,” I nodded. I cast a glance around the studio. “The studio, the work, it’s very impressive. Ms. Montgomery is fortunate to have someone she trusts to help her to manage all of this.”

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missvioletgcfashion:

Her smile was comforting. To me, she seemed genuine. The first genuine person I met in this city and I was relieved to know that there were still genuine people here. Aside, from the few I know before coming here. “I wouldn’t say happiness just yet. Maybe somewhat content? Yes, that is it. Content.” I didn’t want to sound depressing nor miserable. I wasn’t miserable, I just didn’t feel happy. I couldn’t convey that though. And I was not ungrateful to the opportunity my career has given me. “It was rigid, but nonetheless an experience that has molded me into what I have become. It was something my step-father and to my surprise my Aunt Audrina had mutually agreed to. They wanted me to become more socialized as well as cultured.” The doors to the elevator opened up to reveal the massive studio. “It was different, but I loved it very much. Paris is my second home. I guess you can say being surrounded by a city that was all the rave about fashion influenced me immensely.” I gave her a small smile as I stepped out and walked toward the table which held all the accessories and where Claude stood by waiting patiently for me. “This way Dr. Quinzel, I would like to introduce you to my staff.”   

“Content is an achievement,” I murmured to her. I gave her another smile as I thought of my current circumstance. “Happiness can be elusive but contentment…that might be harder to find. True contentment, I mean, not the sort that people use in a disparaging way, conflating it with complacent.”

She didn’t seem happy, but it wasn’t my place to ask. I was trying to keep my need to be involved and to make people better, whatever better might be, in check. This was quasi-business related and we’d only just met. But she still struck me as having this quiet sadness. Maybe not sadness but just quiet.

The mention of a step-father caught my attention and so did the name of her aunt. Audrina sounded like an old money name, something with cobblestones and ivy and marble in the history. I followed her out of the elevator car as she led me into her studio. It was huge. “I’m glad that you loved it,” I replied. I tried not to look all around us as we walked to a table loaded for bear with purses, jewelry, scarves, belts, gloves, everything someone might want or need to complete an outfit. “You don’t have to call me doctor. Harleen is fine. Just Harleen.” There is another impeccable and neatly dressed and pressed person there, a man, standing at attention it seemed.

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missvioletgcfashion:

“I don’t doubt you will.” I assured her. Maybe this was too much for her? I don’t know, but her input would be great. She has expressed an interest in it. Harleen Quinzel returned my gaze. Considered for the Olympics. She didn’t fail to impress me. She seemed like a well accomplished woman. “That is quite an achievement, I must say. But I am sorry to hear about that, sometimes things happen and you can’t control them.” I sympathized I have gone through sudden events that have steered my course in another direction. 

“Well, not only in college. It was a requirement when I went to boarding school in Paris. When I started college, I felt uncomfortable with the drastic change, so I decided to sign up for something that was familiar to me and I took Ballet.” 

I gave her a softened smile. She sounded as though she really could empathize and her mention of going through something similar made me feel for Violet. “Thank you. I’m sorry to hear about what happened with you. I hope that all in all it means that you were able to find happiness, despite the change in course.”

Her mention of boarding school captured my attention. I’d never known someone who had attended boarding school. Alfred didn’t seem the type, neither did Lucius. Both seemed to be working class men. It might have been why we got along so well. We had that background in common.

“How was that?” I cringed internally. It seemed like a…tourist sort of question. “I’ve never known anyone who attended boarding school,” I explained to her. The elevator slowed and gave a gentle bounce as we arrived at what I assumed to be her offices. Or at least one floor of her offices. “Also, I don’t think I’ve known anyone who’s attended school in Paris.”

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missvioletgcfashion:

I notice her glance at the elevator twice as she processes my words. “Yes, the photograph that will be on the next issue’s cover.” I smile as we wait for the elevator doors to close. “Well, I think everyone can be artistic if they want to. I mean you know when something looks beautiful and when something looks repulsive, right?” I press the button to the top floor without taking my eyes off her. Oh, no I hope she doesn’t get scared when she sees everyone in the studio maneuvering about. I notice her laugh and it was a bit uneasy, but nonetheless she was willing to do it. “Gymnastics? That sounds impressive. I took a ballet class while in Princeton.” I beamed. “Look at it this way, just a pick a picture you think is beautiful. That is all there is to it really.” Finally the elevator doors closed. 

“Just pick a photo that looks beautiful,” I repeated softly. “I’ll do my best.”

I looked over to Violet Montgomery and met her glance. “It…I guess it was impressive.” There were times where I used aspects of my background to impress and other times where I held back most everything about myself. She seemed geniunely impressed, so I decided to elaborate further. “I was considered for the Olympics, but a family matter meant I couldn’t go to Seoul to compete.” I gave her a small smile. I didn’t regret what had happened. It was the way my family was.

“Ballet? Was it only in college?” I asked her. “May I ask why you chose ballet?”

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