December 30th, 1891 - The Modiste Rose

The year was coming to a close, and most families were likely enjoying this limbo between holidays to relax at home by the fire, or perhaps play in the fresh layer of snow that fell overnight. Ida, however, was interested in neither of these things. She didn't care to stay at home for very long, and had plenty of errands to prepare for a swift return to a new semester.

The primary task was to come up with a gown that would suit her Hogwarts debut. It's true that she already owned one passably nice dress to suit the occasion, but with an excuse to wear it at a party tomorrow, she couldn't very well wear the same thing again. Ida understood that even such a subtle cue could make people think her family was headed to financial ruin. These complicated society rules were so overwhelming sometimes.

So at the behest of a friend who insisted she was much too tall and narrow to rely on anything already made, Ida ventured to the modiste for a proper fitting. Even though she braced herself for it, it didn't take long to feel like she was in way over her head. The modiste was nothing but kind, of course. But the matter of fabrics and seasons and settings and themes and hats and jewels and adornments and Merlin knows what else rivaled any of the most complex transfiguration formulas she'd encountered.

Fortunately, Ida excelled in ambiguity. Choosing a scientific approach to the matter, she leaned into the discomfort and asked many questions (and resisted the urge to take out her journal to take notes). As a result, her fitting took far longer than usual. When she had arrived the shop was empty, and now it was abuzz with activity.

Their fitting was finally coming to an end, with Ida standing on a platform as the modiste took a final hem on the possible drape of her skirt. She'd picked a few things and honestly had little sense of how it all fit together, but the modiste assured her it would be more than appropriate. While she waited, Ida couldn't help but admire the fabric chosen by the woman beside her. When the woman came into the shop some time ago, Ida noticed her right away. She had all the air of someone confident and of daring, modern taste. She had expertise too, at least it seemed to Ida, for she had made quick work with her modiste. 

It took her oogling enough; Ida shouldn't have been surprised when their eyes caught each other's in their reflections. 

"That color looks divine, especially with your complexion," Ida commented. She had a knack for being rather forward and saying exactly what she felt. The shy smile on her face was just as genuine. "I would have never thought to try it myself. May I ask what type of fabric this is?"

---

Having been in England for more than a few Christmases she was well used to all of the very English Christmas and New years celebrations and for the most part enjoyed any opportunity to dress up in her most festive garments and make something of a splash with her appearance. She also updated her wardrobe every 3 months - the benefit of almost infinite funds and no guardians oversight. This was a fitting and design appointment to confirm some of her new gowns. They wouldn't be ready for another few weeks.

She had arrived with her maid, who had been dispatched to do some other arrands, after she had helped Suki out of the the ornate red and gold confection she had arrived in, leaving her alone at one of the fitting positions for the modiste to do her work. Suki had been helped up onto the small raised velvet podium, so the seamstress could better access the dresses lines and hems -there were two other identical podiums on her left and right. The seamstress had worked quickly making the fittings and changes to the garment that Suki instructed, to the point were she had fitted 5 new gowns in the time that the other young lady had done, what appeared to be one.

As she was being helped back down and back into her own clothing, her maid having reappeared, another voice spoke. Suki turned in the direction and took in the younger girl, also of Asian descent. 'Thank you,' she acknowledged in her heavily accented but understandable English, with an inclination of her head, 'Although this is just the main colour,' Suki preened her wrist, admiring the deep blue colour, that shimmered iridescently as she moved, as the maid helped it off her shoulders without upsetting the pins, 'The final dress will be made from a beautiful fabric that my tailor is sending from Kyoto - that is a bit more.... she sought for a tactful word to describe the plain by comparison English taste in fabric patterns 'interesting' Suki added after a moment. The fabric, from a specialist magical designer, whose designs were both ornate and moved, almost like the magical paintings.

'Are you fitting for your debute?' she guessed - given she didn't know the young lady from society, it was unlikely that she was out - and if she wasn't in the run up to her debut there would be no reason for a young lady, not contemplating her first season, to need a ball gown.

---

There was no doubt this woman was one of the most elegant people she had ever spoken to. Had they been at a party, Ida would've likely faded to the background, too starstruck to ever pick up an exchange. But perhaps something about the intimate modiste setting made finding conversation effortless. 

She scarcely blinked at the woman's accent; although different and more refined, it reminded Ida of when her father spoke English. The woman's next words confirmed what Ida suspected, she was Japanese. "Oh, Kyoto," Ida echoed, enchanted by the thought. She'd seen paintings of their mountains in cherry blossom season, and had been curious about it ever since. It was unlikely she'd venture that way outside of Great Britain anytime soon, however. She was concerned that being so close to her father's homeland would give him the perfect means to marry her off right then. He had many more connections there than he did here.

"I'm sure that it will pair wonderfully," she said vaguely, since this was far beyond her area of expertise, but still truthful in how she felt about it. Just then the modiste touched Ida's arm, 'You're done, my dear,' she said, swiftly unpinning Ida's new dress skirt before whisking away. Unlike the other woman, Ida came alone, and so she stepped carefully down from the podium and pulled her dress from the chair to put back on.

"Yes, just for my school debut," Ida replied, busying herself with the snaps of her dress until the modiste rushed back to assist. Back home, Ida would have had her house-elf or little brother help with the last bit. "Though today we spent time looking at inspiration for a full wardrobe to wear in my upcoming season. I had never given much thought to this before, as I'm sure you could tell." She added the last part with a bit of a grin, knowing that the lady could plainly see her belabored process. Ida didn't mind owning up to her weaknesses; only then could she learn something from it.

"Oh, but pardon my manners," Now that she was mostly dressed, Ida turned fully to the woman to offer her a gentle bow of respect. It was the way Ida would greet her cousins or father's business partners, and it only seemed appropriate. "My name is Chang Ai Mei," she introduced herself in the traditional fashion with the family surname first, feeling a little tickle on the back of her neck when she shared her given name. "Though most of my friends call me Ida."

It wasn't every day that one came across another of Asian descent in Great Britain, even during these modern times. She would hate for their acquaintance to be so fleeting. "I am not sure if you planned to stay about Hogsmeade, but I was thinking I'd have afternoon tea here. Perhaps you are inclined to join me?"

---

'Oh how exc..her breath caught as her maid finished lacing her back into her garment*, taken the moment to tighten her corset strings once more 'iting' she pressed her hand to her stomach as her breathing returned to normal. Her maid fixed the last buttons and eyelets as the girl explained the purpose of her visit and her protracted fitting. Suki loved planning her wardrobe, gowns for themed balls were by far her favourite and it was why the maid she had hired was of exceptional skill as a seamstress herself, and able to respond to Suki's various dressing whims.

Returning her fan and beaded bag to her hand, Suki was at last ready once more. 'Natsuko Mountbatton' she answered with a slow curtsey and an inclination of her head. It often raised eyebrows, at least it had at school - this obviously not English girl with her painfully English family name. 'I should love to join you,' she remarked as the girl invited her for tea. It was rare enough for Suki to meet someone who was patently not English in their appearance. She lead the way from the shop, nodding to the modiste in grateful recognition as they past her. 'I shall see you next week' was her trilled farewell to the woman who was well paid to provide the quantity of dresses Suki required and to work with the strange and foreign fabrics the younger woman provided.

'Which do you prefer?' she asked, clarifying on the girls name - with England it was hard to guess which avenue would help one to flourish best. 'You are at Hogwarts yes?' Suki asked of the younger lady as they crossed the busy thoroughfare to the tea shop close by. The girl was exceptionally tall - well she appeared so next to Suki's modest 5,1.

---

Strange as it sounded, it was marvelous to see Miss Mountbatton affix her dress, primarily because Ida had never seen such a lovely frock before. Up close she noticed the peacock that drew daring blues and greens over the gold, and how her exquisitely crafted headdress and accessories matched. So this is what Ms Rose had meant in terms of coordinating. As the lady finished, Ida bid her own modiste farewell and marked a return date during one of her Hosgmeade visits in a few weeks.

"Yes, I suppose it could be called that," Ida replied to the idea of it being an 'exciting' time with a shy smile. Surely this woman has attended far more lavish affairs, and Ida couldn't consider something positive when it tied her stomach into knots like this. 

At Miss Mountbatton's introduction, Ida's expression didn't blink over her name, though she caught herself in surprise for the memory it triggered. Was she the same woman Witch Weekly had featured some years back? If so, that must have been for her debut, Ida marveled. Ordinarily, she wasn't one to pay much mind to gossip rags. But it had been notable to see a woman that looked more like herself on its cover, and in one image, she'd worn an outfit that reminded Ida very much of something her late mother owned.

Now realizing her company, Ida's heart thrilled that Miss Mountbatton had been so amiable to have tea together. After all, it might seem strange to some that Ida was drifting about town unaccompanied. Though she would appear more lady-like to have found a suitable chaperone, Ida rather liked taking advantage of her freedom to come and go without much oversight from her (relatively absent) family, something that her upper-class friends had a much harder time doing. 

"Oh, just Ida is fine," she said, still caught in her thoughts as the two of them made their way out of the shop, someone graciously holding the door for them. Ida was familiar with the tea shop they were headed to, though it was on the higher end and liable to put a dent in her budget. A very worthy dent, Ida corrected herself. "And yes, I am at Hogwarts, in the Ravenclaw house." Though Ida wasn't entirely sure that would mean much to this woman; she was certain that she'd have remembered her even if they'd only overlapped for a few years.

"Coming to Hogsmeade today was a bit of a treat to myself before my return from break," she confessed with smile as the two walked. "Though I admit, I did not expect a fitting to cause me as much stress as it did," she laughed. "A bit of tea will be perfect to set myself back on course."

---

She had not attended Hogwarts, and had instead gone to school in Japan, but she knew enough of the history of the school to appreciate that at least Ravenclaw was the academic house - she had completed her own schooling with golden robes and she rather thought that if she had attended Hogwarts as her Aunt had often bemoaned, she would have ended up in Ravenclaw.

She ordered a plain black tea for herself - she wasn't especially impressed by the tea in most of the places in Hogsmeade, and London - save for a few places that she knew took their tea imports seriously - most Chinese or Japanese run establishments - some of the Indians took the matter seriously, but it was evident, to Natsuko at least that the stuff that was exported to England was far from the best quality.  Black tea was usually the only safe option. 

'A woman's garments are her battle armor,' Suki imparted with a smile, 'and every general should take their armour seriously' her prophetic tone dropped, 'it's natural to be anxious about your pending entry into society.' The tea was brought and suki played mother, pouring both.

'Has your mother begun the preparations for your debuts theme?' she asked, opening her fan and gently fluttering herself  - an act of heat relief and practiced affectation. 

---

Though this particular tea shop felt a bit intimidating for Ida, she tried stubbornly to not let on how she felt. She watched closely to mirror Miss Mountbatton's movements, down to placing the same order. This, at least, felt reassuring enough for a small smile to cross her lips. It may seem rude to discuss openly, but Ida was relieved to find that they might share the same misgivings about tea commonly found in these shops. 

"Oh," Ida nodded along, genuinely surprised and intrigued by the battle metaphor. Only a few girls at school knew how Ida thought of their upcoming season a war against undesirable prospects, and they often called her dramatic for it. This felt like vindication. Wait until they hear about this! "I can understand that completely... In a way this armor bears the protective power of steeling your nerves and projecting confidence to the battlefield." Ida smiled as she took her teacup with a nod of thanks. 

She hummed into the cup and took perhaps a less-than-dainty sip at Miss Mountbatton's question, hoping to buy time. It was inevitable that this conversation would come up and be awkward. 

"My mother passed away some years ago, unfortunately," Ida really didn't know how to beat around the bush, so she just set it down straight to get it out of the way. By now she learned to smile with soft reassurance when she said it, encouraging the other that she was well-equipped to discuss her circumstances without sobbing or anything like that. "Survived by my father, my brothers, and myself. Though to be honest, I just learned about the concept of a debut's theme today," she laughed, trying to make the conversation lighter. "So I must admit I am running a bit behind in my arrangements."

---

Suki nodded in agreement as Miss Chang spoke, then set her cup down with a clatter as Miss Chang spoke, her eyebrow darting upwards into her hair line. 'I'm sorry' she said, and rather meant it. She had never known her own mother - her father had left Japan - it was not until very recently that she had learned that she was only a very recent orphan, and that her mother had been alive until only a few years before. 'I know something of that, my parents died when I was rather young, but I had my aunt to guide on such matters' - there were few women as formidable Eugenia Carruthers nee Mountbatton had been - faded now in her powers she was still a source of solid society advise for Suki.

'You might call upon me for any assistance you need - Miss Chang' she said as a throw away idea, not wanting to make the girl feel obliged but to make it clear she was sincere in her offer. 'A debut, like a wedding, is often better organised by women.' She had little doubt that her aunt would also find it an excellent diversion to be considered a source of sage advice in matters of the womanly arts. 'It is never too late to draw up battle plans' Suki took another sip, smiling at Ida over the top of her cup.

---

"Oh, please don't be sorry," Ida quickly insisted, brows knitting slightly. This was her least favorite part about being honest about her history, though as Miss Mountbatton continued, Ida's worry grew into empathy. "But thank you, Miss Mountbatton, for your kindness. It is so helpful to speak with someone who understands how it can be, to lose a parent." Ida looked pensively into her teacup for a moment. "It is so fortunate that you had your aunt for guidance." Not for the first time today, Ida caught herself wondering about her somewhat estranged aunt and cousin from her mother's side. Perhaps she should consider reaching out to them, however painful it might feel for them all...

At Miss Mountbatton's offer, Ida's head perked back up to the woman, a genuine smile lighting up her face. "My goodness. It would be an honor to learn from your experience! In another world, I am certain you would have made a noble General, leading her company to great victories," she winked before taking another sip of her tea, not knowing at all that her calculations of Miss Mountbatton weren't too far from the truth of her parentage.

The shared sentiment around their grief breached intimacy that Ida had not expected so soon in their conversation, but almost immediately, it left Ida feeling far more comfortable in her newfound acquaintance's company. It gave Ida just enough courage to venture cautiously into new territory. 

"How did you feel about your own debut? What did you hope for? If I am honest with you, I wouldn't know the first thing about what to look for in a suitor..." Ida refrained from tagging on how worried she became, at the thought of having to marry a stupid man. But challenging a prospect to a duel at first encounter is hardly an appropriate disposition for a lady.

---

---

Suki nodded, her cool public mask slipping for a moment. She wore her 'society face' as the metaphorical armor she had mentioned to the other girl, armor that kept the real world at bay. Despite her English last name - she was not English, she did not feel it and she was sure that the society of England didn't feel it either. Her English father marked her an English national but her distinctive appearance and the accent that spoke of almost a lifetime in Japan had given her. No, her difference was her armor, not what set her apart but what set her above.

That view was relevant to her next remarks to Miss Chang, 'I enjoyed it, it was my own,' she smiled, 'although I think some of the English families were unsure what to do with some of the Japanese traditions' Suki laughed inspite of herself and supped her tea, taking in the other girl over the top of the tea cup. 'I did a Koto performance and a kabuki' both were common at Japanese debuts and while she was sure the invitees were curious and interested, it was a very different sort of affair than the usual 'Venus decending the stairs' trope which seemed to be as far as the inventiveness of many - replacing Venus with Aprhrodite, Hathor, or some generic goddess or other.

Who was she to say which was the most effective, but she knew which showed a shocking lack of imagination or at least a shocking inability to be interesting.

---

The thought of her own race was always something that Ida preferred to repress rather than confront, for no other reason than the embarrassment over standing out as unique. Never would she have imagined how to tackle the subject head-on, until today. To be confronted with an extraordinary example of how one could use that to their advantage, no less! Childhood grief made Ida unusually wise and observant for a girl her age, and the slip in Suki's expression did not escape her. It warmed her to Natsuko; it felt like the same kind of girl-talk she'd have with her dormmates. Ida could hardly suppress the trill of intrigue that coursed through her veins as she ventured another sip of tea.

"It's so incredible that you performed Japanese traditions," Ida could not help but confide directly with the woman exactly how remarkable that felt to her. "I can only imagine the dazzling koto performance! And I should very much love to see a kabuki one day." Setting her cup down, Ida accommodated a server who brought forward customary tea sandwiches and biscuits. She was still pondering Miss Mountbatton's strategy while she reached for her favorite lemon cookie. 

"I suppose this would have made it easy for you to then see the type of man who might interest you. That's what I need to determine, should I have a formal debut," Ida was working out loud through her thoughts, a habit she usually employed with Professor Foxwood as his research assistant. "How to cull a herd..." She added that last thought idly, and grimaced a little once she realized she said it out loud. Pippa would scold her at this point- perhaps she was interpreting the battle analogy too seriously. 

"Did your family pressure you at all, into making a premature decision? I understand if you'd rather not answer," she added hastily, with a reassuring smile. "Just for me... I am not so delusional to think I may find a perfect love match. My biggest concern would be if I were pressured into marriage with an incapable man. I have... intellectual pursuits. I want them to be more than just a hobby or passion if I could. If I'm allowed," she muttered that last part, expression darkening with a barely-repressed scowl at the thought that her fate may be dictated by her father, brother, and future husband.

---

Natsuko's pride glowed at Miss Chang's warm words, and then chuckled with real mirth - the herd was not all that wrong.

'It rather depends on your tastes Miss Chang, and your expectations.' the last had an emphasis all women understood - love, money or position? That was often the choice and it was rare that all those things aligned. Natsuko had resigned herself to that not long after getting out of leading strings, especially for women like Suki.

She nodded thoughtfully, 'There are balances to be found in most things. I hate to be so serious but often, it is less a case of what will make you happy, and more a case of what won't make you misrerable, what can you live with, or what will let you forge a life that it will not humiliate you to lead.' Suki took a sip of her tea, washing away the heaviness her mantra left on her soul.

'I'm privledged Miss Chang, in that my money is my own, I have already inherited, I have no father to please and I do not need to marry, to be financially secure in life and yet I do not wish for a spinster's censure. she took one of the small cress sandwiches, 'I should wish to like my partner in life, to respect and even care for them, but I seek position and not love.' it was frank, and not at all romantic - perhaps not the type of thing a young lady on the eve of her debut would like. 'I know that I am of a mind and temperament that few English men will like' she explained, and although known in English society for her fashion and social presence she had graduated with golden robes and if she had had few other advantages she would have been well able to survive by her wits and make something of a career for herself. 'and so I hide that portion of myself, until my position will allow me express it without endangering the other aspects of my soul. It was honest, more honest than she had perhaps been with anyone in a long time, 'and it may require more patience, but my happiness in the long term is better served by holding back my troops until the battle is won.'

---

Ida found herself leaning in as Natsuko spoke, the same way she would sit straight to attention and hang on every word from her favorite professors. Even the cucumber sandwich on her plate was left untouched. This advice was precious - and truthfully, something Ida immediately latched on to because it validated what she'd hypothesized for some time.

Women are the ones who make the strategic sacrifices, not men. 

"Well I must say that I appreciate how forthcoming you are about your experience," Ida sighed at the heavy thoughts, but offered Natsuko a small smile of shared understanding. "My parents were arranged in marriage, and great love came up between them over the years. I suppose one can always grow to love someone. And the choice about what I could tolerate without misery, is better than no choice at all." 

It wasn't like Ida to see the glass half-full, she was usually quite objective. But as she formulated what she wanted most out of a future partner, Natsuko's words empowered her to find gray areas for options. It felt a lot less stifling now that she understood what she had to do. "My father has asked if he shall arrange suitors for me, from our family and business contacts. I would accept them for tea but would much rather... gather other suitors via my own sources. I may speak fluent Mandarin, but I'm an English girl at heart." Ida crinkled her nose and let out a little giggle, catching herself a bit by surprise at how open she felt with her new acquaintance. 

Ida nodded thoughtfully as Suki continued, heart swelling with pride a bit that she was able to break ground so quickly with someone who typically took on such a guarded approach. "Though I find your mind and temperament quite charming, Miss Mountbatton," Ida jumped in to insist with a grin, knowing it might have meant little coming from her, but wanting to reassure her new friend that really any man who passed his opportunity with her was likely an idiot. Incapable, as she'd said earlier.

"In all seriousness, it sounds as though you and I are quite similar in what we seek," the Ravenclaw mused, remembering to take her tea before it got cold. "I should very much like to be of a position where I could enjoy the comforts of feeding my mind with some stability..." And a good deal of autonomy, she wanted to add. A husband who traveled often didn't seem so terrible.

The strategy was coming together in her mind's eye, and Ida could not resist opening to Suki further. "My father is rather traditional. He won't be very patient with me should I close my season with a career and no suitable prospects." The girl scoffed at the thought. It was very much a sore subject for her - she blamed his mindset for her mother's tragic demise. "I shall take your advice and not show my cards too soon. Maybe I can do just enough to appease him, and any suitable prospect, so as to delay the process indefinitely. Long enough to find someone more acceptable by my own standards, at any rate." 

---

Suki nodded

'For my part, I would not discount an arranged match' she realised it was potentially not a popular opinion, arrnaged matches were rather going out of style in some quarters, 'At least there is no pretense, the arrangement is transactional - like buying a new dress. Both you and the modiste understand the nature of the exchange.'

She found her own pronouncement to have rather bummed her out and she would need to make some contingency plans of her own. She forced a smile, 'Take my advice for what it's worth, a pinch of salt.' she laughed lightly. She could easily understand a traditional and impatient parent. There were times when she was sure there one of the greatest blessings of her life was the fact that her father had died when she was still too young to know him well - as everything she had heard about him he would have put her in exactly the same boat as Miss Chang.

'I'm always available for a talk Miss Chang - and tea' she raised her teacup in something like a little salute, a toast to another general on the eve of battle.

---

Ida shuddered at the idea of an arranged match, for her part. While her mother had also easily melded into the role of home matriarch, for better or worse, Ida took after her father's shrewd and pioneering mentality. She wasn't sure her father appreciated that quality in her. It seemed likelier he'd seek her a match domineering enough to quash that streak.

Though Natsuko smiled and laughed in an enchanting lilt, Ida finished her cup of tea with a knowing look. Nothing about their burden as women came easy. As women, they'd likely never be the strongest ones in the room, or even the loudest.

They simply had to be the smartest.

"You have no idea how thankful I am that you've joined me today, Miss Mountbatton," Ida smiled, nodding her head courteously. "I very much look forward to our next tea time - and to our strategizing!" 

---