The Last Days of the Fashion Club Options

[WellTemperedClavier]

Apologies. For personal reasons, I'm choosing to remove this story. I may repost it in the future. This is absolutely not the fault of anyone here; you've all been gracious readers, and I'm so honored that you gave me your time. I only ask that you accept this and respect my privacy.

This post has been edited by WellTemperedClavier: Nov 13 2024, 01:00 AM

[SubRosa]

Neat, a spinoff series where Jeval becomes a drug dealer in order to pay for his medical bills. Well, something at least.

Jeval is sporting a new Patrick Swayze look, with the errant forelock of hair, and showing off some buff chestage.

Actually I am getting a lot of Saturday Night Fever/Staying Alive vibes from this, as we meet Jeval's family, and their criticism of his investing so much effort into his fit.

Between your stories and Renee's Joan Before Arkay story, I think once I am done with my current run through of Baldur's Gate 3 I might go back to Morroblivion again, with Silverlight this time.

So Jeval might be the guy I see in Skyrim, delivering a new letter to my toons, without wearing any clothes?

[Acadian]

Thanks for giving us your perspective on, and estimated length of, this novella right up front in your comments.

I had thought of Jeval as not much more than a cluelessly hot-for-Quinn J boy, but here you very quickly add a great deal of depth to him. By the end of this episode, I want to learn more of his story and already feel ‘invested’ in him. This promises to be an enjoyable read.

Good to learn that there’s more to his life than Quinn – though I was pleased to see how much he has learned from her. Outward presentation is important, especially for an elf seeking a mate. I like his dad and agree that being a courier could be a pretty interesting career choice.

[WellTemperedClavier]

Removed

This post has been edited by WellTemperedClavier: Nov 13 2024, 01:00 AM

[SubRosa]

If you want to change the title it is not too late. Just let Acadian or I know, and we can rename the thread. Just tell us what you want to call it.

[Acadian]

A dashing new look for Jeval! Bosmer-maids can try to use their diminutive height to try and lay claim to ‘petite’ or ‘cute’ but I’d imagine Bosmer-boyz have a tougher challenge trying to fit in among the tall folk (that would be everyone except fellow Bosmer). Buffy’s heard and been the brunt of every short joke on Nirn we think. And Jeval’s doing his dashing on a budget as well. He’s right – Quinn is uncanny when it comes to tailoring fashion advice to her target, regardless of their situation/limitations.

I find myself once again hoping that Satheri is matched to a worthy mate who appreciates the beauty of her naïve/childlike nature.

Wow, Treads’ dad is a pretty cool dude! I instantly liked him.

An interesting possibility that Jeval raises about Tiphannia. I’d tend to thing that’s ‘just the way she is’, but won’t hurt (hopefully) to check it out.

And SubRosa is right. No problem for either of us to change the title of your thread if you like.

[SubRosa]

Hey, its the Fashion Club! Jeval is right, in that Quinn does use her powers for good, and makes an effort to make everyone else feel seen and appreciated. It is a stark contrast to Sydna (from your writing and the TV show), who only keeps others around as objects she can use, or as an audience to bask in her glory.

Any girl would be lucky to have you
Just not you. Ouch Jeval. I felt that one too. Unrequited love is a most unpleasant experience. But I don't think it is because he's a shrimpy Bosmer.

I think time dilates around Tiphanna, so that it moves more slowly for... her... than... everyone... else.

So Satheri is getting hitched? I wonder if she had had the chance to meet her betrothed yet?

I kind of doubt that Tiphanna is cursed. But, I am looking forward to the hijinks that Jeval gets up to trying to un-curse her!

And a nice walk home with Treads that reminds us of the not so nice fact that not everyone in Morrowind or the Empire is equal, and that some people have a lot more to fear than others.

[Renee]

There definitely is a difference between a man and a guy, at least in American society for sure. Guys are just males, like a common word for males, while men actually stand up and make some sort of a difference. "BE a MAN", we've heard so many times. Same could be said for blokes and dudes and all the other slang-words used for males in English-speaking areas. "Be a MAN, not some bloke from Southhampton!"

There is no equivalent for us women though, is there? 💁 Perhaps here and there someone might say "BE a WOMAN", meaning whatever "be a man" is supposed to mean, but it's never become as much of an actual catchphrase as "be a man!"

How old is Jeval by now? And why would Quinn be able to 'work some kind of magic" at getting him dressed? All of this implies they've had some history, Jeval and the Mall Princess.

Locks of hair falling are hot (imo). As long as it's just that: a lock.

Ha ha this is funny. He's spending all his time on clothes and appearance. Sounds like Jeval is Metrosexual!

Heh, I like dad. Dad's on his son's side. The conversation between them while they jog is awkward and hilarious. Dad also wants to build his son's Endurance. Because son's probably putting all his points into Personality (maybe Luck, maybe a bit of Agility), right?

Actually I am getting a lot of Saturday Night Fever/Staying Alive vibes from this

Exactly, Miss Rosa. SNF is definitely a great movie to check out at some point, Clav, if you haven't seen it yet. Full of guys who aren't afraid to strut their stuff. But beyond that (and beyond the fanstastic dancing scenes) it's just a really good story. It actually has a plot and some themes underlying, and stuff.

And here's a thought. A male friend of mine who used to parade around in colorful clothes, even as he'd occasionally be called "f4gg0t" and such, once told me his reason: in the Animal Kingdom, males are often more colorful than females. I'd actually never considered that at the time. Being an urban hippy in my 20s, this guy often dressed more outlandish than I ever would!

I admit Breaking Bad did cross my mind, which is fine with me. If you want to change the title though, you can always contact the admins! Acadian transferred the entire Joan of Arkay story from the common Morrowind thread to Fan Fiction, for instance. Because I used to be reluctant to post in FF.

Yeah, see, Quinn's got it. Fallen locks of hair are HAWT.

“Well, if it works it works. That’s the nice thing about hair: you can always change it, and even if it’s not great, it grows back!”

As the (male) writer of this story Clav, you've definitely got a pulse on some great fashion tips.

Damn. Quinn can't see what's going on right in front of her, can she? Or maybe can can see Jeval's attraction toward her, but chooses not to acknowledge.

Tiphannia is not slow, just eternally stoned! Anyway, what an entertaining tale this is, Clav. My desire for some Outlanders has been sated.

This post has been edited by Renee: Oct 10 2023, 08:36 PM

[SubRosa]

And here's a thought. A male friend of mine who used to parade around in colorful clothes, even as he'd occasionally be called "f4gg0t" and such, once told me his reason: in the Animal Kingdom, males are often more colorful than females. I'd actually never considered that at the time. Being an urban hippy in my 20s, this guy often dressed more outlandish than I ever would!

He is right about males often being very colorful, and competing to get the attention of females in order to mate. Very often the males a species are the bright and colorful ones, and the females are dull, drab colored in comparison. Take ducks for example.

Jeval is a peacock spider. Though at least Quinn is not going to eat him if his dance is not entertaining enough.

[WellTemperedClavier]

Removed

This post has been edited by WellTemperedClavier: Nov 13 2024, 01:00 AM

[Acadian]

It occurred to me during the break between your episodes that Tiphannia’s problem might be more mundane that a curse. . . skooma?

So Jolda believes it could be an attribute damaging spell. That could make sense. First gotta deal with them mages in the guild. As a rather accomplished mage, Buffy ascribes to Arch-Mage Shalidor’s thoughts on the matter of mages: ‘Mages are envied their power, and reviled for using it.’

Looks like the book Jolda borrows may be quite useful for Jeval to hopefully coax Tiphannia’s loaded parents into paying to have their daughter checked out.

I like Jeval’s thinking. He recognizes that he has a sharp eye. I also like his logic about the benefits of working as a courier. I see he still harbors dreams of both the Fashion Guild and Quinn.

[SubRosa]

Name changed.

It is always nice to catch up with Jolda again. She was always one of the most mature and level-headed members of the show. And had her own seriously heavy crosses to bear.

Two years in the Mages Guild? We have moved ahead in time. Administrative duties? So she was rolling scrolls alongside Daria then. Well, it beats licking stamps all day.

I don't think it's Tiphanna's Intelligence, but rather Speed that might be damaged. If that is the case. Acadian does bring up an interesting possibility though.

As ever, I see Jolda is doing four full-time jobs at once. *sigh* She's going to burn out if she cannot find a way to slow down.

So it looks like Drenlyn was even less than it was cracked up to be. A zillion drakes in student loans, and it has gotten Jeval a dishwashing job and likely the same career path as his Dad. Thankfully that has never happened to anyone IRL...

And Jolda comes through with the goods. Somehow I doubt it will be as simple as how this looks however.

[Renee]

'Rosa: Yes, exactly! There's some bird with a really hilarious dance as well. Several birds.


Clavier: That's a good word to use for SNF: DARK. It's got a dark side for sure. It basically is more than just dancing. The NY drug scene is portrayed, a bit of light-hearted family life and goofing around, there's a suicide (sort of). John Travolta was HOT! He was also in Grease, another great movie, an onscreen musical in fact, which had nothing to do with disco, but also had some great dancing in it.

And then the 1980s began and all the sudden Disco was DEAD. It was literally out-of-fashion, just like that it was uncool. New Wave and rap and later electronic music (what became known as House music, Trance, dub-step, etc.) took over. I was 10/11 years old and really kind of bummed, as I'd just taken after-school disco lessons with my friend Lia. 💃

Off-topic already, sigh. Let's dig into LDotFC.


Hmm, Jeval. Now Jorda. He's thinking about Jorda graduating (or dropping out?) from the academy. Is this leading where I think it is?

Attribute damage. Interesting how the story tiptoes across to the Player's side of the game. The metagaming side. However, Jolda's speaking in such a way that it doesn't come across like that. It's just something a H4rdc0r3 g4m3r like myself notices. Anyway, so wow. So Tiphannia really has some problems, and this is why she's sort of slow.

“You’d do that? Thanks, you’re really cool.”

Mm hmm. Mm 'kay.

Mages Guild as portrayed in LDOTFC == medical practices here on Earth. They're supposed to help people (at least the Restoration side of the guild). It's like that lady in the College of Winterhold, the Restorationist. She's always complaining how everyone looks down on her school of magic. Because that side of the guild is probably getting put aside, as so many folks show up wanting to learn about conjuring dead things and blowing stuff up instead.

Dang, what was my point? Right, so it's like here on Earth, sometimes it seems like the money's all that matters, right?

Jeval fell in next to Jolda as they passed under silk banners in all the colors of the rainbow.

Ahh.. MM hmm. I see.

And yet he's still obssessed with Quinny.

Well anyway, this chapter's got that classic sitcom "what could go wrong?" feel to it now. Like something's gonna happen with that book in clumsy Jeval's hands!

This post has been edited by Renee: Oct 15 2023, 04:31 PM

[WellTemperedClavier]

Removed

This post has been edited by WellTemperedClavier: Nov 13 2024, 01:01 AM

[Acadian]

’Skinny stunted jungle-elves like him were the lowest you could get before hitting beastfolk, right?’
- - Ouch! Tiphannia’s dad’s accusatory question to Jevel had to smart. Buffy’s heard it all: ‘Scrawny bark-biting acorn elves.’ ‘I’d rather sleep with my horse than a Bosmer.’ Sigh. Jeval’s right though that our tailed friends have it worse.

’Tiphannia wasn’t smart, but she wasn’t the stupidest one in her family, that was for sure.’
- - Yeah, Jeval has the right of it here. What are Tiphannia’s true friends supposed to do?

Sure enough, Treads and Jeval come up with ‘mod one’ to their plans – an intervention, using Quinn’s finesse to help pull it off. What could go wrong?

[SubRosa]

Treads' new friends seem a little sus. Has she joined a resistance movement? The Twin Lamps?

Treads has some self-awareness here, in realizing that they have not always been charitable to Tiphanna. Jeval of course, completely ignores her valid concerns...

Okay, Treads has decided to do something about the prejudice and violence that people like herself face. She must have joined the Scale Panthers.

Hmmm, maybe they should have just talked to Tiphanna about it directly, instead of bringing her parent's into it?

Skinny stunted jungle-elves like him were the lowest you could get before hitting beastfolk, right?
Ouch, some real internalized bigotry poor Jeval has. Unless that was meant in an acidic, sardonic fashion. But it did not feel like the latter. It is not hard to see why he would feel that way. The games themselves make male Bosmer out to be the objects of ridicule. And they clearly show that beastfolk are outright oppressed.

I am not surprised that Mr. Tiphanna put up a roadblock to doing anything. At least he did not take their theory as a personal insult. He seemed to have some of his own when it came to Mrs. Tiphanna's ethnic heritage.

So, Plan B. Maybe they can convince Tiphanna that the Temple is having a sale on the new ecclesiastical fashions?

[WellTemperedClavier]

Removed

This post has been edited by WellTemperedClavier: Nov 13 2024, 01:01 AM

[Acadian]

Satheri’s parents willfully joining in and lending their support certainly helped. A lot, as it turns out. Especially given the semi-hostile crowds at the temple. It must be the local ‘hate everyone but Dunmer’ day.

Wow, even Quinn’s getting flustered as they all wonder if Fort Moonmoth might have indeed been a better idea.

Well, whatever Priestess ‘Shut up, outlander’ did, something happened for sure. I’ll hope Tiphannia recovers for the better.

[SubRosa]

Uh oh, it looks like one of the Sleepers has Awoken in the square. Joan of Cheydinhal will set that right...

I love the description of Satheri as a walking pile of silks!

Wow, sounds like Satheri's parents are pretty dope.

Well, we would not want to go to that dusty and boring fort.

At first I was wondering if it was a holiday that everyone forgot about. But it looks like more of Dagoth Ur's cult is stirring up trouble at the Temple. That dusty and boring fort is starting to look pretty good right now.

Oh my that was certainly quite the show that the Temple healer and Tiphanna put on. It sure looks like something was going on with her after all. But what remains to be seen.

[Renee]

Ha ha yeah, sometimes friends mess with each other, sometimes!

Everyone is concerned about Tiphannia. But what does Tiphannia think? Does she think she has a problem?

The red-faced Imperial with a combover sounds like a Mike Judge sidekick! Like the gym teacher/sergeant guy on B&B. WOW he immediately assumes Jeval's a suitor. Hello.

Blumius doesn't freak out when they present him with their spiel. I thought maybe he'd kick them out or something. Fortunately, not so.

Okay, father's not mad, but he is clueless. 🙄

Don't worry about the dad, just do what you have to so you can see if the slow-one is cursed or not! (sorry, talking to my monitor screen). OKay yeah, Treads got it. Sometimes you gotta take care of things yourself. So assuming they go through with this and the Tiphannia actually IS cursed, and this curse gets reversed, wow. We could see a whole different person during the next few chapters.

Lemme finish the next chapter in the morning. I'm wasted right now.

Edit, I'm back. Went out to Baltimore last night to see a friend's band. Two drinks, that's my new mid-life limit, Clav! 🍷 Wasn't actually wasted, but yeah, good thing I switched to water during the second act. "Tipsy typing" I used to call it, back in the early days of the Internet when chatting was all the rage.

Anyway, Where was I? Uh ... somebody is bellowing. Sounds like you've got Sleepers in your Balmora too! Presumably, all the events of the Nerevar have already occurred though, right? ... Yeah, sounds like it. The bellow-er is talking in past-tense.

OH my gosh, look at Satheri! All decked in purple.

No way would she ever be upstaged.

This sounds so much like my aunt. My family (mom's side) were involved with a fashion studio, mostly for black women in B'more. I never participated much, I was forced to walk a runway when I was like 6 or 7, and didn't like it. Kinda wish I had gotten into it more, now that I'm older. But this is sooo true... about the divas not wanting to get upstaged! 👩🏾‍🤝‍👩🏻 you really have the pulse on how that all works, Clavier.

Whoa, Ulnar and Satheri are trying to get married on this day? Sheesh, what a mess. Dunmer practices, man. Guess this is the way they do things. This sounds sort of like Vegas marriages though, right? Like, in LV, it's possible to get married with groups of strangers (from what I've heard, maybe Acadian can clear this up), married by Elvis, even! I'd rather have THAT than getting married in this stuffy, steamy dark elf temple.

Anyway, now I kind of feel a little bad for laughing at Tiphannia earlier in this story. She's got an actual, legitimate disorder or curse. Guess we'll find out.

This post has been edited by Renee: Oct 21 2023, 06:23 PM