Jhin played by bloodsvcker

Meifang

Going shopping in town was Meifang’s least favorite weekly task. So much so, in fact, that whenever he could, he sent someone else to do it— usually a lower ranked employee at the Silken Bloom. He would say something simple, like I need a yard of chartreuse silk, and they’d come back with something at least close enough to what he wanted. But some things, unfortunately, he couldn’t just leave to some eager to please kid.

And so Meifang had made his way to the market himself, dressed in plain travelers clothes. His hair was pulled back into a tight bun at the base of his head, drastically different from its usual flowing style. The only glamour to his appearance was the thick layer of makeup he applied above the two scars on his face: one just above the browbone, and one under his lips, on the opposite side of the mole that was in and of itself his only identifying feature at the moment.

Today, he was looking for beads. Browsing, more than hunting. Part of the reason he’d decided to go in himself was because he wasn’t entirely sure what he was looking for. He was planning on building the entirety of his ensemble next week with the beads as the very first draw. Whatever he would make would be to highlight them first and foremost. And thus, he had to make sure he picked the right ones.

In front of him sat a variety of beads of every shape, size, color, and material. Huge collections of wooden beads painted with various colors, all together in one crate. Durable metallic ones in a smaller bowl. Intricately painted porcelain ones in an even smaller jar. He could see promise in each and every one of the options. Even the cheapest of materials could be made to look good in skilled enough hands, and his hands were skilled. He had no doubt he could make any of them work. It was just a matter of what he felt like working with.

Meifang’s eyes fell on a tray of large stone beads, each one intricately carved and finished with a swirl of… was that gold? Like a vein of ore running through each and every little piece. He was picturing it now. A grey ensemble, beautiful but boring on its own, completed with gilded pops of luxurious gold where it mattered.

Yes, these ought to do the trick. But his eyes slid to the price tag, and he cringed. It was just a little above budget.