Ariadne sighed, shrugging.  Her father often went into "lecture mode" when he explained something in detail.   It was always illuminating but often annoying.   She wasn't sure that she had the energy to discuss it socio-political-economic ramifications of gender relations in her world, but she decided to try to say something
"On Earth, for as long as anyone can remember or has been recorded, women have been seen as 'less than' men.  It's not a strictly absolute condition, and varies in detail from place to place and from historic era to historic era, but generally about all the societies in my world are made for and run by men.  Granted, over the last, i dunno, century or so, as we've become more technologically savvy, relationships between men and women have started to become more equal, but there's still a LONG way to go.    So, to sum up, there are some men in my world who believe that women aren't as important as they are, so they can do what they want to women.   Even terrible thngs."
She looked at Jade, almost apologetically
"So, while Earth doesn't have 'manticores' or whatever, we DO have 'monsters'.   They're just other people "

"Ah so shadow earth, is more like Amber and much less like Rebma where the women rule. We don't really do horrible things to men though in Rebma. Mercy is often offered if there is an option for it. The Queen of Rebma was very angry at King Random as was most of Rebma and it could have turned out bad for him. Instead he was put into a marriage with a Rebman noblewoman to make up for his misdeeds. He is now happily married to his Queen Vialle."

She smiled happily.

"There is equality between our kingdoms."

Ariadne nodded, not quite understanding but not wanting to judge
"We've still got a ways to go, I'm afraid.   I'm trying to help it a bit, but I'm just one person. "

"You are so much more then one person, your an Amber royal." Jade stood proudly then flashed Ariadne a smile.

"Why don't you buy a few things for yourself ?"

Walks out with a bunch of clothes to put in the carriage. She then heads back in to the shop.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:06, Thu 03 Dec 2020.

Jade discussed things with Odile to pick up some things for herself and did not accept no as an answer. She made sure that Odile got some nice dresses and accessories for herself.

Ariadne picked up a nice scarf and some comfortable looking boots, not wanting to over indulge since Jade had offered to pay

Jade stopped at a few places picking up several shoes and boots.

"Ariadne please feel free to get some nice things. Your a princess too you know. Though I believe you will need to wear your mothers coronet as I don't think such a thing could be gained anywhere in the city."

Ariadne blinked in confusion
"Wait, what?  They want me to wear a coronet??  Like an actual crown of some sort?"

"You would look great with one, haven't you thought about it ?"

Jade blinked surprised at the reaction of her cousin.

In reply to Jade (msg # 29):

Ariadne chuckled
"Well, I've worn a few crowns and tiaras in my time, but never unironically "

"Don't worry about it ! Stick with me and I will have you the bell of the ball." Jade smiled and helped pick out things for Ariadne. Trying to find things that will make her striking looks stand out, and enhance them in latest Amber fashion.

Ariadne smirked, indicating that being "the belle of the ball" wasnot really her style, but she didn't discourage her vivacious cousin from helping her.
Sheblooked for something dark but stylish.   If it had to be a dress, she warned something that moved easily, still a bit stressed about the recent attacks

"We might need a seamstress to make something special just for you, or we could look and see something more male in styling ? Though I must admit I don't know if we have the same fabrics as the kind that make up your pantaloons. Perhaps we can find something in some of the foreign shadow shops ?" Jade looked like she felt bad suggesting it.

Ariadne smiled at her helpful cousin
"There's no need to feel bad, Jade.  You're doing great so far.  I'm just not used to this.  And while i might prefer some 'pantaloons', I'm not really set on male clothes just for the sake of having male clothes.   On Earth, very feminine clothes....."
She frowned, searching for words
"Dressing in very feminine clothes, more often than not, came with certain social expectations, that were a callback to more oppressive times for women.  Things are definitely better than they used to be, but many of those old fashioned ideas are still ingrained in society where I'm from"
Then she sighed with smiled wryly
"But this is a totally different society, so if you'd like to help me acclimate, I'd definitely appreciate it.
I'm just needing to unlearn a lot of things "

Jade's smile turned warm, "Well, a more experienced Princess told me. To be the perfect princess, just be yourself and avoid diplomatic incidents. So you could dress however you like, you might even start a new fashion trend. As for worrying about oppression, yes there is some of that in places. Though I have a feeling you know how to put anyone who oppresses you back in their place." She nods emphatically.

"I am rather glad that I have you and Odile with me, and if the guards want to protect us too, I say all the power to them. I know we are from different worlds literally but I hope we are able to find some common ground too."

"I know shoes, let's go shoe shopping."

Ariadne smiled warmly as well
"I am definitely feeling very much like someone from another world, I'll admit.   But i know we have more in common than not"

Jade nods to her cousin.
"Most definitely.  Even more so  when you walk the Pattern.  Then doorways open for us." with this she smiles.

She makes sure Odile and everyone is ready and has the carriage head to the cobblers.

"I am rather looking forward to see and experience your world.  We could ride motor bicycles together once I learn how."

Ariadne nodded with a grin
"I would definitely love to see that.  You'd look seriously cute in a biker outfit "

Jade tilted her head a bit.

"Is it hard to learn ? OH ! there are specific outfits for it, that is interesting." She smiled imagining something she had never seen before and most definitely not a motorcycle in her head.

Ariadne shrugged, smiling lazily
"Specific Outfits might be overstating it a bit, but when riding a motorcycle you usually should dress for comfort as much as for style, and the outfits need to be a bit more practical and, to an extent, more aerodynamic than a frilly and poofy dress.  We'll be traveling much, Much faster than a horse can run, after all.    So, while I've seen women in dresses, or at least flowing skirts, for a casual ride, the serious rider usually wears pants, usually made of durable leather or denim, and a tough jacket for warmth."

She thought for a moment
"It can be challenging to learn, but if you can learn 'magic',..."
The way Ariadne said "magic" seemed to imply, despite her efforts to the contrary, that part of her brain still wanted to believe that magic wasn't real.and there was an reasonable explanation for everything so far.
"If you can learn magic, you should have no trouble with motorcycles "

Her eyes sparkle, "Faster then a horse, oh my. That sounds exciting. Is it as fast as an automobile ? Now I have to try to learn."

"I am learning to ride horses better. Jon is going to help me with that. We don't have much use for horses below the waves."

Seeing the cobblers she has the coachmen stop.

"Yes, I imagine a dress especially a hoop dress is out. Here we are they have wonderful shoes here."

Ariadne nodded
"Ah, okay, i didn't know that you were familiar with automobiles.    Basically, a motorcycle is a two wheeled automobile.    It takes more skill, but it's a  similar idea"

"Well, I have seen a picture of one, and they have one in a museum in the city here. Prince Julian's dogs tore off it's bumper. They must be fast to outrun Prince Julian's horse. So then it is a big bicycle ?"

Jade nodded taking that information in.
"Yes, I shall have to try it. It sounds fun and exciting."

Nodding, Ariadne joined her cousin, still unable to stop herself from gawking around
"It's considered a bit of an acquired taste, but i certainly like it.  "

She looked around the shop, never having been in an authentic cobblers shop before.

"Hi Mr. Blake !" Jade says seeing her old friend and owner of the shop.

"You will never guess what happened !" Jade spins around.

"I'm a Princess, and this is my cousin Ariadne, daughter of Princess Dierdre. Isn't that incredible."

Jade was in high spirits and all sunshine smiles to old friends.