The crossing of borders had been strenuous for Kanaya Maryam, having only barley kept her sanity after crossing. After searching for Vriska mere minutes before the two both set out to retrieve the paper, it slipped out of here hands soon after! Although Kanaya barely believed in luck, it had seemed to be in Miss Serket's favor all the more today, who had always seemed to have a large quantity of it. Nonetheless, the astray paper had to be chased after by her, ending up getting her gloves soaked in a puddle. After yanking them off and stuffing them irritably in a small puch, she had neatly folded the paper and set out for the border. Being accustomed to the long distance from traveling there quite often, although there will be very few needs for that anymore.

The Land of Heat and Rain was quite intimidating, to say the least. Not only were the looming fashion that the booths of that kingdom sported quite daunting, the citizens were as well! None ever stopped to utter a word to the other, even the shopkeepers kept quiet. Although, the citizens were known to be quite introverted. There seemed to be a different aura in the air on this particular day. While although quiet, the kingdom was almost always calm, but today, tension lingered in the air. Kanaya Maryam was from across what was known as the 'schism' between two lands, scornful looks were constantly being sent her way. Nonetheless, it was to be expected. The LOHAR dwellers were not known as spiteful by nature, unless to the opposing kingdom.

In fact, if not for the guards that appeared to be escorting her to the said castle (which was customary whenever a LOFAS dweller had the audacity to cross the border, even due to royal affairs), jeering words would be thrown at her by the townspeople. Although it'd be abnormal for them to speak out so uncouthly, the views that a royal adviser had forced onto the people had influenced them. It was not a singular adviser guilty of this, but both had taught each opposing land to stigmatize the other, causing great tension between them. What were once bonds between the two were now replaced with bitter hatred, in the time of this pre-war stage.

In the short distance to the castle, Kanaya Maryam could not help but worry. After all, Vriska hadn't the first clue of how to sew (although Kanaya had offered numerous time to educate the girl), barely managing to pitch in and help with fabric glue! Her constant claiming of having 'all of the luck' appeared to be merely a facade in Kanaya's eyes, although it was not certain, as Vriska had always managed to be adept in gambling. The only sense of relief that Miss Maryam could count on was the fact that Vriska would be taken easier than her, if she was to get caught. While the castle members of the Land of Frost and Shade didn't seem all the much observant, the opposing side was quite the contrary. The citizens, especially the castle dwellers, were over adequate in their sharp observation skills, as it was one of the things they were known for.

The guards had decided upon gripping Kanaya's arm as the vicinity of the castle was reached. Although she had vowed not to run and stir up trouble, they were still wary of the was even required to plug her ears while the guards had whispered a discreet code word, which was required for entrance to the castle. Handing Kanaya her carefully folded gowns, the guards led her into the castle.

Stupefied at the glamour of the interior, Kanaya peered around the halls. The picture of innocence printed on her face had caused the guards to release her, deeming the lady harmless and politely excusing themselves. It had dawned on Kanaya few minutes prior to the guard's absence that she had no idea in the slightest where she was inclined to go! A midst her panic, she had heard the clicking of heels approaching her. Straightening her composure, she glanced up at the lady in question. There stood Lady Rose Lalonde in all of her glory, offering Kanaya a hand.

"I would believe that you are here for the occupation posting, Miss... Maryam was it? Luckily for you, I am the assigned Lady to judge your work, and on our walk to the Sewing room we may be able to make idle chitchat about your records, as to get that out of the way," She said, swiftly taking Kanaya's dresses into her own hands, "Judging by the wrappings that you had put around your gowns, I would infer that you are quite serious about this, a redeeming quality." Rose turned her back, beginning to lead a quite stunned Kanaya to the interview room.

Lady Rose Lalonde had seemed to know quite a bit about Kanaya already, the idle chitchat that she had suggested was hardly necessary. Although, Kanaya's silence slong the way had not been quite inviting to conversation anyways. While she was hardly a pusillanimous soul, Lady Rose Lalonde had left her a bit dazed due to their first interaction, and all worry she had for Vriska in the opposing palace had fluttered away in a similar manner as the wind would. All that Kanaya had in mind the majority if the walk was the small wink Lady Lalonde had given her after identifying the townslady as 'redeeming'.

As soon as the two had arrived the door was flung open posthaste, and the dresses were gingerly unwrapped and placed on the table before them. Kanaya stood back as Rose examined each design contently, with the utmost gracefulness of course. The designs were all new, as she had to obtain purple fabric to meet the castle's needs. Each stitching was by hand, designs intricately woven into the fabric with metallic trimmings on the majority of the dresses. It was breathtaking for one as fashion-savvy as Lady Lalonde.

"You seem to be a very refined lady, Miss Maryam, and your designs are divine. This allows us to look past the fact you had been willingly exiled from your land," Rose started, as Kanaya looked down, embarrassed at the mention of her exile, "Although that may be a slight inconvenience, I am willing to grant you a job here in the castle." She finished, wrapping up the dresses for her. Kanaya let out a sigh of relief, that was one less thing to worry about. This would grant her both a place to stay, and a steady job in which she would be payed a fair amount.

Albeit, in the back of her mind lay the burdens. If Vriska had happened to get the job, it would take more than a surplus of luck to keep them alive. Teaching her at least the basics of sewing were a necessity, whether Vriska liked the idea or not. The stakes were indeed high for the two, all Kanaya wanted to focus on now was the quite enticing Lady Rose, and what shall unfold in the castle.