Video: The hatter of Heimdall

[terriblycrowded]

At last, it's finished. I think Alice should like it.

[The video shows Tarrant holding a hat meant for the younger Alice who he had promised to hat a few days prior. Though one were to look close enough, amonst the debris of his room are numerous other hats that he had been working on since arriving in Asgard. He had certainly been working on his trade, and hopefully the other residents of Heimdall hadn't minded much the noise and clutter of his room. Not that he had paid it much mind.]

It's sure to be a perfect fit.

Ah yes, but that is I'm supposed to be asking if there's anyone else that I should hat. Seeing as how I've finished Alice's and Alice already has hers.

It feels awfully good to be working at my trade again. And it's a good thing that I'm here since I've noticed there aren't many who know an awful lot about not knowing what to know about hats, they simply don't know.

No matter how wondrous a dome or tiny a head you have, I should very much like to hat it.

Comments

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[terriblycrowded]

No, it just that kind of hat that people usually prefer. Something boring or dull wouldn't do at all.

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[ka_sera_sera]

Then I suppose you wouldn't care to, ah... 'hat' me, in that case.

[His expression is mostly neutral, but he's not really trying to hide the fact that he's baiting the other man. Subtlety is something Roland saves for special occasions.]

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[terriblycrowded]

Oh no, I would very much like to. You see these were for Alice.

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[ka_sera_sera]

[Well. In that case.]

What styles do you know?

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[terriblycrowded]

Well there's the Cloche, dunce hat, death cap, coif, snood, barboosh, pugree, yarmulke, cockle-hat, porkpie, tam-o'-shanter, billycock, bicorn, tricorn, bandeau, bongrace, fan-tail, nightcap, garibaldi, fez, chupalla, fedora, sombrero, wide brim, . . . [this might go on for a bit, at least until he runs out of breath.]

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[ka_sera_sera]

[When Roland starts recording, it's with the air of one who's just spent far too long listening to a list of mostly nonsensical words with very little context. Which is, more or less, what has happened. His cheek is propped against a fist, elbow propped against the desk in front of him, and he has just made the resolution to watch what he says to this man in the future.]

What of something with a wide brim and a short, flat top? [He straightens, motioning the shapes he's thinking of in the air over his head.] Like so?

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[terriblycrowded]

[He asked what styles the hatter knew, he was just simply glad enough to answer the question. Never mind that most people would have no clue what half of those styles were or what they would look like.]

Of course. [So a Chupalla it was, or maybe a palm leaf flat hat depending on what he wanted it made from.] I should need to know what size your head is though to ensure that it would fit. And of course what color you would like it to be.

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[ka_sera_sera]

If you need to measure, you can do it at any time that suits. My door's two away from yours. Room 308.

[He's seen the man coming and going around the place, and after this video connecting the face with the noise he's sure of the room number.]

As for color... Tan or brown. [Anything that won't catch the eye too easily.] Would you have any coin up front?

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[terriblycrowded]

Well that would depend on when you want it. You see I'm awfully free now that I'm done with Alice's hat.

No, no, we have to ensure that it fits and is the right kind of hat first. [That and the hatter really hadn't been thinking of coins or anything, but rather just of making the hats.]

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[ka_sera_sera]

[Most merchants, even in the old days, insisted on settling price before anything else. All but the most dedicated. Roland eyes the screen a moment, a little thoughtful.]

It'd seem the both of us are free now.

[He's not going to push for 'now' but if the other man has no objection, well, why not?]

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[terriblycrowded]

Excellent, you said 308? I could be right there.

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[ka_sera_sera]

That sounds just fine.

((ooc: would you like to play that out or handwave it?))

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[terriblycrowded]

Good. Then it'll be no time at all before you're hatted.

((ooc: I would be more than happy with either, we could switch to action if you would like.))

action :D

[ka_sera_sera]

[There's not much to do while he waits. Not much to do in this room at all, and this attitude may be clear to anyone who looks around the room itself. It's nothing but furniture - a moderately well-made bed, a desk, a small chest for all the clothes he doesn't have. A door connecting his room to that of one of his other housemates. That's all. Nothing to the explosion of color and fabric the hatter's video had shown. The only thing that can be done in this room, other than sleep, is look over the network, and so Roland leans back against one wall and does it. Not really seeing anything new, just biding time.]

[terriblycrowded]

[It wouldn't take but a few minutes before the hatter was at the door knocking. He had done a little more talking on the network as well as talking to others about making hats for them and about the hats that he had already made.

When he does arrive, he has several pins as well as pieces of ribbon and cloth in his hand. In addition to the all of the parts of his trade that are an essential part of his wardrobe as well.]

[ka_sera_sera]

[When the door opens Roland shuts the screen off and stands, extending a hand, expression polite and maybe a little bit eager.]

Sai... Hightopp, is it? Thank you for seeing me. Are there any particular measurements you need?

[terriblycrowded]

[Tarrant takes his had with a quick shake seemingly just as easger and perhaps a little too worked up.]

Yes, though it seems that most would prefer hatter. [Really the Cheshire hat was the only one to call the hatter by name anymore. Well and the white queen.]

I'll need to measure your head, around front to back, back to front and side to side, over and across.

[ka_sera_sera]

[He steps a little away, giving the other man space to move around him however he needs.]

Measure what you will. Would you prefer 'hatter' as well?

[Roland keeps his head still to make the measurements easier, trying to eye him without moving much. That wasn't quite a direct answer to Roland's question, though if he is the kind of man who'd choose his profession as his name it's not a wonder he cares so little for payment.]

[terriblycrowded]

[Tarrant seem actually rather skilled at getting the measurements, moving quickly and pinning a ribbon and cloth both around and over the top of the other's head to get the dimensions]

It's what Alice calls me, so yes.

[ka_sera_sera]

How long have you been called such?

[There's a certain efficient exactness to the movements, an ease that speaks of something more than familiarity. It's the kind of movement Roland recognizes, maybe a dedication he wonders at. As long as they're both here, Roland might as well let himself wonder.]

[terriblycrowded]

Long before The Horovendoush day and Alice's first visit. We've always been thought of highly in court, and the White Queen would call me by it.

[It's only a moment more before he had a complete skull cap just about made to ensure that the hat he makes would fit perfectly.]

[ka_sera_sera]

[Ah, he worked at court. That would explain things.]

We?

[It's only an absent question though, and Roland moves on without waiting for an answer when he thinks things seem mostly done.]

Would you discuss payment now? Or do you only do so once you're finished?

[terriblycrowded]

The Hightopp clan. [At the second question Tarrant looks a little puzzled for a moment.]

Payment? Ah I guess if you want I could give you some tea, I have a little left from earlier.

[ka_sera_sera]

[...um.]

Me. Paying you.

[Perhaps best to keep this simple. Simple concepts, short sentences.]

For your services. Of making me a hat.

[Well if this isn't going to be the strangest negotiation he's made in quite a while.]

[terriblycrowded]

Oh you want to pay me. [Well that probably made a little more sense though Tarrant still had no idea how to price them.]

That's another matter entirely. And would depend entirely on what you felt was appropriate, though I certainly wouldn't turn down a cup of tea or maybe some sugar, even a little honey would be acceptable.