CHAPTER 228: CHAPTER 228 - WHAT IS MODELING? TO ANSWER THAT, WE MUST-

"I had her excellent help picking out an outfit from some choices given to me today."

Gesturing to my side and feeling like the number of things Anise is owing me for is only growing, I begin to remember that I was never actually *apologized* to yet like she promised. Why exactly am I being so good to her, then?

"So you are comfortable taking style advice. That at least is good to hear."

"Yes. I won’t say I don’t have personal fashion preferences, but you could say that I’m also used to wearing what is demanded of me."

"..Well, I would have said ’required’ considering there are contracts involved. But that is certainly one way of putting it."

Ember Beau Laurent chuckled at my wording. Which is nice. It’s always better to make people laugh if you can.

Laughing people are most often happy people. And happy people are much more pliable than angry ones. Which is why I usually spend more money if I’m not irritated.

...Maybe the real secret is to always be angry? No, then I just get hungry and I’d spend on food. I guess there is no easy solution to being frugal.

Shaking my head and pretending it’s just part of what I’m going to say next, I ignore my wolf’s sudden impression of lots of dollar bills showering around me like falling rain. Where did it even get that imagery?

"I’ll admit that I did try to do some research on your product portfolio, after Anise mentioned this opportunity. To get a sense of what I might be walking into. Which is why I walked in without a look that clashed."

"Oh? You looked at what I’ve made. And what did you think?"

This was quite delicate territory. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but fashion? That is at the whim of the season, the year, sometimes even the week on this world.

Trends, fads, things that are supposedly timeless becoming drab... it is a harsh little ecosystem. So, I kept my expression humble and slightly uncertain as I admit my ignorance.

"Honestly? I’m still learning to identify different clothing design aesthetics. I do get how some of it pairs together because I know some interior design - just a bit about it as another hobby, mind you. However, they are still quite different fields with different human element focuses."

All of their expressions remained neutral enough, except Jessica... who really looked like she wanted to take photos already. But there was still a fraction of happy surprise in Ember and Maia’s eyes.

"Refreshing honesty. Most people coming in will try to pretend they know more than they do - or pretend they know nothing so they will seem impressive. We might see just how small or big time of a hobbyist you are if things continue to go well."

After the designer spoke, I see Maia pull out her tablet. She seemed to be making notes with a stylus as she took the turn to voice her own opinion.

"The attention to detail suggests you take this seriously, and you seem like an intelligent woman. Which is important, because even though you’re new to modeling, this isn’t a beginner’s assignment. We’re working with a premium fashion magazine - and the timeline is tight."

"I prefer to be overprepared rather than wing it and potentially waste everyone’s time, but there was only so much notice between being told and this meeting being set up."

The photographer chuckled while adjusting something on her camera, likely the settings menu. Which I took as a good sign that I’ll have photos taken of me.

"Well, the worst thing is when someone shows up thinking they know it all but can’t take direction. Right?"

Though she smirked without looking at anyone, Anise still turned her head away. Probably to not meet the eyes of the young woman who was not even looking at her?

I guess she knows more than just Ember and probably Maia here today...

"Tell me, what do you think modeling is about? Not the technical aspects - the essence of it."

Mr. Laurent steepled his fingers while asking such a question, then began studying my reaction. So I consider it deeply for a moment, knowing that he is looking for something specific.

All the research I’d done, the videos I’d watched, the way the camera had captured different emotions in the examples I’d studied... well, there’s really only the big opinion I developed of it.

"I think it’s about storytelling. Every photograph tells a story - one more than just of the single still frame itself. The model’s job is therefore to embody that story authentically - perhaps a bit like an actor in ways?"

Seeing that none of them stopped me, responded to the inflection on my rhetorical, or looked like they were ready to do anything other than listen... I continued to rattle off what I’d determined.

"Controlling your mood, learning to work with the technology capturing you, and following the advice of others behind the direction of the project. While also not ignoring that you are yourself - with your own unique qualities you must always value. Qualities that makes it all come together."

Looking down just slightly, showing off something downcast and contemplative for the first time... my fingers fiddle slowly with the center triangle on the necklace. If they are testing me already, this won’t hurt.

"Whether it’s confidence, vulnerability, sophistication, rebellion - whatever emotion or concept the design team wants to convey alongside the product they are attempting to sell, the model becomes just one aspect for that total expression."

"And you think you can do all that?"

The one named Simone was who asked this... with a tone not cold but curious. My eyes look up as I give an attempted haunting smile that morphs into my classic haughty defiance as I talk.

"I believe I can learn to. Understanding what’s expected of me and delivering it convincingly is something I have generous experience with."

More than any of them realize. After all, I’m a fox shifter’s soul inside a werewolf’s body. And only one person has correctly guessed that so far... and I’m not sure that woman thought that ’setting’ was real.

The three of them - besides Jess - fell quiet as they exchanged glances and nods. Finally, Ember Beau Laurent leaned back in his chair with what I could only describe as a smugly satisfied expression.

"Well then. That’s an approval of your personality so far. But... I think it’s time we see how you move under the pressure of the camera."