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Secondly, the same woman- though a different soul. Most would assume this is merely Kamilia von Katski after an odd change in fashion and behavior- her hair has gone blonde and her taste for controversy and pleasure combined have diminished to nothingness. A taste for odd foreign quirks has also been noted- of Valstener origin, including a holiday to their shores.
While Valsteners are a prudish sort of people, and such extends to their swimwear, this hardly prevents fashionable cuts from being the norm. A top normally is loose down to the midsection, and the skirt, though slit to the belt, worn with another skirt whose slit is worn on the other side. To wear "both slits open" is seen as harlotry by more conservative sorts considering that what is under said skirts is usually but a vertical strip, but to "show light" or "show dark" is beach shorthand for either being fun, or being a bore.
As they are more nautically inclined, a "Valsten Tan" usually is on the arms and legs, but also notably, on the upper exposed back. Full body tans are seen as a sign of being working class- any socially conscious wealthy will be sure to have distinct tanlines, which is the purpose of any small amount of exposed midriff. As in Strossvald, the navel is seen as far more lewd than any cleavage.
Adopting local fashion would be seen as a typical diversion for anybody, the Duchess von Katski included, but the more concerning thing might be the fascination with a local tradition. One that is practiced by women much younger than she, who are on the cusp of adulthood. A sort of deeper-sea snail occasionally comes up to the shore to lay its eggs, called the Sea Slipper for its shoe-like shape. Their shells are rather uncommon due to their limited time on beaches but when they wash up, it is a popular legend amongst young Valstener girls to go into the sea on a quiet shore and listen to them, to see if they hear the voice of a sea prince calling to them. To hear it is evidently proof that they will find luck in love very soon.
Needless to say those who knew the Duchess would scratch their heads at her being interested in a game for teenage girls.
Wolfe and Mathilda are next
