The Flight Of The Vulture

Chapter 15: Moda

July 20th, 1972

The hidden city of Moda was more like a dream than anything Belle could have imagined. The entrance was hidden beneath a barn in a remote countryside farm. No one would have really suspected it was there. Belle honestly had a hard time finding it. Although it was underground, you could still see the sky when you looked up. Belle had learned on her flight from one of the other passengers that this was common with American Wizarding communities.

Now as she walked through the winding streets of Moda, she was absolutely enraptured.

Every window she passed had clothing that Belle couldn't have imagined in her wildest dreams. Large evening gowns modeled by mannequins that moved freely on their own. Children's clothing with large polka dots and butterfly patterns. Men's coats that burst into flames, but didn't affect the wearer.

All true sights to see indeed. She felt vastly underwhelming in her outfit for the moment. It was just a tee shirt and bell bottoms. Everyone around her was dressed in opulent extravagance, even just for what seemed like simple outings. One woman was wearing a gown made completely of what looked to be strung dragon scales. Another was wearing a tight pant suit with a gargantuan hat where a horse seemed to be resting.

Belle tried not to stop and stare too much. She was supposed to be arriving at her new place of residence and apprenticeship, Chateau Bianchi. She found the small store, tucked away up an alley of other small stores. Atop the stores seemed to be high apartment buildings.

She cautiously entered the store making the bell at the door ring. It was like a sea of racks, even down to the movement of the ocean. The clothing seemed to wave and move.

"Hello, welcome to Chateau Bianchi, we sell all sizes and are willing to do customizations." A woman stepped out from the racks. The young looking woman had bright bubble gum pink hair that seemed to be glued into long spikes upon her head. She was wearing floral bell bottom pants and a sort of green blousy dress atop it.

"I'm not here to buy anything-" Belle began and the woman's fingers began tapping on themselves, "Ingrid sent me."

"Oh good, I was wondering when you would arrive darling. I am Vivianne Bianchi" The woman held out her hand. Her eyes were framed by large circular glasses that held onto her face independent of frames. She spoke with a distinct accent, Belle couldn't place it. It certainly wasn't Scottish, British or even American. "But please, call me Vivi."

Belle shook her hand, "Belle Br-Greene. Belle Greene."

"It's alright, Bianchi isn't my real name either. I do relate a bit about your situation personally darling." Vivi laughed letting go of her hand. She crossed her arms, making her blousy dress flare a bit. "Ingrid said you are the perfect candidate to be my new assistant and protege. That you have some real talent."

Belle felt flattered, but didn't know if that was really true.

"Did you bring any sketches?"

Belle nodded in response looking down to her bag.

"Why don't I show you to your room, and then after you are settled we can look over your sketches?" Vivi put her hands on Belle's shoulders and took her above the store. It was a loft style room with a kitchen, restroom and a big bed. It was very messy, covered in fabrics and spools of thread everywhere. There were dress patterns and sketches pasted to the walls haphazardly.

"This is my space." She said before leading Belle up one last flight of stairs.

The floor plan in the room above Vivi's was almost the exact same. Except it was much cleaner with almost nothing aside from some old furniture. Belle was thrilled, there was even a tiny fire escape where she could set up her little aviary. She and Vivi walked out to it, it was the perfect size for her relatively small aviary that looked more like a large doghouse.