Netahs are animal/human shifters. I invented them. They are fictional. Which means I can also invent how they relate to clothes. After browsing the photos of fashion weeks in Milan and New York as well as the gowns and other choices worn to the Oscars and Academy Award shows, I started thinking about what Netahs think might about all that. As noted above, wild animals are already dressed! This author, on the other hand, needs clothes!
My conclusion is that since Netahs are also part human, some will want their clothing to say something, while others will treat them as strictly functiona and possibly even as optional. For instance, my protagonist, Josh, has figured out that whatever he wears when he shifts is what he's wearing when he returns to human, because he observes his friend Crawley fly to a mountain top, shift from raven to human, and she's wearing a full ski-wear onesie, boots and all. It becomes a major inconvenience when he cannot shift into an elk for an outdoor errand, but rather has to don coat, boots, hat, mittens, and snowshoes, and he's still cold! As summer approaches in book 3, Josh will have more opportunities to meet the females in his community. He must learn what is acceptable and expected of him. Luckily Netah females are not shy, at least not all of them, so he has some help. As I work through ideas like a solstice parade and dance, I'm also toying with the idea that they will have to create their "gowns" and costumes from what they find in their forest. There are no fabric stores! Oh, the possibilities! As a former costumer in small local theaters, this is a fun challenge. Stay tuned for more ruminations on Netah social traditions, follow me on Facebook at lisakaniutcobb, or register below for my Virtual Launch Party on April 28, 4 pm mountain time! Bring questions and win prizes all from the comfort of your own home!
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |