[Open] Moving up from the bottom

[grandspark]

Who: Rude and OTA
When: Latter half of July Juril.
Where: Around Aefenglom.
What: Catch-all stuff. Still getting used to the city. Quests: Blink and Miss 'Em, A New Look. Some monster changes. Etc, etc.
Warnings: N/A, can be changed if necessary.



I. Around the City

It was entirely too hot of weather to be walking around in a full business suit with gloves, shirt fully buttoned, and everything perfectly in place--and yet here was the immaculately dressed bald man walking around in the heat with a perfect suit on as if it were nothing. He kept up a great game face but truth was he was just as hot and miserable as anyone else on the street during the day with this heat bearing down. The only occasional sign of discomfort he showed, however, was a need to scratch at his elbows from time to time and that had nothing to do with the heat.

Rude was walking the city some more in his time off from the few odd jobs he'd picked up for money. He hated to rely on charity forever and though he disliked jobs that weren't Turk-like business he wasn't entirely without experience for the lesser or mundane things either. Surviving was surviving no matter what life threw at you. In the meantime, he was still intent on learning the streets better and the only way to do that was simply to walk them. It wasn't like Midgar here but a city was still a city at least. He was getting the hang of it pretty quickly truth be told. No one else had to know that though so occasionally he did stop to ask for help with general directions or suggestions on places to visit. Interacting with the various people in town was a learning experience, too, giving him insight on the area and its usual suspects.

He did this sort of thing any time he had free time right now honestly. It gave him something to do as well as knowledge he could use for living here.

- - -

A rarer occasion saw the bald man eying the Witches on the sides of the streets selling their cool treats. It had been a while since he had indulged in such childish things but it certainly was hot outside and ice-y snacks made for a good distraction from the heat. This wasn't a vacation but he had the money for it and if there was one thing he knew about life it was to always live it like today was the last day. He caved.

He walked up to one of the Witches that was haggling prices for her popsicle goods and looked more closely at the flavors to chose. After requesting one from the Witch and haggling down its price a bit, he turned to the person nearest him that looked interested but uncertain about purchasing one and asked, "Would you like one?"

Either he was feeling extremely friendly and generous today, or he had an intention for it in mind. Or maybe it was just a little of both for now.

II. Blink and Miss 'Em

Rude had been helping out with the kitten care sporadically in the past week and, since technically he was actually earning money for it, he managed to slip in a few days per week for the remainder of the month as well in between working a few other jobs. He knew Reno was aware of it despite their non-spoken agreement to not talk about it because Rude had found Reno cursing at stray cat hair one morning. Rude would have apologized but it was easier not to admit that he enjoyed working at the uniquely named pet store. He would have preferred to work a little more with birds but the kittens were nice, too. And, again, more importantly, he was making cash just by showing up to play with a bunch of furry critters.

So, there he was: Mr. Stoic flicking a feathered cat toy at a bunch of randomly teleporting kittens just to keep them occupied and out of everyone's way. Then again, sometimes he was playing hide and seek with a stray kitten that teleported off to no one knew where until they looked. And then, just sometimes at the end of the day, he ended up a cat's tree stand as he sat on the floor and let them crawl, knead, and sleep all over him. A big guy like him couldn't possibly be tuckered out just from babysitting a bunch of kittens, right? Nah, there's no way he could fall asleep while they licked at his beard like that--or, wait, could he...??

III. A New Look

This was still awkward. Rude had been initially dragged to this clothing store by Reno one day and forced to model the most ridiculous (and, in his opinion, embarrassing) outfit this place could have fostered onto him. Reno had enjoyed every second of it. Because of course his partner had. It had probably only encouraged the redhead to have fun whenever he keyed in on Rude's awkwardness towards most of the job.

Now, however, he was stuck with it. Much of the time he and Reno worked together. The designer seemed to like it when the two of them wore matching outfits to compliment one another or to compare the two styles against one another. It tickled Reno's fancy but Rude continued to find it exasperating.

Sometimes they didn't work together though. Reno would get whisked away for another project while Rude stood out in prominent view to advertise the new style, or they just wouldn't end up with the same shift every other day. So Rude could be found either in the back with one of the seamstresses tweaking the outfit they had him modeling for anyone also working the job to find, or out on the sales floor modeling one of the new outfits that was already ready to be requested and bought by customers where anyone could spot him.

The store owners tended to like to fit Rude with either sleek, modern-esque designs reminiscent of his usual business suit but with the local Victorian-like twist, or, for some reason the Turk could not figure out, various flowing robe styles many of which he suspected were intended as ceremonial garb (such as the first one for Bonding ceremonies that the designer had gleefully put him and Reno into their first day).

IV. Minor Monster Growing Pains

The past few days Rude had been more itchy than usual. He noticed there was a pattern but tried not to grow concerned despite the fact that he couldn't think of a reason why he would have itchy skin--particularly since it was only in a few places and the skin there didn't appear to have any issues. But those places wouldn't stop annoying him and even applying a cream didn't help. He chose to studiously ignore it and not think about the implications. No reason for needless concern over something he couldn't control. No matter how much it bothered him on a deeper level, he just kept shoving it further down.

Then something unexpected happened. One day Rude woke up to find something strange as he looked in the mirror. He might not have noticed it until later if he wasn't so immaculate with his look, spending the careful time to manage his beard. As he was working on his jawline he paused for a moment as he stared into the mirror. Then he ran his finger up the length of his ear to confirm what his eyesight already told him was true. His ears had elongated over night. His first thought was of how fantasy elves were described and his second was of some of the more humanoid monsters that roamed the land, unusually pretty and siren-like. He scoffed at that. If this world made him into some sort of feather-y or fish-y siren beast he wouldn't be amused. It certainly didn't seem to fit him though he supposed that probably didn't matter to this world.

He sighed and finished his business as usual and hoped that Reno wouldn't notice this early in the morning. Though the changes were inevitable he had hoped to avoid them for a little longer than this. He also hadn't considered what would change first or how too much yet since he still had no clue what it was he was supposed to become. This didn't really help him narrow it down yet either.

- - -

As the day went by Rude found that the itchiness factor had stepped up a notch. Now he began to suspect more changes on the way as one of the areas still itchy was around his ears. While it was highly irritating he managed to be thankful for it; he'd heard the stories about how many of the transformations were not very pleasant and had expected the worst. If this was his first step into monsterdom then at least it wasn't the worse of experiences so far.

When the sensation got to its worst heights Rude stepped inside a public establishment--whatever was closest, it didn't matter what--to get out of the heat. He was distracted by something unusual on his head as he rubbed the area around his ears. It almost felt like hair with his gloves blocking the exact texture from his fingertips. Except--

He pinched at it and pulled till it came off. He stared at the offensive thing in his hand for a long enough moment to be noticeable. It didn't help that he hadn't really gotten that far into the door to wherever he'd escaped inside. He might have even accidentally bumped into someone without care as he frowned down at the deep purple feather caught between his fingertips.

So. Was he turning into a bird? The irony was not lost on him.

- - -

The itchiness didn't get any better as the day wore on and Rude grew feathers around his ears and down the back of his neck. In fact, the Turk was positive it got worse and even spread to new areas. His elbows were the worst offenders and he had the distinct feeling it didn't help that presumably more feathers were growing there, stifled under his clothing and shifting awkwardly due to the fabric. He was almost constantly rubbing at his elbows by evening time. Even though he kept telling himself to stop he couldn't help it and five minutes later he'd catch himself rubbing at them again.

If he wasn't scratching at his elbows or ears, he was rubbing the back of his neck and feeling the downy feathers there, or trying awkwardly to reach around his shoulders to rub at his back a little. It had spread to his shoulders and some places on his back. It was just getting more and more awkward as the day went on. Eventually he took off his suit jacket and loosened his tie so that his shirt hung more loosely and aired out better. It helped with the itchiness a little but he also found that unfortunately now he could reach the feathers on his shoulders and plucked at them unconsciously as he wandered aimlessly.

That's when he finally started to head back to the apartment and get away from prying eyes. He just couldn't take it anymore. Belatedly, he realized he probably should have headed back a lot earlier in the day, when he first discovered the feathers growing in honestly, but he thought if that was as bad as it was going to be then he could weather it out. He'd had worse in the form of physical and magical injuries after all, what were a few feathers growing in? He was a Turk, damnit, he could tough it out. But he realized that was just his hubris whispering to him and he should have been more cautious. What if something else had decided to sprout that was much worse than a few quills?

As his steps hurried he pushed his way through the crowds with little remorse as to his actions. It wasn't as though he was actively trying to shove people around, but he wasn't going out of his way to avoid it either. If people were in his way he just didn't seem to care and his intimidating build tended to lend itself to making him room through the crowds.

V. Wildcard!

[[Feather shenanigans can be added to other prompts for added fun. If you think of anything else you would like to see and/or play out, let me know! I'm probably up for it for fun times. I can be reached by PMs and pings to aisuyoukai. Or just tag in with the idea and see how it goes!]]

Comments

[electrod]

Oh, Reno understands exactly what Ruse meant and he replies, sporting a shit-eating grin.

"I'd order it iced." Like a barbarian... but despite his earlier threat of ordering coffee he makes no indication about doing any of that. Instead he retreats to nearby shadow, (making sure it has space for two, and a cool wall to lean on) to savour his ice-cream in peace. Yeah, that means he's gonna be silent for a while. Aside for appreciative hum at the treat.

The ice-cream is unlikely any flavours they got back home. It has a little sharper, spicier tinge to it, beside the sweetness a bit like ginger with orange.

"You really should try it" he finally speaks when the ice-cream is almost done. "The phoenix one was interesting but it would be kinda weird... I mean, feathers"

They're both growing them. Rude more obviously even. But Reno kept finding them on himself too. Neck, shoulders. Kind of weirs to check the treat based on them.

[grandspark]

"Hmph," was Rude's only response to the comment about the iced coffee. Reno already knew his opinion on the matter so no reason to give him the pleasure of a comment this time. He knew the little redhead was being facetious on purpose anyway.

He followed Reno to the shade and stood with his back facing the wall so he could watch the passerby as he and Reno enjoyed their frozen treats in silence. He didn't mind the quiet of course it was familiar and calm to him. He automatically chose to stare out in the opposite direction that his partner faced as if they were covering the whole area for potential threats or targets. Habit.

His head swiveled to look at Reno whenever he spoke up finally. His eyes darted towards the treat in Reno's hand and then he turned away to look back out at the crowd again. "...Yeah. Feathers are weird."

And itchy. Talking about them really made Rude want to scratch at his elbows and ears. He reigned in the urge with a quick shake of the head instead and a refusal to acknowledge the growing feathers any further.

[electrod]

Reno tilted his head in Rude's direction too. He savored the ice-cream for a little longer until he had to bite off a larger chunk (or risk it melting off). And then he, of course, insists.

"I've seen you plucking them out, man." He states casually, there is no real judgment in his tone. If only because he's been doing exactly the same. The ones growing on his neck had a colouring similar to his hair so were simultaneously easier to hide, and more annoying to find. But he can be dedicated. "Word is, it's going to only make it worse."

Denying the changes, ah, something like that.

[grandspark]

Rude shifted uncomfortably. Unlike Reno, he hadn't tried to pluck all of his feathers in one go. Mostly, he tended to scratch at the really annoying ones when they came in and if a few so happened to fall out in the process--oops. He tried to pretend that wasn't, sometimes, his intention.

He had too many to pluck by this point anyway. He could already tell that his entire ears would soon be covered. He wasn't as sure about his neck and back but it was beginning to worry him. And then there was his elbows.

He avoided Reno's gaze. "Then you should stop," he reprimanded Reno for doing the same thing, only worse, while ignoring his own problem with it in the same breath.

[electrod]

A huff. And some more attention to the ice-cream, because no way in the world he's letting that go to waste. With how hot it is, it's also starting to annoyingly melt, and a droplet almost reaches his fingers. Almost.

Once he catches it, like a hungry brat, he's ready to make his statement.

"Don't turn it back on me, partner, I'm serious." For once. And because he's both concerned about Rude and has a stake in not bringing his own actions to the light. They know each other too well and are living too close— no matter how subtle he'd be, Rude is bound to notice.

So he needs to give him something to notice, feathers from neck gone, so he doesn't notice the reddened skin on his shoulder.

"So serious I'm not going to say we can make it match your style— I mean, it can totally be done, but you know. Not the point here—"

[grandspark]

"Uh-huh."

Rude turned a stare onto his partner. It sounded like the point here was that Reno was avoiding something else. Rude's eyes skimmed over his partner discreetly from behind his shades and it wasn't hard to notice that Reno was redder than usual. He made a harumph sound from deep in his chest.

"I know what you're up to..." he told Reno without going into detail. That should have been enough to make his point.

It was also, however, little enough to let Reno slip by the statement entirely and continue with his distraction if he wanted. It wouldn't be hard to bulldoze past it and continue on with how he would 'make it match [his] style' as Rude suspected Reno would much rather discuss. If only to embarrass him further, no doubt.

That was fine. It would give him time to finish off his ice cream, which he ate much more slowly despite the heat trying to melt it out of existence.

[electrod]

Reno just makes a face at him. Scrunched nose, making him look like a goblin he is. So instead of distracting he ended bringing the attention forefront.

"Sure you do, partner." Comes in package. Sometimes they read each other too well. He knows he's a hypocrite thank you very much. Just let him worry and be supportive too (in his own weird way), you don't have that patented, Rude. "That gig we're up for is going to set us for few weeks, ya know what that means?"

He hates having to worry about money again, so annoying.

"We could afford experimenting with these potions. And I found a place or two with nice, chill folks"

That wouldn't mind being experimented with. Wouldn't put nose not into their business too.

[grandspark]

Figures the punk would throw him a curve ball. Not that Rude minded, it kept him on his toes. However, that particular subject was not the one he was expecting. He thought they were still avoiding that for a bit.

He bit hard into the ice cream and immediately regretted the decision. It may have been hot outside but the witch's treat was exactly as intended: cold. His teeth ached from the bold move.

It caused him to take a moment away from it and think about what Reno was suggesting.

"...that's what you want to do?"

[electrod]

"Who says I already didn't?" Reno claims just because he can. Sadly the cute girl willing to try all of this out is already gone. She's the lucky one, went home probably. That's what they say.

He wonders sometimes, how often do they really go home. Maybe it's just easier to think than to admit that something ate them, someone murdered them, or they just had bad accident. People will always tell themselves shit to make living more bearable. He knows it, because he catches his own bullshit all the time.

"But yeah, just leaving it as a possibility out there, an FYI. Being pragmatic and all that"

He is a striking image of pragmatism, pulling at the tip of his newly pointed ear, devouring ice-cream treat.

[grandspark]

Reno had a point. It's not like Rude babysat him all the time. Reno was fully capable of making his own decisions (some of them even decent!) and doing his own thing kept the redhead happy; maybe he had already gone out and tried it. Still, Rude had doubt.

Then again, maybe it was his own hesitation that made him think Reno wouldn't actually do it. Rude was the one concerned about it. Aerith had tried to sooth his worries and it had been a nice gesture--but now Aerith was gone and Rude had nothing but his own thoughts on the matter on hand.

He looked over at Reno in silence, treat forgotten. He didn't seem to care if it melted onto his glove. Maybe Reno was right. Despite appearances the redhead was smart. Besides, trying it out in a controlled environment was safer than needing it later in a horrible situation. If it came to it. Everyone said it would eventually, no matter what. He didn't know what to believe. Didn't want to think about it. But avoiding it wasn't going to do him any favors.

"Yeah, I guess you're right."

He sighed and held out his treat towards Reno. He just wasn't in the mood anymore.

[electrod]

Rude's doubts are correct. It was a bluff. While Reno certainly had some things lined up it never actually worked out. Turns out some people are more squirelly about the deal than they claim.

The reading is mutual. Reno noticed how silent, how...closed off Rude got. The walls going up, the melted ice-cream offered just as he finished his own. Reno accepts, it's too good to let it go to waste, but instead of taking a step back-

"Bad timing, huh?" He encroaches into Rude's space, putting his hand on taller Turk shoulder. That's his equivalent of apology. Not saying sorry, because they can't ignore the subject and sharing the work he put into researching the options is more important than their personal feelings. It's not a lie when he calls himself a pragmatist.

But they don't have to linger either, so change of topic is attempted, the tone lighter again. "Right, there still work to do, and I am curious what they seem as a fitting style for you"

[grandspark]

"We'll get to it eventually," Rude allowed. He looked at Reno and though he didn't really smile there was the thought of it in the air and a reassuring nod was given instead. He would be fine, they would do what needed to be done, and for now they had other things to concern themselves with.

Like the job at hand. Aaaand the way Reno was eying him right now with that sly look and making suggestions with his "innocent" statement.

Rude's brows furrowed together slightly. "...not yourself?" Oh, he knew why Reno was saying it but that didn't keep him from questioning Reno's priority. It made Rude worry about what was to come even though there was no real reason to. That's just the kind of effect Reno's slyness had.

[electrod]

"Oh, I'm going there with a clear image of what I want, so they'll just have to give it to me!" Reno says with disarming confidence. Oh, he's going to take suggestions, but the real fun for him is indeed the part when they are going to make Rude mirrorbound's equivalent of fancy. Or rather, what locals perceive as fancy for a mirrorbound.

Not saying Rude's not fancy enough, he definitely is— but they're getting paid, and maybe have some funny experience along the way. Still—

He tilts his head to glance at Rude, going back again to the earlier topic. "Sooo... you said 'we'"

[grandspark]

Rude's eyebrows rose at Reno's reply, but he couldn't help himself and ended up chuckling softly at his partner's words. Leave it to Reno to have confidence that he would get what he wanted even as a volunteer for someone else's needs. He shook his head but didn't shoot Reno's hopes down with logic. No sense in it.

His expression teetered and slowly resumed the stoic front he usually kept in place at Reno's next words. So he had... Rude hadn't meant anything by it but perhaps the usage of the word 'we' had been a mistake on his part. He looked down at the ground.

"...I meant that we would figure out how it works and how to utilize it best. Either one of us. Whoever tried it first." He said and then looked up but not at Reno, instead gazing out at the passing crowd. As he continued, he managed to very carefully maintain his neutral expression along with a calm, even tone of voice. "Though it might be easier to try it with someone familiar. Trustworthy."

[electrod]

That has been a reoccurring theme on the whole topic, back when Reno asked the network for consensus. Find someone you can trust, or at least someone you could tolerate. They are in an incredibly comfortable position, as most of the people are not hauled here with their familiar coworker (slash, friend).

But neither of them is precisely trusting. Reno might be the one to dive in, heads first at times, but this? This whole, bond thing? Way too intimate for comfort. Some people claimed it's not as bad, and that did lean him to thinking that someone entirely unfamiliar would be a better bet. After all, if they fuck off because of the mess that is his head, it's no real loss.

With Rude though— there's that slight pang of worry, of actual consideration. They've together seen and done some terrible shit, would it not make it worse if they had, well, access to each other heads. Even if metaphorically.

But at the same time, he knows Rude is the only person he could truly trust. Back to square one, this shit is complicated™

Rude makes it sound casual, it's just easier, and he's right about that. No need to read anything else than just the most pragmatic and sensible choice. Someone could say that.

"So you want me to wait for you? Sure thing partner" he throws a sidelong glance, teasing smirk and a silky tone he uses so rarely. Because that's how he rolls.

[grandspark]

Rude shouldn't have been surprised by Reno's response. What he hadn't expected though was the teasing way Reno handled it. He let out a small huff of air in amusement and hid his smile by looking away.

"You don't have to make it sound so childish," he rebuked half-heartedly. His admonishing tone fell slightly short of its intention however. A moment passed and then Rude glanced down at Reno from the corner of his eye. He said solemnly, "But I'd appreciate it."

It made the whole bonding thing sound less worrisome to do it with Reno. Sure, there were possible downsides and it still concerned Rude that he didn't know the full extent of how it would work or feel. But Reno was his partner. If he couldn't bond with him, then who could he really trust to hold all his secrets?

Rude straightened out and took a step forward. "Time to go. Let's get this over with." Off to the job. Not his preferred kind but it would do for money for now. And it really couldn't be all that bad, could it? Famous last words.

[electrod]

'I'd appreciate it' Rude says, and it all but confirms in Reno's mind that it was what he was truly intending to ask. Oh, he was pretty certain about it, it was not a shot in the dark. But there was always a possibility he was wrong.

He punches Rude lightly into his arm, a friendly gesture, and his smile turns a little goofy, from ear to ear. Truth to be told that puts him at ease too.

And night on time for them entering Frivolous Fineries. It's a designer shop, and the owner? Is kind of a weirdo. She's also peacock harpy, something that Reno finds give him a weird feeling. As they discuss the details, sign everything for today and the lady sings her ideas to the tailor as they're taken on the back of the shop, his smile turns a little sharper, his tone a little more intense whenever speaking with her.

Meanwhile, Rude is encouraged by an assistant to take off his shirt for proper measurements.

"Oh dear lad, I assumed your friend was similar to you." she chirps, at which Reno can't help but cackle.

"No, no, he's few sizes larger. Did I fail to mention that?" He probably did.

"Nevermind, we'll manage. I think I have something perfect for you both."

[grandspark]

Rude noticed the change in Reno's demeanor once they entered the shop and started speaking with the harpie owner but he said nothing. Perhaps they'd already established some sort of dynamic and it wasn't really as worrisome as it kind of sounded to his ears. He could hope anyway. He ignored it for now though.

Instead, he was bombarded with the assistant trying to get him to de-clothe as soon as he had stopped moving. He felt a little irritated at the suddenness of it but it wasn't as if he'd never gone shirtless for a day. He probably just didn't like the manner in which the person was going about it combined with the suddenness and his knee-jerk reaction was to punch someone in the face for their impudence. He stifled the response, buckled down on his feelings, and kept his game face on as he shrugged out of his clothing and set them neatly aside.

Then he heard the words.

He turned his head to glare at Reno. If the little brat had failed to convey important information that landed him into an awkward position he was going to murder his partner. (Okay, not really, but he was going to get back at him somehow. That was just the nature of their game.)

[electrod]

Reno catches Rude's glare, the corner of his lips twitches as if he was trying to stop himself from smiling. The attempt is not working, so he turns his head away before the growing grin on his face gets noticeable. Knowing Rude he probably caught that, oops.

Oh, he bets the justice for this stunt is going to rain on him sooner, or later. That is the game after all. But for now, there is a flurry of feathers, and hands holding measuring tapes, fabrics, needles, and scissors at them. Really, it's kind of a mess, but the tailoring team is working on the top proficiency levels, and there is a logic to what only looks like a mess. Since they got a witch or two in their midst, the magic also comes into the picture— a curious thing, really. When Reno feels hand tugging at his arm, positioning it in a preferred way, he also feels a slight tingle of magic in the touch.

Is this indication of how he starves for it, or rather a signal the Witch is overflowing? Hmm.

Either way, funnily enough, the first outfit they put him in, takes cues to his tendency of wear his shirt open, and all the added elements are said to be inspired by the Mirrorbounds... but it really feels like, it's the amount and their heaviness that is.

"I'm glad everyone agree that my main colour is black. Some people can wear many different ones, but some, like me, are made for one. We live and breathe it—" he chatters as he winks and smiles to the witch that finishes fastening the- glove? greave? no matter what it is, it allows for a bit more of the skin-on-skin contact and the Monster instinct latches on it.

"How's it going for you, partner?" Finally he gets chance to turn around and witness what happened to Rude in the meantime.

[grandspark]

Oh, he caught it all right. It figured. Rude wasn't surprised at all by Reno's hidden little smirk of amusement. The larger Turk glowered at Reno's backside until he was pulled out of it by the assistant trying to get his attention once more.

There was a lot of tugging and flurry of motion as they dressed him rather quickly. They must have keyed in on his style the moment he walked in and picked out an outfit they had already started to make based on Mirrorbound suits and were now modifying it on the fly to fit him. It looked like an older style suit (if he were from Earth he'd call it "fictional Victorian era" perhaps) with embellishments and carefully tailored patterns. The under shirt and jacket were black but the eye was meant to be drawn in by the beautiful purple vest that accented the waistline.

He felt awkward in the extra gaudy clothes but he could get used to it. It looked good, and the tailored feel as the magic forced it to fit made it actually feel like one of his own suits. He liked the more subtle but equally intricate designs of his own, but this wasn't much different in the end he decided. Yeah, he could get used to something like this.

He tugged a bit at the edges, pulling it where he liked to wear his clothes, and looked over at Reno when he got the chance. The style of their outfits was not lost on him. The similarities to preference was obvious to anyone that knew them as individuals.

He hummed in amusement at Reno's outfit and moved closer to touch the arm decoration Reno was now sporting.

[electrod]

If Reno knew what's on the end of the road for a harpy, he'd knew that these arm decorations won't be his to keep. But that's for future Reno to worry about, this is today's Reno, and he is going to have fun where he can.

That includes scanning Rude from heads to toe with a whistle to show his appreciation. "Hell, looking sharp partner. They really know what they're doing—"

The tailor really nailed it, and Reno hopes these will be prototypes that they will be allowed to take home. Less money to spend on clothing, and they still fit their styles, so timed saved on that too. Reno wants to say something more, but instead lets an undignified squawk as the peacock owner yanks him by his hair, to make him return to his previous position as she casually says:

"Stretch your arms wide, lad, I'm not done yet. Keep the flirting for the marriage outfits"

[grandspark]

Rude's feathers bristled at the sight of Reno's hair being pulled by the peacock harpy. He didn't realize it at the moment but that was a literal action since he actually had feathers to stand on end. A thought for another time, once he noticed it. For now he stood with tense muscles and a jawline that could crack granite as he glared at the peacock on Reno's behalf.

For a moment the peacock's words didn't make it through his vision of red. Then they slowly sunk in and it was his face that went red. Just a little but it was noticeable. He had objections about that phrasing, thank you very much, but he didn't have time to make them. Although to be fair it was just Reno doing the flirting, Rude was just admiring the fashion by touching it, not Reno, big difference there. (So he told himself anyway.) And Reno always did the fake flirting thing with him like it was no big deal. Rude was used to it. It didn't even register anymore.

"The what?" he growled at the peacock as he, too, was corralled back into place on the other side of the room. The owner shouldn't have warned him it was coming. Rude already had big, fat objections to wearing such an outfit. Especially if it was a matching set for him and Reno. Not that they didn't already match in their custom tailored Turk suits but that was completely besides the point here. "You can't be serious."

He shot a look at Reno, wondering if the redhead already knew about what was to come and if he hadn't warned Rude because he wanted to have a bit of fun with it. Like this whole ordeal of a job was a joke in the first place.

[electrod]

The completely stunned expression on Reno's face (that followed the initial annoyance at having his hair pulled, excuse you) tells Rude that the is as blindsided as him by the whole "marriage" mention. He cocks his head as the tailors nudged his arms in the position they want them to stay in, and then works needles way too close to comfort.

"Yeah, the job mentioned Mirrorbound inspired fashion, there wasn't a word about that" he reminds, but the peacock harpy shrugs and gives them both a piercing glare.

"I'm paying you, so you're going to model what I want you two. Don't go shy on me lads. If turns out you have to stay overtime, I'll pay you extra."

Well, the promise of pay does smooth Reno's ruffled feathers, though he still glances at Rude first to see what's his opinion on the subject. Reno's shameless enough that he would let them put in about just anything if they needed to, but if it's in tandem with Rude that kind of changes everything. If his partner withdraws from the deal, he can only back him up.

[grandspark]

Some of his annoyance was assuaged by Reno's surprised look. The fact that his partner hadn't been aware either made him feel a little better. At least it wasn't just a joke for Reno's entertainment.

That just left it as a part of the job. The Turks had a pseudo motto about how they got a job done no matter what but this wasn't an assigned job for the Turks. Rude had a work ethic of his own to contend with but it wouldn't exactly hurt his reputation if he refused to do something so ridiculous for a few gil--or whatever it was called here, he was blanking on the new term at the moment.

His eyes locked with Reno as he debated inwardly about his response. They could use the money. He doubted Reno had much of a qualm so long as he was getting paid. From the look on his partner's face that meant it was all up to him.

His face fell a little bit, but he nodded acquiesce at Reno. He would do it. They needed the money. Not him, but them. He'd do it for Reno if that's what the redhead decided.

It was just a stupid outfit and a day. He'd live.

[electrod]

That small nod was everything he needed.

"You pay us extra, boss, you get whatever you want." Reno stated as if to end the conversation, but effectively shifting the priorities. From 'working extra hours' to 'being paid extra for unspecified projects'. The designer seems to get, but only huffs and clicks the tongue. Then it's chaos again. Wear this, take that off, incredible— Reno starts to almost find a thrill in the anticipation of what they might be put in next.

Then as they're being pulled apart for the main event, each into their own room, he instructs loudly.

"Remember. Black is my colour. Some of us were destined to wear it, like me!"

Or maybe the thrill sits in the fact that he can't wait how well they will make Rude look again. The group are professionals at what they do after all.