excaliburden | ic inbox.

Afraid? That doesn't sound like you.

It's really not that fancy. Someone's planning on going with a pretty hideous outfit. Even said it was something they did back home and wanted people to join him.

[ Is he bullshitting to the max? Yes, he's absolutely bullshitting to the max. He wants to see if Altria would buy it anyway. ]

[Ughhh... the way he's calling her out... and yet he's so right. She's so afraid of being made a fool of at a fancy party (again).]

im not afraid!! i just think its probably too fancy for me

also that sounds

[horrifying

terrifying. oh my god. purposefully wearing something ugly?]

he must be really brave

Relax. I'll be serving food there, and it won't be anything fancy. From what I hear, the menu will be pretty good.

Is it a matter of bravery if one is convinced this is normal?

[... Mmmrrrrr. His food... was delicious...]

Maybe I could go just for the food for a little while...

dont underestimate how scary fancy parties can be! thats when everyone is looking at you and judging you!

Who out of the people in this city are going to judge you? We're all from different places. I bet half the people don't even know what a gala is.

Are you that afraid to be judged?

[yes........]

i just know that im not the sort of person who belongs at galas like that... thats all

[ It's an unexpected response—that she would carry such insecurities. But, of course, he's only known Altria for a few weeks. He should have expected to see more sides to her as time passed, and most people had something they worried about.

He doesn't like seeing her like this. ]

All the more reason you should go. You're blowing it out of proportion. If you went, you'd know.

[... Well. He's going to be there. And there will be people there who are dressed absolutely ridiculously, according to him. Maybe she can slip in under the radar.

And she does want to try more of his food...]

i guess you might be right. i do want to try what youre making for it anyway

its okay if i show up just for that, right?

Sure, no one's going to stop you from doing that. It's not like anything here costs Mora anyway.

It'd be a more fun if more people showed up wearing something weird though.

[...... surely he isn't... surely he wouldn't...]

i cant! definitely not me! im sorry im just

already too low class for stuff like this so i dont want to make it even more obvious

[ah.

She didn't really...

It's so easy to accidentally say things to him, since he doesn't seem like the type to make a fuss. But even so... It's not really fair for her to put her burdens onto him like this.]

[Another text follows hastily.]

i mean im a regular girl, you know? i like to wear pretty things to parties!

[If she owned any pretty things, she'd totally feel that way, she thinks.]

[ Ah. So that's the source of her anxiety. He didn't think she'd admit it so easily, but then again, she's surprisingly honest most of the time. Now that he thinks about it, he's seen some signs of this concern, with the way she tended to fluster when called out on her manners.

The reply comes after a few minutes of thought. ]

Then we'll dress you up for it.

[ This time, he's directly offering. ]

Edited 2023-11-21 01:25 (UTC)

[...?

She has to read the text twice over. He's... offering?

At first, she feels--embarrassed. Sheepish. Ashamed, a little, that she put this on him, when she should just smile and handle it herself. But...

He's so competent. Maybe he's competent in this, too. And if she's going to the party anyway... wouldn't it be nice to show up dressed like she belongs there?]

you really dont mind?

Stop questioning me. I have nothing better to do, anyway.

[ She knows what he's like. He wouldn't offer if he didn't want to do it. And while he doesn't have any real expertise in the style of wear they're probably looking for in the gala, he does know a thing or two about high quality clothing, banquets and the like, from his experiences as a Harbinger. It's better than Altria walking in completely blind. ]

[Right. He's always been that way, right? She hasn't known him that long, but he's always been consistent about not going back on the things he says.

.....]

right okay. then id really like that.

thank you.

should i meet you somewhere

[ The only response she gets from him is a map pin to the shopping mall in District 2. ]

[Peak Wanderer, honestly.

So she heads that way, embarrassed still but determined to see exactly where this is going--and if, perhaps, with his help, she can actually dress like she belongs at a gala.

It's doubtful, but... it's a nice thought.

And so, eventually, she shows up at that mall, peering around as she walks inside, trying and failing to not look as anxious and wary about this whole thing as she is.]

[ The shopping mall is eerie in its emptiness. The lights are all on, and it's strangely clean for a building that caters citizens long gone missing. It's sizeable, but thankfully, the drifter is near the entrance she walks in through.

He's peering curiously into the windows of one of the stores, which appears to be a store selling home decor. Upon hearing Altria's footsteps, he turns to look at her. ]

Still worried?

I don't really want to call it that...

[It's embarrassing enough that she's worried about something like a ball or a gala. She's been to them before, it's just...]

Sorry for all of the trouble.

[ He sighs loudly, annoyed. ]

I just told you I have nothing better to do. Why are you apologizing?

[ He turns to set off deeper into the shopping mall, expecting Altria to follow. But as he walks off: ]

People like hearing thanks more than sorrys. Why don't you try that sometime?

... But you don't seem to like hearing thank yous either...

[It's just said quietly, though, before she shakes her head to herself and trots after him quickly.]

Well... um, thank you, then! I really do appreciate it. And I appreciate you for all the help you've given me all this time.

I'm just helping because you look so pathetic on your own, diving head first into this city without even considering the dangers.

[ Plus, she's convenient as a food tester. That's it, really. Nothing more.

They eventually arrive at a shop that seems to sell a variety of higher end clothing. The racks are lined with all sorts of sleek dresses and office wear. ]

This city's fashion sense is lacking, but this store looks like the best fit for a gala.

[... See? Bad at thank yous.

But she just keeps her amusement to herself, instead turning her attention to the fashion store.

He may think it's lacking, but her eyes are as wide and round as dinner plates.]

Whoaaaaa...! Look at that dress! And that one over there! And the fabric on this one!

[She is already agog and she's only looking at the ones in the display window...]

[ He's working on it! ~~Not really~~

He watches her with amusement for a bit before taking a few steps into the store. ]

You gonna just stand out there and goggle at the display all day?

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