antumbrac | WEEK 4

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Last week could probably only be summed up as a mess. Three people died, one was turned to currency and the hotel pool remains in a general state of unusability unless swimming in pulpy mush is someone’s idea of a good time. And that’s not even counting the haunted morse code T-Rex. At least the greenhouse is as relaxing as ever, even if someone seems to have made off with a number of succulents and cacti.

But with the new week comes a new set of locations to explore as the fog retreats to reveal another portion of the city. The half moon wanes to a new moon this week, leaving streets even dimmer this week -- hopefully you have some other portable sources of light available if you plan on straying too far beyond the reach of the lampposts in the new areas.

[[Welcome to Week 4! Note that new areas have been added, and can be found under the Week 4 tab on our Locations page. Once again, feel free to make top levels at your discretion, and remember to note it in your header if you plan on investigating any locations. You can also privately contact The Lady or Rembrandt.]]

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[Oh, look at Dist go, he really is prepared for this!! This is excellent, he's definitely ready to let Dist dress him up.]

It's primarily because I like the look of it.

[He's no longer looking at Dist though, instead fussing with the clothes Dist has picked out.]

...Perhaps I'll tell you more about it at some point.

[So obviously there's more to it than that, but it's... sort of a touchy subject that clearly needs to only be addressed in a pc!!!]

[Iago could've just left it as an aesthetic choice and Dist would've understood, but this just makes him all the more curious... That said, he accepts that answer with ease regardless.]

Of course. I completely understand if you would rather speak in private.

[In a future PC...!!!

Anyway! He slips a pair of nice black gloves on the top of Iago's pile of clothes.]

This should be more than enough for you to work with. If you would like to get started in the changing room, I am happy to make adjustments once these clothes are on you.

[He figures Iago doesn't know how to tie a tie, for one thing...]

[Thanks, Dist!! The gloves probably would be a nice touch, but his nails...]

Of course. I'll get started right away.

[...Given said nails, this is going to be a bit more of a production but eventually he manages to get everything on but the tie!! Of course he doesn't know how to tie a tie. The end result (minus said tie, of course) is certainly a little strange given the mask, but it's not a bad sort of strange? Iago's fussing a bit with the clothes as he exits, handing one of the chosen ties off to Dist immediately.]

Here, I imagine you can make this work better than I can.

[please help.......]

[Dist has a pile of clothes lined up for himself by the time Iago returns from the dressing room. There's a slight pause from him as he looks the other man up and down...then a satisfied smile forms and he nods as if giving himself a pat on the back.

He sets his own clothes down and comes over to get the tie.]

Of course I can. If you like the look, I will teach you how to achieve a perfect knot so you can replicate it yourself.

[He brings the tie around Iago's neck, gently brushes his hair out of the way, and makes quick work of looping it into a knot. Once it's nice and tucked into the jacket, he spends a moment straightening everything out on Iago's suit...

Oh. How did he manage to forget about those nails? Well, no matter. He found some fancy fingerless gloves!! Perfect.]

There you are! Why not have a look at yourself in the mirror?

[He nods at that and allows Dist to get that tie tied properly. He doesn't mind the physical contact any, and doesn't rush Dist to stop messing with the suit either once he's done. And thanks for the fingerless gloves, those will definitely work much better! He gets those on before finally turning to the mirror.

...Oh. Huh. Give him a moment to turn this way and that and get a better idea of how it looks.]

Well, I can certainly say I wasn't expecting it to look nearly this nice on me.

[His usual attire is much looser and more bulky, because puffing yourself up to scare off enemies is a valid tactic for animals and mages alike. But this is... strangely nice? The mask is a little weird with it, admittedly, but it's non-negotiable. So... huh.]

You'll have to teach me how to tie the perfect knot, then. I like it.

[...he is absolutely going to be wearing the cape with it sometimes, but you can't win them all...]

Now that is what I like to hear!

[Dist couldn't be any less subtle about his satisfaction if he tried. He stands beside Iago in the mirror, hands on his hips in a prideful stance.]

Though really, why would you think it wouldn't look nice on you? I certainly didn't have any doubts. And you look fantastic, as I suspected you would.

[The mask adds charm. And so will the cape. Because they just share that sense of style.]

Keep that up and you'll make me blush.

[..........probably not, given how smug he looks.

But don't worry, he'll refrain from teasing Dist any further. (For now.)]

This isn't a style I'm used to. We don't have anything quite like it in Nohr, and while you make it look incredible, I wasn't sure how it would look on me.

[Partially because of the mask, admittedly, but also partially because he's real scrawny for his height.]

Now hurry up, I want to see what you've picked out.

[i can't believe this turned into a fashion show and yet i am not surprised at all.]

[Dist gives Iago a look on the border of pouting, then mutters something along the lines of "that was the intent" under his breath. Considering the fact that he's standing right next to Iago, he could probably hear it anyway.

After collecting himself...he takes a moment to smile to himself (though still very noticeable when Iago can see him doing it in the mirror) at that offhand compliment.]

Well, now you know it works marvelously. And with my brilliant guidance, you will soon become a master at tying your own tie.

[Oh- right. He had picked some stuff too.]

Of course, of course! Give me just one moment to get the first one on...

[Because he grabbed several.

He doesn't take very long in the dressing room, since these are very much the style of clothes that he's used to. What he comes out with is actually pretty similar to what he picked out for Iago. The main differences are the colors. He has gone with a lovely purple for his dress shirt, a white tie, white gloves, black slacks and a black jacket with a very subtle floral pattern encompassing it.

He seems very pleased with it, but what he's truly interested in is getting Iago's opinion.]

It feels a bit bare without my collar, but it isn't a terrible alternative.

[hey??? dist???? don't joke like that, you might actually succeed????

Well, thankfully, Dist has clothes to try on so Iago can... not think about that, good!! He's easily settled by the time Dist steps back out and oh no, look at that...]

You certainly do have an excellent eye for this. Not that I was doubting you, of course.

[who allowed dist to be this cute. how is he supposed to resist teasing him!!!]

It looks wonderful on you. I'm very fond of the colors, and the pattern suits you. There's something charming about it without the collar too.

[Elated by the positive reception, Dist gives a little bow.]

Thank you, Iago. I am flattered, truly. [Like...legit. He is.] I do suppose the pattern on this jacket provides enough of a floral accent. Perhaps the collar would be overkill...

[He can fit it into another outfit, it's fiiine.]

The only thing this needs is a touch of lipstick. [He starts glancing around.] You don't suppose there is a makeup section in this boutique, do you...?

[He recalls seeing Iago wearing lipstick when they first arrived, so maybe they can experiment with that too...]

I hadn't even thought to look, but I would kill to have my makeup back.

[It's probably a joke. Probably.]

Let's see if we can find anything.

[MOD CONFIRMED, we have nice makeup here!! Holy shit, look at all these options... This is like, a lot more than he ever had access to back home, wow...]

I wasn't expecting much, but look at all of this...

[just how many shades of red does one need for lipstick???]

[YES. This is clearly the best day of their lives in Krakow.]

I'd say we've hit the jackpot!

[And damn, this is some fancy stuff! Dist sorts through all of the purple shades to match the shirt he picked out. He finds a nice shade of gold for Iago to try, though he can't decide if black would look better... There are obviously worse decisions to have to mull over in a situation like theirs, but it's nice to have all of that in the back of his mind for now.

He holds out the two tubes for Iago.]

I simply cannot choose! Which would you feel more comfortable in?

[While Dist is looking through the lipstick, Iago is absolutely fascinated by the eyeliners. Look at this, they have colored eyeliner, that's so crazy. He is leaving this boutique with so much makeup.]

...They have lipstick in this shade?

[He picks up the gold one first, surprised. Huh... But after a moment he hands it back and picks the black one.]

I'm a bit pale to pull off gold properly, I'm afraid. Black is always nice, however. My usual color is purple, however, so I'll be certain to take quite a few of those shades as well.

[...between the two of us, there will be no purple lipstick left.]

Oh, it comes in all shades.

[He's accepting of Iago's response to the gold lipstick though. He makes a fine point...gold might not show up as well on paler skin. Something with more contrast works better! So he sets it back and pulls out a couple more purple shades...]

I see we share a color preference! I commend your exquisite taste.

[Cumore wears purple too, so...there is totally gonna be a fight to divvy them all up isn't there.

With his lipstick picked out, he gets in front of a nearby mirror to apply it.]

Ugh, finally. I am finally starting to feel complete again! This is truly what we needed.

[can't believe the next murder is going to be over purple lipstick]

I'm not even slightly surprised by that at this point. Your taste has always been excellent.

[match made in hell tbh]

I'm in agreement, of course. I can finally do something about my nails as well.

[Give him a moment and he'll borrow that mirror as well, applying the black lipstick and some of that eyeliner he found. Gods, he feels like a person again.]

Oh, that's much better. [And his hair is still looking great too, so wow!! Probably the most attractive he's ever been.] Help me pick out a color for my nails.

[There's so much nail polish too?? He trusts Dist's judgement and he's less picky about nail polish colors, so please pick something out!!]

[It's a good thing Iago asked Dist about nail polish, because he was kind of staring until he was interrupted. Like, damn. Damn. Okay.]

Hmmm. [He starts poking through the nail polish selection.] This is a difficult one for me! I have always settled for a clear coat since I almost always keep my hands covered.

[The only time he has taken his gloves off is for trial inspections.]

Perhaps you could try gold for your nails? You may end up with more contrast there.

[Plus he just found a gold shade that has a chrome-like finish. It should go well with Iago's mask.]

[dist get some taste!!]

I only had a few options back home, and I went through them routinely. The amount of choices here are almost staggering, however...

[Oh, but that looks great! He'll take that, looking it over in approval.]

Nothing I had was quite this shade or this shiny either. This one is excellent, thank you, Dist.

[He'll apply it later, but that's definitely one he's taking!!]

You have my thanks. We certainly did get quite lucky with this store.

[Listen...if he's going to be attracted by something that isn't Jade, it's his own aesthetic.

He gives another little bow, pleased that his efforts were appreciated.]

Yes we did! This is a store that I plan to return to. And I would be honored to open you up to more styles that Nohr was apparently terribly lacking.

[At least Iago did well with what he had.]

Imagine what you might look like in beautiful shades of rose red...!

[at least you have good(???) taste in aesthetic!!!!]

I would appreciate your assistance. I've always had a preference for looser clothes, but these look incredible.

[Dist's eye for fashion coupled with his own natural beauty?? Perfection.]

I am quite fond of red, so perhaps I'd like to see what you can do with that as well. While I do prefer dark colors, I'm open to experimenting. As always, what would I do without you?

[...well of course there's going to be at least a little teasing, can't stop won't stop!!]

[Honestly, it gets Dist to laugh more than anything. But he's definitely flattered, too.]

Oh come now. You held your own just fine until you met me, didn't you? The foundation was already there.

[cute...]

Mm, that's certainly true enough. I did have to deal with all sorts of nonsense to get to where I am now, so I suppose I would have found some way to continue on.

But your presence here certainly does make all of this much easier, you know.

[It's said in a light, joking tone, but it... really isn't a joke...]

[He made it this far without losing his cool, but here we are...]

I- I thought we were speaking of your efforts in fashion...

[But then Iago had to take it somewhere else entirely?!]

That said...I agree. My life was rather solitary before the Lady brought us here. But I have very much enjoyed getting to know you and the others.

[Some more than others, obviously.]

You're welcome.

[merciless teasing objective complete!!!]

I would like to hear more about your life before arriving here at some point, but we can always talk about that later. For now... we do still have quite a few outfits to put together.

["You're welcome"? Wow??? He wants to just leave this damn store now, but sure, chain him here under the guise of trying on more outfits. His attempt to skate around the teasing and questions about his backstory is awkward at best, but:]

Perhaps I may tell you more when you visit me next.

[In other words, that's definitely a PC conversation too.]

In the meantime, I hope you are ready for some red, because I absolutely want to see you in it now. Here, take this lipstick...

[They're going to be here for hours, good god.]

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WEEK 4

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