grimmdark | Four knitted scarves

Four knitted scarves

916 Bilko Boulevard, Accidental Phonecall. Unfiltered. Open to housemates

*the phone picks up mid-conversation, as if it's been knocked off the hook by clumsy teenagers Rose's voice comes from not too far.*

I still cannot believe we are doing this. Enjoyable as it might be, I must admit I still have some reservations about it.

Rose, I assure you your reservations are wholly misplaced. I have done this many, many times before, and it has ...almost always resulted in the full enjoyment of all involved parties.

*Rose scoffs a little, but wait, was that a hint of a giggle underneat?* I will give that much to you; you are quite skilled with your hands. I stand here jealous at this discovery...this is really nice though.

*There's the sound of shifting, and Kanaya almost sounds as though she has something in her mouth when she speaks next.* Sweeps of practice have rendered my digital manipulators quite dextrous, yes - and I'm quite pleased to hear that you're finding this to your liking. But as promised, no word of this liason shall ever pass my lips.

If I may ask you to hold as still as possible, Rose? This next part will be rather tight.

While I graciously accepted your request to lend myself to your ways, I must admit I haven't grown to like the fact you are handling me like a rag do-

*Rose's complain is cut as she gasps, and then speaks in a rather mortified tone*

That is...rather tight. My back will be reminding me of this with unforgiving soreness later

*And for her part, Kanaya does sound very apologetic.* I'm quite sorry, but I believe it's for the best to handle the worst of the discomfort at the beginning. I give the full weight of my word that it will be exponentially more agreeable - even satisfying - from this point on.

But please continue to hold still. I would feel very displeased with myself were I to inadvertently scratch you.

So you say. Perhaps it's because you are doing all the work. I feel as if I should probably take the matter into my own hands, but then that would mean you would be but an spectator. Either way one of us is left to watch.

*Rose's tone takes a degree of amusement*A scratch? Not for a lack of effort. I've been holding my breath at every "Hold Still" by now.

I would really rather engage with you directly than to be a mere observer of this flourishing radiance and beauty alike. It simply wouldn't be suitable. And besides, you're certainly a participant rather than a spectator, even if it's a far more passive role than you might prefer. I'm afraid I can't allow you to domineer our interactions every time.

But only a little further, and-- *And then there's a surprised intake of air as somebody notices the displaced phone and moves to hang up. Oops.*

*Somebody hasn't seen the phone yet*

Kanaya? Kanaya Mayram, don't you dare leaving me here without taking proper care of my clothes-

*And so ends the rather strange call*

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

*Just...staring at your general direction, holding the dress against her defensively.*

What are you trying to say? Don't tell me...

Oh. No. No.

What am I trying to say? I am trying to inform you that the audio hook was knocked from its receptacle, Rose Lalonde, and I was replacing it so that we would not find ourselves with errant eavesdroppers.

Is there a problem with that?

*Going grimdark in three, two, one...*

I fear it might be a little to late for such precautions. Most likely, our conversation has been surely broadcast to everyone willing to listen.

*Forget the grimdark she's blushing furiously.*

What.

Are you... are you certain? Even if you are, though, I don't believe it could be easily misconstrued, so... *She trails off, trying to remember exactly what was said.

And turning a bit green.*

*Have a fumbling, blushing, and not entirely dressed Seer making her way to you. This dress isn't holding up too much more if she keeps moving, and while she has clothes under it, they are not precisely concealing.*

The fact we weren't aware of this being recorded kept us from announcing this was indeed a tailoring oriented conversation. Not that there was any need to do so.

I can't imagine what could be interpreted from this exchange of words anyway. Nothing...embarrassing I suppose.

No, certainly nothing discomfiting in the least, but-- *And now she's looking up and exclaiming in distress.* --Rose! Rose, that garment isn't properly pinned and fitted, and if you do not hold still and prevent yourself from unnecessary movements - and every bit of that was unnecessary - then I fear it may be damaged enough to put a secondary fitting off for days if not weeks.

In other words, cease this ruckus before you destroy something.

Well this is a nice dress, yes. I don't want to go through this all right now again neither.

[She sighs.]

At any rate, assessing the current situation comes first. While this is about to turn into a prime example of what should not be listened without a proper context, our own of secrecy remains. Share no details unless there is no other way to drive the soon to come meddlers away.

And were I an unthinking wiggler, that would necessitate reminding. But I am not, and furthermore I did take an oath of secrecy regarding these sessions. So I can assure you, Rose, I intend to say nothing beyond what is necessary.

Good. Perfect. Shall we get this done then? As I see it, chances are it cannot get any worse, and as you sad so before, more movement would ruin the progress so far, which is something neither of us would want.

[Right now Rose has all the feelings, but she can't let them best her.]

I do enjoy the process that comprises the making of fashionable outerwear, but that isn't to say that I would relish being forced to repeat it thanks to mortal error, so it would be ideal to keep this prototype intact for the time being.

At any rate, Rose, the fitting shouldn't take too much longer. *And now she's back with Rose, pinning it into place here, tugging it there, and making sure this calf-length dress looks as perfect as it can on her.*

[And there they go again.]

I can't honestly imagine what would someone get out of peeking at this particular conversation.

[Said as she is making her best effort not to move. She doesn't even know why she wants a dress, other than having a chance of having a dress made for herself.]

The voyeuristic pleasure of knowing someone else's personal affairs no matter how pedestrian, perhaps?

*Pin pin, tug tug, hmm hmm how does this look like THIS...*

[And Rose obediently stands still, arms a bit stretched as she's mercilessly pulled and tugged and she's trying not to think of Kanaya being so close by checking her horns. There has to be something wrong on that sentence.]

It wouldn't be above some of the residents, yes. What bothers me the most is the fact people tend and will overreact or read more than it was intended into anything, even within context. I can only imagine what a talk about dress making could stir.

[Those are some fine horns, yep.]

*One wonders if that's the troll equivalent of staring at one's rack. But Kanaya doesn't notice, so intent she is on her work.* Is this a particularly human custom, to raise such a disproportionate fuss about something so simple as a tailoring session?

[No, no. Rose hasn't checked that yet, and at least she wouldn't consider it a good analogy.]

I fear they are far less selective about their disproportionate fussing over trivial matters.

And if I might add, I think this is tight enough on the waist. Hourglass shaped is hardly flattering at thirteen.

That seems mildly irritating, if it's as common as you seem to be suggesting.

*And she leans back for a moment to get a greater appreciation for the whole... and nods, apparently satisfied, before pinning it in place once more.* Very well, if you're certain. If it's any consolation it does look tremendously fashionable on you.

It truly is. Welcome to humanity.

I am honestly flattered. [And to prove so she makes a little curtsy.]

Mind if I get my clothes now?

Truly your species is a xenopsychological enigma wrapped in a riddle ensconced in a whole mess of complexes and generally weird stuff.

And as much as it may look attractive on you, Rose, I do need to take the garment myself for final alterations, so yes you may retrieve your clothes. *A pause.* If you could be careful while disrobing, though, I'd be tremendously appreciative.

...maybe I'd better do it.

You are one to speak, considering we are the undisputed majority. Well, at least on the sense humans populate Earth. I will not venture to say we are the majority on Mayfield.

Do what?

[Rose tenses, because she did get the meaning behind her words. But then again, the whole thing is a little too complicated to remove it by herself.]

Are you...certain?

Bold? Perhaps. Yet my statement would stand were there four of you or four billion.

*And at Rose's hesitation and tensing, Kanaya tenses in return. She'd just meant to help the girl undress, but if Rose is nervous, then...* Of course I'm certain. Is there any reason to believe I wouldn't be?

It's only a dress fitting, after all.

I cannot argue about that. I can point it goes both ways though. As it does.

[gulp]

Proceed then. The fastest I'm out of this the better. Enough fitting for today.

Rose Lalonde, are you intimating that trollkind is somehow odd by human standards?

*But her snarky tone dies away as she steps towards Rose, moving behind her where she's pinned the back of the dress together as a temporary placeholder until she adds the zipper. Her cheeks are suddenly very warm and very green.

She reaches out to undo one pin, and then the next, so that Rose can more easily slip out of the dress.* Just a few more moments, Rose... thank you for your patience in the matter. *And then she's finished with the back.* If you'd please rotate to allow me access to the clasps on the front?

[The fact Rose is wearing her underwear under the dress doesn't comfort her at all. Actually, being seen by Kanaya like that is maybe as bad as if she were completely naked. Even now knowing she can see her bare back is...it makes her feel odd.

Rose turns around silently, suddenly shier and girlier than ever. She can't even look straight at the troll without blushing like crazy. this is all wrong and she can't understand why.]

*And Kanaya's just doing her thing, helping Rose take the dress off, when she glances up at the girl and--

--why is her face so furiously red? This is just a dress fitting, isn't it? Even if it now occurs to Kanaya that the skin of Rose's forearm where she's rested her hand momentarily is very warm and soft, and...

She freezes, looking up at Rose as if she's waiting for something to happen, her job done and the garment now changeable.* Rose? Are you all right?

[There is no way she can properly express herself as it is. Rose doesn't remember when was the last time she felt so vulnerable, and while it's a bit unnerving that she has been placed into such a situation she's not entirely convinced this is a bad thing.

Also she can't think straight.

Without answering, she tries to remove the dress carefully, but ultimately trips and extends her arms to gain balance...ending up hung on Kanaya. And by the Old Ones, isn't her face a tad too close? Those Jade colored irises are quite something...]

I currently lack the words to properly manifest what I'm feeling. It's quite odd, but I'm okay with it. Are you okay with it? It would help me if you are okay with me-with it.

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