prismatica | video

Entry tags:

video

[The camera opens to Crystal Beach. With the weather as it's been lately, nobody should be surprised that someone decided to spend a little time there. With the sun starting to set, the sky has burst into mingled red and gold, the color spread over the sea as well in gentle lapping waves. A small jostle, and the camera is all set on a beach chair that was the resting place of a few cute little dolls. Some were shaped like local animals, but among the others were a smattering of dragons, perhaps an inspiration from their recent dealings with Lyestellus.

Kanji stepped back and into the frame, dressed for the outing: A basic black speedo and a pair of snappy designer sunglasses. He didn't seem bothered by his choice of attire- it was too damn hot to give a shit anyway- as he lowered to his knees and settled next to his makeshift display.]

A'right... uh, yo! Ain't done one of these videos in a while. Few months, I think? Anyway, I'll just get right into it with the question I sometimes get:

Did I make these? Damn right I did! They're cute as hell too, yeah? And if somebody's got a problem with a guy like me makin' stuff like this, they can kiss my ass or get outta my way! This is what I do, and I'm damn proud of it!

[He sat up straighter with a grin.]

...For the rest of ya who don't give a crap and want a piece of what I can make, I'm open for orders. I make dolls, charms n' clothes. Hell, they can be clothes that accommodate ears n' tails or whatever when the moon changes. I can do alterations, too.

I'm gettin' better at workin' needles while transformed, too, so the Sanguis moon ain't slowin' me down much. Gimme a little more time, and that'll be nailed no sweat!

[He supposed that was it. Off-camera, there's a distinct panting. Kanji looked off-frame, too. Despite the hardened look right up until then, his expression softened immediately.]

Hey, pal... tired of diggin', huh?

[A large black and white dog pads in, some kind of jowly breed but it's sporting a strange pair of horns and very dirty paws from a digging adventure. His tail is wagging like crazy as he flopped beside the human, and is happy to get those tummy pets.]

Anyway... drop a line here or in the inbox.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I don't exactly fit what people assume when they think of somebody who can make stuff. That got to me for a long time. Too long, if I'm honest.

I kinda treat it like a badge of honor now! A guy like me does stuff that nobody expects... I like bein' "strange!"

[ He flips to video explicitly so Kanji can see his raised eyebrow. ]

I have known a number of tailors. I do not think I ever spared a thought as to what they looked like.

[ Is this some kind of human foolishness? Well, whatever. He's going to lean back, arms crossed. ]

I have a garment in need of mending, and some that must be custom-tailored to my... specifications. Are those tasks within your purview?

You'd be one of few. I grew up in a small town, which didn't help me much. Lotta closed minds.

[But a mending and customization?]

Hell yeah they are! What's your schedule?

I prefer evenings. [ Because he sleeps through the day. ]

And sooner rather than later.

Sounds good. I can be in tomorrow evening, if that's cool.

That is agreeable.

[ He will text his address, after a....... significant pause, because technology is hard :( ]

[Have a rabbit emote giving a thumbs up in response!]

I'll come around about 7!

[ ...when his doorbell rings at around 7pm the next day, our hero is...

...

...very much asleep on his couch, still wearing the clothes from last night. A mostly empty bottle of dragon wine rests on a messy coffee table.

He stirs reluctantly, shaking disheveled curls of hair out of his eyes. When he eventually sits up, staggers to his bare feet, and walks up to open the door, it is with a significant degree of grogginess.

For Cardan, 7 pm is late morning. ]

[He's dressed casual with a notebook under his arm and his kit in his pocket. But when he knocked on the door, he didn't expect complete silence. Wait, did- did he catch the guy during dinner or something, or did he step out?

Shit. Kanji reached into his pocket for his device, ready to send a text. May as well rule out the latter before knocking again and bein' rude. When the door opened, Kanji was caught mid-text, and blinked owlishly at him.]

...Uh, yo. Did I catch ya at a bad time?

[ Cardan returns the owlish blink, although his comes paired with a scowl. Who is--

...wait... ]

You're the--

The tailor.

[ Good job, Cardan, remembering something that's happened... literally a day ago.

He reaches up to rub at his face, brushing more hair out of it -- pointlessly, it seems like, because it falls right back into his eyes. ]

I was asleep. [ Which is all the explanation Kanji will get before Cardan steps away from the door, apparently expecting his guest to follow.

Inside the apartment looks like it belongs to someone who comes home mostly to change clothes and sleep off hangovers. But at least the clothes are nice? ]

[He always would pride himself on his eyes, his arms and his legs maybe. But when he was looking at somebody who- even sleepy as hell- looked straight out of a painting, Kanji wondered if it was even fair to call himself remotely good-looking.

Because damn.

He shook his head to clear it. He was being invited in, and he accepted the invitation. The clothing he laid eyes on was really eye-catching... really expensive-looking. He understood quickly he needed to be rather delicate with any repairs he had to do.]

If ya wanna sleep some more, I can jus' pick up what needs mending, take some measurements and get outta your hair no problem.

[ Cardan has manners; really, he does. When he's not half asleep.

Sometimes he even remembers them.

Once inside, he'll turn to eye his guest. Kanji is taller than Cardan expected him to be, and more... well... human than any of Cardan's past tailors -- who had, for the most part, been imps and crones.

The considering glance he gives Kanji is a good bit more awake already, which might explain why it lingers. ]

I was remiss in foregoing introductions.

I am Cardan. What should I call you?

Oh, yeah... sorry. I'm Kanji. I'm pretty bad at intros myself, but I don't usually have people askin' me what my name is. Usually it's, "Get the hell outta here!" or "Quit loitering!"

[He rubbed his neck. Let's not talk about the criminal record.]

All that aside, nice to meetcha, and thanks for the invitation! I brought my supplies, so I can do the on-the-spot stuff here.

[ There is another frown as Kanji introduces himself -- this one just a touch bemused. Cardan assumes it's a joke -- he is better at reading sarcasm than many of the Folk, but...

Well, best to move on. ]

Would you like a drink? I have wine.

[ And, uh, little else.

But hospitality is hospitality, right? ]

Wine? This earl-... wait, no, we agreed to meet at this hour, right.

[But this guy would probably have super fancy wine. Alas, he lifted a hand.]

Thanks, but I shouldn't drink. Once my 20th rolls around next year, you bet your ass I'm havin' some nightcaps!

[ ...He has absolutely no idea what most of that means.

That said, he's going to consider his hosting responsibilities at least moderately fulfilled. He at least had the foresight to prepare the clothing he wanted Kanji to work at -- all of them are trousers. ]

I would like these tailored.

[ He holds out one hand, palm up. Something stirs in the shadow by his leg, then uncoils -- a tail, lightly furred, with a tuft of fur which grazes his palm now, as if to show itself off. ] To perfectly fit my measurements, but also to accommodate my tail.

[ --he frowns, and then reaches over to indicate a specific pair of pants. These ones seem to have suffered an... accident... given that the fastenings at the front are torn. ] These will need repair also.

[ His gaze fixes on Kanji, significantly more awake now. ] You can do this?

[Adjusted to fit, a repair for an incident he was sorely tempted to ask about but opted wisely not to, and to accommodate a tail. But oh no, he wanted to reach out and touch the tail. Kanji was cashing in on a hell of a lot of wisdom tonight. With a tip of his chin, he nodded and reached for his tape measure.]

Yeah, I can get that worked out. I'll just need to take some numbers off ya and I can handle the rest from there.

[Man, he was lucky... he wanted to keep his tail permanently. But it seemed to only pop up during full Sanguis.]

Then I put myself in your hands.

[ Funny story, about the pants. As it turns out, making out with angry people sometimes ruins one's expensive outfits.

He leans against the desk, arms crossed in front of his chest. ]

Where would you like me?

[ For the measurements, of course.

Although, if the upward quirk of his mouth is any indication, he is well aware of the innuendo, and maybe watching for Kanji's reaction. ]

[He nodded, the gears starting to turn. He usually worked with friends and folks who he could swear would fit perfectly in his home town. This guy made him feel like he was working in someplace like Paris or Venice, and the expectations were a thousand times higher.

Hell of a challenge. He welcomed it.]

Where-

[Ha. ...Ph-phrasing. He should have expected stuff like this considering the planet he lived on, but despite not exactly falling for the bait, he still turned a bright shade of pink and lost his train of thought for a beat.

Soon he gestured vaguely.]

You, uh- y'got a step stool or somethin'? W-we can do this anywhere, I ain't picky.

[ It's an attractive blush; even if he wasn't a smug ass, he'd be pretty pleased with Kanji's reaction. In fact, at the moment Cardan seems much more interested in the tailor than he is in his clothes.

Still, they are here for a reason. The question provokes a slight frown; he gestures towards the dining table. ]

...I have a chair.

That's- that's fine. Jus' need ya to stand on it for a few minutes while I get measurements.

[Oh. OH. Right- he patted the notepad into the opposing palm.]

I don't give these numbers out to people and I can dispose of the info after I make use of 'em if you're more comfy with that. I work with some pretty private people, so I extend that to everybody I work with.

[ He is going to draw the chair close and step up onto it. The tail waves lazily back and forth all the while, almost as if it has a mind of its own. ]

Hm?

[ ...that disclaimer surprises him. He hadn't even thought to be worried; when he speaks again, he sounds genuinely curious. ]

Is there such a large market for client measurements?

Fortunately, no. The ones that used to ask are still seein' dentists for repairs after I got done with 'em.

[Just casual talk of violence as he unrolled the tape measure and got started. He'd duck his head to avoid the tail whenever he needed to, considering it a challenge for himself.]

But I still wanna give peace of mind, y'know? People feel a little better knowin' I ain't some guy hoarding how big everybody's chest, crotch or waist is for personal use or monetary gain.

[ That's a sensible enough explanation; he seems content to leave it there.

He is also very obviously used to being measured; he'll move obediently as directed, and hold as still as he can besides. ]

...so what is this about your age and wine?

Huh? Oh... back home I gotta be 20 to drink or the cops have another excuse to lock me up. It doesn't apply to this world, obviously, but I figure why rush it? I'm gonna be the right age pretty soon anyway.

...That, and I'm dating a detective.

audio

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

text

action

action

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject