[ The door opens just a little, just enough for Ritsuka to peer out. All that's really visible of her is her face, though there's enough of her visible to show that she is, in fact, wearing the stupid costume. Her face is bright red--possibly even redder than her hair at the moment--and she looks both anxious and relieved when she catches sight of him. It had been humiliating to squeeze herself into this thing! This is supposed to show off the wearer's figure, and she doesn't really have that much figure to begin with!
But maybe fair is fair, right? He'd had to deal with being in that dumb bunny costume all those months ago... maybe they can call it even after this.
The employee, still beaming, makes a little beckoning gesture to her.
"It's fine," she says. "There's no one here but us."
Ritsuka continues to stare at Kadoc for a few more seconds, then drops her gaze and pushes the door the rest of the way open. She is definitely not looking at either of them as she steps out, dressed in the costume, complete with that cat-ear headband. Here it is! Here she is! Please let the ground open up and swallow her right now. ]
There's a whole laundry list of things. They all clamor for attention in Kadoc's head, against the background of the buzz of disbelief in her ears. Ritsuka is:
1. wearing the costume 2. relieved to see him? looking for him?? calling his name??? 3. uncomfortable. Ritsuka is uncomfortable, and being urged out of the dressing room by the employee, and
Kadoc doesn't like the way that feels. Why is she making her come out? Why didn't they just go in?! There's so much going on in his head that he can't focus on any of it, but finally, his dislike of this one is strong enough that he just takes Ritsuka by the shoulders and backs her back into the dressing room again. Not shoving her, but guiding her with his hands, making her step backward into the open door. And he goes with her, following her in and leaving the smiling employee (who deserves a damn raise) outside, and then he shuts the door behind them both, because . . . because that's just what he does.
[ She startles, automatically, when he touches her, but she doesn't protest at all when he nudges her back into the dressing room. Honestly, she's grateful for that--she hadn't wanted to ask for just him to come in and risk him refusing. (Because it would have broken the illusion, right, and not because it would have been humiliating on a variety of levels, most of which Ritsuka is not entirely prepared to think about.)
But she's relieved when he does it, and even though she's still blushing furiously when they're back in the dressing room, the door closing behind him, she gives him what feels like a deeply pathetic grateful look. Without thinking about it, she huddles a little closer to him, even though they're in this room now, and there's no one to look except for him. ]
Um. Thanks. I really didn't wanna go out there, but... I didn't wanna make you come in here if you didn't wanna.
[It's a small dressing room. It's definitely not small enough, though, that Kadoc should need to stand so close to her, blocking the sight of her from the door even though the door is closed now—but he does anyway, as if the space is half its actual size. It just feels very cramped. It feels like he'd better stand right here close to her and shield her with his body.]
. . . She shouldn't've made you go out there like that. Like . . . she's getting free advertisement for this thing outta you modeling it. That's creepy as hell.
[ The fact that he moves to accommodate her uncurls something in Ritsuka--something small and anxious that she hadn't even really noticed until it lets go. There's really no need for him to do that; there's only one door, and they're the only ones here, but... but there is some part of her that notices and appreciates it, and what it implies. He's a kind person, but also: they're friends, right? That's proof of that, right there. ]
I guess that's just kind of part of her job... she's probably seen people in a lot less.
[ Not that this outfit is great at covering up; she crosses her arms over her chest in a halfhearted attempt to cover more of her chest with that, rather than simply rely on the low cut of the lingerie. ]
So--uh--did you get a photo while I was in here...?
[Kadoc's standing close enough to her that he has to look down to talk to her, and that means looking down at her chest. Maybe it doesn't have to, but . . . it does. He does. It's right there, and he can't help it, and for a second his whole body demands he give in to the desire to grab a tit—he doesn't, of course, but he's briefly breathless with it.
Then she crosses her arms. Oh shit. Right, that's . . . creepy. His cheeks and ears flush bright pink.]
Sorry. Shit, sorry. Uh, yeah, I did. Just the costume on your rack. On the rack. The rack. Oh my god.
[ She's shocked silent for a moment, because he just said--he just said, while looking at her, and Ritsuka is not one of those girls who gets terribly offended by someone looking. Touching is one thing, but looking is pretty much a whatever! thing to her.
She chokes on a giggle, covering her mouth with both hands. It's not even that funny! It was just a stupid slip of the tongue, and she knows it! But it's such an unexpected thing from him of all people, and it's a welcome break from her own anxiety in this moment. ]
[But he doesn't mean it, and he barely even manages to say it around his own stupid giggles starting up. It's idiotic, and funny, and the release of tension is so welcome after all of this dumb shit they've gotten themselves into—for a moment, he just wants to do nothing but stand her so close to her they're almost touching and drop his head and start laughing.]
[ His laughing makes her laugh harder, even with her hands pressed over her mouth, her body shaking with the force of her laughter. For a moment, at least, she's completely forgotten how embarrassing this outfit is--this entire situation is!--only laughing for the sheer catharsis of it. ]
She's probably . . . standing out there thinking we're completely insane in here.
[Is the employee lingering still? Who knows? If she is, she's just going to be hearing the two of them giggling together in the stall, because Kadoc can't stop himself yet. The more he laughs, the more keeps spilling out, and it's even worse that she's laughing too. Egging him on!!
Without thinking about it even a little, he lifts a hand to rest lightly on the small of her back as they laugh, curling his arm around her body. Barely touching, really.]
[ Ritsuka doesn't even register the contact on a conscious level; she's still too wrapped up in the small catharsis of laughing. Even her hands over her mouth isn't enough to muffle it.
But even though she doesn't think about it, she does lean into his body with the touch, the way she might if a Servant had touched her. It's a thoughtless sort of trust, and it feels nice. She's as relaxed as she ever has been in... some time, really. ]
Oh well--we can see if we can at least tip her for her help. She probably deserves a nice one.
After all this, I feel like I've gotta buy this for you. I can't just walk outta here with a straight face and thank her for her time and leave. So congratulations, it's yours.
[He's still laughing under his breath, and he dips his head to look at her, close to her and close to her face . . . ah. Finally the reality of their position sinks in. He can feel her against him. But he can't make himself move. He's paralyzed like this, with one hand on her back, leaning into her. In her . . . outfit. Her garb.]
[ She actually hiccups a little with that, still laughing, wiping at her eyes now, tipping her head to look up at him. Oh god, he's right. After all of this, can they really just leave without buying it?
It does not quite click for her yet, because this just feels oddly comfortable. As much as she feels awkward and unsuited for this outfit, being this close to him feels nice, like it's a completely natural place for her to be. ]
You're right, we're obligated now. Sorry, I'll pay you back when we're out of here.
Like hell you will. I got us into this mess. Besides, I'm not the one who had to wear that thing.
[Should he say it? He shouldn't say it. Should he? He shouldn't, but he's not sure why he shouldn't, even though it feels like it might be "every reason imaginable." Why is he even tempted? And yet . . . ]
[ Ah, there it is--now she realizes how close they are, and he can maybe feel that in the way her breath catches, though she doesn't pull back. Does she? She feels like the outfit just kind of highlights how bony and awkward her figure is... and even if she doesn't, does he really like it??
She gives him an uncertain look, just the tiniest bit hopeful. Actually, it would be pretty nice if he meant it. There are a dozen protests she thinks she could make, but all of them she discards in favor for an equally uncertain and hopeful honesty. ]
[Kadoc's not sure what he expected her reaction to be. He can't even believe he managed to maintain eye contact for the entire exchange. But because he did, he catches that look, and something twists sharply in him at it. His hand curls on her back, uncertain what to do. There isn't any particular action it can or should take right now, but it's restless, needing to do something to reinforce the fact that it's there. To point out to her that he's touching her right now. Just because it needs to happen. Why? Don't question it.
He stares right back. He looks and feels like a deer in headlights. But there's something else lurking there that definitely isn't fear.]
[ It comes out as a breathless squeak, startled and reminded all over again about his hand on her. Oh. Oh boy. She bites her lip, chewing on it anxiously as she nods, slow, still unable to break the eye contact. ]
I-I mean. Usually, it feels like someone's making fun of me when they say that... but. Um. I believe it, from you.
[He nods, unsure of what he's nodding at, and in fact it takes longer than it should for his brain to even parse what she just said. He stops nodding then, instead swallowing. It feels as loud as if he'd just suddenly screamed into the tiny void of the dressing room.]
. . . Sorry if it's weird as hell to thank you for that, but I actually appreciate that a lot.
[ The fact that it feels like he's being honest means a lot. Regardless of the difficulties they've had in meeting each other in the middle, it doesn't feel like he's only trying to humor her--or worse, being mocking--and she's more grateful for that than she anticipated. She isn't hugely self-conscious about her body, other than the scars, but nor does she think very highly of it.
After a few seconds, though, she finally steps back. ]
I should probably--uh. Get redressed. Then we can pay for this and go.
[The spell, whatever it was, is at least partially broken, and Kadoc isn't sure if he's disappointed or relieved. But where else is there for it to go, anyway? That's something he needs time to think about not in this dressing room. He steps back to the door . . .
And, okay, he gives her one more look over in that outfit, ears pink, not the most subtle thing in the world, before he cracks the door open and slips out.]
[ It's the sort of thing that she might not have noticed, even if he was less than subtle, if not for being primed for the moment. Ritsuka's very good at blinding herself to this sort of thing.
But there had been a Moment--and it's not even the first one, is it? There'd been something during that party, too, and she can't deny it. A part of her would like to, because how ridiculous is that thought, even? But she can't, and so she does notice. It's a mixed feeling, somewhere between being flattered and deeply unsure. Should she talk to him about it? Would it be better to let it lie? What's the right choice?
Even though she mulls over it as she redresses--and boy is it a relief to be in her own proper clothes again--she has no conclusion by the time she opens the door again, peeking out again before she emerges, holding the costume to her chest in a crumpled ball. ]
[He's waiting not too far away, having paid already, bringing her the bag to put the costume in. She actually owns that thing now. And Kadoc knows, with absolute certainty, that he really doesn't want her to wear it for anyone else ever, and what the hell is he supposed to do with that knowledge? It's something he's going to need to unpack, he knows. Probably when he gets home and decides to obsess over it, as he loves to do. It's practically his hobby.]
[ Ritsuka gives him a quick, embarrassed smile before she stuffs the costume into the bag and takes it from him. She's blushing and she knows it, but hopefully no one thinks it's breaking character for a pair of--a pair, just barely dipping their toes into something more exciting in the bedroom. When she gets home, she's going to throw this bag into the back of her closet and do her very best to not think too hard about this. ]
Yeah. I think we've had enough scavenger hunt for the day. Four's better than I thought we'd do, anyway. Probably good enough for a prize.
[He gives her the bag and begins to head for the door. It feels like he should be holding her hand for this. That's the ruse, right? A couple experimenting for the first time? But no one's actually watching them anymore; the shop's gotten his money. The helpful employee is already assisting someone else, a young woman looking for a particular "massager." There's no reason to keep up the stupid façade that had gotten out of hand.
He almost takes her hand. He starts to reach for it. But then he aborts mission. Mission failed.]
[ She only notices after he's pulled his hand back, and it's not like she can actually tell what he'd been doing... but she does know what she would have liked it to be. It would have been nice to hold his hand, if only to provide some kind of united front against... what? Who? Nothing and no one, but she still wants it.
And then they're outside. Wild, how everything out here is entirely the same as it was when they went in. It's just that something inside of her is different, apparently. ]
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fujimaru
no subject
Date: 2022-07-16 05:58 am (UTC)[ The door opens just a little, just enough for Ritsuka to peer out. All that's really visible of her is her face, though there's enough of her visible to show that she is, in fact, wearing the stupid costume. Her face is bright red--possibly even redder than her hair at the moment--and she looks both anxious and relieved when she catches sight of him. It had been humiliating to squeeze herself into this thing! This is supposed to show off the wearer's figure, and she doesn't really have that much figure to begin with!
But maybe fair is fair, right? He'd had to deal with being in that dumb bunny costume all those months ago... maybe they can call it even after this.
The employee, still beaming, makes a little beckoning gesture to her.
"It's fine," she says. "There's no one here but us."
Ritsuka continues to stare at Kadoc for a few more seconds, then drops her gaze and pushes the door the rest of the way open. She is definitely not looking at either of them as she steps out, dressed in the costume, complete with that cat-ear headband. Here it is! Here she is! Please let the ground open up and swallow her right now. ]
no subject
Date: 2022-07-19 04:33 am (UTC)There's a whole laundry list of things. They all clamor for attention in Kadoc's head, against the background of the buzz of disbelief in her ears. Ritsuka is:
1. wearing the costume
2. relieved to see him? looking for him?? calling his name???
3. uncomfortable. Ritsuka is uncomfortable, and being urged out of the dressing room by the employee, and
Kadoc doesn't like the way that feels. Why is she making her come out? Why didn't they just go in?! There's so much going on in his head that he can't focus on any of it, but finally, his dislike of this one is strong enough that he just takes Ritsuka by the shoulders and backs her back into the dressing room again. Not shoving her, but guiding her with his hands, making her step backward into the open door. And he goes with her, following her in and leaving the smiling employee (who deserves a damn raise) outside, and then he shuts the door behind them both, because . . . because that's just what he does.
So. Here they are.]
no subject
Date: 2022-07-19 04:44 am (UTC)[ She startles, automatically, when he touches her, but she doesn't protest at all when he nudges her back into the dressing room. Honestly, she's grateful for that--she hadn't wanted to ask for just him to come in and risk him refusing. (Because it would have broken the illusion, right, and not because it would have been humiliating on a variety of levels, most of which Ritsuka is not entirely prepared to think about.)
But she's relieved when he does it, and even though she's still blushing furiously when they're back in the dressing room, the door closing behind him, she gives him what feels like a deeply pathetic grateful look. Without thinking about it, she huddles a little closer to him, even though they're in this room now, and there's no one to look except for him. ]
Um. Thanks. I really didn't wanna go out there, but... I didn't wanna make you come in here if you didn't wanna.
no subject
Date: 2022-07-20 04:26 am (UTC). . . She shouldn't've made you go out there like that. Like . . . she's getting free advertisement for this thing outta you modeling it. That's creepy as hell.
no subject
Date: 2022-07-20 04:31 am (UTC)I guess that's just kind of part of her job... she's probably seen people in a lot less.
[ Not that this outfit is great at covering up; she crosses her arms over her chest in a halfhearted attempt to cover more of her chest with that, rather than simply rely on the low cut of the lingerie. ]
So--uh--did you get a photo while I was in here...?
no subject
Date: 2022-07-20 05:10 am (UTC)Then she crosses her arms. Oh shit. Right, that's . . . creepy. His cheeks and ears flush bright pink.]
Sorry. Shit, sorry. Uh, yeah, I did. Just the costume on your rack. On the rack. The rack. Oh my god.
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Date: 2022-07-20 05:15 am (UTC)She chokes on a giggle, covering her mouth with both hands. It's not even that funny! It was just a stupid slip of the tongue, and she knows it! But it's such an unexpected thing from him of all people, and it's a welcome break from her own anxiety in this moment. ]
Oh--okay, that's good, I'm glad.
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Date: 2022-07-20 05:51 am (UTC)[But he doesn't mean it, and he barely even manages to say it around his own stupid giggles starting up. It's idiotic, and funny, and the release of tension is so welcome after all of this dumb shit they've gotten themselves into—for a moment, he just wants to do nothing but stand her so close to her they're almost touching and drop his head and start laughing.]
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Date: 2022-07-20 05:59 am (UTC)[ His laughing makes her laugh harder, even with her hands pressed over her mouth, her body shaking with the force of her laughter. For a moment, at least, she's completely forgotten how embarrassing this outfit is--this entire situation is!--only laughing for the sheer catharsis of it. ]
no subject
Date: 2022-07-21 04:37 am (UTC)[Is the employee lingering still? Who knows? If she is, she's just going to be hearing the two of them giggling together in the stall, because Kadoc can't stop himself yet. The more he laughs, the more keeps spilling out, and it's even worse that she's laughing too. Egging him on!!
Without thinking about it even a little, he lifts a hand to rest lightly on the small of her back as they laugh, curling his arm around her body. Barely touching, really.]
no subject
Date: 2022-07-21 04:47 am (UTC)But even though she doesn't think about it, she does lean into his body with the touch, the way she might if a Servant had touched her. It's a thoughtless sort of trust, and it feels nice. She's as relaxed as she ever has been in... some time, really. ]
Oh well--we can see if we can at least tip her for her help. She probably deserves a nice one.
no subject
Date: 2022-07-21 05:31 am (UTC)[He's still laughing under his breath, and he dips his head to look at her, close to her and close to her face . . . ah. Finally the reality of their position sinks in. He can feel her against him. But he can't make himself move. He's paralyzed like this, with one hand on her back, leaning into her. In her . . . outfit. Her garb.]
no subject
Date: 2022-07-21 05:36 am (UTC)[ She actually hiccups a little with that, still laughing, wiping at her eyes now, tipping her head to look up at him. Oh god, he's right. After all of this, can they really just leave without buying it?
It does not quite click for her yet, because this just feels oddly comfortable. As much as she feels awkward and unsuited for this outfit, being this close to him feels nice, like it's a completely natural place for her to be. ]
You're right, we're obligated now. Sorry, I'll pay you back when we're out of here.
no subject
Date: 2022-07-22 04:17 am (UTC)[Should he say it? He shouldn't say it. Should he? He shouldn't, but he's not sure why he shouldn't, even though it feels like it might be "every reason imaginable." Why is he even tempted? And yet . . . ]
. . . It looks good on you, though.
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Date: 2022-07-22 04:23 am (UTC)[ Ah, there it is--now she realizes how close they are, and he can maybe feel that in the way her breath catches, though she doesn't pull back. Does she? She feels like the outfit just kind of highlights how bony and awkward her figure is... and even if she doesn't, does he really like it??
She gives him an uncertain look, just the tiniest bit hopeful. Actually, it would be pretty nice if he meant it. There are a dozen protests she thinks she could make, but all of them she discards in favor for an equally uncertain and hopeful honesty. ]
Um. Thank you.
no subject
Date: 2022-07-22 05:23 am (UTC)He stares right back. He looks and feels like a deer in headlights. But there's something else lurking there that definitely isn't fear.]
Yeah. It's . . . just wanted you to know.
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Date: 2022-07-22 05:31 am (UTC)[ It comes out as a breathless squeak, startled and reminded all over again about his hand on her. Oh. Oh boy. She bites her lip, chewing on it anxiously as she nods, slow, still unable to break the eye contact. ]
I-I mean. Usually, it feels like someone's making fun of me when they say that... but. Um. I believe it, from you.
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Date: 2022-07-22 06:17 am (UTC). . . Sorry if it's weird as hell to thank you for that, but I actually appreciate that a lot.
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Date: 2022-07-22 06:27 am (UTC)[ The fact that it feels like he's being honest means a lot. Regardless of the difficulties they've had in meeting each other in the middle, it doesn't feel like he's only trying to humor her--or worse, being mocking--and she's more grateful for that than she anticipated. She isn't hugely self-conscious about her body, other than the scars, but nor does she think very highly of it.
After a few seconds, though, she finally steps back. ]
I should probably--uh. Get redressed. Then we can pay for this and go.
no subject
Date: 2022-07-24 03:14 am (UTC)[The spell, whatever it was, is at least partially broken, and Kadoc isn't sure if he's disappointed or relieved. But where else is there for it to go, anyway? That's something he needs time to think about not in this dressing room. He steps back to the door . . .
And, okay, he gives her one more look over in that outfit, ears pink, not the most subtle thing in the world, before he cracks the door open and slips out.]
See you outside.
no subject
Date: 2022-07-24 03:20 am (UTC)[ It's the sort of thing that she might not have noticed, even if he was less than subtle, if not for being primed for the moment. Ritsuka's very good at blinding herself to this sort of thing.
But there had been a Moment--and it's not even the first one, is it? There'd been something during that party, too, and she can't deny it. A part of her would like to, because how ridiculous is that thought, even? But she can't, and so she does notice. It's a mixed feeling, somewhere between being flattered and deeply unsure. Should she talk to him about it? Would it be better to let it lie? What's the right choice?
Even though she mulls over it as she redresses--and boy is it a relief to be in her own proper clothes again--she has no conclusion by the time she opens the door again, peeking out again before she emerges, holding the costume to her chest in a crumpled ball. ]
no subject
Date: 2022-07-24 06:05 am (UTC). . . It's all yours. Congratulations.
no subject
Date: 2022-07-24 06:11 am (UTC)[ Ritsuka gives him a quick, embarrassed smile before she stuffs the costume into the bag and takes it from him. She's blushing and she knows it, but hopefully no one thinks it's breaking character for a pair of--a pair, just barely dipping their toes into something more exciting in the bedroom. When she gets home, she's going to throw this bag into the back of her closet and do her very best to not think too hard about this. ]
C'mon, let's get out of here.
no subject
Date: 2022-07-26 03:34 am (UTC)[He gives her the bag and begins to head for the door. It feels like he should be holding her hand for this. That's the ruse, right? A couple experimenting for the first time? But no one's actually watching them anymore; the shop's gotten his money. The helpful employee is already assisting someone else, a young woman looking for a particular "massager." There's no reason to keep up the stupid façade that had gotten out of hand.
He almost takes her hand. He starts to reach for it. But then he aborts mission. Mission failed.]
no subject
Date: 2022-07-26 03:44 am (UTC)And then they're outside. Wild, how everything out here is entirely the same as it was when they went in. It's just that something inside of her is different, apparently. ]
...Yeah. It's--um. Thanks for doing this for me.
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