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[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Oh my God," Kade murmurs when Susan shows up at his door, knocking briskly. It's quiet, practically subvocal, but she can still make out the words distinctly. He wipes his hands on his trousers and extends one. "Susan Pevensie. Hi! I'm Kade. Kade West."

"I know," she says, glancing at his hand for a moment and then shaking it. "You're our tailor. I'm afraid I've been delinquent in introducing myself." She's been busy, but in the wake of all of the Mansion's most recent spat of strangeness, she decided it was high time that she conspire to meet him. She needs some sort of change-up to her days, which have become rather routine and increasingly feel uninspiring. Not that she wants more Mansion-driven mischief, just that... it was nice, to have a little adventure, once she set her worry for Lancelot to the side. "But you worked wonders for Lancelot's wardrobe."

A bright grin flashes across Kade's face as he takes in her pointed tone. His teeth are extremely white and, frankly, unsettlingly straight. "You want I should give you a makeover, too?"

Susan glances down at herself. She's back in mourning black, one of her everyday dresses. It feels more comfortable than color, sometimes, but... in truth, she misses being eye-catching. "If you'd be so kind," she says, briskly. "I haven't got a particular look in mind. I'll try whatever you think might be interesting."

Kade's smile broadens. "You're giving me a blank check?"

"I shan't wear it if I don't like it."

"Of course, of course," Kade says, and opens his door wide. "C'mon up. Tell me about your Worlds. I'll get you all sorted out."

---

Three days later, Susan decides she might as well try debuting the first outfit Kade selected. It's all black, so it seems a good gateway to the more colorful options, especially as she's not convinced of trousers - she's ever so used to the skirts and garters and stockings she defaults to day after day. And, she finds, as she checks the outfit in her mirror, it's strange to wear a top with meagre built-in supports but no brassiere. The red heels he chose, though... those, she loves. He'd recommended curls and a bold lip with this look, but she doesn't like the fussiness of curling her hair and instead leaves it loose and smooth down her back.

She can't deny that she looks phenomenal. The trousers, though they feel uncomfortably tight, look flatteringly as if they're painted on. She has, delightfully, gained some weight since arriving here, especially now that she's off her grief diet, and her figure is truly striking. The top is on the verge of indecent, with a low neckline and sleeves that fall off her shoulders, and she considers throwing on the jacket Kade suggested just for some degree of modesty across her decolletage... but that would go against her purpose of trying something exciting and different and new. So she shrugs, leaves the jacket on the edge of the bed, pats the spot where usually she would have her pocket and her notebook, fetches a handbag so she might still carry her notebook along with her (she wants a change, but that's no reason to be unprepared!), and sets out, Regina at her heels.

Susan has no way of knowing this, but anyone who's been to Earth after the late 1970s will recognize that Kade has put her in a perfect recreation of Sandy's greaser outfit at the end of Grease.



People who will find this hot and/or striking and/or familiar in some way are obviously welcome, but also anyone who wants to touch base after the AU days and/or meet Regina are encouraged to tag in too!

Comments

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Bacchus, you aren't making any sense," Susan says. "I see grease in the kitchen regularly."

[vineleaves]

"No, no, it's -- it's a musical. One of the main characters dresses sort of like that at the end. It's... it's okay. Very popular show, but not one of my favorites. Music's catchy though."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"I've never heard of it."

[vineleaves]

"It's from the 70s. Set in the 50s though. Outfit looks great on you, by the way, dear."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

She blinks. "Thank you."

[vineleaves]

"What made you decide to change things up?"

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Oh, I was feeling - restless, I suppose."

[vineleaves]

"And you found this in a closet and said, 'yes, outfit, you're the one that I want. To wear.' I take it? A good choice."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"No," says Susan, with evident surprise. "I asked the tailor for advice. He did a phenomenal job with Lancelot's wardrobe."

[vineleaves]

"Oh!" She asked the tailor. The tailor who is from the same year as Dionysus, and undoubtedly knew exactly what he was doing when he put this together. Even better. "That does make sense, then. Is it just this one outfit he has put together for you, or are there others?"

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Oh, there are several others. Five or so."

[vineleaves]

"...Similar style, or...?"

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"No, it's quite varied," says Susan. "Bacchus, I didn't know you had such an interest in fashion."

[vineleaves]

"...Costume design is an important part of theatre. Which I am the god of," he answers in what he hopes is a convincing tone.

[quote_gentle_unquote]

She raises her eyebrows at him.

[vineleaves]

“… And it looks very nice on you.” He doesn’t want to hit on Susan. Actually, scratch that, he sort of does but he doubts she would appreciate it, so he won’t.

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Do you think so!" she says, pleased, striking a bit of a pose.

[vineleaves]

"Of course!" He decides he should probably stop metaphorically drooling over her, and snaps out of it. He's being ridiculous. "I am excited to see what the other styles are too though!"

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"I do believe this might be the most striking of the assortment," she says, running a hand through her hair.

[vineleaves]

“Striking is definitely a good word for it, dear.” His eyes may or may not be following that hand through her hair.

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"You flatter me," says Susan, smugly pleased.

[vineleaves]

"I'm only telling you the truth, it looks beautiful on you."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

A smile spreads across her face - the one that's more flirtatious, less genuine; even though she's more expressive now than she was nine months ago, it's still the easiest one for her to wear, even when it's reflexive. "Thank you."

[vineleaves]

"So, what are your plans for today?"

[quote_gentle_unquote]

Frankly, they begin and end with being seen and admired. "Oh, nothing in particular. Have you got any?"