+ [open post]

[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

[sagramore]

"Have you?"

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Oh, loads." None of it recent, of course.

[sagramore]

"Really? In, ah-- Narnia?"

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Yes," she says, pleasantly surprised that he's remembered. "The vast majority were entirely loyal to the White Witch, and so we had to develop a delicate hand at treating with them after she was defeated. You made a much more pleasant werewolf."

[sagramore]

"Well, Christ. Small mercies, I suppose."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

Regina, meanwhile, is making herself comfortable on Sagramore's shoulder, aggressively enough that she's almost certainly shoving his head in her attempt to curl up without knocking herself off.

[sagramore]

"Hey there, sweet one," Sagramore murmurs, reaching up reflexively to scratch her head. "What a good creature thou art."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

Regina purrs loudly, and at the sound, Susan softens, then girds her loins. Just because she's afraid of the answer is no reason to avoid the question. "I've got a question."

[sagramore]

He keeps petting, even as he looks up and says, "Yes?"

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"When you woke up," Susan ventures. "You didn't happen to have bundles of surplus supplies in your house, did you?"

[sagramore]

"No, not at all. Should we have?"

[quote_gentle_unquote]

Susan presses a hand to her chest. "Oh, thank goodness."

[sagramore]

"Oh! Did you send them back with things?"

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Yes," says Susan. "Food, clothes, medical supplies, shoes." Her lips twitch. "Lubricant. Dog treats."

[sagramore]

He laughs, and then gives her a softer look. He hasn't thought about it very much since Dark, but she really is someone who cares a great deal about everyone, even if he finds her intimidating here -- she likes bring useful and she likes putting things in order so she has something to do, something that concretely helps her community. He's lost sight of it somewhat now that she's no longer keeping everyone in alcohol, but it's worth remembering. Lancelot loves her and Laertes admires her for a reason.

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"I'm so pleased it worked," she says, more to herself than anything. "I was ever so worried."

[sagramore]

"You do a marvelous job taking care of all of us."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

Ah, now this is rather queer! It seems that in the short time Susan was with Sagramore's werewolf counterpart, she developed an appreciation for his approval that has bled over, at least a little? This realization draws Susan up short even as she flushes, pleased. "We're in a period of surplus again, that's all," she says - not protesting the compliment, just trying to be as precise as ever. "They deserved a fighting chance." If she'd truly been thinking, she would have tried to sort them out with currency, or valuables they could trade for currency, too.

[sagramore]

"Even so. I'm sure you thought of all the little details."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"I do hope so," she sighs. "I suppose I shall have to take it on faith." She grimaces a little at the thought.

[sagramore]

"Maybe they'll swing back around some time." He hopes not, but it's possible.

[quote_gentle_unquote]

Susan sighs, "I shouldn't want to get their hopes up."

[sagramore]

"You were kind. That does matter."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Oh, I know, and it would be ever so reassuring to know they have regular access to necessary supplies, but... they were so weary. And envious, I think, of your house. It would be awfully cruel if they came back and couldn't stay again."

[sagramore]

"Then I hope they don't," quietly. He really does feel as if he's seeing Susan more fully than he ever has before, and grasping her capacity for gentleness and care.