[He walks with her, plunging both hands into his pockets. A casual gesture for Henry Creel, but he's listening and listening closely.
It's odd to hear those words; or rather, it's odd to hear them and now, if only faintly, understand what she means. Maybe his time in this world, or at least in her company, has garnered him just enough flexibility in his way of thinking that he can fathom her perspective. That even if he wasn't treated well by either the lab or by a family that didn't truly understand him, there's value in in someone else going against the grain.
For once, there's value in someone other than him, because they're alike. In ways he never would have expected at first.
This understanding is still imperfect. A part of Henry will never believe that the world is worth much more than the dirt it's all been built upon, but Amelia--and his time in this town--is starting to gnaw away at the nihilistic bleakness he clings to so, so hard. By small, small degrees. it's why the comment count in this psl is already so long]
You are. [-he says it when she's finished speaking, with a curious sort of certainty.] I think you've already proven that you are.
And I hope that means that after I leave, a part of me will still linger in this world, too.
There's no way Amelia can avoid smiling with a response like that. So she doesn't as she puts her hands behind her back while they walk alongside each other.]
... Thank you. And there's no doubt you will.
[(For better or for worse.)]
๐น๐น๐น
[She keeps the conversation light until they reach downtown and leads them into one of the clothing boutiques catered to men. It's a warmly lit place with sophisticated dark wooden floors to match the casual to formal clothing and everything else in between.
Amelia is already moving to a rack and rifling through it and thankfully the shop attendant on shift isn't the type to bother customers so they're left to their own devices. ]
I'll try to make this quick Henry, unless you want to take your time. When it comes to men's clothing, what matters is how your silhouette is shaped by it.
Anyway, it's not a long walk to the boutique, though Henry feels distinctly out of place once they enter. He was never much for... shopping. Even if he were the sort of man that wasn't trapped somewhere for many years of his life, the siren call of #capitalism is not one which he cares terribly for, and even if this an independently-owned shop, it's hard to tamp this feeling from him.
But he'll play nice.
For a bit.]
"Make the most of", meaning... what, exactly?
[tell him how you will make the most of this noodle frame]
Meaning, that you dress up in such a way that it enhances that aspect to make it the most attractive feature; make it work for you.
[You'd think saying such a thing aloud would cause her to be shy again but on the contrary, Amelia continues with academic and scholarly seriousness towards fashion.]
For instance, I can't just wear any color because of my hair. Neutrals or desaturated hues tend to work best with me, or cool greens and blues since it's complementary. So you know, basic color theory.
[The witch has picked two outfits from a rack against the wall, one piece that's more charcoal-grey and white and the other almost completely black and she holds them up for Henry to examine.]
As I said though, let's make this efficient. I'm not like Berna who'd probably keep you here for hours at a time if she had her way.
[someone's been through unwanted dress-up time...]
["Most attractive feature"? His height? He wonders what to think of that, but she's going on in such a matter-of-fact way it would be a shame to interrupt her.
And so, he just listens. Watches as she picks out two outfits for him, both of which he gleans over with a blue-eyed gaze. How funny, that one should be all black, when he's spent so much of his life wearing all white--]
How about the first one?
[He quirks his brows to see if she'd agree, as though there was a right answer to this question at all.]
And even if you call it "efficient", I'd like to think you're still having fun. What you said about color theory, then -- you mean to treat this like art.
[His choice prompts her to give him the charcoal vest, trousers, and white button-up. The changing room is in the back but she first replies to Henry's remark as she hangs the second outfit on a free rack for later.]
It's quite possible I am having fun but I've been told I have a penchant for being too business-like even for casual outings. As for art and fashion, both are inextricably connected and academic as any language arts or arithmetic. I would be doing you a disfavor by not using my knowledge to make sure you dress appropriately in a way that suits you best.
[... Nerd.]
And besides, you aren't the first man I've chosen clothes for.
[Oh my god. She's nerdier than he is. His smile twitches.]
You really have this down to a science. Though...
[He wonders if that last question is an opening, and one he should take gently.]
Who else, then? Other dates?
["Other", like this is a date. And let's be real, it kind of feels like one, though they've just newly established their friendship, so Henry likely means it as a friend outing.]
[And although Amelia is aware of how nerdy she is (her students and coworkers remind her all the time), once she gets going, she will explain away whatever topic is at hand, dispensing her knowledge like breathing.]
Well, I used to choose clothes for one of my friends, Adam, but that's only when he would ask for my input. He's more than capable of making functional choices.
[Adam Walsh feels like he's more of an adult than Amelia and he's normal.]
And, with my ex-boyfriend, he would let me choose, but more for his personal amusement. He taught me the most about how he made his selections so that imparted knowledge stayed with me.
[Henry goes to change Amelia looks away and sighs while leaning her back against a free spot on the wall and she lets her thoughts settle now that she's by herself. It surely has been a dayโworrying over the monster that attacked the church and then switching back to an everyday activity is jarring. Not to mention, Henry's more violent tendencies being drawn out...
It was good that he helped. It was even good that they were both able to admit that there was a friendship between them now.
But now the witch thinks she's putting too much of herself into this.
Time goes on and Henry Creel continues to be part of her life. While she has other friends and acquaintances they give her space and check in on her occasionally. She's so accustomed to being alone that having someone nearby at all times was like...
Stop.
Every year it becomes a little easier to cease the yearning and regret. Teaching human students and investing in their lives has been a good way to at least feel she's doing something worthwhile. Making new connections in the supernatural world and helping lost ones find their way gave purpose to her magic.
And that's what Henry was, wasn't he? Lost. Amelia is helping him carve a way back, nothing else. She should be able to say goodbye when the time comes. Whatever he does next, it's on him.
The mental juggle continues as she idly looks through a few patterned shirts as she waits for him to finish changing and in between the tumultuous thoughts, she thinks about if he'll even need new clothes if he ever goes back.]
[Oh, she's not seen his true self yet -- what need does a monster have for nice clothes? He's practically a walking undead; those damnable kids would call him a "lich", and though Henry is far removed from knowing much about the game that this title comes from, they're not too far off the mark.
But that's a bridge he can cross when he gets there. When he'll have to say goodbye to this world, it won't be nearly as difficult, despite how much understanding he's been shown by Amelia in this one. How simple it has been to just... live.
...Right?
At any rate, unbeknownst to Amelia's mental fussing, Henry doesn't take long to change. Just a few minutes later and he exits, wearing his new outfit that she picked out so generously for him. It suits him, to say the least; fits his form, flatters his height. His new haircut helps, too!]
Hm. [But Henry has never been a good estimator of his own outward "attractiveness"; and not in like, a Mary Sue kind of way. He only cares for being presentable and clean, and not much else.] Well?
[Amelia straightens up to focus on Henry when he emerges from the changing room. There's a pause as her eyes move up and down his figure. It really does suit him and while it doesn't show, the witch is relieved that she managed to guess correctly.]
It looks very good Henry. It makes you look, um... Taller.
[good job teacher
A nod follows and she continues to contemplate with her hand under her chin.]
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sunfloras2023-04-20 07:42 pm
no subject
It's odd to hear those words; or rather, it's odd to hear them and now, if only faintly, understand what she means. Maybe his time in this world, or at least in her company, has garnered him just enough flexibility in his way of thinking that he can fathom her perspective. That even if he wasn't treated well by either the lab or by a family that didn't truly understand him, there's value in in someone else going against the grain.
For once, there's value in someone other than him, because they're alike. In ways he never would have expected at first.
This understanding is still imperfect. A part of Henry will never believe that the world is worth much more than the dirt it's all been built upon, but Amelia--and his time in this town--is starting to gnaw away at the nihilistic bleakness he clings to so, so hard. By small, small degrees.
it's why the comment count in this psl is already so long]You are. [-he says it when she's finished speaking, with a curious sort of certainty.] I think you've already proven that you are.
And I hope that means that after I leave, a part of me will still linger in this world, too.
no subject
henry's exchange rate is so highThere's no way Amelia can avoid smiling with a response like that. So she doesn't as she puts her hands behind her back while they walk alongside each other.]
... Thank you. And there's no doubt you will.
[(For better or for worse.)]
[She keeps the conversation light until they reach downtown and leads them into one of the clothing boutiques catered to men. It's a warmly lit place with sophisticated dark wooden floors to match the casual to formal clothing and everything else in between.
Amelia is already moving to a rack and rifling through it and thankfully the shop attendant on shift isn't the type to bother customers so they're left to their own devices. ]
I'll try to make this quick Henry, unless you want to take your time. When it comes to men's clothing, what matters is how your silhouette is shaped by it.
[She gives him a glance over.]
And so, we should make the most of your height.
no subject
maybe amelia is just expensive!!!Yeah. For better or worse.
Anyway, it's not a long walk to the boutique, though Henry feels distinctly out of place once they enter. He was never much for... shopping. Even if he were the sort of man that wasn't trapped somewhere for many years of his life, the siren call of #capitalism is not one which he cares terribly for, and even if this an independently-owned shop, it's hard to tamp this feeling from him.
But he'll play nice.
For a bit.]
"Make the most of", meaning... what, exactly?
[tell him how you will make the most of this noodle frame]
no subject
[You'd think saying such a thing aloud would cause her to be shy again but on the contrary, Amelia continues with academic and scholarly seriousness towards fashion.]
For instance, I can't just wear any color because of my hair. Neutrals or desaturated hues tend to work best with me, or cool greens and blues since it's complementary. So you know, basic color theory.
[The witch has picked two outfits from a rack against the wall, one piece that's more charcoal-grey and white and the other almost completely black and she holds them up for Henry to examine.]
As I said though, let's make this efficient. I'm not like Berna who'd probably keep you here for hours at a time if she had her way.
[someone's been through unwanted dress-up time...]
no subject
And so, he just listens. Watches as she picks out two outfits for him, both of which he gleans over with a blue-eyed gaze. How funny, that one should be all black, when he's spent so much of his life wearing all white--]
How about the first one?
[He quirks his brows to see if she'd agree, as though there was a right answer to this question at all.]
And even if you call it "efficient", I'd like to think you're still having fun. What you said about color theory, then -- you mean to treat this like art.
no subject
It's quite possible I am having fun but I've been told I have a penchant for being too business-like even for casual outings. As for art and fashion, both are inextricably connected and academic as any language arts or arithmetic. I would be doing you a disfavor by not using my knowledge to make sure you dress appropriately in a way that suits you best.
[... Nerd.]
And besides, you aren't the first man I've chosen clothes for.
no subject
You really have this down to a science. Though...
[He wonders if that last question is an opening, and one he should take gently.]
Who else, then? Other dates?
["Other", like this is a date. And let's be real, it kind of feels like one, though they've just newly established their friendship, so Henry likely means it as a friend outing.]
no subject
Well, I used to choose clothes for one of my friends, Adam, but that's only when he would ask for my input. He's more than capable of making functional choices.
[Adam Walsh feels like he's more of an adult than Amelia and he's normal.]
And, with my ex-boyfriend, he would let me choose, but more for his personal amusement. He taught me the most about how he made his selections so that imparted knowledge stayed with me.
[hm]
no subject
Should he be nice and not tease her? Surely he's had his fill of it by now, having met the quota of the day and then some.
...A beat.]
Oh, so this is a romantic activity for you, is that it?
[Sorry, he's a villain.]
1/2
. . .
. . .
. . . ]
no subject
Go try this on. Now.
[She cannot let the villain win!]
no subject
It was an innocent question. I'm just trying to decide if I should be flattered or not.
[He says as he backsteps towards the changing room. "Innocent", sure.
But to this credit, he'll disappear into the back to change before she opts to murder him or something.]
no subject
It was good that he helped. It was even good that they were both able to admit that there was a friendship between them now.
But now the witch thinks she's putting too much of herself into this.
Time goes on and Henry Creel continues to be part of her life. While she has other friends and acquaintances they give her space and check in on her occasionally. She's so accustomed to being alone that having someone nearby at all times was like...
Stop.
Every year it becomes a little easier to cease the yearning and regret. Teaching human students and investing in their lives has been a good way to at least feel she's doing something worthwhile. Making new connections in the supernatural world and helping lost ones find their way gave purpose to her magic.
And that's what Henry was, wasn't he? Lost. Amelia is helping him carve a way back, nothing else. She should be able to say goodbye when the time comes. Whatever he does next, it's on him.
The mental juggle continues as she idly looks through a few patterned shirts as she waits for him to finish changing and in between the tumultuous thoughts, she thinks about if he'll even need new clothes if he ever goes back.]
slides back in
But that's a bridge he can cross when he gets there. When he'll have to say goodbye to this world, it won't be nearly as difficult, despite how much understanding he's been shown by Amelia in this one. How simple it has been to just... live.
...Right?
At any rate, unbeknownst to Amelia's mental fussing, Henry doesn't take long to change. Just a few minutes later and he exits, wearing his new outfit that she picked out so generously for him. It suits him, to say the least; fits his form, flatters his height. His new haircut helps, too!]
Hm. [But Henry has never been a good estimator of his own outward "attractiveness"; and not in like, a Mary Sue kind of way. He only cares for being presentable and clean, and not much else.] Well?
no subject
It looks very good Henry. It makes you look, um... Taller.
[good job teacher
A nod follows and she continues to contemplate with her hand under her chin.]
Is it comfortable? Do you like it?
no subject
[He teases her, but he's actually curious. He's tall and lanky, and that's always been fine by him.]
It is comfortable. And it makes me look like another person altogether, but... I don't think that's a bad thing.
Do you like it? Good enough for an outing, right?
no subject
[And despite herself one of those subtle, slight smiles escapes her control even when he turns the question back to her.]
And I do like it. You look different but you're still you.
[Ruminate on that for a bit.]
Let's make the purchase and then we can peruse the art store next. I'd imagine that would be better than poring over clothing any longer.