["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
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.