driftfleet | (no subject)

[he snickers all the way through his explanation, has to busy himself looking at something to keep his composure. really--this was already the best idea.]

It's not real leather. It's synthetic. [he pulls out a button-up shirt, kind of classy, and holds it up in Mattias' direction... and, offhandedly:] Remind me that I've got a present for you later, speaking of.

Synthetic?

[A question to himself, an out-loud note for later. Look up synthetic. And wool. And miniskirts. Already, it was getting to be a long list. Luckily, the shirt distracts him from adding more. Tilting his head, he regards it curiously before plucking it from Robin's hand. Turning to the mirror, he holds the shirt up and looks himself over. It was... a different look. A far cry from the clothes he was used to but that didn't have to be a bad thing. Particularly not if it was a gift.] First you buy me clothes, then surprise me with a present? I fear I'm in danger of being spoiled.

[Really, he'll die from the flattery.

With a shrug, he throws the shirt over his shoulder to try on for later, gliding back to the racks of clothing.] Oh! [He stops suddenly, perking up.] I meant to tell you-I managed to test the augment.

[he surrenders the shirt without a fight, pleased that he even takes the suggestion. Tek would have just frowned at it, started pointing out all of the flaws, raised a disdainful eyebrow at a difference in style. ...he really needs to start hanging out with better friends.

so he chooses to say nothing to the 'spoiled' comment, instead letting them glide right into the next topic.]

Did you? Your own? [the clothes can wait. this he wants to hear.] What'd you learn?

[Mattias pulls out another shirt similar to the one Robin picked.] That you were right. I managed to slice the skin above it before I had to stop. It was incredibly painful but-[He pauses, frowning at the shirt before putting it back. Something about it was different than Robin's. Less satisfactory.]-it was odd. I was unprepared. I'd watched the earlier broadcast of it, of course. I knew the effects were psychological but I underestimated how much.

[He says it so simply, as if discussing the weather. ] How should I put this...? Maybe it was like isolation? But in full view of your escape.

[Lifting up a pair of leopard print skinny jeans now he holds them too his legs.] Are these meant for humans?

[...] Yes, Nightjar. Those are meant for humans.

[very interesting, though. his smile stays for the explanation but fades as he absently reaches up towards his own augment--buried pretty deep, not easy to notice. it's very easy to forget that he has it; his blood accepts it as part of his body, after all, as if it wasn't, even now, altering his basic chemistry.]

That's interesting. [he lowers his hand again, smirks wryly.] I suppose, then, I can admit that I tried to remove mine too, at the start of things. Ran into similar problems.

If you reached the limit I met that must make you quite the extraordinary man, Robin. [Mattias smiles, oblivious to his companion's discomfort. Placing the skinny jeans back he finally moves on to the clothes that felt more familiar picking from long jackets and tailored vests that were embellished with embroidery.] I expect if I were someone else, my mind would have cracked under the strain. The fact that yours didn't speaks highly of you.

[Sliding one of the jackets off the hanger he fits it over his current clothes, buttoning the collar high.] I'm impressed.

[Curious as he is, he won't ask what the experience was like. That's a question for a later date.]

[something about that makes him laugh...]

You manage flattery while speaking so highly of yourself in the process...

[but he doesn't mind, watching him try on jackets, maybe forgetting that he'd originally showed up to shop for himself.]

I'm not a stranger to terrible things, I suppose.

Shouldn't I? I'm quite impressive.

[He smooths out the fabric of the jacket, turning to inspect himself in the mirror.] Terrible things have a curious way of making interesting people. It's unfortunate, but I won't complain.

[Which reminds him... He pauses, hands still splayed on the front of the jacket as he glances towards Robin.] Speaking of... Robin. Have you, um. [Goddess protect him.] What is your opinion on tentacles?

[Subtle.]

[there's just more laughter from Robin. he's easy with laughs. they roll out of him like everything he hears is a cute punchline.

...well, except that last part. he leans back from the question, lightly rattling the hangers behind him. he manages to keep a very straight face, despite having physically recoiled a little.]

Mostly nonexistent. [he raises an eyebrow.] Why are you asking?

[The rattling earns a glance back. The repulsion eases him. He smiles in relief.]

No, no reason. It was just something I'd heard.

...From who? About what?

[because, call it a hunch, but that didn't sound quite like an innocent inquiry about cephalopods.]

Just a mutual friend. [Stripping free of the jacket, Mattias pulls on another.] It doesn't matter now. You disproved him.

Ah...

[maybe he'll let it go. maybe he'll be content to let that HA HA HA who are we kidding. Robin leans over, plucking up a striped trilby from on top of one of the nearby displays. it is much too large for Mattias, which does not at all stop Robin from suddenly pulling it down over Mattias' head.]

It was Tek, wasn't it? That asshole...

Got it in one. [He pulls the hat off with a frown, dusting off the brim before fixing his own hair. The hat ruined the gel job. Horrible.] He caught me doing research. Said you had an... unnatural fondness for tentacles. Among other things.

[He tries not to think about the rest.]

[well, if he's going to take off the hat, Robin is going to unhelpfully drape an arm over his shoulder and hang there. like an obnoxious pet, or maybe a parasite. his good mood seems to have deflated.]

One, I'm a little wary to ask what kind of research you were doing, and two... Tek is one of the most atrocious, self-absorbed liars I have ever met.

[Mm. The arm he can somehow tolerate.] He said he's known you a long time.

[A statement he regrets after he says it. It sounds petty. Jealous. He frowns at his reflection then forces a smile, beaming at Robin.] But I suppose that's a relief! What with all the other lies he told me.

[He taps his chin.] Something about a frog fetish... ?

Ugh, you're kidding me.

[he is so not interested in frogs. he rolls his eyes, though something about the way Mattias beams gets his mood to soften. not lighten, just... he's got less daggers to throw.]

Yeah, he's known me a long time. That hasn't stopped him from trying to ruin my life at every other opportunity, though.

That sounds more like a rival.

[He shifts, wanting to move yet not wanting to dislodge Robin's arm. He finds a happy medium in trying the hat on again.] Are you sure you're not involved in competition?

Everything's a competition with Tek.

[Robin pats the other man's chest.]

That hat would look handsome if it was about three sizes smaller. The jacket is good.

[which is his cue to slink off, finding a smile again.]

What else about me did he insinuate? [not that he's got any proof there's more--he might as well assume there is until he hears otherwise.]

Away the hat goes. [He mutters, tossing it back on the rack, shrugging off the jacket. Another keeper for the pile. At the question, he shrugs.] Oh, you know.

[He could get back at Tek now. Say more ludicrous things like frog fetishes and other obscurities. Or, he could use it entirely to his benefit. Any direction was better than the truth.] Something about how charming and attractive you were. [Is that unbelievable? That might be unbelievable.] And something about how you lick toes.

[Better.]

[he peers skeptically at Mattias. the first one was a pitfall. Tek might call him attractive, but never "charming". so... with a smirk...]

I would have gone with immature and "licking eyeballs", myself. Neither of which are true.

[he waves his hand, dismissively--] But, fine. Enough about Tek.

Color me skeptical. [He laughs lightly, even disappointed as he is at being caught. Clapping his hands together, he spins on his heel, marching towards the shoes.] But yes. Agreed. Enough about Tek. Weren't you going to buy me boots?

[No, he was going to buy himself boots, Mattias. But whatever! He's leading the charge over to that section anyway, and you can damn well bet he'll be picky about them, ignoring anything that isn't boots or sandals, critiquing the hardiness of the design and then the aesthetic appeal. In the end, he chooses a single pair of calf-high gladiator sandals along with the small variety of outfits he picked out along the way. All of this, he gives to Robin with one last, weak protest.] I really don't need you to do this.

[he manages to buy only one pair for himself, and rather quietly--boots that lace in the front and click when he walks. a slight heel, one he's been trying to replace since two and a half worlds ago. he doesn't hesitate to drop all of Mattias' choices on the counter. he's already buying.]

Yes, but I want to. A new adventure needs some new clothes.

[a cheery smile as his account gets charged--and he hands the bags to Mattias. he's heading towards the doors again. he seems to make a habit of this... just walking away and expecting him to follow.]

Now, where to next?

[Mattias, of course, follows. The bags jostle behind him as he jogs to catch up.]

I'm afraid my only option would have us surrounded by books. [He rearranges the bags as he walks, working until the balance is right.] How about you decide? I trust your taste in excitement.

Have you eaten recently? Are you hungry?

[he walks them out into the street, watches as several well-dressed people (arguing cheerily about the nature of the universe) pass them by. he considers their options, shortly, before he changes his mind.]

Ah, I know. One place first. Follow me.

[it's a short walk! but he leads him through the streets, in the direction of a small park.]