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* * *
Royal sent Kagami information for the digital tailor, which included an address in virtual. The shop has a small waiting area for people to tap in before entering the studio proper. It's a pleasant room with a water feature, several funky chairs and a glowing neon logo that says 'Switch Atelier.' The Duke is already there, seated in an egg-shaped chair, clad more casually than normal, in a black t-shirt, gray jeans, and a bright peacock coat with rubberized details at the elbow. In virtual, he looks like himself, except minus even the slightest blemish and with about an inch on his already considerable height.
* * *
The hacker puts in the address and pops into VR. A 5'2 lithe Japanese woman walks towards Royal. She's absolutely stunning. Her hair is off to the side in beachy waves and she's wearing tight jeans, a lavender blouse and a leather jacket. Her high stiletto's click along the ground and she moves towards the egg chair beside Royal. She sits down heavily and takes a deep breath. "Thanks for coming." Her voice is gentle and delicate.
* * *
If it weren't for Virtual labelling peoples' identities, Royal would think she was a stranger. He blinks. Blinks again. "…Kagami? Is…this your birth sleeve?" He sounds shocked, and also a little perplexed. "No wonder you're having trouble…hold on, what you're wearing is lovely. Why are you having such a hard time with your other sleeve?"
* * *
Kagami nods her head and grins. "Yeah this is my birth sleeve." She speaks softly. She nods her head. "Male fashion is quite different, Royal. Plus all my clothes do not fit my new sleeve and … high heels hurt wearing with him and it doesn't feel right." She points out to Royal. She glances down to her self and sighs quietly.
* * *
"Yes, but you understand the basics of fashion. It really isn't so different. Or is it because you're trying to hide your body?" Royal sets the magazine aside and uncrosses his legs. He leans over. "I'll help you, if you want. Find a female sleeve. I know you're worried about cost, but your sleeve is quite attractive, and young and healthy. You may not be quite as young, but we could find you something you'd be more comfortable in. I'm…concerned with how difficult the transition seems to be for you."
* * *
Kagami watches him carefully. "I am used to dressing for a female figure and how much body do you show? How tight or lose? Also I'm wearing my fathers clothes because I hadn't gone out and your sizing is all different." She speaks softly. She shakes her head. "While I appreciate the gesture, my parents retirement went into this sleeve. It has augmentations and my parents are starting to get used to it." She reaches her hand out and places it on his arm. "It is difficult but it's not just a resleeving. I am dealing with sleeve death. Violent sleeve death. I am getting help for that, to process it so… it will just take some time."
* * *
"I think you're making far more rules than there really are. There are none, in fact. You could wear this exact outfit as a man, and that would be your choice. Fashion is expression." Royal unfolds himself from the chair. "But this should help. Simon comes highly recommended. He used to have a female sleeve himself." He offers his hand out for Kagami.
* * *
Kagami nods her head and then grins. "So Simon understands." She chuckles. "I just never…was into fashion. One of my friends from school picked this out. My grandmother gave me a kimono and I can't wear that anymore." Her hand slides into Royal's and stands up. She's so tiny beside him. "Thank you for coming. I appreciate it, really I do."
* * *
"Look, you don't need to dress like me. Most men get along just fine with a few basic tops and pants and a few jackets. That's all you need. You're overthinking it, my dear." Royal leads her towards the entrance which will open at their appointment time. "You'll have to change if Simon is going to dress you, though."
* * *
Kagami grins slightly. "My sleeve is beautiful. A few have said so. He should be dressed in what makes him most attractive but also…my style which is jeans and leather." She chuckles. Though she stops at the door and pulls her hand from Royal's. Her eyes close and she changes into the new sleeve, though it's a little blurred and it's missing the beauty marks. He's wearing sweat pants and a rather large t-shirt.
* * *
Royal pushes open the door into a pearly white room with inset lighting. It actually has a lot in common with the PI's office.
"Which one of you is Kagami, then?" comes a voice from behind a bank of floating mirrors. Out steps a stylish young man with dark skin, a bald head and silver glasses, with a neatly tailored gray suit with hot pink lapels. Simon stops, looks at Royal, then looks to Kagami. "Obviously you if we're talking fashion advice. Very nice…" the stylist motions to Royal's outfit.
"You're too kind," says the Duke. "Yes, this is Kagami. Newly-resleeved. Hasn't a clue how to dress for his body. On a bit of a budget."
* * *
Kagami's eyes close a moment as the man comes out. His details are suddenly perfect and he steps forward and bows his head. "Really don't have a clue." He speaks softly. "Also I agree… Royal is beautiful and well dressed." He grins as he steps forward. He's not wearing shoes. "I … don't know what to do just… move me or tell me what I need to do to make your job easier." He blushes.
* * *
"Step up here, darling," says Simon as he leads Kagami up to the centre of the room on a small raised platform. "Just stay still for a moment." In a flash, the room reads Kagami's measurements. Then, the walls all around them pop up with about four dozen items of clothing, each in a different category. Shirts, pants, shoes.
"All of these are available to order. All will fit you perfectly. And all are affordable." And they are. Each piece is under 50 credits, save the shoes which are slightly more.
Royal just stands back, hands in his pockets. He watches with interest as the pieces appear. "See? I told you you had plenty of options." He glances around. "We're looking for something comfortable and simple. Something with some nice leather jackets."
Simon makes a few gestures in the air and the clothing items change. Some of the more avante garde pieces drop off, and a few simple jackets cycle in. "Just motion to anything and you can try them on."
* * *
Kagami is easily directed and stands to the centre of the room. The flashing happens and after he blinks a few times. "How…does it do that?" He grumbles quietly. He turns to look at Royal, a panic setting into his features. He glances back to the clothing and looks over the options. So many options and it's very clear he's getting utterly lost.
* * *
Royal clears his throat and steps up. He looks at the options, then points at a few items. Nothing too complicated. A fitted striped tee, some light wash skinny jeans, some low profile combat boots, a simple yellow leather jacket. As he does, the items materialize on Kagami's body. "Like so."
Simon examines the look, then replaces the light was jeans with a darker wash, and a pair of vintage hi-tops.
"Ah yes, better," says Royal as he nods. "See? How does that feel?" The floating clothing items fade for a moment to be replaced with mirrors.
* * *
Kagami watches him choose things and then Simon rearranges. He lifts his eyes to the mirror and it takes him a moment before he steps closer. The sleeve is rather skinny, taking a small in his jacket and shirt, while taking a rather small waist line. His inseam is long due to his longer legs and he's got medium sized feet for his frame. Kagami nods his head and grins. "You both are amazing." His voice quiet as he looks into the mirror seeing the face really well for the first time.
* * *
The clothing really does fit impeccably. Nothing is too tight or too loose. "Every retailer in the country has their merchandise scanned and entered into this database. You can order it without seeing it in person and be guaranteed it will fit perfectly," says Simon. "But that means you're overwhelmed for choice. But that's what I'm here for." He steps up to Kagami and examines him. "Do you feel comfortable in this? Would you like more like this?"
"I really do like the jacket," says Royal. But of course he likes the boldest clothing item of the outfit. He doesn't really do understated.
* * *
Kagami lifts his one knee up and then the other knee up. He squats and wiggles while raising his arms. "Rather comfortable but what am I wearing?" He reaches down and pulls up the band on the underwear. "What kind is this?" He turns in the mirror and looks as his reverse side. Then he frowns. "My hair seems wrong for this…" He brings his hand to his hair and brushes his fingers through it before flipping it to one side and adjusting it to a nicer look. "What would you recommend for me, sir?" He asks to Simon.
* * *
"They're just standard boxer briefs, but sized properly," says Simon. "Here, let me pick out a few options…"
Simon proceeds to test Kagami's limits of stylishness, showing him a few bolder and more punky looks, and a few more elegant ones, bordering on Royal's style - though he can't really achieve those kinds of looks and stay within a budget.
Speaking of, Royal stays out of it and lets the master work, only chiming in with thoughts now and again.
* * *
Kagami frowns a little. "Did Royal tell you about the bobby pin keeping my boxers on?" He grins slightly before nodding. "These are comfortable actually." He easily tries on quite a few looks but starts leading over to the rocker chic range. Very dark wash jeans with a dark brown belt, well fitted t-shirt under a hunter green and navy tartan patterned shirt topped with a leather jacket and the shoes are combat boots. He also gets on a really lovely navy suit with a white dress shirt opened at the top with no tie and dark brown oxfords. He grins a little, liking himself in the mirror a little more. Definitely rocker chic with a dress well side.
* * *
"Now that I like," says Royal as he snap-points at the suit. He's certainly looking a little less riled about Kagami's fashion crimes now.
It's still a fair bit of money by the time everything is all totalled up, but not an outrageous amount considering he's starting a wardrobe from scratch.
"You don't need to purchase them all now. I've added everything to a database for you, and you can order everything as you like. But you will get a fifteen percent discount on anything you purchase today."
* * *
Kag jerks a little and lifts a brow. He chooses three leather jackets, black, dark brown, and the yellow one. The navy suit. Five t-shirts that fit nicely. Some boxer briefs. Socks. Three pairs of shoes - combat boots, high tops, and those brown oxfords. He also chooses three pairs of pants. Dark wash, black, and dark washed with distressing. He glances at the total and grumbles. "I have a little more I can spend… What do either of you recommend?"
* * *
"What about a nice leather messenger bag? Or…" Royal steps up and looks through the listings, until he finds a black asymmetrical fitted sweatshirt that zips up. But then, he's a sucker for asymmetry and black in particular.
"What about…" Simon brings up the shoe directory and pulls up a pair of chunky wedge heeled boots with about an inch of a heel on them. "I'm of the mind that just because you're in a male sleeve, that doesn't mean you're stuck with flats."
* * *
Kag looks amazing in the sweatshirt. He feels himself rise a little and glances down. He blushes a little and arches his back. "What about these shoes without the heel?" His voice breaks a little. "I already feel far too tall." He bites is bottom lip. His eyes catches something and he grins a little. He clicks the outfit and everything on him changes. It's black jeans, black dress jacket and a white t-shirt with the union jack on it.
* * *
Royal's eyebrow arches veeery high at the shirt. "Oh come on, now. That's a little on the nose, don't you think?" He chuckles and shakes his head. "But I'm glad you're starting to relax and have fun a little. There's nothing wrong with being a bit slim. The clothes tend to lie quite nicely on you. I have to be careful not to bulk up too much, or my favourite suits don't look quite as nice." He smooths a hand down his torso.
Simon looks over at Royal, then back at Kagami. "Does he look like that in the real? If so, I think I'm going to have to smack him for complaining about a little bit of muscle."
* * *
Kagami chuckles a little. "But it's funny." He reaches over and pats Royal's arm. "It's my support of you." He puts the shirt in the pile he's buying. He nods to Simon. "Oh he does look like that. He smells lovely too." He tells the other. "Though I agree with him… he should just not wear clothes. Better fit." He chuckles and starts cycling through a few more pieces. "How would you style my hair, gentlemen?"
* * *
"Ah yes, you keep wanting to start a nudity trend," drawls Royal.
"Afraid hair's not really my area," says Simon as he smooths a hand over his bald head.
"Me, neither," says Royal. "I've had virtually the same haircut since I was in my twenties when I let it grow a little longer. Mostly I just keep it neat. But you could probably do something…" he makes a vague hand motion, "…swooshy with the bangs."
* * *
Kagami chuckles. "You need to start it. I bet a LOT of people would follow you." He points out with a smile. He nods to Simon and then slowly looks over to Royal. "Swooshy?" He tilts his head and just stares at the other man, clearly not understanding. "I am your puppet, Royal. Fix the hair." He points to his head. "Or I'll do this…" He presses a button and a trilby shows up on his head. It's a threat.
* * *
"For all the wrong reasons," says Royal with a heavy sigh. He steps up onto the platform and flicks of the hat, which dissolves back into virtual space. "Forbidden." And then a sigh. "I don't know…swooshy. Like…" he reaches out and pulls his fingers through, trying to make it stand up. The virtual space seems to interpret what he's doing and mimics what would happen if he put product in it. "Like…that? I don't know. Long hair isn't my forte."
* * *
Kag shakes his head. "Good reasons for them though." Then he laughs as the hat flies off. He feels his hair move around and looks up at Royal while he works. He turns and looks in the mirror. He nods his head slowly and tilts his head. "This sleeve is really nice looking." He smiles slowly and then points to his chin. "I have a bum chin." He smiles brightly.
* * *
"Do you feel better? Will you give all your father's clothes back?" Royal sounds rather stern. He steps back and drops his hands into his pockets. "Will you stop pinning up your underwear? Will you try to stand up to pee?" His eyebrows arch. "Because if you keep trying to hide yourself, I'm going to continue to be extremely concerned."
* * *
He looks in the mirror and plays with his hair a little. It comes out looking volumed up and still natural looking. He turns and blushes. "Once I get the new clothes in, I promise." He nods his head slowly and then blushes. "I tried to.. stand and pee but there were complications." He goes bright red. Kag lifts his eyes. "Concerned?"
* * *
"Shipping should only take a day or two," says Simon. He looks off to the side, then back. "Excuse me gentlemen. I have another appointment. Kagami, enjoy your new wardrobe."
"Thank you so much, Simon. I'll definitely be recommending your services."
That endorsement means a lot for a small, specialized tailor and stylist, so Simon looks quite grateful. "Thank you, sir. Take your time in the construct." And then his image fades away.
Royal looks back to Kagami and nods. "Yes, the flippy bit. That's what I was going for." And then he nods. "Yes. I've been afraid you were going to work yourself up into personality frag. I've heard of it happening if someone really can't tolerate a new sleeve." And then, he leans in a little, "Would you…like me to make an appointment at one of the Houses for you? Like clothing, there are those who specialize in those who are cross-sleeved."
* * *
Kagami smiles happily. "Thank you so much Simon. I will recommend you as well." He mentions before the man is gone. He turns and blushes. "Oh…" He brushes his hands over the union jack shirt he's wearing and then he sees Royal lean in and he blinks a few times. "The houses? For what?" He blushes bright red now.
* * *
"To get you more comfortable in your body. To show you it can feel good instead of just this alien presence you're trying to avoid." Royal cants his head. "They'll be gentle, and patient, and they'll know how to deal with someone who has been cross-sleeved. They won't push you too far or too fast." Sounds like he's already asked around.
* * *
Kagami looks at Royal with that red face and gulps. "I'm not trying to avoid it. I just do not understand it." He speaks softly to Royal. "I was well past the need to… really have a long night." He is gentle with phrasing around Royal. "But lately, everyone is looking appealing. I want a night with everyone repeatedly." He rubs his face and groans. "So I have cold showers and cry to myself." He sighs quietly and blushes. "You've already done too much, Royal. I can't."
* * *
"I insist," says Royal, but rather than being commanding, those two words are gentle. "If you think it would help you, if you would go, I will make the appointment. It's completely unconscionable that there aren't supports like this for people who are cross-sleeved. It is a very jarring experience, and Psychasec doesn't take proper care with people."
* * *
Royal gets a sad look. "Would it help? I don't know. I'd be very embarrassed to go." He speaks softly. "Would I chose a lady or a gentleman? What would they do?" He starts pulling on the jacket and turning it in his hand as he stares off into space. He's clearly getting nervous and stressed. He's like a bunny…too much stress.
* * *
Royal reaches out and sets his hands on Kagami's shoulders. He's sensing that he's been overstimulated. "I pushed it. I'm sorry. You've made great strides with the clothing today. So don't answer now. But know if you choose to go, they will be kind, and they'll just talk to you if that's what would help you."
* * *
Those skinny shoulders relax with that simple touch. He gulps and nods his head. "I'll give you an answer one day." He reaches his hands up and touches the other man's hands. "I promise you.. I will wear these lovely clothes and give back my fathers clothes and… I will uncover all the mirrors in my home. Perhaps really look at this face."
* * *
"Good. Because it's quite a nice face. And if you want to keep it and not do your own head in, you should try to appreciate that. All right?" Royal's eyebrows go up. He gives Kagami's shoulders a squeeze. "Your clothes should be here within a day or two. Most of them, anyway. I saw a slightly longer shipping time on a few of the items, but no more than a week."
* * *
Kagami blushes bright red and bows his head. "I'd say thank you but it's not my birth face. This is someone else's birth face who I now wear. That sounds odd." He twitches slightly and takes a deep breath. "My face now." He finally says. He nods to the clothing shipping before lifting his blushing face and there is mischief there. "So I get to wear the worst things I own… for at least a day." He chuckles. "I guess I'll see you tomorrow with the beauty I've come up with."
* * *
"I suggest not leaving the house until your new things come in," drawls Royal. He squeezes the shoulders again and then steps back. "Hopefully you'll feel the same way now you know what you can look like when you're not drowing in oversized dad clothes."
* * *
Kagami chuckles and brushes his hands over the clothes. "I do feel nice." He lifts his hands up and whooshes them down his body. What's he's wearing changes to a knit yellow ugly christmas sweater onsie that's far too big for him and he has socks and sandals on. "I'm glorious!"
* * *
Royal staggers backwards like he's a vampire in sunlight. "Ugh, oh good lord. Torture. Pure torture. Find something else right now or I'll never speak to you again." He holds up his hands to block the view of the young man. He doesn't hiss, but he comes close.
* * *
Kagami giggles happily before changing. No shirt and just a pair of sweatpants that don't fit him and they hang off his hips. No shoes. He grins. "This is what I'm wearing in the chair though.. seriously that onsie is amazing." He smiles brightly. "And you will talk to me again because you actually like me."
* * *
Royal looks through his fingers, and when he find sthe Christmas sweater has disappeared, he drops his hand. "Not if you keep committing deliberate fashion crimes, I won't. Now you know better, so there's no bloody excuse. And I knew you had decent taste somewhere under your oversized t-shirts."
* * *
He walks up to Royal and pats his arm. "Yes you will." He grins a little. "I guess no excuses after I get the clothes but before then? It's all bad." He chuckles. "My taste isn't so bad but seeing your face with that sweater… " He slowly smiles, more mischief.
* * *
"Now you're just fucking with me, and that's not fair play," drawls Royal. "So I'll see you in two days when you're guaranteed to no longer be a fashion crime. Bye!" And then he turns dramatically and starts to strut off, stopping just by the door. "But truly, Kagami, I'm relieved to see you a bit more relaxed."
* * *
Kagami chuckles and walks after him. A nod of his head is given. "A bit more. Long way to go though." He speaks with a smile before moving right after him and then striking a power stance. "Excuse me, sir!" He points to his cheek. "My cheek kiss goodbye?" He puts his hands on his hips and waits.
* * *
"Oh, I don't know. That seems highly dangerous. The resulting tent in your pants might tug you violently from virtual." It's Royal's turn to look mischevious. He had a reputation back in the day for being a bit of a cad, though he's more of a gentlemen these days. But there are moments when the old Dante peeks through.
* * *
Kagami keeps grinning. "Highly dangerous. Though at least, something is going to tug me." He keeps his stance and turns his cheek a little for easier access. He keeps his hands on his hips, more to keep up his pants though.
* * *
Royal gives a petulent eye-roll that suggests he was a terror in his younger years. He steps up, then leans in to give a chaste peck on the young man's cheek. "All right. There's your kiss good night. Now go to bed like a good boy, will you?"
* * *
Kagami grins at the chaste kiss and nods his head. "I will go to bed. Alone." He points out. "One day you might be welcome in my bed but today is not that day because I need PJ's for that." He chuckles and bows to the man. "Thank you again for all you've done. You're one of my favorite people right now. I'm going to mail you something and I really hope you love it." He smiles. "However, off to bed!"
* * *
"I've clearly gone way too soft if you like me that much. Time to turn up the arrogance and turn down the charm." Royal heads for the door that will exit him from the simulation. "Try to stay out of trouble, will you? Though I know that's rather difficult in this city." He winks, then tugs open the door. A moment later, he disconnects from the construct.