ruevealing | folkmore inbox.

[Now, that is certainly not the first time Rue's ever heard that before.

But Sayori mentions Lex and Rue's feathery face softens at the recognition.] Oh yes! I know Lex, he's quite the sweet young man. Thoughtful and full of youthful passion! I'm glad you've made such a lovely friend, dearest.

But would you mind if I told you something from my past?

[ She's still smiling, a nod in agreement about Lex, though that smile brightening at her making a friend--it was a pleasing situation, of course.

But that next part--surprise lights in her eyes. ]

Me? Yes, of course...! But only if you want to--but I'm listening!

[ And earnestly so, like Rue's offering to her an intimate, personal treasure--and isn't a person's past exactly that? ]

[Rue gently drops into a kneel next to the girl, helping to close some of the distance between them, just so Sayori doesn't have to crane her poor neck up to high to see the owlbear's face. And as they move, they rest their free paw at her shoulder, giving her a gentle, reassuring squeeze.]

When I was a young cub, I was taken by the fae, a wild beast meant to be a pet of theirs, but the magic of their realm gave me intelligence and personality and life. But even as it did, even if could speak and think and feel, they still saw me as an animal.

I wanted to dress like them, in the beautiful fashions of my Court, to feel like one of them, but my body is hardly slender and delicate. I would force any dress I could get over my head and waddle around even as it ripped and tore, anything to feel less like a beast.

But then I taught myself to sew. And even if my paws were shaky and my stitching was never perfectly even in those days, the very first dress I made fit me and it was the most beautiful I had ever felt in my whole life. Since then, I have only ever wanted to give everyone else that same exact feeling, for them to find an outfit that made them feel more beautiful than they'd ever felt before. So, having said that, will you find that dress with me today for you no matter how much it costs?

[ Sayori stops herself from moving, though there is a twitch to her legs, a consideration when Rue drops themselves, and Sayori not wanting to be in their way. But nothing about them makes her flinch, this new distance; rather, the closer proximity of Rue's face to hers--though it's not so close--makes her heart skip a beat at their beauty.

A beauty not recognised, in the start of this tale of theirs. One that has Sayori's eyes immediately widen, a parting of her lips; one so fantastical from the very start, and yet so quickly sad. More than sympathy warms into Sayori's eyes, something stronger than that.

She had never wanted anything so much. She didn't know what it was like--to be so alive, to have such desires. Did she? No, she couldn't compare herself to this.

This story not befitting her. She's undeserving of such a tale, and truthfully, the thought of cost or even her own purchase-- it slipped easily from Sayori's mind, when Rue instead took more of that space. It's a struggle to answer them, and she ducks her head, wishing she didn't have to consider herself anymore. ]

...Yes.

[ ...but how can she say anything else? Any other answer would be cruel, uncaring, and Sayori--she can't. She can't do that to someone who bared themselves so fully in front of her.

Her voice is softer, more shy, somehow, than it already was. But it colours some as she looks back at Rue, her lips pinching in a small smile, and-- ]

...I hope you have people around you who can see how beautiful you are, and tell you that. [ There's a sheen coming to her hair, a softness, and it matches as the colour shows on her cheeks. ] I-- I haven't seen someone as beautiful as you before... and there's been so many pretty people around in Folkmore...!

[ She squeezes her hands together, gaze flitting once more. There should be something else she should say, to be less awkward. ]

E-ehehe...!

[ But all she can do is awkwardly laugh as the heat overtakes her face. ]

[Even though their soft feathers hide their blush, Rue can feel the gentle warmth at their cheeks at the compliment, as they reach up to carefully brush the teen's bangs from her face with a talon.]

You're too sweet, my darling. I've found there to be so much beauty in this realm, so much joy and happiness around every corner. I hope that you find the same waiting for you in Folkmore as well. Surrounding yourself with wonderful individuals is the start to it. Now, since you've said yes and I will not allow you to walk that back, let us look at dresses now, shall we?

[And if Rue takes her right up to a rack that would likely cost more with all of their tulle and lace and ribbons and delicate buttons, so be it!]

You can try on as many as you like. I won't let you leave until you find the perfect one.

[ Sayori moves without protest, like water following its course--and Rue is the dictator of it, the dresses difficult to resist with the way Sayori's been buttered up. And she's a girl of simple, pretty tastes: the dresses before her are all beautiful.

She gives them another look, an expression that's thankful even before she utters the words "Thank you", and she takes a closer peruse of the gowns in front of her. There's plenty to choose from, and it's hard to remember her reasoning for the dress with the range that's before her. A simple friend meet up dress, and yet--

Sayori pulls out a dress like so for a better look, and then turns to Rue again. ]

It might be too much for a friend get-together, but can I try this one on?

[ She sounds excited to the opportunity which Rue has already approved of, but--still! ]

Nonsense! There is never too much when it comes to fashion. Never let the opinions of others dictate what you want to wear. To me, this looks like a perfect dress for a casual outing with a friend or a lovely weekend brunch. It's versatile!

[And really, who is going to complain when Sayori looks so very happy wearing it.]

Of course, darling. Right over here - [And Rue leads her right over to the curtained off changing rooms, pulling one open for Sayori to step into, revealing the full length mirror and velvet chaise inside.]

If it's too big in the waist or longer than you like, I can hem whatever you need before you leave.

[ She walks with the dress carefully held in her hands, following Rue to the changing rooms and stepping on it (if, with a moment's pause to be taken in by the interior design).

Rue is kind, helping to soothe some of her nerves in being such a beautiful place, but Sayori feels them start to creep back; wondering where to begin with the chaise to the side of her, the mirror reflecting her pink cheeks. She fumbles, first simply pressing the dress to her with now a way of seeing it. And then, with courage held in her throat (or, a tiny breath!), she begins to take off her cardigan... ]

Okay! Thank you!

[ After answering Rue, of course!

It takes some shuffling, a lot of care considered: Sayori stepping into the dress with minimal movement on her part, and then her arms secured slowly along the sleeves, buttons taken time with. But she manages to get it on, the zip done up, and her skin has only become more flushed at the process, of this happening; at seeing herself in the mirror, even with some of the fabric loose around the chest, a pinch more needed at the waist. Sayori stares at herself, touching one hand down along the lace detail, a sight she's never seen. That she would have dreamed about in her day-to-day life, back in the game...

How could it not well up emotions inside her? ...only, those emotions are staying inside. Sayori doesn't notice it at first, or ignores it out of misunderstanding, the small blur smudging on the mirror--it was surely already there. Except more are coming, dots, and she starts to feel it: the most lightest shower of rain quietly falling around her, even though the air around her is seemingly lighting up like a sunny day! ]

O-oh no oh no...!! [ She's-- she's first trying to move out of her own summer rain cloud, but then moving right back to the mirror, attempting to clean it with her hands (and, obviously, failing). Muttering to herself, trying to keep her voice down...!!

N-nononono!! Rue can't find out! She's gotta stop this!! ]

[Rue, on the other side of the curtain, is so blissfully unaware of the utter chaos Sayori's going through right now. They hear some rustling - and something wet? no, that can't be right - and then they hear the girl's soft 'oh no's before they are tipping their head closer to the curtain.]

Are you quite alright in there, darling?

[ OHHH NOOO...!! ]

I-I'm okay!! I'm okay!! [ Have you heard a voice go this squeaky before, Rue. Sayori must've become a mouse for the noises she's making, and while her panic does make the rain soften, start to leave, it doesn't do anything in the seconds it takes....nor is it fast about the process.

She can't show herself, can she? She-- she just has to make a decision now and-- ]

I-I'll take this dress! It's perfect!

[ She has to buy it and hide the evidence!! ]

[Rue has spent enough time around teenagers to know the sound of that squeak is bad. But at the same time, they hardly want to embarrass the girl, not when they've only just met and she seemed so happy to be given a pretty new dress, so Rue will just have to take Sayori's word for now. Instead, they hover outside of the waiting room, just in case they do get called in to help.]

Truly? Oh, I'm so glad! Here, come out and show me, I would love to see what it looks like on you!

[ C-come out? Nnnnooo...!! ]

Oh, that's okay! I'll take it off so I can pay-- I should put down some money for this!

[ Rue, Rue. Will you let her get away with this. She's slowed only by her brain frizzing on what to do first, torn between Rue and needing her other clothes to be on now, but oh, how did she put everything on again?

The cuffs, the cuffs! She needs to unbutton the cuffs first...!! ]

Don't be silly!

[Of course Rue gives the girl all of the time she needs to change, they aren't about to just barge in, but their voice is close to the curtain, just right outside.]

This is a gift.

[ .....uggggghhh.

Hearing Rue on the other side being so nice, catching a look at herself in the mirror (as blurry at it might be)--it's hard! How can she try and trick them when they've been nothing but sweet? She would need to explain herself once she did pull back the curtain, or is she going to leave this mess for Rue to find later?

She's quiet, embarrassed, but--she needs to do what's right. ]

Um, I'm sorry, but actually-- I made a mess....

[ She'd barely gotten the cuffs off (read: she didn't, they were too fiddly in her panic), so she pulls back the curtain to the horror on her side: ...not really that much. You'd have to be looking for them to see the splotches where the rain caught around her shoulders and the top of her dress, and then on the floor and the mirror itself.

And yet, she's avoiding Rue's eye, cupping her own cheek as: ]

I-I got too happy, and it started to rain? Ehehe.... I'm sorry!

[ She tries to sound silly about it, but while she manages a matching expression for a moment, actually looking at Rue--the look does drop to match a more sincere apology. ]

[Even Rue's sharp owl eyes take a moment to focus is on just what Sayori is referring to - they have to squint a little, looking here to there before finally seeing the wet patches in fabric, the little spritz of raindrops against the glass - and whatever the girl might have been expecting, it probably wasn't this.]

Oh darling, you would not believe how often this has happened as of late. Here - [And maybe it's strange considering, but Rue straightens their shoulders and begins to sing, a thrilling little wordless song and almost immediately, the wetness dissipates completely with magic, drying Sayori and everything around here.]

There! Good as new.

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SOMEONE SAVE THIS POOR GIRL

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