pyrighteous | [OOC] Folkmore IC Inbox

[Look, complimenting Rue's clothing is always the easiest way to their heart.]

Thank you! It's my own design, something loose and flowing for lazy days around the house. And I quite like your triangle t-shirt. It's quite eye-catching!

-- Really? You made it? With just your paws?

[ Hunter's a little awstruck at the thought. His current sewing skills are ... lacking. ]

I did! [And his expression really does leave the owlbear looking delighted.]

I make all of my clothing. There just is not much available to someone of my height and build. So I learned very early to just do it myself.

[and then because he does look so awestruck-]

Would you like to see?

O-oh. I guess that does make a lot of sense.

[ He's used to the Demon Isles having a WIDE range of bodytypes and species so. The thought is mildly foreign to him. ]

I - I would! Yes! Please. If you don't mind.

[Clearly both the Feywild and the Human Realm need to get on it!]

Follow me.

[Rue's cottage looks much brighter and happier without all of the Halloween decorations fluttering around. There's a few photos of Rue, Casey, Peter, and the turtles framed all over the place, as well as a few of a furry bugbear who hadn't made an appearance at the party the other night.

Rue guides Hunter back to their bedroom and then to their closet, which is simply bursting with outfits, in all manner of styles and fabrics and mesmerizing patterns. Rue has been very busy over the last three months, sewing almost every single night early into the morning. Simple dresses, extravagant gowns, casual day-to-day fits, it's all there.

And though Rue's clothing certainly takes up over half of the space of the closet, there are a few plainer shirts and jackets hanging on the left side, things that do not look like they were made for them at all. Too boxy, too plain.

But the owlbear is happy to pull out a few of their favorite dresses, holding out the fabric for Hunter to touch.]

I picked up this fabric in Tides, it shimmers so beautifully in the light.

[ It's so bright and friendly and cozy... It's the complete opposite of the huge, cold halls of the palace, or even the chaos that had resulted from the Collectors' invasion. And totally different in the daytime with no decorations as well.

He follows Rue back with the steady, natural obedience of a soldier on guard duty. And then that stiffness crumples immediately as he gets a glimpse of all those colors. And fabric textures? And ...

He reaches out to touch the first dress with his eyes wide. ]

I didn't know fabric could DO that. It almost looks more like water than cloth.

Isn't it lovely?

[They brush a talon over the diaphanous material and it seems to ripple like water.]

Here, you must come in and touch whatever you like! I do not mind in the slightest. I have some lovely satin pieces over here, some chiffon there, georgette, and - oh! I hand-stitched this embroidered hemline. I have not had time for such intricate embroidery for the past millennia at least.

It has been such a thrill to dive back into it.

I - I didn't realize there were that many kinds of fabric either. Belos just stuck to the basics.

[ He reaches out to touch the georgette, marveling at that crepe texture. ]

How'd you learn how to sew...?

Belos should have consulted a designer then.

[This is their special place, but Rue is all too happy to share it with Hunter, especially given how in awe he looks.]

I taught myself. It took a very long time to perfect it and to figure out my particular style, but it has been such a passion since. Would you be interested in sewing along with me sometime? I'd be happy to share my fabrics and to help with any questions you might have.

R-really?

[ Look at how much he lights up. ]

I mean - I do try to sew, and I can repair things, but sewing is - it's a lot.

Certainly. As much as I love it, I do quite often feel lonely being by myself. It would be such a kindness from you if you would keep me company while you learned.

[oh no, rue can not stand how darling he looks all lit up like this. he really looks his age.]

It can be a lot, but I promise, I will be there every step of the way.

[ Hunter's just a kid, in the end. Or at least he SHOULD be. Being in Folkmore is slowly letting him claw back something adjacent to a childhood, one scrap of joy at a time.

He looks a bit uncertain for a moment. ]

You're sure it wouldn't be more difficult for you? I - I can be useful! And fetch things.

[oh no. another traumatized teenage boy with self-worth issues. how does rue keep finding all of these sad boys.]

Hunter.

[Spoken softly, with a gentle affectionate emphasis on his name, as Rue rests a giant paw lightly at his shoulder.]

You do not need to be useful for me to want to spend time with you. I want to do it because I like you. And I would enjoy getting to know you even better.

[ Hunter goes a bit pink, tense under their shoulder. They sure did call out one of his biggest coping mechanisms. ]

W-well - I - isn't it better if you can have both? A-and if I'm useful, it's less likely you'll decide not to like me!

[ Hunter, ]

[HUNTER]

But I already decided that I like you and I promise that I am too stubborn for that opinion to ever change. You have already endeared yourself to me. You are sweet and curious and I see how easily you and Casey get along.

[ He bows his head a bit, the pink in his ears deepening. ]

If - if you're stubborn then. That makes sense. Thank you.

[ A deep breath. With a bit of trepidation: ]

My uncle wanted me to be useful all the time. I'm ... guessing that's not normal either, huh.

[ Casey's managed to crack that particular assumption just a little. ]

[Oh cool, another parental figure who Rue would happily rip apart for hurting these sweet boys. But their expression does not turn pitying or sad, the owlbear simply gives the boy a gentle, reassuring squeeze at his shoulder.]

I think if you are asking me, you already know the answer, dear one.

Edited 2023-11-09 04:14 (UTC)

[ Hunter's shoulders slump a little. ]

Yeah. I guess I do.

[ But this is depressing so - ]

I - uh - I'm ready for lunch, I think.

[This poor boy.]

First, may I say - [Rue's paw lifts so that they can reach up to brush their talons over his hair instead, careful as ever.] I know we are very new friends, but if you would like to talk to me about anything, including your uncle, I am always here to listen. It may sound silly, but oftentimes, just sharing your feelings can help.

[And because he has shared this and Rue should prove the very words they mean by reciprocating, they offer a very calmly spoken:] I do not speak of it often, but when I do speak to Casey or Leo or Peter about missing my husband, it feels as if I am less alone in sharing that hurt, that they are helping me carry it. So if I can do that for you, please know I am here.

[They won't push him to talk, just an offer, just a tiny piece of their own hurt in exchange to prove that being vulnerable is not being weak. Feelings are a gift.

But he has asked for lunch, so lunch it is.] I've made cucumber sandwiches and soft honey cookies with rose petal honey.

[ But then you'd have to help carry it, he nearly says, but catches himself before the words come out of his mouth. For all Hunter's issues - for all that Belos stunted him in key ways, socially speaking - he is a quick learner when it comes to figuring out what the right response is. He can figure out that Rue doesn't mean that to a burden to them, especially given that he doesn't think Rue's story is a burden to any of those names either. And Hunter had listened to Casey too ...

He takes a deep breath. And nods. ]

It - does sound silly. [ His uncle would never have approved. ] But we could talk while we eat? I like all those things.

[ He's slowly widening his food choices now that he's living with Casey. ]

Perfect.

[The kitchen table is all set up for a proper tea party, with Rue's fanciest tea kettle and matching cups and saucers, with freshly cut flowers at both of their table settings. As promised, there's cucumber sandwiches cut out into perfect star shapes and the most fragrant cookies and jam to help himself to.

Rue takes a little more time settling in, smoothing their cloth napkin in their lap and pouring Hunter's tea before they do their own.]

What food have you enjoyed most here so far?

[ It's so pretty. Hunter doesn't say it out loud this time, but EVERY time something nice happens, he can't help but compare this to his life with Belos. Did the emperor even own a tea set like this? Surely nothing so delicate and beautiful. Definitely no flowers, and certainly no sandwiches cut into star shapes.

He starts with those, enjoying the cool, crisp texture of the vegetables. ]

Does hot cocoa count? That was amazing.

[It's all about the presentation! Spend enough time with Rue and he'll learn some of their tips.

The mention of cocoa as a favorite food does draw a soft chuckle from the owlbear, as they take one tiny sandwich for their plate.]

It is, isn't it? I enjoy cocoa too sometimes, especially in the colder months.

It's great for warming up. Yeah. But it was sort of the first dessert I ever had that also didn't poison me.

[ Plus, you know, sharing it with Casey. Also important. ]

[A very slow, deliberate blink. Do they bring it up? Do they let it go? Sometimes Rue isn't sure!]

Is being poisoned something that happened frequently back home?

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