Costume Shop of Horrors

[Avalene]

((For Saki. Mission? Getting Lou's *** in gear! Hehe. Others welcome as well.))

A boy was sprawled out in the window display of the store, finishing embroidering a rather intricate design around the waist of a dress. His eyes were pale violet, his hair a darker shade of purple, and his choice of clothing was a selection from the shop from the look of it. He seemed unaware of the people passing in the streets, or the customers in the store. Well that was all for the best, and how the owners of the costume shop preferred Rune. Away from the customers, that is.

He was the kind of person who'd scare people away with an odd comment, and have no idea what he said was wrong. At least, that's how it seemed. He was a very strange youth, but despite everything, he was necessary for the shop to run smoothly. He worked on the majority of what they sold. And his little corner of the shop, where he sold things he made in his spare time... well, those items went for a rather high price. Imagine, all the boy asked for was the tiny back apartment, and some pocket money if he felt like going outside... it felt like they were taking advantage of him. They hadn't been anywhere near so successful before they'd taken him in. Still... they were relieved he stayed away from the customers. He liked to bite people.

[saki]

((Mission accepted...?))

A dark haired woman walked determinedly down the street. Her black boots clicked against the pavement in a melancholy tune. Usually she would take her time to notice everything around her but not today. She was on a mission.

Suddenly the clicking stopped abruptly. Locks of obsidian black hair fell into Louisa's face as she bent down to get eye level with the boy in the costume shop's window. Early that week she had boughten something from him. It had cost her almost every bit of her cash. Too bad her cat had claws and knew how to use them. "You got a minute," the young woman mouthed knowing full well he couldn't here. Possibly she was the only customer that could put up with Rune's strange ways, mostly.

[Avalene]

((Yay!))

Rune blinked, at seeing Louisa's face in the window. He frowned, but when she mouthed 'you got a minute?' to him, he nodded. It was even true, he was supposed to have taken a break several minutes ago. He had just wanted to finish that dress, and it was done now, so he slipped off the window seat and walked to the open door. He didn't say a word, just tilted his head to one side and waited for her to speak.

[saki]

When Rune went to the front door she walked over quickly. Louisa smiled darkly as she pulled out a once beautful blue plaid skirt from her bag. It was in tatters. Normally one would say 'don't ask' when they showed a torn creation to the one of created it. Instead the dark haired woman replied, "A monster got a hold of it. Can you fix it?"

It was true, her cat was a monster. She blinked dark grey eyes until she remembered something. Lou was still standing outside the shop. Hastily, she walked in giving a small nod to the boy and said sorry again.

[Avalene]

"Really?" Rune asked softly, his violet eyes big. A monster? At her question, he nodded, "I think I can manage. What did it look like?" It was clear that his mind was still on the 'monster'... The teen stepped back inside, taking the skirt from Lou and examining it with a small frown. What kind of creature could do such damage...?

[saki]

For the briefest of moments Louisa could have sworn that the young boy had just asked her what his own creation once looked like. Then it clicked. Rune wanted to know about her monster. "Oh, I'm not sure what all monsters look like," she began smiling half-amusedly. "But mine is this fuzzy, possibly fluffy, white beast that roams my home freely. He's white with piecing icy blue eyes that follow you where ever you move. My monster has very sharp claws as well," she ended sounding completely serious. ~Claws that I keep forgettin' to cut,~ she added in her mind. "Glad to hear it," Lou said as an afterthought. Her skirt could possibly be saved and for that she was happy.

[Avalene]

"An ice demon, maybe," Rune murmured softly, half to himself. One could easily tell, after a short time in the boy's presence, that his mind barely touched down in reality. "Can I see it?" he asked, his eyes just as big as earlier. He liked fluffy things, and a fluffy monster just seemed... awesome. He wanted to huggle it.

Perhaps, if she hadn't mentioned the monster, he would be rather upset about the skirt. It wouldn't be easy to repair the damage. But... he could do it. "I'll have it done in a few days..." he murmured, after a few moments, considered the tattered fabric. He wouldn't mention it to the owners either, as he had enough fabric and such in his apartment.

[saki]

"An icy demon, oh ice demon," Louisa blinked. "Yes, he could be one and it'll explain some things," she ended remaining mysterious. There was no need to tell Rune her cat's whether odd behavior. Actually, there was no way he was going to find out that this monster was not what he seeming to be. Then he asked the question she should have denied. "Yes, of course," she smiled.

"Now let's see. I'll have to bring my monster here because, frankly, my living quarters aren't solid enough to call permanent," the young woman began to ramble as though it wasn't rude to do so in a middle of a conversation. "But I don't think the owners would want him roamin' around. I know, I'll bring him in a carrier. Though, I'll have to think of a way to convince him in. Yes, I got it," she said snapping her fingers. Once more she left out the important part.

"Ooh, that is cute," Lou stated with a joyful smile as she found something else to spend her non-existent cash on.

[Avalene]

"Um, you've got what?" Rune asked, but Lou was distracted by something cute. He followed her, the skirt folded over his arm. The owners were watching, he knew. They couldn't believe he was behaving himself around a customer. "You like it?" he asked, in a slightly shy voice. He'd made most of what was in the shop, but he never really talked to the people who bought it. He knew they had to like it somewhat, since they did pay for it, but still... it was another thing altogether to hear it himself.

[saki]

"Oh, nothing really," she answered in all seriousness. "I've no idea what you be talkin' about." Louisa was smiling and was about to laugh. She had seen one of the owners watching them closely. Oh, her first day at the shop made it clear that they didn't like Rune to interact with the customers. Since that day she had made it her goal to say hi to the boy at least once. Then she saved up enough cash to buy one of his unique creations. Look where it got her. After rolling her eyes (it would seem as though she did so without a cause) the young woman waved to the owner.

"Of course not," Lou said ruffling Rune's hair a bit before walking over. "I wouldn't be caught dead in a dress. Though it be totally cute and I would buy it. But there is a thing called practicality and I see no point going against it," she explained. The dress was some sort of shade of black with purple inlaid. The frills and bows made it look cute and adorable. For a moment she stared oddly at the boy before making an odd look. Shaking her obsidian black head, she shrugged.

[Avalene]

As usual, Lou completely confused Rune. Though, it didn't take much when he was concerned. When she ruffled his purple hair, he put his hand to his head and stared at her blankly. No one touched him. Then it finally sunk in. She was going to bring him her monster to visit. A childishly gleeful look crossed his face, so fast that few would have noticed it. The one watching them, frowned slightly. Usually that look portended some terrible mischief. Not so, however, this time. He was going to meet an ice demon! A fluffy ice demon, at that. Oh joy. Much of her words didn't really penetrate his mind; Rune and practicality could not coexist at the same time in the same place most of the time.

[Nix]

Taro opened the door to the shop almost cautiously. He had never been in it and hardly knew what to expect. It was actually quite nice inside though he was mesmerized by some of the detail and trimming on some of the beautiful outfits. He felt horridly dressed in comparison. His pants were faded and ripped at the knee, the sleeves of his long sleeved shirt were so thread bare that he always felt a chill. He did however keep up his good hygenics despite his lack of money and shelter. He had gotten a job at a tea shop but he spent all his earnings on cheap hotel rooms so he would have somewhere to sleep on a night to night basis. Clothes just weren't in his budget, but that was why he wanted to get a second job.

[saki]

Louisa stood up as she grabbed hold of the price tag hanging off the cuff of the dress. Her eyes crossed while she studied it. However, no sooner did the price register in her head did a grimace form on her lips. Of course it was as she had expected... way out of her budget.

"Heya Rune," Lou said turning to the boy. "When will my skirt be ready? Like three days from now," she offered with a small smile. "Tell ya what, have it ready by then and I'll bring the monster in. Though no promises for he might not be able to be forced into his carrier." She was about to make her exit when someone else walked in.

Narrowing her eyes at the newcomer she promptly turned back to study the dress. Her brain was trying to convince herself to buy the lovely dress even though she wouldn't wear it and didn't have enough money. Maybe they have a payment plan, she thought. Her dark grey eyes, every now and then, looked at the newcomer. Was he doing alright?

[Avalene]

"Sure, I'll have it done by then!" Rune smiled brightly at her. It seemed he was on his best behavior when Lou was around. Without looking at the owners, he said in a quiet voice, "Lou, if you really like that... I could make you one. I mean, I make these for fun..." He shrugged, about to continue, but he was distracted by the newcomer. And, yes, now mischief was lighting his pale violet eyes.

Rune practically bounced over to the teen, before the owners got the chance to approach him. "Hellooo!" Then he actually looked at the other boy. The worn out clothes... well, it didn't look like he could afford to shop here. He probably would've been shooed off if the shop owners had gotten to him first. As it was, he was grabbed by both wrists, and dragged around the store until Rune found the 'right' outfit. That he threw over a shoulder and dragged the boy to the dressing rooms. Without a word he put the bundle of clothes into the other's arms and stared at him in a rather unnerving way, as if saying, "Well? Aren't you going to try it on?" Really, it wasn't as bad as it could've been... he could've grabbed one of the dresses.

[Nix]

"Umm but I..." Taro hadn't had much of a chance to protest as the strange boy dragged him around and he was kind of caught off guard. Truth be told Taro was a bit unnerved by the older teen, he sensed something cruel in him, but it wasn't surfacing yet. "I really... I can't afford these nice things anyway..." Taro began, protesting kindly. "I actually... I was hoping to find employment..." He said honestly before regreting that statement. The clothes still in hand he turned quickly and entered the dressing room anyway, closing the door behind him. As he put on the clothes, barely paying attention to the actual items, he just thought about how he didn't want to come back out of the dressing room.

[saki]

It was her chance to leave on a happy note. Rune promised to have her skirt repaired in three days. Plus, she maybe getting a dress out of it. Though, it was a given she would still have to pay. Maybe seeing an ice demon would make him forget. Louisa smiled and began to head out of the store. Her pale hand had grasped the knob but it was never turned. One of the owners had grabbed her shoulder and without saying a word pointed to where the mischievous employee was having a field day.

Giving a look that stated 'why me,' Lou understood what the owner wanted from her. Since the first time the dark haired woman walked into the costume shop Rune behaved slightly more normal than usual. They wanted her to intercept him before he dragged the poor boy into trying on clothes. She was too late and it seemed the boy didn't want to come out. Knocking on the door frame to the dressing room she cleared her throat and spoke.

"If you don't come out in say," Lou paused pretending to look at an invisible watch. "Hmm... thirty seconds I'll be comin' in there to drag you out." She knew that he was already changed. He was just afraid of Rune. Glaring at the purple haired teen she did the one thing she shouldn't have done. She smiled while whispering, "You didn't give him something too frilly did ya?"

[Avalene]

Rune smiled brightly at Louise. "Not any more frilly than mine, though maybe a bit fluffy," he replied innocently. Who knows what he meant by fluffy, though. He kinda had wondered what was taking so long, but Lou was there so it didn't matter anymore. He frowned at the door, for a moment. "Oh, right," he wandered off to the nearest shopkeeper. "That boy wants a job here. Can I keep him?" the purple haired boy quietlly asked, glancing toward the dressing rooms. The older man readily agreed, against his better judgement. He and his wife needed a break. From the store, and more importantly, from Rune. They were close enough that if there was a problem, their newest employee could come to them for advice... That done, the purple haired boy pulled out another of his projects and lounged on his favorite seat. The owner didn't bother to ask him to get down from the display. It was no use, he'd just grin at them and ignore their words.

[Nix]

Taro gulped slightly when the lady had knocked on the door. He did however come out a few moments later. He was wearing a cream dress shirt with a frilled collar and a fuzzy hunter green sweater-vest over it. His slacks were a dark brown and clashed with his worn shoes. all in all he felt a bit out of place in this outfit. He blushed and lowered his gaze. "I'm sorry." He said to the lady, feeling he should appologize since she had to intervene.

[saki]

"There now, it's not so bad," Louisa said kindly as the boy exited the dressing room. "You look so absolutely adorable that I could just eat you up." By the smile on her face Taro should know the ending of her words were just a joke. Then again he could take in wrongly and think, by the way she said it, that she was serious.

As she spoke she had watched the exchange of Rune and the owners. "It looks like you've just been hired," the dark haired woman smiled. "On that note I would like a name. Any name would do. It could even be one you made up. But I be warnin' ya that sooner or later I'll find out your real one. For it seems I've just been forced to become a regular of this quint shop and sooner than later I'll find out," she repeated with a smile.

With a light tap on the shoulder Lou pushed Taro toward Rune. Leaving the poor boy about ten feet away she walked over and peered over Rune's shoulder. "What you be workin' on or is it some type of surprise," she asked.

[Avalene]

Rune accidentally stabbed himself with the needle when Lou "snuck up on him" as he thought - he got pretty focused when he was working. The purple haired boy watched as blood slowly welled up. Without turning, he said with a little smile, "It's a secret..." Which meant nothing. He probably wasn't even sure what he was making yet. Whatever it was was currently a mass of black lace. Black lace that he was making by hand. After a few moments he sucked on the injured finger. Wasn't there something people were supposed to use to stop that from happening?

[Nix]

"Thank you?" Taro said softly to Lou's 'eat up' comment. He knew she was joking but he was a bit on edge. "Oh umm.. well.." He started after being told he was hired, gosh he didn't know what to say today. "My name is Taromi." He said pulling himself together. "It's nice to meet you madam." He said smiling at Louisa before being pushed toward Rune more. "So... it looks like we'll be working together now. Thank you." He said bowing his head toward the older boy.

[saki]

"A thimble would be something of use to you," Louisa smiled to Rune. "Or do you like the crimson color of blood. Anyways here." In her hand she was holding a bandaged that seemed to come from thin air. In truth it had come from a jean pocket but she wouldn't agree to that statement if questioned. "Ah, and the boy's name be Mr. Taromi. So what is he going to be working as. A model for you perhaps," the dark haired woman joked before turning toward Taro. "And it is not madam. It be Miss Lou to you if you must remain formal. Though, it is also a pleasure to met you," she finished in the slightly irritated tone she began in. It was nice to meet the kid but, after realizing this, she felt bad for sounding rude. A genuine smile was given as an apology.

[Avalene]

Rune twisted around, to face the two people talking to him. He looked slightly puzzled, as to why they were still there talking to him. He pushed some of his dark purple hair out of his eyes, setting the project to the side and pulling his knees to his chest as he looked at them. "I'm Rune," he said, in an odd tone, to the new boy. "I make the clothes. You'll be dealing with customers, I think. I'm not good at that." He shrugged, and smiled at Lou. "I like crimson... but I can't loose too much blood... I need a thimble..." His eyes darted around the store as if expecting a thimble to leap out at him. "I think I have one upstairs." That said, he went into motion, abruptly jumping down from the display and running into the back. Up the stairs. Faint sounds of destruction upstairs. And then, a door slamming, and ... the sound of someone crashing down the stairs. And swearing. "The top step is broken," he mumbled, limping slightly as he came back into view and rubbing his elbow.

[Nix]

"...I don't know if I'd be a good model, but I'm pretty good with people and I work hard." Taro smiled some at both Rune and Louisa before Rune had left to journey for a thimble.

"Are you and sir Rune good friends miss Louisa?" Taro asked once they were alone. "You seem like it..." Then the crash and moments later Rune returned. Taro walked over to him, even though he was terrified of him moment's ago. "Are you alright Rune sir?" Taro was concerned for the older teen, he didn't want him to be hurt.

[saki]

It was kinda of funny the way Rune replied to her question. Now it was hilarious as the sounds of destruction echoed throughout the store. Especially since she was holding a thimble that oddly was in her pocket as well. But her amusement was keep will hidden behind a passive face. So when Taro asked his simple observation no one would be the wiser.

"No, not really," she beamed at him. He was so overly polite which caused him to become more cute. "I'm just an acquaintance of his really that happens to come by this quint shop once a week. But I be bettin' ya I'll be coming every few days or so. Hmm...," Lou thought a moment. "Could we be friends already? To me he makes perfect sense so maybe we are. Then again," she shrugged not realizing Rune had entered the room a second before. "Chu OK," she asked him with a smile.