[Slightly Backdated] Merrymeet Outfit Planning

[witheredpeonies]

Whitlock Needleworks sits in the heart of Downtown Hollow, and mid-February a sign shows up in the window: NOW TAKING MERRYMEET ORDERS. Clearly, the new seamstress has noticed the opportunity to serve the masses, locals and offworlders alike.

Come get your gal.

Comments

[witheredpeonies]

Annabel lets out a laugh.

"It's not supposed to be your style. It's a uniform, for someone performing a particular job."

[cacophonish]

Okay, she makes a good point. Jeff looks down, his nose still wrinkled, because uniform or not, he feels totally silly in this outfit.

"Huh. I never had a job with a real uniform before." A beat. "Hey." He looks at Annabel, brows furrowed in curiosity. "Is there such thing as, you know... guy maids?"

Well. She looks fancy, like she might know this stuff way better than him.

[witheredpeonies]

"Not in the world I come from. But here, apparently, there are. And they wear this." She grabs a piece of tailor's chalk and begins marking where adjustments need to be maid.

"Also, we'll need to see to proper undergarments for this uniform. A slip, perhaps. Maybe a petticoat. Stockings..."

[cacophonish]

Undergarments... Stockings? Jeff looks down to consider his legs, which are definitely the hairiest part of his body besides his head. Will they show? Does it matter?

"Uhhh... Stockings? I mean, it's a pretty long... skirt, so..."

A beat.

"What's a petticoat? Is that, like, that poofy thing that makes skirts look big?"

[witheredpeonies]

Cough. “The petticoat is the undergarment that defines the shape and volume of the skirt, yet. And I’m certain your employer will insist on stockings. She seems to have very exacting standards.”

Among other things.

“I hope you know what you’re getting into, with this job posting, Mister Jeff.”

[cacophonish]

Fuuuuuck, she's right. Deirdre definitely is the exacting standards type. Which.... honestly is really kind of fucking hot, but maybe that's not a quality one's supposed to factor in choosing an employer--

--is a thought Jeff would have if he had any sense. But his train of thought pretty much stops at "she's exacting and that's hot."

"Yeah, um, I mean I know this job's probably gonna be hard-- I still don't really know why she wants me, of all people? I mean, I'm a fucking mess--" Score one point for self awareness! "--and I don't know the first thing about keeping a house, but--"

He shrugs and offers a hopeful smile.

"--but the pay and hours are supposed to be good, and she's gonna support my music, like, make sure I've got enough time to practice, maybe start performing again." He positively perks up thinking about it. "It's a fucking sweet deal!"

[witheredpeonies]

Annabel nods quietly.

“You’re certainly going to learn a lot. And be seeing more of me, in time, so you’ll have to keep me updated when you come in to try the uniform on. And in general, alright?”

Not that Annabel really understands the scope of things either, but. She’s going to worry.

[cacophonish]

He nods and flashes a reassuring smile. "I'll let you know how it's going."

Then, after a few beats, "Sorry for, uh, asking you to call her. I think I might've fucked up."

Which is kind of impressive, even for Jeff, considering he hasn't technically started the job yet.

[witheredpeonies]

“Go change back into your clothes. And hold that apology. I don’t regret making the call, myself. The part you ‘fucked up’ on, which I’m sure she’ll give you hell for, is coming to me while I’m elbow-deep in Merrymeet preparations. I still haven’t finished mine and River’s dresses, and I’m on the Floral Court!”

She shoos him back toward the changing area.

[cacophonish]

"Shit, sorry! I totally forgot about Merrymeet!" Look, Jeff doesn't pay attention to... a whole lot, honestly. And when he does, he's pretty quick to forget.

But he's quick to bound back behind the screen, eager to get his regular street urchin clothes back on.

[witheredpeonies]

“Not as sorry as you will be, when the lady gets ahold of you.” Her voice is all tease now, mischievous while he can’t see her. There is a game here she is not part of, except…isn’t she, just a little? Enough to poke fun.

(It’s not wholly unlike her little games with River, huh…)

[cacophonish]

That gets a laugh from Jeff, from behind the screen. When he re-emerges, fully dressed, he looks considerably more at ease.

"You think I'm in for it?" he asks, trying to keep his tone light and teasing, though a little bit of eagerness may manage to slip through despite his best efforts at playing it cool.

[witheredpeonies]

"What do you imagine she might do to you?" Annabel's able to catch that eagerness, and willing to stoke it.

[cacophonish]

"Fuck, I've got no idea," he admits with a laugh. "You know, if she's going to go easy, or be firm, like... Carrot or stick or whatever." A little distracted pause, as he considers the possibility. Positive reinforcement, or negative.

Ahem.

Come back, Jeff.

"But that's the fun, right? Not knowing what to expect?"