We Can Make A Dress So Pretty

[papillion_de_resistance]

Who: Gabriel and anyone, but especially those who'll be participating in his fashion show (Open with one closed prompt)
Where: The Auradon prep Home Ec room
When: A few days after the holiday party
What: Taking final measurements for those in the fashion show, general socializing with the awkward fashion nerd for others
Warnings: Shouldn't be any besides maybe some feels? Will add more if need be.

Final Measurement Appointments

Most of those in Auradon would know Gabriel as being a bit awkward, but those who visited the Home Ec room today would find him in his element. A tantalizing glimpse of a rack of partly finished dresses- and one child-sized suit- could be seen peeking through the gaps of a curtained off area, while finalized design sketches of the same outfits decorated the bulletin board. Meanwhile Gabriel stood ready with measuring tape and notebook as well as a sturdy step stool for those who were on the shorter side as he awaited his prospective models.

Any knocks on the door during the expected timeframe would be met with a warm smile. "Ah, welcome," he said. "Please, come in and we'll get started."

Wonder Twins?- Closed to Nagihiko

Gabriel smiled down at Nagihiko. "I'm glad you were willing to help out," he said. "I understand why the situation would feel a bit awkward to your sister, but thankfully at this age there shouldn't be too much difference between the two of you." That would all change once puberty happened of course, but for now, one twin's measurements should suffice for both. He may have to do a few quick stitches for Nadeshiko on the day, but that would be a simple matter. "If you could take off your hoodie and any other bulky clothing, we'll begin."

General Socializing

Measurements taken, Gabriel could be found hard at work, finishing up the outfits for his new line. Whether tightening up the waistline just so, adjusting the length of a hem, or letting out the sleeves just a bit, he'd do his best to make certain every detail was perfect. Agreste originals demanded nothing less. But that didn't mean he would be especially averse to visitors. And honestly it may be a good idea for someone to poke in on him from time to time, lest he miss a meal or two.

Comments

[papillion_de_resistance]

The motion he'd noticed out of the corner of his eye abruptly stopped just as Nagihiko's mood shifted. Was that odd little egg reacting to his emotions somehow? He'd thought it was just a toy of some sort, but perhaps...

"The chairman of what?", Gabriel asked. "It sounds like a business-related title, and I'm not sure I trust any sort of company that would go around recruiting children, whatever the reason."

Meanwhile, one last pin and... "There, all done. Just a moment and I'll bring the mirror over."

[nadenagi]

"The Chairman of the school. He founded the Guardians when he was a student."

[papillion_de_resistance]

"Mmm," he said. "All I'll say is that he'd best be willing to take responsibility for your safety, if he's any kind of leader for you. Or even just any kind of responsible adult in the group."

The mirror was pulled over and Nagihiko would be able to get a look at himself standing there in a sharp looking suit, primarily white with floral details in black. The main pop of color was a vibrantly blue pocket square. And while the look wasn't complete- he wasn't wearing shoes, for one thing- the way it fit him made him look about as masculine as a 13 year old with long hair could.

[nadenagi]

"He just picked us. We are an independent group." He stared at the mirror though when it was brought over. "I...." He looked... he looked... like him but not.

The egg wiggled more as Nagihiko stepped closer to the mirror as if drawn by a siren. This was one of the first times, if not the first time, he looked in a mirror and couldn't find Nadeshiko at all.

[papillion_de_resistance]

To his mind that still counted, but he was distracted from further comment by Nagihiko's reaction. And the egg's, which matched up to his shift in mood. So it did respond to emotions. Could it be that that egg was somehow his little companion, like the ones his sister and Utau had?

But he only spared the tiniest glance for the egg for the moment. Instead he focused on his young client. "I take it from your reaction that you like it?", he said.

[nadenagi]

"I... don't look like my sister...." he whispered, awe growing.

And then there was a sound of a cracking as the egg started to crack open in half.

Even as it did, Nagihiko was starting to grin. "I look better than she ever could..." He sounded almost smug, but also triumphant.

[papillion_de_resistance]

"Just wait until you see the finished product," he said. "The right shoes and accessories can really make an outfit. People generally talk about it in terms of women and girls, but it's just as important for men's and boys. Maybe more so, as male accessories tend to be more understated."

Resisting the urge to glance at the egg again was difficult, especially when he heard cracking, but he managed. "I should probably put he outfit back on the rack for now. But after the show, you can feel free to let me know if you'd like any other clothes made; maybe something a bit less formal?"

[nadenagi]

"I... I don't want to change back yet..." he said, voice growing in strength rather than weakening and trailing off yet. More like he was building confidence. The egg finished cracking and Rhythm popped out. He rushed forward towards Nagihiko.

"Oh yeah, Rock it out!" Rhythm said.

Nagihiko froze for a moment, staring at the Chara's reflection in the mirror.

[papillion_de_resistance]

Gabriel was about to say that he could wear it a little longer so long as he was careful- there were a number of pins in it, after all-, when he was distracted by the egg cracking and a small creature zipping over to join them. A small creature that he shouldn't be able to see, but when an object came speeding through the air in his direction he instinctively moved aside to avoid it. A move which Nagihiko would have certainly seen, due to the mirror. Oops?

[nadenagi]

Nagihiko saw the motion and spun to face him, eyes wide, expression unsure. Had he... seen....

He studied the adult's face, carefully, worried. Very few good things have ever come from an adult who could see Charas... and this was someone Nagihiko had been starting to like, to almost trust...

[papillion_de_resistance]

Gabriel could have played it off. Could have lied and tried to hide it. But Nagihiko's suspicion was plain, and trying to cover it up now would likely make the situation worse.

So instead, Gabe smiled a bit awkwardly, and confessed, "Well I suppose the metaphorical cat is out of the bag now. Yes, I can see your little friend. Your sister's and Utau's as well."

"I'm not certain why, when it's clear that not everyone can. Honestly, I thought I was seeing things, at first; I slipped and fell when I arrived, and thought might have hit my head without realizing it. But when I kept seeing and hearing them, I realized that they were really there. But it was clear they weren't intended for most people to see, so I opted to keep quiet about it, trusting that if any of you thought I should know about them, you would introduce me. Well, that and I didn't want everyone else to think I was hallucinating. I hope you understand."

[nadenagi]

Nagihiko hesitated, but Rhythm flew closer to his child and nudged his face. He took a deep breath then nodded. "They.... They're called Shugo Charas, Guardian Characters. They're the who we want to be. Parts of us. This is Rhythm. My Chara."

[papillion_de_resistance]

"Pleased to meet you then, Rhythm," he said, giving Chara a polite nod. "And thank you, both of you, for trusting me." (And listening from inside a cabinet, Nooroo smiled fondly, though he stayed hidden, no matter how much he wanted to come out and meet the Chara. Some other time, hopefully. After they were ready to have Betterfly 'arrive'.)

"I noticed that Rhythm seems to respond to your emotions," he said to Nagihiko. "That is, when your mood improved and you seemed to feel more confident, he seemed to grow stronger, and hatch from his little egg. Is that true of all Charas?"

[nadenagi]

"We tend to react to the emotion that gave birth to us!" Rhythm said happily.

"Ah.. yeah," Nagihiko said. "I'm still not fully sure what awoke Rhythm, but my sister's Chara, Temari, generally shows up when my sister is at her most feminine. Our friend Yaya's Chara Pepe was born of her wish to still be a baby."

[papillion_de_resistance]

"I suspect Yaya's wish will remain just a wish," he said, mildly amused. "One can't really go back to being a young child or a baby after they've grown past that stage of their life. But as for Rhythm..."

He considered for a moment. "If I had to hazard a guess, I would say it has to do with being comfortable with and confident in yourself. Your sister's turning up when she's feeling especially feminine would seem to support that, as that seems to be part of what helps her feel most confident and comfortable."

[nadenagi]

"Sure!" Rhythm said. "Nadeshiko wants to be super feminine and demure and stuff, but Nagihiko here needs a little help figuring out who he is if h's ever going to beat her!"

"Rhythm!" Nagihiko cried, horrified, flushing dark red as he grabbed at the small Chara.

"Not nothing, no one' gonna beat us when we're at our best, you'll see. Our best will be the best there ever was!" Rhythm declared confidently, unconcerned seeming.

[papillion_de_resistance]

Gabriel chuckled. "Well who could argue with confidence like that?", he said. "Though honestly, tradition aside, I'm not certain why it has to be a competition. Wouldn't it be far better to have two talented young dancers in both the school and the family instead of one?"

[nadenagi]

"Because the one of us who wins inherits," Nagihiko said softly. "Only one of us can win."

"Besides," Rhythm said, "everything's more fun when it is a competition."

[papillion_de_resistance]

"Well I wouldn't say everything," he said. "My world could do with a bit less competitiveness, to be honest with you. But that's neither here nor there."

"While admittedly I don't know anything about inheritance laws where you're from, where I'm from it's fairly common for siblings to inherit a home or a business jointly. Are you sure your parents wouldn't be willing to make an exception for the two of you? It hardly seems fair to ask a child your age to choose between their future and their sibling's."

[nadenagi]

Nagihiko shook his head "They would not be. This is a long held tradition in our line," he said softly. A little bitterly. "Our father went through this, as did his mother before him, and further back."

"But at least this means Nagihiko can show off how awesome he is!" Rhythm said, gleefully.

[papillion_de_resistance]

"Well, as long as you're sure," he said. It still didn't sit quite right with him, but he wasn't really in a position to judge another world's traditions.

"In any case, my job is to help both you and your sister look your best here and now. And if the bit of extra confidence that offers helps your dancing stand out too, so much the better. Whatever happens, though, and whichever of you inherits, I hope you can still remain close as brother and sister. I'd hate to see the competition drive a wedge between you."

Icon mismatch but... best I got on free, lol

[nadenagi]

"We're... not actually all that close at all..." Nagihiko admitted. "We have been trained separately our whole lives. Until we came here we've never been in the same place as each other for so long..." He squirmed a bit, awkward. "And we're doing our best now... but we're not really good at... getting along with each other."

[papillion_de_resistance]

"Really?", he said, mildly surprised. "That's too bad. After all, the competition will eventually be over, but you'll be brother and sister all your lives. I wish I could offer you some advice, but... well mending strained family relationships isn't exactly a strong point of mine, unfortunately."

[nadenagi]

He shrugged. "If she wins... I'm just going to go away...."

[papillion_de_resistance]

Now that got his attention. "'Go away'?", he said. "What do you mean? Surely your parents wouldn't kick one of their own children out of the house simply because their sibling proved to be a slightly better dancer."