paixaorpg | The Overlord's New Clothes [Active]

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The Overlord's New Clothes [Active]

Character(s): Flonne, Laharl
Content: Flonne tries to update her wardrobe and get Laharl to wear a shirt for once!
Setting: Starting at Vyers' apartment, on to various Paixao shops!
Time: Week 29, morning
Warnings: None.

After everything that Flonne had been through, it felt nice to be back with her friends, trusting their hearts and knowing she was where she belonged. Sometimes she caught herself staring at Laharl, so happy to see his face, tired though he always was. She didn't fully understand how hard he had looked for her, how many sleepless nights and days he searched, until it was all done. Her loyalty to him was even stronger than it had been before, if such a thing was possible.

Now she sat on one of the couches in the living room of the apartment, hands on her knees, thinking hard. There had to be something she could do to show her appreciation... If she just said it outright, he would get annoyed and flustered. He was someone actions spoke louder to than words. Her first instinct was to bake something, but she knew that was impossible. So what about buying him something delicious? Oh, but the shops turned her away the last time she tried...

Her ruby eyes widened. "That's it!" she gasped, shooting to her feet. "Clothes!"

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"What about clothes?"

He was only passing by, looking rather like he'd woken up from a nap just recently and was, apparently, on his way towards the kitchen. Laharl was hungry and hoped maybe there would be at least something edible around. Maybe his mom might've left some leftovers of something.

Obviously, it was hard to not notice Flonne there, looking like an incredible idea had just struck her. Of course, how actually good an idea could it be? One could never be too sure with Flonne. It could mean a heap of trouble; how much trouble could clothes be? Famous last thoughts perhaps. He probably should have made an escape right there, but he didn't think of it, instead standing there looking at her with mild curiosity.

She turned in place and pointed dramatically at him, an excited grin on her face. "We're going to get us some new clothes!" Her declaration hung in the air as she continued to pose for a couple more seconds, but then she was a whirlwind of activity again.

Flonne fairly skipped over to his side, grabbing his arm without warning or apology. "Come on, Laharl-san, let's get going before it gets too late! Oh, and once we get new outfits, we can get some more food from the bakery. I wonder if they've come out with any new pudding flavors?"

Finding himself unexpectedly grabbed, he turned bright red as he spluttered out a reply, the rest of her words going in one ear and out the other. Only one part of what she said mattered.

"N-new clothes?! I don't need new clothes!" he complained loudly.

There was absolutely nothing wrong with his outfit, as far as he was concerned. The fact stops didn't like him going in didn't matter to him. He'd just threaten to blow a place up if they did give him trouble, but thus far, he hadn't really HAD to go in anywhere.

"Of course you do!" Flonne replied, cheerily ignoring his protests, both vocal and physical, as she dragged him out the door and down the hall. "You're a growing Overlord, you know! And you've been in the same outfit since you've been here! Just imagine all the styles they have in all those shops, Larhal-san! And this way, we can go to the shops much more easily." She hugged his arm, bent over as she was the taller of the two, and giggled.

"It'll be perfect!"

"N-No it won't!" he spluttered, his face somehow appearing even more crimson. She was way, WAY too close for comfort.

"There's nothing wrong with what I'm wearing!"

If she wanted new clothes, that was fine. He didn't really care, but the idea of wearing anything he saw the towns people wearing made him ill. He'd always worn shorts and his scarf. That was his 'look'! He wasn't about to change it.

Flonne stopped and looked down at Laharl curiously. "Well, no, there's nothing wrong with your outfit. It's very 'you,' Laharl-san!" She let go of his arm, stepping back and linking her hands behind her. "But let's just look and see what might be there! You might find something you like even more!"

Her eyes with limpid ruby pools, sparkling in the light. "Please...? I've missed spending time with you..."

Realizing her eyes were on him, Laharl did his best to hide his face behind his scarf, trying to hide just how red it was. At least she let him go, but that didn't help much.

"I doubt it," he muttered lowly. He just couldn't see himself liking anything the humans here made. None of it was his style in the slightest, although, he guessed he could see Flonne maybe in one of those dresses. He quickly shook the foreign thought in his head, glancing at her, and quickly regretting it.

Why did she have to look at him like that?

He was utterly tongue-tied for a couple long moments. It was true. They hadn't really spent much time together, especially what with her going missing for all that time and stuff.

"F-fine," he finally said, wondering just how much he'd regret the decision. "I'll come, but I'm not going because I want to look at any stupid clothes! Got it?"

He did realize what he'd just implied, but hoped Flonne wouldn't. At least, most of him hoped she wouldn't.

The implication was, luckily, lost on Flonne. As soon as Laharl had said "fine," she was jumping up and down in excitement, clapping her hands in delight. "Yay! Oh, this will be so fun! Come on!" Then she grabbed his arm once more, more as an effort to pull him, not hugging it nearly so close as she walked quickly ahead.

It wasn't long until they found themselves in front of a clothes shop. As far as boutiques went, it was hardly high-end, but it still had enough class that it was anybody's guess how the two demons would be received. Flonne stepped up to the display window and peered up in wonder. Two wooden dress manniquins had been set up, wearing the latest Victorian-style garments popular among the natives. Needless to say, there was a lot of lace and frippery.

"Oh, Larhal-san, look! Everything is so elegant!"

Laharl had the terrible suspicion it had gone in one ear and out the other. Dammit.

So dragged along the poor overlord was, until they came to a stop in front of some clothing stop. While Flonne so eagerly looked through the glass, Laharl peered from where he was, not wanting to get any closer than he already was--which was too close, by his book.

"Those look ridiculous," was Laharl's commentary, as he quickly lost interest in the display window.

"You have to learn to open your mind to other cultures!" she replied sternly. Her bright smile wasn't gone for long, though. She took his arm again and dragged him to the door, opening it with the twinkling of bells. "Come on, let's go inside! Maybe there's something more your style..."

The inside of the shop didn't seem any better. Gilded pastel wallpaper on the walls, velvet curtains on the window, the scent of heavy perfume...it was a warzone of the tasteless and the gaudy. Flonne, however, seemed absolutely enchanted. She stopped them at a rack of expensive looking shirts and it was anyone's guess if they were for a male or a female. She gasped and reached up, taking down a blue buttoned shirt with frills up the middle, a high collar and bows on the cuffs.

"This would look perfect on you!"

Tasteless and gaudy was unpleasant enough, but the perfume was utterly nauseating. He felt sick already, and it only got worse when Flonne held up the disgusting shirt. What part of he wasn't interest in looking at clothes had she not understood? Had she not even heard him?! He suspected the later.

At this point Laharl had taken one very large step backwards, towards the door. "No WAY. I'm never wearing something like that!" He couldn't even imagine himself wearing something like that, not that he'd want to.

"Why are you even looking at these?" he then quickly added. "W-why don't you look at girl ones?"

Uh oh. He was trying to escape! Flonne frowned, slowly moving into a battle stance. "I'm not saying you have to buy it, but you should try it on, at least! You're being so stubborn!" She quickly darted forward, the shirt held out in front of her as she tried to tackle the demon.

"Come on, Laharl-san...it won't hurt!"

Laharl really hadn't expected to end up tackled. He found himself on the floor, before he knew what hit him.

"W-what the hell are you doing?! Dammit, Love Freak, I'm not putting something so ridiculous on!" he snapped, increasingly annoyed. He'd agreed to come with her; what more did she want from him?!

As she struggled to tug the horrible shirt over Laharl's head, Flonne grit her teeth. "Y-you....are making a...scene!" At this point, she straddled him, using her superior weight to pin him down. Of course, she didn't mention the scene currently unfolding was entirely because of her. Heedless of any audience they might have, Flonne tried to tug his scarf up...and froze as something shiny and delicate caught the light.

It was her pendant. The one she had given him, the symbol of the change of love in his heart. She was so happy when he was able to touch it, so happy that he could finally understand what she knew all along. But she hadn't expected him to keep it.

Blushing, she stared down at the pendant for a few seconds before slowly looking into his eyes. "You...you're still wearing it...?"

Of course, Laharl did all he could to keep the shirt from being pulled over his head. Dammit, why was she being so stubborn about this?! "Like... I... CARE!" he replied, teeth gritting together.

Heavier or not, Flonne was easy for him to lift, but not when he was pinned awkwardly to a floor. His lack of weight and height was working against him in this case. "F-Flonne!" he growled, starting to really get pissed off at her. This was going too far.

"FLO--Eh?"

She'd stopped. At first he wasn't sure why at all, but then it dawned on him and her words confirmed it. Laharl's face flushed red, and he quickly moved his hand to grab and clutch the pendant, hiding it from her gaze out of habit, more than anything. "W-well... yeah! So?" he quickly replied, not really able to deny it's existence around his neck at this point.

Flonne smiled softly, the warm glow of her blush still on her cheeks. There was so many things she could say -- how proud she was to be his vassal, how cute he was, how much she loved him. But her own shyness kept her mouth shut and, besides, he'd probably explode at her if she said anything.

Luckily they were spared any further words at the insistent throat-clearing that came from behind them. Flonne slowly looked over her shoulder and up to the richly-clothed shopkeeper presently glowering down at them. "If you're done, I must ask you to leave," he said dryly, one eyebrow raised. "You're making the other customers...uncomfortable." He slowly ran his eyes over the awkward position Flonne and Laharl were sprawled into on the floor.

"You are ruining my shirt."

Even Laharl could tell that it seemed like she wanted to say something, but was holding back. The way she was looking at him, however, said plenty. Both liking and disliking the feeling stirring inside him, he found himself staring at her for a long moment, also silent. Sure, she might not remember saying those words to him, but as she still failed to understand, Flonne was Flonne. He didn't really differentiate from the 'two'. She just didn't remember what had happened. That was all. Because of this, he largely suspected she had much the same feelings, right?

Luckily they were interrupted. Laharl couldn't say he was particularly annoyed by this. Suddenly all TOO aware of the position they were in, Laharl moved to shove her off.

"G-get off, Love Freak," he muttered, giving the human a glare. "Yeah, yeah, whatever. We're out of here."

He was more than ready to get the hell out of here.

Still floating on the warm feelings in her heart, Flonne didn't even care about the shopkeeper's rude attitude. She was a little embarrassed at being caught in the position they were in, so she scrambled off Laharl at his shove, straightening her outfit. Face flushed, she grabbed the shirt and pushed it into the shopkeeper's hands. He scoffed in disgust even as she bowed slightly, but nothing more was said.

Without a word, she quickly ran back to the street outside, heels clacking on the wooden shop floor. Out in the fresh air and light of the city, she breathed deep, eyes closed. Then she turned on her heel to face Laharl, hands behind her back.

"I'm sorry, Laharl-san," she said brightly, grinning from happiness. Even now, her heart fluttered. He wore her pendant!

Laharl was not so apologetic. Casting barely a glance to the shopkeeper as he got up and followed Flonne out into the street, taking his time as he walked. He didn't care what the shopkeeper thought, after all.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever. Just... stop trying to find me clothes, would ya?" Laharl replied, his cheeks still flushed sightly pink. Meanwhile, he worked on trying to straighten his scarf and tucking the pendant back into it's hidden spot. He wasn't comfortable enough with the idea of having it in plain sight at this point; though not just because of his own pride, but also for the pendant's safety. Of course, as always, not that he'd admit to either reasons.

"Mm!" she nodded, watching him with more love and affection than she even realized she was displaying. "I won't. You're perfect the way you are!" Flonne turned and began walking down the road, hands still laced together behind her.

"I'd like to see what some of the other shops have...not for you, of course! But I'm really curious! Maybe we can find something pretty for your mother. We never really gave her a welcome back gift."

So now he was perfect, huh? Geez... He'd hold her to her words. No more clothes.

"A welcome back gift?" Laharl hadn't heard of such a thing, and... this place wasn't really something you wanted to welcome someone back to. Though, he didn't exactly have a problem with bringing something for his mother. But... what? What did mom's even like? Laharl had no idea.

"Yes! I know being here in Paixao isn't ideal," Flonne began, "but we should express how happy we are to have her with us. She's your mother, it's only right, you know!" She held up a finger, tilting her head back. "And as her darling son, she'd be happy with anything you give her, as long as it comes from the heart."

"Don't put it in such a love maniac way!" Laharl said, almost gagging. As much as he did care about his mom, that was still too much.

"Fine, we'll get her something," he said, not disagreeing with the actual idea. He even sort of liked the idea, but, of course, was not about to say so.

"...Any ideas?" He then asked. Laharl's only thought was flowers, but this place didn't have any real ones.

"Hmm..." As they walked, Flonne furrowed her brow in thought. Truthfully, she didn't know much about Gwen. She knew she was a composed, gentle but strong woman. Intelligent and brave but also, if her interactions with Vyers meant anything, possessing of a bit of a temper once roused. But did any of that help with choosing a gift?

"What about a book?" she asked suddenly, glancing at Laharl. "Perhaps she'd like something practical?"

Laharl slowed in his walk as he thought about this. He... really wasn't sure what she really liked. He imagined she probably liked reading. He could faintly remember being read stories as a child.

"Maybe."

His mom seemed to like practical things, but on the other hand...

"But... I think she'd like almost anything."

That was the truth of the matter. He somehow had the feeling any kind of gift presented to his mother she'd like. That was how she was.

"We'll just have to browse then!" Flonne stopped in front of another shop, one less ostentatious and more cluttered. "Ooh, let's look in here, Laharl-san!" Without waiting for a reply, she opened the door and entered, looking around with her hands clasped over her chest. The inside was cluttered with a disorganized mish-mash of items and clothing -- fabric draped over chairs and tables and hanging on the walls, knick-knacks and toys and tools piled on shelves and tables and floors.

From the back of the room, a gypsy woman hovered, swathed in long ropes of necklaces, arms covered in bracelets, rings flashing on her fingers. "Welcome, welcome!" she exclaimed, peering at Flonne from behind half-moon spectacles. She leaned to look behind Flonne to Laharl.

"How can I help this lovely couple today, eh?"

Edited 2011-06-18 23:27 (UTC)

Well, this was sure different, he thought as he followed Flonne into the store. He liked this store more than the other one, at least, though like wasn't exactly the word; tolerate was closer to the mark.

Looking halfheartedly at a somewhat interesting shelf, Laharl only paid half attention to the woman that came to greet them, until certain words caught his attention and then some.

"W-what? NO!" he choked out, annoyed. Why did everyone make assumptions?! However his face was still turning somewhat red. "We're not a couple!"

Flonne only blushed, pushing her two index fingers together. Everyone really was saying that a lot. Laharl didn't know, but every time someone said as much, her heart started fluttering and her head was filled with the kind of scenes you'd see in a girl's manga, all flowers and romantic bubbles. Completely unrealistic, of course, and she'd quickly shake herself of such fantasy, but the heart-pounding feeling would linger.

"Ah, so it is, so it is," the gypsy woman chuckled, waving her hand dismissively, apparently completely unmoved by Laharl's very vocal denial. "What is it you'll be wantin' then? You don't look like average children so I 'spect you ain't interested in toys an' what not." She winked at Flonne before fixing Laharl with her bright blue gaze, adjusting her glasses.

"Are you sure I can't interest you in somethin' pretty for yer girly here?"

Edited 2011-06-18 23:27 (UTC)

Laharl scowled, half hidden behind his scarf, trying to hide how red his face was, at this point. Who did this woman think she was?! At least she realized they weren't little kids, like most did, but still, he didn't like her one bit.

"No! We're just... looking," he huffed, hoping to get rid of her so they could look around in peace. Although, Laharl would have preferred to just leave.

Finally it seemed the shopkeeper took the hint...but not without a chuckle and a glance to the ceiling in amusement. "Fine, fine...you can holler once you found whatever it is you're lookin' for. I'll be over here." With that, she shuffled off behind a shelf and could be heard still chuckling quietly to herself.

Flonne had recovered enough to clear her throat and step up next to Laharl. "M-My...what an interesting woman," she said nervously, watching his face for a sign of explosive temper. "Anyway, is there anything that looks interesting to you, Laharl-san?" She had a hard time gauging how he was feeling, but just by seeing him hide his face, she knew he was embarrassed. It was best to change the subject as soon as possible!

"Sure. 'Interesting'..." Laharl muttered, as he turned away to begin peering at the shelves. Annoying woman or not, this place did actually seem like a decent place to find something for his mother. Just what exactly, he was looking for, Laharl wasn't still sure of, but he figured he'd know it when he saw it.

"I donno... I'm looking," he told Flonne, as he scanned the shelves.

Exhaling a silent sigh of relief that a crisis seemed to have been averted, Flonne turned to inspect the shelves and tables around them as well. Her interest was caught by something that glittered among the drapes of cloth. "Ooh, how pretty...!" she murmured softly, reaching within to retrieve...

...a bra. Not just any bra, a sequined pink bra with cups as big as her head. Flonne froze in her position of holding the bra out in front of her, smile plastered on her face.

"O-Oh, my..."

Laharl wasn't really paying attention to Flonne, his gaze on the shelves, trying to pick out anything that would be suitable. Examining a vase that looked somewhat interesting (but, no, he decided pretty quickly it wasn't something worthy of being given to his mother) he spared a glance towards Flonne, hearing her exclamation.

"What--What the hell are you holding?"

Whatever it was it was tacky as all hell.

"N-Nothing!" she gasped, shoving the bra back into the pile of cloth with a nervous laugh. She really had to be more careful about what she found in this shop, she decided as she turned to look through the shelves some more. Sighing, Flonne went to her knees and rummaged through a wooden box. After a moment, she smiled and withdrew a rather large, complicated-looking camera.

"Laharl-san! Why don't we take a picture of all of us and put in a frame for her?"

Laharl shrugged and turned back to the shelves, scanning over their contents. but was quickly starting to think nothing actually good was here.

Turning back to Flonne when she spoke, he eye'd the thing she held in her hands rather dubiously. That piece of junk could take pictures? He found that rather hard to believe, however, Flonne's idea on the other hand...

A picture of... all of them. All together like... Like a family. He only had one photo of his mother. It sat hidden away in his room back in the Netherworld. If more photos existed, he didn't know where his old man had stashed them. A new photo to remember this if... ...if things didn't turn out as he'd like to hope...

He felt something from the idea, and if he felt like this, he easily reasoned his mother would love it.

Somewhat sober now, Laharl answered Flonne quietly. "I think she'd like that."

Flonne watched Laharl's expression intently, noting the subtle shifts and the emotion in his eyes. Others might not understand what such a thing meant, but she did. Smiling gently, she stepped forward and placed the camera carefully into his grasp, her own fingers gently pressed into the back of his hands. She held still like that, looking down at the camera in thoughtful silence for a moment.

"We'll take more than one photo," she said quietly. "We'll take a bunch of them!"

Allowing Flonne to place the camera in his hands, he stared down at it for a moment, then glanced up at her and gave a nod. "Yeah... yeah."

He liked that idea. Ugh, he owed Flonne now didn't he? Figured she, of all people, would figure out the perfect gift for his mother. And, he was pretty sure, she'd already worked out that it would also mean a lot to him.

Laharl sure hoped this hunk of junk would actually work. It looked more complicated then anything he'd ever seen, not that he'd ever used one himself. Cameras were Etna's forte.

"Let's get it then, and get the hell out of here," he finally said, composing himself a bit, trying to return to a look of indifference.

"Yes, Laharl-san!" she replied brightly, turning to skip through the tables and shelves to find the shopkeeper. A bit away from him, she could be seen chatting with the woman as if they were old friends. Something the gypsy said made Flonne blush all over again as they both darted glances towards Laharl. She shook her head quickly, fumbling for the little coin purse she'd been using to keep her and Laharl's "money" in. The shopkeeper slanting another amused look towards the Overlord, as if she knew something he didn't, but took Flonne's payment without much more comment.

By the time Flonne joined him again, she was pretending as if she wasn't still blushing furiously. "W-Well, then...shall we go?"

Laharl was only half paying attention as Flonne spoke to the shopkeeper. That is, until he realized they were presumably talking about him, given the strange glances they were shooting his way. Annoyed and feeling slightly flustered, for some unknown reason to him, he attempted to pointedly ignore them, but somehow felt even more aware of the fact eyes were on him. Sparing another glance their way, he caught the gypsy looking at him with some sort of amused expression.

The Overlord was very glad when Flonne came back over. What the hell was she blushing about? He couldn't begin to guess.

She didn't have to ask him twice. "Yes, let's get the hell out of here," he replied, tucking the camera under his arm as he led the way to the door, so he'd have a free hand to open it. He wanted nothing more than to get out of there.

Filing out of the shop, Flonne spared one more glance over her shoulder at the gypsy woman before closing the door after her. Out in the street, she put a hand to her heart and breathed a rather large sigh of relief. Unbeknown to Laharl, the shopkeeper had tried to sweeten the deal with an additional purchase at a lowered price -- a heart-shaped frame for lovers, for a picture of Flonne and Laharl. She'd adamantly refused, of course, even if the idea of a picture of the two of them would be a wonderful treasure. She'd never convince him, though.

Smiling, she walked after Laharl. When they took a picture of everyone, she would be in the photo as well. That would be enough.

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The Overlord's New Clothes [Active]

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