[ Nate comes over to him, hands in the pockets of a leather jacket that's too big for him, knees poking out of the slashes in his jeans.
He does move to touch that beautiful purple fabric, though. How could he not? It's unbelievable to him that this could've been found so quickly. He barely even looks at the other options. ]
Wait, so. These branches, those form the corset? God, it's beautiful. Fit for a ballroom.
[ He's going to need to find a suitably classy venue to take her dancing in... ]
She's from revolutionary France, like mid-1800s I think. But I don't know what that means for fashion. This is perfect anyway. [ He smiles. ] The colour matches my magic.
The only things I know about France are that she comes from the same time and place as Javert and it sounds like a miserable place. I don't think I can use him as much of a guideline on princess apparel.
But yes, the corset is built into the gown under the branches. The lacing is up the back here.
Now, about the shoes. [Huaisang bends, and picks up a pair of shoes that he's placed waiting under the rack.] I think these ones are the sweetest. [He holds them out for Nate to take, then bends to pick up twomore, dangling them by their straps.] But she might go for the glitter on either of these. The closed-toe shoes are probably the classiest, while this one with the gold and crystals is the tallest--and the most expensive. I don't know if she's at all used to wearing high heels like this. If not, you might want to start her with the closed-toe shoes as the safest option.
Okay see now this is where he's a useless person, because these shoes all look essentially the same to him. He glances between them with a little line between his brows. ]
Yeah, I was right to come to you. I guess...whichever one has the smallest heel? I don't want her to not be able to walk. Although she could take them off, and they do complete the look.
[ He looks up with sudden alarm. ]
Is this going to start a little bag conversation? Shoes always seem to lead to little bags.
[Huaisang nods and sets the closed-toe shoes by the dress, then puts the other two away to the side. The next question bewilders him and he blinks at Nate.]
Why would she need a little bag? I don't sell bags. [He doesn't think about bags. He only ever carries the one qiankun pouch--his little silk bag of holding.]
No, now we look at crowns. [Leaving the gown and shoes by the cashier, Huaisang takes Nate over to his little selection of jewelry, which is almost entirely hair ornaments. He does understand the point of other jewelry, but other jewelry can be found lots of places. Finding proper hair ornamentation is much more difficult. Other shops clearly don't have their priorities in order.] Since she said she makes flower crowns, and you said she likes flowers, I think what we want is ... this one.
[ Nate's more than happy to leave little bags behind, and he follows.
Eponine's going to love this. All of it, he hopes, but this flowery headpiece? Even Nate thinks it's delicate and beautiful. He reaches to touch it, moving it so that the crystals catch the light. ]
It's perfect. Genuinely, Huaisang, it's better than I could've imagined.
It's my pleasure. Eponine's been wanting this for a while, so I'm glad that things are working out for her. [For the time being. Huaisang's seen a little bit of her track record for being able to ruin a good thing, so he's not holding his breath.] I'm sure she's going to love it, and she'll be thrilled with you for the gift.
I've arranged a discount to help with the price, and I do allow payment plans if you need that. I'll leave you to work out the details with the cashier.
Thank you. Believe me, it's worth every penny. But we haven't talked suits yet. I used to know my measurements, but that was years ago.
[ Despite being a firm believer in casualwear, he's no stranger to tailoring. He's skinnier than he was back then, though, his old size probably wouldn't work anyway. ]
Oh! Right, yes. [Huaisang shakes his head at his own forgetfulness.] I got so distracted with the important stuff.
[He gives Nate a playful wink. This is all for Eponine, after all, so her items were the priority. Now they can move on to Nate's apparel, also to please Eponine.]
Now, what I would like to put you in ... [He leads Nate over to a display and picks up a beautifully crafted corset vest. The black vest with ghostly white flowers that he picks up is laying flat, but a mannequin nearby wears a similar vest over white shirt sleeves, to give a visual as to how it might be worn.] Sleek and elegant, but without the same tight formality of a traditional suit, especially if you wear it without a jacket. Something you want to consider, or shall we take a look at a different idea?
Mm, I would describe the sensation as like a tight hug. I actually quite enjoy it. If you are comfortable with bondage, you'll do fine. And it can be laced to your comfort level. To start out with, we'd go barely more than 'snug'. Want to try?
[Huaisang loves putting people in corsets, but he also just plain thinks it's the best option. He has some other directions to go in if Nate doesn't like this one, but he's less confident about them suiting both Nate's taste and Eponine's sense of appropriate male formalwear.]
Well I'm normally the one tying up other people, but...yeah, I wanna try.
[ He has no idea how to lace it, so this'll be instructive for that at the very least. And it's definitely a different tailoring experience than he's ever had. ]
Good. [Huaisang grins excitedly, picking up a white shirt and a pair of black slacks in the right size and then nodding toward the dressing rooms. He heads right into the dressing room with Nate, setting down the corset and then holding up the button-up shirt for him to put on.]
[ Nate follows him, and glances at that shirt. He shrugs out of his jacket and pulls his t-shirt off. It's clear that he's very thin, a little too thin if we're honest. His nipples and navel are both pierced, there's a lot of tattoos, and quite a few scars too. He reaches for the shirt and starts to button it up. ]
So we should hide like, all of this, I think. How should I...?
[ He holds out his arms to give Huaisang access. ]
I don't think we need to make any effort to hide it, really. I think you should be upscale but still you. Piercings and tattoos and everything.
[Huaisang rolls up one of the sleeves to his elbow, showing off his forearm and the tattoos there. It makes the shirt look a little more casual, though the quality of the fabric is still obvious.
Picking up the vest, Huaisang helps to put it on Nate, lacing very loose in the back as he stands in front of him and shows him how to close it in the front, guiding the heavy metal hooks into place.] Start from the bottom and make sure you have the laces as loose as they get.
[Then he moves around to stand behind Nate.] This one laces from a little below the middle, so you're going to start here, at the small of your back. You can do this yourself, though it's easier to get someone to help you. [Huaisang guides one of Nate's hands back so that he can feel the center of the laces.] Then we just pull, making sure to draw it evenly up the ladder of laces. [He tugs on the ends of the laces, drawing them tight, and then tugs his fingers up every other criss-cross of the laces, distributing that tension through the whole length of the laces and then repeating the process again to draw it another bit tighter.]
[ Nate lets himself be styled, and watches with some interest. He doesn't think he's really had anyone style him before. Not with the intent of bringing out his own preferences, anyway. They were always working to a traditional brief.
This is far less uncomfortable. Once the corset is on, and he has a free view of it in the mirror, he's impressed. He straightens as Huaisang tightens it, and presses his hand to his stomach. ]
Oh, that's...god, I look tiny.
[ The corset fits exactly as it should, but it nips him in neatly and accentuates a waist that was already small. It's strange, seeing himself like this. ]
I never imagined something like this. I can work with it, though. You think she'll like it? [ That's his main concern. He likes it, certainly better than he's ever liked a suit. ] Is it princely enough, tattoos and all?
Tattoos and all, [Huaisang agrees with a firm nod.] You look like you as a prince, not some other guy's version of a prince. And I think that's important for Eponine, too. She feels like she can't be a princess, that girls like her can't be princesses. So I think it'll help her that you'll still look like you, as a prince. It'll make it easier for her to feel like she can be a princess.
[Huaisang unbuttons the top of Nate's collar, letting it fall open to show his throat. Rolled sleeves and no tie but gorgeous quality and excellent tailoring. Huaisang's pleased with the result, smiling warmly up at his friend.] It's perfect. I think you're ready. Is there anything else I've forgotten? Oh--does she have cute panties for under the dress or should we add those, too?
[ He certainly likes it a lot better than wearing a more traditional suit.
He looks at himself in the mirror, turning this way and that. He could be comfortable in this. Well, not comfortable, he wouldn't exactly characterise the corset as that. But he feels like himself, feels like he can be himself.
At this last, he looks sharply up. ]
I didn't even think about underwear. I have no idea what she has. Let's add them just in case, might as well. And I'll take these, obviously, and some black trousers, and some dress shoes, if you have them? I think this'll be great.
We'll get some cute panties for her. And some bra and panty sets, if you like. I don't know if she always wears corsets or if she's used to modern breast support.
I don't have the sort of dress shoes to wear with suits--I don't properly understand them. I'll recommend a shop where you can find that sort of shoes, though. Do you want to wear the corset out of here or take it off?
"Yeah, I don't properly understand them either. But, needs must."
He's not going to ruin this fit with his usual combat boots. And speaking of which:
"I'll take it off. I could use the practice anyway, let me see..."
He reaches to try and undo the laces, which he'll do clumsily. He wants to keep this nice for surprising Eponine, and he doesn't think anyone should see it until then.
Huaisang guides his hands as he gets it off, helping to give him a few tips to help his technique.
Once it's off, Huaisang leaves him to put his ordinary clothes back on, and goes out to pick out a few different pretty lingerie piece. He keeps it to relatively simple items, elegant and pretty, several different panties and a couple of matching bra and panty sets.
"She's going to be so happy," Huaisang says to Nate, once everything is gathered together. "Anything else that you need for her?"
"It's my pleasure. I'm glad she has someone to spoil her a bit." He considers a warning--keep an eye on her sticky fingers if she's in my shop, watch out for her sabotaging tendencies--but decides that he's already mentioned a warning along those lines and he thinks that Nate has enough of an idea of the topic. "And I'm glad to be able to dress you up a little. It's been fun."
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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He does move to touch that beautiful purple fabric, though. How could he not? It's unbelievable to him that this could've been found so quickly. He barely even looks at the other options. ]
Wait, so. These branches, those form the corset? God, it's beautiful. Fit for a ballroom.
[ He's going to need to find a suitably classy venue to take her dancing in... ]
She's from revolutionary France, like mid-1800s I think. But I don't know what that means for fashion. This is perfect anyway. [ He smiles. ] The colour matches my magic.
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But yes, the corset is built into the gown under the branches. The lacing is up the back here.
Now, about the shoes. [Huaisang bends, and picks up a pair of shoes that he's placed waiting under the rack.] I think these ones are the sweetest. [He holds them out for Nate to take, then bends to pick up two more, dangling them by their straps.] But she might go for the glitter on either of these. The closed-toe shoes are probably the classiest, while this one with the gold and crystals is the tallest--and the most expensive. I don't know if she's at all used to wearing high heels like this. If not, you might want to start her with the closed-toe shoes as the safest option.
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Okay see now this is where he's a useless person, because these shoes all look essentially the same to him. He glances between them with a little line between his brows. ]
Yeah, I was right to come to you. I guess...whichever one has the smallest heel? I don't want her to not be able to walk. Although she could take them off, and they do complete the look.
[ He looks up with sudden alarm. ]
Is this going to start a little bag conversation? Shoes always seem to lead to little bags.
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Why would she need a little bag? I don't sell bags. [He doesn't think about bags. He only ever carries the one qiankun pouch--his little silk bag of holding.]
No, now we look at crowns. [Leaving the gown and shoes by the cashier, Huaisang takes Nate over to his little selection of jewelry, which is almost entirely hair ornaments. He does understand the point of other jewelry, but other jewelry can be found lots of places. Finding proper hair ornamentation is much more difficult. Other shops clearly don't have their priorities in order.] Since she said she makes flower crowns, and you said she likes flowers, I think what we want is ... this one.
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Eponine's going to love this. All of it, he hopes, but this flowery headpiece? Even Nate thinks it's delicate and beautiful. He reaches to touch it, moving it so that the crystals catch the light. ]
It's perfect. Genuinely, Huaisang, it's better than I could've imagined.
Thank you. You're great at what you do.
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I've arranged a discount to help with the price, and I do allow payment plans if you need that. I'll leave you to work out the details with the cashier.
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Thank you. Believe me, it's worth every penny. But we haven't talked suits yet. I used to know my measurements, but that was years ago.
[ Despite being a firm believer in casualwear, he's no stranger to tailoring. He's skinnier than he was back then, though, his old size probably wouldn't work anyway. ]
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[He gives Nate a playful wink. This is all for Eponine, after all, so her items were the priority. Now they can move on to Nate's apparel, also to please Eponine.]
Now, what I would like to put you in ... [He leads Nate over to a display and picks up a beautifully crafted corset vest. The black vest with ghostly white flowers that he picks up is laying flat, but a mannequin nearby wears a similar vest over white shirt sleeves, to give a visual as to how it might be worn.] Sleek and elegant, but without the same tight formality of a traditional suit, especially if you wear it without a jacket. Something you want to consider, or shall we take a look at a different idea?
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His head tilts, considering. He likes that it's monochrome, and that it would match with the flower theme. ]
I've never worn anything like that. I...
[ He looks at Huaisang. ]
How do they feel? Restrictive?
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[Huaisang loves putting people in corsets, but he also just plain thinks it's the best option. He has some other directions to go in if Nate doesn't like this one, but he's less confident about them suiting both Nate's taste and Eponine's sense of appropriate male formalwear.]
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Well I'm normally the one tying up other people, but...yeah, I wanna try.
[ He has no idea how to lace it, so this'll be instructive for that at the very least. And it's definitely a different tailoring experience than he's ever had. ]
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So we should hide like, all of this, I think. How should I...?
[ He holds out his arms to give Huaisang access. ]
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[Huaisang rolls up one of the sleeves to his elbow, showing off his forearm and the tattoos there. It makes the shirt look a little more casual, though the quality of the fabric is still obvious.
Picking up the vest, Huaisang helps to put it on Nate, lacing very loose in the back as he stands in front of him and shows him how to close it in the front, guiding the heavy metal hooks into place.] Start from the bottom and make sure you have the laces as loose as they get.
[Then he moves around to stand behind Nate.] This one laces from a little below the middle, so you're going to start here, at the small of your back. You can do this yourself, though it's easier to get someone to help you. [Huaisang guides one of Nate's hands back so that he can feel the center of the laces.] Then we just pull, making sure to draw it evenly up the ladder of laces. [He tugs on the ends of the laces, drawing them tight, and then tugs his fingers up every other criss-cross of the laces, distributing that tension through the whole length of the laces and then repeating the process again to draw it another bit tighter.]
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This is far less uncomfortable. Once the corset is on, and he has a free view of it in the mirror, he's impressed. He straightens as Huaisang tightens it, and presses his hand to his stomach. ]
Oh, that's...god, I look tiny.
[ The corset fits exactly as it should, but it nips him in neatly and accentuates a waist that was already small. It's strange, seeing himself like this. ]
I never imagined something like this. I can work with it, though. You think she'll like it? [ That's his main concern. He likes it, certainly better than he's ever liked a suit. ] Is it princely enough, tattoos and all?
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[Huaisang unbuttons the top of Nate's collar, letting it fall open to show his throat. Rolled sleeves and no tie but gorgeous quality and excellent tailoring. Huaisang's pleased with the result, smiling warmly up at his friend.] It's perfect. I think you're ready. Is there anything else I've forgotten? Oh--does she have cute panties for under the dress or should we add those, too?
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[ He certainly likes it a lot better than wearing a more traditional suit.
He looks at himself in the mirror, turning this way and that. He could be comfortable in this. Well, not comfortable, he wouldn't exactly characterise the corset as that. But he feels like himself, feels like he can be himself.
At this last, he looks sharply up. ]
I didn't even think about underwear. I have no idea what she has. Let's add them just in case, might as well. And I'll take these, obviously, and some black trousers, and some dress shoes, if you have them? I think this'll be great.
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I don't have the sort of dress shoes to wear with suits--I don't properly understand them. I'll recommend a shop where you can find that sort of shoes, though. Do you want to wear the corset out of here or take it off?
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"Yeah, I don't properly understand them either. But, needs must."
He's not going to ruin this fit with his usual combat boots. And speaking of which:
"I'll take it off. I could use the practice anyway, let me see..."
He reaches to try and undo the laces, which he'll do clumsily. He wants to keep this nice for surprising Eponine, and he doesn't think anyone should see it until then.
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Once it's off, Huaisang leaves him to put his ordinary clothes back on, and goes out to pick out a few different pretty lingerie piece. He keeps it to relatively simple items, elegant and pretty, several different panties and a couple of matching bra and panty sets.
"She's going to be so happy," Huaisang says to Nate, once everything is gathered together. "Anything else that you need for her?"
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"Not right now," he says. "But I might bring her here after, let her pick more of her own. Thank you, for everything, that was amazing."
He may even be back for more of those corsets, just in case.
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