lifeaftr | CLOTHING ADVENTURES

[She's never picked out her own clothes before.]

[Maybe once, and it didn't go over well with her mother. But her mother wasn't here, for one thing, and for another, after all she'd told Guzma and all he'd told her, it seemed more important than ever to start taking steps towards independence. This would be one tiny act of defiance. It was extremely important she pick something out.]

[Maybe something darker in color, since the island was not exactly passing the white glove test. Dirt, mud, blood if things like the flower disease kept up. Not a white dress environment.]

[Of course she's been standing in front of this pile for a good ten minutes, just staring and chewing her lip. This is! A big decision!! Help a girl out?]

[ The Knight is going to be of little help, considering that they have only the vaguest of ideas about what clothing is even for. People wear it, for reasons currently beyond their scope of understanding. Possibly as nesting material or something.

But they do recognise Lillie, and they wander over, carrying some items in the pile that they're fully intending to take with them. A red and black cloak with a flaring collar and a more sensible grey cloak clearly far larger than them seem to be the items they've picked out for themselves so far.

They tilt their head in an inquisitive motion. What is she doing? She hasn't moved for a while. ]

Oh, hello, Bugsy...I see you picked out some new clothes, too.

[Even this little Pinsir-like critter can pick out their own clothes!! If they can do it, she can do it!]

[...probably.]

I've never picked out my own clothes before...I don't have any idea what I'd even want to wear.

[ The Knight nods eagerly, and then turns their attention to the pile. Considering this new puzzle.

...

They clear a space to write on the floor.

what do you like ?
color/pattern/other
should look for things like that ]

What do I like...?

[Lillie gives the question some thought. While white is the only color she's ever really worn, she does like the colors in Nebby. Blues and purples - darker would be more practical in her current situation, but she's more fond of the pale and pastel variations. As for patterns, her mother had always dressed her in plain, lacy dresses and skirts. If she was to continue on the theme of matching Nebby, galaxy or starry patterns might work.]

[But she should probably say some of this out loud, huh.]

Um...I guess I like colors and patterns that look like Nebby - like the night sky? Maybe something...something like this isn't too bold, is it?

[She holds up a top hesitantly for the Knight's assessment.]

[ The Knight gives her what's unmistakably a thumbs up, or at least a positive gesture that happens to look an awful lot like one. You're doing great, Lillie.

They make a gesture, motioning to the shirt, and then to her. She should put it on to see how it looks! ]

You really think so...? [Lillie is pretty well-versed in reading non verbal cues, so her response comes as quickly and naturally as if the Knight had said it out loud.] There's really no place to change, though...and I suppose I'll also need pants to wear, won't I?

[There's no shortage of jeans in the pile. She's worn skirts all her life, but that's just not practical in a survival situation. So she drapes a couple of pairs over her arm and scans the temple for a relatively private area.]

[After a moment, a partially ruined wall catches Lillie's eye. She could duck behind that, maybe.]

I'll be right back, Bugsy.

[After a moment, she re-emerges wearing the new outfit, plus she has a hat in her hands. In an incredibly convenient turn of events, it has two holes on the top which she's stuck her fingers through to show the Knight.]

I found something on my way back over, I thought you might like it! It even has room for your horns.

[ The Knight appraises Lillie's new look as best they can given their limited understanding of clothing, and gives it an approving nod. (Truth be told, it's encouraging Lillie that matters vastly more to them than whatever she wears, and thus they would have approved basically anything.)

They tilt their head at the item of clothing she presents to them - they understand headgear, at least - and gently take it from her hands, placing it on their head with a solemn air of ceremony.

It certainly does fit them! Pretty well, in fact.

They start digging around for more clothing items to give their friend, and produce a few starry shirts of varying styles, as well as a few sparkly scarves. Now they know what to look for, they can help in earnest. ]

It looks good on you, Bugsy!

[Lillie can't help but giggle at the sight of the little bug digging around in such a huge pile of clothing. The tops they find are actually quite nice - she can't imagine why so many of the clothes she likes seem to fit her, though.]

[It's a bit hot for scarves and such to be worn normally, but they give her an idea. When Lillie accepts the shorter scarf from the Knight, she pulls back her mess of unbraided hair and ties it up in a ponytail with the scarf. The fabric is unique in that it glints in the sunlight, as if there were flecks of metal in the stars.]

What do you think?

[...man, dressing up and getting out of that miserable outfit her mother picked out is really nice. Like REALLY nice. She hasn't felt this refreshed and happy in ages!]

[Speaking of Guzma, he's not all that far away in this wide space. Lillie will hear an explosion of laughter to her side perhaps ten or so feet from her. Guzma has his head thrown back into a fit of hysterics, holding up a dark tank top - definitely the size for a child - with a particular saying and design put on the front. He appears close to tears from his laughter, swinging the top over his shoulder after another few minutes and mutters very simply.]

That's a keeper. [AND AWAY HE GOES TO PROCURE MORE TERRIBLE CLOTHING. Please for the love of god, stop this man.]

[The laughter is startling, if only because she recognizes the voice but not the sound. Has she ever heard him so happy or amused? One look at the shirt in his hands earns a solid snrk from Lillie herself, though.]

[Oh - Guzma! That reminds her, a shirt she saw and thought was a little too crude to be in the pile with so many young people around. He would probably love it, though. She goes rifling through a few piles before emerging victorious. Nebby does the honors of tottering over to Guzma with the most convenient shirt in the pile balanced on its head.]

[Oh, he heard that. Guzma turns, looking at Lillie as he rubs the tears from the corners of his eyes. Don'r you think for a second he's not going to try and get you into this here shirt, young lady. You are perhaps the one he has to work the most to get 'Tuff'. Although he will say that Lillie has made some good strides to become the strong-willed kid he knows her to be.

He opens his mouth, halted as Nebby putters over to him with the shirt, offering it to him. Squatting down to take it, he reads the words then bites his lip to mute his snickering.]

Nice. Thanks, kid. [And, true to form, the big guy just...removes his hoodie and undershirt entirely, tugging the shirt over his head to see if it fits. A bit tight, but only because he's got some wide shoulders and a long torso. Otherwise, it's great.] Ah right--

[Very suddenly, his face darkens, and the grin is gone. His face is dark, serious, and...a tiny bit threatening as he points to the censored word in the shirt he's now wearing.]

If I catch you saying this word out loud, you n' me gonna have a chat. [NO CURSING SAYS BIG BRO GUZMA.]

[Boy howdy if looks could kill, eh?]

[Anyway, she knows better than to go around swearing - besides, Lillie has never felt the need to curse. The anger required to curse is a bit of a foreign concept to her, someone who turns all of her frustrations inwards. It's funny, just a day or two ago she would have been petrified by the look Guzma's giving her, but now...well, he's not so bad. Let's leave it at that.]

I won't, I won't! Goodness, who do you think you're talking to?

[And weeks ago, this conversation probably wouldn't have even been happening. Guzma would not have cared in the slightest if Lillie let the foul words flow. But now that he's attached, he has to maintain at least the mirage of a responsible adult and mentor. These are still children he's got under his care, after all.

But he huffs, leans back with his arms crossed over his chest, chin out.]

Believe me, darlin', there's ladies out there what're even more pure n' you what still got taught them nasty curses. Now, I don't right mind if'n y'all curse when, say...you drop something real heavy on your foot - that's just pure reflex, yeah - but I don't want my girls going 'round spewing profanities.

I mean, unless someone ticks you off, but then you just sock 'em. [HALF RESPONSIBLE ADULT, RIGHT HERE.]

Guzma!

[YOU CAN'T JUST SOCK EVERYONE WHO ANNOYS YOU IN THE MOUTH AND BE DONE WITH IT YOU SAVAGE.]

[Anyway, something he says strikes her. "My girls", he'd called her (and presumably Luna). It softens her indignant, huffy expression. It's strange to think of Guzma - THE big bad Guzma - being a protective figure. Especially towards her, given past circumstances.]

I really won't, I promise.

[Nebby makes a sound of solidarity and Lillie laughs.]

Even Nebby will make sure not to swear, okay?

What?!

[YOU CAN'T TELL HIM YOU NEVER WANTED TO PUNCH SOMEONE IN THE TEETH, LILLIE. IT'S HUMAN NATURE. But he seems appeased by her sincerity and nods his head with a slight huff and a narrow of his eyes as he tries to gauge her words. It's when the little creampuff of a pokemon chirps at him that Guzma sighs and shakes his head.]

Alright, fine... C'mon, let's find you an actual pair of pants. I don't think trekking 'round here in that kinda dress is doin' it for you, yeah? Le'see... [It's going to take him the better part of maybe an hour sifting through all the horrible clothes, but Guzma finally produces an actual pair of jeans. Faded, with tears in the knees, but still functional. Heck, there's even a summery top to go with it.]

Try these on when we get home. Next up is shoes - y'all need a good pair of sneaks - but I'm doubtful we'll find anything here. Save up them favors, girly.

[While he searches for pants, Lillie searches for more things to return the favor - there's got to be some more buggy shirts in here SOMEWHERE...underneath all the memes, she finds a pattern that takes her a second glance to recognize. Guzma, of course, will know immediately.]

[Draping that over one arm, she continues her search until she comes up with a shirt that she just thinks will fit him well. It's not clever or funny or cute, but it's his size and will match the things he already has.]

[She presents them to him after he advises her to save up for sneakers. Which she's pretty sure she can get any time, considering she hasn't used a single favor yet.]

Thank you so much for helping me, Guzma. I really mean it.

[He's just about to tell Lillie to not bother - he has enough outfits to make himself look at least presentable most days - but the sight of his favorite buddy on a t-shirt looking so swag makes him all but snatch the shirt out of her grip.]

YOOO!! [I mean, at least he looks happy? But now he's starting to wave off her gifts - he really doesn't need much, and he can do his own clothes shopping if he does. If anything, he probably needs more undergarments, but Guzma's not about to tell a young girl that. Not today, Chris Hansen.]

Hey, don't sweat it, kid. And y'don't gotta get me nothing back - I been here long 'nuff, I got myself some spares already. Worry 'bout yourself, yeah?

If you're sure...I think I'll be set for a little while, at least.

[Lillie examines the small pile she's accrued, taking into account the tank top Guzma picked out and the likelihood that she'll have a few more before she makes her way out of the temple in full. Is it really okay to take so much? There's...so many clothes here...Besides, she can always spend some favors on more clothing in the future if need be, right?]

[Either way, it'll be nice to be out of this bloody dress, stained with pollen and bad memories, and impractical as hell for survival purposes.]

Believe me, I'm sure. I can pull out a couple more things for myself if'n I need 'em. Just make sure y'got all you need. Bet'cha there's no way you can find a pair of matching socks in this mess... Or a decent pair'a boxers.

[Guzma clears his throat, but he does manage to tug free a long hooded shirt, sleeveless and thin, despite the black color. He looks at the design on the front then begins to snicker loudly. It's going to be huge on the kid this is obviously meant for an adult but--]

Hey, kid, try this on a sec, yeah? Oh and-- [He pulls off his sunglasses and hands them to Lillie.] --these, too. Show your boy you got swagger, yo!

Hm?

[She looks at the hoodie and immediately pulls a face that says "Guzma that's going to be huge on me and you know it". But he hands her his sunglasses and that feels like a definitive sign of that this is happening regardless of that fact, and she lets out a sigh as she accepts the items.]

[Predictably, the hoodie engulfs her and hangs almost over her eyes. She slides the sunglasses on and completely on impulse, she strikes the Team Skull pose she's seen his friends do before battle. It takes everything she's got not to burst out laughing, pursing her lips tight and furrowing her brow.]

[How's THAT for swagger, eh?]

Like this?

[Fucking Incredible. Whereas Lillie does her best not to laugh, Guzma throws his head back and howls without hesitation. He holds his stomach as he doubles over, absolutely in hysterics. Let it be known that he has never once thrown any of those inane poses and handsigns unless it was meant to be stupid. He loves his little brothers and sisters, but they're are...well. They Sure Are.

He calms down after a few more seconds, shaking his head and breathing out, because wow, that was incredible. He claps Lillie on the head with one large hand and would ruffle her hair if not for the hood covering it.]

That'd do it. You're in. [WELCOME TO TEAM SKULL, LILLIE. You've completed your impromptu initiation.]

[The conformist in her rejoices at the thought of being part of a group, even as she internally balks at the thought of stealing pokemon or harassing innocent folks for sport. She stole Nebby, but that was for a good cause. But...well, if they ever go home, and if they remember their time here, maybe she'll be a good influence on the others.]

Pfft, thank you...boss.

[The last word is clearly a joke, and the way her tone lilts almost suggest that she was about to say something else. Like "bro". But that would be a bit far. Even if she thinks of him as a brother figure since their little talk, it's best left unspoken for a while.]

CLOTHING ADVENTURES

Lillie | OTA

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i cannot believe i found this image while searching for stupid shirts on pinterest

I'M SO GLAD - 1/2

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