video; UN: TripleJ

[kyley_b]

[The feed at first is just a mass of red, curly, curly hair. Then Kyle sits back from where he's propped up his Omni on his desk so his upper body and head are visible. He looks vaguely annoyed, which anybody who knows him will recognise isn't terribly unusual.]

So this is a problem that isn't REALLY a problem, but fuck it, I'm gonna ask about it anyway...

You guys have noticed the clothes here, right? Like, everything looks like you're gonna go hunt Dracula or some shit, or like you're going to that fancy-ass party celebrities go to on earth, the, uh, Met gala? Yeah, that.

Now I'm not a fashion guy. [This is evident to literally anyone who can see the feed - this is clearly a man who bought the first clothes he found that fit. Well, mostly fit. He's looking a bit like he mugged an extra in a bad stage production of Oliver Twist.]

But if I DID want something that didn't look like ass, I don't even know what that would look like, you know? Like if you wanted to make an impression, or something. So I guess just like... what the hell are you guys wearing?

Comments

[kyley_b]

I mean, it's fine? I'm not nude, that's what really matters.

[Any flirting would be vehemently denied.]

And I'm honestly really curious what people are doing considering that whether or not you go fancy seems to be a real thing here. Like people judge one another on it. So I was like, maybe Sleepers are taking sides, you know?

You look nice.

[obeir]

[ The compliment surprises him. ] Oh. Thank you. [ A little flustered, he'll just immediately shift focus off of himself. ]

"Not nude" is an easy standard to maintain. [ He's trying to suppress a smile now. ] So it was just general curiosity. Not because you're wanting to make an impression on someone in particular?

[ Yep. We're going there. ]

[kyley_b]

Welcome.

Heh, yeah. I guess. But yeah, I was curious how much we've all bought into Trench's sociological norms.

[He goes pink.] Uhm. No. No, I don't like, have to do that, everyone I know isn't shallow or whatever. But. You know, just. I figure this is a new life.

[obeir]

[ Now he does smile. ] A new life, a new start. A new look, if you want it.

I still have my dream town wardrobe — mainly suits, vests, sweaters. If any of that sounds more to your liking than the usual Trench fare... [ He tilts his head in invitation. ] Might just need some tailoring to properly fit you.

[ Because Kyle looks like a skinny thing while K's athletically built. But they're practically the same height, at least. ]

[kyley_b]

Yeah, exactly.

Like you'd give me a sweater? Aw, dude, no, I couldn't do that. Plus all the tailoring in the universe isn't going to make me look like I belong in it. You're, you know. Movie-star handsome.

[obeir]

Whatever you'd want. Regardless of the impression you may or may not want to make, I think you'd look good in a well-fitted suit. Have you ever had one?

[ It's unclear whether certain horned individuals would even care about non-troll fashion, but. Dress clothes are a good addition to any wardrobe as far as K's concerned. Glancing at something offscreen, he rubs the back of his neck. ]

The humans of my homeworld prefer a certain aesthetic. With androids. [ They want attractive slaves, in other words. He's nothing special in that regard. ]

[kyley_b]

Dude, I've worn a suit like, three places: funerals, my bar mitzvah, and prom. So, no.

...dude. Dude, I'm sorry, that was so fucking insensitive of me. Humans are assholes.

[obeir]

It's okay, it wasn't insensitive. It's... [ Just the way things are, for androids. But more importantly, he realises: ] I made it weird. Sorry. Thank you for the compliment. [ A beat. Maybe a suit would be a dubious gift... ] Do you not like the way you look in formal attire? Or just prefer other styles more?

[kyley_b]

You didn't make it weird at all. That's not on you, dude.

[He grins crookedly.] Not enough experience to know, but I don't think I'm a very formal guy in general.

[obeir]

[ He doesn't really look convinced, but... ]

Not all humans are bad. Some have been exceptionally decent — here and in Deerington, at least. I didn't mean to make you feel bad.

[ He gives a tentative smile. ] Also wouldn't want you to feel obligated to wear anything you're not comfortable in just because it's a gift.

[kyley_b]

No, but a lot of us are. It's okay, I know it. And I don't feel like... personally responsible. More like I just wish we as a species were better.

I mean, maybe there'd be a fancy event some day, I dunno. You're the stylish one here, dude. Hey, you know you're like, super nice, right?