Collab by @Capt. Blu and @Fox of Hearts
Escape meant survival. Cedric didn't need a second hint. Seeing the colourful mosaic embedded in the glossy steaming eggy exterior proved that Jack meant business. He shoved the plate back hastily into Jack's hands, spun around and left the kitchen. He wasn't in the mood to deal with that. Not this morning, not ever. Jack knew better than to try and bait him when he was half asleep.
Chester yawned. He gave his owner a green eyed stare not too pleased by the uneven steps vibrating up the bony shoulder. He hissed and looked away. He should have gone looking for the white haired woman. She was more pleasant in the morning.
"No glaring," Sid admonished.
The younger brother had more to say but his current companion was in no mood to listen. His cat was so similar to him that he knew a long time ago not to prod his sleeping cat. They weren't morning people. His ears picked up soft footfalls. Cedric froze. Who? Jack?
Annoyance roiled in his stomach. The nerve of that man! He thought it was painfully clear that he didn't want to partake in that nightmarish mess on a plate. He thinned his lips to bite back the snark heavy on his tongue. It was a good thing he did because it didn't take long for him to realise the footsteps were coming in the wrong direction. Someone was heading downstairs.
"Mew!" came a chirpy greeting.
Chaos' ears pricked up when she spotted her owner but she didn't bother leaving her spot on the shoulder. The black kitten stuck out a paw and patted Runali's cheek playfully. She purred to inform the woman that they had company.
"Tais-toi!" He shot back at the kitten feeling a little miffed at her sunny disposition. He couldn't remember when was the last time he ever saw her sulk. She really wasn't the cat for him in the morning. (trans. oh shut up!)
"Mew?"
"Fine. Pardon, mon chère. Be as you will." She was a little manipulator. He couldn't believe Chaos could make him feel so bad for snapping at her. (trans. sorry my friend)
Sensing it would be rude to ignore the woman, Cedric gathered whatever cheer he could muster and gave Runali a lazy smile. "Ah good morning, Captain! Sorry I didn't address you before Chaos. She has a habit of hogging the limelight."
He guessed that worked as an apology. Truth be told he wasn't as comfortable around the Stardusk as he had been with the Tankards. He lacked anonymity here given their tiny membership. He would run into someone and conversation happened. It was a small wonder he didn't start lurking around the kitchen more often. At least Jack appreciate a companionable silence wherein the two brothers would ignore each other and worked on their own separate projects. IF only Jack would drop the issue regarding his meal preferences …
He was beginning to wonder if he would ever have that sort of stability with other people on this ship. Ms. Vilimar seemed to be the most likely candidate. She was quiet. First Mate Tashigi was quiet too but she had a certain aloofness about her that didn't encourage him to stay too long in her presence. That much he gathered on his first few days. He could be wrong.
Runali was slowly but surely getting used to the cat- Chaos she remembered finally- but she wasn't used to the fact that the cat constantly wanted to ride on her shoulders. Runali was barely used to Coral's rough landings on her shoulder. Though with the bird, she was much larger with much sharper claws. "I dunno why you're so friendly cat, but you seem to fit right into the crew. I'm not giving you anything though. Unless you eat fish then maybe you'll get one or two when I go fishing. But Coral gets first share. Captain's pet priorities."
She looked up when Chaos patted her cheek, spotting Chester and Cedric coming towards them. Her brow raised, seeing the obviously forced smile. It made her chuckle a little and waved his apology away. "Don't worry about it. I don't know what I did to deserve her being in my face anyway." Runali looked a little curious and almost a little teasing. "Something wrong? You look a little tired. Don't tell me you're not a fan of sea travel?" She reached up, showing her typical cheery disposition as she gave Chaos a light pat. She pointed at the mass of fur on Cedric's shoulders. "Is this something they do often? Shoulder resting?" She never had a cat before, not including the tiger that roamed through the forests around Hawa Temple back at her home. But that was no lap animal, nor was she even close to being a pet- so her experiences weren't very broad.
Sid ignored the question concerning his "tiredness". He didn't feel like confiding in the captain over such a trivial matter. His issue was with Jack and he was determined to get his point across one day. "They trust you if they are willing to sit on your shoulder. You won't see her being this affectionate towards Ms. Masu, Makachi, Ms. Vilimar or Aracdius."
His hand drifted towards Chester's head. The cat rebuffed him with a swift, aggressive bite to the fingers. "This one here is too proud for his own good. He would only grace you with his presences if he feels you are worthy of his respect. Of the entire crew, he only tolerates you and First Mate Tashigi. I hope that answers your question."
Sid didn't relent. He tried to pet his grumpy cat's head again. Annoyed, Chester winked out of sight after hissing. The little lion reappeared at Runali's feet. He sat down huffily surveying the woman with narrowed eyes. Cedric's glare didn't faze him at all. His bushy tail brushed against the floorboards at random.
"Captain, before I forget," Sid trailed off as he pulled out a beautifully carved wooden box and held it out to Runali. He planned to return it earlier but he became too invested in decorating the outside of the box. He hadn't done any wood carving for awhile. He found it soothing.
"Jack insisted I pass this to you personally. It's your necklace."
He waited patiently for her to inspect his handiwork. He hoped she would be pleased. He knew he was. The necklace looked exactly the same despite him reinforcing the string. He hoped it last the next battle at the very least.
"Please let me know if you ever plan to take up my offer. I believe a WG Captain should look the part." He smiled a little more genuinely this time. His pride in his own abilities shone through. "I'd be more than happy to assist you with that."
Runali looked a little amused, moreso when Chester appeared at her feet. "Glad I can be good enough for… magic cats?" She was tempted to try patting Chester too but her attention was caught when Cedric presented a beautifully crafted box. Her eye widened ever so slightly when she opened it to see her necklace. It looked the same, as she inspected it. It looked a little cleaner and almost like new. "Ah," Runali started and carefully put it back, closing the box. "Thank you very much. It's… important to me. I appreciate you fixing it for me."
"You're welcome, Captain. I'm glad to be of assistance," he replied. Now he was intrigued. She was the first person to ask about the cats. He was starting to wonder if the rest knew what they were or they simply didn't care. He'd rather it be the latter. Jack wouldn't be happy if anyone made the connection. Sentiments Sid shared. "Magic cats? My friends are as normal as they can be."
He exchanged a knowing look with his ginger cat. Green eyes blinked then turned away. Cedric saw the slightest pause in Chester's eyes earlier. He couldn't shake the feeling that his Maine Coon was more intelligent than it let on. "I haven't figured out why they come and go like the winds. I suspect it must be a feline trait."
It was a half truth. He had suspicions for the actual reason they could teleport but he no longer had a mentor to explain things to him. He had been fumbling around blindly for a year and a half. It was frustrating even when he made progress. He hoped Vadoma or Belvedere would make good on their promise to him soon. He needed those references. "So about that outfit …?"
She offered a smile that turned into a raised brow. "Oh, you mean a new outfit? Well," She couldn't help but shrug. "I suppose I do need a new look. I don't see how it could hurt. And I did say I wanted to know what you could do." Runali stepped around Chester and gestured Cedric to get the supplies he needed and head to her cabin so he'd have room to work. "Show me what you got."
"Gladly."
Cedric stepped into a hoarder's treasure trove. The mess was starting to give him ahead. How could anyone find what they wanted down here? It wasn't the lack of organization that got to him but the haphazardness of the "system". He had no other word to describe what he saw. Squashing down his annoyance, he stepped around carefully gathering a few bolts of cloth and an long forgotten coat. He didn't expect to find such a good quality piece here. With a little modification, he bet it would suit the captain.
"I've got all I need."
Idle chatter happened every hour or two as Cedric set about working on a new blouse and pants for Runali. He allowed his model to leave for a quick lunch around one in the afternoon but he refused to follow. Food didn't matter to him. He was too invested in his current project. Dinner would have been missed as well until it was pointed out that the captain would need to sleep. The young man bit back a protest allowing himself to be nudged out the door. His two cats didn't follow. They were contented where they were.
Cedric continued working by candlelight out on the deck. He was minutely aware of surroundings although his empty stomach went ignored. He opted out of dinner after seeing what was served. His stomach wouldn't be able to take food that rich or spicy after an eighteen hour fast. Was it twenty now? He wasn't sure.
He heard the crew changing shift. For a moment he looked up, his brows threaded in confusion. Then he relaxed remembering he wasn't on nightwatch duty today. He closed his eyes for a while to take short break. Sleep was beckoning when he sensed Jack walking over. His eyes snapped open, as his older brother stood over him with a plate in hand. Chaos sat on his shoulder nuzzling his cheek. Chester was nowhere in sight. Sid suspected he had gone to look for Alicia.
"Merci, frére. Ne devous pas être dormi?" (trans. Thank you, brother. Shouldn't you be asleep?)
He appreciated the thought but food was the last thing on his mind right now. A faint pink tinted the horizons when he finally stood up. He leaned back and stared at the brightening sky. His attention finally on the food. Runali's new clothes lay folded neatly at the side. That was fast! he admitted. He expected to take at least one more day. He saw a hawk, Coral Pearl Jack called her, launching herself from the eagle's nest. Cedric removed several sardines from inside his uneaten sandwich and offered it her.
His gift was accepted but she didn't linger long. She flew off towards the person approaching them. He waved at Runali. "Bon jour, Captain! I need you to try on the clothes. Please let me know when you're ready."
He felt a warm body brush against his back. Chester had decided to rejoin him. His eyes met green ones. Was the grumpy cat glaring at him? He guessed that meant Chester tried finding him in bed last night. His Majesty usually slept on a pillow beside him. That was his scheduled cuddle time, apparently.
Cedric got to diligent work. Time ticked and Runali was questioned and measured much more than she was accustomed to. In fact, she didn't think she ever put this much attention into her clothing, accept during festivals and ceremonies back home. Most of the outfits she wore were baggy and loose sleeved enough for comfort. They didn't have much significance as she was always rushing about and getting into trouble. Though, the longer she stayed in the rather quiet realm of tailoring with Cedric she started to wonder just how much her appearance mattered to those around her. After all, Alicia was always cleanly dressed in her Yula Feian attire- which she figured was just a customary thing. Then there was Sara and Zilia who were always so meticulous about their hair and being cleanly. Thinking back to all of her encounters with other pirates- at least the women, it was a similar trend.
At some point during, Runali could only huff and run fingers through her hair, continuing to ruffle it then smooth it down. At another point, she was thankful to be distracted by lunch, using it as a moment to escape.. A few times, she pestered Cedric about taking a break for food, but he was just as stubborn as his brother so she let him work.
What she thought would be quick and easy became a full day process- not that she knew how long it took to make clothes. The next morning, Runali was up early as she normally was, ready to get the day started. She wasn't exactly expecting to see Cedric so early, but the way he worked before made it less surprising.
"Morning to- Oh? Have you finished already?" She looked a bit surprised but gladly took the folded clothes. Absentmindedly, Runali tilted her head slightly as Coral landed on her shoulder. The bird tapped her head against Runali's in greeting and Runali returned it with a light scratch and a soft 'g'morning'. "Yeah I'll try these on now, no problem." She gave a nod and walked off with the bird in tow.
The others began to start their day, making their way to the deck of the ship or going to find breakfast by the time Runali returned to show Cedric. The intrigue hadn't left her face when she put the outfit on. The pants she wore were black and cut off just under her knees, flexible enough for her to stride towards him stepping as light as she normally did. Instead of a regular blouse, now Runali was in a black vest with a golden buckle at her waist. The vest itself had peculiar red and gold off the shoulder short sleeves showing off the tattoos on both her arms a lot easier than before. Runali's hair was pushed back, showing off an eyepatch with the Stardusk symbol on it. However the most notable thing about the entire outfit was the long red and gold decorated pirate coat that went below her knees. It was only slung over one shoulder at the moment, and yet it still managed to tie the outfit together.
Outfit Reference of Outfit (obviously not exactly)
"Y'know Cedric…" Runali gave herself a look over again, turning a bit before Coral landed on the shoulder the coat was draped on. "I feel... Important."
Chester walked around Runali. He tilted his head and purred. He didn't need to say it but he seemed to approve of her new look. The snobbish cat was sitting a lot closer to the woman than before. Not too close, though. He liked his personal space.
"That's acceptable for someone your status. I want you to make an impression on outsiders when you first meet them. It's an important lesson you should embrace. His Majesty would agree if he could talk," the tailor mused.
Sid was glad it fitted very well. He knew his measurements were accurate but he didn't like trusting in blind faith. He wanted tangible proof. He leaned back against the wall allowing fatigue to wash over him. This won't be the last outfit he'd be making for the captain. That won't be enough. She needed more options in her wardrobe. An attire for formal events for instance. He had some designs in mind given her style preferences. In fact, he had an interesting bolt of cloth in mind for a decorative sash. He had no plans of returning it to that rat's nest. He was worried he won't be able to find it so easily next time.
Or maybe he could?
"Captain, I have one request. I'd like permission to organise your … store room." He didn't mean to sound so offended. Just thinking of the clutter made him irritated all over again. This was the reason he insisted on having his bedroom untouched. There needed to be order so that he could remain sane.
"Tidying up the place will free up more space for future use. The room is much bigger than it looks."
Escape meant survival. Cedric didn't need a second hint. Seeing the colourful mosaic embedded in the glossy steaming eggy exterior proved that Jack meant business. He shoved the plate back hastily into Jack's hands, spun around and left the kitchen. He wasn't in the mood to deal with that. Not this morning, not ever. Jack knew better than to try and bait him when he was half asleep.
Chester yawned. He gave his owner a green eyed stare not too pleased by the uneven steps vibrating up the bony shoulder. He hissed and looked away. He should have gone looking for the white haired woman. She was more pleasant in the morning.
"No glaring," Sid admonished.
The younger brother had more to say but his current companion was in no mood to listen. His cat was so similar to him that he knew a long time ago not to prod his sleeping cat. They weren't morning people. His ears picked up soft footfalls. Cedric froze. Who? Jack?
Annoyance roiled in his stomach. The nerve of that man! He thought it was painfully clear that he didn't want to partake in that nightmarish mess on a plate. He thinned his lips to bite back the snark heavy on his tongue. It was a good thing he did because it didn't take long for him to realise the footsteps were coming in the wrong direction. Someone was heading downstairs.
"Mew!" came a chirpy greeting.
Chaos' ears pricked up when she spotted her owner but she didn't bother leaving her spot on the shoulder. The black kitten stuck out a paw and patted Runali's cheek playfully. She purred to inform the woman that they had company.
"Tais-toi!" He shot back at the kitten feeling a little miffed at her sunny disposition. He couldn't remember when was the last time he ever saw her sulk. She really wasn't the cat for him in the morning. (trans. oh shut up!)
"Mew?"
"Fine. Pardon, mon chère. Be as you will." She was a little manipulator. He couldn't believe Chaos could make him feel so bad for snapping at her. (trans. sorry my friend)
Sensing it would be rude to ignore the woman, Cedric gathered whatever cheer he could muster and gave Runali a lazy smile. "Ah good morning, Captain! Sorry I didn't address you before Chaos. She has a habit of hogging the limelight."
He guessed that worked as an apology. Truth be told he wasn't as comfortable around the Stardusk as he had been with the Tankards. He lacked anonymity here given their tiny membership. He would run into someone and conversation happened. It was a small wonder he didn't start lurking around the kitchen more often. At least Jack appreciate a companionable silence wherein the two brothers would ignore each other and worked on their own separate projects. IF only Jack would drop the issue regarding his meal preferences …
He was beginning to wonder if he would ever have that sort of stability with other people on this ship. Ms. Vilimar seemed to be the most likely candidate. She was quiet. First Mate Tashigi was quiet too but she had a certain aloofness about her that didn't encourage him to stay too long in her presence. That much he gathered on his first few days. He could be wrong.
Runali was slowly but surely getting used to the cat- Chaos she remembered finally- but she wasn't used to the fact that the cat constantly wanted to ride on her shoulders. Runali was barely used to Coral's rough landings on her shoulder. Though with the bird, she was much larger with much sharper claws. "I dunno why you're so friendly cat, but you seem to fit right into the crew. I'm not giving you anything though. Unless you eat fish then maybe you'll get one or two when I go fishing. But Coral gets first share. Captain's pet priorities."
She looked up when Chaos patted her cheek, spotting Chester and Cedric coming towards them. Her brow raised, seeing the obviously forced smile. It made her chuckle a little and waved his apology away. "Don't worry about it. I don't know what I did to deserve her being in my face anyway." Runali looked a little curious and almost a little teasing. "Something wrong? You look a little tired. Don't tell me you're not a fan of sea travel?" She reached up, showing her typical cheery disposition as she gave Chaos a light pat. She pointed at the mass of fur on Cedric's shoulders. "Is this something they do often? Shoulder resting?" She never had a cat before, not including the tiger that roamed through the forests around Hawa Temple back at her home. But that was no lap animal, nor was she even close to being a pet- so her experiences weren't very broad.
Sid ignored the question concerning his "tiredness". He didn't feel like confiding in the captain over such a trivial matter. His issue was with Jack and he was determined to get his point across one day. "They trust you if they are willing to sit on your shoulder. You won't see her being this affectionate towards Ms. Masu, Makachi, Ms. Vilimar or Aracdius."
His hand drifted towards Chester's head. The cat rebuffed him with a swift, aggressive bite to the fingers. "This one here is too proud for his own good. He would only grace you with his presences if he feels you are worthy of his respect. Of the entire crew, he only tolerates you and First Mate Tashigi. I hope that answers your question."
Sid didn't relent. He tried to pet his grumpy cat's head again. Annoyed, Chester winked out of sight after hissing. The little lion reappeared at Runali's feet. He sat down huffily surveying the woman with narrowed eyes. Cedric's glare didn't faze him at all. His bushy tail brushed against the floorboards at random.
"Captain, before I forget," Sid trailed off as he pulled out a beautifully carved wooden box and held it out to Runali. He planned to return it earlier but he became too invested in decorating the outside of the box. He hadn't done any wood carving for awhile. He found it soothing.
"Jack insisted I pass this to you personally. It's your necklace."
He waited patiently for her to inspect his handiwork. He hoped she would be pleased. He knew he was. The necklace looked exactly the same despite him reinforcing the string. He hoped it last the next battle at the very least.
"Please let me know if you ever plan to take up my offer. I believe a WG Captain should look the part." He smiled a little more genuinely this time. His pride in his own abilities shone through. "I'd be more than happy to assist you with that."
Runali looked a little amused, moreso when Chester appeared at her feet. "Glad I can be good enough for… magic cats?" She was tempted to try patting Chester too but her attention was caught when Cedric presented a beautifully crafted box. Her eye widened ever so slightly when she opened it to see her necklace. It looked the same, as she inspected it. It looked a little cleaner and almost like new. "Ah," Runali started and carefully put it back, closing the box. "Thank you very much. It's… important to me. I appreciate you fixing it for me."
"You're welcome, Captain. I'm glad to be of assistance," he replied. Now he was intrigued. She was the first person to ask about the cats. He was starting to wonder if the rest knew what they were or they simply didn't care. He'd rather it be the latter. Jack wouldn't be happy if anyone made the connection. Sentiments Sid shared. "Magic cats? My friends are as normal as they can be."
He exchanged a knowing look with his ginger cat. Green eyes blinked then turned away. Cedric saw the slightest pause in Chester's eyes earlier. He couldn't shake the feeling that his Maine Coon was more intelligent than it let on. "I haven't figured out why they come and go like the winds. I suspect it must be a feline trait."
It was a half truth. He had suspicions for the actual reason they could teleport but he no longer had a mentor to explain things to him. He had been fumbling around blindly for a year and a half. It was frustrating even when he made progress. He hoped Vadoma or Belvedere would make good on their promise to him soon. He needed those references. "So about that outfit …?"
She offered a smile that turned into a raised brow. "Oh, you mean a new outfit? Well," She couldn't help but shrug. "I suppose I do need a new look. I don't see how it could hurt. And I did say I wanted to know what you could do." Runali stepped around Chester and gestured Cedric to get the supplies he needed and head to her cabin so he'd have room to work. "Show me what you got."
"Gladly."
Cedric stepped into a hoarder's treasure trove. The mess was starting to give him ahead. How could anyone find what they wanted down here? It wasn't the lack of organization that got to him but the haphazardness of the "system". He had no other word to describe what he saw. Squashing down his annoyance, he stepped around carefully gathering a few bolts of cloth and an long forgotten coat. He didn't expect to find such a good quality piece here. With a little modification, he bet it would suit the captain.
"I've got all I need."
Idle chatter happened every hour or two as Cedric set about working on a new blouse and pants for Runali. He allowed his model to leave for a quick lunch around one in the afternoon but he refused to follow. Food didn't matter to him. He was too invested in his current project. Dinner would have been missed as well until it was pointed out that the captain would need to sleep. The young man bit back a protest allowing himself to be nudged out the door. His two cats didn't follow. They were contented where they were.
Cedric continued working by candlelight out on the deck. He was minutely aware of surroundings although his empty stomach went ignored. He opted out of dinner after seeing what was served. His stomach wouldn't be able to take food that rich or spicy after an eighteen hour fast. Was it twenty now? He wasn't sure.
He heard the crew changing shift. For a moment he looked up, his brows threaded in confusion. Then he relaxed remembering he wasn't on nightwatch duty today. He closed his eyes for a while to take short break. Sleep was beckoning when he sensed Jack walking over. His eyes snapped open, as his older brother stood over him with a plate in hand. Chaos sat on his shoulder nuzzling his cheek. Chester was nowhere in sight. Sid suspected he had gone to look for Alicia.
"Merci, frére. Ne devous pas être dormi?" (trans. Thank you, brother. Shouldn't you be asleep?)
He appreciated the thought but food was the last thing on his mind right now. A faint pink tinted the horizons when he finally stood up. He leaned back and stared at the brightening sky. His attention finally on the food. Runali's new clothes lay folded neatly at the side. That was fast! he admitted. He expected to take at least one more day. He saw a hawk, Coral Pearl Jack called her, launching herself from the eagle's nest. Cedric removed several sardines from inside his uneaten sandwich and offered it her.
His gift was accepted but she didn't linger long. She flew off towards the person approaching them. He waved at Runali. "Bon jour, Captain! I need you to try on the clothes. Please let me know when you're ready."
He felt a warm body brush against his back. Chester had decided to rejoin him. His eyes met green ones. Was the grumpy cat glaring at him? He guessed that meant Chester tried finding him in bed last night. His Majesty usually slept on a pillow beside him. That was his scheduled cuddle time, apparently.
Cedric got to diligent work. Time ticked and Runali was questioned and measured much more than she was accustomed to. In fact, she didn't think she ever put this much attention into her clothing, accept during festivals and ceremonies back home. Most of the outfits she wore were baggy and loose sleeved enough for comfort. They didn't have much significance as she was always rushing about and getting into trouble. Though, the longer she stayed in the rather quiet realm of tailoring with Cedric she started to wonder just how much her appearance mattered to those around her. After all, Alicia was always cleanly dressed in her Yula Feian attire- which she figured was just a customary thing. Then there was Sara and Zilia who were always so meticulous about their hair and being cleanly. Thinking back to all of her encounters with other pirates- at least the women, it was a similar trend.
At some point during, Runali could only huff and run fingers through her hair, continuing to ruffle it then smooth it down. At another point, she was thankful to be distracted by lunch, using it as a moment to escape.. A few times, she pestered Cedric about taking a break for food, but he was just as stubborn as his brother so she let him work.
What she thought would be quick and easy became a full day process- not that she knew how long it took to make clothes. The next morning, Runali was up early as she normally was, ready to get the day started. She wasn't exactly expecting to see Cedric so early, but the way he worked before made it less surprising.
"Morning to- Oh? Have you finished already?" She looked a bit surprised but gladly took the folded clothes. Absentmindedly, Runali tilted her head slightly as Coral landed on her shoulder. The bird tapped her head against Runali's in greeting and Runali returned it with a light scratch and a soft 'g'morning'. "Yeah I'll try these on now, no problem." She gave a nod and walked off with the bird in tow.
The others began to start their day, making their way to the deck of the ship or going to find breakfast by the time Runali returned to show Cedric. The intrigue hadn't left her face when she put the outfit on. The pants she wore were black and cut off just under her knees, flexible enough for her to stride towards him stepping as light as she normally did. Instead of a regular blouse, now Runali was in a black vest with a golden buckle at her waist. The vest itself had peculiar red and gold off the shoulder short sleeves showing off the tattoos on both her arms a lot easier than before. Runali's hair was pushed back, showing off an eyepatch with the Stardusk symbol on it. However the most notable thing about the entire outfit was the long red and gold decorated pirate coat that went below her knees. It was only slung over one shoulder at the moment, and yet it still managed to tie the outfit together.
Outfit Reference of Outfit (obviously not exactly)
"Y'know Cedric…" Runali gave herself a look over again, turning a bit before Coral landed on the shoulder the coat was draped on. "I feel... Important."
Chester walked around Runali. He tilted his head and purred. He didn't need to say it but he seemed to approve of her new look. The snobbish cat was sitting a lot closer to the woman than before. Not too close, though. He liked his personal space.
"That's acceptable for someone your status. I want you to make an impression on outsiders when you first meet them. It's an important lesson you should embrace. His Majesty would agree if he could talk," the tailor mused.
Sid was glad it fitted very well. He knew his measurements were accurate but he didn't like trusting in blind faith. He wanted tangible proof. He leaned back against the wall allowing fatigue to wash over him. This won't be the last outfit he'd be making for the captain. That won't be enough. She needed more options in her wardrobe. An attire for formal events for instance. He had some designs in mind given her style preferences. In fact, he had an interesting bolt of cloth in mind for a decorative sash. He had no plans of returning it to that rat's nest. He was worried he won't be able to find it so easily next time.
Or maybe he could?
"Captain, I have one request. I'd like permission to organise your … store room." He didn't mean to sound so offended. Just thinking of the clutter made him irritated all over again. This was the reason he insisted on having his bedroom untouched. There needed to be order so that he could remain sane.
"Tidying up the place will free up more space for future use. The room is much bigger than it looks."