A/N: I don't really have a whole lot to say about this story...except I love it, lol. This series is taking a turn for the fantastic and we hope you still enjoy it:D
Reno - 2011
Hitching up my cargo pants, I pulled the ski mask over my head, blinking my eyes as they looked through the two holes in the wool and I smiled as that familiar tune settled into my ears once I'd started my ipod. Mission impossible was the best possible theme considering this situation. Contrary to the usual, I had no clue what I was snatching from the big ass manor standing before me.
The thieving community wasn't a loud one, but that wasn't the only one I circled in, no... I was a big shot millionaire thanks to all those beautiful items I'd gotten my hands on. Those rare few who knew I was rich because I stole told me I was lucky, I believed I was just good at what I did. In any case, the banquet held for some kind of charity I'd been invited to but ended up not giving money too...
The lady, Larxene had been her name, yo... Yeah, she had approached me, told me I was all kinds of 'vile' and that I needed to re-think my life style. Greed was not good for the soul is what that bitch had informed me off, saying I didn't deserve the luxury I was bathing in daily. She'd then accidentally tipped me off about a particularly valuable item that supposedly was residing in the manor I was climbing the side wall of right now. I'd smirked, telling her thank you, and she'd then looked shocked she'd let that slip, telling me not to listen to her or do anything... She knew I was a thief, she shouldn't have told me about the item, should have known I'd want it. And I did, oh, how I wanted it... Why? Because it wasn't mine and I needed it to be.
Scaling the rest of the wall, I popped the second floor window and then stealthily slipped inside, crouching down and looking around the room. Straightening, I looked curiously around the room, seeing that all furniture was covered with white sheets. Pulling one off, it revealed a beautiful oak desk, and I was sorry I hadn't brought back up and a van. Another time then. Sneezing as dust floated into the air, I wasn't too worried about keeping my presence hidden as from the looks of it, this house was empty of people.
Reaching up for my goggles, I pulled them over my eyes and then couldn't help but chuckle like a child might as I pressed the button and checked to see if there were any red lasers for security. I knew there wouldn't be, but any excuse to use that gadget.
Cutting the crap, I settled them back up on top of my head and then moved through the room, using the flashlight I'd carried in one of the many pants pockets so I could take a proper look around and find the item I was looking for. I didn't need to know what it was, so long it was valuable, I'd be able to smell it... And I could smell that there was something amazing in this room...
The ray of my flashlight landed on the wall and I paused it from moving as I saw a painting... The frame had to be worth hundreds, not something I'd usually go for since I had plenty of frames that were worth thousands, but the painting... About to walk over to it, I was interrupted when my cellphone rang, and I squawked in nervousness. I wasn't a wuss or a scaredy cat, nosiree, but people should really not be allowed to call and surprise me in the middle of a thieving mission!
Picking up, I barked, "What?"
"Hey, easy Reno. It's just Riku."
My boring cousin. "Yo. What do you want?"
He sighed. "Nice to talk to you too. I'm just doing my duty and calling to invite you to the family get together. You coming?"
Frowning at the phone, I shook my head in bewilderment. "Of course I ain't coming, Cuz, where the hell's your head at? Reno don't show to these events, yo?" I waited just one second and then nodded when all I got was silence in return. "Kay, you get me, good. Gotta go, yo, middle of a job, talk to you..." I wrinkled my nose, shrugging, "When the fuck ever."
"When the fuck ever, huh? Yeah, I figured. Later, cuz." Click.
Glad that was over, I shoved the device back into my pocket and then resumed what I'd been doing, walking over to the painting, pointing my flashlight at it. Once I was close to it, my lips parted beneath the ski mask, my movements slowing and my head tilting in curiosity as I looked at the delicate brush strokes placed upon the canvas. I'd seen better pieces, definitely, whoever the artist was hadn't been that experienced...
Or at least, it was clear his strokes weren't as confident as they could be... It was captivating nonetheless though, especially so because of the woman in it. She was sitting on a garden bench that was detailed with delicate swirls, a pink gown with satin looking ribbons, her hair... It was maroon, like my mother's, actually, my mother looked exactly like the woman in the portrait. They weren't the same people, but it was clear they shared the same bloodline. How did a painting of my possible ancestor end up in this place? The man standing behind her, his hand on her shoulder, his hair was maroon too, but he didn't have any shocking resem-
My eyes widened as they landed on a third figure in the painting, he was standing in the back, almost hidden, clearly not supposed to be there, yet if this was painted, it wasn't like an accident appearance like he could have been in a picture, he was there on purpose, yet not placed at the front with the woman and man. What had me speechless was his hair... It was bright red, very close to my own hair color and his facial features... While the woman in the picture resembled my mother, I looked like the red headed man in the back somewhat.
I reluctantly detached my eyes from the man and to the right corner of the painting, squinting my eyes to see if the artist had been kind enough to leave a signature... Stepping closer, I could read 'Sora Kinsley - 1910'. That didn't ring a bell at all. Taking out my cellphone absently as I continued to stare, so I could type the name into my Google app and see if he was at all known, I reached out, letting my fingertip touch the painted signature lightly.
Now, I wasn't a religious guy and neither was I dying, but that white light that suddenly burst out before me had me doubting both. Eyes widening, my cellphone fell out of my hand, the noise of it clattering down onto the floor reaching my ears before I couldn't concentrate on my surroundings any longer as the painting seemed to melt, the strokes flowing together into a spiral and... something was pulling me towards it, wait, better yet, into it. Dammit, yo.
Saix - 1910
Removing another pin from my mouth, I set it in the fabric and sighed through my nose, trying to be patient and not looking at the clock in hopes that it would move slower. I had only a week to get this dress done for one of the Ladies and she'd been completely unreasonable when it came to the pattern. I'd told her that the bodice part she'd picked out was not going to flatter her figure, but she had insisted. And when she'd seen herself in it, she'd shrieked and insisted that I modify it before Saturday. Well, that was fine, but it made for long nights. And her charge would be significant.
Pinning the last section into place, I stood up and pushed my glasses up my nose and cracked my back. There. Now I could quickly sew it into place and things would be finished in time for her garden party. The Lady was usually not this unreasonable, but apparently she was there to catch the eye of some young man and perhaps if I pleased her with this dress, she would commission me to work on her wedding party gowns.
Quickly walking to my desk and grabbing a fresh needle and my white thread, I started on attaching the new bodice to the skirt, while letting my mind wonder. This time next year, I should have enough saved up to either expand my shop, or move to a new location to better serve my customers. Often times, because of my shop's size, I was called to the homes of my clients and forced to fit them there.
With a larger shop, they could come and be fitted here where my supplies were. It would be a very nice change, as well as much more reputable. Mrs. Lark who was currently a seamstress under my care, had mentioned that she had a rather promising granddaughter who would be of age soon to start an apprenticeship and she wanted to have her start here. I was perfectly fine with that and it would give me some breathing room to be sure.
Glancing at the clock one more time, I settled onto my favorite stool with my back against the wall and quickly fell back into the steady rhythm of in and out of my needle. With hems and certain designs, it was easy to use the sewing machine that I'd purchased a few years ago, but with the finer details, I believe my customers were more satisfied with the hand stitching that I enjoyed doing. It didn't take very long to finish, and with it completed, I could now head upstairs and eat dinner and enjoy my evening. Placing the dress in brown wrapping paper, I set it aside to be picked up in the morning. Grabbing my sketchbook, I turned the lights out and trudged up the steps to my quarters.
That bodice and skirt looked pleasant together, but I was thinking of adding a bit more to the skirt for future orders and I wanted to plan out exactly how that would look. There were also a few other bodice designs that were becoming rather common and instead of having the Lady's I usually sewed for order completely new gowns, I'd need to design a way to update their looks without starting from scratch.
It was fascinating to try and come up with unique ways in which to modify and try to reuse the gowns so that no one would be aware they were the same from last season. Making myself a cup of tea, I settled into my cushioned chair before the fire and started my sketching.
Reno - 1910
...The strokes flowing together into a spiral and... something was pulling me towards it, wait, better yet, into it. Dammit, yo. Closing my eyes as that light just turned brighter by the second, I felt like I was in a roller coaster for just a minute.
Like, I was going so fast and then going down only so the ride could go up and loop into the air, the way your stomach feels that rush of butterflies and excitement when you're hanging upside down for just a moment before rushing back the right side up and having to get down the high of the thrill till the end of the ride. It was that exact same feeling and lasted just as long, but I wasn't in a roller coaster, which didn't make sense and I wondered if maybe someone had slipped something into my champagne earlier this night, but although greedy and maybe just a tad selfish, I wasn't an idiot. I never left my drink alone, so I would have known had someone slipped the pill. Of course, it was easier to tell myself that I may just very well be an idiot and that I was drugged on something instead of admitting that I was getting sucked into a... painting.
Feeling the thrill subside, I hesitantly brought my arms down and along my sides, opening my eyes carefully, seeing that painting again, only this time it looked... Frowning, I reached forward and then pulled back while making an icky eww sound as my fingertips were now covered in oil paint. What the fuck?
It wasn't wet paint everywhere, but the part I'd touched had recently been done. Although, who could really tell with oil paint, that stuff was nasty... needed days, sometimes weeks or even months to dry completely. Sure, the result was pretty, but I didn't know how painters had the fucking patience.
Right, that was easier to concentrate on, oil paint being a pain in the world's backside instead of the fact that I'd just touched a painting that was supposed to be dry since 1910. It was 2011, why was it suddenly not dry? It was supposed to be dry! Why was the 1910 painting not dry in 2011? Swallowing nervously and my eyes widening as I felt a rush of fear, confusion and 'oh my fucking god' flow through me, I stumbled back and away from the painting, wincing and letting out a groan as I knocked into something, falling down to the ground.
Lifting my head, I wrinkled my nose and sat up quickly, eying the room with heavy suspicion and wondering what the hell was going on... None of the furniture was covered in white sheets anymore. The oak desk was there, but it looked new now... It didn't have that antique look about it anymore.
"I want my mom..." I blubbered out as my eyes landed on the window and I realized it wasn't night time anymore. It had been night time less than a couple of minutes ago, how was it suddenly bright day light?
Scrambling up to my feet I moved over to the window and looked outside, not able to help myself to take a moment and appreciate the way the neighbor's rose garden looked... Beautiful, truly, and I would have soaked in it's loveliness a moment longer if it weren't for the fact that a lot of cars were... missing. Where were the cars? Plastering my face against the window along with my hands to try and see the angle, I gasped. Where was my car?
I had to get out of here... Maybe it was just the room, maybe things would go back to normal once I got out of it. Yes, absolutely brilliant plan, yo! Smiling at my awesomeness, I quickly sprinted over to the door that was located by the painting that would haunt me till the day I died and ripped it open, sticking my head out. It was still daylight there as well, dammit. I quickly went back into the room when I saw two figures coming around the corner and in case they'd come in here, I decided to hide in the large wooden closet beside the window I'd climbed through. Once inside, I realized my heart was beating faster than it ever had, even when I'd almost been caught stealing...
I heard some mumbling and then the voices became clear as they entered the room. "Lord Heffings shall be back from his trip to Levington today. Lady Kairi asked if we could make his lordship's favorite dish a a welcome home." Frowning, I tried peaking to catch a glimpse. I recognized the uniforms... Servants. See, the weird thing about that was, we didn't have servants in 2011. Not the way these people were dressed anyways. Lord and Ladies were extinct, thank fucking god, and I'm not quite sure my trip to London was such a 'bloody' amazing idea after all. This was ridiculous... I wasn't actually going to believe myself to be flung back in time, was I?
I sorta had too though, considering how this 'Lord' they were speaking off had my last name, and then the woman in the painting looking just like my mother... And then my grandmother being called 'Kairi' who got the name from someone back in... Shit, I descended from stuck up, snob in the nose, uptight with their panties in a twist, lords? Well that was depressing.
"I do so hope his discussion with Lord Ashdown went well." The other servant girl spoke now. "Hopefully he'll become less bitter upon hearing the news of his daughter's pregnancy."
Okay, so at least my presence in... Gulp. 1910 hadn't stopped the family from continuing. My great, great, great and I don't know how many greats grandmother or grandfather was being made right now. I suppose that was a relief, because I remember watching 'Back to the Future' and I did not have the energy Marty had. I did not want to make sure anyone was going to get conceived and what not...
The servants left then, closing the door after them and I sunk down to the bottom of the closet, sobbing rather miserably as now they wouldn't hear. I was interrupted in my pity party when a... a phone rang? It was the funeral march... While that was weird in itself, it also told me it was a cellphone and I frowned as I patted my pockets, quite sure I'd let my cellphone drop onto the floor back in 2011.
Finding the right pocket, I pulled the device that wasn't mine, out of there and frowned as it read 'Your Fairy Godmother'. What the fuck? I'd have thought the wedding march to be a better ringtone for a fairy godmother. Flipping the thing open, I pressed it to my ear.
"Yo?"
"Reno!" A pleasant voice that I instantly hated.
"Larxene..." I growled.
"Yes!" She exclaimed, "It is I, Larxene, fairy godmother, witch extraordinaire, your worst nightmare."
"Clearly." I agreed to the last. "Mind explaining why the item you tipped me off on flung me into 1910, yo?"
"Because you're a selfish, greedy bastard who needs to be taught a lesson." She said easily, a smile clear in her tone of voice.
I stared dully out before me. "Cute. So you cursed me?" I couldn't believe I was believing this... Witches, magic, curses? I must be whacked out of my mind. "Very Beauty and the Beast of you, Witch." I mumbled, "Now how about you get me out of here, back into 2011 and I promise ya that I won't kill ya." There was a long beat of silence and I groaned, hanging my head. "Fine! I'll give you at least ten thousand for that stupid charity of yours, kay? That's what you want right? Money?" I had plenty of that. Right? In 2011 I did.
She laughed softly. "No can do. You'll have to fix this one on your own, Reno. I suppose in a sense it is very Beauty and the Beast of me, the curse and all. Alright, here is the deal sweetcheeks-"
"Don't call me that!"
"You are in 1910. You were sucked into that time through a painting that belonged to one of your ancestors. You can't get back until you learn your lesson."
"That being that I am a greedy and selfish bastard."
"Correct!" She said happily. "Once you get that, you can try and go back through the painting, effectively 2011."
"Try...?" I edged.
She cleared her throat. "Well, I am just a witch-in-progress... Still an apprentice if you're looking for a label. There was a slight side effect in the curse I placed on you that I didn't foresee... Nothing concerning you, I just accidentally dragged someone from 1910 into 2011." The last she announced flippantly, clearly not wanting to dwell on that bit.
"I feel very sorry for them." I said dryly.
"No you don't, and that's exactly my point." Click.
Frowning at the cellphone, I sighed heavily and then tucked it back into my pocket before climbing out of the closet and into the room. Moving over to stand before the painting, I frowned and stared at it. This was ridiculous, was I really going to believe all this magic, voodoo shit? No. I was probably high on something. Or very drunk. Or dreaming. Yeah, I liked that last one, I was dreaming. Nodding in satisfaction at my logic, I decided that the best way to wake up would be to just... go back. Breathing in deeply, I shook my shoulders and legs, bouncing on spot and then with determined stride, I ran towards the painting, squeezing my eyes shut as I went straight for it.
A second later, I blinked my eyes open, rubbing my head and my ass, grimacing in pain as I'd pretty much just run into a wall. Or, ya know, a wet stupid oil painting, meaning I had some of it on my cheek. Wiping it with my shirt, I jumped back up onto my feet and then with a roar, tried again, only this time I made sure my shoulder hit it first.
It didn't work though, I simply bounced back onto my feet, wondering if my shoulder would bruise. I tried that one more time before I heard footsteps rushing up the stairs and I remembered that I wasn't alone in this house. Shit. Glaring at the painting, I hesitated, almost trying again, but knowing I didn't have the time. I then quickly made my way back over to the window, opening it and slipping out so I could hang down the side of the house, looking down at the ground.
"Nobody is here, my lady!" Dammit! They were in the room already? Panicking, I let my fingers slip from the window's edge and in that moment where I was in the air and falling down, I hoped I wouldn't twist an ankle or anything when I landed.
I didn't, but it wasn't exactly the most pleasant experience. Taking a deep breath, I took one last look up the window, wondering when I'd be back to try and ram my way through the painting again before setting off into a sprint out into the street and into 1910 London.
Saix
"Thank you, my lady. I appreciate your business." Giving a small smile to show that I was pleased, I accepted the payment. Mrs. Lark had told me that my stoic nature was sometimes disconcerting to the customers, or in other wards that I was scaring people. When I'd asked her advice, she'd told me to smile every time someone handed me their clothing or that I accepted payment. I wasn't sure if it was truly effective, but I often found myself following her advice regardless. The lady exited the store and I put the money in my payment drawer. The bell above the door rang and I glanced up to see a smartly dressed servant with his arms full. Blonde hair pulled back and a rather miserable expression on his face.
"Hello, may I help you, sir?" He blinked and set the packages on the counter for me.
"Um, yes. My lord and lady have recently relocated to London and they wish to have a few items mended. Are you accepting new clients?" Thinking for a moment, I remembered the rumors that had been floating around about them.
"Ah, yes. Lord and Lady O'Malley. I've heard rumors that they have decided to spend all their time in London nowadays. Yes, I will be happy to be of service." I quickly pulled out a piece of paper to take down the information that he gave me and wished him a good day as he exited. I'd heard good things about that family and if I remembered correctly, their oldest daughter was one of my clients.
I turned around and filed away the customer information in my filing cabinet, giving the shirts a number so that I could put them in the pile for Mrs. Lark to mend. She rather liked mending, telling me it reminded her of raising her family and doing it sitting in front of the fire in the evenings. After tucking the shirts away, I glanced up as the bell rang again.
A man with very bright and red long hair walked in, and although the shade of the color was not something you'd see every day, his clothes were stranger than anything I'd seen before in my entire life. His trousers were a dark brown and green... stained? Was that a pattern done on purpose, or had he lain in the mud? It had many pockets. Pants were not supposed to have pockets. Well, not around the knee area anyway.
He wore no button up shirt, no vest and no jacket... What he was wearing to cover his chest was a rather strangely cut... Well, I'm not quite sure what it was, but it was closely fitted, even covering his neck and it was black. Blinking, I looked down at his shoes and my mouth dropped open. What in the name where those?
"Yo..." Huh? "Can I just walk in here, or does a dude have to knock in this time period before entering a store?"
I stood up straight, not sure about the strange way he was talking, but I would not stand for any type of problem in my store. "There is no need to knock during store hours. Is there something that I can help you with, er, sir?" Pushing my glasses back up my nose, I tried to appear friendly, but I could not push a smile past my lips. His was quite...interesting. Blue eyes, with strange markings underneath them. How odd...
"Oh!" He said, nodding his head and giving me a wide smile as he let go off the door and moved into the shop to stand before my counter. "Yeah, totally. I'm sure ya notice that my look ain't what it's supposed to be around here. Since you make clothes, I figured you could maybe help a dude out and like, make me, fit in?" He tugged on his attire.
Blinking in confusion and trying to follow his strange way of speaking, I felt my eyebrows furrow. Clearing my throat, I stepped up to the counter and asked, "I am not sure I follow, but it seems as though you wish to purchase appropriate attire for your station. Perhaps if you told me what you were looking for, I could help you in some way." Careful, Saix. He could be an escaped mental patient. Don't want to make him upset.
"Station..." He repeated, frowning and falling silent for a minute as he looked thoughtful. "Right! That's what puts you people in freaking categories. Ehm, kay, well," He cleared his throat, giving me a slow smile, "I'm sure ya figured out I'm not exactly from here. Far, far away is where I'm from. I don't know what station I fit into, just... give me clothes, would you?" He paused. "Please."
Frowning at his rather rude way of talking, I'd suspected he was a foreigner the moment he'd barged in, but that didn't mean that he was excused. Sniffing disdainfully at his manners, I quickly pointed to the hangers that were on the wall to my left next to the curtain that led back to the fitting rooms.
"You may find a selection of used garments that might fulfill your purpose. However, I will require payment upon your decision. I do not extend credit." That was a lie. I did, but certainly not to scruffy looking individuals who came into my store speaking strangely and dressed even stranger.
He frowned at me, nodding his head and then started to search his many strange pockets. "Kay, I want to get the whole thing, underpants, pants, shirt, jacket and those silly little vest you guys seem to like so much." He listed. "How much is that gonna cost me? Can I get shoes here too?" He pulled out a wallet.
"You may find appropriate footwear in the shop next door. And depending on the quality of what you choose, I suppose that you might expect to spend somewhere around fifteen pounds and if you require a new suit, they start at thirty pounds. And I will require a few days to fit it to your, er, form." He was very tall, I might need to add a few inches to his hem...
His eyes widened considerably and he smacked his hands on the counter, "Fifteen?" He shouted, leading me to jump back and away from him. He blinked at my flinch, raising his hands quickly and moving away from the counter. "Oh, I'm sorry, I-" Sighing heavily he reached up and started running his hands through his hair in nervous gesture. "It's been a very long day..." He muttered. "Where I come from suits are easily a hundred bucks."
"Bucks? What?" Letting my confusion show on my face and in my voice, I just stood and waited for the men in white coats to show up and take this obviously escaped madman back to Bedlam.
He blinked at me and then realized what I meant. "Right. Ehm, a hundred pounds, yo." He shrugged, "Look, I get that the way I am must be completely whacked out for you, but can we ignore the crazy and just get me dressed? If there's a used suit that fits me, we'll go with that, if there isn't, then we'll go with-" He lifted a finger, looked into the wallet and then nodded. "Right, yeah, then we'll go with a new one."
"Yes, of course." Moving out from behind my counter, I decided that I should help him get dressed and then that would help him leave. He was not the sort that I wanted in my shop and being seen by my other customers. I walked over to the wall and grabbed a shirt, pants and vest. Retrieving a package of undergarments that I kept behind the counter, I was glad that I was such a good reader of body size because I was certain I didn't want him trying on everything in the store to find something.
That red hair would go perfect with the black I'd picked out for him, but if he'd rather not stand out, then grey would be a better color. Handing him the garments, I pointed to the curtain. "You may get dressed back there, and call me so that I may fit you."
Taking the clothes, he then suddenly let his eyes travel over me. "Fit me, huh?" He grinned. "We'll see." Moving away, he vanished behind the curtain. Well. Flushing for some unknown reason and feeling the need to straighten my vest, I pushed my glasses up my nose and waited for him to return and be fitted. The sooner the better. Mornings were my slowest time and I could probably get those shirts mended and sent back to the O'Malleys residence before too long.
It didn't take him overly long and he soon re-appeared, walking over to the counter so he could drop all the items he'd most likely been carrying in his pockets, onto it. "Imma need to find myself a bag or something... Course, you men in this time period seem to believe the less the better, and although I'm all for it, Imma miss my pockets." He shrugged. "Worse comes to worse I'll find myself a purse. I'll be sticking out like a sore thumb well dressed or not in any case." he was certainly chatty... "So," He continued, "I think it all seems to fit, Look pretty damn hot if I do say so myself. But you're the expert, yo, so you tell me if it does."
"Hot? Is it because of your red hair?" I truly, truly, did not understand his speech. Stepping closer to him so I could check the fitting, I noticed what strange things he had in his pockets. A small square red thing with a blank window on it and another rectangular shaped thing with a window. They looked to be some kind of seeing device, but I was befuddled by them. "Please step over here in front of the mirror so that I may adjust you."
"You guys really are silly..." He said in confusion, stepping over so I could do the adjustments. "Hot is slang-" He sighed. "Hot is a word one can use to describe someone when they are attractive. Or, when you think you look good, you can describe yourself as such." He spoke slowly, apparently believing me to be an idiot. "I'm hot and," He looked me over again. "Yeah, you're not so bad yourself, hottie."
Standing back up and feeling my eye twitch, I straightened his vest, pulling on the tie in the back to tighten it. "I do not understand, but I'll kindly ask you to hold still." I bit out, knowing perfectly well that he was mocking me. I did not like him, and the sooner that I got him out of my store the better. Moving around to his front, I buttoned the vest, and checked the waistline of his trousers. Hmm, a bit loose, perhaps he needed a belt?
"Grabby." Huh? "You. Your fingers. In my pants?" He grinned as I looked up at him strangely, wondering why he would point this out as it was simply part of my job. "Kay, well, while you do that..." He shook his hips left and right when I tried to fit a belt around it. Having had more than enough, I swatted his side, giving him a pointed look to remain still. He chuckled, but didn't move anymore. ""Do you know a place I can stay at? Hotel?"
Fastening the belt in place, I bent down to check the length of the trousers, my head coming to stop a little ways below his waist. Glancing up, I bit my lip and tried to think of a place that I wouldn't mind sending a madman. "There is a rather nice tavern with rooms a few blocks away to the south, or there is a large hotel nearer to the center of London. Any one of the streets around here have rooms available to rent for however long you would need." Seeing that the length actually matched his legs perfectly, I stood back up.
"Well, aren't you a lovely little creature..." He murmured, staring down at me before changing the subject back. "Hmm... I'll try that tavern, sounds... rustic. Are you done here? I'm getting antsy. Don't like standing still too long."
I stiffened as I finally realized why his behavior seemed so strange. I'd run into it before, some years ago as an apprentice. Lowering my voice and leaning closer I said, "Sir, I am not sure you are aware of what you are saying. My advice would be to keep a hold of your tongue when speaking thus." Raising my eyebrow, I hoped that he would catch my understanding. Being one who liked men was not something one advertized. "And yes, if you are satisfied with your new clothing, then we are done."
"Shit, well, you are a hard one to please, ain't ya?" Chuckling, he shook his limbs, getting comfortable in his new clothing, ignoring me for the moment as he looked at himself in the mirror. "See. Hot." He nodded at me and then gave me a curious smile. "I am gay and I'm not going back into the closet." He grinned. "And I know that don't make any sense to you as gay most likely means 'joyful' in the way you think and 'getting back into the closet' is something you'll take literally. I'm not gonna elaborate though. Anyways." Taking his wallet out again, he pulled out some money and then gave it to me. "That should about cover it."
Stuttering and again, feeling my eye twitch at his patronizing tone, I glanced at the money he'd shoved in my hands. "S-sir! This is more than twice what the suit itself costs!" I set the money onto the counter and pointed. "This symbol tells you what the amount is. You've over paid me!" Not liking this at all, I waited for the foreigner to realize his mistake.
Smiling he took the money and then my hand, placing it into my palm. "No, I'm very much aware of what I gave you, and I know it's more than you asked for, but considering how crazy I must seem to you and although you're a bit-" He pursed his lips, shaking his head, "Scratch that. Very uptight. You put up with me anyways." Patting my hand, he left the money in my palm and then he smirked before reaching up and tucking a lock of my hair behind my ear. "There. Now, Imma head out and go to that tavern. Thanks for everything, see ya, yo!" Waggling his eyebrows, he turned and left my store.
What...Why did he...huh? Touching my hair where his hand had rested, I felt myself flush. In anger. Yes, I was very angry. How dare he touch me so familiarly? I was not known to him. Grabbing the money, I dumped it into the drawer and seethed. Who was he and why had he come into my shop? I suddenly noticed all of the things from his pockets laid out on the counter. Oh no. This happened sometimes, a person came in, tried on clothes, and they left their possessions behind. Sighing, I gathered the strange things into my arms and dumped them into a brown bag and took them upstairs to hold until I figured out what to do with them. Either I'd have to find him, or he'd come back and get them. I wasn't sure I wanted either to happen. Dropping the bag onto my table, I turned to go back downstairs when I heard something strange.
Glancing down at the paper bag, I leaned over, listening to something coming from inside it. What in the...Pulling up my chair, I gently turned the bag upside down and the strange man's belongings dropped onto the table. I could now hear something, music or talking, coming clearer now. Studying the items, I noticed the red square window seemed to be illuminated somehow and two wires were coming from it.
Following them, I found strange round things at the ends of the wires and when I held them close I could hear music coming from them. How very strange. How was this possible? There were two, so I held one to each of my ears and listened to the most amazing sound. It was beautiful.
Feeling my eyes close, I just listened to whatever strange thing was happening. Sighing as the music faded, truly something amazing, I put the devices closer to my ears, eager to see what might happen next. Without warning, my ears were assaulted with what sounded like silverware banging on pots and pans and I was so startled by the noise that I jerked and dropped the devices, trying to get away from them. My legs tangled with each other, the world tilting as the chair I was sitting on lurched backwards and I suddenly winced as my head connected with the floor.
"Ow." Glaring up at the chair I was certain had knocked me on the floor, I decided to blame this entire strange event on the unknown madman.
Reno - The next day
Lying stiff in bed, I glared at the ceiling with blood shot eyes. These mattresses sucked. Sitting up, I glared at the window. Where the fuck were proper blinds? Curtains? They don't work you, dumb prehistoric apes! Grumpy beyond belief, I pushed out of bed, nearly getting caught in that ridiculously itchy blanket, and then started putting on the clothes I'd gotten yesterday from that uptight little tailor with a perky ass I really wanted to pound to oblivion.
I wasn't going to, I needed to get back through that painting and return to my world. The one where I was a borderline millionaire and a brilliant thief. Where I owned everything and when I didn't own something? I could get my hands on it without having people stare at me as if I were speaking riddles. Why couldn't Larxene throw me back in a time where slang already existed? On that note, I needed to talk to that bitch. Pulling up my pants and quickly tightening the belt, I patted the two pockets and then groaned.
I chuckled humorlessly. "You've got to be fucking kidding me..."
Rubbing my face into my palms, I sighed heavily, shook my head and tried to remain calm as I put on the rest of my clothes, including the shoes I'd stolen from a drunk lord last night at a gentleman's club where I'd gotten dinner for free after flirting a good amount with that bar maid. I'd gotten two more money filled wallets from there, so at least I was sure I could feed myself and pay for this lousy room the next week while I figured out how to trick that curse and make it let me get back to 2011.
Taking a deep breath, I readied myself to face that ridiculous world of prim and proper on the outside of this room, opening the door then and getting out. I'd found out that at least cars had been invented at this time, so I wouldn't have to learn how to ride a horse in case I was stuck here longer than I wanted. My balls did not like the idea of sitting in a saddle all day long.
Skipping down the stairs of tavern and into the bar area, I looked around, seeing that there weren't that many people, which I figured to be normal since it was still early. Before I could make my way outside, someone grabbed my arm and I turned to face them, giving the girl a curious look as she frowned at me.
"Oh, I'm sorry, Sir, I thought you to be Axel Griffits..." She murmured, letting go of my arm.
I shook my head, smiling. "No, afraid not little lady, just Reno Heffings."
She frowned more deeply, tilting her head. "So you are related then? What... that doesn't make sense. Are you Lady Kairi Heffings brother too? Wouldn't your name then be Reno Ashdown?"
Whoops. "Very distant cousin, sweetcheeks." I offered quickly, rushing out of the tavern before I made this situation any worse.
Straightening my jacket, I started walking down the street in direction of the little tailor's shop. Today's to-do list was.. Get back my ipod, cellphone, goggles and my actual wallet that contained my ID and then I needed to figure out how to become charitable and honorable so I could jump back into that painting. Should be possible in a day... I was good at bluffing, so that might do the trick. Looking up at the sky I was happy to see it was blue and the sun was out and when I looked back out before me, although I was nowhere near attracted to the female kind, I couldn't help but admire the way they dressed in this time period. I'm sure the boys in my time enjoyed the low cut jeans that showed a bit of tong and the short shirts with cleavage, but those dresses...
Now if I were a straight man, I'd be constantly nagged with the fact that they were so properly covered. 2011 girls weren't covered much at all, no secrets there, you got what you saw, while here... It was like a pretty present that you had to unwrap. Very nice indeed.
Smiling at a few of them walking by, I snagged a flower from a pot by an outdoor seating area and then handed it to one of them wearing a pink gown, patting myself on the back as they giggled in unison after I'd walked on. Good. Now they had something to gossip about all day long and wouldn't risk getting bored. I smiled as I saw the shop come into view, whistling a tune as the sun made my day seem a bit better than it had started out like. I might need to find a different place to sleep though, that mattress just wouldn't do. King size bed is what I wanted. Ten pillows and satin blankets. Breakfast in bed and preferably served by a cute little twink.
I peeked inside the store before opening and getting in, smiling at the little bell that rung. "Yo, anybody home?" I heard a sigh and the same tailor who had helped me yesterday stood up from where he'd been crouched behind the counter. Taking pins out of his mouth, he put them into a pincushion, and straightened his glasses.
"How may I help you? Oh, it's you. I suppose you would like the things you left here yesterday?" His vest was a light grey that matched his pants and his shirt was a clean and crisp white. I was no expert, but his clothes seemed to hug him in all the right places.
Licking my lips, I waited a while before answering, letting my eyes travel over his figure again. He was damn fine... And that blue hair was weirder then my red, which Reno liked, yo. I think his pert little ass just made it on the list of things that I wanted but would have difficulty getting. Finally letting my eyes settle onto his face, I discretely breathed in sharply as I was struck by... Well, it was one thing for me to find someone hot and wanting to do them, but it was something different altogether when I actually thought I could compare those eyes with the finest... amber...
I couldn't quite remember what would best describe this tailor's eyes. I couldn't keep calling him tailor. Next time I was gonna rub one off, I knew, whether I liked it or not, that I would be fantasizing about him and I wasn't gonna shout out 'Little tailor!'
"What's your name?"
It was fascinating to watch his left eye twitch and I saw his shoulders stiffen before he answered. "My name is Saix Taylor. And your things are upstairs." He unwrapped the tape measure from around his shoulders. "Mr..." Raising his eyebrows in question, he waited.
I smiled, "Reno Heffings." Shit. "Ashdown." Wait... "Reno no-last-name!" I was very well aware there were boys in my time that liked the whole idea of a secret identity, playing superhero, faking a last name. Well, I didn't.
"Ashdown." Eyes widening, he nodded. "I see. Well, Mr. Reno, I will go and collect your things from upstairs." He turned and headed towards the back of the shop.
Pursing my lips, I walked right after him, following him to the back and up a flight of stairs. "What about Ashdown?" I asked curiously, wondering why he'd seemed surprised or whatever. "Nice place by the way..." And I was loving the stairs, especially since he was walking in front of me and I had like... the perfect view on his ass. God, how bad I wanted to get my hands on those cheeks.
"You were not really invited up, but I suppose that doesn't matter." He grumbled back at me. "And Ashdown has already made a rather noticeable social mistake. Is Axel Griffits your brother? And if so, why did you use Lady Kairi's name as well? I would not use those names to describe yourself or you might have more problems than your rather obvious attraction to men."
I chuckled, "Caught me staring, didn't ya?" No matter. "I told you, I ain't from here, I'm not sure how things work around here so, sure, I may fuck things up as I go, but..." I shrugged. "Eh." Whatever. So long I could get back in 2011, I didn't care. "Axel Griffits isn't my brother." He might be some great, great, great, a couple of more greats, cousin or uncle, or whatever. And then just because I could, I added. "Lady..." Dear god. What a hassle having to constantly title people. "Kairi is my great, great, great, great," We stepped into a small living space. "great, maybe a couple of more or maybe less, grandmother."
He snorted. "Bedlam will surely be missing you. You seem to have a most unique way of putting things." Pointing to the table, I noticed a brown paper bag. "Your things are in there." Standing stiffly a little to the side of the table, he waited for me to grab them.
I pursed my lips at him, eying the bag, then him, his posture and then the bag and then again him. "You touched something, didn't you?"
"No,I-" Looking flustered, he shook his head, his glasses sliding a little further down his nose and he pushed them back up. "I merely put them in the bag and carried them up here. Now. You have your things. I'd remind you that you agreed to leave."
"When did I agree to that?" Stepping over to the table, I looked inside the bag, eyes widening as the ipod... "You touched something alright!" I growled, pulling the thing out and checking the battery status. It was going to run out soon, and I didn't have my charger, that was back in the year 2011, and even if I did have it here, I doubt the plugs would be fucking compatible. "Of all things, sweetheart, why'd you have to touch this?" I whined, eying the device sadly and quickly turning it off so I might save some battery for a bitter sweet moment when I'd most need some dramatic background music as soundtrack to what I'd be feeling.
"I am NOT your sweetheart." He all but shouted at me, red faced and suddenly in front of me. "I do not know why you have this sudden fascination with harassing me with sweet words and strange ones at that, but I'll have you know that I am a world class tailor and I do not have to put up with this!" He was breathing hard and some of his hair had escaped the band holding it back. "I did not intentionally do anything to your belongings and I would appreciate it if you would take your business elsewhere." That twitch was back.
If I laughed now, he'd surely punch me, I could sense it. I almost wanted to, as that chuckle that threatened to escape was really hard to rein in. Well, well... This was a side I hadn't expected to see in him, although I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little turned on right now.
"Okay, take it easy hothead-" I placed my hand over his mouth when he was about to shout at me again for calling him that. "What, hey! Give me a break, dude, you totally went berserk on my ass without warning whatsoever. That equals hothead." I chuckled then. "Now cool down, breathe and I'll just ask you one question before I leave and I promise I won't bother you ever again, kay?"
Ripping his face away, he took a deep breath and adjusted his glasses again. "What is your question, and I will hold you to that promise."
"I'm a lot of things," I told him, "But promises I don't break. I do lie from time to time though." I waggled my eyebrows at him and then got to the point. "Okay, so... This witch told me that I am a greedy and selfish bastard." I grimaced, "If I want to go home, I need to change that, care for others? So my question... If you were in my shoes, what would you do to not be a greedy, selfish bastard anymore?" I asked softly, breathing in as I was suddenly frightened I'd never see my home again.
His eyebrows were raised and he peered closely at me. "I have serious concerns about your sanity, but I will play along with this idea that you have. The answer is obvious. You are told you are selfish. So, become the opposite. Become selfless. You say you are greedy, then give up your material wants. Those two are acts of a proud man. Become humble." Sighing and reaching up to run his fingers through his ponytail, he shrugged. "I believe that a man becomes what he acts. Even if you do not feel these feelings by the acts alone, by doing them over and over, slowly you become that person."
I pursed my lips, nodding, "Guess you're right. Well, to start out with my first good deed then, have a good day, Saix. Fare thee well and I hope you'll get what you want, to never see me again." Winking, I took the bag with my stuff, reaching in for the goggles so I could put them back in my hair where they belonged before giving him a quick wave and moving back down the stairs. Selfless and humble... Either I started doing that, or I could try bluffing. Shrugging, I made my way out of his shop and back onto the streets, figuring I'd find myself some place to eat.
A/N: I'm not super sure when the next update will be...cause I'm lazy...meh, how about wednesday?