Chapter 2 Ravage Ritual

I forgot to say in the first chapter that Todd and his "date" will both be 18. this will hopefully explain both characters' maturity

Disclaimer: don't own the characters and overly dramatic title is the title to a song by Zao

little miss tiny shoes: oh I couldn't tell you who it is just yet, but I appreciate you're reading it, and I hope the pairing is worth all the hype

ldypebsaby: Todd is going on a date with a clown, but not just any clown, its a special kind of clown

"Alright Toddles it is my duty to assist you in preparing for this date, is this understood?!"

Todd nodded at Tabitha, unsure exactly when he had been placed in this desk and why Tabitha was dressed in army fatigues and a helmet.

"Very good cadet! Now for our first exercise you will learn to walk straight, stand up Private Tolensky!"

Todd slowly stood up unsure of what was going to happen next. Tabitha goose stepped towards him. "You got no self-respect boy! No pride! You're goin' out with a beautiful lady and you ain't actin' like you deserve it boy! You might as well give up right now and stay home!"

"I deserve it," Todd mumbled.

"What was that?!!"

"I said I deserve it," Todd said a bit more loudly.

"I'm sorry boy, but what was that you just mumbled to yourself? You trying to prove somethin' to yourself, boy! What did you say boy?!"

"I said I deserve it!"

"Well act like it then! Stand up straight, get that hippy hair out of your eyes, and throw them shoulders back!"

Todd found herself responding to the order. He stood straight, well as straight as he was able. He cleared his hair from his eyes and even threw his shoulders back.

"Whoa Toddles you're a hottie! Now we gotta get you a haircut and some nice clothes."

Todd relaxed at the change back to Tabitha's normal tone.

"Boy did I say to relax! Did I say its happy fun time! Now give me twenty!"

Half an hour, twenty push-ups, three bottles of water, and two showers later

"Alright Todd we are now ready. Now remember: head up, back straight, and no hopping! You keep telling yourself that you deserve a hot date and eventually one is going to come along. OK now when we go to these places you are not allowed to talk to the barber or the sales person, just leave it to me."

"Whatever you say yo." To be honest Todd trusted Tabitha more than Pietro, and almost more than any other Brotherhood. She had never gone out of her way to make fun of Todd, it just wasn't her style. So whatever she did to him today he was sure would turn out for the best. As they walked into town he began to notice something. People didn't smirk or laugh at him unless they knew him. Before he had been a complete public outcast, now it seemed that his humiliation was reserved only for those who knew him.

"Feels nice doesn't it Toddles," Tabitha said after she noticed his look of awe.

"What?"

"Not being laughed at."

"Yeah. Its kinda weird ya know?"

"Think about it Todd. Usually when you walk into town you're hunched over and you never meet anybody's eyes. They think you're worthless because you look like it, but if you meet somebody's eyes with your own and shows them that you know you're on the same level as them and have just as much worth as they do. They're less likely to make fun of you that way. Don't get me wrong, people can still be mean. Hey, that's life, you realize you can't please everybody and that no matter what people can still be jerks and you'll be fine. Well, here's the barber shop." Todd walked in.

Todd walked out, his hair shorter than it had been before, but nothing special had been done, other than it being parted to the side. "Todd isn't this fun?! You're becoming a brand new you! I love this! Come on let's go clothes shopping!"

Two hours later.

"Todd come out the changing area where I can see you or I'm coming in there." Todd reluctantly opened the door and found to his dismay that Tabitha had found other girls to give their opinion on his shirt. "I think the shirt is a bit old fashioned," girl #1 said.

"True, but its still classy," Girl #2 said.

"I agree, but what kind of tie..." Tabitha finished as the girls conferred with one another.

"Women," muttered Todd as he walked back into the changing room. He had been trying on white collared shirts for the last hour, all of which had been nixed by Tabitha.

"Todd!"

"What?!"

"We've got your tie, get the shirt, pants, belt, jacket and shoes and we'll go."

"Finally!" Todd stomped out of the room with the clothes and stopped at the sight of the tie. It was a beautiful dark green silk tie.

"The three of us believe that the tie will help accentuate your eyes, which is by far your best asset," Tabitha said proudly.

"Your butt's pretty nice too," Girl #1 said.

"Definitely," Girl #2 said and then giggled.

Tabitha cleared her voice and looked at the two, "Ladies? I believe our need for you is over, now scoot!"