"Gaz? I'm heading out! Need anything?" Dib called up the stairs, knowing that he isn't going to get a reply from her.
Ever since she came home yesterday, she was silent as usual, but it wasn't the same silence that he was used to. She seemed to be lost in her head like something was bothering her or she couldn't seem to understand something she probably witnessed. He tried asking her about it and instead of her insulting him, she just left for her room and stayed there for the rest of the night and well into the early afternoon. He knew that she was awake; he could hear her pacing and quietly talking either to herself or her wicked dolls.
Dib sighed. "I'll be back soon, Gaz."
He took one last look up the stairs before turning and leaving the house with an umbrella. The storm that started yesterday was still blowing through the city, but Dib needed new clothes and couldn't put it off any longer. This year, now that he was able to prove some paranormal activities true or false, Dib had been promoted in his Swollen Eye agency and with the new position, he wanted to wear a different theme of clothes. Probably white like his father or his favorite hue of blue. Now that the alien has been laying low ever since that odd day, Dib could get more expensive items at the stores that he preferred to purchase from.
.*.*.
"Zim, are you sure that you're well enough to travel again? When you came home, you looked like shit. I haven't seen you like that. Ever! You've always been so careful when it comes to the weather. I don't understand. Plus, you've barely said a word for a while. Are you in that much pain?" Skoodge inquired while twisting his fingers in abnormal directions.
Zim stepped into the glue shower, bare of all clothes. "I'm not in pain, Skoodge." He said quietly as he disappeared past the shower curtain.
"Is Master sick?" Gir asked the short former Invader. "He don't look too good."
The short alien looked at Gir, being careful to keep a good distance between him and the robot. "I'm not sure, Gir-unit. He doesn't say more than ten words in a sentence. Something is up with him." Mini-moose squeaked agreeably.
"Computer, start shower." The three friends heard Zim say. The pipes whirred to life and vibrated with work as the glue sloshed out of the shower head.
"Maybe his mind is on something. Perhaps he found something for us to do instead of just laying around in the base or he could be reliving the Transmission in his head." The minions somewhat nodded at Skoodge's thoughts.
After Zim had been officially exiled, everyone thought of the Transmission with a capital for the reason that it has been an event that caused grief and regret to not only Zim, but everyone in the base. When the robots, including the computer, recalled that day they actually want to work without screwing up or being sarcastic. Skoodge became more wistful and more prone to injuries and mishaps when the Transmission wandered through his mind. He wasn't there when Zim received it, but he had the computer replay it to see if what he heard from the minions was true. Now, with Zim, it seemed that the memory of that day caused him act very human.
One day, he could be prosperous that he no longer had to serve for the two most derisory leaders the universe had ever seen. He'd still retain the broken mental attitude and posture, but he'd slightly smile and speak with a confidence that was only ever shown during this period of feelings. The next day, he'd be tempestuous by the fact that he had much to give to the Empire if they just gave him time to mature. Once or thrice, Gir had to be fixed due to him accidentally being near the tall alien during a heated rampage through the base. Mini-moose even had to be repaired once because of a rogue laser bullet. Skoodge had to be treated for almost serious traumas, but the memory of an enraged Zim still lingered in the short alien's mind.
Some days, Zim was so perplexed as to why he had to be the first Defect in over five centuries of Irken years. His ruby eyes would glaze over in deep thought or be bright with lack of sleep for sleeping had become a need for him now. When he could sleep, he'd get nightmares of the worst kind and would wake up all the more confused than he was the day before. Most days, though, he'd get so heavyhearted that he'd slumber for days only to wake and look so sullen that even the brightest day on Earth would dim and fade away. He'd pick at his food, not say much of anything, eerily tend to matters within the base, and often rush out of the base as if the walls were about to close around him.
Much of yesterday and this morning were spent in that gloomy manor, but there is one difference about his silence. It was if he knew something... something important and he had to know more about it even if meant reaching to impossible points just to learn more. Skoodge, being too kind of an alien after being shot out of a cannon, wouldn't dare ask what was on Zim's mind, but he couldn't help be very curious as to what might have happened the day before.
"Shower off, Computer." Zim's voice sliced through the thick quiet air of the base. "Clothes, Computer." The birr of mechanical arms filled the base with more sound as Mini-moose led Gir to the elevators since they weren't being of any current use. Zim finally stepped out of the shower and noticed that Skoodge was still present with a look of care and confusion. Zim gave the former Invader a smirk so small that it seemed unnoticeable.
"Are you sure that this is a good idea to leave right now?" Skoodge asked hesitantly.
"I'll be exquisitely well. I know you know that the glue works as it should."
The short alien shook his head. "It's not the glue that I'm worried about. You seem different today and it's a difference I somewhat fear. You appear to know something. I'd like to know-"
"No!" Zim interrupted firmly. "What I know is for me to know and no one else to find out about. I let you get away with knowing about my conflict with the Tallests, but I won't let you in my life anymore than necessary." Zim paused for a moment, thinking about something all of a sudden. "Well... I do let you know about ideas and plans and anything else that is of importance, but when it comes to things personal, I must keep it to myself. I know that you wish to know the events of yesterday and my reason for leaving today, but that is a personal matter I must attend to. Forgive me if that does not answer your questions that I know you have, however it is for the best, I'm sure."
Skoodge lowered his antennas. "It's fine. I shouldn't have... but I just needed to know... You're alright, right?"
Zim breath-fully chuckled and knelt, lowering himself to the caring alien's height. "I'm alright, you have my word." He stood up again and started to walk away, when he looked over his shoulder. "And you might want to stay awake for today. I fear that Gir might destroy the strange box I found the groceries. I'll need that for later, I believe."
On that note, Zim took his leave on his way to a clothing store. Surprisingly, he was going to take the human girl's advice.
.*.*.
The weatherman this morning said that the rain would clear up by late morning yet Dib ended trudging through harsh rainy winds with no hope that the rain would in fact clear up. Dib never did like new's weathers. He preferred his own weather-telling instruments. He'd have checked them, but they were placed right above Gaz's room and he didn't want to accidentally piss her off.
For a normal fifteen minute stroll to his favorite store, Aristotle's Men's Wardrobe, it took him thirty minutes to finally appear at the wacky door of the store drenched in water from the dripping air and rude vehicle drivers that happen to be on the road today. Once safe inside the store, Dib peeled off his black raincoat and hung it on the handy hooks nailed into the wall for situations such as the current weather. Another raincoat hung though it was completely dry.
"Hi, Michelle. Any new items come in since I last came by?" Dib asked, turning toward the cashier's counter where a very lean, very tall French woman stood looking out of a large window, watching the raindrops slither their way down along the glass.
"All ze new supplies are near ze back of store. Accessories on ze wall shelves." She said without looking away from the glass.
Her fair but graying hair slightly hung from the bun at the back of her head. Some strands framed her sad face as she stood very statue-like and silent. Dib knew that she doesn't like the rain here. She missed her own weather back in France, but she had to leave during World War V when her family had all been killed for being creative and independent. Dib's father actually became friends with the woman which was a mystery in itself as to how that happened in the first place. Being in America, she was available to be as creative as she wanted to, but there really wasn't anyone to talk to in this certain city. Dib tried to talk to her and always seemed to fail.
Turning away from her, Dib stepped over to the back wall where different kinds of cuff links, pocket watches, other baubles are lined in organized rows, all shining with the beauty that Michelle took into to designing each and every piece. A few feet from the shelves were stand-alone shelves and round racks holding the new clothes Dib wanted to see. Grinning, Dib found a pure white button-down shirt, a crisp clear sky blue vest, charcoal gray trousers, and a white undershirt. He took his choices to a door just to the right of him that led to the dressing rooms. Six doors were left open, welcoming Dib into one of them as he caught the faint jingle of the front door opening.
.*.*.
Entering the strange store, covered eyes studied the funny plastic man standing on a platform at a window opposite of another window where a soundless woman stood. Guessing that she was the owner, the customer walked up to the desk.
"Pardon me." He said.
"Oui?" She didn't look away from the window.
Partially taken aback by the motionless female, he took in the fact that she responded in a different language. "Je voudrais aider vêtements pour le choix de ce qu'on pourrait regarder bien sur moi."
Suddenly, her sad eyes glittered as her head turned to the new client. His odd choice of garb inspired the woman as she took in the fact that he was asking for help to choose his clothes. A smile curves her shapely lips as she slipped out from behind her counter motioning for him to follow her. "Droit cette façon, monsieur. Quelle taille avez-vous?" What ever size he wore, he must have always had a hard time shopping for clothes.
He shrugged his tiny shoulders. "Je ne sais pas." Zim had never purchased clothes before and didn't know what size his shirts were or the length of his pants would be.
Michelle just cocked her head to the side. "Vous comme certains couleurs?"
Zim nodded, knowing what his more admired colors are. "Rouge, violet, et noir."
The owner led Zim to each set of clothes containing his favorite colors telling him what kind of cut and/or style might be able fit his thin form. After she gave him her fashion advice, she placed herself near her counter, but didn't go behind it.
Zim stared at the wide variations and varieties of human clothes unsure of where to start. He picked up a blood red shirt when the silky item slipped off of it's hanger. Zim bent down to pick it up and place it back on the hanger when it slipped off again. While he was trying to figure out how to keep the shirt on the damned piece of plastic, he didn't notice a set of heavy footsteps walking around.
.*.*.
Dib came out of the dressing room area after standing in front of the full length mirror, unsatisfied at how the clothes fit him. He paused for a heartbeat when he saw Michelle standing away from the window. Usually, when she was in one of her moods, she didn't respond to anyone easily, but perhaps the customer who came in after Dib went into the dressing rooms was able to talk to her.
"Hey, Michelle, where's the..."
"Gah! What is zat you wear?" She straightened herself out and glided over to Dib, turning him around and tsking at his apparel. "Color, it's nice, but not ze style. Go pick something else. Something for autumn. Black wool sweater would do with striped shirt and jeans. Or same shirt, but different pants."
Dib looked down at himself. "Okay." He turned around and searched through the clothes to find something nice to satisfy Michelle in case she suddenly came to life again. He disappeared into the dressing rooms again, hoping that this new choice of clothes would be fine.
Michelle, on the other hand, couldn't see where her new client went to, when she saw his odd colored head near the ground. She stepped over to help him as he obviously needed help and decided to choose clothes that would look very dashing on the young man. Then, she pushed him in the direction of the dressing rooms, excited about how handsome the man would look in her choices.
Dib could hear the owner talking to the other customer where he was, feeling somewhat envious that she'd talk to the other person and not Dib, but she probably had a reason. It was when two sets of footsteps came into the dressing area and another door locks right next to him. Dib is suddenly tempted to see who else is here, so he stood on a chair in the little area with him and was about to peek over the wall when Michelle called for him.
"Dib, you ready to show me how you look?"
Sighing, Dib stepped down and unlocked his door, revealing his new look. He kept the white button-down on, but he switched the dress pants with a pair of jeans with an abstract line pattern right where the pockets were. Over his shirt he had on a black wool refer jacket that laid open to show how lean he is. Michelle smiled warmly.
"It's perfect. With ze jacket, you can wear turtle-neck and low graphic t-shirts." She nodded approvingly. "Oui, very nice."
"Thanks." Dib said before stepping back into his area to change back into his clothes when he heard a small automated voice speak. He could barely hear what it said. All he heard was 'ten minutes... sudden death.' Curious, he was about to step back unto the chair when Michelle called out saying that she'll meet Dib at the register. Huffy, Dib quickly changed and stepped out with the clothes he wanted to buy.
.*.*.
Zim carefully set his Pak on the chair near him and swiftly slipped out of his uniform and into the human clothes. While he changed, he thought about who else was in the store and what he could do if he caught Zim without his Pak. Suddenly very nervous, he fixed the clothes and stepped out into the main part of the store. He saw the kind human female helping a very familiar looking scythe haired human. The woman saw Zim standing there and clasped her hands together.
"You look fantastic! Do you feel nice?" At her comment, Dib turned to see who she was talking to only to see the last being he expected to see in a place like this.
Dib took in the fact that Zim was out of his uniform and in something that actually looked very good on him. Tight dull leather pants hugged the alien's legs as a deep purple t-shirt hung loosely under a dark blood red wool trench coat. Zim's boots and gloves, stylish as they were, stuck out because of the material they're made of and Michelle started complaining on that fact.
Zim stared at his favored boots and gloves. "But, I can't go anywhere without my gloves or boots. They are among the only things I have to keep on my person."
Michelle shook her head. "If you must wear gloves and boots, get some zat match ze clothes you wear now." She finished up with Dib and waved him off. Dib gathered his things and left, catching a last glance at the alien.
Zim stared at Dib as well until the human walked out into the rain and past the show window with the mannequin, then he turned back to the store owner. "I'll see what I can do about the gloves. Thank you." The owner nodded her head, watching her client go in the back to change again.
Nearly running, Zim started to pull off the coat and shirt before he even got in the dressing room and basically leaped onto his Pak. He placed it where it belonged and sighed in relief as he finished up in the dressing room. As odd it was, Zim wanted to talk to Dib.
The alien gathered up the clothes and went back into the main part of the store where the owner had a pile of clothes similar to the outfit he had in his arms.
She looks at him with elation. "I took ze liberty to pick more clothes for you. Would you like to try them on next?"
Zim shook his head, placing his items on the table and searching through the pile, finding that he's going to buy everything she picked out. "I'll take them all, Madame."
Shock flared over her face. "But zat would be over three hundred dollars!"
"That's not a problem for me." Zim took out the monies he had the computer take from the bank. Silly humans never considered an alien to crack their feeble security systems.
The owner scanned all the items, placed them in bags, and took the money from the young man. He nearly swiped the bags from the counter and gave his thanks to the human woman because she deserved it for her love of what she does.
.*.*.
"Human, wait!" Dib scoffed and continued to ignore the alien who was trying to catch up him. "Dib, please?" Sighing, Dib stopped under a store patio shade allowing the alien to finally meet up with him. When Zim got close enough, Dib spoke first.
"What do you possibly want, Zim!" Dib saw the alien wince when he sarcastically accented the abomination's name.
"I... only wanted to ask you how you've been doing since the last we saw each other. I feel as if I need friends seeing as how I'm stuck in your planet until death comes for me."
Dib's eye twitched under his glasses before he bursted out laughing. "You're kidding, right? When we were kids, you didn't want to have anything to do with us humans and now you're saying that you'd like to be friends now?" Dib wiped away a tear from his eye. "That's really rich, Zim!"
Zim suddenly looked very angry at the fact that he was being laughed at just like the Tallest did to him. "I wasn't make a joke, Dib. I realize now that I can't live on earth and not live on earth if you catch my meaning."
Dib calmed down at the sight of the mad alien. "I get your meaning but I don't believe you, Zim. I can't ever believe you."
"I expected that from you, I suppose. Mainly, I wanted to ask how your sister is doing. I... briefly saw her yesterday but succeeded in pushing a limit."
Dib took in what the alien just said and leaped into a defensive pose. "You're going to kidnap my sister to convince me or my father to give you what you want, aren't you?" Dib saw that the alien was about to answer back when Dib spook again. "I knew I couldn't trust you!" Dib took to running away. "Stay away from my sister or I'll kill you!"
Zim's single organ dropped lower in his body with sadness as he watched the human run away, believing his own conclusions than believing that Zim was in fact telling the truth.
Disheartened, Zim began walking home. All he wanted to know if Gaz was as anxious as he was this morning after last night's thrill, but the harsh manner her brother showed Zim, reminded the defect really, that he was an alien. Nothing more and nothing less.
.*.*.
"The gut!" Dib yelled as he slamed the front door, bringing his sister out if her room, sighing loudly.
"What could be wrong with your brain this time?" She stomped down the stairs as her brother tossed his new clothes on the couch while he continued toward the kitchen.
He opened the fridge and looked for something to drink. "I don't need your insults right now, sis. I just had an alien encounter."
Gaz's eyes glittered when Dib mentioned Zim. Last night when she came back home, all she could think about was her new GS and the fact that Zim had kissed her. Zim, of all people, kissed her. This morning, though, her mind shifted to how warm she felt when she was before him after being in the cold rain. How warm his arms felt when he held her close. She couldn't remember the last time she was hugged nor simply held. This morning, she realized that Zim was the first living being to ever get past her personal walls and she thought that someone who was able to do that deserved a chance to be near her.
Dib's voice had cut through her train of thought. "I went the Michelle's place only to see the stupid alien there trying clothes on, too. He only needs gloves and boots now to match his new wardrobe."
Gaz scoffed. "Sounds like someone's jealous."
"He looked nice, but that's not the point. The thing is that after I left, he came after me to basically ask if I wanted to be friends with him." Dib swiped the last soda and took a seat at the dining table. "I laughed in his face. Then he asked the strangest thing." Curious but not showing it, Gaz sat down as well waiting for her brother to continue his complaint about Zim.
Dib opened the soda, sipped from the can, and sighed. "He asked how you were doing." Dib saw a flicker of something on Gaz's normally stoic face. He leaned forward, slammed his soda on the table. "What happened last night, Gaz? He told me that he met you last night."
Her mouth suddenly went dry as her brother stared at her. He'd have to know that she was thinking about giving Zim a chance to be with her sooner or later. She just didn't expect him to know so soon. "I... uh... Zim, he..."
"Did he threaten you? Any word of a new hostile plan to take over the world? Anything I can use against him to prove once and for all that aliens exist?"
Gaz's nervousness faded then, now that she knew that her stupid brother didn't actually know anything yet. "No, Dib. He just saved me from getting hit by a truck yesterday when I lost my balance on my way to get my GS." She stood up to leave the kitchen.
"Oh, well..." Dib quietly sipped from the bent soda can. "How's the new game system, then?"
Gaz paused in her step. "It's... fine. I was... on a hard level... when you slammed the door." Without another moment wasted, she quickly escaped to her room and locked her door.
Dib's eyes widened. "He's done something to her!" He whispered to himself. "I'll kill him!"
