"Where are we going now?"
"Have patience, we're going to meet an old friend of mine, to get that hand bandaged up properly before we continue our stroll through the area."
The hand in question was currently pressed against Alastors side, his other hand laying over hers. The gesture seemed too romantic for Clover to stand, feeling the nerves buzz in time with his radio static beneath his glove. Alastor was walking her swiftly down the cobbled streets, crossing it to avoid a gaggle of women who called out to him, giving them a short wave before continuing on. Soon enough they were standing in front of a shop, a crossed out sign that read "Rosie's Emporium" looming overhead. Alastor let go of her hand at last, opening the intricate door with a smile and a flourish to usher her inside.
The inside of the shop was incredibly intricate, crown molding lining pristine hardwood floors. A crystal chandelier hung from high ceilings, bouncing rainbows across the room as the rising sun drifted in from outside and sending long shadows from slender mannequins stretching towards the dark wooden desk that served as a front desk. Clover couldn't help but gape at the extravagant gowns that dotted the room, ranging from 18th century day wear to intricately beaded prohibition dresses.
"Well, now I really feel underdressed…"
Alastor laughed beside her, his radio switching to a soft piano that barely rose above her muttered comment, returning to her side and leading her further into the room. Clover hesitated, looking down at her shoes to make sure she wasn't tracking anything into the extravagant environment, and smiling softly as her heart leapt when Alastor waited for her. A short tap of clawed fingers sent the bell on the desktop ringing into the quiet room, causing Clover to jump slightly at the high-pitched trill that made her ears twitch, but much less than they did at the clear voice that called out as the door behind the desk swung open.
"Alastor!'
The woman that had to duck her way out of the polished door instantly intimidated Clover. She was tall, dressed in early 1900's clothing that accentuated her slender frame and leading her steps with a closed parasole that clicked each time it tapped the shining wooden floor. Like Alastor, she wore a wide razor-sharp smile that only widened as she turned her head between them, black sockets seeming to take the unlikely pair in before she spoke again.
"And, who is this?"
Clover could feel herself shrinking, becoming more self-conscious the longer she stood in this lavish environment. Resisting her urge to hide herself behind Alastor and fumbling with the rose she clutched to her chest, Clover could only look dumbly between the two demons. Luckily, the man next to her came to her aid once again, sweeping an arm towards her with a chipper smile.
"This is my acquaintance, Clover! She's quite the interesting young arrival that's found a home at my hotel. I was showing her one of the parks, you see, but those pesky rose bushes have proved problematic for us this morning. I was wondering if, perhaps, you had some first aid for her in your arsenal of supplies."
Swallowing the lump in her throat, Clover tried her best to be polite.
"It's nice to meet you, mam'."
The woman looked between them for a moment before she took quick steps towards Clover, placing delicate fingers under her chin and tilting it until Clover was properly looking up at her. Her brow rose, her grin widening as she tapped her nose quickly, causing Clover's face to wrinkle, before turning back to Alastor.
"She's absolutely adorable, I am so glad you're expanding your horizons Alastor. Now, if only you would allow me to properly mend that coat of yours…"
"Rosie, we do have other business to attend to, now is not the time."
"I bet you do."
She turned to Clover, leaning down till they were at eye level and softening her smile.
"My name is Rosie, it's a pleasure to meet you my dear. Now, come with me."
Her arm was instantly occupied as Rosie grasped it, pulling her towards the doorway into the backroom with swift steps. Alastor was left to stand in the main room, smiling to himself and only giving a short nod when Clover looked back to him for support. The room she was swept into was as tidy as the one before it, it's walls lined with rolls of fabric and intricate vintage sewing machines settled on top of the few work stations. Clover was placed into a chair, her boots instantly tucking beneath her as she watched Rosie drift towards a set of shelves and retrieve a small metal box. A plaster was retrieved from inside, her hand taken gently into Rosie's gloved ones. The dried blood that stained her pale skin raised worry for a second, Clover still acutely aware of where she was, but it was wiped away with a small cloth and a bottle of alcohol before the wound was tightly wrapped in adhesive bandage.
Rosie smiled through it all, patting her hand before placing her supplies back in their box while speaking in hushed tones.
"I do hope you realize that he didn't have to bring you here, even if you had been spilling blood profusely enough to attract others, anyone who saw you at his side while in his territory would be a fool to try and take advantage of you. I'm sure this is one of his games, an easy excuse to introduce us."
Clover blinked at the comment, as much sense as it made, but her curiosity ate at her anyway.
"His territory?"
"Yes dear, his. This place has existed long before any of us, but it falls under our jurisdiction, being the only Overlords that frequent here. Now, why he's decided that we are meant to meet in this moment is beyond me, but I can only assume it has to do with one of my many specialties, and who am I to deny an opportunity to cater to one of my most loyal clients, and for a belle of his choosing with such a pretty figure."
"Pardon?"
The demoness only smiled wider, placing the metal box back in its place before producing a measuring tape seemingly out of nowhere. They both turned their heads to the amplified sounds of radio static drifting through the closed doorway, Rosie's smile widening before she turned to Clover again.
"You heard me properly the first time with those charming ears of yours, I'm sure. Now, please stand."
Clover did as she was told, unable to stop herself from staring at the demon that was currently turning her by placing gloved hands on her hips as a blood-red measuring tape wound its way around her. Rosie worked quietly, taking a pencil from a skirt pocket to write in curling numbers onto a spare piece of paper. It was only when she'd finished that she spoke again.
"Ask your questions, it's alright."
"So, you're close to Al?"
"We've been friends a long time, yes."
"Really?"
"Of course, a man of his kinda makes pleasant company in a place like this. He was instantly drawn to this part of our little city, as it quite obviously aligns with his, well, special tastes "
Her lip was caught between her teeth once again, working on tearing the soft skin until she tasted blood as she thought. Alastor having acquaintances wasn't odd at all, his personality surely meant that he spoke to many people, and since she herself looked past his power and frightening persona, others must as well. She hadn't earned the right to have the sick feeling that was pooling in her stomach and making her blood run hot, feeling a familiar green icker seep into her soul. Jealousy was one of her many emotional vices, and it never failed to come to her at the wrong moments. Rosie seemed to notice something of meaning in her silence, placing her pencil and paper back into her pocket before taking Clover's arm and wandering towards the wall lined with extravagant fabric.
"Now, is our mutual friend's signature color also to your liking, or do you prefer a complimentary set to a matching one?"
"I couldn't possibly afford even a pair of socks from you, I'm sorry."
"Dear, you're not paying, obviously."
Rosie pulled a yard of fabric with a flick of her wrist, draping the silken crimson across her shoulders before stepping back for a moment to ponder the choice. When that swatch was returned, she pulled another, and another after that one, a pattern which continued for only a moment before the tall demon was clapping her hands together with finality and turning Clover to the door.
"I'll be seeing you soon, I'm sure. I hope the rest of your day is pleasant. And don't fret, dear. Alastor is not my type, I can assure you. Those of us who have known him for as long as I have would have already taken those chances already"
"I wasn't even thi-"
"Yes, you were, your heart is on your sleeve darling, and I suggest you take a little more care in concealing it. Now, off you go."
As soon as the door opened, Clover's eyes found Alastor. She was thankful they did, his demeanor changing as soon as he realized he was in eyeline once again. Before he'd straightened his back, tilted his chin up confidently and turned to pretend to busy himself with examining a nearby top hat, she'd seen how he'd been spending the last few minutes alone. He'd stopped his pacing as soon as the door had opened, his ears perking up from their spot laying flat against his head to tilt towards the noise as his smile lifted from it's wavered form to its proper cheerful grin.
"Ah, there you are! It's curious how long it takes to put on a bandage, isn't it?'
"Alastor, dear, you know how ladies are, we were just talking about my fabric supplies."
"Indeed."
Alastor held out his arm to her once again, something she was becoming slowly more used to, but the quirk of Rosie's brow told her that it wasn't something he did for just anyone. She took it gladly, feeling the familiar flip of her stomach when she felt the weight of the very-real man that was leading her down slowly busying streets against her side. She chanced the glance up at him, feeling a pleasant twist in her stomach at the calm smile that reached to relaxed crimson irises, taking note of the slightest of black gums that peeked out when he took a breath to speak. It took everything not to stutter and instantly avert her gaze when he turned to her, the lack of radio filter in his voice startling her for a moment.
"What is it?"
Clover only smiled, aware of the eyes that followed their every move, but feeling brave under the gaze that mattered. She'd finally decided that it was better for her just to give into this feeling, her recent trend of throwing caution to the wind had worked in her favor up to this point, and she trusted it to continue on the same. It was painfully obvious to her now that she really did have feelings for the Radio Demon, and it was only getting worse the better she knew him. Before he could read too far into her silence, she shook herself of her love-stricken gaze and finally answered him.
"Nothing, it's just… Thank you, for this. I really enjoyed seeing this part of the city, it's wonderful."
"Well, we'll have to come again then, if you'd like. I wouldn't suggest wandering into this territory without Rosie or I at your side, though."
"I'd prefer it that way."