Twentieth Sip

[mal-addict.livejournal.com]

[Mal has been enjoying the peace and quiet after that whole slenderman mess. She really should have known something would ruin it. More to the point, she should have expected that speech about how her world worked on belief to come back and bite her on the ass.

Her first clue something is distinctly wrong was when she wakes up in the hallway outside her room. The next big warning klaxon is that her hair is in her eyes, that's definitely not normal. Looking down and seeing more cleavage than had been on show for a long time (ie: any) is the final horrible proof that her life is going to get especailly more difficult. Luckily, the journal is open on the floor to record her displeasure]

What the bloody HELL?!!

[She jumps up to a standing position pretty damn quickly; despite the fact this dress is clearly not designed with movement in mind, and tries her door, which does not open. Well, she's not having any of THOSE castle games, thank you very much. The journal picks up the loud BANG as she tries to punch her door off it's hinges, to no avail]

OH COME ON! What did I do to deserve this?

Comments

[mal-addict.livejournal.com]

[Die in a fire, Clu. Mal turns to give him a withering look]

You don't say.

[end-0f-line.livejournal.com]

[He flashes a perfectly practiced grin in response.]

Locked out, I take it.

[mal-addict.livejournal.com]

[She folds her arms, rolling her eyes]

No. I'm just standing in the hallway because I feel like it.

[end-0f-line.livejournal.com]

In this place? I've seen stranger.

So why the hurry to rush back inside? [He glances around, not spotting any threats or pursuers to make it as urgent of a situation as she seems to consider it.]

[mal-addict.livejournal.com]

Because I'm not dressed as I'd normally like to be, and I'd like to get changed before I feel the need to hurt someone.

[end-0f-line.livejournal.com]

[Clu falls silent, giving her dress some quiet consideration. Not that he's all that fond of User clothing to begin with-- there's very little protection provided by it, and it seems to offer even less when it comes to utility.

He can see why she'd want a change.]

I'm not sure what attire you prefer, but I could at least give you something more efficient.

[mal-addict.livejournal.com]

[And now, Clu? You are bumped off the 'annoying' list and into the 'possibly useful']

Oh? Well, I'm not one to look a gift horse in the mouth.

[end-0f-line.livejournal.com]

[That reaction is all he needs. The Admin doesn't even bother to respond as he strides towards her, one hand raised, fingers outstretched. It's only when he's just beside her that he speaks.]

Try to hold still for a moment, will you?

[mal-addict.livejournal.com]

[She gives him a curious look]

What? You have magical wardrobe powers, do you?

IF THIS IS NOT OKAY TELL ME AND HE WILL NOT CHANGE HER CLOTHING X3

[end-0f-line.livejournal.com]

[He's no siren, and he's certainly not going to go about the business of dressing her like they would one of the gladiators preparing for an arena match. He is, after all, an Admin, a creator as much as -his- creator, and so instead of removing the dress, he simply reshapes its form as he would his own, adjusting its composition with care and precision. Fragments of it skitter across her skin to harden and form plates of armor, lit by lines of circuitry.

((Okay, so uh, Grid armor/clothing is unique to the person wearing it in that it matches their personality like

 this (http://avali.kurai.com/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1094&g2_serialNumber=1)

this (http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lfq8thJOqi1qfy8d0.jpg)

or this etc etc! (http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lfq8ulnGsX1qfy8d0.jpg)

As a non-program, her default circuitry color would be white, but everything else you can imagine/make what you want, idk! XD))]

Better?

lmao no that's fine, it just won't stick for long. watch mr perfectionist freak :3

[mal-addict.livejournal.com]

[Well, those were certainly strange fashions, but the armour was pretty cool and, hey, it was STILL better than the dress]

Oh that second one. [She's actually a bit impressed, well done man] That's quite a clever trick you have.

He freaks over so much...especially here. D:<

[end-0f-line.livejournal.com]

[His smile widens with a detectable amount of pride.] Hardly a trick, but it's good to hear you can appreciate the quality. Never was much of a fan of...flimsier clothes without purpose.

Poor guy ;;

[mal-addict.livejournal.com]

That's music to my ears. You should have seen the nightgowns we're expected to wea...

[Oh and all his fine work has faded away to go back to that dress. The castle doesn't want you messin' with it's plans, Clu] Well bugger.

[end-0f-line.livejournal.com]

...[He frowns deeply, staring down hatefully at that damn dress. ]

[mal-addict.livejournal.com]

[Wow, dude, that sure is a lot of staring]

Don't worry about it, you tried, at least.

[end-0f-line.livejournal.com]

[Aware of his expression, he steadies his brow to a more stoic one instead. His words, however, carry across his frustration easily.]

It's never enough to just try.

[mal-addict.livejournal.com]

[Uh oh, she's getting perfectionist vibes form this guy]

I think it's safe to say that's not true in this particular castle.

[end-0f-line.livejournal.com]

[More than you know, Mal. He works his jaw a bit, glancing off at nothing in particular, because if he keeps staring at that dress his temper will just get the best of him...and Rinzler's not really here to calm him down.]

I won't accept a failure as a success, even under these conditions. [After all, it's just illogical. With her still stuck like this he might as well have done nothing at all.]

[mal-addict.livejournal.com]

[She blinks at that jaw clenching thing]

...Right. You should probably...take a few calming breaths or something. You can't beat the castle.

[end-0f-line.livejournal.com]

[Hm.

Clu pauses, stare fixing on her again, smile returning to his face.] Yet.

[mal-addict.livejournal.com]

[Why does that smile not make her feel good?]

...Exactly. There's still a chance. Probably. One day.

[end-0f-line.livejournal.com]

It's all a matter of time.


--we've spoken before, haven't we? I remember your theories on that monster situation a few cycles back.

[mal-addict.livejournal.com]

That we have. [She offers a hand] Maladict.

[end-0f-line.livejournal.com]

[He takes hers, giving her a firm shake before his free hand meets her shoulder to secure the gesture with all the affection of familiarity. It's not prolonged however, and he withdraws both hands shortly thereafter.]

Clu.

[mal-addict.livejournal.com]

[Well, that was strange, but hey, people around here did seem pretty odd. She'll roll with it]

A pleasure.