bakerstreet | Underwear?

Y-you can control the trajectory of your eyes!

[He grumbles right back! It's true, the bright side of all of this is that the heat of his embarrassment is combating the cold! As well as him exerting himself to climb the wall. Despite his claims, he is building up a sweat!]

Now you see that I am not to be underestimated...

[But Rose's aid does help a lot. Making his way up towards the window, he grasps onto her hand, ready to put this whole thing behind him!]

...okay, that's fair. I'll do my best not to let them drift too low.

[It's just so hard to avoid doing something you're not supposed to! Or at least it is in her case. But she is trying! It's a bit easier when she's focused on worrying about strangers spotting their weird mountain climbing session in addition to helping haul him up those last couple of feet.]

Never doubted you for a minute...!

[Closing her eyes just to be on the safe side, she gives one final tug, pulling him in all the way with such force they end up in a heap on the floor with a strangled yelp from her. Whoops?]

Ack--!

Hrgh-!

[He gives a confused growl as suddenly he's on top of her. At least she's still wearing clothes, but this still feels uncomfortably intimate when he's wearing what may as well be nothing! Gundam quickly scrambles to try to get off of her, or at least not be pressed against her anymore!]

Th-this madness must end...!

[And she thought things were awkward before! Despite their previous close encounters this is far more than she's ready for! While he scuttles away in one direction, Rose crab walks the other way in such a hurry that she smacks into a table and knocks a stack of books onto her head.]

Argh! Son of a--!

[Amid seeing stars, she can't help glancing in his direction briefly and goes bright red, then resorts to the only safe solution at this point: burying her face in both hands with a strangled yell.]

If you find a way to get it to stop, please feel free...!

[Somehow, the awkwardness keeps on finding a way to intensify...

Gundam tries to focus on retrieving his scarf, though he does spot Rose turning red and... guesses what she's looking at. Now he turns redder once agin too!]

Trust me, if I could conceive the proper counter-curse, I would have already cast it! I... I just need to find some garments to wear! Then you can stop... s-seeing that which should not be seen by any mortal eyes!

[There must be an upper limit to it though, surely...! She just hopes it won't involve her clothes meandering off somewhere...

This very well may be some experiment to see which of them can turn reddest or will burst first. It's as good an explanation as any! Rose nods a couple times to acknowledge what he's said while mumbling something into her hands before finally lowering them once her gaze is pointedly to the side.]

Then I guess we better get started on that, huh? I mean, the view isn't terrible or anything! But, uh, it's just-- you know, kind of unexpected!

[Feeling the heat in her cheeks spread all the way to her ears, Rose suddenly stands up and whirls around to scan the shelves for an article of clothing, any clothing at all. Something to make it so they can have a normal conversation without it getting weird(er)!]

If we strike out here, I don't care how it'll look, I'm giving you my shirt! Or we'll steal some bed sheets from somewhere. That might be the better idea.

[It does almost feel like they're being subjected to some kind of bizarre embarrassment-based torture! But that does lead Gundam to feel thankful that Rose's clothing is still intact, at least. He's not sure if he could take that on top of his own situation!]

I- I did not ask for a critique...! [He murmurs weakly as he starts looking around the room. Maybe part of him is glad that whatever part she's describing isn't terrible, as non-descript as it is, but mostly he's embarrassed to have attention called to it at all!]

Not to mention that y-your shirt will solve little. M-my upper half being exposed is the far lesser problem after all... [It's covering his mystical underwear that's the biggest issue.

With his scarf gathered, he starts searching around the storage room, to little avail. The cots are bare of anything he can use!]

[Maybe she shouldn't have said anything about his... assets, but dammit, this whole ordeal has managed to fluster her more than anything in recent memory. They have a wonderful professional friendship going on that a lack of clothing is infringing upon! ...maybe that's it - it's some sort of nefarious plan designed to destabilize their relationship! ...nah, that's just silly.]

Sorry, sorry! Just wanted you to know it's nothing personal against you. [Not that he's mentioned any concerns, it's just her poor strained mind grasping for conversational straws.]

Ah, yeah... That's right, it wouldn't be much help with how much taller you are, huh? It'd probably end up exposing everything from your midriff down anyway. [The laugh that escapes her between sticking her head in boxes is a bit helpless. This can't be happening, can it? It's a storage room for goodness sake! There must be one article of fabric here somewhere! A towel! A tablecloth! Something...!]

Maybe you could use your scarf to tie my shirt in front of yourself? That might afford you some extra privacy in case somebody bumbles on in here. [Since at this rate she's going to have to steal something from another room...]

[It's like a new peak of feeling mortified for Gundam. How can he maintain the mystique of being an unknowable force of darkness and terror when his business partner has seen him in such a... such a mortal state?]

Duly noted. [He says with a sigh as he pries open a crate. Careful to avoid any loose nails as he searches... and finds nothing of use. Just cheap toothbrushes and soap, not even a single rag.

He frowns as he considers her option.]

Hmph. That sounds somewhat complicated... but it may be doable, and it will allow me to move around while foraging for clothing... b-but that would involve your partially disrobing yourself. [Now he has trouble looking directly at her.] Are you truly so keen on sacrificing your shirt?

[Meanwhile for Rose it isn't too different from learning the seraphim enjoy eating and cracking jokes just like their human neighbors while still retaining their mythical status. Maybe this does make Gundam seem a touch more human, but that also means relatable, and to her that's not such a bad thing.]

Don't get me wrong, it's not that I'm looking for an excuse to strip down or anything! I just don't want the owner or one of the workers to come crashing in here to discover a-- mostly naked guy squatting behind some boxes! We'd be kicked out for sure and then right back where we started. [She pauses with a hand on a crate, sighing.]

Ultimately it's up to you what we do. You're the one in a precarious position. If you're more comfortable staying as you are for a little longer, I'll slip out and nab a sheet, okay?

[So she's not an exhibitionist-

Gundam takes a deep breath and closes his eyes as he considers his options.]

...Hm. I see. Correct, that could be troublesome. In the interest of preventing it from coming to that... I suppose that I should conceal that area as soon as possible.

[He keeps his eyes closed.]

Go on, then! If- if you are so sure on following this plan through, then offer your garment for the good of the Tanaka Empire!

More like the good of our heads, but close enough.

[Once Gundam makes his decision, Rose nods despite it being a pointless gesture and quickly slides off her knife holster to wiggle her way out of her shirt before she can change her mind. That done and her torso now clad in only a pink bra with simple frills, a flush creeps onto her cheeks as she immediately returns her weapons to their proper place. At least she feels a little less exposed with them on.]

Alright then! Here you go, your turn. Try to treat it well, okay? It's a favorite shirt.

[Turning as far away as she possibly can, she offers up her shirt with an outstretched arm.]

I will treat it as carefully as I can, given the circumstances.

[He keeps his eyes closed, because... seeing Rose? Without her shirt?? That just sounds like too much! He just... squints his eyes open just a little, to get an idea of where the shirt is. Then he scoots closer and just keeps on grappling blindly at the air until he grabs the shirt!]

...Th-thanks.

I appreciate it.

[Once Gundam has a hold of her shirt, Rose ~~scurries~~ hurries to start looking through the remaining crates that are situated away from him. Though she does hazard a backwards glance at his last word, a small smile creeping onto her face.]

No problem. That's what friends are for: helping you out of tight - or too loose - situations!

[With that, Gundam uses the scarf to fashion the shirt into some sort of strange loin clothe to wear over the astral underpants. He may look very weird, but at least he won't look nude to any other strangers. The worst may finally be over with.]

...Indeed. Perhaps friendship isn't such a silly notion after all, if it inspired such a noble sacrifice. Now the search may continue... [He'll check another crate. ...Facing away from her, of course!]

[Although Gundam may not be able to see it (she isn't about to turn around to check), she plants her hands on both hips triumphantly with a laugh. Score one for the side of light!]

Hehehe! So you're finally coming around to my way of thinking about others, huh? As you can see, it doesn't have to be all sunshine and rainbows and sparkly shit - sometimes it can be as simple as a makeshift article of clothing in the dead of night.

[Now he blushes just from having friendship rubbed in.]

D-don't get too carried away with that! ...All I've done is acknowledge it. We... are friends. [Partially undressed friends?]

Forging attachments with mortals seems to be a fool's errand. But... You have proven yourself to be exceptional in such a regard.

[His face burns, while he buries himself in one crate, filled with cheap shampoo.]

A-anyway! This is getting us nowhere. There must be somewhere where blankets and perhaps clothing is stored...

[Ufufu~ She might not be able to see the blush but she sure can hear the fluster (or indignation) in his voice and it only makes her grin harder. So obstinate.]

That's more than you would've done a while ago, so I'm happy! I mean, I've counted you as a friend for a long time now but it's great to have it reciprocated. [She has business partners aplenty; genuine friends are few and far between.]

Well, I certainly don't deny being a fool, so us striking up a rapport is right in line for how I usually work. And should I get overwhelmed by your dark power someday then I'll count it as having been worth it.

[High praise coming from a former mercenary who tends to prioritize survival above most other things. She shakes her head though, allowing the conversation to change course.]

You're right about that. They must have another storage room where that stuff is kept. We just gotta go looking for it. You ready to brave the halls?

[It's a different type of embarrassment coloring his cheeks right now. Why does she have to rub in this whole friendship business?! While not being wrong about it.]

Hmph. Now you're talking foolishly too. You are a unique existence, like a singularity, who can bear coexisting near me. You need not worry about being corrupted by my dark energies.

[At least it's not malevolence!

He clears his throat and looks towards the door.]

...Yes. Now that I am covered from the eyes of mortals who cannot grasp the truth, I am ready to set foot outside that door. ...But we still should be cautious, as I am sure that we are violating some manner of clothing regulation as it is.

[Considering they're both kinda shirtless right now!]

[Because she's mean like that is the best answer, and because she hates losing the worst answer. That and she's just happy that now she can call him a friend without risking alienating or making him (too) upset!]

Haha! I can't argue with you there. Lots of what comes out of my mouth is nonsense, so feel free to ignore the parts that bother you. I'm glad to know you think my bright light will be able to resist your impressive darkness, though! Even if I think it could be kinda fun to let loose and allow my own dark side to shine through.

[There's one thing she can say about Gundam and it's that he's one of the most pure people she's ever known. His belief in himself rivals her own. Maybe that's why they get along so well.]

That's a good point there- neither of us are exactly clad in appropriate socialization attire. And if they have some kind of "no shirt, no shoes, no service" rule then we're definitely breaking it!

[Although shoes really are the least of Gundam's worries. Taking the lead while still doing her best to not look his way, let alone make eye contact, she peers out into the hallway to be sure the coast is clear, then signals to him with a hand.]

From my experience, I think we'll have the most luck checking the room right next door. Let's go left since it's furthest from the bedrooms, okay?

Trust me, I will absolutely ignore your most ridiculous statements. [He says that with a smirk.] Your dark side already shines as diabolically as possible without corruption, through our fiendish alliance.

[This partnership has proven yo be a good decision! He likes it. Even if she can be a menace and now an attack on his impure eyes!

As she goes for the door, he stands a few feet around her. ...And he generally tries looking anywhere aside from her upper body, even from behind! He doesn't want to focus on tjat flash of pink at all...]

Your reasoning seems sound enough to me. Very well! If the coast is clear, let us proceed at once!

Glad to hear! I wouldn't want whatever kooky thoughts cross through my empty head to spoil what we've have going. We've got an empire to build! [She thrusts a fist into the air.] If you think this is dark, just wait until we have a chance to strike at our enemies! I haven't shown you just how menacing I can be.

[Perhaps someday they can reveal to each other their true powers. That would definitely be preferable to exposing what they've got going on now!

After another moment of listening for anyone approaching, she ventures out and sneaks silently down the hallway, stopping at the next door. Crouching down, she peers through the keyhole with a grin, keeping her voice low.]

Bingo! Now, you might wanna look away for just a second...

[Said as she reaches a hand down the front of her bra-- to produce a couple of lockpicks, which then get put to use. It takes a couple minutes but eventually a soft click echoes out and she stands up, putting the tools away.]

There we go, that oughta do it. After you, my good sir! Unless you want me taking the lead.

Kehehe... Your energy is quite welcome! I do look forward to seeing how deadly you can be!

[He walks behind her, trying to staring ahead above her head. It's like she's not even shirtless! But as she goes for the tools, he cranes his head up even higher! From the sounds he hears, he can tell what she's doing.]

A-ah, of course! Th-the tools of a rogue in action. I should expect no less...!

[And with that, it seeks their path is unlocked! Now they can finally advance. He pauses for a moment at her offer before answering.]

N-no, allow me to take the lead. I shall carve the paty forward!

[And he won't have to worry about Looking at her. So he'll close his eyes as he steps forward to shuffle past her and open the door! These places don't have traps, right?]

And you! One day I'd love to see the full force of your power!

[Whether it's with dark magic or commanding beasts doesn't matter, it's sure to be spectacular if his abilities are anywhere near as dramatic as he is.

While he goes one way around her, she scoots off to the other side, pointedly taking a final glance down the hallway. Still no sign of anyone stirring, thank goodness. And door itself wasn't rigged with any traps that she could tell. That doesn't mean there might not be something in the room... Inns don't usually tend to booby-trap the supply rooms, but one never knows! The owner could be as eccentric as they are.]

Righty-o then! Just be careful not to stub your toes or worse on anything.

[Despite the situation she can't help a stifled snicker.]

My full force may be too much for any type of being to behold! But rest assured, you will witness my prowess!

[He says that with confidence - but then her other comment gets more of a growl in response.]

I do not intend to be so clumsy! No... no part of me shall be harmed!

[In any case, Gundam starts to brighten up as he looks into the room! It's more crates, but these ones are clearly labeled for bedsheets and other such things! Finally, something they can use!

But maybe these inns are run by eccentric types, driven mad by people who take too much from their rooms. It won't be until they set foot into the room, Gundam's foot stepping on a floorboard in just the wrong way that a net will be sprung to pull them up towards the ceiling!]

<3!

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