bakerstreet | Underwear?

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!]

I'll be sure to wear shades, in that case, just so I don't miss out!

[Perhaps it's his grumbling that distracts her or simply her own complacency letting her down, but following in his wake, Rose fails to notice any outward triggers for the carefully laid trap, just their precious prize. Only the faint click of it setting off gives them any warning and that's not enough for her to do anything but reach out towards Gundam.

And then they're sailing upwards, bouncing about as the net settles with them in inside. It's only by the grace of what deity is responsible for sanity that they end up in a tangle not face-to-face, but back-to-side, with Rose's cheek smooshed against one of Gundam's shoulder blades. Fruitlessly kicking at the ropes, Rose lets out an aggravated groan.]

Are you kidding me?! Why here? Why now of all times?!

Hrk-...! By the seven Hells...!

[Gundam cries out while the trap yanks them up! It's hard to regain his bears, especially now that Rose is right on his shoulder! Now he tries to avoid looking directly at her, or pressing against anything other than her cheek, as he tries to take stock of the situation.]

There better be blankets and garments of a holy quality with all the effort they have put forth into their security...

[But if they can got out of here, they'll be home free. It's just hard moving around at all, when the ends of his limbs are mostly tangled in the net.]

I- I cannot believe this ridiculousness. But for get the why... w-we must break free of this prison as soon as possible... Death's Rose!

[Thankfully Rose has the sense not to flail about so they don't start spinning any more than they already are, though it does leave them in that awkward position. How embarrassing that they got snagged by the most basic of traps...]

Right?? If they're cheap materials then I'm going to tear all but one article up out of spite and let them use it for pillow stuffing!

[Hanging onto their cage with one hand, she tries to pull herself up and away from Gundam a little bit to provide a bit of space between them. It doesn't work too well though, just shifting the direction which they're faceplanting.]

Ack! I hear you...! Just a sec, lemme grab one of my knives...

[One of her hands gets planted onto his bare shoulder while with the other she draws a knife from her shoulder holster and begins sawing at the net. It's not the fasted endeavor, yet eventually she's cut through enough ropes to where the remaining ones begin creaking under their weight, setting them spinning again as they break one by one before they crash back to the floor.]

Whoa--! Ow...

[Just more and more ways to humiliate them... It's frustrating! What did he do for the universe to plot against him so decisively, he wonders?

He says silent, stewing in his own embarrassment as she gets to work and continuing to Not Look. Of course Rose has a swift way to get them free!

It just ends with them crumpled on the floor. Part of his scarf also comes loose in the netting, costing him his makeshift loin cloth, Rose's shirt tangled up there in the scarf. So Gundam's now lying on the ground, back in what he calls underwear. Now the only obstacle lying between him and those supplies is getting up.]

Hrgh! That could have gone better... [He laments, just lying there for the moment.]

Seriously... This is just getting tiresome, isn't it? But at least we're down.

[She couldn't get more deadpan if she tried, lying there staring up at the ceiling, their old prison, and - of course - the scarf-shirt combo dangling with the latter. At this point she doesn't even get flustered by the idea that Gundam's once again in the briefy buff, though she's still careful to keep her gaze firmly fixed upward as she returns her knife to where it belongs.]

And we're almost there? Although if there's a damn crate mimic or something, I may strip completely and we can just walk out of this town into the sunrise together.

[Maybe she shouldn't be pushing their luck after bringing up traps last time... Oh well, too late for it now! Groaning with the effort, she sits up and has a quick look around to place where everything is at after their impromptu merry-go-round ride. Door, window, boxes, check. Time to get to work!

After scrambling to her feet and quickly dusting herself off, she tries to grab Gundam's scarf from the net... only to fall short by several inches. Even jumping doesn't let her fingertips get anywhere near the fabric.]

Really? Guess this one's all yours.

[Oh please, let him be tall enough...! If they have to do another piggyback ride one of them may implode from the embarrassment.]

Th-that is clearly a ridiculous fantasy that you proposed, and yet I still feel the need to tell you not to do that!

[Gundam's still flushed from just the idea of them making a stripped down exit together like that! But in any case, he tries to remain focused on the task at hand. And not on any degree of nakedness!]

The fates are still plotting against us... and yet we are near the journey's end. W-we need only prevail a little more, and we shall find salvation. Retrieving this clothing should be no problem...

[It's good to have an excuse to have his eyes focused up above Rose anyway. The scarf is indeed within this lankier's man reach, and he grasps it.]

Now, o scarf that warms the neck of fiends... be free!

[With that dramatic statement, he pulls the scarf loose! And the liberated shirt starts to flutter on down separately.]

I gotcha, I gotcha... You can't tell me you're not frustrated too, though!

[If he's not, then it must be that his dark powers give him infinite patience. After all, he's the one who's already put up with so much hassle due to a case of missing clothes. Maybe if she trains more she can reach that level of zen or whatever it's called.]

This is true. And that's why the fates can just f-- bug the hell off and leave us be for once! Or else I'll just go ballistic on the damned things.

[How she plans on taking out her frustrations on fate itself is a mystery, but thankfully the rescue of their clothes is not so much so. As both Gundam's scarf and her own shirt drift down to their owners, Rose can barely contain a cheer. She happily buries her face in the tunic before shimmying into the garment with a sigh of relief.]

You don't mind, right? Since we're bound to find something for you here. And don't worry, my eyes remain fixated on our task, not you!

[Though she does give him a quick salute of thanks for fetching their clothes, then focusing on the crates surrounding them. Prying open the first one, they're met with bedsheets and blankets. Close, but no banana!]

Of course. My frustrations peaked long ago! My wrath knows no bounds! [He wishes he knew who was behind this, so he could have a target for his ire!] Y-yet I would rather engage in fantasies of revenge rather than of... spiteful nudism!

[Gundam lets out an agitated breath and shakes his head. He's also not sure how Rose will attack fate herself, but he appreciates that energy. As she reclaims her shirt, he accidentally gets a quick glimpse at her before she puts it back on and swiftly averts his eyes.]

Th-that is fine. It is better for one of us to be fully garbed, as we put an end to this ridiculous matter! And it is only a matter of time now until I have something to wear.

[Gundam puts his scarf back on normally. He could make use of the blankets, at least, but at this point he wants actual clothes or nothing! Gundam goes ahead to the next crate and gets it open. This one is full of towels! And socks for some reason.]

Hmph, we are getting warmer...! Our goal may be on hand.

[There is one massive crate left, taller than either of them!]

Haha... Fair point there, I gotta admit. Who knows, more exhibitionism might be what your tormentor wants. [She takes a quick glance around as though maybe the asshole who cast this spell or whatever would be suddenly visible to them.] And there's nothing saying I can't dream of beating the crap out of them in buff!

[Of course she would have strange ideas like combining the two thoughts, wouldn't she... Though getting an ass kicking by a girl in the all together sure would leave one hell of an impression, she thinks. Nodding now that she's back to being properly dressed, Rose eyes the remaining crate like a worthy adversary.]

It better be or we're royally screwed. [She can't help stating it grimly as she walks up to the crate to give it a quiet rap with her knuckles. Just in case. If it's going to turn out to be an enemy or a mimic, she'd rather it take a bite out of her. Gundam's not exactly in the gear for fighting right now.]

So far so good! The question is, how do we get into it?

[A quick, careful glance at him tells her that it's too tall for even him to reach unaided, meaning there's no chance she can get to the lid. Although.....]

...we're going to have to do another piggyback ride. That's the only way. The question is, who's going to be on top?

I can say that you can't! [He grumbles, trying to banish the mental image from his mind as they face their next task!

At least the crate seems to be the real deal! But the rest seems disappointing. To think they'll have to piggyback once again! At least this might be the final ordeal they have to deal with. Gundam frowns and sighs as he considers.]

...Allow me to lift you once more, Death's Rose. The alternative combination would... well, it simply would not be feasible in my current state.

[He really doesn't think he should be on top of her while he's nearly naked.]

Let us end this, once and for all!

[At this point all bets are off when it comes to imagining the proper punishment for whatever fiend has lead them on this questionable journey!

Under normal circumstances she might have thought these challenges to be pretty darn fun, but all the worries that come from trying not to embarrass each other to death have lessened her patience for yet more gymnastics. Her sigh echoes his own even as she nods. He's got a good point about the configuration they'll have to employ.]

Alright, one more time...! Then we should be free of this ridiculousness! If you could just crouch down, I think I should be able to climb aboard without either of us needing to be too worried about what we'll see.

[Which is a polite way of saying that it's best if he keeps facing forward while she keeps her eyes up and well out of a certain range.]

Underwear?

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