9226/Gilding the Bird

Gilding the Bird
Date of Scene:	17 September 2019
Location:	Titans Tower and Mutant Town
Synopsis:	A successful foray into the world of shopping for the Titans' resident alien, and green menagerie.
Cast of Characters:	Kian t'Kaeh, Beast Boy

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Kian t'Kaeh has posed:
    Kían wanders out of his room, adjusting his kilt.  He makes a bee-line for the kitchen, rummaging through the fridge for something with completely unnecessary amounts of sugar in it… oh hey!  Someone made purple Kool-Ade!
    Cup.  Ice.  Purple Kool-Ade, and... "Ai, qokh!"  The meaning isn't obvious, but the tone is appropriate to one of the Seven Deadly Words.
    Muttering under his breath, Kian obsesses with trying to paper-towel a purple stain off his kilt.

Beast Boy has posed:
    There is someone attentively watching the television, with the sound not too loud, not too soft either.  One might even miss the green figure over there, since the location is hidden a bit by one of the sofas.  On the screen is a golden pheasant, and on one of the tables in front of it is a, well, green pheasant.
    The one watching the nature show is completely engrossed with it until the moment the racket is heard from the kitchen area, leading to a spreading of wings and a sudden turn that way.  "Hey, keep it down over there!  You're gonna ruffle my… oh.  Hey, Bird," says the bird.

Kian t'Kaeh has posed:
    "Kya!"  No, Kían had not, in fact, noticed a green pheasant watching TV.  He was on a mission for much sugar dissolved in colored water.  Taking enough time to set both the paper towel and the tumbler of Kool-Ade aside, he bows very slightly in greeting.  "My apology, Gar.  I was… not thinking nor observing."

Beast Boy has posed:
    The pheasant hops off the table and walks its way over toward the kitchen area, watching Kian the whole way.  "I was doing some learning.  What happened to you?  I hear you 'kya' a lot," it says, and by now it's more than obvious this could only be one Titan and one only.  "Are you making a mess?"  There's a moment where the pheasant tries to fly up onto the countertop and fails, then tries again and makes it.  "I had to pick one of the birds that isn't much for flying…."  He tsks at himself.

Kian t'Kaeh has posed:
    "Nnh," Kían begins fussily.  "I was just annoyed over spilling this liquid on myself, when I only just cleaned my kilt," he says.  "I guess I'm going to have to wash it again… nnh.  You don't have replicator technology on this world, do you?  I have got to get a new kilt soon.  This one is worn almost to a rag."

Beast Boy has posed:
    "Uhh… how long have you had it?" Beast Boy asks, suddenly seated with a leg draped over the edge of the counter, the other tucked beneath him, chin resting in his hands as he looks impishly at Kian.  "Because it's kind of looking a little worn to me.  I don't know about the whole kilt thing, either.  Yeah, maybe it's roomier, buuuut…."

Kian t'Kaeh has posed:
    Kian blinks once as he realizes the truth of what he's about to say.  "Other than my memories and my pendant and myself, it's the only thing I actually have from my homeworld.  I really did arrive here with nothing but the clothes wrapped around me.  I should like to keep it, even if I really shouldn't be wearing it any longer."
    He blinks again.  "What's wrong with kilts?  They're standard fashion on my world."

Beast Boy has posed:
    Beast Boy admits, shifting to rub at an ear, "I know what you mean.  It's sentimental, something that reminds you of another time, home, and stuff like that.  It's natural to want to keep it around… but, dude.  We need to get you some other stuff.  And around here, the only people you'll find wearing kilts are probably from Scotland and even then, that's mostly just for special things.  It's not exactly common."

Kian t'Kaeh has posed:
    "Scotland?"  Kían blinks, that special 'what are you talking about' blink.  "Is that further up the island?"  He leans over to peer out the window, as if expecting to see a sign to the northeast reading 'Welcome to SCOTLAND, NEW YORK' with the unpronounceable name of a mayor inscribed thereunder.
    He shrugs, and returns his attention to Gar.  "Leggings are uncomfortable, and a shon is too formal.  But a ryk, what your world calls a kilt—you'd be surprised what a difference just that little bit of surface area makes while flying.  If I must wear something, that's what I wear.  If you'd just show me to the replicator, I'm sure I could explain it to the machine easily enough…."

Beast Boy has posed:
    Beast Boy's expression sort of flatlines for a moment.  "It's… a little beyond normal flying distance," he ends up explaining with a shake of the head.  "Actually, I met someone from Scotland not too long ago."  Waving it off, he hops down from the countertop and motions for Kian to follow.  "I don't know what a shon is but it sounds kind of like a tuxedo or something.  Anyway, I have a better idea.  We're gonna go to a place and check some stuff out."

Kian t'Kaeh has posed:
    "Ah, okay, you do have a replicator here somewhere, then," Kían says, assuming 'a place' is in the Tower.  "I don't know what a tuxedo is… if it's a long strip of cloth with a neck hole, and then belted around the waist, then it's the same.  They're terribly awkward to fly in, that's why they're only for the most formal secular occasions."

Beast Boy has posed:
    Beast Boy gives no answer one way or the other about the replicator idea.  "Just follow me, Bird.  And… that sounds soooo basic.  How is it formal?" he says and wonders.  Oddly, as he makes his way out of the lounge after shutting off the nature show, he heads toward the rooftop.  Might that be where Kian will get his new clothes?

Kian t'Kaeh has posed:
    Kían tilts his head.  "What makes a tuxedo formal?" he asks, perfectly sensibly.  "I think it's because it's hard to fly in, so you have to be all formal and boring," he explains with the same kind of distaste as a Catholic school boy flinging his tie off at the end of the school day.

Beast Boy has posed:
    "Because nobody really wants to wear a tuxedo unless they're trying to look good or impress others, or make people think 'Oh, look how rich that guy is!'" Gar says to Kian en route to… going up.  "And I have it easy.  I don't need any clothes when I fly," he adds with a grin.  There is, of course, an obvious reason behind that, and as they exit out onto the rooftop he lifts a hand to his brow and squints across the water.  "So there's this place in the city."

Kian t'Kaeh has posed:
    "Neither do I, but everyone's told me Terrans will get weird if I fly skyclad," Kían remarks, a little grumpily.
    On the roof, he spreads his wings and stretches and takes a deep breath.  "I love it up here.  It makes me feel almost normal.  And which city?" he asks.

Beast Boy has posed:
    Beast Boy remarks, "It's not considered polite to go around in nothing at all," said with a hint of amusement in his tone.  Without much hesitation, he nods to the edge of the roof.  "New York City.  Come on!"  He leaps into the air from multiple stories above the ground, which would be suicide for most people.  Instead, the familiar green version of a hawk reappears as he turns his head in the direction he wants Kian to head in.  "No racing this time!"

Kian t'Kaeh has posed:
    Kían follows, leaping gracefully from the roof's edge.  Always a little out-of-sorts on the ground, once he's in the air the little birdman is confident and comfortable.  "Oh, I love the wind currents between the buildings there!" he says as he catches up.

Beast Boy has posed:
    Beast Boy glances over a wing toward Kian, not needing to say a word to the joy of flight.  He does, anyway.  "It's pretty cool.  Being able to swim as a dolphin is sweet, too."  They continue across the open water toward the main part of NYC, though he begins to circle somewhat over the Bushwick area.  "Have you ever been to Mutant Town?" he asks.

Kian t'Kaeh has posed:
    "No.  I've heard of it, but I haven't been there myself," Kían replies.  "I keep hearing of it in terms of 'such and such exploded in Mutant Town last night'.  If they have a tourist affairs office, I don't envy them that job."

Beast Boy has posed:
    Beast Boy admits, "It's probably not the safest area, but you'll find a lot of people who look different around there.  It's kind of become the place for the freaks."  He says this somewhat affectionately, as bad as it could come off as otherwise.  "We're going there, but the looking different thing is only part of it.  See?"  As they descend, they come down toward an alley that empties out close to a street corner.  Nearby is a shop titled 'There's A Hero In Everyone.'  Touching down, Gar lands softly and gestures toward it.  "Here is where we will shop."

Kian t'Kaeh has posed:
    Well, it's titled something, anyway.  Kían is only just learning the Latin alphabet, so any sign just says 'squiggle squiggle squiggle' to him just yet.  And if it's in a fancy or decorative font, it might as well just be op art.
    "Shop…?" Kían asks, a little blankly.  "I can't access my estate's barter account from here, what can I trade with?"

Beast Boy has posed:
    Beast Boy gestures toward the sign… then he's reminded of the little reading disability.  "Oh, right."  He reads off the name of the place, adding, "It's for people who need costumes or, maybe in your case, just another change of clothes that might go with your wings since, you know, they're always there."  Grinning, he moves for the door.  "Let's go in, and something tells me whatever you use back home won't work here.  The Titans can cover it."

Kian t'Kaeh has posed:
    Kían follows, looking just a little unhappy.  "It's not right to live off of someone else's estate," he says quietly.  "It's weird enough living somewhere that's not with family by blood, or family by choice.  Even taking into account that I really have no options… *sigh*."  His wings sag just a little, ever the faithful beacon of his moods.

Beast Boy has posed:
    Beast Boy waves the worry off.  "C'mon, man.  You're here now, and you're part of the Titans.  That means we make sure everyone has what they need, and you need some new things to wear.  If you're that worried about it, we can figure something out later on for some kind of payment.  For now, get in here with me and let's look around."  He opens the door, motioning for Kian to follow.

Kian t'Kaeh has posed:
    Kían does follow; he doesn't look any happier about it, but he does at least look resigned to it.  "I guess I should think of it as a job that has housing included.  At least that way I won't feel guilty about drawing resources that aren't mine."
    He glances around slowly, looking for any sort of outfit that looks in the least familiar.  He's not having a whole lot of luck.

Beast Boy has posed:
    "You help out, and we can always find more things for you to do if you don't feel like you're earning your keep or anything," Gar suggests, a palm up at his side as a way of gesturing to go with it, the hand then moving around at what's laid out.  "So they have fabrics here—a lot of us go with spandex—and you can see what feels good.  Not sure what kind of style will work for you, though.  Hmmm."  He passes a few racks of clothing, some already fashioned into parts of potential costumes.  There are some shoes and boots along the way as well.  "Of course, they do custom stuff here."

Kian t'Kaeh has posed:
    Kían relaxes, and even smiles, just a little.  "From what little I've seen, finding things to do isn't a problem.  Not having things to do find you seems trickier."
    Chances are, it may mostly have to be custom work, at least for any shirts or shoes.  Any top is going to need to have a significant piece of the back removed, and Kían's feet are flexible enough to grip a stout branch, so a pair of sneakers off the shelf is probably not going to work.
    One thing Kían doesn't do, though, is move very far down any aisle.  He started to go down one, then backed out of it hurriedly, casting a frightened glance at the door.

Beast Boy has posed:
    Beast Boy has no such reservations about aisles and shelves and the like.  "Later.  For now, let's just focus on this."  There's a woman behind a counter down the way, short and with thicker glasses, and she seems content to wait patiently for them to either approach with questions or not.
    "Hmm." A smile creeps over Gar's mouth as he grabs a couple items, coming over to hold them up before Kian, missing the glance.  Red top, green shorts.  "I wonder…" he says, looking like he's trying hard to hold in a laugh.

Kian t'Kaeh has posed:
    "I… no," Kian says.  "Neither my color nor my style."  Nor, apparently, does he connect the colors with Robin.  That's probably for the best.
    He stands there and just thinks a moment.  "Let me tell you what my needs are, and then we can work from there.  I need something loose, but not flowing.  It can't be restrictive in any way.  It has to be light.  If I must have a shirt, it cannot cover my pendant, and it has to have plenty of clearance for my wings, it can't be cut close to my wing-bases."  He grips his pendant gently, then holds it out to show it to Gar.  "It's from my First Flight.  I may never take it off and I may never cover it up, except in the most abnormal conditions."
    He takes a breath.  "And the footwear," he winds up, raising his right foot and curling it as if gripping a branch, "has to be soft-soled and flexible."

Beast Boy has posed:
    Beast Boy's smiling a little too much as he puts the garments back in place.  "It was just a thought," he remarks without explaining the idea behind it.  What Kian doesn't know won't hurt Gar.
    Motioning the shopkeep over in time to get the crux of what Kian is after, she notes, "Beautiful wings you have there.  No, you wouldn't want them hindered at all.  Hold on."
    Gar grins back at him.  "See, Bird?  She'll hook you up."  He rests his hands at his hips as she busies herself with this and that, coming back with a plain shirt-style top she hands over for him to feel.  A few different ones of varying materials, in fact.  "I can cut it any way you need," she explains, eyeing the kilt with a questioning look.  "Is that something you still want?" she asks, also handing over some wraps for the ankles and feet, similar to what an athlete might wear.  "Try these on.  See how they feel.  They'll leave your toes and heels open, though.  If you need more, I have ideas."

Kian t'Kaeh has posed:
    Kían straightens a little at 'beautiful wings'.  He's not precisely vain… but he does now have more confidence in this woman's judgment.
    Still, it's a little overwhelming, and he's barely gotten a chance to look at the shirt before she's questioning his kilt and offering unusual footgear.  It's a little like getting run over by a sartorial tidal wave, and all he can manage for a moment is, "Uhm."
    Getting his bearings, he starts by setting two items aside.  He didn't even look at what they were, they were important for another reason: "These are the colors of my clan," he explains—one is a rich sky blue, the other is a golden, almost butterscotch yellow.  "I'm not obliged to wear these colors, but I prefer to."  His kilt, worn though it is, is trimmed in those colors.

Beast Boy has posed:
    "Your clan?  You don't sound Scottish to me," the shopkeep says, a mildly confused expression taking shape.
    Gar flashes Kian a half-smile as if to say 'See?' before he shakes his head.  "Oh, Kian's not from around here, or there.  However, the kilt…"  He pauses for dramatic effect, a hand out and up for emphasis, "…is the way of his people, no doubt passed down from one generation to the next.  Each one holds within it… history."  A double thumbs-up is offered to Kian at this.  He's way off, isn't he?
    The woman gives Gar a look as if he's speaking another language, remaining in business mode.  "Well, whatever our friend here needs, colors included, it's no trouble.  You're Titans, yes?  I make it a habit to know the people I meet."

Kian t'Kaeh has posed:
    "I… am training with the Titans," Kían says, "and I live at the Tower.  But I wouldn't go so far as to say that I'm a full member of the team yet.  I have much to learn."
    Gar's monologue on the Akiár kilt earns him a flat look from the birdman.  "Uh, no, I explained why I wear this.  And not that long ago."  It is of course obvious to anyone with any real knowledge that Kían's kilt and a Scottish traditional kilt are unrelated garments except by accident.  A Scottish kilt is pleated at least in part, and goes all the way to the knees; Kían's is smooth and only half as long, although the hem is dagged front and back, a decorative cloth point terminating just a little further down.  Kían doesn't wear anything like a sporran, although there is a small bag at the side of his hip, like an external pocket.  "It's safe to say that my clan is not a Scottish clan," he says as if that weren't pretty damn obvious already.

Beast Boy has posed:
    "Someone's touchy today," Beast Boy lightly teases Kian, reaching out to give him a nudge on the shoulder, reconsidering before the hand gets too close.  Instead, he uses it to rub the back of his neck.  "So all of this is pretty special to him.  Maybe it'd be best to start by making the same thing, just brand new and in whatever he wants.  Cotton, silk, whatever would be snug but loose, without getting in the way.  Right, Bird?"
    The lady doesn't even look like she's put off by Kian's reactions.  Maybe on some level it's endearing or amusing, but she's got things to consider for the suggestions, looking toward Kian to see if he agrees with Gar or not.  "Well?  What do you want?  You're the one gonna be wearing it, not your green friend."

Kian t'Kaeh has posed:
    Kían nods to Gar, who clearly has the nature of the fabrics well-understood.  "I… you know, I could show you, mind to mind," Kían offers the shopkeeper after a moment's thought.  "That give you a clearer understanding of not just the what I need, but also the why it should be a particular way.  And if you have other winged clients, it would help you understand their needs better, too."

Beast Boy has posed:
    Beast Boy raises a brow at this.  Doesn't Kian try to avoid touching minds?  The shopkeeper even looks unsure about it.  "Is that what you do?  Besides flying?" she asks.
    Gar replies, "I think it's safe, but it may take a little reassuring on the part of the Titan-In-Training here."  He suddenly doubles over, trying to stifle a howl of laughter before he changes into a small, particular bird to perch atop one of the racks.  "That makes us both tits!"  Adolescent humor has not left Gar Logan, has it?

Kian t'Kaeh has posed:
    Kían doesn't so much avoid mental contact as he's been warned off it; however, offering it with a clear explanation of what it's about isn't a problem.  "Yes, I'm telepathic—fully with other telepaths, but with non-telepaths, I require physical contact.  I could show you directly to your mind the kind of fit and feel I need.  Of course, I have been told Earth people are not accustomed to mental contact.  I will understand if you prefer not."

Beast Boy has posed:
    "Aw…" is Beast Boy's response as neither Kian nor the shopkeeper seem all that into his bad joke.  He disappears on the other side of the racks and returns to normal, occupying himself by inspecting a few things.  "One for me… one for Tommy…" he murmurs, speculatively.
    Focused on Kian, the woman says, "You know… it's different when someone asks permission first.  You seem like a nice young man, so go ahead.  Should I prepare myself for anything?"

Kian t'Kaeh has posed:
    Kían probably could have reacted… were he able to spell yet, and thus make the connection between Titan-in-training and 'tit'.  His attention instead is on the shopkeeper.  "No, not beyond calming your thoughts and clearing your mind.  Contact will be surface level.  I don't know your mind well enough to look any deeper than that, even if I wanted to.  You'll see more of mine than I will of yours, actually.  Since you may experience some physical sensations, I recommend closing your eyes.  Otherwise your brain will get conflicting information."  He holds out his hand.  "Whenever you're ready."
    When she is ready, and puts her hand in his, the first sensation will be of the weight of wings on one's back, because that's the main difference as far as tailoring goes.  If that's not understood, the rest of the time is going to be wasted.  Next, the fit of the sandals, how they permit the foot to still flex and grip.  It's not actually a talon, but the toes and heel are both a little elongated over a human foot, and the whole is more flexible, allowing him to grip a perch.
    Next the kilt—how it fits most comfortably… and then, maybe a little disconcertingly, in flight, how its surface is an aid to flying, unlike shorts or leggings.  Same for the sleeveless shirt that is is preference—looped around the neck, and then fastened around the lower back, most of the back open so as to not interfere with the wings.  Everything is fit closely enough to avoid flapping in the wind, but not actually tight.  A brief experience of a shirt cut too close to the wing-bases—it's uncomfortable, almost chafing.
    When he breaks contact, it's gently, so as to not hurt.  "Did that make sense?"

Beast Boy has posed:
    Beast Boy is being quiet now.  He's peeking over the top of a rack of clothes to see how this proceeds, however.  He's… curious.
    The shopkeeper, meanwhile, does as instructed.  It's not the first time she's had someone in here showing off powers, but perhaps not in this way.  She tenses at first, if briefly, but soon there is every indication that understanding washes over her in her expression, even subtle shifts of body language.  "Yes… I do believe it does," she replies.  "Thank you.  Give me a few days and I'll have something for you to try, and I think you'll find it every bit as good as the original, if not better."

Kian t'Kaeh has posed:
    Kían bows, spreading his wings slightly.  "Thank you.  It will mean a lot to me to have someone who understands my clothing needs, simple as they are.  Please don't rush on my account.  This outfit has served me well since arriving on this world, and I'm sure it can hold out."
    He gets up on tiptoes a little, looking for Gar.  Well, okay, the green mop of hair is pretty hard to miss.  "I think I'm ready, unless you need anything else here?"

Beast Boy has posed:
    The woman finishes up a couple more particulars with Kian, and about that time Beast Boy looks up in a moment of surprise.  "Hmm?  Oh, you're ready?  All set?  Great!  We can work everything out when it's time to get the new stuff, and I'll… be back tomorrow for a few more things, I think."  No purchase today, but there are apparently plans of some kind for a few things.  "Let's go!"