[open network - video]

[ruevealing]

Who: Delloso de la Rue
Username: Rue
Warnings: n/a

[For their very first network appearance of this kind, Rue's feathery countenance exudes warmth, their big eyes unblinking while they graciously greet their audience. A small peony is tucked into their ear tuft of feathers.]

Hello dear friends. For those who I have yet to meet, my name is Delloso de la Rue and, as you can see for yourself, I am not very much not a human.

Though us non-humans have been made to wear a glamour outside of these halls, that does not fix the problem that most human retailers do not make clothing fit for our unique frames. Coming from a place most similar, I've spent the last few millennia creating my own outfits as the ones available to me rarely could fit either my wings or my stature.

So, Ms. Eda and I shall be working together to help supply custom clothing to any of those struggling to find attire that fits. For a small fee, I'm happy to design any number of outfits to help accommodate wings or a tail or whatever you may need. Truth be told, design is a passion of mine, so I'd be delighted to work with all of you to make something to your liking.

Please don't hesitate to reach out if you're interested. I'm looking forward to future collaborations!

Comments

Will match brackets or prose!

[bloodalwaystells]

[Credit where credit is due!]

I'm glad. Looking forward to it, and I'll see you soon.

[And in a day or two, as promised, Jaeger will text and arrange a good time to drop by. Armed with a small white bakery box, he rings the bell and waits, just as steady and solemn as his network presence suggests.]

[ruevealing]

[Since he was polite enough to give warning to his arrival, Rue is there to answer the door almost immediately. Even after seeing a brief introduction by video, the owlbear is quite a lot to take in face-to-face. Towering over the man, enough that they frequently must duck beneath door frames simply to fit, Rue gently waves a long, feathery wing and ushers Jaeger inside.]

Welcome! What perfect timing, I was just taking the kettle off of the stove. Come in and make yourself at home, my friend.

[True to their network ad, Rue is dressed elegantly even with their rather unusual shape, a gorgeous dress of dark green silks that accentuates their waist but drapes and flows beautifully in the skirt. The sleeves are loose and open, slit from shoulder to gathered wrist, so that the owlbear's long wing feathers still can move freely. And of course, their beloved peony pin is delicately clipped into the feathers on the side of their head.

Just a little lounging around the house look, nothing special.

All of the furniture in the apartment has been pushed against the walls, just to make a little more room for Rue to more around with a touch more ease. These human-sized apartments just aren't made for anyone their size. With a smile, they gesture to a plush couch with overstuffed cushions.]

Sit and I'll gather my sketchbook. I think you'll enjoy what I've come up with.

[bloodalwaystells]

[At 6'4" and a sturdy, muscled 250 pounds, Jaeger is not used to having to look up to people. Yet, surprise, here he is, and isn't that a change of pace.

He's going to be absolutely gracious, of course, but he's definitely having a moment of feeling silly- Suddenly his wardrobe problems seem pretty damn trivial.

Also, he's meeting an...owlbear? And that's kind of something too. An impeccably styled owlbear, he most definitely notes.

He steps inside as ushered, holding up the white box in offering. He's dressed in comfortable, reserved manner for the occasion, a pair of clean, new jeans and a charcoal-gray turtleneck under a plain black overcoat. Odd silvered hair cut straight and close, sensible work boots on his feet.]

Thank you. I know you said you had everything, but I brought some shortbread. For tea.

[He was raised to take being a guest seriously. Old-fashioned, maybe, but it's part of his charm?

The couch is a bit daunting in its sheer decadence, and Jaeger makes his best attempt to perch on the edge without sinking in all the way.]

I'm looking forward to seeing it. It sounds like you were really off and running.

[ruevealing]

[How strange it must feel to be almost dwarfed in comparison, after a lifetime of being the largest one in the room. A feeling Rue has yet to experience themself.]

Oh! [Their big, dark eyes go even larger at the sight of the gift, delicately taking it from Jaeger's hand, just the barest brush of careful talon to skin.] How kind of you. Let me get a tray and I shall set these out for us to snack upon while we talk.

[They give a gentle wave towards the couch before retreating back into the kitchen, only emerging once they've arranged all of the shortbread into a pretty spread of delicate cookie, along with some dark jam on the side. Along with the pretty matching set of tea cups sitting nearby, it makes quite the darling sight.]

I must admit, I did not expect my little offer to gain such traction, but already I feel so inspired! I've made the odd outfit here and there for friends, but honestly, the majority of my work has always been for myself. The idea that I will be able to provide the same service to those struggling with ill-fitting clothes is... [Rue settles into a chair across from the couch, a soft, but delighted sigh at their beak. It has been a long time since anything has brought them such joy.]

I am quite happy. And quite long-winded! I apologize, dear. Please, tell me more about yourself before we dive in.

[bloodalwaystells]

[It's an experience, but Jaeger is nothing if not adaptable. And his curiosity tempers any discomfort he might have had...thoughtful gray-blue eyes take in every little detail of Rue's presence, from the drape of their dress to those careful talons to the pattern of feather and wing. This is not a creature he has experience with, but they are intriguing as much for their grace as for their presence.

He waits politely for the tea to be retrieved, unconcerned by a few minutes of surprisingly comfortable quiet before the conversation starts again.]

I think it's good to have something yo focus on, especially something so positive and useful. It's easy to get mired in the more difficult things here, so having something that builds both a sense of accomplishment and a sense of community...that matters.

[A brief, approving flash of smile, before he has to turn his attention to the real challenge: talking about himself. There are things to say, he's sure, he just isn't very good at thinking of them. Still, he'll try!]

Well. Hmm. I'm 41, and I'm a combat mage from a world surprisingly similar to this one. I worked in security and investigation for most of my life, same as I'm doing here. Handling rare and sometimes dangerous artifacts, protecting important individuals, dealing with particularly aggressive threats to the community.

[He pauses long enough to take a cookie and some jam, enough to give himself some time to think before he finally concedes defeat. His tone is apologetic when he speaks again.]

I tend to focus a great deal on work. I don't always know what to do with myself when I'm not focused on something, but I'm trying to be better about that. It also helps that ADI only allows us to work so many hours...

[ruevealing]

[To find someone and connect with them so easily, to be allowed these brief moments of comfortable silence and not find the quiet maddening, Rue already knows that Jaeger is certain to become a dear friend.]

Forty-one, [Rue repeats, because honestly, the age of mortals is still a little staggering to the fey-blessed owlbear.] Forgive me for saying so, but you would be but a cub in the Feywild. You're still so young! I can not even remember such an age.

[But then the man dives deeper into his history, his former duty, how he has devoted so much of his life to protecting others and keeping the world safe, without really ever taking the time to know who he was outside of his role. That, above all else, resonates deeply with Rue. They dip their cookie into their tea, soaking it briefly, before delicately popping it into their beak.]

You remind me much of my fiancé. He also struggles with having extra time to simply live. I believe his former court was quite eager to keep him busy, though I suppose, I can not say that before this place I was much better. But I'm enjoying taking that time for myself now. I have even slept in some mornings! I do not enjoy it, but even having the option to lay in bed and do nothing has felt freeing.

Have you discovered any new hobbies? Any untapped passions? I know it is quite an idle way to spend my free time, but I've taken to watching some of those reality television shows. There's a few I've come to enjoy. And I've roped Hob into watching with me. We both get quite impassioned about the poor choices most of the men seem to make during elimination rounds. Some of the tearful confessionals from the eliminated individuals simply break my heart!

[Look, if he doesn't want to pick a hobby for himself, Rue is happy to drag Jaeger into the drama of The Bachelor.]

[bloodalwaystells]

[Jaeger is a man who's comfortable with silence most of the time. But even his stoic soul is inclined to respond to such warmth and kindness, and it's something of a pleasant surprise for the big, solemn man.

He's been working toward better social connections: this may be just what he needed.]

It's strange, I suppose. Sometimes it feels like forever, and sometimes no time at all. There are some in my own world with very long lifespans, but I haven't met a lot of them...I imagine it's quite a different perspective.

[That, and being a seven foot tall...are owlbears predators? That's a question for another time, but he's too polite to ask outright. Certainly Rue's manners are impeccable enough to put him at ease, and he's not the sort to judge in any case. Curious, yes, but not rude.]

I'm starting to find things that interest me to pass the time. Sometimes, I just go someplace public to watch people and get used to the idea of being around others. I like to read, I watch a little bit of TV now and then and do word puzzles.

I used to travel quite a bit and I enjoyed that part of my job, but obviously it's not much of an option here. I still watch travel shows, though. Good restaurants, new cities, living well in general. Vicarious thrills, these days, but I appreciate it.

[He chuckles quietly, eyebrows raised a bit at Rue's enthusiastic recommendation.]

It sounds like a very sweet routine.

[ruevealing]

[If Jaeger has questions later on about Rue's physiology, they'll be happy to explain as much as they know. From Rue's perspective, they grew up removed from their kind completely, with no knowledge of their parents or siblings or any other owlbears at all. So they only know what they've heard of the ferocious beasts from the fey who raised them, so their own opinion is perhaps a touch twisted from reality.

But Rue does take much pride in not taking after such terrifying predators.]

I feel like that is the very best you can do in these times, don't you think? I used to also travel for my former position and it was a joy I do sometimes miss, though I am much enjoying getting to know this little town we've ended up in. Have you been to the cinema? There is always something new playing, it's so fun!

[So much new technology to indulge in, Rue barely has the time for it all!]

Thank you, my friend. I find myself very happy as of late, even trapped in this place. It is not what I'm used to, certainly. I am much more used to filling my days from sunrise to sundown, but outside of the odd event every now and then, I am happy.

[They nudge the plate of shortbread closer to him with a smile.]

And so much of that is due to the new friends who have come into my life.

[bloodalwaystells]

[It's a conversation they should have sometime, and Jaeger knows how to be polite in his interest. He's used to finding both wonder and horror in his own world's magic, and Rue has proven to be nothing but the most gracious no matter what their nature might be.

And to be very fair, Jaeger has the utmost, if careful respect for predators anyway.

Speaking of graces, Jaeger delicately accepts one of the offered cookies and bites a corner off it. He deliberately chose something not too sweet, something he could enjoy as well and with tea it's just right.]

I agree, the people here have been a big help for me, as well. It's difficult sometimes, there's a lot of things about this place that are...a challenge, but it's...

[He considers, over another small sip of tea before continuing. A moment to think.]

It feels like learning to live a real life again. To be in one place, a community, and to be able to do things to improve it. To form bonds with people you see every day, to wake up in the same bed and have a routine. It's different, but it's also been good for me.

[There's are things he misses, but he can't argue that stability has been a very welcome change.

And some people have been very good for him...he expects that Rue will turn out to be another of them here.]

What kind of position did you hold before this, if you don't mind my asking? We seem to have all sorts here, some of us from very different lives.

[ruevealing]

I find myself agreeing with you completely. It is like learning to live all over again. Some days I find myself most overwhelmed simply by the variety of choices laid out before me. But it's wonderful too, new and exciting. I was always an orphan of my court, an honored member, but always kept separate from it by my own design. But here I feel so embraced as a member of this community. No one has spoken a word against my form, I am not used to such open welcomeness like this.

[Well, no one except Hickey, but Rue is content to forget he exists for the moment.

Otherwise, it's a beautiful start to a new life.]

Ah, I was an event planner of sorts, I suppose. It kept me on the road, which was my own preference, so I traveled all across Faerie putting together parties and such for esteemed Archfey and their friends.