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[open network - video]

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!

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

Huh.

[ That's...a lot more coherent than the owl beast? A big murder creature that's using actual sentences? Someone who looks like they don't want to eat him but is still big enough to actually eat him? ]

So what, are you and Eda cousins or something?

[ oh my God, you can't just ask every owl person if they're related. ]

[prepare to get canceled, my guy]

We aren't even the same species. [How Rue can go from bursting with warmth and kindness to a piercing, cold glare within seconds is truly a talent.] She is a friend who just so happens to also be feathered.

Millennia?

[ Sure, Kate. Focus on that. Good job with your hearing. ]

I assume that you sew by hand?

[ you can take the man out of the 1840s but there are some times when it's a bit harder to take the 1840s out of the man.

weird owl people is one of them. ]

You're both giant, fuck-off owls. 'Course that's the same species.

[Rue's feathers puff up, though their voice remains even. They've been met with so much kindness so far since arriving, that Hickey's response takes them so much by surprise.]

I am an owlbear, if you must know. Though my kind has feathers and wings, we are not built for flight in the same way any bird would be. It's entirely different.

Oh! [In contrast to Hickey, Rue's expression goes soft at that recognition.] My dearest Cupkate. What a pleasure to speak face-to-face.

Yes, I believe that human lifespans are a little shorter, but that is correct. And yes! I do. It's quite relaxing to me.

Wait, wait wait. That- glamour thing, that whatever those techs did. That's legitimate? It actually works?

Certainly. It's inconvenient to even have to hide, of course, but at least it takes none of my own magic to work. It goes on and off on its own, whenever you leave the property.

[She tends to like text more, but better for the beautiful owl person to know what they're working with, right?]

Hey! Okay so that's really nice of you and you'll have to tell me how much cause I've only got the one pair of pants really and skirts haven't been my thing since I was single digits.

Hello! [Oh! Rue's expression brightens at the sight of Mae. She's adorable.] It's a pleasure.

Of course! I must say, I'm certain my business partner will scold me, but my dear, if you truly have so little to wear, I'd be more than willing to make you a few things purely at supply cost. Can you come over today? I can take your measurements while we run through your preferences.

[pings brother] Leo! Why didn't you tell me it worked!

-Rue?! Rue, right? What are your rates!

Edited 2023-01-06 05:15 (UTC)

[wtf does he get pinged into]

I didn't even know it was a thing. How can I tell you something I don't know about.

Certainly not too much more than supply cost. Please, come in and we can talk preferences - fabrics and colors and textures - and measure. I'll design whatever you like from there.

[Eda doesn't usually go for video on the network, but right now it seems relevant that she's a big harpy woman. She grins at the camera with sharp teeth and gives a little wave.]

Hey, folks--well, mostly the folks who are too cool for off-the-rack shopping. Seems like this place has a dire need for inclusive fashion and my lovely business partner has the talent to fix that.

Like Rue said, they're the artist. I'm handling the business side. [Possibly because she doesn't trust them to know how money works, less because faerie and more because rich person.]

Hit me up if you want to talk prices, and I can also do measurements if they're busy.

So what, you're built like a bear?

[ At least, he's assuming that, considering that 'bear' is in the name. Still. Fucking weird. ]

Seems weird, doesn't it? Bears and owls are built for two different things. Why'd someone be a mixture of them? You're just getting the worst of both worlds.

[ buddy just SHUT UP you are making things worse ]

[Oh. Well. That's about the absolute worst thing Rue's heard in quite some time. "The worst of both worlds." Fucking ouch.

On the screen, Rue turns their chin up to face Hickey, straightening to their full height, feathery shoulders pressed back. Though there's no hiding the tears swimming in their large eyes, Rue's expression is steel.]

You are unnecessarily cruel to a stranger. If you must know, I did not ask to be born this way, thank you kindly. And I will not apologize for what I am, even if you believe me to be the worst of two creatures combined. I have dealt with the prejudice of others for the whole of my existence and I will not let some man I do not even know chase me back into hiding my true self. Despite my shape, I am not a wild beast meant to belong in the menagerie. I have as much right to live as any other, without having to defend my mere existence.

[Rue huffs then, as if they'd been holding their breath and hadn't even realized it.]

If nothing else, it's very clear my good manners and civility far exceed your own. Perhaps you are the true beast, good sir.

[Initially, Eda finds this kind of funny in a really stupid way. But then Rue seems genuinely upset, which she doesn't love.]

Hey, Hickey? Get your eyes checked. Rue is infinitely classier than the thing you're thinking of.

But if you need a reminder I could always let y'all have another little play date. [She's going to keep the threat vague on the network, but he knows exactly what she means. Rue on the other hand does not actually know this context, nor how much like a wild owlbear the owlbeast looks. But she's not going to spell either out for them right now.

She is, however, going to flash her fangs at the camera just for emphasis. Does she feel a little bit bad for just letting the owlbeast treat him like a chew toy when they met? Yeah, normally she kind of does, but consider: he was being annoying and now he made Rue cry.]

[ Hickey, who has spotted weakness from Rue and instantly was going to jump on it and be a dick, backs off a little once Eda enters the picture. One, he kind of likes her, at least he likes her enough to not be an outright turd. Two, he really doesn't want to get eaten. And while he knows Eda's not going to let the owlbeast outright eat him, he's not entirely sure where 'a little maiming' falls in the equation. ]

Now Clawthorne. Doesn't this place have a rule not to maim your coworkers? I'd hate for you to get in trouble, considering how you've done such a good job keeping that thing on a leash.

As for de la Rue? Name's Cornelius Hickey. Now you know me and now we're not strangers.

[Rue may not have needed the assist, but they certainly appreciate Eda's sudden appearance. Whatever history the two of them have, it's obvious that the woman popping in to intervene is a boon Rue was not expecting. The support is just enough to blink away the wobbly tears from the owlbear's eyes.]

I can't quite say that it's been much of a pleasure, but hail and well met, Mr. Hickey. Have you been in this place very long?

[Eda can't help rolling her eyes just a little, even if she really should be more careful at least on the network.]

For legal reasons I'm going to clarify that that was a joke. [She says this in a completely flat deadpan, probably for effect.]

Anyway--you have fun, kids. [She makes an I'm watching you gesture, before clicking off the video feed. It sounds innocent enough, if patronizing... to anyone who doesn't know that's what she said to Hickey and the owl beast before leaving them to sort things out for themselves.]

They tell everyone about that on arrival! I just thought they were full of it! Are you telling me you actually went a month without- what am I saying, of course you did.

You probably mostly hid in your apartment and didn't even come out unless it was dark, didn't you? If you even remembered, which you clearly did not.

A bespoke suit... I've always dreamed, but never dared.

How do you feel about satin? About extremely royal purples?

I've been here...mmm, seven months or so? Long enough to get to know the lay of the land.

[ Hickey smirks before continuing with, ]

And to know how...useful this place can be.

[well! Rue feels like they are absolutely taking the bait, but their feathery brows raises questioningly anyway.]

How do you mean?

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