Chapter 10 #2
And it looked just as good. No, it looked better, because she could actually see at all the details and appreciate them.
Like the fact that the skirt wasn’t a silken texture like she thought, it was instead scaley, with a faint rainbow shimmer in it.
The shoes looked like they would be impossible to actually stay on her feet, but they did.
The golden chains were very complicated, tiny knots.
“If you don’t like that one, how about this one?” Trove asked, using the console on the wall to change to the next outfit.
And again, she jumped.
This one was a wider skirt, one with thick pleats, in a dusky mauve with a complex pattern hidden in the folds of the pleats.
Such a skirt would usually look so terrible on her, but the flare of it didn’t sag sadly against her thighs but stayed out and proud, and it was offset by both a chunky, bright brown belt, and a white shirt that sat very low on her neckline, almost indecently low.
The off the shoulder aspect was also loose and ruffled, once again balancing out her flat chest with her wide hips.
Before she could do more than stare in wonder, Trove was changing to his next pick.
Pants this time. Tight ones, that normally she would hate.
But he’d achieved balance with her hips with a pair of thick, knee-high boots and another top that was both low and ruffly.
Then the next outfit that was probably the most daring of all, with a sarong style skirt that showed off her thighs and a high shirt, offering a view of her belly that made her cry out and cover herself, though, of course, there was nothing actually exposed.
It was embarrassing, but… if she was being honest, it wasn’t ugly.
How did that seemingly airy and weightless fabric hang on so tightly, so securely?
It was sexy enough to make her face red, but she could admit if that was someone else, not her body, she’d be more inclined to declare its owner to be gorgeous and confident.
“Too salacious perhaps?” Trove asked, smiling at her. And to her surprise, it wasn’t a grin full of lust or desire. It was just… happy. Joyful. A bit smug, sure, but there was no burn or heat to it. Just the simple contentment of a male having fun. “How about this one then?”
Another pants outfit, though this one was more romper style.
But the top had this fun, elaborate wrap around it that almost reminded her of a bow.
It defied gravity to stay up, shimmered spectacularly, unrealistically, in the light, and was so alien, it kind of snapped her out of the immediate dislike she had of her own body.
Because the clothes were really pretty, and strange and unusual, but only insomuch that it wouldn’t be possible on Earth without being an impractical costume.
“I have more,” Trove said, grinning as she turned, watching the way the scarf/wrap/circle thingy moved in the air. Surely it wouldn’t do that in real life. Right?
Trove chuckled at the way she was hypnotized by herself. “But I think I’ve proven my point and won our bet, don’t you?”
“I…” Chee started then stopped, then did it again, because she couldn’t actually think of something to say.
She wasn’t used to praising her own appearance.
The idea of doing so, even when she actually liked what she was seeing, went so far against everything she was used to doing, she couldn’t actually bring any words to mind.
“Thank you, Trove, you were right,” he suggested for her, absolutely cocky.
And she couldn’t even be mad at him. She glared, but she also had to fight back a smile ruining any hardness that might exist in it.
“How are you so good at this?” She asked instead which was the closest she could get to admitting aloud that she liked her own appearance.
“Females are my specialty.”
And just like that, the moment was ruined. She made a face, taking a step back from him.
“Well, you’re a master of your craft,” she said neutrally. Reminding herself firmly that she had never believed this mate thing would work anyway, so there was no need to be upset. He could be as female focused as he desired, and it didn’t have to mean anything to her.
He definitely saw her step back, and to her surprise, there was a flash of something in his gaze. But she chose not to identify it even as he was concealing it again.
“Here, let me get these for you,” he said, turning to the console.
“Oh, no, that’s okay,” Chee said quickly.
“Do you have funds of your own?” He turned to look at her over his shoulder, finger poised over the console.
“Hyde gave me some money-er… some credz. Just to take care of myself if I need it.”
“Good. Then consider this a gift between friends,” he chuckled, pressing his finger down.
“Ah!” Chee cried out. “No, Trove, really-”
“It’s fine,” he assured her, chuckling. “I enjoy spending my credz on females. I like to see them smile. So do me the favor of smiling and we can consider it even.”
“That’s not…” Chee’s face was burning, hating and loving his words in equal measure. Because she loved them applying to her but hated knowing they didn’t apply just to her. “Why even ask if I had my own credz if you were just going to buy them anyway?”
“I wanted to be sure your sponsor was taking care of you,” he smiled. “There. They’ll be finished and delivered to the Vainglory by the end of the day.”
“Trove!”
“Consider it your repayment on our deal,” he said neatly, turning to her. “You did promise to do whatever I wanted for the rest of the day.”
“Within reason.”
“I consider this reasonable.” He shrugged. “As much as I consider this next part to be reasonable.”
Chee frowned, narrowing her eyes. “What next part?”