nexus_crossings | Mother always told me to never give away a story for free

Mother always told me to never give away a story for free

"Honestly, all this bare chest and he hits home right in the fabric..."

Did the demonic looking purple stranger look at all put out by the new locale? Not really, they'd been given a pamphlet that was currently tucked into their belt to be reviewed later. Their attention more focused on the bloody hole in their rather ostentatious coat, lips quirking on a frown as they fingered the damaged fabric lightly, tail twitching behind them in a clear hint of their annoyance.

Really, they're looking rather calm for someone that bloody. When they hear someone coming near they glance up with a jingle of jewelry both in skin and decorating their curved horns, red eyes brightening as their mouth spreads to a cheerfully hopeful smile.

"Well then!" They straighten, something of a showmanship in the shift from grumpy contemplation to sunny disposition but at the same time that shift didn't seem dishonest either. "Hello there darling, please tell me there's some manner of tailor to be found here? As you can likely see I'm in dire need of one."

Clearly this was some manner of weird afterlife, but Mollymauk would be dipped in Fuck No if anyone expected them to wander around with their coat in tatters.

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Harley does allow the kiss to her knuckles. And grins lightly. She is glad that she found Molly. He seems like her kind of people.

And watching him teasing Alex is giving her matchmaking ideas.

"You are more than welcome to bunk in my Nexus apartment. It is pretty basic. Not as fancy as what Alex has on display here..."

"Not all of them are as expensive as you might guess. When you deal in trades and are willing to take blends, prices can come down dramatically." Alex chuckles as he finishes a sketch in his notebook. "But that doesn't include the cost of any embellishments, and I'm sure you know how important those are."

The tailor turns a magnanimous smile to Harley. "You're always such a giver, Harley. It's no wonder you bring me so many wonderful new clients." He gives the woman a quick peck on the cheek and then holds out his notebook between her and Molly to show them his sketch. Molly said it didn't need to be practical, so of course the design is more Art than standard clothing.

"What do you think? I've plenty of fabrics we can use here and I can have it done for you in only a few short minutes." Ahh the joys of being a magical tailor some days!

Carnies are, as a general rule weird. And Molly is Pure Carnie for the whole of his life, or at least the parts he remembers which to him are the only ones that matter.

"Your hospitality is most appreciated Harley, once again you have saved the say. Clearly I'll have to think of some manner of way to repay your generosity." Once he'd learned a bit more about her, found out what kind of things she enjoyed he'd see about a present of some manner.

"You caught me Alex, I am but a humble peacock masquerading as a tiefling and I have to have my elaborate feathers or I will positively wither away into nothing." Harley wouldn't find it difficult to get Molly's flirting focused on Alex- he was cute and had some sass that the tiefling could sense which was always fun for good banter and conversation. His attention goes to the sketch Alex was showing them, smile brightening as he nods his happy agreement. "That is positively lovely, Harley was clearly right to bring me to you."

Especially if the turnaround on it was minutes that sounded even better!

Molly would certainly get a better taste of Harley's personality once he gets to her apartment for rest. She was a flamboyant little butterfly herself, and gives with passion to the many causes important to her. Be it rollerskating, aerial dancing, or even picking up Lost Boys again.

The thought of the first Lost Boys in her care makes her smile, thinking of Loki.

"His hands are magical. No lie."

"Harley please," Alex chides teasingly. "My fabrics are listening." He winks at the woman and then turns a grin to Molly. "She's not technically wrong, though."

That said, the tailor is going ask for non-verbal permission to take Molly's measurements and then get started. His hands are quick and practiced, and they don't feel magical at all. A little warm, but the tailor is excited about new work!! He's a professional, though, so he won't let himself be distracted by pretty tattoos or unique skin color right now. There's fashion to create and that will always take priority. Yes, even above any and all flirting with his customers. He has standards to uphold.

When he's all done and all necessary numbers have been written down, Alex moves to the nearest wall and selects a bolt of cream silk. What follows is a few lines drawn on the fabric, some cuts, and then a dazzling display of magic. The cut pieces of fabric hold themselves perfectly still in the air as several needles weave thread together at the seams. Alex moves his hands through the air gracefully, directing the flow of magic through the fabric and his tools to bring the base of the shirt to life. After a few minutes of work, the shirt - minus embellishments - is complete. The tailor plucks the garment out of the air, gives it a good once over with his eyes, then sets it down on his little desk before moving about the shop to collect secondary fabrics and some lace.

"Flashy enough for you?" he asks as he moves about, grinning to himself as he digs through several drawers near the far wall. The perfect embroidered lace must be here somewhere. Maybe something with a touch of gold? Hmm... he'll find you yet, perfect embellishments!

"Not the normal scenario I hear that claim in, but something tells me to believe you~" Molly was more than willing to hold still and let Alex get the measurements he needed, adjusting as the tailor asked if necessary but otherwise putting himself in those magical, capable hands.

As Alex busies himself with starting on the actual creation, Molly focuses at first on mopping up lingering bits of blood with kerchiefs plucked from a pocket in a rich wine color that would hide any potential stains rather well when washed, but his attention was quickly caught by the showy display that followed, a graceful sort of skill that was in some way as flamboyant as the tiefling was himself.

"I should say!" He replied with a laugh, applauding the unexpected show. "I can't say I expected a show coming into a tailor's shop and yet you have so handily delivered!"

And on top of that what he could see so far of the shirt was well-made and rather lovely in that silk Alex had chosen. Molly was definitely interested to see what the tailor had in store to bring it to completion.

Harley, meanwhile, is now skating around Alex's shopping, stopping to look at a few of his fabrics on display. While the tailor is occupied. She finds a few extra glittery ones, and puts little stickers on them. They are bright Yellow Happy Face stickers, that she has designed with her pigtails on them.

This is how she tells Alex what fabrics she likes, for next time he has one of her projects.

She pops a piece of bubblegum in her mouth, smiling as she sees Molly's reaction to the tailor's magic. She takes out a marker, and writes a little "Harley Quinn was here" on one of Alex's tables. Just to be a brat.

It is washable. So she adds a little heart design. And writes the initials M+A in it. With a playful grin on her face.

After all their time together, Alex is very used to Harley's particular flavor of antics. He'll roll his eyes at the marker when he finds it (that's so close to his fabrics, Harley, come on!), but otherwise brush it off. This is a very Harley thing to do and nothing was harmed in the process, therefore the tailor will happily let it go.

"It's my gift," he tells Molly as he retrieves what is finally the perfect lace. He knew he could find it in this shop of his! "Rather than practice more mundane magic, yours truly decided to create art for the rest of his life. It's far more interesting than the usual fireballs and various fancy to-dos you see from traditional mages. No offense to them, of course, but what I create is far more intriguing." Well, actually, he does mean offense, but only to those mages of his world. They were never any fun.

A few more minutes of much more careful magical sewing follow as Alex get the lace and other embellishments in place (gold thread for you, Molly, because if it's going to be fancy, it's going to be fancy), and then the tailor is exhaling a slightly tired, but still very happy, sigh as he retrieves the shirt from the air. He looks it over carefully, checking to make sure all of the seams look good and there's no loose threads, and then offers it to Molly with a smile.

"Give it a try. If it's uncomfortable or needs any adjustments at all, tell me now. I can't fix problems I don't know exist." He's fully confident in his abilities, but he'll always be a bit more cautious with first-time clients. The best way to get them coming back is to make sure they're happy before they leave his shop!

"A lovely gift indeed," Molly agreed, quite amused at the 'no offense' offense offered in that adorably proud sort of way. "I can certainly appreciate turning one's gifts towards such a wonderful calling."

And Alex was much more entertaining than one's typical wizard or sorcerer in Molly's experience, they were always so uptight and boring. The tiefling was aware of Harley's meandering path around the shop, casting a smile her way when she passes near but for the moment he'll just be admiring the tailor's magic. And be very approving of the embellishments, appreciative of that little detail of the gold thread, clear in his grin as he accepts the shirt.

"You sir are a god amongst men," Molly complimented him as he slipped the garment on, shifting it to settle as he cast about for the nearest mirror to get a gander at just what it looked like on him. "You're definitely going to be seeing more of me."

Harley rolls on back, and has a large roll of rose gold fabric with her, and she sets it down. She checks out the fabric carefully, and nods.

"While I am here, might as get several yards of this. For my aerial silks. So you know how I like it.... long as possible."

"You have to catch one of my shows, sometime, Molly. If you like the rollerskates, I am sure you would be thrilled with my act."

"Do go on. I love a good compliment thrown in my direction." Alex grins, unabashedly flirting with Molly at this point. There's been plenty coming in his direction that he hasn't given proper attention to, so now it's time to give it back!

Well, as much as he can anyway. Harley's needs must be met while she's here as well. He nods to the woman as he takes the fabric from her, then turns and tosses it into the air away from the pair currently in his shop. The whole of the bolt unravels from its cardboard base in front of them, and the tailor holds it in place in the air while he quickly works up a pair of aerial silks for Harley.

"This is a lovely choice of fabric. Do you have an outfit to go with this already?" He knows she makes her own much of the time, but if she needs some fabric for something to match while she's here... When the silks are properly crafted, he gathers them into a neat bundle and then offers them to Harley. "Anything I've got is yours to have, of course."

"An aerial silks show? Oh goodness I haven't seen a silks act since miss Faeth left our darling little carnival behind. I'd love to see your act Harley." He assured her, gaze brightening with interest. "You tell me where and when and I'll be there with bells on."

"And you," He exclaimed happily, turning his attention and beaming grin back onto Alex at that returned flirting. "Absolutely insatiable aren't you? Luckily there is plenty to compliment such a wondrously skilled tailor as yourself. Especially one that looks as lovely as you do." He winked as he said this, leaning to absently prop an elbow against a table, chin resting against a palm as he watched the next little display of that magic of Alex's as delightfully flamboyant as anything else he might find in the shop.

"I have a show at the Viper's Pit. Here...." She pulls out two VIP tickets and slides on to Molly, the other to Alex. "For a night off."

"As for an outfit... I have a really great pairs of shoes. Does that count?"

Alex laughs with absolute delight. Yes, lay all your wonderful words on him. He thrives on energy like this! Flirting is definitely the best way to get out that need for connection without having to commit to anything in particular.

"Shoes are the start of a good outfit, yes." The tailor rolls his eyes fondly at Harley as he pockets the VIP ticket. "If you need help figuring anything out, you know where I am, darling. You're free to return whenever you want and we'll get you into something as fabulous and outspoken as you." An easy feat for Alex when he's done it so many times. Harley's helpful hints about fabrics she like are good, too.

"As for you," the tailor turns back to Molly with a grin, "heal up a bit and then come back to me? I'll not have you bleeding all over my shop, but I'm happy to let you keep complimenting me and my work while I create more beautiful things for you once you're more settled."

"Oh my goodness I'm looking forward to it." Molly grinned, tapping the ticket against the corner of his mouth in emphasis before tucking it carefully away for later.

And of course Alex, flirting is the best way to connect without any of those scary commitments. No one needs those, no sir!

"Oh I will certainly be a regular I'm sure. You'll be seeing plenty of me and my compliments." Molly was all too happy to inform the tailor. He'd definitely be around- he had clothing to be sure but who said he couldn't have more?

"The Nexus apartment where I am taking Molly is actually quite close to here too." Harley mentions. It is not her super secret safehouse, but one of the other sort of secret safehouses that she has acquired in the last few years.

"So you two can see a lot of each other."

"Lovely. My door's always open to you both. If it's not, check back after ten minutes - I likely haven't gone far." A blessing and a curse for his body - sleep is such a necessary evil for continuing to create fashion - but a boon for all who want to come see him! Really, Alex can't think of a reason he wouldn't welcome either of these lovely people back into his shop again for any reason.

"Now then, if you'll excuse me, I've a coat to save." He makes a shooing motion in their direction. "Off you go. Come back and see me... about this time tomorrow, and I'll have the coat saved or at least passable again by then. We can talk about any other plans we might make for ourselves at that point, too." Yes, he gets all the hints that have been dropped, but he's busy right now! Everything else that isn't saving this precious coat will simply have to wait.

"Something tells me I'll be finding a job specifically to sink all of my money immediately into wardrobe." Molly mused with an amused laugh, picking up on what Harley was about. No commitments for this tiefling but Alex was certainly pretty, and clearly a witty sort. If he was amenable there was nothing wrong with a little dalliance here and there at least, and otherwise they'd be lovely gossiping buddies.

"However it seems that we should leave our lovely tailor to his business," He grinned, offering an arm gallantly in Harley's direction, like an escort at a grand ball. "Shall we then, Harly dear?"

Harley rolls up to Molly, and glad accepts the offered hand. "Awwww... you don't want to leave like we came in?" She teases him.

"Keep on tailoring, Alex. I will keep on bringing you all the pretty people to dress up."

"Well if the lady insists how can I possibly say no?" Molly retorted genially, giving her hand a companionable squeeze.

"I'll bring wine, we can plot a whole new wardrobe, it'll be fun~" The tiefling cast back over his shoulder by way of farewell to Alex as he seemed to be quickly caught up in his work before letting Harley have his full attention.

When Molly tells Harley that she has the go ahead, to do as she hinted... Harley does. And picks him up bridal style again.

She gives a moment for that last farewell, before she is rolling through the streets again. Molly's own personal roller derby escort girl.

It does not take her long to get to the Nexus apartment she was going to set him up with. It is a nice bachelor set up, close to most of the Nexus pubs and just down the street from where the Tailor Shop usually can be found.

Molly definitely can't help the cheerful laugh that accompanies being swept up. Harley is a good time, that much is quite clear and he's pretty certain they're going to be absolutely marvelous friends.

"Harley my dear, absolute angel and light of my life," Laying the pet names on thick? Sure, but it was all fun. "You are a gem of a woman. I can sense, with all of my wisdom and far seeing that we will surely be getting along fabulously I can't see a single reason why we wouldn't."

She is a fan of pet names. And none of them are even close to the special one that Loki calls her, so it is all good. She can see being friends with him too.

She unlocks the door to the Nexus apartment, and carries him in. Just for fun.

Then sets him down so he can look around. It is pretty basic, with a kitchen, small living room, and it appears to be one bedroom one bathroom.

"The neat thing about Nexus apartments.... is that they will change and adapt to your preferences." She explains, as she tosses him the key. "You can stay here as long as you need. Or want."

As if Molly's going to argue with her fun! It's amusing for them both after all, but he doesn't mind being set down to snoop about. It's miles better than a bedroll in the woods, and given he's spent most of his days living in circus tents well, it's practically palatial in comparison.

But what the heck was this kitchen? He assumed it was a kitchen, there were counters and a sink, and a table to eat at...

"Do they now? What a wonderful sort of convenience, my word." He was interrupted in his fiddling with the faucet and knobs by the ring of the key being tossed, caught easily enough as he flashed her a sunny smile. "You are the patron saint of foolish tieflings Harley, I truly mean that."

"Well, I did have a collection of Lost Boys, once upon a time. You are a member now." She winks at him.

"Did you get a PINpoint?" She holds out hers, which is covered in glitter and stickers.

Mother always told me to never give away a story for free

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