Life stands before me like an eternal spring with new and brilliant clothes.

[very_sharpe]

The weather lately has been particularly reminiscent of England, enough that it leaves Thomas wanting to add more brightness to his life. He's finally set to decorating his apartment, making it look like a proper person lives there. Despite the lingering spring rain he's finally feeling some optimism about Darrow. Perhaps the hope was in hibernation for the winter - he can't blame it, the winter was rather dismal, even by his standards.

Thomas might have never called himself vain, before coming to Darrow. He isn't entirely sure it's vanity, though, as much as a sheer delight with what he can afford. That is what brings him to Bardolf's.

Upon entering he closes his umbrella and leaves it in a provided stand, in a plastic bag to avoid creating a puddle. If someone takes it, oh well. Perhaps they need it; he'll get another.

He's been here a handful of times, but has stuck to the ground floor on each visit. Today he's decided to visit the second. He's done a fair job of choosing things for himself, but clothing really isn't his area of expertise. That, and it might be nice to have something properly tailored from the ground up.

Comments

[modern_alpha]

"In your defense, it is a very charming accent," Biffy said. There was no defense for the attraction to titles when he experienced it himself. He had been, after all, a vampire's drone once and one could not succeed in Lord Akeldama's hive without being at least a little attracted to power.

"Now, I've pulled a selection of trousers as well. Do you prefer a heavier true wool? Or one of the modern blends?"

[very_sharpe]

"I think a modern blend for summer. I can't imagine wool would be terribly comfortable... I heard it can get warm here."

Thomas is willing to try something new for the sake of comfort.

[modern_alpha]

"Very good, sir," Biffy said in his sparkling best imitation of a trained butler but with a more overt show of impudence in his smile. He handed Thomas some of the trousers and then held up the ring of fabric samples. "Feel free to touch them and see which suits your fancy."

[very_sharpe]

Thomas actually laughs, because he can't remember how long it's been since they could afford to keep household help. He examines the fabric options, pointing out a few that he likes.

"Hopefully something will come along that I can use as an excuse to wear this," he muses. "Though I suppose I can always find an occasion."

[modern_alpha]

When he laughed, Biffy could not help doing the same. "You know, I don't know why it's considered undignified to go into a trade," Biffy said candidly. "I find myself very happy when I am working and being of help to others."

Setting aside the swatches, Biffy smiled. "One may always make an occasion."

[very_sharpe]

"Our family mined clay. Well. We owned the land the clay was mined from. I would like to go into a trade now, something to do with my hands. I built little things for my sister, and had plenty of experience in repairing the larger machinery. I'm just not entirely sure where to apply myself," he confesses.

[modern_alpha]

"I find that that is where the real advantage lies in the modern age," Biffy said, hoping to reassure Thomas. He handed over a few jackets to try alongside the shirts and trousers, in the interest of continuing not to abuse Thomas' time in favor of his own interests.

"There is a great emphasis put on finding oneself and one's purpose in life. Experimenting is encouraged."

[very_sharpe]

"I might be a little trigger shy," he admits. "I spent a great deal of time putting myself out there, as it were, looking for financing for projects. But I suppose it's different now. I considered applying to the university here, though I haven't the slightest notion of what I might pursue. Perhaps engineering?"

He says it almost to himself, but it's nice to have more people to talk to about it.

As he talks, Thomas accepts the next set of clothes to try on, doing so without missing a beat in his train of thought.

"It seems an awful pressure, needing to know one's purpose."

[modern_alpha]

Biffy nodded, making careful and quiet notes about the fit, the way Thomas' body language shifted to indicate that he might prefer one style over another. He was good at reading such things, thanks to Lord Akeldama's coaching, and it was advantageous in spying but also in simpler, more honest actions.

"As I understand it, one needn't start attending university with a specific path in mind," he observed, gently encouraging Thomas' curiosities.

[very_sharpe]

"Perhaps, but one has to pay for it. Don't they?" He turns to look at Biffy, curious. He's only just started looking into it - the idea new and uncertain.

[modern_alpha]

Biffy nodded. Even as a tradesman now, directly talking about money often seemed so very crass, especially when it was money not being spent here in the shop.

"I understand there are programs and options but I don't think I'm best suited to advise on your academic career, only your sartorial one."

[very_sharpe]

He chuckles at that. "I'll sort it out. I'm good enough at numbers." He's worked with next to nothing before, he knows he can do it again.

"I'm certainly more interested in the sartorial advice, anyway."

[modern_alpha]

"This city is a new start and I truly believe good people are rewarded," Biffy said blithely, curious to gauge Thomas' reaction to the words.

"But all the same, I am much better with plaids than platitudes."

[very_sharpe]

"Then I shall endeavor to be a good person." Thomas takes some reassurance in that, but he wonders if his past is too stacked against him to move forward with grace. But he'll try. "And I better with machinery than philosophy. At least we know our strengths," he says with a smile.

[modern_alpha]

"And that is all we can do, sometimes," Biffy said.

"Speaking of machines, these are brilliant." Entering a few more notes into the tablet's store program, the application created a quick render of what Thomas' potential suit might look like. "What do you think of this?"

[very_sharpe]

"Brilliant," he echos, both about the tablet but also the suit Biffy's created. "This is perfect - you're quite good at his." Thomas grins. Of course Biffy is, it's his job. But he still feels the compliment is well-deserved.

"How do we proceed from here? Full payment up front?"

[modern_alpha]

"A deposit of fifteen percent of the total estimate," Biffy explained, pointing at a number near the bottom of the screen. It was no small number though compared to many of the boutiques in Darrow, it was extremely reasonable for a bespoke suit. "If any changes occur in price, we notify you right away. If you wish to pay in installments, the store does have a credit card."

He smiled, a little chagrined, "I'm required to make the pitch for every purchase."

[very_sharpe]

It certainly sounds reasonable, and the price does not make him balk. He wouldn't expect anything different for something so carefully tailored to him. Thomas laughs gently in response to the explanation for the pitch.

"I cannot chastise you for doing your job," he says. "That's entirely reasonable."

[modern_alpha]

"If you plan to shop here often, it has its advantages," Biffy did concede. Even though he knew that the card was reasonable and that all he said was true, it still felt a bit tawdry to advertise the ability to spend more so overtly. If Thomas did not plan to return then Biffy would not press the issue; the suit could be paid for in one or two of Darrow's monthly allowances.

"And I can only hope you'll be happy enough with the suit to return." It was a bit of a joke, friendly and warm, but Biffy knew it was a rare thing indeed for a patron of the store to dislike clothing made especially and only for them.

[very_sharpe]

"I'll have to consider it, once my own employment is more steady." Until then, he's being careful. This is a splurge he has thought about for some time, and he knows he can afford it. At least he's used to being cautious with money. Being poor nobility had its uses, he supposes.

"But I must confess, a wardrobe is perhaps my one vice in Darrow."

[modern_alpha]

Biffy laughed and took out his business card to staple to a print out of Thomas' receipt. "There are many, many worse vices, but I also share in it so I am a great deal biased."

Taking is copy, Biffy held it out. "If you sign your approval here, we may check you out and let you go about the rest of your evening."

[very_sharpe]

"You've been fantastic, thank you for this." Maybe it's Biffy's job, but Thomas appreciates the service... and talking to someone that's more familiar than some of the people he's met. Perhaps Biffy's London is a far cry from his own, but their lifetimes are not so far apart.

He signs where Biffy indicates.

[modern_alpha]

"I have merely done my job," Biffy said, not unkindly. "But if you do wish to heap praise on me, I shan't complain." He did, it must be admitted, love being adored in all of its forms. It was why he had once thought of running away and becoming a concert pianist.

"Now, they'll call you in for fittings now and then, just to make sure it's all going to plan, but they're very clever at their jobs and I'm sure you'll be very pleased."

[very_sharpe]

"I have no doubt that I will be." When it comes time to check out with the down payment, he passes Biffy his debit card to pay with. He at least knows how all the banking works now - thankfully that hadn't taken him long to catch on with at all. It's rather convenient, actually, not always having to carry cash or depend on written lines of credit.