The day was bright and fresh and the streets were bustling with people going about their daily routine. Amongst the crowd, Xiu could be seen dressed casually in a pair of worn tennis shoes, an old pair of jeans and a baggy but comfy sweater. The Valsaros had picked them (among several others) out of the old clothes chest in the storeroom back home, gave them a wash and deemed them fit for wearing.
As he made his way through the throng of pedestrians, he noticed a familiar set of ears standing above the sea of heads.
“Lulu? Hey, Lulu!” called Xiu, delighted to meet a friend he had not seen in a long while.
---
LuLu had been window shopping in the small square for the past hour or so. She usually had no trouble in finding ways to spend money. However, today nothing was calling out to her. The rabbit was thumbing through a selection of knitted scarves at a vendor's booth when Xiu greeted her.
The sigel immediately spun around. A large smile spread across her face at the sound of the familiar voice. It took her no time at all to spot his silvery hair and horns among everyone else in the crowd. She floated over to him and went in for a hug without missing a beat, “Sir Xiu!” She then backed up to inspect the raevan. “How have you been?”
It felt like ages since they had seen one another. Yet, as she scanned his features, she deemed that his face had not changed all that much in their time apart. Xiu still wore a soft smile with gentle blue eyes.
LuLu could not help but hone in on his outfit next. His fashion sense had definitely changed. The out-of-date and oversized sweater sent a shiver down her spine. AND THOSE JEANS!
Wait… Lu did a double take. Jeans? Xiu was wearing jeans!
“You have legs!” The girl blurted out.
---
“Yes,” replied Xiu with a soft laugh at LuLu’s amazement. “Only recently though. Actually, last week to be precise,” said Valsaros sheepishly. “I am still getting used to it to be honest,”
“But enough about me; LuLu, you grew as well!” exclaimed the Valsaros with evident delight. “ Gosh, has it really been that long since we last saw each other? You look amazing”
But the busy mall with its throng of customers was no place for a happy reunion between friends. Espying a quiet cafe not too far from where they were, Xiu duly brought its presence to LuLu’s attention. “Is this a good time for us to play catch up? We could have it over drinks,” said Xiu with a ecstatic smile still plastered over his face. “My treat,”
---
LuLu was so focussed on Xiu’s accomplishments that she had forgotten her own. However, her becoming a sigel seemed like old news nowadays. Nevertheless, the other raevan seemed genuinely interested. She could not help but give a small spin in place to show off her new physique, but in doing so, her wing bumped into a nearby couple. “Oops!” Lu’s wing quickly snapped shut against her back. She nodded at Xiu, “Good idea. It would be a pleasure.”
She floated alongside Xiu and could not help but watch as he walked beside her. She giggled softly as she questioned, “Does it feel different?”
---
Xiu laughed as he walked alongside LuLu to the quiet cafe away from the crowd of harried shoppers. “Floating definitely feels smoother,” admitted the Valsaros with a smile. “And you are less likely to trip over stuff on the ground. But being a Valsaros is amazing in its own right. You get to eat all sorts of food without being sick and there isn’t a wet piece of ribbon hanging off you after a shower. And the feeling of scrunching your toes under clean and warm sheets...pretty good situation to be in,”
By this time the duo had arrived at the aforementioned cafe and Xiu motioned for a table for two. Once the two raevans were seated, a smiling waiter stood at ready with a notebook at hand.
“The lemon meringue and carrot brownies are freshly made today,” said the bright eyed youth as he threw glances of admiration in LuLu’s direction.
Xiu nodded. “Sounds good. What do you think, Lulu?”
---
LuLu tried to imagine the sensations Xiu was describing. “I like the idea of having feet on the ground.” It was not a stretch considering the girl always prefered to stay firmly planted to the floor rather than floating high liker other raevans she had met.
After they had settled into the cafe, LuLu did not skip a beat in taking full advantage of the cafe’s dessert menu. She certainly was not afraid to consume a sugar bomb at 1 o’clock in the afternoon. “Both please! And an earl grey latte.” She smiled at Xiu, “And what do you want?”
The waiter quickly jotted down her order. His gaze bounced over to her silver hair companion and his pencil was poised expectantly. After he had finished taking their orders, he returned to the kitchen to prepare their requests. The rabbit continued her questioning, “Does anyone else have legs?”
---
“Lazarus does,” said Xiu promptly in response to Lulu’s question. “He has had legs for about a year already. Erm, no one else comes to mind though,”
Looking at LuLu fondly from across the table, Xiu smiled when the waiter brought their order;- the lemon meringue, carrot brownies and earl grey latte for LuLu; and a pot of green tea with a slice of macadamia and caramel cake for himself.
Pouring out the tea, Xiu watched as Lulu sampled the confectionaries. “Are they any good?” the Valsaros asked teasingly.
Then, as though suddenly recalling the purpose of his shopping excursion. Xiu threw in a second question. “Do you know any moderately priced clothes stores here?”
---
Lu’s ears perked in response, “Oh!” She had never gotten particularly close with the ravean Xiu spoke of. However, she could recall his face from numerous Lab events. “He is handling it well, too?”
The rabbit sat back in her seat as the waiter approached them with a filled tray. Lu had not even realized that she had been leaning in towards the valsaros during their conversation, eagerly awaiting his responses. Her gold rimmed eyes watched the waiter as he took his time carefully placing each dish and their respective beverages. He left them with a polite nod and the words ‘enjoy’.
LuLu was already halfway through her slice of carrot cake before Xiu had a chance to ask her about its flavor. She looked back up at him with a wide, flustered rabbit stare. Her cheeks were currently puffed out with a mouthful of confection. There was a hard gulp as she cleared her throat to speak. “It is delicious!” She dabbed at some cream that had collected in the corner of her mouth and made a mental note to pace herself… or at least make an effort to.
LuLu responded. “Yes, there are a lot around here. One across the street in fact. I can help you pick something.” LuLu glanced just under the table to see the worn sneakers Xiu was showing off today. Her helping was not a question but a statement.
---
Lulu’s surreptitious glance at his sneakers did not go unnoticed. The Valsaros laughed. “Are they really that horrible? I found them back home and they are still functional. Err...as far as shoes go,” said Xiu as he tried to read Lulu’s expression.
But that only drew attention to the faded jeans and wooly white socks with its red and blue stripes around it.
Suddenly, Xiu felt self conscious in the face of his friend’s critical gaze.
“Yes, some help would be appreciated,” said Xiu sheepishly.
---
At Xiu’s inquiry a firm ‘yes’ sat at the tip of LuLu’s tongue. However, she swallowed the word in favor of a more subdued comment, “They could be better.” She then gave a nod to punctuate the statement.
The rabbit finished off the last bite of her desserts and gave her latte one final sip before she gestured to the exit. “I can lead the way there.”
They were at the store within a matter of minutes. The sigel had not exaggerated when she had said it was right across the street. It was a small shop with a relatively plain storefront, but the clothes inside were of a quality the girl could appreciate. Fortunately for Xiu, the price tags were not too outrageous either. She was certain they would be able to find something for him here.
---
Xiu nodded. The fate of his wardrobe apparently lay in LuLu’s capable hands now. Following LuLu, Xiu found himself before a modest but trendy looking store. There were several teenagers as well as a couple of young adults browsing the clothes on display with the clothes on the left tending towards the masculine and the clothes to the right, the feminine. Current pop songs were being played in the background.
“Do you shop here often?” Xiu asked as he turned to LuLu. This question was then followed with a “Where do we start?” and “Hey, this T-Shirt looks amusing,”
Printed on the cotton shirt was a picture of a running bottle of tomato sauce with a tagline that read “I will ketchup soon!” and beside it was a yellow shirt with the caption “I mustard you a question”. Unsurprisingly, there was a picture of a mustard pot with a detective’s cap and magnifying glass above it. Those as well as similar designed clothes had their price tags at 50% discount.
“And this!” said Xiu, totally caught up with the puns. Holding a white shirt, Xiu grinned in LuLu’s direction. “Look!”
On the shirt were the words “Toucan play that game”.
There was a toucan holding a deck of cards.
---
The rabbit had already started sifting through a rack near the middle of the store which was stuffed with button up shirts. A red tag near the top of the stand displayed ‘25% off’. She responded to her companion without looking up, “Yes, they have good deals here if you know where to look.”
A few seconds went by without a reply from Xiu, which was unusual for the raevan. Lu’s ears twitched as she looked up to find his whereabouts. “Oh no!” To her horror, he had been lured in by the novelty tees that lurked at the front of the shop. She had to save him before it was too late! Numerous people had met their demise at the hands of those shirts. She hastily floated over to retrieve Xiu.
However, LuLu was greeted by Xiu’s grinning face and that cheesy shirt. It was a two hit KO and she never stood a chance “Pfft!” The rabbit doubled over as she broke into a fit of laughter over her friend’s antics. “You are too much Sir Xiu!”
---
LuLu’s laughter was contagious and Xiu soon found himself laughing along with his friend. Several shoppers gave the duo a curious glance but otherwise the pair were on their own.
“You think so?” asked Xiu with good humour as he returned the shirt back to its rack. “I thought the designs were pretty clever. And they are...100% cotton,” said Xiu after reading its label.
But it was time to get serious. Glancing in the direction LuLu had come from, Xiu made his way to the rows of button up shirts. The shirts came in a variety of colours and sizes and (as LuLu had mentioned), they were modestly priced.
Picking up a plain light blue shirt, Xiu held it up for LuLu. “Would this be better?”
---
The rabbit wiped a tear from her eye as her giggle fit finally died down to a few soft chuckles. “I think you can find something more clever here Sir Xiu.” LuLu could not deny that the valsaros had looked pretty comfortable in the graphic t-shirt. Perhaps she could make a small compromise just this once for her friend.
She plucked a shirt off the rack and held it out to Xiu. “How about
this one?” At the same, the other raevan held out a blue button up to her. She nodded, “That looks very good!”
---
“Great!” said Xiu as he tossed the blue shirt across his arm. He’d try it and several others (once they have had them picked out) in the fitting room later. When LuLu showed him the grey shirt with its bunny design on the front, the Raevan smiled. “I like it,” said Xiu as he took the offered shirt. “Does look like the kind of standard a rabbit Princess would use, wouldn’t it?” teased the white valsaros. “Hazeline would be pleased to know that I’m no longer rummaging through the attic for clothes. Although...bell bottoms seem to be in fashion again and I believe young people these days are into upcycled stuff and going green,”
As the duo traversed through the aisle, Xiu gave his friend a sideways glance. “So, anything interesting you’d like to tell me? A new hobby? Skills? Friends? Boyfriends~?”
---
Lu smirked at Xiu’s joke. “Of course, Sir Xiu. Rabbits make everything better.” She grabbed another button up off a rack and added it to their haul. “I can help next time you look in the attic. There may be some good finds.” Her eyes met his. “We can skip the bell bottoms though.” That smirk returned to her lips.
The valsaros’ next question made LuLu pause from her appraisal of a tie. “Well, I have made a few makeup videos online recently. People seem to like them.” She then flipped over her arm and moved her bracelets out of the way to show off her wrist. In its center was a small triangle that had a galaxy design contained within it. The same tattoo she had placed a few weeks prior. “I also got this not too long ago.” The rabbit closed her eyes in focus. After a few moments, the tattoo faded from her skin. She then held out her opposite wrist and revealed the tattoo had found its new home there. “And now I can do that. And some other stuff.”
---
“Sure, come on over to my place anytime,” said Xiu with a chuckle. “With all the stuff in the attic, I am sure Hazeline wouldn’t mind having some removed. Maybe even a yard sale,” said Xiu looking thoughtful. Yes, a yard sale to sell off paraphernalia that had been sitting around for years collecting cobwebs and dust. He would definitely have to look into that.
When LuLu told him of her makeup video, Xiu listened to his friend’s explanation with genuine interest. “Those videos are really popular online,” agreed the Sigel as he picked up a beige shirt, considered it and then placing it back onto its shelf. “What’s your channel called? I can subscribe to it,”
The tattoo had been so discreetly covered by LuLu’s bangles that Xiu did not notice its presence until the Sigel showed it to him. It design itself was pretty but when LuLu transferred it from one arm to the other, the Valsaros couldn’t help but give a cry of amazement. “That’s amazing LuLu. Like a magic trick! Only...it’s real magic,” exclaimed Xiu with awe. “That’s really great!”
Still impressed by LuLu’s skill, Xiu reached for a white shirt with a dopey looking black and white cow on it and held it up for LuLu. “So umm let’s say I like the shirt but...hate the cow, do you think you could fix that?” asked the Sigel curiously.
---
The rabbit’s ears perked up and her eyes widened. “Oh! You really want to subscribe?” She could not help but give in to a little excited bounce. “LittleBunnyLuLu.” Another bounce. “Let me know what you think Sir Xiu.” Her focus then shifted to the shirt in his hand.
LuLu shrugged, “I can try.” She cupped a hand over the material and covered the dorky cow print. Silenced passed between them for a few strained seconds. It was interrupted when the rabbit drew out a long sigh. Her brow scrunched together in a helpless expression, “It does not feel the same as fresh ink. It is a lot stiffer. Hard to move.” She withdrew her hand and gave it a shake to work out her tense muscles. The design looked relatively intact. However, the cow had faded to a lighter gray in some spots. “Maybe with practice?” LuLu poked at the discolored areas with a sigh. She then slipped the damaged shirt under the bottom of a nearby stack. “There we go.” She floated on without a second thought.
---
Xiu nodded. “I do,” said the raevan, sounding perhaps a little more serious than was needed. “Anything to help a fellow raevan. And I am sure that your videos would be educating as well as entertaining,” said Xiu with a nod. “LittleBunnyLuLu, got it,”
Holding out the shirt with the quirky cow, Xiu kept silent while LuLu concentrated on its print. When the Sigel finally broke her reverie, Xiu noticed that while the silly cow was still there, there seemed to be less of it. The buffoonish bovine appeared patchy in places. Just as Xiu was faced with the dilemma of having to buy the ghastly thing, LuLu solved it by shoving it beneath a pile of similar shirts. Taken by surprise, Xiu found himself momentarily rooted to the spot. Part of him felt terrible for it but another part of him really did not want that shirt. After another moment’s hesitation, Xiu found himself trotting after LuLu. The tips of his ears had gone and odd shade of red though.
“That’s still a pretty neat skill, LuLu. You should definitely develop it,” said Xiu when he finally caught up to the bunny. “You could really go wild with your own designs and imaginations in the future,”
They had by then reached the trousers section of the shop. Jeans were on the right while cargos were on the left. Further down, trainers and slacks were on display.
---
LuLu did not take notice of Xiu embarrassed flush. His complexion had returned to its usual creamy hue by the time he caught up to her. “I am going to try. It is a much better way to go wild.” The tone of her voice turned more solemn towards the end of her sentence. Xiu was quite familiar with her other ‘wild side’.
The rabbit added a few pair of pants to the growing selection of clothing in her arms. She was almost at capacity. “Are you ready to try some things on?” She looked to Xiu.
---
“Ah,I’m sorry, I did not mean that..,”said Xiu softly as he fell into step with the Sigel. Memories of LuLu’s ferocious alternate form came to mind but the Valsaros quickly pushed those negative images aside. LuLu was not the only one with a darker half. What was important however, was that she was over it and back to her usual cheery self. Hopefully for good.
“Yeah! I think we have amassed quite a mountain already,” chuckled Xiu as he held up the armload of clothes. “The changing room’s that way I think,”
---
LuLu followed Xiu’s direction and navigated them both towards the changing rooms. She looked at one of the doors and tilted her head towards it as she made her selection. She placed her bounty by the armful onto a dinky stool resting in the corner of the stall. She glanced at Xiu expectantly. “Which outfit do you want to try on first Sir Xiu?” She was already mixing and matching pants to tops.
---
Xiu considered the shirts before him. “Perhaps that navy grey shirt over there? The one with white trim on its collar,” said the Valsaros, motioning towards said shirt. “It looks comfortable,”
The raevan then considered the remaining choices before him. “And that pastel button up turquoise shirt looks good,”
Having thus selected his clothes, Xiu turned and closed the door behind him.
---
LuLu nodded at Xiu’s selection approvingly. She added a white v-neck with faded lavender horizontal stripes to the mix before handing them off to the valsaros. She then watched him retreat behind the changing room door to try on their spoils.
The rabbit was able to wait patiently for a few moments before her curiosity got the better of her. She flicked her ear up to the door to listen in on Xiu. Unfortunately, she could only hear the rustling of fabric and her cohort’s even breathing. She asked softly, “How are they Sir Xiu?”
LuLu awaited a reply, but did not receive one. Was everything alright? Maybe Xiu was having trouble matching everything up. Well, she could certainly help with that. The sigel reached for the doorknob and gave it a turn, “I’m coming to help!”
---
Xiu had by this time pulled on the lavender v-neck shirt with its matched pair of slate gray jeans and was observing himself in the mirror. It certainly looked trendy but ...felt odd. Xiu was loathed to admit this but having his neck exposed felt...weird to say the least. Kinda breezy. Perhaps he should try the turtleneck LuLu picked out.
Slipping the shirt off, Xiu was about to pull on the turtleneck when the door rattled. “J-Just a minute!” said Xiu, sounding a little alarmed as he held the shirt close to him. “I am just about done!”
Unbeknownst to the both of them, the latch keeping the door close was not in the best of shape. Any more rattling and it might fall off.
---
By the time Xiu called out to LuLu, she had already jiggled the handle again and tested opening the door to no avail. There was a metallic jingle as the latch buckled. “Are you ready yet Sir Xiu? You must have tried something on by now!” She hoped he had not already gone through all the outfits without showing her a single one!
---
Xiu emerged a minute later with the turtleneck shirt on. “Well, what do you think?” the Valsaros asked as he lifted his arms for LuLu to inspect. “Feels pretty comfortable,”
“And now I feel like munching on a baguette,” continued Xiu in jest.
---
LuLu fluttered back as Xiu came out of the changing room. She scrutinized the outfit for a moment before she spoke. “It looks good. Is it stuffy at all?” The rabbit moved to tug down the turtleneck a bit. Personally, she did not enjoy things wrapping too tightly around her neck. Maybe Xiu had a higher tolerance for that kind of thing. “Did you find anything else you liked?”
---
“It feels fine. Although it is a little more form fitting than the clothes that I am used to,” said Xiu with a sheepish smile as Lulu adjusted his collar. A coat or jacket worn over it however would do the trick the Valsaros reckoned.
“I have yet to try the denim jacket and beige pants combo,” said Xiu. “But I am definitely taking the flamingo printed Hawaiian shirt,”
For no reason other than it would give him a good splash of colour.
---
LuLu quirked her head to the side as Xiu explained his opinion. She really did not understand why the valsaros thought tight clothing was a bad thing. The words form fitting were commonplace for her own wardrobe. Her vast collection of halter tops and sheer blouses would likely make a guy like him blush. Either that, or he would toss a nun’s habit over the unsuspecting sigel.
LuLu nodded with a smile. She glanced at the flamingo shirt draped on the door. “Well, it does suit you. I think it can make the cut.” She took it off its hanger to add it to the ‘keep’ pile. She glances around the changing room. “You only have a few things left to try on now.”
---
Xiu nodded. “Yes, and thanks to you, good progress has been made,” said Xiu with a smile as he gave several banana coloured shirts a cursory glance. “I would have taken twice as long to find half the amount of clothes we have accumulated and probably paid more too,”
The polo shirts with the seventy-five percent price reduction tag got a moment’s consideration before the Valsaros moved on, picking and trying shirts and pants from the various apparel on display with LuLu providing invaluable feedback to what matched and what did not. Then, having come to the end of their browsing, Xiu placed his pile of clothes before the cashier and got himself a complimentary membership card in the process.
Toting several filled bags out of the store soon after, Xiu turned to his friend. “That was a fruitful endeavour. Thank you so much, Lulu. You are a gem,”
The white raevan paused for a moment before continuing. “Would you like to have a look at anything though? I feel bad, taking up most of our time. It is only fair that we do what you like now,”
---
Whether or not Xiu particularly wanted her opinion on a certain article, LuLu provided it. Some pieces were shot down immediately by the critical rabbit. However, a surprising amount made their way into the keep pile. It was a sizeable start to a new wardrobe.
LuLu assisted in carrying their haul to the front counter to ring it all up. The icing on the cake was the modest price tag for the whole shebang. The membership card also helps bring costs down. Overall, the sigel was a proud of their accomplishment. Xiu was now well on his way to being a well dressed valsaros. No more raggamuffin hand me downs for him! At least, Lu hoped.
The rabbit shook her head softly at Xiu’s question. “Today was about getting you dressed up Sir Xiu! I have plenty of clothes at home. You can treat me next time, ok?” Her eyes glanced over the numerous bags he had in tow. She continued with a grin. “I expect to see you in a one of your new outfits.”
LuLu had to stifle a yawn as the exchanged numbers. Shopping could sometimes be a workout in itself. She waved goodbye to Xiu as they parted. The rabbit looked forward to the next time they could meet up.
