cuddlecity | kick one, two, three; spy, one, two, three

Entry tags:

kick one, two, three; spy, one, two, three

CHARACTERS: Vasquez & Kimberly Hart
LOCATIONS: Crunches
WARNINGS: Sweaty cowboys? Embarrassment.
SUMMARY: It's time for Vasquez to meet some of Robbie's friends, though maybe in an unconventional way.

[ Vasquez probably should have known that going to a class at a gym would be a bad idea. For a man that smokes at least a pack of cigarettes a day, he keeps himself in decent shape, but this wanting to get to know some of Reyes' friends has come at a very high cost. He'd mentioned this Crunches and so Vasquez had come on a tour after work the one day to see what it was.

Honestly, he's not entirely sure he gets why a place like this needs to exist, but he'd bought a few classes and a few pieces of clothes to attend, not because he wants to be in shape, but because he's curious about this Kimberly who might have some good fashion advice to give him. Stupidly, of course, Vasquez decides that before he talks to her, he wants to see her teach and the best way to do that? Be in the class.

This is why, an hour later, he's panting and sweating, wishing that he'd ever listened to reason or some kind of voice in his head that told him this was a bad idea. Swiping a towel from nearby, he waits until the rest of the room clears, heading up to the front to greet his torturer. ]

You know, where I come from, you could scare whole towns of men by making them suffer the way you did to me.

[ It's joking and light, but given the struggle to get in breaths and the way he looks a little worn, it's not completely funny. ]

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( by the time the majority of the class has left, kimberly's main focus is on cool down: her leg swung up atop the ballet barre, fingers looped under the arch of her feet to pull sore muscles taut, the slow movement a marked difference from the fast paced nature of her class.

she doesn't recognize the man who approaches — from that alone, she'd know he was new, though the way he struggles to catch his breath is a pretty good indicator as well — though it doesn't stop her from responding, her raised leg swinging down as she turns to face him. )

Really? ( she'd offer him some water, but all she has is her own bottle, slick with sweat from her palms. it's probably gross. he doesn't want that. ) Nobody dances where you're from?

Nobody dances anything like that unless they want to be run out of town like a witch. [ It's true, he thinks, because he can't imagine even the town whores doing this, though he also knows better than to say that because he's learned from others about how much he needs to respect the future. ]

I need a drink or a smoke for surviving that and I'm not sure where to start, but you do a good job, even if it is somewhat evil.

( it's a good thing he doesn't call her a whore, because that would just put a real damper on the whole 'offering her assistance' idea. not that she knows he needs it yet, but... still. definitely for the better that he holds his tongue on that.

as it is, kimberly wrinkles her brow at the mention of a smoke. she's a millennial who's grown up on anti-smoking health campaigns, so while she may or may not have experimented once upon a house party with a joint or two, tobacco has been absent from her life since before she can remember. )

A drink I can do. ( she'd offer him a swig of her water bottle, but she's pretty sure that's not what he has in mind. ) But I have to know: what's your story here, huh? New Year's resolution, losing a bet? I don't normally get very many guys your age in class.

[ He's not really surprised at her reaction about his wanting a smoke. People don't seem to like it when he talks about it and does it, but that's something he's getting used to. It's also not something he's willing to give up, because he likes the smoke for the tobacco as much as for something to do. ]

Not a bet, maybe? Sort of a bet. We have a mutual friend in common who thinks that maybe I could use your help.

[ He needs help, definitely, and he supposes he could ask some of the other people he knows, but he likes pretending like he knows what he's talking about in front of them. Kimberly is still a stranger. Taking the water bottle, he still drinks it back, before handing it to her. ]

You know Robbie Reyes, I think?

( oh, so that's the story. it actually makes sense, now that she thinks about it. robbie's definitely friendly enough to make friends, and she vaguely remembers him talking about a cowboy he met at some point or another. this must be said cowboy. unfortunately, she doesn't know his name. )

He's a little more than a friend, but yeah, I know him. ( a grin curves the corners of her mouth up as she takes back the water bottle, settling it on the chair where her gym bag sits half-packed. ) What kind of help is he sending you to me for? I'm guessing you don't need your oil changed.

( though she knows how to do that now! )

[ He knows about the 'more than a friend' part too, but he thinks maybe it's a little rude to lead with that, seeing as he barely knows her. Still, maybe later he'll feel good enough to tease her (and him) for it. ]

I take it the oil is something to do with his car? I'm still learning about all this.

[ Still not sure he's ever going to have a car or drive one, but he's fine with that. Let other people cart him around, he can even feel like he's somehow more important. ]

I need clothing help. I'm just learning about modern things and I've had a few trips, but now that I have a job and proper money, I need one good big shopping trip, I think.

( start out strong, vasquez. she can take a good bout of teasing... in this context, anyway. maybe not so much coming from the other man in this triangle. but that's a story with a very different ending. )

Oh, clothes? Yeah, he probably did point you in my direction then. ( she's moving while she talks, fingertips digging under the hem of her top and tugging it over her head, tossing it into the waiting bag once it's off. she's left not quite scandalously clothed in her yoga pants and sports bra, but with the bright duffel swung over her shoulder, it's hopefully a little less of a shock. not that she's going to cover herself up for his sake, but... still. ) I'm free if you wanted to go this afternoon. I just need to shower first.

( and on that note, kimberly gestures down the hall, where the locker rooms and shower areas await. )

If you want to, it's a good way to cool off after a class. I won't be long, though, if you want to just chill and wait? Maybe get yourself a smoothie or something? The raspberry mango's pretty good!

[ Vasquez can't help the leer that he gives when she changes. It's not completely improper, but if she's comfortable enough to put on a show like this, then he's going to look and appreciate. The smirk on his lips is evidence as to how much he's enjoying, but he thinks that she won't mind. ]

I'm only a little disappointed it's not an invitation to the showers, I'm getting. [ He's joking, really, he wouldn't have gone through with it. ]

Raspberry mango? On your recommendation, I'll try. Don't take too long, you'll leave a man lonely with only his own thoughts and mangoes.

( oh, there's no discomfort. she might not notice the smirk right away, but she doesn't shy away from it either. she's all too happy to put on a show, and to tease right back. it's practically her calling card. )

I'm flattered, cowboy, but I wouldn't want you to get your ass kicked. ( maybe in another world, one in which her well-meaning but hot-headed boyfriend wasn't the proverbial elephant in the room. ) If you get too lonely, there's a pilates class down the hall — might be worth watching, if you know what I mean.

( wink wonk. )

[ He laughs warmly at the idea of a woman kicking his ass. It wouldn't be the first time, but usually he likes to put up a fight. Seeing as he's here for help, he's not aiming to get bruises today, though. ]

Pilates? I have no idea what you're talking about, but I think that's the way that doesn't get me beat up, so...

[ He gestures towards where she's pointed and heads there, not to ogle, but to lean against the wall. He's got his coat on now, fiddling with an unlit cigarette that he's dug out of his pocket, mainly to give his hands something to do while he works a toothpick in his teeth (for his mouth to stay busy), waiting for Kimberly to return. ]

( it doesn't take her long. one of the (admittedly few) perks of chopping perfectly styled locks into a devil-may-care bob in the girls' bathroom during detention was shorter styling time, and kimberly's definitely glad for that now, especially considering the object of curiosity waiting for her on the main floor. said object being a man sent to her for shopping advice just makes the curiosity thing that much more appealing, so maybe that also contributes to her speedy transition from gymwear to casual friday.

in any case, give her twenty minutes, and kimberly hart is bounding back to the man in question, still-damp bob swinging to and fro as she hustles down the hallway. )

Alright, cowboy, I'm all yours. ( though, now that she thinks about it...) Wait. Before we go, one question. What are we shopping for? Is this, 'I need a complete Look' kind of thing, or 'I have a hot date and need to look like I woke up in the twenty-first century, buy me just one outfit' deal?

Because I can't carry home a whole wardrobe on my scooter, so we should probably get a cab if we're doing the whole Say Yes To The Dress experience.

( on second thought: ) Not that we're, you know, buying you a dress or anything.

[ He narrows his eyes at her, wondering what the hell he would need special clothes for, if he were looking to get himself some attention in the bedroom. He might be new here in the future, but he's not a complete idiot about that. ]

I don't have proper winter clothes or casual ones. I have about three outfits, and the more I wear them, the more they're going to start looking like I wear them all the time.

Say yes to a what now?

[ He's already grimacing, because honestly, this is just more future talk that he just doesn't understand and it gives him a headache now as much as ever. Though, that could also just be dehydration talking. ]

Oh. Okay, yeah, if you only have three outfits, this is definitely a whole thing. ( because obviously, if you only have three outfits, you are wearing them all the time, so of course you look like you are. this is very clearly overdue. ) Winter, summer, fall, we'll get you all situated. Luckily for you, guy clothes are pretty straightforward.

( she starts to compile a mental list: jeans, khakis, maybe a nice pair of black dress pants. button down shirts, t-shirts, a few long sleeved versions. maybe a few henleys, those are always comfortable, and they always look nice. and a jacket, that can't hurt. nothing complicated, just the basics. )

I don't know why Robbie couldn't have taken you, though, it's not like you're asking for anything he doesn't already wear. ( oh, wait. ) Aside from the fact that he literally hates shopping, I guess.

( on the plus side? it doesn't take her long to summon a taxi via the magic that is cadelle's version of uber on her phone. modern miracles. )

Get in, you. We're going to the mall.

[He's still feeling wary about all of this, especially because the last time he went to a mall, he was able to get the three outfits he currently rotates through, but it had been overwhelming and frustrating and he'd found out that 'leather pants' didn't mean the same thing here as they did at home. ]

I think maybe I also wanted to meet Reyes' friends. Maybe I implied this, and he thought that you could help, but it's also a good way to help out. Of course, I didn't think I would have to suffer through exercise for it, but...

[He shrugs, because at least he'd offered the gesture of an attempt, which is more than he would've done back home. Then again, nothing about this is like home. ]

I hate the mall, though. Too many people, too much noise, so many cheap things.

Oh. ( he'd wanted to meet her? it's surprisingly sweet, and kimberly doesn't make any effort to hide the smile that curves across her face in response. ) You didn't have to ask me to take you shopping just to hang out, jeez.

( the cabbie takes direction, and once the car rolls into motion, she settles against the backseat to get a better look. his clothes are admittedly pretty dated — like, history museum dated — but they're simple, and it's not like he's unattractive. he should be pretty easy to dress. )

It shouldn't take very long. Plus, once we find you the right fit, you can always go get more later if you'd rather not get it all today.

Yes, but I do need the shopping.

[She seems like the best bet, too, because she's someone who's young, who's modern, and doesn't seem to care most about a car. If he's going to get decent clothes, he's going to get them from her. He's just vain enough to care about that, too.]

What I wear, in my time, it's very flashy and carefully put together. I wanted to make sure that I had someone who understood how to do that, but in the future. You were the recommendation.

( oh, buddy. young is an understatement. though, to be fair, maybe it's less of a concern how close to jailbait she may or may not be when it comes to clothing assistance. )

Oh, so that's an intentional look? Huh. ( it's not intended to be rude, really, just surprise in a soft exhale as she taps idly at the screen of her phone. it doesn't take long for her to pull up a few comparison options for him to review. )

Well. I guess it depends on what kind of style you want to go with, you know? There's, like, hobo chic — don't recommend that, by the way — or ultra preppie, or just kind of a casual vibe...

You've seen how people dress around here, haven't you? Do you like any of it?

[He gives her a wordless reply for her criticism of his fashion, because he knows that it's not exactly what everyone would appreciate, but he likes it, and that's what matters.]

I like to look flashy, but not too fancy. That's something for people who are more expensive than I am, ones that I'm never going to be.

[But what is this hobo chic you say? He's curious and narrows his eyes at him curiously.]

Tell me more about this hobo?

( a groan only half repressed, and kimberly pulls up a few more images. loose fitting jeans, draping silhouettes; she really doesn't get the appeal, but if that's what he wants... )

Homeless people. That's what a hobo is, it's a homeless person.

( why does he want to look like a homeless person? )

You don't have to be a billionaire to dress nice anymore. I mean, Forever 21 isn't the greatest, and it'll probably fall apart in six months, but you can get a cute dress for, like, twelve bucks there when they have a sale.

You said chic though, like it's a fashion?

[He doesn't really know what he's talking about and maybe there's a restrained smirk on his lips because he kind of enjoys prodding and poking at people and it's clearly her least favourite given the reaction.]

You think that I'm going to look good in a cute dress? I mean, I know I have good legs, but I think this is a little much for me.

Yeah. ( she's kind of impressed at that. ) Yeah, it's... a trend, I guess. I don't get it, honestly, but some people like it.

( and his quip about his legs earns more than just slight approval; kimberly laughs, a sound that's bright and cheerful and unrestrained as it echoes in the backseat, a perfect counter to the sharp squeal of the brakes as the driver pulls up to the curb outside the store that she's discovered serves as the cadellian equivalent of a macy's. )

Come on, then, hot legs. Let's get you in something good.

( if she's being totally truthful, he does have a good figure. he's too old for her — not that robbie wasn't, but that's an argument for another day — but it doesn't stop her from giving him an approving once-over as she gestures for him to follow her into the racks of men's clothing. )

Honestly? I mean, you don't have to really dress that differently. Just update it. Some dark jeans, probably, some button-down shirts, maybe a nice gray vest if you want to get dressy? Solid colors, probably, maybe some prints if you're feeling adventurous...

( like the mannequins nearby, to which she points out as exhibits a, b, and c. )

You know?

[He can't help his smug smirk when she laughs at the joke, always enjoying it when people seem to appreciate him for his humour. Cursing when he has to put a hand out to stop himself going into the front seat of the car, he stretches out of the car to unleash his lanky frame, peering at the store in front of them.]

I don't think those are hideous.

[That's a fairly complimentary thing to say, as far as Vasquez is concerned, glancing to the mannequins.]

Vests would be good, and some nice bold colours. This one, I like this one. [He says, pointing to the first one that she's pointed to, Mr. A Mannequin.]

The vest could work. ( it's a little dressier than she'd pick for everyday, if she was dressing him, but if it's what he likes? well, it's his clothes. as long as he's happy, that's all that matters, right? ) And colors are definitely a thing we can do.

( there's a whole rack of button-down shirts within reach, every color on the spectrum represented in some way. the obvious choices — blues, grays, greens, and reds; the manly varieties — are plucked out by experienced hands, while some of the other, less sure choices are held up for him to consider. )

I don't know how you feel about patterns.

( there are some with skulls, some with small flowers, cacti or animal heads; there are even silly ones, like rocket ships and bomb popsicles, if he looks hard enough. )

But I feel like you have to get the one with pizza on it.

[Vasquez has already started to drift through the clothing options that he sees, trying to see which ones he prefers and which one that he doesn't want at all. When she mentions patterns, he opens his mouth to agree he doesn't mind them.

Only, then he turns around.

And he sees it.]

No.

[It should be fairly easy to get that he's not going for that, not today or tomorrow or anytime soon.]

Patterns is like what's imprinted and woven into the back of my leather vest with artistry. This is just sad.

[He holds up the one with the pizza and gives her a shake of his head.] Is this really what people wear these days? You're lucky it's frowned upon to shoot them, because this would be very good target practice.

What, it's fun! ( hipsters, you know. that's the sort of people who wear button-down shirts with fun prints on them. but they always look so fun and hip, she can't even fault them for looking ridiculous. ) You do know what fun is, right?

( maybe that's not a thing they have in the wild west. maybe there are too many shootouts and saloon fights for people to have any fun. )

You don't have to be artsy and serious all the time. You can wear silly prints just because they're silly.

This isn't any kind of fun that I've ever run into before.

[Fun for him involves cards and liquor and jokes and games. It's riding and shooting the shit with people that you get along with, but it's not this.]

I think maybe in the future, everyone's heads are empty when it comes to what's actually a fun thing.

[He starts to run his fingers over the fabrics, picking through things and lifting ones that he likes] . No one said anything about artsy, I just don't want to look like a pendejo.

( kimberly does not speak spanish — at least, not in any capacity that one might mistake her for fluent — but she does date a man whose lineage rolls back to the mexican continent. at the very least, pendejo is a word she's heard before, and definitely not in any kind of positive context. )

It's not that bad... ( but, she'll admit, maybe it's not his style. she can appreciate that he doesn't seem to have any problem finding the things he does like, though. ) At least it's not boring.

( rise to the bait. you know you want to. )

Are you planning on getting every shade of red the store has to offer?

Boring means blending in, and I've learned that being able to blend in is a skill very worth having.

[He's not boring, he's the opposite. He'd been the one wearing flashy vest prints and tight, embellished pants. That's not boring, just because he knows what colours to wear that are safe.]

If they have more, I'll take more. Blacks, too. I know what makes me look good.

[He gives her a look, daring her to argue with that.]

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kick one, two, three; spy, one, two, three

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