Andrew shifted into his human form as he returned to Chris's world, clothes appearing on him as he made his way into the growing town, though at this point city might be the more accurate term. The place had started out pretty bare bones after the Beast Tide, but with each town they visited, more and more people moved in, bringing ideas and plans that could be enacted without limit due to the nature of Chris's world. It was sort of like the internet come alive, where the value wasn't in production but in innovation. Once something was out there, anyone could have it, so bakers didn't spend all day making batch after batch of bread, they spent hours perfecting a single loaf, which Chris would copy so that anyone could enjoy it. Restaurants got a bit weird, becoming more about the ambiance than the food. Most of them weren't even really businesses anymore, since there wasn't really any money to be made, just certain spots where certain people liked to hang out, like a Hunter or farmer bar.
Andrew considered his options for a moment, wondering where he should go. He'd tried a few Hunter bars, but they were a little too… rough for him. All their conversations revolved around things they'd either killed or fucked. It wasn't that they couldn't be interesting, it just wasn't something Andrew could really contribute to, and he felt awkward just sitting there and listening. Even when they focused on the technical aspects of Hunting, it just ended up going over his head. Plus, some of the older women had started to take an… interest in him, and he really wasn't comfortable with that.
He'd visited a few of the craft related areas as well, but he ended up in the same position as the Hunter bars. He just didn't have enough of a foundation in anything to actually contribute. The closest he'd gotten to a place he fit in was actually the farmer hang-outs, but that was mostly because that's where the younger farm kids hung out, and most of them didn't actually want to talk about farming, but they were in a similar position to Andrew, lacking the foundation to join the other circles. Unfortunately, that meant the most common topic of conversation was how much working on a farm sucked, which wasn't something Andrew could exactly participate in.
Andrew sighed. “Alright, Chris, have any new gathering spots popped up recently?”
Chris appeared next to him. “There's a new group for architects. No professionals, just people having fun designing ridiculous houses that could only work in my world. Greg started it.”
“Of course he did.” Andrew sighed. Greg started a group to do something random pretty much every day. “Anyone but him involved yet?”
“He somehow managed to rope in Albert, Maurice, and Semloh.” Chris replied. “They actually appear to be enjoying themselves.”
Andrew shook his head. “What else?”
“A few of the older craftsmen have started a workshop of sorts. It's aimed at allowing people to give their various trades a try, to see if they're interested in pursuing them further.” Chris continued.
Andrew considered it for a moment, before shaking his head. “I'm just not that interested in making things. If I'm going to craft anything, I want to focus on crafting cores.”
“Well, those are the only new groups.” Chris shrugged. “Maybe you should start your own. Take a page out of Greg's book.”
Andrew frowned. “I don't know what I'd want a group for.”
“Well, what do you enjoy doing?” Chris asked.
Andrew paused. What did he enjoy doing? He… honestly had no idea. For the longest time, everything he did was about getting stronger. Hunting Beasts, training his skills to level up, and then everything with Chris and the others. Even before all that, he spent a lot of his time training for his First Hunt. He had enjoyed hanging out in the forest with the various animals, but that wasn't really something he could form a group around, particularly not in this World. He'd played a lot of games, but that was more of a family and boredom thing, rather than a real passion for games themselves… though he did enjoy games that led to interesting conversations. Could he start a group around that? He wasn't sure how well those games would actually work here… they usually needed a pretty significant foundation in the culture to understand. Though the game itself wasn't the point, it was the conversations the game inspired, seeing how things connected, learning more about each other… if he could find or make something that would do that in this World… no, not just this World, but in any World. Something uni- er, multiversal. “I think I need to talk to Victoria about designing a game.”
“I'd wait.” Chris commented. “She's pretty cranky at the moment.”
Andrew frowned. “Why? What happened?”
Chris shrugged. “Not entirely sure, but I'm fairly certain it's my fault. I've been pointing out her inability to prioritize when Beatrice is involved.” He shook his head. “People just don't seem to appreciate honest advice.”
Andrew gave him a skeptical look. “Right… I guess I'll wait then. Maybe try a farmer's bar tonight.”
“Actually, if you have no other plans, do you think you could accompany Jade for a bit?” Chris asked. “She's trying to find some friends or at least a hobby, and she seems a bit lost, but if I helped it'd defeat the point.”
Andrew blinked. “Jade? I- guess? Why though?”
Chris raised an eyebrow. “I just told you.”
“No, I mean why is she trying to make friends or find a hobby? And why can't you help?” Andrew elaborated.
“Oh, because we realized that she may have a predisposition towards obsession, and given her actions over the past month, her obsession may very well be me, so we've decided she should focus on developing other interests for a bit, such as hobbies or friends.” Chris explained.
Andrew nodded slowly. “Okay… yeah, sure, I can probably help. Or at least keep her company so she isn't too nervous.”
“Great, have fun.” Chris patted his shoulder, before sending him off to Jade.
*
Jade was sitting in the corner of the Seamstress Club, focusing on stitching together a few strips of cloth, not quite sure what she was making, doing it more to do it than with any goal in mind as she focused on the other women around her. They were all chatting and showing off their various creations to the oohs and ahhs of the other's, and Jade wasn't sure where she fit into all of it. She had some sewing skills, mostly just from mending and adjusting her own clothing over the years, and she'd always found the task relaxing, but she'd never considered what it meant to take the craft further and she was a bit intimidated by the other women's passion and skill. Suddenly Andrew appeared next to her and she jumped, letting out a small yelp as she slipped and pricked a finger with the needle, drawing the attention of the surrounding women, who thankfully focused on Andrew instead of her.
Andrew froze as he was suddenly the center of attention for a not small group of women. “Damn it, Chris.” He grumbled under his breath, before letting out an awkward cough. “Sorry, uh… I didn't mean to interrupt. Just- here for a friend.” He gestured to Jade, hoping to draw some of the heat off himself.
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“Can you sew?” One of the women asked.
“Uh… not really?” Andrew replied hesitantly. He knew basically how to thread a needle and push it through some fabric, maybe tying a knot at the end, but that was it.
“Well, at the Seamstress Club, there are only two ways you can stay. You can sew, or you can model.” The woman grinned, holding up a beautiful dress she was close to finishing, other women flashing grins of their own as they held up garments as well.
Andrew's eyes widened a bit at the garments, some of which were clearly not meant to be worn without a second layer, glancing at Jade, who seemed to be struggling to suppress her own amusement at his situation. His expression twisted slightly as he let out a sigh. “Fine, if you really want to see me walking around in a dress, I'll play along, but my underwear stays on.” He warned, glancing pointedly at one of the women holding up a pair of lacy panties as he took a seat next to Jade. “And Chris, you're going to owe me big time for this.” He added under his breath.
“Chris sent you?” Jade asked.
“There aren't many other ways to appear out of nowhere, are there?” Andrew rolled his eyes. “But yeah, he asked me to help you make some friends, or at least keep you company so you feel a bit more comfortable.”
Jade blinked. “He did?”
“He did. However, he failed to mention you were at the Seamstress Club.” Andrew grumbled. It was fairly well known that men did not go to the Seamstress Club, and now he guessed he knew why.
“Oh model~” One of the women called, holding up a skirt for him.
Andrew scowled at the skirt, before turning to Jade. “You better start making some friends.” He grumbled as he got up.
“Would you like to take your pants off, or should I?” The woman asked with a smirk as Andrew approached.
Andrew raised an eyebrow, spreading his arms. “Be my guest.”
The woman paused, her brow creasing slightly. “I don't think your lady friend would appreciate another woman taking your pants off.”
Andrew frowned. “Why- oh, no, me and Jade aren't anything. Just friends. Kind of. More like acquaintances? She's more involved with Chris than me.”
The woman gave him a skeptical look. “You would put up with being our model for a simple acquaintance?”
Andrew paused. “I guess? Though I'm doing it more for Chris… also, this wouldn't be my first time playing model for an overeager seamstress.” Though admittedly he'd been a woman at the time… not something he was about to share. Giving these women any indication that he might be the Spirit Eternal would probably put them all on edge and defeat the point of him being here in the first place.
“Then… you enjoy being dressed in women's clothing?” The woman asked cautiously.
Andrew snorted. “Not particularly, no. It's more… if the worst thing that happened to me today is wearing a skirt, then it's a pretty good day, right? I've done worse things in my life. Wearing a skirt doesn't even make my list.” Maybe Chris was rubbing off on him, but caring about something like the type of clothes he was wearing just seemed like a waste of energy. Wearing a skirt wasn't a choice he'd personally make, but if that's what he had to do today, so be it.
The woman clicked her tongue. “So I guess there's no driving you out of here, is there?”
Andrew grinned. “Nope. I promised a friend I'd keep his friend company, so she could feel comfortable making new friends. As long as she's here, so am I. You wouldn't drive out a poor girl just trying to make some friends, would you?”
“You wish.” The woman snorted, before starting to smirk again. “Now let's get you out of those pants.”
*
Jade felt a warmth build within her chest as she watched Andrew put up with a woman pulling off his pants and putting a skirt on him, all the women oohing and ahhing, some yelling out directions for him to follow as he modeled the skirt for them. She knew how big it was for Chris to pay enough attention to her to notice she was struggling, and even more how much it took for him to actually think of sending someone to help her. A smile tugged at her lips. Was he actually starting to care about her? The thought almost made her feel giddy!
“You two must be pretty close for him to put up with Gisela's teasing like that.” One of the women commented as she moved to Jade's table.
Jade stiffened slightly at the sudden intrusion, but after glancing at what Andrew was putting up with, she took a deep breath and turned to the woman. She could do this. “We're not, actually. He's a friend of the man I am close to, but couldn't be here.”
“Is that so?” The woman muttered curiously, eyeing Andrew strangely for a moment, before shaking her head. “I'm Sheila.”
“Jade.” Jade smiled in return.
“How long have you been a part of the Eternal Sect?” Sheila asked.
“Since the beginning.” Jade replied.
Sheila frowned. “Are you a seamstress? I don't believe I've seen you around, and I thought I knew every seamstress in the sect.”
Jade hesitated. “No, but I'm hoping to become one. I've found that my life lacks… balance, and I think pursuing the art of a seamstress would- help me become more stable.”
“You lack balance?” Sheila muttered, looking confused. “In what way?”
Jade flushed. “I've recently become aware that my focus of late has been rather… singular. Possibly to an unhealthy degree. I hope that by diversifying my interests, I can moderate my focus and return it to a passion, rather than an obsession.”
Sheila glanced at Andrew, smirking slightly as she put together the pieces from Jade's statements. “Yes, a woman should have more than just a man in her life.” She commented as Jade's flush deepened. “Let me see what you've been working on, maybe I can give you some advice?”
“Oh, it's- I've just been practicing my needle work.” Jade shook her head, hiding her mass of fabric, embarrassed. She'd been reminded of the roses she'd seen in the garden with Chris and begun turning the fabric into one, but it was nothing compared to what these women did.
“Well let me see. Needlework is the foundation of a good seamstress after all. You can design the most beautiful dress in the world, but it's pointless if it falls apart in a stiff breeze.” Sheila insisted. Now Jade was doubly embarrassed, sure that her needle work would be subpar as well, but she couldn't resist Sheila's insistent gaze, slowly pulling the fabric out and handing it over. “Oh my.” Sheila gasped as she saw Jade's creation. The stitching was practically invisible, the petals delicately shaped and tightly packed, and even unfinished it was a beautiful rendition of the flower it mimicked. It wasn't the most impressive piece she'd ever seen, but it was far better than anything she'd expect from someone so young and inexperienced.
Jade's expression twisted, looking away as she mistook Sheila's gasp for judgment instead of awe. “I know, it's not very good…”
“Not very good?” Sheila asked incredulously as she looked up, thinking Jade was playing with her, but when she saw the abject shame apparent on her face, her expression softened. “Dear, this is some of the finest needlework I've ever seen, and this rose! How did you manage to pack the petals so tightly while still maintaining this level of softness? I'm not even sure I'm capable of this! If you're truly as inexperienced as you say, you are quite possibly one of the most talented seamstresses I've ever seen!”
Jade turned to her, wide-eyed. “R-really?”
Sheila smiled. “Really. Come, come, show me how you did this! Maybe if we finish quickly enough, we can turn it into a hair ornament for our model.” She smirked, gesturing to Andrew, who was currently being stuffed into a dress just a bit too small, looking very uncomfortable despite his earlier claims that the clothing didn't bother him. Though maybe that had more to do with the women who were crowding him as they dressed him, getting just a bit too excited to add their creations to his ensemble.
Jade hesitated. “That seems cruel to do when he's going through this because of me…”
Sheila rolled her eyes. “Please, dear. Sacrificing their dignity for women is what men do. I assure you, the more you add to his suffering here, and the better he bears it, the happier he'll be in the end.” Sheila gestured to a few of the younger women who had begun almost competing for the right to dress Andrew, glaring at each other fiercely behind his back.
Jade paused, considering her words and the frenzy around Andrew for a moment. “Maybe we could make him a bouquet?”