[Log] Yumichika, Ryuuken
Title: Queer Eye for the Bi Guy
Characters: Yumichika (day_eight), Ryuuken (thenakedcat)
Rating: PG
Timeline: August 17, 2007
Summary: Ryuuken needs to ditch the cross-patterned ties, for once. Yumi is MORE THAN HAPPY to assist.
Yumichika was seated on a plush, navy blue chair that was shaped like a stiletto shoe. He knew the piece of furniture was unbelievably cheesy, but he liked it. Any moron with the faintest inkling of a sense of fashion could truly appreciate the beauty of a stiletto shoe. His gaze wandered across his office, admiring how tastefully it was decorated. Someone with impeccable style must have designed this room, he thought with a smirk. Really impeccable style.
Smoothing a stray strand of hair back into place, he glanced at the large plasma television on the wall, forever stuck on MTV. Even though he knew the overrated channel was extremely cliché, he couldn’t help but be amused by the horrible reality shows that were captivating America’s youth. It was a fun little reminder of how inane people really were. He glanced over at the clock and ran his hands down the front of his purple Adam Lippes sweater.
In just a couple minutes, he would be meeting with a rather interesting client-Ryuuken Ishida. The young designer had, of course, heard about the man, but had never met him. He was looking forward to finding out if what he had heard was true. From what he had gathered, Ryuuken was an excellent businessman with a formidable temper. Although some people would have been intimidated after hearing such things, Yumi personally tried to refrain from drawing his own conclusions until actually meeting a person. As much as he loved gossip, he realized that most rumors were often exaggerated, if not completely fabricated.
Getting up, he stepped over to the walk-in closet and pulled out the outfits that he had prepared. He had spoken to Mr. Ishida on the phone, and had pieced together some things that he thought the man would appreciate. Walking over to the small dressing room in the corner of the office, he opened the door and hung the clothes up on the hooks inside. After checking his appearance in the mirror that hung from the door, he made his way back to the shoe-chair and returned his attention to The Real World.
There was a faint knock on the door, followed by his secretary poking her head into the room. “Mr. Ayasegawa, your two o’clock is here.”
Grabbing the remote from the small table to his left, Yumi turned the television on 'mute' and stood. "Please show him in."
"The 2 o'clock" walked in with the slightly apprehensive air usually seen in men buying lingerie for their wives...except that in Ryuuken's strange little personal world, he was the one who got lingerie for Christmas. Trying to dress like a socially-acceptable member of the male gender was more the challenge for him. Outside of work, at least. Suits were easy enough once you got the hang of them. But special occasions had the potential to really trip him up. Thus, any time that his attendance was absolutely required at some four-start event, he had to have someone else dress him in appropriately masculine style.
Even if he was sorely tempted to go in a gown and heels. And that massive stiletto was not making the temptation any less. It was downright taunting him, and he had a hard time pulling his eyes away. When he did, the tiny, feline man standing next to the chair didn't give him much less pause.
"Mr. Ayasegawa? I hope you're ready to begin immediately. I have an appointment across town at 4." He glanced back at the shoe again. "And I do hope you remember my stated preferences."
"It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Mr. Ishida," the designer replied, stepping forward to shake the older man's hand. He ran an appraising eye over Ryuuken, letting his gaze linger for only as long as was polite. There was something about Mr. Ishida that spoke of subtle power, and Yumi instantly knew that this was not someone he wanted to disappoint. Smiling graciously, he motioned towards the dressing room and inclined his head.
"Of course I remember," he assured the man. "I don't easily forget someone's preferences on style once I've heard them. There are a few outfits inside there that I hope will suit your tastes. Once you try them on, I'll be able to see if any adjustments need to be made to make them fit just right."
Following Ryuuken's gaze towards the shoe, he grinned sheepishly and smoothed down the front of his shirt. "I realize a stiletto isn't exactly the most business-like piece of furniture," he confessed, "but this is a place of fashion, after all. Something about good design always manages to put me at ease."
"I keep expecting a giantess in a blue suede suit to come looking for it," Ryuuken mumbled as he shut himself in the dressing room. He gave himself a mental shakedown to get back on track. It would be unfortunate indeed if he missed his 4PM because of how off-putting this experience was.
As he surveyed the options Yumichika had chosen for him, his shoes, jacket, belt and tie made a neat pile on the bench. His requests had been honored--for the most part. Nothing fussy, nothing striking, cool neutral colors. Except for that flash of red silk at the bottom of the stack, everything was somber enough. Yet as he slipped on the linen shirt that hung open halfway down his chest and topped it with the narrow-collared corduroy jacket, there was a creeping sense of wrong.
Ryuuken opened the door of the dressing room and leaned out to remark, "Mr. Ayasegawa, I take it your clientele is generally under 40?"
It seemed as if Mr. Ishida had a decent sense of humor. Yumi chuckled at the joke, if it had indeed been a joke, and leaned up against one of the walls. He felt a bit of anticipation tingle in the pit of his stomach as he waited for the other man to try on the clothes. It was his first time putting together outfits for Mr. Ishida, and as with any first encounter, there was always a chance of failure. Although he was confident enough in his abilities to be sure that everything would look great on the other man, he wasn't exactly positive that Mr. Ishida would approve of it all.
The dressing room's door swung open to reveal Ryuuken's face. Yumi blinked and tilted his head. Such a comment suggested that perhaps one of the outfits was a bit too... youthful for the man's preferences. It was probably true - the designer knew full well that his own taste was a tad trendy, to say the least. "Ah, yes, that's correct," he replied, smiling sheepishly. "One of those outfits might be a touch too contemporary, so it's quite all right if you don't like it. I do hope that the other things are to your satisfaction, however."
"'Contemporary' is the polite word for it..." Ryuuken muttered, ducking back into the dressing room. 'Faddish' was the term he would have chosen. Some styles just didn't stand the test of time, while others could always be fresh.
He put the offending garments back on the hanger as he took them off...although he left the collar on the shirt askew as a petty revenge against the thing. So what else was in the stack, and was it any better than the first outfit? The red silk was still mocking him, making him grumpily admit that it would look lovely as a cheongsam. But instead he picked up the outfit on top of it.
This was certainly more "classic" than the first one--a Nehru-collared suit in silvery-gray raw silk. It didn't feel like putting on someone else's skin, and it managed to make his odd combination of Asian and European look natural.
He liked it enough to step out into the larger office and examine himself in the triple mirror. Hmmmm. It didn't make his butt look fat or anything, but....
"Perhaps too far in the other direction? It is a party in a nightclub, after all. I don't want to look like I came to give a lecture on feng shui."
Yumi's grey eyes lit up when Ryuuken stepped out to stand in front of the mirror. The color of the shirt was gorgeous, as was its texture and shape. It would need to be tailored a bit - taken in at the sides and altered in the shoulders - but it was, overall, a nice look for the older man.
That sentiment, however, was apparently his alone. He chuckled lightly at Mr. Ishida's witty remark and scratched his chin. "Well then," he replied. "Now we know what to dress you in if you ever do start giving lectures."
It seemed as if the first two outfits were not going to work. Yumi shrugged and sighed quietly, looking down and smoothing his hands over his shirt, and then his pants. He hadn't exactly expected Mr. Ishida to like everything that he had prepared. Everyone had their own unique tastes, and that was part of what made his job so exciting. It wasn't too hard to find clothes that would look fantastic on a person, but finding clothes that would look fantastic and suit their personal preferences took talent, patience, and natural skill. Well, that's what Yumi liked to believe, anyways.
The next and final outfit would be the true deal maker or breaker. It was something that Yumi had invested a bit of time in, since he had chosen to make the clothes instead of buy them. He was pretty sure that Ryuuken would like it, but given his luck so far, he wasn't exactly bursting with confidence.
So it was back into the closet once again, and this time Ryuuken couldn't get around being confronted by the silky, red....well, it would be unfair to call it a monstrosity, considering how sleek and well-made it was. Hand-tailored, in fact. He was enough of a perfectionist to recognize a job well done even if fashion wasn't his specialty.
It wasn't at all what he'd been expecting, but then it would be unfair not to give something so lovingly made a try...
He slipped on the sleeveless tunic, noting how smoothly it wrapped around his torso and how soft it felt against his skin, then the pair of loose black pants. As he twisted this way and that in the limited space of the dressing room, the outfit was beginning to grow on him. It hadn't just been made well, it had been made with him in mind. It was formal without being overwhelming, and emphasized the fact that, even at a silver-haired 47, Ryuuken was still physically attractive.
This time when he left the dressing room, the flowing fabric of the pants emphasized the panther in his walk. He paused in front of the mirrors, hand on his hip, and something that was almost a smile flitted over his face.
This outfit was definitely leagues better than the other two. It fit Ryuuken's frame perfectly, fluidly hugging the older man's body and drawing attention to all the right places. Yumichika stepped forward and continued to admire the beautiful clothing with sparkling eyes. He was incredibly proud of his accomplishment, and hoped that Mr. Ishida would be satisfied with it, as well.
The barely noticeable curve of Ryuuken's lips suggested that Yumi had succeeded. Running his long fingers through his hair, the designer smiled graciously and tilted his head. "It's absolutely amazing," he said, walking around to get a better view.
It always gave Yumi a deep sense of satisfaction whenever he happened to construct a flawless outfit. Although he knew that this particular one wasn't exactly what Mr. Ishida had been expecting, he had taken it upon himself to design something that he thought would suit both the man's taste and figure. There was a bit of risk involved in his job, and it never failed to make his day to see one of his creations come to life on the person it was intended for.
He rubbed the back of his neck and stepped to the side. "I know it's not exactly like what we discussed on the phone, but I have to admit that I'm rather proud of it."
Clearly the designer was looking for some more direct confirmation that this was the right outfit. Ryuuken didn't say anything, just swept into the first few steps of what seemed to be an elegant but erotic cross between ballet and bump and grind. The clothes stayed true to his form even as he swayed.
He ended a pirouette facing Yumichika. "Did someone tip you off that I used to be a dancer? Or was this just an intuition?"
Was Mr. Ishida... dancing? Yumichika was surprised, to say the least. Although, he had to admit that those were some pretty decent moves. Who would have thought that the managing editor of the most popular magazine in the city would have been able to shake his booty like that?
He cleared his throat and blinked. "I can honestly say that I had no idea," he said, a genuine smile edging away his surprised expression. "But it seems to me like you could definitely still be one, if you so wished."
One hand slid sensuously down Ryuuken's side from rib to thigh, admiring the tailoring that hugged his body. "I paid my way through college by dancing for rich old men...this isn't so far from what I wore on those rare occasions when I danced clothed."
He raised an eyebrow. "To my inexpert gaze, this does not seem to need any alterations before the party. What say you?"
Ah... that kind of dancer. Although Yumi had never considered that particular profession for himself, he did have to admit that it took a special kind of confidence to strip in front of a group of people. Since self-assurance was on his list of things that just had to be admired, this new tidbit of information only made him respect Mr. Ishida a little more.
He walked around again and observed the outfit for a second time. It was absolutely flawless. Getting clothes to fit that perfectly on the first try was something that wasn't exactly a common skill. "It couldn't get any better than it already is," he replied, his hand finding its way to his slim hip. "Of course, you might want to add a couple pieces of jewelry... just as a finishing touch."
Ryuuken had no shame about the time he had spent employed as a go-go boy. It had been a welcome change from the repression of Catholic school, his fellow dancers had been pleasant enough, and he had even dated one of his female customers for a brief time. If he didn't often mention it now, it was mostly because those days were simply so far away in so many ways.
He smiled just a little at Yumichika's suggestion of jewelry, and went back to the dressing room to fetch something Isshin had dropped in his coat pocket that afternoon. It was a "just because" gift, a set of silver bangles that chimed as he slipped them on his wrists. "Would this be appropriate, then?"
The thin bracelets were absolutely perfect. Ryuuken had definitely come prepared. Yumi grinned and nodded enthusiastically, admiring the pleasant sound that the bangles made when they clinked together. Jewelry had the power to make or break an outfit. Most people would go for large, extravagant pieces that did not match what they were wearing. Something like a cascade of diamonds or an elaborate gold necklace would often take away from an ensemble, rather than add to it. The simple adornments that Mr. Ishida had brought out, however, were classy and fit his look to a tee.
"Definitely," he replied, tilting his head and taking in the entire outfit for a second time. "You look stunning." He breathed an inaudible sigh of relief, grateful that he had managed to make something that they could both agree on.
There was a faint glow to Ryuuken's cheeks at the praise. It had been a long, long time since anyone besides Isshin had said such things to him. "Well, then...I trust you'll be there at the party to admire your handiwork?"
He WAS going to pay the designer, of course, but it would be rude not to extend an invitation in addition.
The Soul Society 25th Anniversary party was already the most talked about event of the year, and it hadn't even happened yet. Anyone who was worth anything would be certain to make an appearance that night. Yumi always tried to attend all of the important parties that he heard about, and this one was no exception.
"I wouldn't miss it for the world," he said, smiling in appreciation. Although he never had a problem getting into events, it always helped to be invited by one of the hosts. "I hear it's going to be quite the celebration."
Ryuuken cast one more admiring glance in the mirror--and flicked his wrist for one more pretty jingle--then headed back to the dressing room. Four o'clock was fast approaching, after all, and the traffic was particularly bad that day.
"If it isn't quite the celebration, then I fail at planning. Not that Isshin doesn't deserve it for 25 years of building the magazine up from nothing."
Yumi was certain that the party would end up being one of the year's best. Major magazines didn't turn twenty-five every day, after all. The conversation reminded him that he still needed to figure out what he was going to wear for the big event. Maybe something classic, but unique at the same time. He didn't like to blend in with the crowd - but he didn't like to stand out too much, either.
"I'm sure it will be great," he replied. Glancing at his reflection in the mirror, he tugged on the bottom of his shirt and adjusted his belt so that the buckle was in the exact center of his hips. "Although, I imagine planning something so big can be a bit stressful, no?"
Ryuuken emerged from the dressing room, no longer a sensual being right on the lines between East and West and straight and queer. Now he was just a gray suit ready to join the sea and blend seamlessly.
"I'm sure event planning is less stressful if it's one's full-time job. However, running after florists and caterers while ALSO supervising my full-time employees is a bit much,"
He smiled inwardly at the way Yumichika primped in every free moment like a cat licking itself.
Yumi faced Mr. Ishida and nodded in acknowledgment. He didn't envy the other man one bit. Organizing such a large event while juggling a regular job was not something that he wanted to attempt any time soon - or ever, for that matter.
"Well, at least you don't have to worry about what you'll wear," he said. Although it was only a small detail, he was glad that he had given Ryuuken one less thing to do.
"I hope you'll give me a call if you ever need an outfit for another occasion."
A rare hint of a smile, something that took Ryuuken's face from cold marble to something alive and beautiful. "Your number is in my Rolodex, for certain. Send the invoice to my office address whenever you please. Good afternoon, Mr. Ayasegawa."
Characters: Yumichika (day_eight), Ryuuken (thenakedcat)
Rating: PG
Timeline: August 17, 2007
Summary: Ryuuken needs to ditch the cross-patterned ties, for once. Yumi is MORE THAN HAPPY to assist.
Yumichika was seated on a plush, navy blue chair that was shaped like a stiletto shoe. He knew the piece of furniture was unbelievably cheesy, but he liked it. Any moron with the faintest inkling of a sense of fashion could truly appreciate the beauty of a stiletto shoe. His gaze wandered across his office, admiring how tastefully it was decorated. Someone with impeccable style must have designed this room, he thought with a smirk. Really impeccable style.
Smoothing a stray strand of hair back into place, he glanced at the large plasma television on the wall, forever stuck on MTV. Even though he knew the overrated channel was extremely cliché, he couldn’t help but be amused by the horrible reality shows that were captivating America’s youth. It was a fun little reminder of how inane people really were. He glanced over at the clock and ran his hands down the front of his purple Adam Lippes sweater.
In just a couple minutes, he would be meeting with a rather interesting client-Ryuuken Ishida. The young designer had, of course, heard about the man, but had never met him. He was looking forward to finding out if what he had heard was true. From what he had gathered, Ryuuken was an excellent businessman with a formidable temper. Although some people would have been intimidated after hearing such things, Yumi personally tried to refrain from drawing his own conclusions until actually meeting a person. As much as he loved gossip, he realized that most rumors were often exaggerated, if not completely fabricated.
Getting up, he stepped over to the walk-in closet and pulled out the outfits that he had prepared. He had spoken to Mr. Ishida on the phone, and had pieced together some things that he thought the man would appreciate. Walking over to the small dressing room in the corner of the office, he opened the door and hung the clothes up on the hooks inside. After checking his appearance in the mirror that hung from the door, he made his way back to the shoe-chair and returned his attention to The Real World.
There was a faint knock on the door, followed by his secretary poking her head into the room. “Mr. Ayasegawa, your two o’clock is here.”
Grabbing the remote from the small table to his left, Yumi turned the television on 'mute' and stood. "Please show him in."
"The 2 o'clock" walked in with the slightly apprehensive air usually seen in men buying lingerie for their wives...except that in Ryuuken's strange little personal world, he was the one who got lingerie for Christmas. Trying to dress like a socially-acceptable member of the male gender was more the challenge for him. Outside of work, at least. Suits were easy enough once you got the hang of them. But special occasions had the potential to really trip him up. Thus, any time that his attendance was absolutely required at some four-start event, he had to have someone else dress him in appropriately masculine style.
Even if he was sorely tempted to go in a gown and heels. And that massive stiletto was not making the temptation any less. It was downright taunting him, and he had a hard time pulling his eyes away. When he did, the tiny, feline man standing next to the chair didn't give him much less pause.
"Mr. Ayasegawa? I hope you're ready to begin immediately. I have an appointment across town at 4." He glanced back at the shoe again. "And I do hope you remember my stated preferences."
"It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Mr. Ishida," the designer replied, stepping forward to shake the older man's hand. He ran an appraising eye over Ryuuken, letting his gaze linger for only as long as was polite. There was something about Mr. Ishida that spoke of subtle power, and Yumi instantly knew that this was not someone he wanted to disappoint. Smiling graciously, he motioned towards the dressing room and inclined his head.
"Of course I remember," he assured the man. "I don't easily forget someone's preferences on style once I've heard them. There are a few outfits inside there that I hope will suit your tastes. Once you try them on, I'll be able to see if any adjustments need to be made to make them fit just right."
Following Ryuuken's gaze towards the shoe, he grinned sheepishly and smoothed down the front of his shirt. "I realize a stiletto isn't exactly the most business-like piece of furniture," he confessed, "but this is a place of fashion, after all. Something about good design always manages to put me at ease."
"I keep expecting a giantess in a blue suede suit to come looking for it," Ryuuken mumbled as he shut himself in the dressing room. He gave himself a mental shakedown to get back on track. It would be unfortunate indeed if he missed his 4PM because of how off-putting this experience was.
As he surveyed the options Yumichika had chosen for him, his shoes, jacket, belt and tie made a neat pile on the bench. His requests had been honored--for the most part. Nothing fussy, nothing striking, cool neutral colors. Except for that flash of red silk at the bottom of the stack, everything was somber enough. Yet as he slipped on the linen shirt that hung open halfway down his chest and topped it with the narrow-collared corduroy jacket, there was a creeping sense of wrong.
Ryuuken opened the door of the dressing room and leaned out to remark, "Mr. Ayasegawa, I take it your clientele is generally under 40?"
It seemed as if Mr. Ishida had a decent sense of humor. Yumi chuckled at the joke, if it had indeed been a joke, and leaned up against one of the walls. He felt a bit of anticipation tingle in the pit of his stomach as he waited for the other man to try on the clothes. It was his first time putting together outfits for Mr. Ishida, and as with any first encounter, there was always a chance of failure. Although he was confident enough in his abilities to be sure that everything would look great on the other man, he wasn't exactly positive that Mr. Ishida would approve of it all.
The dressing room's door swung open to reveal Ryuuken's face. Yumi blinked and tilted his head. Such a comment suggested that perhaps one of the outfits was a bit too... youthful for the man's preferences. It was probably true - the designer knew full well that his own taste was a tad trendy, to say the least. "Ah, yes, that's correct," he replied, smiling sheepishly. "One of those outfits might be a touch too contemporary, so it's quite all right if you don't like it. I do hope that the other things are to your satisfaction, however."
"'Contemporary' is the polite word for it..." Ryuuken muttered, ducking back into the dressing room. 'Faddish' was the term he would have chosen. Some styles just didn't stand the test of time, while others could always be fresh.
He put the offending garments back on the hanger as he took them off...although he left the collar on the shirt askew as a petty revenge against the thing. So what else was in the stack, and was it any better than the first outfit? The red silk was still mocking him, making him grumpily admit that it would look lovely as a cheongsam. But instead he picked up the outfit on top of it.
This was certainly more "classic" than the first one--a Nehru-collared suit in silvery-gray raw silk. It didn't feel like putting on someone else's skin, and it managed to make his odd combination of Asian and European look natural.
He liked it enough to step out into the larger office and examine himself in the triple mirror. Hmmmm. It didn't make his butt look fat or anything, but....
"Perhaps too far in the other direction? It is a party in a nightclub, after all. I don't want to look like I came to give a lecture on feng shui."
Yumi's grey eyes lit up when Ryuuken stepped out to stand in front of the mirror. The color of the shirt was gorgeous, as was its texture and shape. It would need to be tailored a bit - taken in at the sides and altered in the shoulders - but it was, overall, a nice look for the older man.
That sentiment, however, was apparently his alone. He chuckled lightly at Mr. Ishida's witty remark and scratched his chin. "Well then," he replied. "Now we know what to dress you in if you ever do start giving lectures."
It seemed as if the first two outfits were not going to work. Yumi shrugged and sighed quietly, looking down and smoothing his hands over his shirt, and then his pants. He hadn't exactly expected Mr. Ishida to like everything that he had prepared. Everyone had their own unique tastes, and that was part of what made his job so exciting. It wasn't too hard to find clothes that would look fantastic on a person, but finding clothes that would look fantastic and suit their personal preferences took talent, patience, and natural skill. Well, that's what Yumi liked to believe, anyways.
The next and final outfit would be the true deal maker or breaker. It was something that Yumi had invested a bit of time in, since he had chosen to make the clothes instead of buy them. He was pretty sure that Ryuuken would like it, but given his luck so far, he wasn't exactly bursting with confidence.
So it was back into the closet once again, and this time Ryuuken couldn't get around being confronted by the silky, red....well, it would be unfair to call it a monstrosity, considering how sleek and well-made it was. Hand-tailored, in fact. He was enough of a perfectionist to recognize a job well done even if fashion wasn't his specialty.
It wasn't at all what he'd been expecting, but then it would be unfair not to give something so lovingly made a try...
He slipped on the sleeveless tunic, noting how smoothly it wrapped around his torso and how soft it felt against his skin, then the pair of loose black pants. As he twisted this way and that in the limited space of the dressing room, the outfit was beginning to grow on him. It hadn't just been made well, it had been made with him in mind. It was formal without being overwhelming, and emphasized the fact that, even at a silver-haired 47, Ryuuken was still physically attractive.
This time when he left the dressing room, the flowing fabric of the pants emphasized the panther in his walk. He paused in front of the mirrors, hand on his hip, and something that was almost a smile flitted over his face.
This outfit was definitely leagues better than the other two. It fit Ryuuken's frame perfectly, fluidly hugging the older man's body and drawing attention to all the right places. Yumichika stepped forward and continued to admire the beautiful clothing with sparkling eyes. He was incredibly proud of his accomplishment, and hoped that Mr. Ishida would be satisfied with it, as well.
The barely noticeable curve of Ryuuken's lips suggested that Yumi had succeeded. Running his long fingers through his hair, the designer smiled graciously and tilted his head. "It's absolutely amazing," he said, walking around to get a better view.
It always gave Yumi a deep sense of satisfaction whenever he happened to construct a flawless outfit. Although he knew that this particular one wasn't exactly what Mr. Ishida had been expecting, he had taken it upon himself to design something that he thought would suit both the man's taste and figure. There was a bit of risk involved in his job, and it never failed to make his day to see one of his creations come to life on the person it was intended for.
He rubbed the back of his neck and stepped to the side. "I know it's not exactly like what we discussed on the phone, but I have to admit that I'm rather proud of it."
Clearly the designer was looking for some more direct confirmation that this was the right outfit. Ryuuken didn't say anything, just swept into the first few steps of what seemed to be an elegant but erotic cross between ballet and bump and grind. The clothes stayed true to his form even as he swayed.
He ended a pirouette facing Yumichika. "Did someone tip you off that I used to be a dancer? Or was this just an intuition?"
Was Mr. Ishida... dancing? Yumichika was surprised, to say the least. Although, he had to admit that those were some pretty decent moves. Who would have thought that the managing editor of the most popular magazine in the city would have been able to shake his booty like that?
He cleared his throat and blinked. "I can honestly say that I had no idea," he said, a genuine smile edging away his surprised expression. "But it seems to me like you could definitely still be one, if you so wished."
One hand slid sensuously down Ryuuken's side from rib to thigh, admiring the tailoring that hugged his body. "I paid my way through college by dancing for rich old men...this isn't so far from what I wore on those rare occasions when I danced clothed."
He raised an eyebrow. "To my inexpert gaze, this does not seem to need any alterations before the party. What say you?"
Ah... that kind of dancer. Although Yumi had never considered that particular profession for himself, he did have to admit that it took a special kind of confidence to strip in front of a group of people. Since self-assurance was on his list of things that just had to be admired, this new tidbit of information only made him respect Mr. Ishida a little more.
He walked around again and observed the outfit for a second time. It was absolutely flawless. Getting clothes to fit that perfectly on the first try was something that wasn't exactly a common skill. "It couldn't get any better than it already is," he replied, his hand finding its way to his slim hip. "Of course, you might want to add a couple pieces of jewelry... just as a finishing touch."
Ryuuken had no shame about the time he had spent employed as a go-go boy. It had been a welcome change from the repression of Catholic school, his fellow dancers had been pleasant enough, and he had even dated one of his female customers for a brief time. If he didn't often mention it now, it was mostly because those days were simply so far away in so many ways.
He smiled just a little at Yumichika's suggestion of jewelry, and went back to the dressing room to fetch something Isshin had dropped in his coat pocket that afternoon. It was a "just because" gift, a set of silver bangles that chimed as he slipped them on his wrists. "Would this be appropriate, then?"
The thin bracelets were absolutely perfect. Ryuuken had definitely come prepared. Yumi grinned and nodded enthusiastically, admiring the pleasant sound that the bangles made when they clinked together. Jewelry had the power to make or break an outfit. Most people would go for large, extravagant pieces that did not match what they were wearing. Something like a cascade of diamonds or an elaborate gold necklace would often take away from an ensemble, rather than add to it. The simple adornments that Mr. Ishida had brought out, however, were classy and fit his look to a tee.
"Definitely," he replied, tilting his head and taking in the entire outfit for a second time. "You look stunning." He breathed an inaudible sigh of relief, grateful that he had managed to make something that they could both agree on.
There was a faint glow to Ryuuken's cheeks at the praise. It had been a long, long time since anyone besides Isshin had said such things to him. "Well, then...I trust you'll be there at the party to admire your handiwork?"
He WAS going to pay the designer, of course, but it would be rude not to extend an invitation in addition.
The Soul Society 25th Anniversary party was already the most talked about event of the year, and it hadn't even happened yet. Anyone who was worth anything would be certain to make an appearance that night. Yumi always tried to attend all of the important parties that he heard about, and this one was no exception.
"I wouldn't miss it for the world," he said, smiling in appreciation. Although he never had a problem getting into events, it always helped to be invited by one of the hosts. "I hear it's going to be quite the celebration."
Ryuuken cast one more admiring glance in the mirror--and flicked his wrist for one more pretty jingle--then headed back to the dressing room. Four o'clock was fast approaching, after all, and the traffic was particularly bad that day.
"If it isn't quite the celebration, then I fail at planning. Not that Isshin doesn't deserve it for 25 years of building the magazine up from nothing."
Yumi was certain that the party would end up being one of the year's best. Major magazines didn't turn twenty-five every day, after all. The conversation reminded him that he still needed to figure out what he was going to wear for the big event. Maybe something classic, but unique at the same time. He didn't like to blend in with the crowd - but he didn't like to stand out too much, either.
"I'm sure it will be great," he replied. Glancing at his reflection in the mirror, he tugged on the bottom of his shirt and adjusted his belt so that the buckle was in the exact center of his hips. "Although, I imagine planning something so big can be a bit stressful, no?"
Ryuuken emerged from the dressing room, no longer a sensual being right on the lines between East and West and straight and queer. Now he was just a gray suit ready to join the sea and blend seamlessly.
"I'm sure event planning is less stressful if it's one's full-time job. However, running after florists and caterers while ALSO supervising my full-time employees is a bit much,"
He smiled inwardly at the way Yumichika primped in every free moment like a cat licking itself.
Yumi faced Mr. Ishida and nodded in acknowledgment. He didn't envy the other man one bit. Organizing such a large event while juggling a regular job was not something that he wanted to attempt any time soon - or ever, for that matter.
"Well, at least you don't have to worry about what you'll wear," he said. Although it was only a small detail, he was glad that he had given Ryuuken one less thing to do.
"I hope you'll give me a call if you ever need an outfit for another occasion."
A rare hint of a smile, something that took Ryuuken's face from cold marble to something alive and beautiful. "Your number is in my Rolodex, for certain. Send the invoice to my office address whenever you please. Good afternoon, Mr. Ayasegawa."