[Episode 125659] [Episode 125659]Ranma was actually quite happy when she led Akane and Kodachi back to their cells. She had told Kodachi to clean up the gym and spot Akane finishing her last exercise. That meant that she could change disguises from Severa to Ashes in leisure without having to hurry and later would not have to go back to the gym to clean up.
Having Kodachi here could seriously free up Ranma's schedule and it looked like today would not be nearly as hectic as the days before.
In the dungeon Ranma put first Kodachi in her cell and then a few doors down locked Akane in hers. She was on her way to the Kitchen contemplating what extravagant meals she could attempt with all the time on her hands when she was rudely yanked of her path.
"Not so fast servant girl," Kodachi demanded.
The crazed gymnast had let herself out of her unlocked cell and taken hold of Ranma's shoulder as she walked past.
"Miss Kodachi," Ranma acknowledged meekly trying to stay in character.
"I wanted to enquire why the tailor has not been to see me yet," Kodachi explained, "Akane says that she came to her soon after she moved in. I just wanted to ensure that I have not been forgotten. I really can't walk around the castle in my school uniform forever. People will start talking about my lack of veil for one thing."
Ranma considered this complaint. Kodachi cared what other people thought about her outfit? The same Kodachi that usually ran around Nerima in just her gymnastics leotard?
"I would like the tailor to come around as soon as possible so that she can at least take my measurements and hear my preferences," Kodachi told her.
"I will pass your message along," Ranma promised reluctantly.
"Fine than you can go now." Kodachi released her.
As Ranma slowly made her way to where she had left the tailor's costume and props she could hear Kodachi calling after her "And don't dawdle!"
Some time later Ranma now in the costume of the tailor opened the door of Kodachi's cell.
"Ah, you must be Mrs. Brave," Kodachi greeted.
Somehow the girl managed to appear friendly, arrogant and helpless at the same time. Inviting someone in to your unlocked cell could have that effect, especially if you had earlier chained yourself to the wall again.
Not quite knowing how to react to Kodachi's antics Ranma decided to ignore her strange behavior altogether and act as if everything she did was quite normal.
"Yes, I am Mrs. Brave the royal tailor," Ranma admitted. "You have let the maid know, that you wanted to see me about getting proper garments?"
"I would not want to cause a scene by wearing such outlandish clothing any longer than necessary, " Kodachi explained gesturing to her school uniform," I am given to understand that it is part of etiquette for women to veil their faces here, for example. I had hoped that you could provide me with clothing that would help me fit in better. And I must say, that I really like what you have done for Akane. Are any of the other outfits I might have seen your work?"
"Except for the guards uniforms which are traditional I made most of the clothes you would have seen here in the castle," Ranma answered truthfully.
"Excellent! It will be such a pleasure to work with somebody who appears to knows their craft!" Kodachi exclaimed giving a short version of her customary laugh of delight.
Ranma was unused to somebody actually complimenting her on her work especially when it was not something she took much pride in, so she decide to focus on the 'work with'-part of Kodachi's declaration instead: "And what exactly were you planing to contribute, young lady?"
"I have already taken the liberty of sketching some designs that I really think would show of my qualities and help me fit in," Kodachi announced.
She tried to reach for a small stack of papers on her cot that Ranma had not previously noticed. Ranma bent over the papers while Kodachi tried to strain at her chains.
"I know, they are not very good," Kodachi admitted, "but they are the best I could do in such a short time with the materials at hand. I managed to borrow a pencil and some sheets of paper from my fellow prisoner, but she only had one color and the lightening here is not very good."
Ranma was no longer trying to understand Kodachi's self-image as a prisoner. If she thought that letting herself out of her cell, going to visit Akane in her cell to borrow some writing materials and then going back to her own cell to chain herself to a wall was normal then that was okay for Ranma. She only hoped that Kodachi had relocked Akane's door after she was done.
Ranma was instead focussing on the designs Kodachi had drawn. To Ranma's surprise Kodachi had been wrong: They were good; very good even. Ranma had had no idea that Kodachi was in any way artistically talented.
The model in the designs was drawn without much detail, but still recognizable as Kodachi. The various garments were the main focus of her drawings. There usually were views from several sides and details were shown in close-ups. Arrows pointing to various parts of the black and white sketches gave information about the intended materials, patterns and colors.
"Those are good," Ranma told Kodachi honestly impressed.
Kodachi who had given up on straining her chains to reach the designs beamed at the compliment.
"I notice that you have a preference for the color black," Ranma added seeing a pattern among the various different designs.
Ranma had also noticed another common pattern shared by all the designs; they were all very revealing, but Ranma thought it best not to mention that after admitting to being responsible for Akane's, Ashes' and Severa's outfits.
"I take it this one was inspired by Severa's outfit." Ranma held up a sketch of Kodachi largely covered in skintight black leather.
"They say that Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but I fear that Severa might not feel that way. Besides that outfit would take a long to get in and out of and if I understand your situation correctly you will have to do a lot of stripping on short notice." Ranma criticiZed Kodachi's design.
"It does have zippers for easy access to all the important parts," Kodachi defended her sketch, "but If you feel that Mistress Severa might take offence, we should perhaps drop that design from consideration in favor of one that is less blatant in its homage."
"Like these two here perhaps?" Ranma now inspected two further designs that featured black leather. One was swimsuit-like one-piece. Kodachi had helpfully added little details that made it clear that the garment was indeed skintight and that she did not intend to wear anything underneath. The other was a combination of miniskirt and vest. A very short miniskirt and a very small vest that did not even close in the front. Motion lines in the drawing indicated that the later outfit would expose the wearer if she was foolish enough to make any sudden or expansive movements. Walking without showing of what she was wearing under her skirt would be difficult and the vest was liable to reveal even more of her breasts than it already did with every deep breath she made.
Ranma put them in the maybe pile.
A design that featured a lot of black latex covering the model from head to toe was rejected on grounds of impracticability and resemblance to Severa's outfit. While a latex version of Kodachi's usual gymnastics leotard was added to the possible candidates.
Several other variations on the leotard theme in a variety of different materials and cuts were also added to the maybe pile.
A leotard design Kodachi had specified to be in very thin very sheer lycra was only added to that group after Kodachi had agreed to have the small non see-through rose logo on it expanded and placed in such a way that it covered most of her crotch and nipples.
A design that appeared rather modest if somewhat tight at first glance was almost rejected when Ranma discovered that the main material Kodachi had choosen for it was bodypaint. Kodachi had to admit that it would take to much work to reapply it regularly but wanted the idea to be kept in mind for special occasions.
Ranma agreed to that reluctantly, but flat out refused the one that only consisted of a cape and lots of jewelry on price grounds.
In the end they had a fairly sizable stack of definite maybe designs.
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(Posted Mon, 29 Nov 2004 01:39)
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