Avalon

•24•

Time To Dress

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I'm sorry that I broke you down

I'm sorry that I thought it through

I'm sorry that I looked and run

I couldn't keep up, good enough

And with a flourish of a mantel-bird the first stage was there. They were coming in swarms of busy rumble and buzzing energy with flying measuring tapes and digital pads to acknowledge everybody's sizing and whatnots.

The annual departmental measuring for the Gala. Neal was petrified to the state of horror just by the sound of it. He really felt deep conflict of the event.

But Peter pushed through as if they were about to crack a case.

It was now about a week before they'd be gathered up for the stuff and it was anticipated maybe by the day Neal's monitoring device could come off already. He started to feel even worse after those news.

God, he'd do everything to get rid of it back home but here.... Here he had nothing else to attach. His severe detachment issues and terrible mental state alone should make him earn a granted place if not by Peter's side then possibly elsewhere. Most likely some institution for mental crackers.

He wasn't feeling up for it. Never was. It was a scary thought.

Maybe even more than the Gala.

He was lined up as the last of measurements for the day. Most departments had been up for it week before. Mostly due to them being regulars and just needing tiny smidges of adjustment for their suits.

Since they came from elsewhere and were the new crowd they get the last lineup. So be it. Neal dreaded anything and everything anyway. He was more nervous than ever but made attempt to keep himself in. Not a hitch out of place. He just must be ready for the stuff. Because there could be an easy out if he truly needed. They could take his sizes and then on the day he'd make himself sick and stay in his room until it was done.

The insecurities flooding out of the man and all he could do was to plaster his fakest of dazzling smiles on his face and bedazzle the elderly woman coming for his robes. Because obviously there was an intricate procedure in the whole thing and they'd need various dress ups.

Besides somebody decided it would do good if he got sized already for his future suits and clothing as he would be due for test time over soon anyway. So be it.

They slipped behind a curtained off door and the lady was setting up. Small chat to ease up him while she took in visuals on her pad and reset her tape.

"I see you're new here. Must be the Earthling that came while ago. " she drawled in an accent different from all Neal had ever heard.

"That's correct, ma'am. Evacuation from planet Earth long ago. It feels so long already. " he admitted cautiously.

"No need to worry my friend. It's all going to be alright. Changes always take time to adjust." She acknowledged. With that she begun measuring process.

"You know, I once saw another young man, just like you. He even had the same eye color as you. The very exact tone. Don't suppose you've got any twins?" She said while stretching the tape across Neal's shoulders from behind. Which was good since the look of terror in the ex-con's eyes would be too much.