rosebyanyother | duplicity inbox

Good.

In any case, don't die, or anything.
And like I said, it's a place if you need legitimate shelter.
Until then, Peter.

Morrigan. Legally now, actually. At least here in Duplicity.
I was dismissed from the LIES study shortly before all of this began. They have apparently decided that I do, in fact, carry the deceit gene.

In any event, short of being sent home, I suppose part of their compensation was the ability to legally take another name. Peter Nureyev does not, as far as Duplicity is concerned, exist.

[He let Jon call him Peter once because it was truer at the time, because he was tired and grateful. None of those things are true now.

[Jon raises a brow.]

All right, Morrigan.
I suppose the only other Peter I know is a detestable creature.
I'd want to be done with the name if I had it.

[Jon isn't even talking about him, but if Peter let that hurt...it certainly could. He's been running away from the name for most of his life now. And he'd tried-- but that hadn't worked particularly well either.

Running for a reason.]

Well then, there you are.
You stay safe as well.

[On the 20th, Peter will receive a wrapped package at his residence. The only thing on it is a tag for "Morrigan" that's been printed. Inside is a fancy broach. Peter may or may not be aware of the association of magpies with thieves on old Earth, but Jon does and that's enough. There's no note to indicate who the gift is from, of course.]

[It takes talking to Sally to put the puzzle together, but Jon will eventually get a (bust up) selfie of Peter wearing the broach, a faint smile on his lips.

...He'll also probably notice the fact that there are a few streaks of gray at Peter's temples that certainly weren't there the last time they spoke. With the picture:]

It's lovely.
Thank you Jon.

[Jon's very confused as to how Peter actually figured that out, but the man does look nice with the broach pinned on. He can't deny that.]

How did you figure it out?
I thought I was being subtle for once.

I don't think I would have made the connection if my contract partner wasn't from Earth as well. She mentioned that magpies have been historically connected to thieves.
I had my suspicions after that.

It was very clever, though.

Oh. I didn't think about your partner.
Right.
Well, it looks good on you.
I expected most things would.

You're not wrong.
But I like this. The little gem it's carrying is charming.

[Jon really doesn't know what else to say. This is part of why he tries to keep his gifts anonymous.]

Well, Merry Christmas or solstice or whatever it is they celebrate in winter in the future.

It depends largely on where in the galaxy you're talking about. I believe some of the solar planets still celebrate the old holidays. I'm sure they do especially on Earth.
Merry Christmas, Jon.

[He's assuming.]

I'm taking Martin out on a proper date for Valentine's Day.
Help me pick out something to wear, please?
Alessandro's going to put me in something outrageous if I ask him, and Lyall's just going to put me in a suit.

I'd be happy to, of course.
Though I have to say, you WOULD look nice in a suit.

I'm fine in a suit, but we agreed it's going to be something casual, and we're planning to go star-gazing on the beach after.

[As Lyall and others no doubt discovered from his younger self's presence. He'd been trying so had to look authoritative and impress Elias with his professionalism back then. Ugh...]

Oh, that does change things.
Would you like me to come by and help you pick an outfit out of what you already have, or is another shopping trip in order?
I promise I won't make you try on as much. And no dresses.

[As much as he thinks Jon looks hot in them, this is about his own comfort.]

[Jon feels a flush creep across his cheeks at the thought of going out with Martin in public in some eye-catching dress. No. Definitely not.]

We can go shopping.
I'd like to buy you something, as well, in return for the favor.

[ In truth, Sally had already been looking for half an excuse to spoil her friends a little; she still doesn't feel fabulous about missing Christmas, so when Duplicity's culture offered up a chance she thought, well why the fuck not.

Peter's gift appears to be a small metallic box (about the size of a large wallet)that opens into a red pallet of lipsticks on a few folding trays. There's a huge variety of shades sectioned into neat little squares, and a few rows of different types and tinges of gloss as well. The compact set folds out with a small mirror, and a little hidden tray containing two different two-tipped brushes for application.

... Well, actually, there are two hidden trays, but the second is not so easy to locate as the first, not quite so obviously apparent. And it takes a little pondering and pressing to unlock, not too unlike a puzzle box.

Inside is another smaller pallet with six squares, each with a rather curious label:

1. Vermilion Visions
2. Sanguine Sleep
3. Blushing Berserker
4. Titian Truth
5. Puce Paralysis
6. Scarlet Secret Undercoat

There is also a printed note attached which reads: ]

in case you get into a little trouble or want to have some fun PS--don't forget about the undercoat ;)

[ This is the entirety of the intended gift, but since when does stuff go according to plan in Duplicity? Ala the town's latest wonderful screw up, extra presents have come along uninvited. A very glittery, very small red thong is one. A bright red glass dildo that looks suspiciously like a rocket ship is another. And what kind of person gives an obnoxiously large dildo without some strawberry flavored lube.

Future Sally: fuck this fucking city and everything it fucking stands for. Fuck. ]

Honestly, dressing you up is fun.
But I won't say no to being bought clothes either.
Just let me know when.

[Jon's not going to openly admit that he enjoys being dressed up.]

Would tomorrow, mid-morning work?

That sounds fine.
I think I have a store in mind, unless you already have a preference.

Whatever you'd like.
I can meet you there if you give me a name and an address.

Yes, of course.

[Peter does exactly that. The next day, he'll be waiting outside the address he gives Jon at the time they agreed upon.

From the displays in the window, it seems a little bit more specifically intended for male - or at least male bodied or male presenting - clientele than the shop before, which had been a more generalized experience. The clothes are nice.]

Good morning.

[Jon's in something nice, but very casual, easily slipped into and out of. That seemed the most sensible for today. He'd almost worn one of the skirts Peter had helped him to buy, but ultimately chickened out. It's too cold for that outside, really. At least without the appropriate leggings.]

Morning.

[He looks to the shop windows, curious, then tilts his head slightly.]

Are all of the jackets meant to be different lengths on each side?

duplicity inbox | un: prince

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gift delivery: 12/20

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