kaisou | shelter at the vogue

shelter at the vogue

Who: James + Any who frequents the area!
Where: The Vogue
When: Early/Mid Janurary, evening of James's arrival in Kaisou
What: James is in need of shelter and work and The Vogue seems like a place where he could get both.
Warnings: n/a

[Thankfully, the young man was at least fairly tech savvy and not opposed to long walks. It had been awhile since he had his last job opportunity. It was always temp agencies, odd jobs, and such that kept him afloat. Stability was sorely needed for James.

He felt right at home walking up to the joint. It reminded him of one of the first cities he ended up in after running away.

Should he go in through the front? James wasn't sure. He felt nervous, unworthy, silly...

Oh, fuck it. Worst they can do is kick him out.

James has entered The Vogue Theatre. Now he had to find that really good centaur costume...]

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[ Naturally, Zulius was ready for their new visitor. He's already in the lobby, in all his fabulous, zebrataur self. As soon as James enters, there's a sparkle of glittery, rainbow light that he released into the air around him - posing as he does so. ]

HELLO DARLING! Welcome to the BEST place in the WHOLE city!

[The sparkles and glitter were one thing.

But that costume was... too real. Too too real.]

Ahah. I-I see!

[He let out an exasperated breath. As if the furry woman and elf ears weren't enough.]

Hoooo, no big deal. Just in another world. Centaurs are real. Cool. Coolcoolcoolcool.

[ Oh, bless his little heart. Zulius at least tones down his... everything to like, eight, instead of the usual eleven. He walks over offering a smile. ]

Hooooo boy you're super new to all of this huh? And yep, we sure are! I won't bite tho, I promise! I'm super safe. You can touch the zebra part if it helps! It's all real. Welcome to being able to see the paranormal, Jimmy.

Can I? I... Well, alright...

[He had to see for himself. Touch for himself, in this case. Not in a creepy way, of course.

He patted the flank, expecting something hollow. But... nope. Nope, he could feel the muscle twitch under his hand.]

This is wild.

[James jerked his hand back, unsure if it lingering would be weird.]

Uh, sorry! You're really a centaur. Zebrataur, sorry.

[ Zulius lets James determine his full centaur-ness for himself, and when his hand jerks back, he chuckles softly. ]

See? Told you! And it's okay, Honey! It's a LOT to take on board when you're not used to how wild this world can be! Is the curiosity sated? Or do you need a minute to come to terms with the everything?

[James didn't look too comforted.]

By what I've heard, it just tends to happen in this place. A lot of weird stuff. Furry folk, real furry folk, its not a thing at all where I'm... from? I guess?

[He realized he probably wasn't making much sense so he nodded firmly.]

Regardless! I'm grateful for your help, Zulius, for sure.

It sure does! Kaisou is like, a hotbed for it! At the end of this street, you'll see a subway tunnel entrance - THAT takes you to Undertown. It's an abandoned subway system that's got like, lots of stores and bars and whatever - and it's like a real sanctuary for anyone who's not just a basic human. Normies don't really SEE us unless it's October, so it's always a shock to the system for you guys when you get onto the app and surprise!!!, here we are! We've been here the whole time!

[Zulius gets it, it's a lot to take in! ]

You're welcome, Honey! Now, do you wanna check out this FABULOUS theatre of mine?

Normies, huh?

[James guessed that he was (un)lucky normie.]

Er, yes, please! I suppose you regularly put out performances here?

[Zulius' infectious personality was, admittedly, relaxing him little by little.]

Normies! You know, like normal. Not that ANYone is normal in MY eyes, OFC, buuuut we need some sort of word for folks who don't see the weird and wonderful most of the time so here we are!

[ He grins leading James through into the theatre proper - a fancy, luxurious affair, bustling with life and laughter. As up class as it is, this is clearly a place much beloved, where people feel safe and happy inside it- there's a warmth that can't be denied- that has no small part to do with the energy Zulius tends to exude. ]

We sure do! Right now we've got a production of Sunday in the Park with George on! An oldie, but a goodie! I'm a sucker of Sondheim! Have you got a favourite one?

[James was quite enchanted with everything he was seeing thus far. There was a touch of Broadway and that old Hollywood magic to it that he adored.]

Oh! I heard of that one! Ah, call me lame but I've always loved Cats. The make up design alone I truly adore!

[And Rum Tum Tugger might have been something of an awakening in the young man, too.]

[ Oh no. Oh, he could have picked any musical in the world - even one of the shitty jukebox ones. Zulius would have even forgiven him for the goddamn Spider-Man one. But Cats? His nemesis. The start of the end of his career. The BANNED musical?

Zulius lets out a laugh. It's not a ha ha kind of laugh. ]

Ca- CATS??? YOU PICKED CATS?????? Oh my goose, why would you EVEN!!!!

[ No! No deep breaths. He is young, he is new. He doesn't know what horrors he speaks. ]

Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah. Make up was a bitch for that one. SO! FUN fact about your favourite zebrataur! Before I was a zebrataur I was in that show! Rum Tum Tugger ACTually. [You know. To make this worse. ] Anyway, my GROSS boyfriend at the time, very much ex now TOTALLY wrecked my whole career so he could steal my part! It, like, ruined my life, for YEARS!

[ James has context! He has given the boy context. He laughs again, it's still not a ha ha kind of laugh. ]

Whiiiiiiich is why That Musical is not discussed in these hallowed halls. Because it is a Bad Time and we do not care for it here. I hope all the little dancing cats got rabies. Or at the VERY least all got neutered!

Fair. No, fair, absolutely fair. Iagreethat'sveryterribleI'msosorry.

[That was a shame that one of his favourites might as well be the MacBeth of these halls. James cleared his throat and chuckled nervously. He had the urge to clap, if he had to be honest. Even for a musical theater gay, that was animated.]

Others, then. Rent? Hairspray, Lion King, Kinky Boots, Phantom, too, of course. I think anything with great make up and costumes. I haven't been to the newer ones, though, for affordability reasons...

[ Zulius moves his hands in, presses them palms together, then out, on an exhale. He's good, he's calm, he's SO good! ]

It's okay, Babe, you didn't know!

[ Sorry, James, your fave is so deeply the MacBeth of these halls. Cats, his beloathed! Zulius' skills, even when he's trying not to be rage filled about The Hated Musical. ]

Now those are some good choices! And honey, if you wanna see modern ones, all you have to do is ASK. You're part of this herd now and that comes with perks like being able to see whatever the heck musical we've got going on whenever you like! Heck, see them multiple times, I'm not gonna stop you.

[It was a shame, but there was still plenty to enjoy.

James does smile, very gratefully.]

Really? That's a nice perk, that's for sure. I appreciate that, Zulius! If I can end up working as a seamstress, it would be quite the honour to see my handiwork on the stage!

Of course! My people work super hard! They deserve some perks to go alongside it!

[As they walk, he points out some people as they walk by - "that's Takame, he's SUPER shy" or "that's Vash, he works at the bar and is super great at reaching high spaces". Everyone greeted with a wave and a smile like they're the dearest people in his heart - which they absolutely are. ]

Like I said, we're just a big family here - so I like to give people a treat for working here.

Hiii, heyyy.

[James greeted easily, feeling much more comfortable around his type of people.]

That sounds very promising. Is there a trial period or do I show you what sort of things I can make? Ah, actually... since coming here, I don't have any of my costumes. All I have are the clothes on my back and my bottlecap collection.

[Zulius lets out a little laugh. Trail period. ]

You're adorbs~ You don't need a trial here, we just let you get to it. I've got faith in you! [ This recruitment process has not failed him yet! ] We have a whole costume department you can play with, and an UNlimited budget for materials you might need.

[Oh but that's concerning. ]

...Is that everything? Oh... okay wow, yeah. We need to get you shopping! We need to get you things for you. You need to get a head start on your new life here after all!

That's so generous! Um, I'll do my best!

[James nodded.]

Unfortunately, yeah. I had a seasonal job before I ended up here and when the holidays were over, that's... all I had.

[He smiled brightly.]

Really?? I don't need that much! I still need to find more permanent housing, after all.

[Somehow! He can't imagine what rent prices are like.]

Natch, Honey. I like to give everyone the BEST possible chance they have to get by in this place. We've got to be putting each other up in my book, not pushing them down.

[ Nope. It's too late for him now. He's been adopted. There's no escape. ]

Of COURSE, really! You need like, a full wardrobe all of your own. Not to mention, like, toiletries, any stuff you like, like books or... bottlecaps did you say? Whatever you want to keep yourself entertained while you relax. It's not about needing and about deserving honey! I've got you. We can totes have a shopping trip.

[James didn't want to cry. It had been a rough couple years for him, the people he had meant even rougher. But this was most definitely the warmest welcome he had received.]

Everyone's... really been kind.

[Sniffle. Happy tears.]

I didn't really think it was possible, to be honest. I hope to pay it forward, in kind, Zulius.

Of course! The people on this app are the best and this place? Doubly so! We look out for each other here.

[ James you are so very adopted. Zulius lets out a soft aw reaching out to pat his shoulder. ]

Just pay it forward by being the best you there can be! Which means you need to be warm and safe and happy! That's ALL I ever ask of people! You guys gotta live your best lives!

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