Velveteen's fashion show

He had come to the show in search of ideas for his next costume. Velveteen’s work was eye-catching in a way Thorn needed for his next performance. Something that would drive his fans wild, and would draw a few to try and get a piece of his valuable time. What he hadn't come to the show for was the designer themselves to pull him aside with a tape measure wrapped around his middle. Velveteen ignored his protests, checking a variety of measurements before finally meeting his eyes. 

“I need you.”

Thorn blinked at the statement, and took a small step back. That would make watching the show particularly difficult. Impossible in fact. And Velveteen, while attractive, didn't fit his normal tastes. However, they did seem pushy enough that maybe-

“Not that way,” Velveteen said, interrupting his thoughts. “One of my models dropped out and she was the only one who could fit the piece. You’re the right shape to make it work. I'll pay.”

“I mean- I am here for the show. I wanted to-”

“Great!” Velveteen grabbed Thorn by his top, pulling him along as they talked. “You can get a particularly up close look at the pieces and my show isn't ruined. You're happy. I'm happy.”

Velveteen snaked through the gathering audience, not even bothering to offer polite nod to anyone who tried to stop their march backstage. Thorn stumbled after them, protesting the entire time, only for the last word to stumble out as Velveteen stopped short in front of a rack. They released Thorn’s top, leaving him to smooth it back out as they leafed through for the outfit he was about to have foisted upon him. Though, when he saw it, there was hardly any need to force him into it. 

It was a form fitting bodysuit, with high hips that he could only hope showed off his markings and a translucent train that reminded him of showgirl feathers. Velveteen held it out to him, and gave a head jerk towards a place to change. He hesitated for just long enough on taking it that Velveteen shoved it and him forcibly in the direction. 

“We don't have time for you to gawk at my work. Go. I want to check that I don't need to make last minute adjustments.”

Thorn nodded and scurried towards the changing area. He kicked off his shoes, and stripped down, tossing what he wore to the show in a pile on the floor. The bodysuit, however, he treated with more care as he gently shimmied into it. He barely got it on when the curtain he was changing behind was yanked back for Velveteen to appraise how he looked in it. 

“That looks good enough,” they said, before handing over boots and various accessories to complete the look. “Put those on, follow.”

He tripped as he tried to put on the boots to follow Velveteen, drawing an annoyed sigh. He wasn't exactly making a good first impression on the designer, but it's hard when you've been placed on the back hoof and firmly in new territory. Thorn recovered and hurried after, slipping the various bracelets on as he was led from changing to a makeup chair, where he could finally get a look at himself in the outfit. It looked amazing on him, and the way the roses he was so proud of curled up under the edge of the suit…

Once again, Velveteen stopped his awe by dragging him along to get ready. Thorn was unceremoniously pushed into the waiting chair, and the makeup artist set about her work while Velveteen watched.

“Have you modeled before?”

“No but-”

“Okay,” Velveteen interrupted. “When you walk down the runway, keep your chin up, shoulders rolled back. Walk like you're on a line. One foot directly in front of the other, and roll your hips with the steps. Tail should sway opposite of the foot you're stepping with. So if you're stepping with your right foot, your tail should be going…?”

“...left?”

“Good. And when you reach the end, strike this pose-” Velveteen demonstrated, putting their hand on their hip as they did, “and then turn and walk back. Did you get all that?”

“I think?”

“Have you at least been on stage before?”

“Yes!” Thorn said, jerking and drawing a string of swears from the makeup artist as she did who knows what. “I'm a singer, I've been on stage! Often in fact!”

That got him an appraising look from Velveteen. “Oh? Have I heard of you?”

“I’m Thorn.”

“That sounds familiar. What-” Velveteen was interrupted by the sound of music starting, and he turned to the makeup artist. “I need to go. Finish him up, and help him get in line. He's between Lilac and Marius.”

She gave a nod, and Velveteen sped away from the pair. The makeup artist was quicker at her work when he wasn't busy talking to Velveteen, and he soon found himself between two models. Proper models. Thorn wasn't one for nerves at the best of times. He had been on stage, singing so often. However. This wasn't the best of times, and as he waited for his queue to go, he worried if the makeup was about to start melting off him from the sweat. 

And then he was given the sign to go. Thorn started walking, one foot directly in front of the other. Chin up, shoulders back. Right foot, left. Lilac passed him, and looked from his tail to him.  He wasn't swaying right. He held his tail ridgid as he took the last few steps towards the end, trying to figure out how to fix it. Thorn didn't know how to do it while walking to not seem strange. He resigned himself to just fixing it on his walk back. 

He reached the end. Moment of truth. Thorn struck the pose Velveteen did for him as best as he could, then turned and started walking back. Right foot forward, tail sway left. Roll your hips with each step. And once he got out of sight of the crowd, he could feel every muscle in his body relax. He took a few steps towards the empty makeup chair, and collapsed into it. Despite how little that was, he felt tired. Far too tired to actually look at what any of the models were wearing as the show continued on to an end that felt too soon.Velveteen found him once it was over, still sitting in the makeup chair and still dressed in the piece. 

“Thank you. I… apologize for how forceful I was in roping you into this.”

Thorn shrugged, and pushed himself to his feet. “New experience. Add model to my talents… Now, payment?”

“Right, right.” Velveteen patted their decidedly pocket-less outfit, before pausing and looking at him. “Take that, the outfit, as payment. Came here looking for something to wear, you got it.”

He blinked at the offer, looking down at what he was wearing and back at Velveteen. “If you're sure-”

“Yes, yes. I am. It's ready to wear. I have the pattern and everything already. Losing the show piece isn't going to cause trouble.”

“Thanks.” 

Thorn gathered up the clothes he wore in, and paused on his way out the door. It would be stupid to offer but…

“Hey Velveteen?”

“Hm?”

“If you ever need my help again, I'd love to.”

“Perhaps.”