Page 16 of Matthew

“Don’t think about it unless we accompany you,” Masok teased Matt. “If anyone else discovers you’re brilliant as well as pretty, we’ll have to beat them back with clubs.”

Brilliant? Matt shook his head at the overblown praise, but sincerity rang from Masok’s compliment. He squeezed his hand and walked closer to the handsome Imdiko, who dropped a kiss on top of his head.

He didn’t allow himself to check if anyone had noticed. He reminded himself he had nothing at all to worry about.

The next market square had a playground where a handful of toddlers played under the watch of Earther women, several Imdikos, and a few Dramoks and Nobeks. It was flanked by shops. Matt was dazzled by the vid adverts playing on the outside of the stores, promoting the products within. While he wasn’t excited at the prospect of Masok spending money on him, he was drawn by the colorful displays.

“This way.” Masok led him between a shop blasting images of Earther women in lovely gowns and another featuring grimacing Nobeks clashing swordlike weapons. They entered a narrow lane of buildings. There were no advert vids, only doors adorned by unobtrusive signs in Kalquorian. Matt hadn’t learned to read any of the hieroglyphic language yet, though he’d made a few attempts using a children’s primer Kom had downloaded for him.

Masok stopped in front of the fourth door. He gave his name, and it slid open to admit them.

Matt had expected racks of clothing. Instead, there was a pedestal in the middle of the floor, a body-measurement kiosk in the corner, and swaths of fabrics of every hue and pattern draping the walls.

Two smiling Imdikos approached them. The shorter of the pair bowed to Masok. “Imdiko Masok! It’s so good to see you again. You’ve brought a friend. Do I dare hope…”

“My clan’s companion in everything but name. We hope to make it official soon.” Masok beamed at Matt. “This is Matt. Matt, Imdiko Ileg, the best designer on Kalquor, and his very talented assistant, Imdiko Karam. They design all my and Avir’s clothes.”

“Too kind, and may I offer my congratulations to you both.” Ileg and Karam bowed, and Matt clumsily returned the traditional Kalquorian greeting.

“Refreshments?” Karam indicated a table where drinks and snacks awaited. “Please sit and relax.”

They did so. After a few pleasantries, Matt discovered he was having fun. Ileg and Karam weren’t merely polite. They were affable. Kind. The nibbles they insisted he eat were delicious, and they even had coffee, which he enjoyed, along with a glass of wine-like shel. Soon, he was talking to them as if they were old friends.

At last, the consultation commenced. Ileg searched his face with avid enthusiasm. “Such a pale but warm skin tone. You’ll do equally well in dramatic blacks and deep colors, along with pastels. Those blue eyes! I can’t wait to bring them out with matching shirts.”

He bent to an art tablet, making notes.

“I hope I don’t offend?” Karam said carefully. “Would you prefer cuts to create the illusion of being taller?”

“What I need is hover shoes and pants long enough to hide I’m floating,” Matt grinned. “When you’re this short, extreme measures must be taken.”

They chuckled, and Karam relaxed. “I’ve met Kalquorians a mere inch shorter than the average who’re less accepting of their height.”

Ileg examined what Matt wore skeptically. “You’re interested in a full wardrobe update, perhaps?”

Masok answered. “Please. Mostly casual, but a few dress pieces. I’ll leave the cuts in your capable hands. Oh, he’s a musician. How are you on the latest rimnastin and Earth rock musician fashions?”

“I’ve been dying for the opportunity to dress one of those young men! Matara Irene stops in from time to time, but none of the males.”

Matt blinked. “Do you mean Irene of Casual Innuendo?ThatIrene?”

Ileg grinned. “The very one. Are you a fan?”

“She’s amazing.” A trained soprano who could belt like an opera singer and outroar any number of male lemanthev howlers, Irene Jonson was a music legend. Matt and Kom had watched at least a dozen Casual Innuendo concerts on vid, and she never failed to awe.

Karam waved Matt toward the measurement scanner while the other Imdikos chatted. “Would you please step behind the measurer’s screen and remove your shirt and pants? You’ll find hooks to hang them on, right there. Then just step on the metal circle there, and when the green light flashes, you can dress again. Call me if there’s any problem.” He closed the curtains, leaving Matt in the privacy of a semicircle of white drapery, carpeted floor surrounding an embedded metal disk, and a vid screen surrounded by a hook-studded metal framework.

At least he wasn’t expected to get naked in front of strangers. It sounded as if the clothes were custom designed, so he wouldn’t be forced to try on a bunch of stuff, which was good. The idea of what it would cost made his stomach churn. Karam and Masok had said a wardrobe update, which Matt guessed meant entirely replacing everything he had.

He tried to buck himself up. Clan Avir was rich. Buying him a whole new wardrobe wasn’t a big deal to them. Better yet, Masok had mentioned he hoped Matt would be an official member of the clan in the near future. The Kalquorian Empire had recently opted to legalize male companions as official additions to clans, defeating the third of Kalquorians who didn’t support the change.

Kom and Masok wanted him to stay. Avir had also mentioned making it official a couple of days ago, when Matt felt ready to be more open where his sexuality was concerned.

Feeling encouraged and smiling, Matt stripped to his underpants and stood on the metal disc. He was glad it was warm rather than cold, as he’d expected.

Kalquorian characters flashed on the screen before him. Had Masok been in the cubicle too, Matt would have asked which said ‘runt.’ He covered his mouth to stifle a snicker.

The vid flashed green and went dark again. Matt dressed and stepped out.

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