But, she supposed, the body that wore the tux mattered just a wee bit more.

As always, Kahdreg stood tall, his long braid draped over a shoulder. He fidgeted with the suit jacket, trying to get it to sit comfortably. The vest of the suit fit snug to his body, blending perfectly with the jacket. The pants seemed a tad large, but - as Kahdreg partially turned from her - still showed off that rear Avicia had shamefully glimpsed in the HR Office. Not to say she didn't peek every now and then, when he stalked away from her at work, either.

Dashing as he appeared, Avicia felt a bit disappointed. It was black and white fabric, like most other tuxes would be. It was neutral, not daring to highlight his lovely shade of green or the piercing yellow eyes.

"Doesn't he look debonair?" The salesperson gushed at Avicia's elbow, hands clasped to their chest.

"He looks nice," Avicia conceded when Kahdreg turned his eyes to her. She pushed herself up and out of the chair, tilting her head to the side and frowning lightly. "But it's a bit... well, boring."

Both of them turned to stare at Avicia, making her wince. The salesperson became dangerously still, but a hard look came into their gaze. "Excuse me?"

"What do you suggest then?" It was hard to tell whether Kahdreg was offended by her assessment or amused. He seemed to be fighting down a smile, but his tone was rather unimpressed.

Avicia glanced at him, then to the obviously fuming employee, before heaving a sigh. They were expecting her to stand behind what she said. Disappearing into the racks, she sifted through some merchandise, before returning with a few items in tow.

"I don't know if any of these will fit you," she lied. She had overheard, in a subconscious way, his general sizing. Not that she was curious in the slightest. Oh no. "But here."

He raised his eyebrows at the chosen pieces, picking a few up and eyeing them critically, before turning back to the dressing rooms. Avicia thought, before he spun, she caught a slight smile twitching at the corners of his lips. She didn't dwell on it, though. He'd probably dislike her taste. Ignoring a sense of displeasure at that thought, she flopped back into the chair she previously resided in.

Avicia ignored the salesperson as they tried to mask their annoyance by irately straightening up a display. For her part, Avicia did the same by scrolling through her phone. It wasn't long until Kahdreg re-emerged, again.

Some alert part of her looked up, hearing his footfalls shuffle from the dressing rooms. It certainly wasn't eagerness at his reappearance, surely. Her gaze flicked up and down his body, impressed with herself as she rose from the chair. This time, the look certainly hit with a buzz.

Trading in the grey vest for a light soft yellow one, with a slight texture to the fabric, produced a bit more of a pop. Though, the double-breasted buttons seemed to pull the fabric snug, as it cinched much tighter at his waist than the last one. Which showed off the width of his broad shoulders and chest. Avicia certainly wasn't complaining at the sight.

The little splash of color certainly set off the rest of his look, which consisted of the same crisp black jacket. However, Avicia put it on herself to bring him some tighter slacks... for reasons. Again, she wasn't complaining as he turned, showing how the fabric clung to his thighs. Among other parts.

In place of a black tie, however, a scarf - matching the vest - draped over his shoulders, tucked partially beneath the lapels of the jacket. This time, his braid was coiled and tucked into a makeshift bun atop his head. Presumably due to the heat of the changing area, but Avicia was pleasantly surprised with the change.

"Well?" He asked, after Avicia had him do a full turn on the dais.

With a shrug, and trying not to sound too smug, she answered, "I think this looks better."

"The other suit was more in season and hadn't been fitted yet," protested the employee, their lips puckering slightly in a pout. To their credit, they had remained silent up until that point.

"With all that black, the cut of his figure got lost. Plus, the yellow brings out his eyes," Avicia countered, with a sweeping wave of her hand as if to say 'just look for yourself.' She paid careful mind to not look at her boss. Undoubtedly, he was giving her a look - a smirky look - as she spoke of his figure.

"I don't have time for a fitting, anyway," Kahdreg added, sparing a glance at himself in the many mirrors. He removed the jacket, the scarf going with, flopping both over his shoulder as if modeling the look. Or perhaps seeing how he looked if he wished to ditch the top layer.

The image made Avicia grin a little. It reminded her of trying to find the best angles and poses for Bellamy shots. Without realizing what she was doing, she sidled up to Kahdreg's side. As she gently took his arm, rolling up the white fabric of his sleeve, she suggested, "When your jacket isn't on, you should roll up your sleeves."

There was a brief breath where he stiffened at her touch, surprised. But that quickly melted away as he gave a snort of a laugh. "Why's that?"

"A lot of people find the whole 'rolled up sleeves and bare forearms' look sexy," she replied, forgetting for the moment that she wasn't advising just anyone. At the back of her head, she noted how nicely the white contrasted his green skin.

"Oh?" There was a shift in the air, again. Kahdreg leaned down, close to Avicia's ear. His voice pitched low, vibrating with a smooth chuckle and a deeper tone, "And do you find it sexy?"

Her fiddling fingers suddenly felt stiff, trying to smooth down his sleeve to the crook of his elbow, as her stomach somersaulted. Alarms suddenly went off in her head. What was she doing? What the fuck was he doing, for that matter?! A tingle crawled up her fingers, where her skin barely touched his. Heat prickles at her cheeks, threatening to turn her cheeks red. Trying her best not to jerk away, Avicia instead calmly pulled back, taking a step.

"You're my boss, so I can't say," she replies, a customer service smile on her lips. "Workplace dynamics and what not."

Kahdreg grinned down at her, eyebrows ticking upward a little. His amusement only threatened to make Avicia blush harder.

Thankfully, the salesperson came to Avicia's rescue again, trying to upsell or discuss other options. Avicia didn't really listen as she retreated back to the chair. Faintly, she hoped Kahdreg hadn't noticed the pinking of her cheeks. It really shouldn't have mattered to her if he did, though.

She'd already made it clear she couldn't find him sexy, due to their work relationship.

Though, even as she thought that, Avicia knew it was a lie. And frustration swelled inside her at that concession. Her stomach lurched, trying to keep her focus off Kahdreg as she stared at her phone. She couldn't help peeking at him in his suit, until he mercifully went to change, again.

Able to breathe a little easier with him away, she certainly felt in trouble. How was she going to last a whole night with him, dressed like that? Or, worse, dressed like that and grinning like a good-humored rogue at her? It was almost enough to make Avicia groan and sink low into her chair.

-

After stopping for a mercifully quick bite to eat around lunchtime, the two soon found themselves at another store. Large windows filled the store with natural light, as a sweet and floral scent filled the air. Not quite as stuffy and dark as the last store. Racks of dresses, accessories, shoes, purses, scarves, and more filled the floor. Faintly, Avicia considered just how different and varied the clothes were in comparison to the last one. So many more colors and variety.

The Bellamy in her wanted to poke about. See if anything sparked inspiration for shoots or cosplays.

But she wasn't there for Bellamy or to shop around.

After a quick survey of the area, Avicia found what she was looking for: the clearance section. It didn't take her long to find the cheapest dress she could. A simple black a-line dress that would go with an array of her shoes and accessories.

When she emerged from the dressing rooms to the viewing area, sporting the dress and her sneakers, Kahdreg frowned. "Plain."

"Well, I'm paying for it, so you don't get a say," Avicia sniffed, taking a look at herself in the semicircle of mirrors. Though, he was correct. The look was painfully plain, but that was the point. She was simply his PA attending this function with him. Not an actual date. Why try to look all formal and fancy?

"You look like an unremarkable extra," he sighed, after coming up to her side. He stood a little away from the dais she stood on, leaning back to get the full effect with his hands in his pockets. He had no bags, since his previously bought suit was being delivered directly to his home.

"Who says that?" Avicia snorted, trying not to smile at the absurdity of his words.

He was silent for a moment longer. Dissatisfaction evident on his features the longer he stared at her. She was about to excuse herself to go change back, when he held up a hand. "Stay."

"Excuse me," she hissed at once, turning to shoot him a look, "I'm not a dog."

But he'd already moved back into the store. Avicia glared at him as he searched, vowing to herself to complain about whatever he chose. She didn't get to see what he settled - with racks and other patrons in the way - until he returned to her side. In his arms, a dress, accessories, and even shoes.

"I have my own accessories and shoes at home," she protested.

Before she could grab only the dress, Kahdreg pressed his proffered items to his chest, making Avicia give pause. He leaned over her, making her achingly aware of his body heat. A smirk played in his tone as he gently, but firmly, pressed every item into her hands, "Humor me."

Unable to find the words to disagree, Avicia pressed her lips thin and took the items. If only to get some space from the prickling atmosphere she was now feeling around her boss. Besides, what were the chances he actually put together an outfit that looked good for her?

Hah, yeah right.