📷⚰Basically Aesop wears a skirt

                                    

                                          


The weather of the map didn't really help with what the theme of the week was. The cold air brushed against Aesop's exposed skin like a whip. He would have preferred a more humid map, like the Lakeside Village, or even a dirtier one such as the Arm's Factory. Instead he was placed in a match taking place in Leo's Memory. He would get wet, cold, and muddy.


                          
It wasn't like he minded the setting before. Before he was completely fine, especially since he often slipped on ice and landed completely unharmed. Aside from the fact of the pain on his butt, he didn't care about falling and got right back up.


                          
But he hadn't even fallen. His legs were shivering from the cold, and the thigh high stockings that were secured by garters weren't even thick enough to keep him warm. The chilly wind blew his skirt up ever so often, and he missed some calibrations due to them. Damn this cursed event. He wanted this week to just be over already.


                          
Why was it that he had to be one of the unlucky few in the raffle? What he won was a short skirt that did not even go past his mid thigh. Kevin was also another person who lost at the raffle, and he blamed Lady Luck (which was now what Kevin was calling Lucky Guy this week out of spite). Lady Luck in return snickered by his attitude, saying this wouldn't have happened if he was never told to wear a maid outfit. 


                          
Maybe that maid outfit was all to blame. The host would have never known people enjoyed the tormented face on Lucky Guy when he wore it. Maybe if people had not teased him so much, or even shown a liking to it, then this probably would have never happened. If so, then Kevin definitely was to blame for this. He would constantly torment Lucky Guy when he wore the dress by hitting on him. Kevin was pretty...  well, Kevin probably hates Lucky Guy in the first place.


                          
The only good thing about this outfit was the sweater he was wearing. It was quite thick and heavy, perfect for the cold atmosphere. If only it were a few sizes bigger, and managed to cover his freezing legs, maybe then Aesop would appreciate this outfit.


                          
The Embalmer could hear crunching snow as somebody approached him. He prayed it wasn't Kevin. He wouldn't be able to decode at all, and would keep fussing with the miniskirt he was wearing. 


                          
Luckily it was Eli, who was still wearing his robes. It was technically a skirt.. right? Well, nevermind that. Aesop didn't mind decoding with this clown out of every other person in the manor.


                          
"Ace, I'm about to go down now, so keep decoding while I heal up, K? I'll call you when I'm ready."


                          
The photo world collapsed, and Eli went down. Maybe this wasn't so good after all. Aesop felt like Eli could look up, and see, well..


                          
But that didn't seem to matter since Aesop hadn't noticed his increase in heartbeat. He looked behind him, only for the hunter to drape a coat over him. 


                          
"I'm sorry for knocking you down, Seer, but I can't have you following us around. Not while Aesop is uncomfortable. I hope you forgive me."


                          
Aesop felt hands holding his shoulders, guilding him away from the Seer. They were headed towards the shack, which wasn't snowy or icy inside. The wooden floor was just cold.


                          
Aesop hesitated in their journey, looking back to catch Joseph's eye. "Why are we headed towards the basement?"


                          
Joseph's eyes gleamed, as if he found what Aesop said funny. With how Joseph acted in private, Aesop read the Photographer's expression in a wrong way. Aesop could feel warmth rise to his cheeks and he was about to protest Joseph's choice of actions.


                          
"Not reason in particular. There's a fire down there, and the area is secluded from others so you won't have to feel so nervous."


                          
"Nothing about the basement rumors?"


                          
"What rumors?"


                          
They were already down all of the steps. Joseph took a seat in one of the chairs, while Aesop decided to take the seat across from him. Aesop put on the tailcoat properly. It helped insulate his body heat nicely.


                          
"Erm.. survivor rumors-- like rumors that gets spread around I guess.."


                          
"Please, go on," Joseph urged. He was very fond of gossip. He didn't even try to hide it, which actually made him get on the bad side of some people. Particularly the Bloody Queen, when he had gone out of his way to confirm if the Queen and the Geisha were dating. He had a hunch of their relationship but he would be killed if he ever said anything. It's surprising that Joseph is still alive with that chatter box of his.


                          
"It's an embarrassing rumor, but some survivors say that they use basements for having.. doing things."


                          
Joseph jumped off of the seat and lifted Aesop off of the rocket chair. "That is absolutely disgusting. I will not risk you getting touched by another person's-- another person's anything really! You're never going onto a basement chair ever again!"


                          
"Rumors aren't necessarily true.'


                          
"But they get spread around for a reason! Some people might even do those rumors, and I won't let you get tainted by another person."


                          
Just then, they heard the squawking of a bird. Joseph sighed, and grabbed onto Aesop's hand. "Let's leave before the Seer comes over here to bother us."


                          
--


                          
"What reaction would I get if I took a peek..?"


                          
"Joseph, I understand that I'm your friend, but I'm not a friend you can talk to about your fantasies," Bi'an says with a sigh. He wanted to have a good afternoon drinking tea, but some how he became a love therapist.


                          
Joseph seemed to have not heard his friend, or he didn't actually care. "Do you think he's wearing white un-"


                          
"Okay, Joseph! How about you just ask him yourself! He's literally in the next room!" The usually calm guard yelled. He was pointing towards the kitchen, where Aesop was helping Vera out with baking.


                          
"Could I just walk up there and peek?"


                          
"No, Joseph! No you don't!"


                          
--


                          
Throughout the day, Aesop could feel a burning on the back of his head. He was being watched, and he didn't like it. He unconsciously pulled his skirt down, a habit he's been having ever since he put it on.


                          
And just as he was about to enter the library when he could physically feel somebody right behind him. 


                          
The Embalmer quickly turned around, meeting a pair of blue eyes.


                          
"Can we do something together~?" Joseph chirped. Aesop saw Joseph's fingers creep towards the hem of his skirt, but he backed away from it.


                          
Aesop couldn't believe this guy. Does he have any shame?


                          
"No."


                          
Aesop went into the library. The burning sensation of being watched didn't disappear. Instead, he heard occasional shutters of a camera.
                          
--•--
                          
[Word count: 1171]
[Date completed: 11/12/19]