Chapter Twenty-Four - Rude, Crass, Common

Chapter Twenty-Four - Rude, Crass, Common

Chapter Twenty-Four - Rude, Crass, Common

"You either fashion, or you fashoff, right boss?"

--Emoscythe Mordeath Noir's former personal assistant, first (and lasy) day on the job, 2053

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So, what do you think of Cats image problem? Lucy asked.

Emoscythe, or Audrey or whatever, frowned and looked me up and down. We werent the only people on the shopping floor. Far from it, even, so the crowds walking around had to part to make space for our slow asses.

Its clear that so far her AI has been making most of the stylistic choices for her, and the rest has been more or less instinctive.

Hey now, I said. The way she said it felt like how someone might say her mom picked it out for her and that hurt a little. Even if it was mostly or entirely true. Im not that bad, I said.

No, youre really not, Audrey said. You could be substantially worse than you are. Ive worked with plenty of samurai who have no idea how to manage their own image, and while you dont seem to be invested in the process, your looks fit with that kind of casual dismissal. You genuinely have a good instinct for this, Catherine.

Yeah, youre hot, Lucy agreed.

I pushed back the flush that was trying to overtake me. Compliments werent my forte. Alright, so were good, then?

Oh no. An instinctual understanding isnt a firm one. You still have a long way to go before Id say that youre an expert with image.

I sighed. Fine. Just, point out some clothes from here and Ill wear that.

Audrey blinked. Oh. No, I think weve run into a fundamental misunderstanding. I dont care what you wear.

You dont? I asked.

She relented. I supposed I care a little. How you dress is obviously an important part of your image, but it would be foolish to assume that it starts and ends there. And I dont just mean posture and physical appearance. Image is more than just that. Its about how the world at large perceives you. She glanced past my shoulder, and I had the impression she was looking at something I couldnt see. Follow me, she said.

Audrey didnt wait before stepping by and walking off, which meant that Lucy and I had to move quick to catch up. Shes weird, right? I asked.

Thats going to take more than just dressing in brighter colours, isnt it? I asked.

A lot more, yes. Though it is a start, if thats the direction you want to go in. Clothes maketh man, but gear maketh samurai. The equipment you use and how you appear will change your image to some degree. Deus-Ex is still considered disarming, even though she could easily level a city. Some samurai are considered threatening even though theyre not nearly as powerful. Youre starting to inch your way in that direction. Your image is of someone dangerous. Not necessarily in a bad way, but still dangerous.

I chewed on my lip. And that means that from here on out, people will treat me in a certain way.

Yes. The same way that you might approach others based on what you think of them, they will approach you based on what they think of you. Its how humans function, she said.

I nodded along. It was all common sense shit, wasnt it? But it was also common sense shit that I hadnt spent any time actually thinking about until now, and that was starting to show my lack of thought, that was. This is going to make some of my projects harder, isnt it?

Projects? Audrey asked.

Yeah. Ive got this whole thing Im setting up, getting cheaply printed prosthetics out to people that need them. Mostly the people Ive rescued here and there, but also anyone else that needs it.

Thats kind of you, she said.

Cats good at being nice, Lucy said. Shes less good at looking nice.

Audrey crossed her arms and scowled at the floor for a moment. That puts a certain spin on things. You were easily willing to kill a politician, at least as far as the public is concerned, but youre also doing charity work. You did some work in a position of leadership in Burlington as well. Huh, thats an interesting angle to work on.

Angle? Im a little bit lost, I said.

She wants you to go full Robin Hood, Lucy said. I think youd look great in tights and with a cloak.

I snorted. Im not exactly... well, I have stolen from the rich, but I mostly just use that to fix the shit they should have been fixing themselves.

Thatll still count to most, Audrey said. Yes, I can see that working. A rude, crass, common sort of girl thats righting wrongs where she sees them, taking from those in power and using what she takes to correct some of the problems theyve caused. Its a nice narrative.

Hey now, I said. That sounds a bit too fictional, no?

All images are fictional. Its about image not about truth. But dont worry. Truth tends to shine through, to some degree or another. Youll manage. Now... how do we make your image and style reflect your actions?

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