"Ugh! This is so stuffy. Do I really have to wear this?" Adem asked, pulling the collar of his suit.
Casper, sitting behind him smiled, "Mhmm," he muttered while sipping his martini.
"You got to look presentable, you know. I ain't gonna hire some street urchins as my assistant." He said as he glanced at the Adem, "If it helps, you look good."
Adem turned back and growled.
"Hey! Back off!" He barked at the tailor, slapping his hand.
Casper shot a look at him before turning towards the tailor. "I'm sorry on behalf of him, he's a little uneducated." He apologised proactively, "But please be a little less handsy, Red. It's his first time getting a fitting."
Red did not mind. He waved his hands and chuckled slightly, "This isn't my first rodeo, Mr. Casper. I've fitted many many difficult clients before," he said with an amused glance at Adem. "Though rarely do they growl like cornered animals."
Adem scowled, crossing his arms. "I'm not difficult, I just don't like people stabbing me with needles."
Casper smirked over his glass. "Then stand still and the needles won't stab you."
"Easy for you to say, you're not the one getting wrapped up like a Christmas present," Adem shot back, tugging the cufflinks irritably.
Red laughed softly, "Everyone's first fitting is uncomfortable. But you'll soon love how you look in the mirror," he finished, patting the lapel. "And you're done!"
Casper set his glass on the table with a soft click. "Thanks, Red. How much do I owe you?"
Red waved a hand dismissively, already turning to his workbench. "Nothing today, Mr. Casper. We'll settle up when it's ready later today."
Casper nodded, slipping a hand into his pocket as he stepped forward. "Appreciate it, Red. It's always a pleasure doing business with you."
He straightened his coat, his eyes flicking to Adem. "What are you looking at, brat? Come on."
Adem glanced at the half-pinned suit one last time, scowling, then hurried after Casper out the door.
…
"You still haven't told me what being your assistant means." Adem said, catching up to Casper on the sidewalk.
Casper continued forward, "It means you do the tasks I assign you so I can sit on my ass and ponder about the cases we get."
Adem blinked, "Cases? What do you do, exactly?"
"I'm a detective." He replied, dodging a pedestrian.
Adem snorted, with a grin, he asked loudly. "So you're unemployed?!"
Casper stopped suddenly, then lightly smacked the back of Adem's head. "Smartass. Keep talking like that, and your first task will be finding your own dinner."
Adem begrudgingly shut up after Casper's playful smack on his head, muttering under his breath as they continued walking side by side through the cloudy morning air.
Suddenly, Adem broke the silence. "When are you going to take me to this supposed doctor? You know that's the main reason I agreed to become your assistant right."
Casper slowed, then turned his head with a wry smile. "Wasn't it also because of the better pay?" He laughed lightly and added, "Soon."
Adem narrowed his eyes, his voice irritated, "When is 'soon'?"
"Soon," Casper repeated, unfazed.
Adem let out a frustrated groan, crossing his arms. "You're impossible."
He quickly followed up, "Where are we even going?"
Casper paused before pointing ahead, "Here we are."
Adem traced his finger along the edge of a large, ornate board that read "Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters." Seeing that, he sighed.
"Hey! I ain't gonna hire an uneducated swine. Besides, you'll need these skills later on." Casper muttered.
Honestly, Casper had big plans for Adem. But to cultivate Adem to reach his potential, this was a big step.
This was where Casper himself had learned Hermes, Ancient Hermes, Jotun, Dragonese, Elvish and a few others.
The headmaster — and also the only teacher there was quite kind. He had charged Casper nothing back when he was broke as fuck.
It was time to repay him now that he made some bands. Fuck, my bank account is cooked, Casper thought, almost being brought to tears when calculating the mounting expenses.
The suits from Red, the siblings' training fees, the doctor's visit for his sister, and their new apartment. Suffice to say, after all that. Casper might just have to resort to begging to keep himself afloat.
Ask about my bank account and I am finished!
The Emperor of Perpetual Brokehood thought bitterly.