Alvis. Special outfit.
“I am going to get fired.”
That was the predominant thought racing in Alvis’ brain as he looked at the time on his phone in dread, tearing up. He was a star employee, typically there with time to spare till clocking in. Add on top of that his fear of being late, and how he typically walks or takes public transportation, more time is added onto his waiting period for his shift to start. But today was the most peculiar of days, and Alvis isn’t even quite sure he knows how to explain what happened.
It started on the bus. He had been minding his own business, sitting close to the door so he can get off quick. But the seat he always sat in on Tuesdays? There was someone random sitting there, and that should’ve been enough for him to know the whole day was going to go badly when he had to push down his annoyance someone was in his unofficial spot and walk further down. If he believed in such things, that would’ve been a bad omen for sure.
Next, the bus had to be re-routed. It went to an area he was completely unfamiliar with. He never walked that way for himself, and thankfully never had to keep an eye on one of his brothers and go in that area either. Despite the bus drivers apologies, and the bickering of people around him over this, he thought at worst he was just going have to bite down his trepidation, get off at the next stop, and walk the rest of the way towards work. He kept glancing at the time, but even with him having to use Google maps, he knew he should be able to be on time if he got going right away.
The second he stepped off the bus he had started briskly walking towards work. Grimacing internally at any eyes he could feel glancing towards him, he made sure to keep his briefcase close. It really, really should have been that at the worst, barring the expected annoyances of the day should he run into any coworkers in the building on his way to his desk or during lunch.
….Why is he in a maid dress, then?
Alvis’ face was a pink mess as he sniffled. Trying to rein himself in, to not just fully start crying as the panic so badly made him want to do. On the sidewalk wearing just that, clutching his suitcase, and not too far off from work all things considered.
Everything had happened so fast. Him getting ran into by a person, his work outfit ruined by a horrible stain from whatever black substance they were carrying. It left an oily residue on him, and he had promptly blanched then, but had wanted to go about it respectfully despite how it made his skin crawl. He hated unexpected things, and while oil substances are things he can handle when he’s working on pieces of technology, he usually is mentally prepped for it. He had denied their offer of help, but the person kept insisting, stating they own a nearby store. They just wouldn’t leave it alone, and he though he wanted to just continue on his way, he soon found himself getting pulled that way. Skin crawling at the touch, but ready to just accept the help if it meant he could just grab a shirt or something and go. Their words kept drowning him out, though had he known this would be the outcome, he would’ve been more assertive in his need to leave.
More people came over as he was led in, and it was a blur till he was rushed to the bathroom. Shoved inside, and told they had some stain remover. He insisted he can do it himself, or just needed a shirt, but they said they’d come in and get the clothes off him, so he warily stripped and held it and his stained pants out after cracking the door. Stewing in his nerves, but they insisted they could take care of all the stains, about twenty minutes left till his shift starts.
In a way he just cannot fathom… they ruined his shirt. His pants. There was a sharp chemical smell in the air, bleach like but decidedly not just that, that told him they likely had tried. But they wouldn’t show him either, the holes they apparently burned into them. They also didn’t just have normal clothes. He had been so focused on getting in and out, and not tripping over the people who greeted them, he didn’t realize with how this was a…. Special store. One he would never in a million years step into on his own, despite their offer to let him take products that complimented the outfit for free due to this whole mess.
So here he is. On the verge of crying, in the only clothes they had on hand that fit him that kind of covered him up. He’s not about to be arrested for public indecency, walking out in just boxers. Not when he was bashful as is just taking his shirt off. At least the skirt of the maid dress was poofy, covering a good length of his legs, so he didn’t have to worry on that front. Just everything else.
The time was now too close that even if Alvis reached the building wearing his typical clothes for work in the next five minutes he’d still be late between having to get in, going through the building, and getting set up. With a dry hiccup, he followed through with his anxiety and duty bound nature. He may be fired but he still had to let his boss know that he had tried to come to work. That he didn’t just skip— he had to call his boss.
Ring…. Ring….
“H-hello.”
