#goode

Orinoco Goose (Neochen jubata), family Anatidae, order Anseriformes, found in much of central and northern South America

having to strip down in front of him..

Frank had been firm in you needing to ‘dress like a lady’. You were his little birdie, you had to look the part. Soft and delicate enough to sing a pretty tune to lure any Sheriff in. It’s why he had forced you to wear dresses and lace gloves. Your hair had to always be curled and pinned up in some fancy updo. A perfume had to be smeared on the side of your neck⎯something soft, something sweet, something that he liked. You had to have some kind of rouge painted onto your cheeks, despite how impractical it was at times. You were a lady and had to look like one. Even if there were days that you wanted to throw on a pair of pants and just let your hair loose.

“Roy..” You weakly call, “Give it a rest, please.” 

“Not now.” 

Fiddling with the soft lace gloves on your hands, you couldn’t deny that there was a bad feeling brewing in your gut, making your lips curl down into a frown. The dry desert wind blew at your skirt, ruffling the soft lace and periwinkle. It was fabric too expensive, too bright, too stand out for this small mining town. It only made you all the more uncomfortable being there. You were only supposed to buy supplies and leave, but Roy had been haggling down the price for feed for the horses. Now, you were lingering where they shouldn’t be. It wasn’t right. It went against your schedule. You should be on the road now, this town a spec in the distance. 

Swallowing the thickening lump in your throat, you look around the town, not wanting anyone to over hear you. You did not mean to be rude, not really. It was a lovely town, for what it was, a slow start up with the promise of growing big with the mine. The people here were lovely, really⎯real kind, real gentle, real welcoming. If it wasn’t for the fact that Frank wanted to leave, you’d have wanted to stay here. Licking your chapped lips softly, you shift in place uncomfortably, the fine polished leather of your heels dusting with dirt. You’d have to clean them later, Frank wouldn’t like it. Swallowing the dry lump in your throat, you shift again, kicking up some dust.

“Roy, just leave it, please.” You argue, “Frank is gonna get mad if we’re not back home before sundown, and I don’t wanna get lectured because of you.”

“( Y/n ), not right now.” He waves a hand dismissively.

“Roy, let’s just go.” You call again, voice a little more stern than before.

Rolling his eyes hard at your words, he turns his head away from you to the shopkeeper, blatantly ignoring you. Letting out a soft huff at his reaction, you cross your arms over your chest, eyeing the door of the general store. The man was asking for five dollars for the ten pounds of horse feed. Was it a slight rip-off? Yes. But, you both had the cash for it and Frank wanted you home before sundown. Losing the last of your patience, you saunter up the front steps with a huff, kicking up some more dirt with your shoes. You needed the feed and needed to get back. You didn’t have the patience for Roy to bargain and barter for the horse feed any longer. 

“Is there any other way for us to pay?” You cut Roy off, trying to hurry up the conversations.

“What are you offering?” The shopkeeper questions, raising a brow in curiosity.

“( Y/n )⎯” Roy warns, but you don’t let him finish.

“This dress I’m wearing. It is made of silk, only worn now and in perfect condition. I fixed the hem perfectly, so it looks straight out of the box.” You explain, “If I give it to you, would it be enough for the feed?” 

“Might be.” The shopkeeper nods, looking you up and down. 

“( Y/n )⎯” Roy tries, his jaw clenching.

“I can take it off in the shop, and you can look at it.” You nod, “I can show you it’s still in perfect condition.”

Chewing on his bottom lip in thought, the shopkeeper nods his head in approval, motioning for you to follow him inside. It was ridiculous to have to resort to such a demeaning manner, but if it got the damn horse feed so be it. Fumbling with the buttons of the front of your dress, the shopkeeper shuts the door in Roy’s face, making you bite back a snort at the sight. If he didn’t like it, he should’ve just paid the damn man. Slipping the dress off your shoulders, it falls to the floor in a wrinkled heap, leaving you in your drawers and bra. 

Taking the oversized shirt from the shopkeeper, you slip it on, handing off the dress for him to inspect. Frank would kill you for getting rid of his favorite dress, but it was Roy’s fault. Opening the door with a harsh scoff, Roy stares at you with wide eyes, as if he couldn’t believe you’d go through with it. Rolling your eyes hard at his surprise, the shopkeeper lets out a soft hum, drawing your attention back onto him. Looking over the lace on the hem of the dress, he nods his head in approval, making you smile softly. 

“Don’t even⎯” 

“Shut up and guard the door, Roy.” You snap back,  “I wouldn’t have to do such a thing if you had just paid the man.” 

“Yes, yes, the dress is lovely.” The shopkeeper hums, making you sigh in relief. 

“Most of it is the original, I only tend to the lace or whatever I feel would rip.” You nod, “Is it enough to pay for the feed?” 

“Yes, it will do.” The shopkeeper nods, waving his hand dismissively. 

Crossing your arms over your chest, you refuse to look in Roy’s direction, a mix of annoyed and angry at him. If he had just paid the damn man, you’d all be back at camp by now. Now, you were out of a dress and gonna be late. Perfect. Placing a gentle hand on your lower back, he walks incredibly close to you, clearly trying to hide your nakedness from the back. He didn’t have a jacket, it was too hot. It’s why you wore the dress, it was thin and let you breathe. Smacking his hand away, he lets out a low scoff, standing even closer than before. 

“Frank is gonna kill you.” 

“No, he’s gonna kill you.” You argue, “Cause you’re gonna have to explain to him how I came into town in a dress and how I came out in a shirt that ain’t mine.”

You get your ass on the beach. I'll be there waiting for you and I'll tell you what to do. There ain't anything in this plan that is going to go right.

Release info

Mu (CV: Arisa Kori) “Pain” Release date: 2025.10.22 (Wed.) Price: ¥2,000 (tax in) Product No. ARMA-0013 Specification: 1CD Amazon Animate AMNIBUS

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