Jherek's outfit is an affront to everything Arthur holds sartorially dear. Arthur defines himself by his conservative appearance. His clothes are not an affectation, but an extension of his personality. Like bright colors on foul-tasting butterflies, Arthur's outfits signal at a distance, "Beware, Type A ahead!"

Sometimes he forgets that other people don't attach the same meaning to their clothes that he does. When he looks at Jherek, though, he sees a person he wants absolutely nothing to do with.

"I--" Costume? What? "Yes, I am a native," he says slowly, trying to parse Jherek's question as he answers it.