[CLOSED-ISH (people can be bumped into!)] it's shopping time, girls

[strongroots]

Who: 2B (robussy) and Chizuru (tealeafs) , and their pals (including Robby's (strongroots)): Scorpia (cuddlery), Vi (faceblocks), Jinx (opheliac), Tory Nichols (abornfighter), Saeri (inkedspell), Ruby Rose (onekindsoul), Ezra (ezra_of_lothal),

--and whoever the else wants to come along, it's ok i'm not watching the door to this thread, feel free to bump into the shopping gang if u really want!!

What: We're going to BUY SOME DANG CLOTHES AND NAIL POLISH AND DO OUR LASHES!!
When: 2nd December
Where: Starting in Wilful Machine and ending in Cellar Door!
Content Warnings: N/A, will be added if/when relevant.
( toplevels: scorpia - vi - jinx - robby - 2b )

The cold weather of November and light brush of snow has smothered the streets well into chillier mornings come December, and only threatening to layer more the deeper into the month it gets. For now, the snow it...somewhat manageable; shovelled and pressed down from the busier streets by foots and hooves, and the market stalls are determined by how daring the sellers are feeling, and if luck is on their side.

Mostly, it's the time of the month when you have better luck owning a store front, putting out a light that you're accepting customers, and hope they come to you for the month.

A certain group is. Or a certain group will try. Heading to their meeting spot in the Wilful Machine is at least easy when using lamp travel, meeting them at the canals that will certainly lose their business for the month and the water freezes. Some busy work was done beforehand to find out potential visits that would be keeping their doors open, and to gather a variety in selection for tastes to be explored. After all, how can you know what you like when you don't have options?

---

CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES
→ The catalogues have been changed to match the season, cloaks and warming outfits illustrated in their pages, with some examples on display and available on a rack, if you can fit into them. Tailors are all too happy to help in sharing how they can offer different colours, certain bloodstones to add warmth, or to make certain cloaks lighter, but no less effective in keeping off the cold; and oh, are you thinking about secret compartments for your blades? There's plenty.

There's always something for everyone: modest skirt-pants, turtle-neck dresses, stylised jackets, and even more colourful options. And are we going to miss out on the boots and more boots shopping? Please. Don't forget to accessorise too, from necklaces, bracelets, and whatever else might catch your eye.

HAIR, NAILS, AND SKIN
→ Finding the right outfit is good, but we can't forget the other essentials in dressing up: Yourself. Getting your hair recoloured on the spur of a day out might be too much--or, is it? There's options, from short buzz cuts to examples of what's in fashion. Some products even have paleblood in it to give hair that extra wow in the dark (and you bet hey loved the glow of the blood last month!). The same goes for the nail polishes, the selections ranging from bright to night-black to luminous. Those who offer nail products also offer to do nails right there, and even with a hand massage; and even those who will do your make-up will throw in a relaxing facial beforehand, if you find the right spot (and are willing to barter the right goods).

There's no one style for all in these establishments, with the only limits being what you dare to try and your imagination. Feeling gender-neutral today? Well, aren't you in luck.

FOOD, DRINKS, AND DANCE
→ There's the cafés along the way during this day out that may catch one's (or a few) eyes for a quick drink to warm one up, a certain smell to draw a person in (is that freshly cooked herby bread? Heck yes). But as the day goes on, the night drawing in earlier these days, there is a place to put an end to this shopping trip (and once purchases have been securely put away): dinner, drinks, and a floor for dance. People are free to come and go as they please with the group, but there's a table waiting for any to come in a nice cosy tavern, for people to show up again in their newer outfits, should they please. It's a good time for chatting, relaxing, to do it off their feet; to get rosy off some drink if that's their flavour.

And then the end of it will take them to one last stop: into Cellar Door. Their cheeks might be freezing by the time they get there, but the dance clubs are always warm and alive, buzzing as soon as you walk in. It might be busy on the dance-floor, but there's booths available, spots where those unused to the activity can get up their courage, ... or take advantage of the very pretty drinks they serve here.

Maybe it's not your scene, or you can give anything a go once -- in the end, what matters is that you had fun.

( ooc: hey gang, hope this write-up helps with making toplevels!! please feel free to bring up any fashions or styles, the above pics were just examples. There's no real set places being visited, and your character doesn't have to be around for every single thing. 👍👍 )

Comments

[opheliac]

( nothing bad, nothing too crazy? there's a very skeptical look the baby sister is wearing; eyes squinting with brows furrowing. she knows vi won't put her in any real danger, but something about that delivery made it sound very fishy.

at the mention of her hands, her attention falls down to them -- nails specifically. )

What... W-Wha... — ( ugh! ) co... uhm. Pi..nk? Hair. Liiiike... hair?

[faceblocks]

[don't worry, jinx. it's nbd, just a little blood bond. but she's got to have another think through, a bit of research before she makes the pitch to jinx. she'll use the next couple of days for that.]

Pink's in the mix, but it's not my whole plan. I've got a plan. [she taps her temple.]

I think you're gonna like it.

[hand out, ready to pull her (gently) along.]

[opheliac]

... Worried. S-Sho...should I be?

( she still isn't fully convinced here but nevertheless, she takes her sister's hand -- letting her tug. mr. bananas, meanwhile, keeps perch on the blue-haired shoulders to make coo sounds. why? again, simply because jinx enjoys hearing it. )

[faceblocks]

Not at all. My hands are in good hands. Yours are too.

[a small smile as she says that - and she'll lead her toward the manicure area, taking a seat herself and settling in, letting the trenchie know that jinx is just her 'emotional support sleeper', and also her sister. jinx can sit in her own little seat if she wants, or she can stand. she can do whatever she wants while vi looks over the card with all the polish colors.]

Black, and ....um, that pink. And...

[there are quite a few blues. she's pretty sure of the one jinx would pick, but she'd rather let her sister do it herself. be involved. so she hands that card over.]

...which blue do think? You can just point to it, no words needed.

[opheliac]

( three colors? two she can understand but three will not make it symmetrical. unless asymmetrical is what her sister is going for. but it's her nails so maybe she can make it work. jinx takes the card to look over. definitely some nice blues to choose from but she picks the one that is almost similar to her hair -- facing it to vi with her own nail tapping to the color.

and she supposes she should sit for now; give her legs a bit of rest from the standing and walking around. )

[faceblocks]

Yeah. That one.

[she shows the artist the picks again, and waits for her to grab them (quick), relaxing a little as her hands are placed in some scented water and her nails are given a scrub. they're cleaner than usual, but ...she does eat with her hands a lot. and pet animals.]

Black everywhere, but not the middle fingers. Leave those for last, cause that's where the colors go.

[she's pretty sure these are simple enough instructions she doesn't have to watch, so she sinks further back into the chair.]

I'm glad you came. Chizuru seems really glad, too. It's cool you're friends. It's ...sweet. She's sweet.

[opheliac]

( oh, she gets it! the middle fingers will have a different color to them. that's pretty nifty. it's almost similar to hers. how nice of her. and she seems relax along with her sister until she brings up chizuru. her body stiffens just a tad before a quick look over to her.)

... She is?

( looks like she was able to get those two words out with no problem. finally. mr. bananas, deciding to be a little prick, hops off her shoulder and onto vi's. there's a look to him that's extremely smug and very interested in this conversation all the sudden. )

[faceblocks]

[vi turns to her sister as the pink nail's being painted, head tilting and suddenly: monkey on her shoulder! she shifts a little in the chair and carefully gives the omen a little pet on his head because he's cute, okay?]

Yeah, totally. Come on, you know she is. Like a ...little bunny.

[she doesn't come out and directly say rabbit, but she'd heard jinx call her that before the conversation had continued on (privately) without her knowledge. jinx could have called her anything - something way meaner, but she'd gone with rabbit and not twitchy or jumpy or something less soft. less ...sweet. turning to the omen:]

What's up, Bananas? Got something to tell me?

[opheliac]

( she heard that? great. just great. sure, vi is aware jinx can be nice when she is in mood for it, but to have her sister witness her pet naming someone something cute? it puts a real dent in her reputation. and a response to her comment, jinx avoids eye contact with vi -- letting out a very long groan and hope that will be enough to possibly change the subject. she really doesn't want this to go any deeper than it needs to be.

but leave it to her spider-money to do some trickery when he shrinks an even smaller size; tittering as he plops himself to sit on top of vi's head. and sitting comfortably there, he bounces from side to side to sing happily in a tiny voice: )

♪ I've been awake for a while now
You've got me feeling like a child now
'Cause every time I see your bubbly face
I get the tingles in a silly place

It starts in my toes, and I crinkle my nose
Wherever it goes, I always know
That you make me smile, please stay for a while now
Just take your time, wherever you go ♪

( jinx snaps a very quick look up at her omen; face entirely red which debatable could mean she is embarrassed, angry, or both. there's a motion with her fingers clenching -- just wanting to ring that little neck of his. but bananas thinks nothing of her threat but continues to giggle. )

[faceblocks]

[is he trying to tell her this is what jinx feels when she's around chizuru more or less? well, if the dramatic groan (instead of a no! wasn't a big enough clue, this song clears up the rest. and then there's the issue of her face. it's all just too cute: jinx's face, this little monkey on her head singing with his tiny voice, his tiny body, and that giggle. this is peak cute. she ...doesn't want to say anything to destroy it - and the last thing she wants to do is discourage her sister from such a friendship, or a ...crush. whatever these softer feelings might be. these are the sorts of things she'd hoped for jinx from the beginning - so she only lowers her eyes and listens, smiling a soft, small smile that's edged with hope, with relief. she's not going to shit on that by commenting further.]

That's a very cute song, Mr. Bananas, which coming from a very cute monkey: not a surprise.

[she makes a little monkey noise at him, unable to see him properly because he's nested on her head, but she knows jinx likes the sounds he makes - and her sister can communicate in his language when she wants. jinx is getting better at it as time passes. when she does look at her sister again, it's to show off her nails by first splaying her fingers and then shooting a bird to show off the pink and blue.]

Hey, look. It's us.

[opheliac]

(oh thank whatever gods out there, that vi didn't comment further on her omen's attempt to spill the beans. the last she wants is to talk about her muddy feelings when it comes to chizuru. and that's because she's still trying to figure it out herself. jinx enjoys flirting with her and toying with her so the girl can sputter out words. that's always fun, but the gentleness of her and the smile she gives -- seem to set her back and have her stumble from time to time . she doesn't get it or... maybe she does?

it's almost in line with how she feels regarding ekko sometimes. she can't stand the guy, but there are little moments with him where things seem... warm and enjoyable. the two of them are so different and take separate paths, but they hit the same core in jinx, nevertheless. a center where she is loss in words with a flustered face which she desperately hides. a feeling that hits up to her throat, to her cold stone heart to warm up, and then down to the pit of her stomach. jinx doesn't understand what all of this mean and is refusing to really sit and think about it.

but who knows? maybe a certain blood pact down the line where she is connected with someone else who can untangle these emotions. someone who can unravel for or with her can help shed some light.

anyway.

bananas chirps at vi back even though some pitches of the noise the other girl says in the language means... nothing. maybe he or jinx can teach her the correct way to chirp. but for now, he doesn't say much else or hop off her head just yet. instead, he begins to play with her hair by flattening it -- grooming her. the blue-haired girl glances at her big sister's nails then grins wide at the bird flip. it really is them! and with a giggle, she returns the middle finger. not a mean gesture to vi, of course. just doing it because... why not? it's fun to be rude for no reason!!)