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

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. 👍👍 )

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

No- [ He breathes out the word with her apology, a small shake of his head following, slow. ] It's alright, we keep secrets for a reason. You didn't do anything wrong.

[ He doesn't think so. And what would it have changed for him to know? But Robby can see what it means to Chizuru, to share and confess, and the reason could be many: for keeping it from him, from previous bad experiences. Really, the former doesn't come without the latter, does it?

It's why he puts a hand on her shoulder, sliding it down to her arm to give a soft squeeze. ]

I've met a lot of different kinds of people since I've been here? Actually, [ if he wants to be honest--or just give her a potential reason to smile, or feel better a smile encroaching his own lips, ] --healing up real good is...actually pretty tame. You sound as normal as I do.

[ He cocks his head, eyes on her. ]

Sorry.

[ Heh. Sorry you're so normal-sounding, Chizuru. ]

.. okay, now you're just trying to be nice.

[ But Chizuru doesn't sound sullen or annoyed about that. If anything, the way he smiles as he says it teases out a faint smile from her as well. Her hand seeks out his hand after it squeezed her arm like that, moving to hold hands for just a moment.

Just for some reassurance. That Robby really doesn't mind, unlike some of the people back home who immediately thought of her as a freak accident of nature for what she could do.

Him being nice about it, going above and beyond to even say it's normal.. It's actually kind of appreciated, even if Chizuru knows this makes her very much not normal. ]

I can grow horns too, so.. um. Let's not call me normal too quickly, okay..?

[ It's.. faintly a joke, though the girl seems to be entirely honest as she says it too. If anything, the way she whispers it to him rather than saying it out loud indicates very much that it's got to be the truth, or she wouldn't be so secretive about it between the two of them. ]

Or else you'll start to give me hope.

Hey, you're the last person that needs hope. [ Is he even going to react to the horns thing? No. Not more than a slight raise of his eyebrows, but he's being careful of how he approaches this. Still, he does mean it - even if Chizuru sees it as teasing, or indulging for her.

But horns or no horns, who could look and see and know Chizuru, and not see her for simply who she is? A girl who wants to give so much, never thinking she deserves anything in return. Robby smiles at her, knowing he could say more; but he turns back to the display of earrings, taps at the table. ]

So - do we want to ask if they have clip-ons or anything for magical healing ears, or leave it for another day? I can still get you to look at bracelets.

[ Like she can't escape getting something nice for herself, no matter her choice here. And this is what being normal is about -- not fussing, taking issues into account and working with them, like it's just a natural and normal consideration.

And really, in a place like Trench? It might as well be. ]

[ She wonders if Robby knows what this is like for her.

It's hard to tell. He continues on so easily, after all, so naturally, and a part of Chizuru figures that it's probably for her sake. Her emotions always show up on her face, after all, and she knows that Robby is good enough at spotting other people's emotions and taking them into consideration to probably not want to put too much emphasis on the awkwardness that must have lingered in Chizuru's eyes, in the corners of her mouth.

But maybe she should say something? Thank him? Explain to him that other people would have killed her over this knowledge back home, or just simply pushed her away, told her to get lost, to leave the human world, the world Robby is so very obviously part of. And yet he's accepting her like it's natural, like she isn't a monster by nature.

.. it feels too awkward to say it. Instead she just keeps holding onto his hand for another moment, giving it a light squeeze even as she doesn't say a thing, hoping that a small gesture like that is enough to convey at least part of the sentiment between the two of them. ]

I would like some clip-ons. [ She instead says, focusing on the lighter topic - and showing that she's still willing to indulge in this, despite the awkward sidetrack this topic brought them to. ] They're too pretty to ignore.

[ If it's at all possible to get these.. 'clip-ons'.. Chizuru, as always, would not want to be a bother, after all.

She pauses, and then adds: ]

Would you like some too?

[ It's not like Chizuru has any idea of Modern Gender Standards, after all. Why wouldn't Robby want some cute earrings. ]

Me? [ Oh, that gets the surprised reaction Chizuru couldn't have expected. But Robby wasn't expecting the question either, even if he should have. But for the initial reaction - and the unsure hold of his brows - Robby does take a second look at the selection. At anything fancy? No. Buuut...]

I guess something like this could be cool. [ Just a stud? But a thick one than on the smaller side. ] Dunno if I'm going to get a clip of this though. I'll have to get the full work done.

[ He holds it not by his ear, but in front of it, turned to Chizuru. ]

Think it'd suit me?

[ Apparently this question is a whole lot easier for her to answer, since the girl seems to nod without even having to think too hard about it. ]

Anything would look good on you though.

[ .. maybe a bit of an exaggeration there - though not from Chizuru's point of view, mind you. Robby is a handsome guy! Sure, he may not be pretty like some of the men she knows from back home, but she can totally see girls finding Robby attractive. He looks nice.

Nice enough for her to be able to say it so plainly. ]

I mean.. [ She reaches out, her hand faintly touching the sides of his hair, the top of his ear. ] Since your hair is like this, you'd show it off so well too! In my case, my hair might hide it a little bit..

[ The touch tickles his ear faintly, but it doesn't make Robby move. Rather, it's nice. What compliment isn't? He turns his fingers to look at the earring pinned between them, then looks at Chizuru--or rather, the side of her side. ]

You could get away with it, but... [ No, he's looking back at the selection, and picks out a small flower at a similar size. He turns so they're both in view of the mirror, letting the earring hide behind her long fringe. ]

Sure, you can't see it easy here, but it peeks out from the side. But when your hair moves a little, or you bring it back?

[ Carefully, he brings his free hand over so he can brush the strands of Chizuru's hair behind her hair. He's holding the earring delicately between forefinger and thumb by her lower earlobe, as close to an idea as he can. Smiling at her from the mirror, while looking at the example, too. ]

It's not about being obvious. Being subtle suits you. Something small, but still eye-catching?

[ Someone's going to think that about you.

But that might be a little too much, so Robby just keeps smiling, lets what he's already said hang in the air, until he can rework it say: ]

It fits.

[ Their gazes meet in the mirror for a brief moment, Chizuru's own gaze flickering from the earring and where it's nestled between her hair and her ear over to Robby's face - only to spot that smile on his face, and the eyes aimed at her.

It makes the girl blush a tiny bit. A blush that lingers even as they turn away from the mirror, even as she carefully takes the flowery earring from him to turn it over in her hands, taking a better look at it. ]

I didn't know you thought about me enough to know what suits me so well.

[ It's a light remark. Not anything negative - honestly, it's not even a tease, not with the sort of tone Chizuru says it in. Instead she just sounds.. flattered, or maybe just happy.

Robby is so kind, and to take up any space at all in his mind feels like a privilege. ]

.. I think I'd like one like this though, yes. It reminds me a little of the cherry blossoms we had back home during spring.. I spent so much time looking at those. They're pretty.

[ I didn't know you thought about me enough to know what suits me so well.

Neither did Robby.

Rather, he never thought about what would suit her. He's sure that's just experience about people, the kind who would casually wear this, the way they look. But the part before that--that's more telling about Chizuru herself than him. He thinks about her a normal amount for a good friend, and he doesn't doubt she thinks about him any less than her other friends.

Just, that's Chizuru's weakness: her self-worth.

He smiles on in the face of the remark, even letting it widen for a moment in a soft reaction. Expected, and he touches her shoulder briefly with his now free hand before letting it drop. ]

You wanna take them to the owner then? Or do you want to see if there's a better flower?

[ There's a tiny pause where she seems to contemplate it, but-- no, she's fine enough with these. They're pretty to begin with, but.. just the fact that Robby picked them out makes them feel a little more special. It's nice to have something to remind you of a friend, even during the times when they're not by your side.

So she shakes her head at that last question--

--but that's not all. She leans over, very gently bumping her own arm against Robby's. ]

You first need to pick too. [ Even if it's a bit more of a commitment, if he truly wants to go for getting his ears pierced and all..

It's most likely Chizuru's awareness of that fact and her constant tendency to think way too much about other people and their comfort that she does add: ] Unless you really don't want to.

[ Chizuru would never badger someone into doing something, okay. Her heart is too soft. Especially towards friends. ]

No, I do, [ he answers; right, there was his own. ] Let's see...

[ He just needs to turn back to the selection and see what there is. Very simple; he isn't about to start wearing flowers or anything like that himself any time soon.

So, being the guy he is (because not even Robby can escape the guy curse), his eyes scan what's available, and...

Picks up a simple black stud. ]

How about something like this? [ ...well, now he's making a face. ] You're gonna see them everywhere on me.

[ Robby doesn't have the 'hair hiding ears' problem. ]

[ Yes, that truly is A Guy she's standing here with. Sometimes it's easy to forget with Robby, since he isn't quite as insistent on.. certainly manly traits as some of the men Chizuru knows back home are, but this definitely is a moment where she's reminded that Robby isn't exactly a guy for flowers.

Not that she minds though. He's allowed to have his own preferences, and if anyone knows what it's like to not want to stand out too much, it's Chizuru.. So she just smiles and then nods in approval, even in the face of Robby's.. well, his face. The one he's making right now. ]

It's going to look nice on you though! So it doesn't matter if people see, right?

[ There's a pause, Chizuru's gaze wandering - perhaps spotting some of their shopping day companions in another part of the store, her gaze meaningfully lingering on Tory before looking back at Robby. ]

.. wouldn't you want certain people to think it looks nice on you?

[ More like a certain someone, right. ]

[ Robby only needs a second to look at Chizuru with a hint of wonder before the his lips pull into a smirk. Oh, bringing the girlfriend into this, is she? He glances for her in the space, but he looks back down at the selection with a renewed -- or even better -- curiosity. ]

Well, now I've gotta do better, [ he's decided, a small laugh as he hovers a finger along the choice. But such is his ability to choose for himself, that he brings another up- ] Okay, what about this? It's a lil' nicer.

[ ...it's basically the same idea. ]

[ .. it's definitely basically the same idea.

In fact, it's almost a little comical. It's the sort of comical Chizuru feels like she shouldn't laugh at, because it would be super impolite towards such a good friend, but.. she can't help it. There's something so cute about Robby picking a simple stud, and then picking something that's basically the same thing, and then pretending a tiny change truly makes it that much fancier.

It's easy to catch the smile on Chizuru's face before her hand quickly lifts to cover it, but what makes it more obvious despite her attempts to hide it is the fact that a giggle actually escapes from her lips.

Sorry, Robby, she's trying. ]

O-Oh! Yes, it's very nice..!

[ But she does figure she should explain her poor attempts to cover up her laughter, so she adds-- ]

Sorry, Robby, it's just.. um.. you're such a man..

[ A-Affectionate??

Sorry for the fact you're such a guy, Robby. Sorry for your loss of having to be part of that half of humanity. ]

[ He's half-consumed by the earring in his hand to pay too close attention to Chizuru, that she manages to escape notice--until the giggle. Then he looks at her, innocence switched with a quirked brow, and then more so as that explanation comes.

Excuse??? Except Robby coughs out a laugh, the grin on his face both puzzled and amused. ]

And what's that mean, huh?

[ Huh? This is not the voice or look of a guy who is so easily willing to give this up, already verbally-nudging her for an answer: ] C'mon, tell me!

[ Roast him, Chizuru. ]

[ Something about his reaction only makes her laugh harder, even if Chizuru - for the record! - is still trying really, really hard to cover it up with her hand. It's not working very well, sure, but she truly is trying! She can't help it when Robby's offense is so amusing, especially when he's laughing about it too rather than truly getting angry. ]

You don't see it?

[ That's all Chizuru manages to get out between giggles, but then she finally manages to calm herself down enough to stop laughing. Her hand drops back to her side, and she shakes her head a few times as she makes sure to catch her breath again after that. ]

It's just.. [ Oh gosh, how does she even explain this. She'll probably lose why it was funny in the first place in the process! ] It's basically the same as the last one, Robby..

[ Do you see this, boy?

Do you.

This does not fully explain why he is Such A Guy, sure, but this is step one to getting there. The acknowledgement of the fancy step up not being all that fancy. ]

[ Fortunately, Robby does get what Chizuru means when she says that. Yes, they're similar, but does Robby have to like that she pointed it out? Not by the open mouth that's attempting some kind of comeback, but nothing comes out as he looks between her and the display case, and he takes in a breath almost like a huff.

... no, it's totally a huff, a smile skewed on his mouth. ]

Alright then. [ Alright. ] How about you help me be less a man?

[ Really, there's no sounding honestly offended when he can't stop smiling, dimples pinching into his cheeks even as he directs Chizuru to this task.

If he's such a man, why don't you help him be less of one, Chizuru!! Huh!!! ]

[ At least Chizuru is willing to help, thank you very much. Not that Chizuru isn't willing to help at all times, especially for a good friend like Robby.. But she's definitely not going to leave him high and try after laughing at him!

It's why she's already looking back over at the selection they've got here, humming with a faint 'let's see', going quiet entirely as she really seems to consider this one. ]

Well, if you still want something that's still a little bit more special.. You could go for one of those that go around the side. [ She gestures at the ear cuffs. Where, yes, there's also some wilder designs.. but the one Chizuru motions at is still kind of mild. ] That's still more unique, you know? I don't see a lot of people here with those, let alone men..!

[ Oh, those? Robby peers down at the selection, and the particular ones Chizuru motions to. He wonders about the design, but--maybe it could be cool. He picks one of them up, rolling it between thumb and forefinger. ]

Huh. [ Hmm. ] Think it comes with just the one or two? But that's not bad...

[ He turns to Chizuru, raised brows and a tilt to his smile. ] I'll try it. [ A beat. ] But you sure there isn't a plain black one?

[ By the increase in his smile, he's definitely poking fun at his own choices; where if Chizuru even thinks to look for one, he'll laugh and say, 'I'm joking!' ]

[ Please, Robby.

You know Chizuru by now. Of course she immediately starts looking, and with the sort of facial expression that makes it pretty obvious she is being genuine about this search, rather than just her going along with the joke. The fact she looks surprised when he says he's just joking makes it even more clear. It's followed up by a faint blush, and then their shoulders lightly bumping into each other on purpose, Chizuru pushing her shoulder against his own. ]

You can't just joke about that.. [ It's the weakest protest ever though. Chizuru is soft, especially for her friend. ] I seriously was about to ask the shop owner if they had one for you.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject