X-23
Heroes 
There are two types of people. you are weak, or you are me.
Posts: 120
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Post by X-23 on Nov 8, 2017 17:31:00 GMT -5
This was one of the premier streets in Manhattan for shopping, famed across America for having some of the best and most ground breaking choices in the way of fashion and high society. Apparently. Laura had never heard or been here before today, but Barbara had said that this was the place to go on their day out, and Laura couldn't argue with the fact that going to the best place made sense.
It was just past ten in the morning when they arrived, the sun was bright but the air still kept a bite to it that left Laura keeping her hands in her jacket pockets as they walked. Laura was happy to let the other woman show her around, this being Barbara's brain child after all, and didn't know which shops were the ones to head to first. really though many of the clothing shops looked the same to her, all posh dresses and suits in the windows and posher looking men and women going in and out of them.
Laura was looking forward to the day ahead more then she thought she would, it was something she'd never really done before and in the company of someone she was able to get along with far better then she'd expected. It was certainly far better then the conspicuous amounts of nothing she had planned before Barbara had suggested that today was as good as any to make time for their agreed trip. So things had worked out quite nicely.
"where do you wish to go first?" Laura asked, taking another look around to just get a better feel for the layout of the area.
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Cheetah
Villains 
This sort of thing doesn't happen to Barbara Minerva. I don't let it.
Posts: 129 
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Post by Cheetah on Nov 12, 2017 18:08:03 GMT -5
They were certainly a opposing pair. Laura hardly looked feminine, what with her leather jacket, black trousers, a buttoned up shirt that could have come from any number of men’s closets, and, as a finishing touch, a pair of men’s boots. Barbara, on the other hand looked rather presentable in her navy blue skirt, pumpkin colored blouse, paisley silk scarf, and dark blue overcoat.
It wasn’t that Barbara disliked the way in which Laura dressed. The girl was entitled to her own sense of fashion. However, Barbara did feel the need to add a bit of variety to that monotone, monochromatic wardrobe of hers. Which was precisely why they were exploring the fashion shops of New York. Actually, it was partially for the both of them. Trips into and out of the jungle did tend to set you back in terms of what everyone was wearing these days, and while she couldn’t easily pop over to Paris or even London to see what was all the rage, New York was just as good a venue as anywhere else.
Barbara took her time strolling past the shops. Looking into the windows, she was able to best gauge what Laura would likely be willing to start out with. Pausing for a moment, she did give the girl a once over, analyzing her body shape and trying to figure out just what would be right. Only then did she see the looks from other people as they entered and exited the storefronts. They gave Laure a wide berth and their eyes remained trained on her as they walked past. Whether it was out of fear she would start trouble or simply due to disgust, Barbara wasn’t sure, but she was beginning to think that clothes wouldn’t be the only thing to change when it came to appearance.
“Well, I don’t think that you are the type to be overly frilly and girly. Of course that may change if you find the right boy. But… ladies’ trousers are coming in vogue. They might frame your shape better than men’s. We can start with those and a few blouse; long and short sleeved. However, I would ask that you indulge me and try on at least one skirt or dress?” Studying Laura a bit more, Barbara briefly pulled back the girl’s jacket. “I think you may like bolero jackets. And, regarding your footwear… Maybe Oxfords or saddle shoes. But if you are truly insistent on boots, I’ll get you a lovely lace-up pair. And perhaps we can do something about your hair.” The last part she added rather quickly before heading towards one of the shops, hoping Laura wouldn’t catch it.
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X-23
Heroes
There are two types of people. you are weak, or you are me.
Posts: 120
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Post by X-23 on Nov 26, 2017 11:20:55 GMT -5
Laura was able to mostly convince herself she wasn't bothered by the way strangers were looking at her. on an intellectual level she was aware they didn't really matter, and she'd almost certainly never see any of them again or have to deal with them. but still. Immediate rejection was always going to feel bad, no matter what empty reasoning was behind it all. regardless, she had no plan to change for anyone. Stubbornness, and the simple fact she was comfortable as she was.
Several of the people looking at her received cold, lingering, stares. Most found something else to look at as soon as they were noticed and fewer still kept eye contact for much time. That made her feel a lot better. "frills feel like a waste of material to me." Laura answered honestly, receiving a small tut from a passing, noticeably frilly, older woman. "Some people wear clothes that weigh them down and stop them from even being able to walk normally. i do not like that style." Dresses as a concept weren't something to flatly reject, but most of them worn by the rich were so deliberately eye catching and garish that Laura never bothered with any at all.
"i used to have skirts. Then Father told me i needed to stop kicking people while wearing them. so i stopped wearing them." Laura commented as her way of agreeing to trying them. "something about modesty." Laura had no idea what a "bolero jacket" was or how it differed from any other kind. nor did she know much about types of shoes. "If you believe i will like certain styles i will believe you." She agreed, following after Barbara into the first shop, her eyes narrowing at the back of the English womans head at the mention of her hair. For some reason that felt like it should bode poorly.
The cashier looked up with a professional level of interest at their entry and gave them both a smile. "hello dears, welcome! welcome! how nice to see you." Laura had no idea what to make of such immediate enthusiasm and just nodded politely. "well, well do let me know how i can help you dears. Are you here for anything special today?"
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Cheetah
Villains
This sort of thing doesn't happen to Barbara Minerva. I don't let it.
Posts: 129
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Post by Cheetah on Dec 4, 2017 21:56:02 GMT -5
“It all depends on the sort of frill, Laura. Yes, I’ll admit that there are some fashions out there that look rather stupid on the human body, but, on the other hand, there are styles of clothes that have just the right amount of frill,” Barbara told her in a reassuring manner. “But I promise that you will not be forced into wearing a dress that makes you feel weighed down. Nor will your movements be restricted.” Thank god corsets were currently out of fashion. Barbara had no idea how should would convince Laura to wear one if she had to. Yes, place this restrictive undergarment around your chest and waist. It will limit how much you can bend, how easily you can breathe, and quite literally rearrange your internal organs while giving you a waist tiny enough to slip through the eye of a needle. Barbara could practically hear the young girl running for her life.
She had to hide a smile when Laura mentioned kicking people while wearing a skirt. It seemed like something she may have done when she was younger. So long as she never got caught, of course. “No, kicking is certainly frowned upon. Ladies don’t kick people. Unless they deserve it.” That statement got Barbara a disapproving look from a passing older couple. “We can attempt to try on skirts, so long as you promise to behave.” Once her back was to Laura and the comment about her hair had been made, Barbara felt the girl’s gaze try and pierce the back of her skull. Laura must like her hair the way that it is.
The saleswoman was particularly cheerful this morning, which may be a good thing, Barbara thought. Perhaps she would be able to help speed things along, or, more than likely, she would provide Laura and herself with constant interruptions. One or the other. “Oh, yes, good morning. I am here with my…” Barbara paused. How would she explain what Laura was to her? “This is the daughter of my business partner. Lovely man, devoted single father, but…. as you can see, her upbringing lacked a bit of the feminine touch. I was hoping to change that just a tiny smidge.” Nothing she said was meant to hurt or insult neither Artie nor Laura, and Barbara hoped that she understood that. “I was hoping that we could get the hard part out of the way and start by looking at a few dresses. Some for day wear, and perhaps one dress for evening affairs, should her father ever have formal dinners or parties. I was thinking something simple and elegant,” she spoke while perusing the various dresses she could easily see.
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X-23
Heroes
There are two types of people. you are weak, or you are me.
Posts: 120
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Post by X-23 on Jan 15, 2018 22:21:44 GMT -5
Laura examined the contents of the shop as they talked, finding herself looking over the contents of a small section near the entrance that sold the smaller articles. Gloves, headwear and the like. briefly she picked up a hat that seemed to have twice the material needed to maintain its shape, turned it over in her hands once, and promptly put it back down where she had found it. There was a pair of dark brown gloves that held her attention for far longer though, as they seemed to be made of good material.
"That makes sense. Everything exists in moderation if you know where to look." Laura agreed on the topic of frills as she draped one glove over her hand to try and get a feel for the size difference. "And thank you. I would never wear such a dress and the waste of money would be foolish." Really why anyone wore anything that meant you could not easily run was nothing short of insanity in Laura's eyes. what if there was an emergency? what if there was a fire? she refused to burn to death on the basis of how pretty she would look for her funeral.
The instructions not to kick anyone was reasonable though, and Laura could certainly agree there was no reason to be violent in a clothing store that she could expect as she put on the glove. "I do not believe in kicking anyone who does not require kicking. regardless of clothing." She paused, "Or gender." That one was less likely to come up, certainly, but if she WERE to suddenly become a male that would not cause her to hurt people that did not deserve it either, so the point was valid if slightly esoteric. "if it comes to violence I will focus on using my fists. I promise." Laura added, balling her gloved hand as a demonstration, just serious enough that it was hard to tell she was trying to make a joke out of it.
"ohhhh yes dear! yes!" the Saleswoman said with enthusiasm, clapping once and nodding along with the explanation. "Well no, no, I completely understand! I am sure he has done his absolute best, yes. But being a single parent is hard for anyone and he could never be blamed for lacking a womans touch!" She followed after Barbara to Laura, who met her eyes with polite interest. "but deep down i'm sure we'll find a true lady within you, pretty young thing that you are it should come right to the surface!"
The enthusiasm gave Laura a slight pause. "Stranger things have happened." The teenager offered, not sure if that was an agreement or not but knowing she had to reply with something. She turned her head to Barbara and held up the gloves. "if I purchase these, will you be disappointed if I immediately cut holes in them?" Laura hadn't meant to be rude, but was startled from the way the saleswoman reacted, a hand going over her heart and taking a step back like she had been stung.
"Holes? why dear what on earth could make you think of that? those are the most recent style of Domo pacific! you could not be DREAMING of taking a kitchen knife to such things surely?!" The woman asked, bordering on outraged.
Laura had no interest in explaining her mutation to strangers like this and simply shrugged. "I did not know they were of that style. I apologise for offending you. Barbara perhaps you should show me what you originally had in mind here?" her apology had never actually included the promise not to cut the gloves, or that the brand meant anything to her, but it was enough apparently as the Saleswoman gave Barbara a look of sympathy of what terrible condition of a young girl she had to deal with before politely excusing herself and heading back towards the counter.
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Cheetah
Villains
This sort of thing doesn't happen to Barbara Minerva. I don't let it.
Posts: 129
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Post by Cheetah on Jan 29, 2018 22:16:36 GMT -5
Barbara couldn’t help but smile as Laura spoke. She had such an interesting view of the world and how it worked, or at least how she interpreted how it worked. Whether she was right in her estimations was something yet to be seen, but Barbara did enjoy her uniqueness. The girl’s interest in gloves did not go unnoticed either. However, the saleswoman’s unexpected enthusiasm was quite distracting, as it prevented Barbara from commenting further on when it was and wasn’t proper to deliver kicks and punches to people in public. The woman could likely smell a sale being practically dropped in her lap, and those sort of people were not Barbara’s favorite. Naturally, this would be an enjoyable battle of wits, posturing, and shopping tactics.
The reaction to the glove desecration was both funny and not unexpected, so Barbara quickly maneuvered herself to be besides the sales clerk, reassuring her. “Relax, we would never do something so uncouth as to butcher these fine gloves with simple knives.” Turning to Laura, she continued. “I assume the holes would be for ease of movement?” Barbara asked, making a fist and running her finger over the space between her knuckles; a subtle way of referring to Laura’s claws. Looking back at the clerk, Barbara smiled. “Her hands have a slightly unique shape to them. Long, slim fingers; meaning her knuckles don’t quite match up with where they should be when wearing gloves. She’s accidentally popped more than a few seams because of that. So, before I came along, Laura would alter what gloves she had herself, hoping to avoid damaging them in an unexpected way. Ingenious and thrifty in her practicality, but now that I’m here, I can have things done professionally.” Once again, she went back to Laura, gently examining the gloves. “I believe that we can have these altered to fit you properly. It wouldn’t be hard to have the stitching reinforced, avoiding the raw edges your knife or scissors always make. They would last longer that way.” Perhaps a hardier material to act as reinforcement. Barbara was sure she could find a seamstress that could help with that.
“We will take these gloves, Madame, but would you also happen to have a pair of these in cognac? Medium size? I would love a set for myself.” Being willing to purchase two of something usual put even the most upset sales person at ease. “I will let you know what else we wish to purchase. I’m sure we won’t leave here empty-handed,” she told the woman with a smile.
Escorting Laura through the rows of clothing, Barbara stopped among the blouses, pulling out a few and setting them brieflyagainst Laura’s front, judging the color and cut as she did. Satisfied, she next moved onto slacks and skirts, though the former outweighed the latter considerably. “I’ll have you try on these, just to see if you like them or not. My feelings will not be hurt if you say no to all of them.” Naturally, she would save the dresses for last, as they would be the most difficult to pick out. “Thank you for indulging me, Laura. I appreciate it.” Her eyes settled on a day wear dress; red with black accents, it was short sleeved and buttoned to the waist. The skirt was loose and free-flowing, not at all restrictive. Perfect wear if you needed to kick and punch. "Try this."
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