divinitea | 7 ♣ [TEXT/ACTION FOR GOLDENROD CITY]

7 ♣ [TEXT/ACTION FOR GOLDENROD CITY]

[TEXT]

[Sometime during the day, a short text pops up on the network.]

Tell me about something you miss from home. Something you can't get here.

[Someone isn't having a good day.]

[ACTION]

[Things have been fairly rough for Celes, lately, but she's finally managed to get herself out of the house. It's more for necessity rather than out of desire, however; a horrible discovery early this morning showed her that it was simply impossible for her to remain idle...especially in the face of such a frustrating threat. What was this clearly catastrophe occurrence?

She discovered she's running dangerously low on eyeliner.

So that's why, if you happen to be in the make-up section of the Goldenrod Department store, you'll spot her and her Gothitelle, Victoria, standing in front of a display featuring one of the fancier brands. Celes' face isn't showing much emotion, as usual, but her movements are jerky and her posture is tight. She's frustrated; the day isn't getting any better. She's gone through three testers and none of them are quite right; the fourth one isn't showing promise, either.]

I simply cannot believe they ran out of my favourite brand...none of these ones are quite the same.

[Narrowing her eyes at the thin black line she's drawn on her hand, Celes rubs at it with her finger, pursing her lips as it smudges into her skin.]

Honestly...is this what passes for quality in this place? Pathetic...that saleswoman should be fired.

[Turning around, she lightly tosses the tester back towards the display; it lands neatly back into place with a soft clacking sound, guided into position by her Gothitelle. Looking around the make-up area, Celes rolls her eyes.]

Am I really expected to travel all the way to Celadon City to find it? What nonsense.

[...although...she has heard excellent things about the fashion and shopping in Celadon. Would it be able to compare to Tokyo, though? Hmm...

...well. It's not like she's going to go today, anyway. The thought is...tempting, however; it would likely do her good to get away from this city for a little while.

Food for thought, anyway.

...]

Come, Victoria. Perhaps I'll buy a new perfume.

[OOC: Celes will be wandering throughout the Department Store all day, so you can run into her wherever you like - it doesn't just have to be the make-up section!]

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I'm so very glad to hear it!

[Although...she does take a second to cast a surreptitious glance toward the general cosmetics before turning her attention back to her friend's face; matters of health in conjunction with things like concealers and powders do offer a possibly questionable combination, but she's got no reason not to take Celes at her word, and it's only a passing thought anyway.]

Well, I'm sure no thanks are necessary, but perhaps if you've the time, I might claim your company for awhile in exchange? Shops like these are so large one might almost get lost in them, and browsing around does seem like more fun in a pair, don't you think?

[For a moment, Celes is tempted to mention that she's already in a pair, in a knee-jerk attempt to dissuade Meridiana from any thoughts of accompanying her through the store. However, she's well aware that she does owe her and it would seem frightfully rude to refuse such a relaxed request.

The fact that she usually doesn't have a problem with said rudeness doesn't escape her, but she doesn't stop to dwell on it; no sense in getting into such thoughts while out and about, anyway. That can come later.]

I find myself unable to argue with you...together it is.

[The make-up section (like all department store make-up sections) is brightly lit and styled in a modern manner; she can only wonder how Meridiana, with her Victorian heritage, is taking to it. They couldn't possibly have had half of these products back in her time...or, well, not the primers and BB creams, at least.]

Do you find it overwhelming here, Miss Everett? Some of these products must seem rather foreign. If any happen to confuse you, I'm more than willing to explain their purpose.

[...God bless Miss Ludenberg, somehow knowing intuitively that she might be having difficulties with some of this stuff, and anticipating the need for assistance by offering it in advance in the most graceful of ways.

...It's like the feminine hygiene products all over again.]

...If we're being frank, Miss Ludenberg, I sometimes do, yes. That's rather why I try to come here somewhat frequently, in the hopes that after awhile...well, sooner or later I've simply got to become accustomed to it all, mustn't I?

[She shrugs a little, offering a vaguely sheepish smile.]

The toiletries aren't quite so difficult; it's usually not much trouble to work out what use they're meant for. But some of the other wares are much more perplexing, I must say.

I can understand why that would be an issue, yes. Even for women of this time, it can be something of a mission to learn about all of the various products on offer.

[Celes' pace is relaxed, and she idly runs her hands over some of the displays as they make their way through them, Victoria following silently behind.]

You are managing alright, however? In general, I mean. I can't quite imagine the sort of culture shock you'd have been experiencing when you first arrived. If you're moving on to working out make-up...I must admit, I'm impressed.

...Well. There really isn't much to be done for it, is there? Either I learn to manage, or...or I simply don't. So there's no sense in not giving it my very best try.

[A pause.]

I still don't know why in the world anyone might need an entire contraption just for the sake of breaking open an egg, though.

[GUESS WHO ONCE FOUND THE AS-SEEN-ON-TV AISLE DURING HER AFTERNOON BROWSING]

[...alright, that will make Celes smile. In her normal manner, anyway. Even so...it's been happening less and less these days, so it is something.

Victoria approves.]

Ah, yes...some of the...equipment we have in these times must seem so superfluous to you...I promise they're designed to make life easier, however. Some people just can't crack an egg to save their life.

[Honestly, the thought of Meridiana's reaction to...certain modern things shouldn't be so amusing...how times have changed...]

As I've said before, however...I am merely a phone call away if you ever find yourself in strife. Particularly when it comes to, ah...feminine things. Unless, of course, you've got some nice women where you live.

[...because she actually hasn't asked about that, um]

O-Oh. Well...um, actually, I...haven't, er.

[OH BOY, WATCH HER TRY TO GET THROUGH THIS ONE WITHOUT TURNING BEET RED AND/OR HAVING HER HEAD EXPLODE.]

That is, my living situation...you recall, perhaps, the few times I mentioned traveling with a gentleman? Well, when we reached this city, I found lodgings at the inn, while he took up a more permanent residence...

[Fidget, fidget.]

And, um. As it all turned out, rather than trying to grow accustomed to everything while staying on my own, I...have a very pleasant little room, now, in that gentleman's residence.

[Or, in the vernacular: the world's most lengthy and roundabout justification for why she's living with two guys.]

Well, that's simply all the more reason for me to offer my expertise.

[...don't worry, Meridiana; she's not going to comment on the fact that all of your housemates have a Y chromosome. She can only imagine how flustered you'd get...

...it would likely be very endearing, but she'll spare you.]

You mustn't worry too much about that sort of thing, Miss Everett...these are modern times, and it is not uncommon for unmarried men and women to live together. I'm certainly not judging you, anyway, if you're concerned about that.

Really, I'm all for you embracing every freedom this world has to offer.

[And she's talking about a little more than just magical egg-cracking devices.]

Before you know it, you'll even be travelling by yourself. I do it all the time.

It's incredibly freeing.

Do you! And you've not encountered...difficulty of any sort while traveling?

[Congratulations on jumping up about a hundred points in coolness factor, Celes.]

Of course it's not unheard of for a lady to journey on her own; sometimes the circumstances simply can't be helped, after all, but I've never thought of it as being quite ideal. Is it really so enjoyable, going all alone?

[Oh Meridiana, don't stroke her ego too much, now...]

I suppose it depends on the person...I've always preferred being alone, you see. If you're the sort who always needs company, it may not be ideal...but I still think it's something you should try.

[...it's then that a very strange, painfully forward thought slips into Celes' head, and if she wasn't so used to sharing her mind with Victoria, she would think that she'd placed it there artificially.

...honestly, she still suspects she might have, because that...

...no, it's stupid.]

I actually intend to head to Celadon City, soon; it's over in Kanto, and it's apparently the best you can get when it comes to fashion and shopping. At present, I have no planned company, so I will be making the journey alone. I would be lying if I said I was concerned, however. After all, I have my Pokemon to protect me.

[She'll file that thought away, for now, but...

...

...Victoria, if you had something to do with this....]

Celadon City...that's quite some distance from here, is it not? By the train, I believe, and then a way by road.

[Speaking of being forward, though, she seems to fidget a bit, wavering on the precipice of courage before second-guessing herself.]

I don't suppose —

[But then she hesitates, and seems to think better of it.]

[...

For a moment, Celes falls silent, watching Meridiana's face. Her gaze isn't overly critical, or any sort of attempt to stare her down; it's more...curious. Analytical. After a moment, her eyes fall to the side.

This is a terrible idea.]

...I know this goes against everything I just said about traveling alone, but...it's probably best for you to ease yourself into such things, rather than leaping into the deep end, as it were.

[This is a terrible idea, and she's probably going to fuck everything up at some point, she knows that, because one thing that Celestia and Taeko have in common is the fact that they've never had a single friend, and yet-]

If it wouldn't inconvenience you too much...you're welcome to accompany me on my trip to Celadon. It would only be for a few days at the most, so I doubt you would find it too strenuous.

I am happy to provide appropriate transportation if you find yourself lacking.

[-and yet there's something in her that wants to try, even if it's just one last time.

Just...one last time.]

— I would!

[It's an acceptance she ends up blurting out rather inelegantly, like she's afraid if she hesitates too long the opportunity might disappear altogether. To her credit, though, once the outburst has passed, she seems to mentally regroup and hammer out her uncertainty into something that looks a little more like determination.]

I would like that very much, and — if we're to be honest, Miss Ludenberg, that's precisely what I was about to ask you myself, before I...

[A pause.]

...I got caught up in silly things, instead of fixing on what was truly important. That's something I do often, and I'd...like the chance to fix it, where I can. So please, if you'll allow me instead —

Miss Ludenberg, may I please accompany you on your trip? I think...I should enjoy the experience, very much.

[To say that Celes is surprised would be something of an understatement; it's not just because Meridiana has agreed to go with her, it's more the fact that she wanted to go with her before she even had the chance to ask. She would understand her acquiescence if it was out of politeness, but the fact that she fully intended to ask herself, without prompting....

...if Celes didn't know better, she would almost say that Meridiana likes her.]

I would be more than happy for you to accompany me, Miss Everett. Trips to such destinations are usually far more enjoyable when you have someone to share the experience with you.

[...]

I will insist upon one small detail, however.

A small detail? Of course, please insist on anything you like, and I'll be happy to oblige.

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