if you've got it, flaunt it

[ofsexandwar]

[Like any good metropolitan area, GX!Domino has a vibrant shopping district. Luna has taken to this particular area with aplomb - after the confirmation that the Underground does, indeed, seem active here (though that's going to take a bit more digging), she needs to properly prepare.

Apparently this means restocking on a wardrobe. What kind of impression would she make if her clothes repeated too often, really.

She passes a few outfits - not all of which look like they might fit; she's shopping for two - back behind herself, expecting a certain someone to be there. It's her job and her duty, after all.]

Lily, these too.

Comments

[gotanyfives]

[...

Her grin fades, too. She doesn't know what that means, not exactly, but she's pretty sure she doesn't need to.

Then she shrugs.] Well, if you don't learn to, you'll never make it anywhere with her.

She claims not to have a sweet tooth- it's just a different kind of sweet.

[dearkaiserin]

[She picks up her dresses from the cashier and shakes her head. She's not in a fighting mood anymore, and she has a little more respect for Lily now...but she's not going to drop the discussion.]

I'm here because I don't need to. I came by choice.

[stackthedice]

[-does she often translate meanings like that? He'll have to see, and note when she does or doesn't...

But he's more covering himself now, with a comfortable shrug.]

Oh, it's less ambition than resettling right now. My family's business is apparently gone, so I need to replace it for myself, if I want to use what I know.

I was coming to you to see if we could help each other out as I finish up... And figure out what I have to work with.

[Or who!]

[gotanyfives]

[Lily drops her dresses onto the cashier after Kaiserin.]

Is that so?

[They never come by choice. But as if she could say that.]

Doesn't mean she'll always be so eager about you.

[Lily, on the other hand...]

[dearkaiserin]

[She leans against a wall, staring ahead contemplatively.]

It's hard to leave someone behind when they've shared your pain.

[...what?]

[ofsexandwar]

[She's laying it on a little thick for you right now, as she'd like there to be no misunderstandings about her competence.]

All admirable goals. But I don't agree to propositions without details.

Let's begin with the family business. I'm all for supporting such ventures, provided I know what they entail. If I like what I hear, you have my full support.

[gotanyfives]

[...what?]

Is that what you think?

You'd be surprised.

[stackthedice]

[-why Luna. The fact you want him to show all his cards like that, when you hold every one so close to you? He's having trouble with keeping the tickled pink bottled up!]

Alright then- Why don't I just lay out the basic point, then?

I'm looking for likely opponents for the game house I'm building, to help bring in new regulars. An opportunity for both of us - I get attractions, you an arena.

[ofsexandwar]

[Read the fine print. It's the first rule of contracts.]

Which you presume makes me appealing to my more traditional colleagues here.

[She considers. It takes her all of like five seconds.]

It might be pleasant, to have a home field for once. Do you imagine you'll be open for business soon?

[stackthedice]

[If you say so, miss. One day she'll have to let it slip, what she considers tradition. After all, backroom gambles are the norm where he sat.

Whatever the case, interested party. What more can he ask?]

No more than a month, at most. I have it mostly done, but it would look strange to the city if it opened too fast. I am running a proper business, here.

[ofsexandwar]

Of course.

[A winning smile, to make up for her earlier rudeness. He's clearly using her, but that's all right. She'll use him right back, and given they're in the same situation - breaking into the business here - he's less likely to start double-crossing her immediately. This is a valuable quality in an ally.]

I'll bring my employees to the grand opening, if you've no objections. Sounds like that'll be quite the event.

[Watch her presume you're gonna have a grand opening like a boss.]

[stackthedice]

[Oh, she wants a party? Well, that's not a problem, and so an easy answer makes responding pleasantries easy.]

Of course- although there will probably be two very different celebrations going on. You would have to be ready to step through both.

[dearkaiserin]

[She makes a noncommittal noise and gazes around the shop until she spots Luna and Bones.]

...I don't like this.

[gotanyfives]

[She follows that gaze.]

...And? Not much either of us can do about it.

[dearkaiserin]

Mm.

She could have chosen a better business partner.

[She looks at Bones with distaste. He hasn't been overtly awful yet, but...]

If she has to deal in this.

[ofsexandwar]

That's never an issue.

[She's already imagining how the costume changes are going to go.

Reaching into her pocket, she pulls out one of her business cards and writes on the back of it.]

Here's my current telephone number. If you haven't obtained a cell yet here yourself, I recommend it. Unlike our last environment, this one cooperates.

[stackthedice]

-I'll have to do that. I'm afraid I've been caught up on the updated options I have for my stage.

[Like, the "Duel Disks" he's been seeing inside game stores or in a stray duel around town. But admitting that would be a little too much, in a business exchange. He can't show where he lacks that much.

Besides, he might take advantage, but. This newer version doesn't have quite the closed in attraction his does.

But here, Luna, there's no business card to trade, but he has a folded up paper to trade for that number.]

If you want to find me though, or get a sneak peek, that has the address.

[-have fun trying to figure out if the place named on that black-and-red speckled paper is a casino, store, bar, or "arena" from that name, logo, and attraction list, though.]

[gotanyfives]

[Or... a less familiar one.]

Any business partner of hers is a bad one. I thought you, of all people, would get that. Tch.

[dearkaiserin]

I do. But some are worse than others.

[She stares intently ahead at them, trying to decipher something of their respective tones.]

This one seems too...friendly.

[gotanyfives]

Maybe that's the mark of a green one. Still too soft.

[Don't be one of... those types, Bones. She can't stand the thought of- someone she used to know, even a double, being so thoroughly corrupted as to be a true suit.

But evidence is proving otherwise...]

[dearkaiserin]

Maybe.

[She looks doubtful, though.

She turns to look at Lily after a moment.]

Have you seen this one before...?

[ofsexandwar]

I'll be sure to stop by. We can discuss details under less - hurried - circumstances.

[Never mind that she's the one with a self-imposed schedule to keep. You interrupted it!]

[gotanyfives]

-This one?

[No. She hasn't seen this suit. She hasn't seen this double.]

No.

[dearkaiserin]

...

[Oh. She knows that sort of look. This place makes sure that she'll be familiar with it.]

...but you knew him. Another him.

[stackthedice]

[...the "call anytime" is going to result in numerous occasions of him interrupting, isn't it?]

Of course. I need to go see to the finishing touches, anyways.

[And now that he's bound himself to the bet of getting ready in time-]

I'll let you go back to your ladies, then.