ghoulsunderground | if you've got it, flaunt it

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if you've got it, flaunt it

[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.

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[Ah...what's this feeling?

Of being cared for, controlled but provided for...

A little of her surprise shows through as Luna stands before her, adjusting her dress.]

...thank you.

[Luna reaches up when she's done to lightly touch Kaiserin's cheek, almost as if she's patting her.]

My pleasure.

It's bad enough being thrown into this situation, isn't it? At the whim of something larger than ourselves...

Best if we all watch out for each other. Even small ways help.

[She nods, a little dazed. She's never been this...comfortable with a "protector" before.

The touch on her cheek made her shiver a little.

She looks down at the clothing Luna's still holding with an unspoken question: Which one next?]

[You're interested? Excellent.

Luna's next selection is a bit looser-fitting, black with silver highlights. It's enough to evoke the heel persona without going over the top.]

Actually, this might suit you both....

Try it while I search. Lily, come here.

[Don't think you'd gotten off the hook, girl!]

[Lily's been here the whole time. Lurking. So somebody else is getting the attention, hmm? Maybe she can wander off for a bit-

...Or not.

Idly, almost bitterly,] I didn't think we'd be the same size.

[She disappears into the changing booth for a moment, and comes out clad in the new dress. This one's not bad either: there are certain advantages to leaving a bit more to the imagination.

She waits for Luna's verdict, nodding slightly to Lily. She can move on now that she's acknowledged her existence, right?]

No absurdities, Lily; this one's for you.

[It's not the exact same dress, but it's from the same rack (and smaller). She passes it over.]

Hurry up, she's ready already.

[A smile for Kaiserin, with a nod at the dress.]

What do you think, Ryoko?

...Of course.

[She snatches the dress and is about to head into the changing booth. She pauses, though, when you asked for an opinion- until she remembers.

That right. She's not Ryoko anymore.

She doesn't slam the door, no, but she hardly closes it gently when she comes in.

When she comes back out, it's with a hint of confidence. See, she's more used to these kinds of things, isn't she? And the other Ryoko is so unsure. The dress is a little tighter than Kaiserin's, but still flowy.]

Well?

[...what does she think?

She turns to inspect herself in the mirror, examining the dress intently and seriously.

Try as she might, she can't quite suppress a little enjoyment of the whole affair. Lily seems to be treating this as a competition. For Luna's attentions, perhaps?

She smooths the fabric down over her hip, smirking a little.]

It's good.

[...are you both....

...oh, that's precious. Luna smiles.]

I agree.

Turn around for me, Lily....

Yes, it suits both of you.

[She makes sure she glances at Kaiserin as she says it, curious about Lily's reaction.]

Now stand together. Let me get a better look.

[She spins~

...Hmn. She (grudgingly) moves beside Kaiserin, toying with her hair a little and looking away.]

[...Heh.

She'd have thought that another heel would be used to competition.

She lets Lily approach, regarding her with an odd little smirk, and waits for Luna's reaction.]

[Lily, Lily! You should know better than to let yourself be intimidated. She can't get you back into the arena too soon. ~~You're due for some hair-fluffing, anyway.~~

For now she just steps back to get a sense of the scene, and nods.]

It works. Though highlighting your unique qualities makes a more dynamic portrait....

We'll take those, regardless.

And Lily? Smile. If you at least act like you're enjoying yourself, the time goes so much faster!

[Intimidated? As if. Hmph.

She forces a smile. It's clearly forced, to the extent of almost looking painful.

She's mocking you, Luna.]

[How counterproductive of you, Lily. Honestly, it's like you're barely trying at all!

Kaiserin's still wearing that particular smirk characteristic of a heel on a new circuit. A challenger.

She won't make any blatant moves. They still might have to work together. But there's something about Lily that gets her in the mood for a fight.]

[Normally if you were being this difficult, Lily, she'd get frustrated. But she finds the source of your irritation today quite intriguing, so she smooths over the situation with a fake smile of her own.

She just happens to be a lot better at that.]

See, doesn't that help?

Stay close, we've almost finished up in this department.

[More like this interplay might actually be more interesting than the clothes. But she'll look for any last finds while scheming where to go from here.....this is an intriguing development. But what is her goal~?]

Both of you. I'll treat you afterwards for being so patient.

...then I almost feel bad for interrupting.

[Look who's leaning on the wall outside the door, where he had a nice view of them through the glass of the shop, but a post would have blocked most of his form, all this time. And moreover, look who's amused at what he sees.

-but this wasn't the show he expected. It was so hard touching base with old friends. Paying one of the men he'd just hired to trail her when he saw her on the street, and give her location when he called? It was the best way he knew to find her again when he was done with his meeting at city hall. Just a necessary business move, certainly.

And the amusing run in he didn't want to interrupt? That was just an amusing insight.

But, if he has her attention? He'll be strolling up now.]

Now I'll just be slowing down whatever you had planned for these ladies.

[A treat? Tch... Luna why does your bribery work :/

But- who's that? It almost- no, no...

...Impossible.

Lily looks vaguely baffled and a little startled. An Otogi- that knows Luna? She doesn't like the look of this...]

[...No, this isn't good at all.

Kaiserin recognizes a slimeball when she sees one, and this one definitely fits into that category. She's on her guard immediately, tensing up a little.]

[--interference? And just when things were proceeding so interestingly...

She turns to him with a slight touch of impatience, noting the effect he's had on the other ladies. He'll understand if she adopts a bit of a Tone with him, she imagines. (If not, she can explain it away.)]

If you've such manners, one wonders why you bothered at all.

[A thin-lipped smile that fades quickly.]

It must be a matter of some urgency. Beyond, I'd hope, announcing your presence here as well.

What, knowing you have potential ally still in town? I would want to know.

[Hmm? Irritation? Not necessarily a problem (or ruining the smile) but he's hesitating behind it a moment. After all, for all his observations and guesses he's not certain how much Luna prefers these ladies hearing of this.

What's confidential from them? What do they know to keep to themselves?

Oh well, he can shrug along and play along the vague lines.]

I wanted to know where you stand in this new setting. Surely it's affected some plans.

[This... This is a very bad thing and she is not happy, at all.

She shoots a glance at Luna. Not quite accusingly - she's a little too uncertain to manage that - but definitely upset. Because, of course, this is Luna's fault. How could it not be?

[She wants to get back into her normal clothing. This is too...fragile. Luna she trusts enough to see her in it. This man? No.

But running off into the changing booths would attract too much attention. So she stands stiffly in the background, trying her best to become part of the scenery. She can move if she needs to.]

...

[--now she's going to have to do damage control. Nothing new, and it's good to know she has a potential ally in the area, but - This will have to be a brief, though productive, meeting.

Luna cocks her hips in an aggravated fashion (that she hopes will also distract her heels).]

Since you've paid me the compliment of coming over, I suppose a few minutes won't interrupt our day too severely.

--Lily, Ryoko, change and collect our purchases, please. And think about what you'd like for desserts. I'll just be a moment.

[And she will attempt to steer Bones out of her duelists' earshot by breezing past him expectantly. She can make this work!

She just wishes there were a more elegant way than Rodding to keep them happy with her and fine with the arena.]

[-he would probably be in trouble, if he hadn't learned long ago how to hone feelings. Like, amusement at Luna's show for her girls, into a nice, friendly cheer. The curious distrust on the girls' side though, that he just has to ignore.]

Thanks! I'll try not to keep you away for long.

[That was, actually more towards the Ryoko pair, and when she's moved passed him he gives them a small nod before turning to trail behind the boss lady.

Which will she go for, he wonders. Staying close by to not leave her entourage long, or keeping a safe distance?]

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