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

[stackthedice]

[-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?]

and from here the thread branches? :3 lily-kaiserin, bones-luna

[ofsexandwar]

[Well, at least you're as smooth in action as you are in words.

She picks a safe distance, though hardly the opposite side of the store; just around a bend enough for them to hopefully miss out on the conversation. Far from cashiers, as well - the better to speak in private. (If she needs to check on them, and she will, she can always just take advantage of the Rod.)]

Pardon my earlier impatience, if you'd be so kind. There are - many factors to juggle when settling someplace new.

Speaking of, your proposition does intrigue me. Have you explored the area, as well?

dress rack for two, please.

[stackthedice]

I wouldn't dream of it! It looks like I crashed the party, with my timing.

[And quite happy about it, too, since it gave him some insight in how the lady operates her business affairs. Some mystery and slight of hand is fun for show, but not with a potential partner.

A sentiment they share, if he guess is right. So enjoy a pleased response from the guy in front of the dresses on sale.]

Of course! Not that I don't know the area already - this is my home turf, if grown up a bit since I left it. It was lacking some things I needed, though.

[ofsexandwar]

[She's held meetings in stranger places. And finds it odd he's supposedly from Domino, when they'd never met in her world....]

Meaning you've since accommodated yourself, I presume. And vagueness implying you'd like to spark my intrigue.

Consider it a success. What's your project?

[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!]

[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.

[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.

[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.]

ryoko party

[gotanyfives]

[...Tch. The farther away from the business of promoters- or whatever this Otogi is- the better.

She turns back to the changing booth without a word to Kaiserin.]

[dearkaiserin]

[Well, as long as they're gone...

She heads back into her booth to change out of the dress and don her normal clothing with relief...but when Lily exits her own booth, Kaiserin will be waiting to give Lily her customary Kaiserstare.]

[gotanyfives]

[Wow, you're fast. She'll come back out in her usual outfit - which, if anyone cares to examine, radiates "yeah Luna totally picked this out for her" everywhere.

She gives a mildly annoyed glared right back at Kaiserin.] ...Well? Did you want something? Don't look so expectant.

[dearkaiserin]

[She's put this thing on so many times that it's practically one continuous reflex for her.

In response to Lily's query, she simply inspects her for another moment, then heads towards the checkout. goddamn mysterious she-heels]

[gotanyfives]

[-hey!

She follows, attempting not to put on the impression of trying to keep up.


...Idly,] She's not so fond of that, you know.

[dearkaiserin]

[She hands her set of dresses to the cashier, then looks back at Lily with the same blank expression.]

Of what?

[gotanyfives]

Oh, you know...

That whole... mysterious, severe thing.

[Faint, almost sweet smile.]

You're not really her type.

[dearkaiserin]

[She chuckles, baring her teeth a little in a sharp grin.]

Then why were you treating me like a threat?

[gotanyfives]

[She wasn't- ...gh, she was, huh.

She tosses the hair off of her shoulder.]

Why, to amuse her! Why not help her get the most out of you, before she discards you? It'd make me look better.

[dearkaiserin]

[Ah, that one stung. A little more teeth-baring slips into that grin before she controls herself.]

You think more like a suit than she does, don't you.

[gotanyfives]

[Ouch. She'll get you for that one.]

Oh, don't tell me you've never tried to sweeten up a suit.

Or... has that never occurred to you? You seem like that type.

[dearkaiserin]

Once.

Never again.

[She regrets saying that as soon as she does, and suddenly all her defenses slam down again. The grin disappears.]