Like a woman who really had planned for my return... she pulled several hangers from the racks as we walked, creating a collection of things draped over her arm that made it pretty clear I was about to be used as a ’dress up doll’.
There was an energy about her similar to the royal tailor. After the spider got ahold of back when I was a two and a half year old fox and I’d learned to take a human form. He was rather overly delighted to make things for a shifter that took on a teenager’s body...
> A lot more than he ever was making clothes for the adults - ugh, damnit, Helene. Your world has thinking weird things about his *preferences* now. <
"So tell , what’s the occasion? Planning a night out and need a new outfit?"
"Actually... I am eting soone late tonight."
"That sounds promising. Anyone special?"
Anise smiled at . A knowing smile that suggested she was thinking more than what I ant! But all I was thinking about was what I should be wearing to et with this BoundaryKeeper.
"...Maybe soone I know?"
Heat crept up my neck when she needled further. The sort that I can recognize in this body now as a sign that my face is probably as red as that scarf my gaze just turned away from her toward.
"No. It’s... complicated."
"The best people usually are. But we can definitely make sure you’re prepared for whatever... exciting complications arise."
After an hour of trying on various outfit combinations - including but not limited to - dark blazers with tailored pants, sporty tops and tiny lounge shorts, elegant sweaters with flowing skirts underneath, and a rather stunning dress that was pretty much ant to be all alluring and none of the ’understated’...
"You really are fun to clothe. The way you move and test things in the mirror makes think of the models I’ve worked with."
"Well, thank you."
> She’s playing up to my vanity. It’s working. Ugh. <
Anise was wrapping up more clothes in tissue paper than I thought I would leave with. So many that I’m growing less confident... that I would have funds left over from this initial coin sale by the end of the week.
"I should get your number, if you don’t mind. So I can call ahead and make sure you’ll be in next ti."
"I was hoping you’d ask! I love working with clients like you. But I hate pushing myself on them if they aren’t looking for such close associations."
I pulled out my phone and opened the contacts app, handing it over all ready to let her enter her information herself. As Anise was typing it in, the phone buzzed with an incoming ssage.
Hovering over hurriedly thinking BK was responding... I saw the bubble with Kyrie’s picture in the notification pop up. And the word [Image] letting know I was sent a picture. All there at the top of the screen in clear view.
"Well, well. ’Your Waiting Mate’?"
I tried to grab the phone back, but it was already too late. The damage was done and Anise’s smile was thoroughly, a hundred and twelve percent amused. Why did I never change that stupid nickna?!
> Don’t you start gekkering at you stupid wolf! <
"It’s not... I an, it’s just..."
Useless system perk! What Composure... it can’t even collect all the tis I lied about my connection to certain affluent won in my old world and help out?
"Just soone who ssages you with pictures? Really, don’t worry. I won’t pry."
"Just... just give the last two digits so I can finish saving your contact."
As I typed them in, a second chi and the text ssage preview was visible enough for both of us to see - [Are you free for dinner tonight? I know a place...] - and Anise did not even pretend as she even went on her tiptoes to get an angle to look.
"Oh my. Dinner invitations and everything. You definitely need that red dress we picked out."
I quickly saved Anise’s contact and tried not to ’spontaneously combust’. To focus on anything other than the warmth on my face. Placing the phone on the counter, I step back while clutching and brushing through both sides of my hair.
"It’s really not what you think."
"Mmm-hmm. And what do I think? Are you telling the rest of that ssage will go on to talk about how you can go there all by yourself because she can’t make it? Or that it was a group function?"
> Why is this woman so... brutal? Can I not even have a minute here? <
Six or seven seconds later, I opened the full ssage despite myself... as this utterly shaless woman peeked over my shoulder. I am absolutely going to demand a discount.
K: [Are you free for dinner tonight? I know a place with excellent steaks. No pressure - just thought it might be nice to catch up properly since you are back. Let know.]
"Oh, I apologize. That definitely sounds like ’just friends’ to . Friends are always worried about putting too much pressure on each other. Carry on."
"We are just... do you mind if we just drop it? This truly wasn’t the late evening I was talking about that I had planned."
My weak voice probably gives away. How I’m thinking if it could be worked in or not. Part of wanted to say yes imdiately. The thought of seeing Kyrie again, of sitting across from her at dinner, of having her full attention...
It’s only a frustrated sigh later - and so laughing from the blackhearted seamstress - that I realized, though. How transparent I am.
"Busy, busy social butterfly you are - but I think you’re overthinking it. I don’t even know when the last ti soone offered to take sowhere nice was. Well, soone I was remotely interested in."
"She’s... she’s just been very kind to . I don’t want to take advantage of that kindness or raise the expectations of anyone to points that might not be t."
All the fairly good reasons I’d been keeping my distance floated like bubbles before in my mindscape. The power imbalance is still a little there, but has at least shrunk now that I have money.
My attraction to her has only grown sizable in its place, no longer as confused about whether that is just ... or only influenced by the close monts with the potential mate bond thrumming against the back of my skull.
> Yes, she’s hot. And strong. And far too nice to . That’s why... <
The pregnancy secret. Not even a bubble, but just a solid boulder that can’t be moved. Poised to roll and pop soone’s bubbles... mine, hers... either way I’m scared to let it roll anywhere. A hand is placed on my shoulder that brings my focus back to reality.
"Alright, let hold back my fun before I step a tease or three too far. Just let say that sotis accepting the kindness of others isn’t taking advantage. You can never know what soone else ’gets’ out of caring about you, you know."
I nodded and tucked the phone away without responding to Kyrie’s ssage, focusing instead on completing my purchases. The total was substantial even with the demanded discount - around a thousand dollars - but paying with my own cash this ti felt incredible.
"Thank you for everything. Though if you tease so much next ti, I might-"
"Well, well. Look who’s back."
I turned to see who called out with such a provocativetone. Victoria Whitecrest stepped in with exceptionally high heels. Looking striking enough in an ice-blue designer suit. Her smile was sharp enough to cut glass.
> She still slls awful to , though. <
"Shopping here again, I see. You certainly seem to be making yourself at ho in our territory."
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