Return of an old friend

[Serenity Caine]

Serenity barked out a laugh, expecting that kind of response from her offer. Haha! Yes well, it was worth a shot. She rolled her eyes jokingly, hanging the other two gowns back up on the rack, and placing the chosen one on the counter behind her. She could still see Shy's grin in her peripheral vision, and it had her cracking up.

It's really good to have you back. And I'm serious about the drink. She turned to face her again, leaning back against the counter and crossing her arms.

[Séanait Nic Ádhamhnán]

Shy returned Serenity's laugh and eyeroll with a seductive smoulder and a light touch on the shoulder as she leaned over to whisper in her ear.

"Play your cards right, though, and you may just get that shot."

She winked at Serenity as she leaned on the counter next to her, but then became a little more serious for the moment. She didn't like admitting that she was trying to fix one of her character flaws, even to Serenity, but there was such as thing as being too light about a subject.

"I don't really drink much anymore, but a drink or two with an old friend can't hurt, now can it?"

[Serenity Caine]

Serenity broke out into a grin, despite the rose colour of her face. She didn't comment though, and just shook her head at her friend. It was crazy how comfortable Shy had made her with those jokes; though of course only with Shy could she joke like that.

She arched an eyebrow at Shy when she grew more serious, then blinked in understanding. Oh, oh of course. No, don't do that for me. If you've stopped drinking, you shouldn't make exceptions for anyone. How about dinner then? That would be just as nice. She smiled, wanting to make Shy comfortable too.

[Séanait Nic Ádhamhnán]

Shy nodded appreciatively to Serenity. Gods she loved this woman. Platonically, of course, not like Shy had loved Claire, but she'd never really had a female friend who could get her like Serenity did. So, no drinking, thankfully, just dinner.

And, if they were going to have dinner, that meant that Shy needed some male clothing as well. She might not be going out with Serenity as she would a woman she wanted to bed, but male clothing was Shy's default setting.

"Well then," Shy said as her smile grew playful again, "If I'm going to be a proper gentleman and take you out to dinner, I'll need something other than a dress. What have you got?"

[Serenity Caine]

Serenity smiled, happy to have that decision settled. She glanced around the shop to be sure it was empty aside from the two of them, before walking over to the door and turning over the sign, to "closed", and locking the door. She could afford the couple hours less she would be getting today, so it didn't bother her at all.

She turned to Shy with a grin on her face, sprinting back over to the rack of jackets she'd been at before, plucking the two she'd been eyeing when this conversation had first risen. The first was an all black one, sleek and slim. The second was a deep blue, with a slightly more casual feel to it. There are of course more options, but these two really stand out for me as to what would look good on you.

[Séanait Nic Ádhamhnán]

Shy smiled warmly at Serenity's back as she closed the shop. After so long alone and steeping in her own self pity and anger, it felt good to have someone want to spend time with her for her own sake. It was almost as though Shy hadn't quite been human before, and was only now becoming herself again.

When Serenity sprinted for the rack of jackets, eager to show them off and - probably - play dress up with Shy, Shy couldn't help but laugh and, infected with her enthusiasm, jogged over to the rack as well. She looked at the two jackets, one formal and a dark black, the other a dark blue, just like her old dress, and more casual in cut. The second would do, she decided. If there was a need to be extra formal then her dress would do, and the more casual jacket had the colour she always used as a joke.

Fingering the second jacket, she felt the fineness of the wool and nodded in approval. "I like this one. Not informal, but not all stiff and noble. Good wool too. I'm guessing imported?"

[Serenity Caine]

Serenity smiled when Shy picked the second one, the better choice in her opinion as well. It was! Having connection to the big guys helps now and again. She winked, hanging the previous jacket up while folding that one over her arm. Next were the pants, as the shirt was an easy pick in any colour.

She would present her with various sets in different sizes, all in colours that complimented the jacket nicely. This was more a matter of personal preference than anything else.

Once the pants were chosen too, she would fold them and place them both with the dress previously picked out. So, where have you been staying?

[Séanait Nic Ádhamhnán]

Shy laughed as Serenity mentioned "the big guys". Yes, she could definitely see where that would come in handy. Nobles would open all sorts of doors from a good seamstress and do all sorts of shady things to make sure she could sell to them cheaper than her competitors could do. She winked at Serenity.

"I bet you don't always pay the full amount at customs, either."

Serenity brought out some pants to look at, and Shy went through them all, picking out a couple with a looser cut and a similar colour to her jacket. She did select on tight pair, however, that showed off her legs and backside to great advantage, and those were a tastefully bright red rather than the dark blue of the others. If she was going to show off her body, she might as well draw people to the parts she wanted noticed.

When Serenity asked where Shy was staying, she looked at her slyly. Shy had no idea if Serenity knew about the place where she was staying, but it wouldn't surprise her. The "Fish and Tackle" was pretty much an open secret on the streets.

"Oh, nowhere special. Just a little inn called the "Fish and Tackle". They have very good service there."

[Serenity Caine]

Well, from time to time... She winked with a laugh, not ignoring that her looks did help her get to where she was today. No matter what world you were from, that seemed to be a big helping hand. It was sad if she really thought about it.

Once everything had been chosen, she leaned against the counter, already having asked her a question. She arched an eyebrow when Shy looked at her a bit differently, now wary of the response. When she did finally respond, Serenity let out an "ahhhhh okay." nodding, and knowing full well what that place was about.

Well, if that ever stops working out, you're free to stay with me. I have a cottage in the first district.

[Séanait Nic Ádhamhnán]

Shy immediately felt a little sheepish at her choice of accommodation when Serenity nodded in understanding. Perhaps she should take her up on the offer and stop living in a brothel. But...well, if anything went wrong it was much harder to pin blame on a business that relied on the anonymity of its customers than a single woman. And, in truth, she wasn't sure what would happen if she wasn't collapsing into a sweaty heap in a tangle of blankets before she slept. Would the nightmares come back?

"Thanks Ser," Shy smiled sincerely and warmly at Serenity, putting her hand on her shoulder, to show how much the offer meant to her. "I'll be sure to take you up on it if the need arises."

Shy stood there for a few moments, enjoying the companionable silence and the warm feeling of being physically connected to a friend, then let her hand fall and slouched against the counter some more, looking thoughtful.

"Roxy and Rivers have vanished and you've made a name for yourself. What else has happened? Is Kail still at Bane, or has he left too? And surely there must have been some juicy scandals or rumours while I was away!"

It was time to see if there was anything else worth knowing that Shy had missed. She felt a little bad for using her friend like this, but there was no harm in the two of them gossiping, now was there?