Early/Mid Week 67: Gathering Supplies

Late morning, and Fenris was lounging in bed watching this weeks episode of What's In That Box? There was a small Nepalese woman, who looked a little like Coraline, being cornered by a large BIO. Which reminds her, Fenris opened a smeaker channel to Coraline. Hey. Fenris here. It's just occurred to me that we need to catch up. She chuckled as the woman on the TV surprised the BIO with a burst of flame from her mouth, giving her the opportunity to stab it in the exposed belly. You free this afternoon?

"Hey there darling, I was just thinking I need a new nickname for you. And absolutely, I mean don't get me wrong cybernetics are fabulous, but getting out of the lab for a while would be great. Meet you at say 6? Deck 8, west side? I hear thats the biggest mall." Coraline sounded pleased, but then she usually did.

***

Mall 404 was an "art piece" aimed by the EI at being the ultimate testament to advertisement. Every inch of every avliable surface, walls, clothes, bags, videoskin was filled with advertisement. Security blended into the very walls here there were so many adverts. Coraline, in her video skin and video tunic with overlaid surgical apron, was also quite hard to spot [Pres+stealth AT 15 XD, roll: 17 ><].

Fenris didn't want to stand out, so after a little bit of reading up, she grabbed her most advert heavy clothes, and set off. Once she got there, her vid-skin allowed Fenris to blend into the background. (PRES + Stealth pass by 6) And after a little while she managed so spot Coraline.(PER + Observation pass by 4) The other agent didn't seem to have noticed her, so Fenris decided to have a little fun. She ghosted her way through the crowd until she was directly behind the smaller agent, and with a big grin plastered across her face, bent down to speak into her ear. "So where to first?"

The tiny cyberneticist started for a moment, before realising who was behind her. A pout spread across Coraline's face while she tried not to grin hugely. Then all of a sudden she just relaxed... and lent back into Fenris. "You tell me darling, after all you know I like it when you tell me what to do!" The ex VK agent breathily whispered back to Fenris, staring up at the other woman with delight in her eyes. [[pres+L&A pass by 4]] After a moment, or upon Fenris' reaction whichever came first, Coraline broke in a fit of giggles.

As the other agent leaned back and began flirting, Fenris tensed up. Coraline could see a completely lost expression cross her face, with just a touch of... Panic? But when the smaller agent burst out laughing she gave a very relieved smile. "Touché" She turned to take in the huge mall they were stood in "But it was a serious question, where do we start?"

"Fenris, I didn't know you knew French! Or are you cheating like me? Oh you so are, cybernetics are the best." Coraline practically purred the words. "Fenris sweetie, we are of course going to get clothes first. Oh, its been so long. I've been thinking and drawing designs for nothing else for weeks and I don't even remember the last time I treated myself. Come on darling." The plague doctor was so eagerly she practically yanked her fellow ex EI agent in the direction of the nearest boutique. It wasn't that Coraline's grip wouldn't be easy to avoid or break free from but that small girl had muscles.

"Oh no, you just spoke about three times the french I could. I just picked up a few words here and there." Fenris was happy to be led, she didn't know too much about what was fashionable at the moment, and it would be nice to get the opinion of someone who wasn't actively trying to sell her expensive clothes. "Do you think we can actually find something up to your standards?"

"Oh of course darling, this is the world view! It won't even be too much effort. " The plague doctor smiled smugly at the compliment nonetheless, as she dragged Fenris into a Cappali store. "And sure, none of these can switch between one form and another but on the plus side, I can order extra fabric to actually make some outfits myself with." Coraline was not a slow shopper, sparing only a second for each outfit as they passed it and grabbing those that met her approval.

Fenris, on the other hand, was a slow shopper. She had to really look at something to try and get an idea as to whether it would suit her or not. This meant that as she tried to keep up with Coraline, Fenris wasn't able to pick up anything. "Um, are we sticking together? Or should we..."

"Well, since we can be at opposite ends of the shop while looking out each other's eyes and still talk without risk of being overheard, well we don't have to stay next to each other to stick together." Coraline flashed Fenris a smile, immediately sending her a U-view request. 'Secretly' she was rather pleased that her fellow EI agent might want to stick close to her because of her discerning fashion sense. [[Critically fail lying and acting to avoid looking ridiculously smug]]

Fenris nodded, and then set off to try and find something that she liked, accepting the U-view as she went. She looked around the shop, but most of the clothes she could see looked too long, or restrictive to be comfortable. But then, they would be here for a while, so she started to dig though the clothes, hoping there would be something she liked here.

"There, take the gray suit that is too restrictive and the navy blue dress that is too long. We'll take them apart and make something suitable, it'll not take long." Coraline's voice seemed clipped, even over smeaker and devoid of its usual enthusiasm and mannerisms.

OK... Fenris frowned, unsure what Coraline was planning to to, but also a bit concerned about the sudden change in attitude. As she picked up the clothes and began looking at a crimson jacket that might work on her, she replied ... Are you alright?

"Hmmm, oh yes of course darling. I just zoned out thinking about Anasigma, sorry dear." Coraline said matter of factly, she was clearly still somewhat distracted [L&A pass by 2]. The plague doctor sorted through some of the fabrics toward the back, struggling to find a particular colour. "I mean it'll be our first show next week and on Vastaag, in a venue we might actually get the important EI art crowd through the door. It is a little intimidating."

Anasigma? You have a fashion company? Since when? She was still wrangling with the jacket, unable to make up her mind. What do you think of this? She said holding it against herself and examining a nearby mirror.

"uh uh, no that clashes with most of your wardrobe darling, grab a darker shade. Oh, a few weeks now Positron, ahem." Coraline trailed off for a moment but then railed well, her voice betraying no panic over having mentioned the scientist. "He and Ace set it up and put me in charge so that they could sell some memetic materials. Ace handles the business end while I run the show." Despite her effort the ex VK agent's attempt at levity fell rather flat [L&A pass by 3]

That sounds great! It gives you a chance to get your name out there and show people what you can do. She took another glance at the mirror.Is it that bad? I do wear brighter clothes when we go out. You know, clubbing and stuff. Fenris was unable to hide her slight disappointment, she was beginning to like this jacket, and there wasn't a darker shade.

"Touche I suppose I have only seen you once when you weren't wearing a laser outfit." Coraline giggled aloud, surprised at herself for having generalised against Fenris so badly. "Ehehe, well I hope so sweetie but it's not just me, six very talented other people work for Anasigma as well. Truth be told I think the only reason one of them isn't running it is because none of them have the good fortune of being agents, the poor dears." The ex VK agent began to circumspectly circle back towards her fellow former EI agent, picking up and discarding clothes along the way.

"And I uh, well I only didn't invite you because I thought their must be a reason that you left the EI. So meeting and greeting EI execs on Vastaag would have been rather more than socially uncomfortable. But if you don't think that'll be a problem, well of course I'd send you an invite over." The plague doctor had definitely picked up on Fenris' disappointment, but had misplaced the cause. [L&A pass by one.]

Or maybe you're running it because you're the best. I admit I've not seen that much of Ace, but he doesn't seem the type to give someone that kind of job just because they are better at fighting. Fenris finally decided to get the jacket, and moved on to try and find something else. And I don't hate EI, just certain... People. There was definitely a lot of tension in her voice when she talked about this. But if you want me to be there then I will.

The plague doctor rolled her eyes at the other woman's compliment, very aware that Fenris would notice. She chose not to disagree aloud however. "uh, Fenris darling? That can only be interpreted as either oblique disinterest or passive aggression. It's whether or not you want to go that matters." Coraline tutted and tsked under breath, sending Fenris the invite via her phone. "The people you hate, not anyone I know, I hope?"

I have no idea. It was clear from the tone of her voice that Fenris was getting a little angry, and she did not want to be talking about this. She sighed. And what I meant to say was that since you don't object to me going, I will be there. It.. Just came out wrong.

"Fair enough sweet heart, I look forward to seeing you there. Shall we wrap up here and head to the next?" Coraline bustled back over to her friend, heavily loaded down and smiled innocently [L&A pass by 4].