middaeg | ( closed ) girls just wanna have fun

( closed ) girls just wanna have fun

Who: nami, jiang yanli, and the array of ladies invited by them
When: now?? -ish.
Where: around the city's shops
What: it's a girls' day out shopping!
Warnings: n.... othing?

[ it starts out with a simple idea: let's go shopping for new clothes! nami is certainly in need of some, given the horror she arrived here in, and she spontaneously asks if jiang yanli wants to come with her.

it escalates from there. girls they've met, girls they run into while at work or magic classes... until it ends up being a whole bunch of them, all from different places, used to different styles in clothes. surely this can only go well.

during the day, they obviously do what they meant to do: shop for clothes — be it window shopping, trying on outfits that seem familiar, trying to get others to try on styles that aren't familiar, or simply giving opinions and advice to those in their group.

but a long day out also means they need to eat, and luckily there are cafes they can stop at to have tea, coffee, some light snacks... or alcohol, because why not.

and finally, outfits are hardly complete without accessories, so maybe try on a hat or a scarf, or drag the others to get some matching jewelry! ]

this is a catch-all open log for those invited to go shopping with nami and yanli! if you were around on plurk while this was talked about, you probably go here. if you're not sure, holla at ya girls, but basically if you have previous cr with either of the two mentioned, feel free to jump in here!

how does this go, you ask?

well:

➔ make a top level
➔ tag around for that cute girl cr
➔ profit

and that's it!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

i. does this dress make me look —

[ it's probably fair to say not many people love shopping for clothes as much as nami does. she delights in it, trying on every single item of clothing in a store even though she ends up buying nothing, or in another store buying every single thing she tries on, and a whole bunch she hasn't even bothered to try.

in this particular store, however, she doesn't seem quite sure of what she's trying on. so whoever is standing closest to the fitting room, she'll grab their hand and drag them to help. ]

Ehh, I wonder... what do you think about this? [ it's pretty, but she's not sure it's exactly what she's looking for. ]

ii. unsolicited advice is best advice?

a. [ in another store, it's her who is standing near the fitting rooms, ready to offer comments to anyone asking for it... or even if they're not asking, honestly.

critically, ] Hmm... are you sure that's what you want to go with? [ you know. just saying. ]

b. [ or maybe you're still looking for something to try — and never fear! nami is there, holding up... this. ]

Why don't you try this? I'm sure you'd look great in it!

c. [ or maybe you just look really unsure of what to try on, if anything at all. ]

So what kind of style are you used to? [ maybe she can help you find something suitable! or maybe she just wants to know more about you in general. could be either. or both. ]

iii. a girl needs a break

[ it's been hours when they finally decide to stop at a cafe and eat something. nami flops to a chair, letting all her bags clatter around her feet. ]

Whew, I'm beat! I couldn't walk another step right now. [ to whoever settles next to her, ] How are you doing?

iv. wildcard

[ you know the drill! hmu with anything, no need to even ask. but if you want to ask, i'll be over @ celen ]

[ Alex was still learning the joys of shopping, and frugal as she was, she didn’t buy all that many clothes even when she had the means to. A habit, perhaps. It was a big leap from having three articles of clothing to a drawer full of them. But when Nami walks into the bar and invites you out, it was difficult to say no. She was like a little bit of sunshine in Alex’s otherwise dreary mood.

She takes the clothes Nami offers her, feeling the fabric between the fingers. ]

I like the design, but...this summer has been pretty brutal for me. I might need something that breathes a little better.

[ Still, she holds the dress up against her body as she looks it over in the mirror, turning from one side to the other.

Wah, she might not be cool enough to pull off such a bad ass look...

The dress Nami was wearing, on the other hand, complimented her well, and funny enough, the black ensemble she held out for Alex was a nice contrast to it as well. The dress was both mature and refreshing, the kind of feeling she got from the other woman. ]

I think it suits you and the season really well. Although, some of the people in the city might...react. But how do you feel about it?

[ They were quite conservative, at least, way more conservative to what Alex was accustomed to. Even what she was wearing when she arrived earned her a few looks, and it was one of her less revealing outfits. ]

Oh! Hm, right, maybe if you're more used to the water, the heat would feel worse... [ she knows it's bad for those with fur, but she's never seen mermaids or other mer-people in hot climates, either. it makes sense, though, if their bodies are built for cold water. ]

They must have something similar but made of different fabric! Maybe cotton...? It's good for the summer!

[ of course, it's not as much of a statement look, but she can respect the choice of comfort over style. she definitely thinks it'd be something great for alex; she has a similar air to her as robin, in nami's mind, if a little more subdued. so definitely cool enough.

she beams at the compliment.... and then, when alex talks about the people in the city, just — ]

Psh! Who cares what they think? I'm not going to wear something ugly just because they're not used to girls showing some skin! Besides, there are a lot of us from other worlds already... they better start getting used to other fashions!

[ She was right, and the dry heat of this particular summer was even harsher. Alex felt herself drying up faster, and needing to drink a lot more often. It's safe right now, in the shade of the store.

Nami's statement stops her, though, and in that moment, Alex thinks

Ah, now that's cool. ]

I guess you're right. There are a lot more of us now, and everyone seems to be bringing their own style.

[ The more she spoke with Nami, the more she realized that what other people thought wouldn't stop her. Fearless, bold, a disregard for societal norms... ]

I take back what I said before. You really are a pirate.

Right? As if all of us would just adapt to whatever they're doing here when we weren't even asked to come here!

[ if their opinion wasn't consulted... she's not going to care about the opinions of the locals, either!

at the comment, nami blinks, before the confusion melts into a pleased, somewhat proud smile. ]

Ah, you think so? I guess I am! Back home, our crew ended up declaring war at the World Government, so... a little rebelling with clothes doesn't really feel like much!

[ Alex pauses, looking down at the clothes in her hand, then back at Nami.

Did she just say she and her friends declared war agains the world government? ]

...Y..yeah, I guess this is...just a little...

[ That actually made Alex feel less concerned about the whole clothing issue. ]

[ yes......... she sure did!!

it was fun, 0/10 would recommend. ]

Mm, right? I'm glad you understand!

[ then, she's whirling around to browse the racks again. she picks up a few dresses and holds them up. ] How about this? The material should breathe better! Or this? It's definitely summery, but I think you'd look cute in it!

[ These ones were actually not too far off from what she would wear back in Ergastulum. Though the flora pattern looked like something Worrick would pick out.

...Maybe..she could wear these while she's around the cottage? Alex had no problem with the type of clothes themselves, and no one cared where she was from either. But she didn't like the attention it seemed to draw in Aefenglom. And she wasn't ready to face the world government like Nami was.

But...]

I like them.

[ Maybe...Maybe she'll be brave enough to try. ]

Oh, do you also go to the Wildes? Or do you plan to?

Then... try them on! And if you like them, I'll beat up anyone who says anything bad to you!! You should wear anything you like, okay? Besides... I'm sure you'll look cute in them, Alex-chan!

[ so she gently ushers alex to actually try them on. ]

Hm, what do you mean? Oh, outside the city?

[ The more she hears that nickname, the more pleasant Alex feels about it.

She takes the clothes inside the dressing room to try them, but continues speaking to her. ]

Yeah. Since the weather out there is different, I was wondering if you also have winter clothes?

Oh! That's true, I hadn't even thought of that... I'll need a coat and jeans, won't I?

[ because she absolutely knows she's going to end up going out there, for one reason or another, sooner or later. ]

Thanks for reminding me!

[ The clothes fit well. Nami had an eye for picking the right size. Admittedly, it's what Alex is more accustomed to wearing, and it was a lot more breathable. Maybe if she just wore this around the house... ]

Some boots too if you don't have them. I'd hate for you to get a cold out there.

[ Though speaking of safety. ]

Have you already found bond, Nami? It might be safer for you out there if you have one too. Or at least some one to back you up.

Aw, that's so sweet of you!

[ she grins brightly, though obviously alex won't see it from the dressing room. ]

Alright, I'll add those to the shopping list! A coat, jeans, and cute boots.

[ at the question, she starts, tapping her cheek. ] Oh, not yet! I guess I'm starting to be in a hurry with that soon... It's such a big thing, to bond with someone, and I've got no one from home here... ahh, you think I shouldn't go out there without a bond?

It...would be safer in general. But I understand that it's not an easy decision.

[ She comes back out, having changed back into her clothing. ]

I would..hate for something to happen to you. Especially if it's avoidable.

[ But someone as bright and friendly as Nami, Alex couldn't imagine would be short on people who would want to bond with her. Though she also seems a bit stubborn. ]

So please don't push it off for too long.

Alex-chan...

[ her sweet, quiet concern — it's just so sweet that nami can't help but be moved, and stepping closer, she pulls alex into a quick hug. ]

Well, if I can help my friend not be worried, then I will! [ pulling back, she sighs, though. ]

It's just... bonding with someone means you have to trust them, and like them, right? I don't think there's many here who fulfill those criteria. I'd rather be alone than bond with someone just for the sake of bonding. They need to be a friend I trust, too!

[ where's

where's the rest of it, nami

which is to say, this is their fifth shop, and jiang yanli is, if not used to the fashions nami is gravitating towards, then, resigned? maybe? as she's yanked into the dressing room and sees the underwear that she's wearing.

one last try. ]

It looks comfortable to sleep in..?

[ truly..... the fifth shop, and nami is slowly starting to lose faith in actually getting yanli to try on something that isn't floor-length and doesn't consist of at least three layers.

and ah, the comment is — probably also something she expects at this point. ]

Hmm, I think the fabric is a little stiff for that! You want to sleep in something soft, right?

[ and the dress she's got on is sturdy, mostly so that it won't, you know, lift up at the first sign of some wind. ]

But alright, it's not really as pretty as it could be, anyway, so not worth the money. [ with a wink, ] After all, I wouldn't want anyone to think I'm going to a funeral!

[ look she's learned something about clothes colours!! though........ no one would think she's going to a funeral. in that dress. so maybe she's learned absolutely nothing. ]

[ culture shock set in about three shops and one cafe ago. she smiles, helplessly charmed anyway. nami's trying so hard, it's impossible not to respond to it.

thought experiment. if that was an acceptable outfit, would she encourage her to buy it? she considers. ]

The simplicity shows off your natural charms and colouring... but I think I preferred the last one you tried.

[ ah, finally...! an actual opinion!!

nami taps her cheek, taking in the comment... and ends up nodding. ]

Mm, I think I did, too! It has a little more going for it... [ adding, with an amused grin, ] Such as more fabric.

[ but not just that. ] Alright, it's settled! I'm taking that one. Thanks for your help! [ as she turns to leave the fitting room, she steps closer to yanli, linking their arms. ]

I think I saw a shop a little further down the street that had a lot of the kind of clothes you wear on the window. We could try that next! After all, you need a new wardrobe, too!

[ her returning smile is only a little self-conscious at the jab at their differing sensibilities. but it can't be helped, so she doesn't dwell on it. as she hasn't been for the other two shops

by the time their arms are linked, there's nothing awkward about her expression, and she places a hand gently over nami's arm. ]

Really? I haven't been any further than this yet... but it would be nice to have some options that wouldn't, ah... [ give her husband, brother and/or son a heart attack..? ]

Oh, I went ahead and checked what kind of stores they have around here, just in case! And if what they have isn't suitable, there are a few tailor shops around here, too. They can make whatever you want!

[ she may joke about their differing styles... but it's all well-meant. ]

I promise, we'll find something really cute for you! What colours do you prefer? I know your brother wears purple, but what is your husband's colour...? Hm, what was it that Jin Ling-kun was wearing when I met him... yellow?

[ as she talks, she directs the two towards the cashier, showing them what she's buying and paying for the clothes... somehow managing to get a small discount for the purchase. ]

The colours of LanlingJin are white and gold, yes. [ if nami hadn't been well-meaning, jiang yanli would likely have made her excuses three shops ago. no, she's absolutely having fun. just... out of her depth.

but that's no excuse. so she beams on nami's behalf as the discount is taken off the price. ]

YunmengJiang disciples wear purple... mostly. It isn't required, but... [ now she thinks about it, are any of the cultivators here not a sect leader, or the next in line, other than herself and wei wuxian? oh dear. ] Maybe it's time for a change!

Hmm, I see! So each sect really does have their own colours...

[ it's interesting, and quite fun... but also quite restricting. as they exit the store and start making it towards the one nami thought would suit yanli's tastes, she taps her cheek in thought. ]

Well, if you want something new — you look like you like light colours... turquoise and peach would make a lovely combination! But you could go for something a little bit bolder too... I'd say red, but if red is a wedding colour, that won't do! [ then, she grins brightly and winks at yanli. ]

How about black and gold? I think you'd look stunning!

[ she thinks of wei wuxian, and she thinks of the qishanwen sect. but the latter isn't here, so she keeps most of the disquiet from her face. ] Red is fortunate, joyful. It would be nice to wear some red.

Black, ah-- it's a little strong, don't you think? [ darker colours, she's avoided them for so long. they don't suit her plain features, draw attention that she shouldn't have. but maybe...?

they're approaching what she thinks might be the right shop, in that she actually perks up at the outfits on the mannequins in the window. ]

So if black is too strong, but red isn't... then, let's try red!

[ or something like that. maybe pink? bright pink might look cute, too! and would match with gold or silver.

though she's still determined to make yanli try at least
something with black, too.

the sight of her friend actually seeming excited about the clothes makes nami grin brightly — as much as she loves shopping for herself, what she loves just as much is her friends being happy. ]

Come, let's go in and see what they have! [ don't mind as she grabs yanli's hand and swiftly pulls her along as she pushes the door to the store open. ]

[ she's halfway through noticing her own eagerness and ducking back from it when her hand is caught and tugged. it effectively breaks her away from overthinking, and she allows nami's excitement to buoy her own. murmurs agreement, even.

a peach dress near the entrance catches her eye before the shop bell is even done chiming their entry. but there are brighter colours arrayed further in, where they'll draw attention; she glances in nami's direction to check which one she should head for. ]

Edited (oops whitespace) 2020-09-28 18:09 (UTC)

[ it really is like a shop just made for yanli; it makes nami wonder just how many people are here that are used to wearing similar fashions, as they vary slightly within the store... clearly enough for the sales to sustain managing the shop!

she notices yanli looking at the dress near the storefront, and immediately signals for the store manager to get it for her.

and then, pointing at another dress further back: ]

How about that one? It's not quite red, but I think pink would look nice on you too!

[Soundwave, in his avatar form of course because... girl, tags along after coming across a familiar face in town, Nami. She's not busy with anything today, hell Soundwave's bored enough to stroll around town without a goal in mind, so why not accept the invite. It's better than doing nothing...

In her hands is this... lame onesies she found. It's the one thing that managed to catch her eyes than anything else in the store. It's charming, she could try it on just to see how it looks, but Nami catches her on the way to the fitting room and immediately she feels a bit self-conscious with her choice.]

A-ah... Maybe.

[Soundwave has zero experience with clothes or fashion. It's not like he ever had any incentive to seek out more clothes for the avatar. In fact, she's wearing the exact same clothes the last time they met, except the hoodie's off due to the summer heat.]

Well... I guess it's a bit cute!

[ look, she tries not to crush her hopes if she.... has decided to place them all on this particular onesie.

even if nami would rather die than be caught wearing something like it. ]

Why don't you try it, and meanwhile I'll get you something else to try, too? [ she smiles brightly at soundwave. ]

[It really was the one that caught her attention. Soundwave's gaze looks away from Nami, a nod but no verbal response at all as she enters the fitting room, allowing Nami to go grab something else while she changed into the onesies. Nami's probably better at picking clothes than Soundwave could ever be...

Anyhoooow.

Soundwave dons the outfit and stares at herself in the mirror. It looks... cute, even though she has a seriously stoic look on her face.]

[Akko is not strictly part of this shopping group, but she is in the same vicinity. Which is enough for her to get a little curious about what's going on. She just never really thought that any sort of attention would get turned toward her. Akko's ears move straight up into high alert at being spoken to and she looks around the store a few times.]

Uh... I don't think this is really my kind of store...

[...Did she accidentally follow them in here? Whoops.]

Oh! Hmm... I guess you could go for something a little cuter!

[ perhaps someone else might notice they've addressed a complete stranger, and stop there... but not nami. she doesn't even seem to mind — and frankly, the more the merrier!

so she's leaning down, peering at akko. ]

So what would be your kind of store? We're almost done here, so you can choose the next one!

Um.

[Um???]

[Akko's pretty friendly and outgoing herself. There's very little room to deny that she's down to make friends with just about anybody. But she's clearly caught a little off-guard by that offer. Being caught off-guard, however, is not the same as not being down for it. Akko's ears perk up a little straighter in some optimism at the suggestion.]

Are you sure the others won't mind?

Of course they won't! Why would they? We'll have such a cute girl like you joining us, and we'll get to try a new style of clothes! It's a win-win!

[ nami's smile is beaming as she straightens up again, propping her hand on her hip. ]

What's your name? I'm Nami!

[ The timing of this shopping trip was as serendipitous as could be; after nearly a month of exposure to all sorts of magical muck, the forensic investigator's once-trusty and pristine white labcoat has absolutely seen better days. No matter how many times Ema tries to wash it, she just can't seem to get the gunk out. And while parting with the battle-scarred coat is like saying farewell to a loyal companion, a friend there through thick and thin...

Well, a girl has to maintain her image, right? It doesn't take too much convincing from Nami to get Ema along for the ride. The money she's been saving up should cover a couple of new additions to her sparse wardrobe. And it's a good opportunity to experiment a bit outside her comfort zone...

So, while she's normally a pants kind of girl (and she does have the smart casual look pretty much down-pat), she does attempt to give the occasional sundress a go, even if...well, she doesn't exactly feel like the look suits her..? ]

Mm, maybe it's just me..? The dress isn't bad, but...

[ She feels a little...frumpy? Maybe that's the best way to put it-- ]

[ she's delighted to have ema along with them on the shopping trip — a fellow science-minded girl is always welcome company, and her style... it's really smart, too!!

nami's definitely given some compliments to the clothes she's tried out so far, exclaiming about how pretty and official it makes ema look, so the dress is definitely something very different from that.

tapping her cheek, nami tilts her head. ]

Mm, I don't think it's bad, either... Maybe it's because it doesn't look as sleek as your other clothes? How about a similar style, but if there's one with no pattern... Hold on!

[ twirling around, she marches to a nearby rack, rifling through it until she finds the two dresses she was looking for. ] How about either of these two?

Oh, those do look nice! I actually think I might grab that green one...

[ It's pretty chic, gold buttons and all. But maybe a touch fancier than what she had in mind..? ]

I was wondering if this would be a good chance to try a new style, though...you know, just for fun. New city, new world...it's a chance to play around and do things just a little differently, right? Er, well, that's what I thought, anyway.

[ Unfortunately, breaking out of your comfort zone isn't always so easy... ]

I guess you can't really avoid the "error" part of "trial and error".

[ go fancy or go home, right? no?? okay maybe not... but nami is of the opinion that it never hurts to have something fancier in your closet, just in case. ]

Ah, I guess that's true! I was sticking to mostly what I'd wear back home... there's something comforting in having at least one thing be the same, right?

[ since everything else has changed... at least she can still stick to the same style. even if apparently it's a bit of a shock for the natives.

at the final comment, she laughs, but not unkindly. ] Not really! But for what it's worth... I think these kinds of errors are at least fun!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

( closed ) girls just wanna have fun

nami | ota

Wildcard (I couldnt decide so i MERGE)

i approve of this

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ema skye · ota!

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