Confessions of a Shopaholic

[Ara Zambrano]

The store [member="Kaalia Voldaren"] had chosen to stop in was not one Ara would have chosen for either of them. Where some would call it urban, others would call it downright tacky. Racks upon racks of leather and vinyl clothing in all shapes, sizes, and colors covered the sales floor, the knight smirking at the riotous display. A few of the outfits were attractive, if you were interested in a little bit of danger and adventure with your nightly activities.

Running a finger down a skirt that showed more skin than it hid, the knight waited as her friend wandered the floor in search of something. Apparently Kaalia already had a particular garment in mind as she moved surely through the isles to procure a jacket of red and black leather. Ties up the arms and buckles across the chest and shoulders drew your attention even as the asymmetrical hemline would act to flatter the hips and legs of whomever decided to wear it.

It was bold and daring, a statement to her friend’s change in confidence over the past few days. Tilting her head and inspecting the garment with a critical eye, she had to admit it was one of the nicer options in the boutique.

”Surprise, surprise, Kaalia has some bite to her.”

The accompanying chuckle and approving twinkle in her eyes said enough.

”Well, what are you waiting for? Try it on. Maybe with this?”

Grabbing the skirt she’d been looking at before, her eyebrows raised, lids lowered, silky smile settled on her lips. Far be it for the brunette to pass up another chance to tease her friend a little.

 

[Kaalia Pavanos]

Kaalia was amused by [member="Ara Ren"]'s remark. Things had most definitely changed and the most obvious thing was her more outspoken nature coming through whenever anything was about her. She wasn't afraid to draw attention to herself anymore even if she rarely attempted to do so, and was able to shrug it off more easily than before. The jacket she was holding up was a perfect testament to this. she picked it out because she liked the look of it and couldn't care less about any attention it would draw. "I just found myself, that's all."

Ara held up a skirt as a potential article to pair it with and the redhead looked at it for a moment. "It's kind of short, don't you think?" She started walking towards a fitting room but as she passed the brunette she took it anyway. "Ah, screw it, I can at least try it. Unlike something else we debated over this won't torture me." She figured there was no point in being stuck about it, and so while carrying both pieces of clothing she made her way inside the room.

While inside she quickly tried on the jacket, and looking in the mirror she smiled broadly. "It's perfect," she quietly said to herself, "absolutely perfect." The woman was about to walk back out before remembering the skirt that still waited to be tried on. She picked it up and inspected it while still contemplating the length, or the lack thereof. She figured that at the very least nobody could see her while inside the room, mentally shrugged her shoulders and continued changing.

She finished changing and took a good look into the mirror, raising an eyebrow at herself. It was daring, a bit far and probably very attention-grabbing, something the former Kaalia wouldn't even dare to look at. The thought made her shake her head. "That is not me anymore. This is what proves it." The quiet words of encouragement brought her to the door. The skirt was still a bit far for her, but she wanted to do this. She needed to do this. After a small delay she opened it and came out, meeting Ara once again. "And, did you actually expect me to try it or was I going to chicken out in your head?"

 

[Ara Zambrano]

Ara chuckled as the scrap of fabric disguised as a skirt, really that’s all it could be considered, was taken by her red-headed friend. The mention of the heels from their last stop brought a wide grin to her face, the offending items still nestled in their bag on her arm.

”The heels might be torture, but some torture is worth the end result.”

She flashed [member="Kaalia Voldaren"] a wink as the knight disappeared into the dressing room and the brunette continued browsing. Very few items on the floor were of interest to her, leather and vinyl not her preferred fabric choices unless they were discussing shoes. She would never turn down a nice pair of leather boots. One top did draw her attention, light chiffon with straps that wrapped around the back, most of the skin from her shoulders to the small of her back would be laid bare. The black, silky fabric seemed light enough to fall off with the lightest touch, the haltered neckline doing little in terms of support. Raising an eyebrow, she handed the garment off to a waiting sales associate, not bothering to try the piece on.

The sound of a door opening turned her attention back to the dressing area, her friend emerging in the jacket and skirt, much to Ara’s surprise.

”Oh, I expected you to try it on, just not to walk out in public in it.”

Her eyes twinkled with mirth as her gaze raked over her taller friend, the jacket a sharp contrast with its red leather and straps, to the strip of black leather that left far more leg bare than it covered.

”Although, I believe there is a certain pilot who might enjoy the view.”

 

[Kaalia Pavanos]

"I still surprised you. I'll gladly take that." Kaalia looked down at herself for a moment and shrugged. "It will still probably be both the first and last time you'll see me in it though, it's not really my thing. The jacket is fantastic though, so that one's coming with." She was quite proud of the find and already knew she was going to wear it often. "I guess I'm not completely awful at finding good looking items, huh?"

The redhead smiled when [member="Ara Ren"] alluded to Ishana liking the view of the current outfit. "If I even run into her again I might just reconsider, then." There was a lighthearted tone in her voice. "Although, if she never knew I even tried it on she won't peg me about it. anyway, time to change back." She turned around to change back into her original outfit, but stopped halfway through the turn. "I'm getting the feeling you really want me to see her again, maybe even more than I do myself. Why don't you become my private investigator and see if we can track her down?" Kaalia then actually went to change, a very quick affair, and when she came back she remembered the time. "Isn't it time to start heading to the armorer?"

 

[Ara Zambrano]

Idly shuffling through racks as her friend changed, one side of her mouth quirked up in an amused grin. Track down the pilot, hmm? Ara supposed she could do that if push came to shove.

”Do you know where she is from? Or, considering she was at a function for the First Order Military, where she is stationed? Not that I don’t enjoy a good challenge but I get the feeling you would like her to be found sooner rather than later.”

A silky chuckle and wink met [member="Kaalia Voldaren"] ’s reemergence from the dressing area. Nodding in agreement, she waited patiently while her friend paid for the jacket and had it wrapped, both women exciting the store with bags in hand. Turning the conversation back to the night of the Jumping Rocket, the pair laughed as they recounted the turbulent evening, a mischievous twinkle settling into the Knight’s eyes as they made their way out of the Garden District towards the center of the capitol, dedicated to serving the army as needed.

The coordinates she’d been given were for a small armory off of the main thoroughfare, one which usual catered to the Stormtroopers and their superiors, but was also held in high esteem for its custom armor creation. At the brunette and redhead approached the Garrison, a small figure darted out, the front breastplate of FO-02 Stormtrooper Armor that had seen better days.

The short brunette who rushed past was wearing what Ara had always associated with “military casual”, muted colors in relaxed styles. An insignia on her shoulder indicated some form of officer, although the Knight herself knew little to distinguish the colors and layout of the bars from their counterparts.

The string of swears that trailed after the woman would make a sailor blush, a few threats thrown in the mix for good measure. The amused smile the Ren wore stayed put as an eyebrow was raised, her gaze tracing the path as the woman disappeared into the distance, chest plate cradled in her hands almost as one would carry a small child.

”I do believe we are in the right place.” She chuckled, reaching for the door and glancing at her friend for her reaction to the strange and boisterous officer they’d just had the pleasure of crossing paths with.

 

[Kaalia Pavanos]

"I've wanted to do research on that, but everytime I'm about to I feel like a stalker. Life is hard..." Only after saying that did Kaalia realize what was a likely outcome. Ara definitely seemed like the type who would do exactly that, which was not what she wanted to happen. Knowing no combination of words was going to stop her if she had set her mind to it, the redhead decided to pretend she never said it in the first place. The duo paid for their items and turned to leave, reminiscing about the Jumping Rocket as they reemerged onto the streets. So many things had changed since then, but that feeling she got when Ishana kissed her out of nowhere was still there and just as strong as the moment it was instilled in her. She was reminded of the fairly short but memorable adventure she had with the pilot, almost forgetting reality. The things I'd do to meet her again...

A nice stroll later the redhead was found looking at a storefront, but the peaceful appraisal was quickly interrupted, when almost as if on queue, a woman shot out of the building, curses following where she was going. She was carrying a set of stormtrooper armor, indicating that this was likely the place where they were getting their own armor fitted. The woman had trouble holding in her laughter but managed to do so, if only barely, but the broad smile on her face betrayed the fact she found the situation to be nothing short of hilarious. "Not going to lie, that was funny." The spectacle of a shorter woman in a fit of rage always looked comical to the redhead and this was no exception. I hope there are other people who can help us though, I don't think that woman is coming back anytime soon." Kaalia followed after Ara into the store and looked around the place, taking in the place and seeing if other armorers are present.

[member="Ara Ren"]

 

[Ara Zambrano]

The armory was well lit and well taken care of, as one would expect from the First Order Military. An officer of some rank, judging by the insignia on his sleeve, watched the distant figure through the glass windows, a bemused expression on his face as they entered. Straightening immediately, years of training took over, the expression fading into neutral greeting, back straight, eyes roaming over the two Ren in inspection. No hint of his internal thoughts were exposed, Ara’s estimation of the man increasing as he gathered paperwork with a no nonsense exchange of pleasantries and led them to the back where their basic armor awaited.

Two troopers straightened, in the midst of removing armor pieces from the other, as they passed through a back room and into another, larger storage area.

It short order, both women had tried on and customized personal body armor, their orders to be ready within a week, just in time for the upcoming battle to take Mustafar from the Galactic Alliance.

The rest of the evening passed by in quick succession, the two friends finding peace in a simple meal, shared stories, and a drink or two. Who knew what the upcoming days would bring, but one thing was certain, neither would come out unscathed. Relationships would be tested, lives lost, and victory for the First Order assured. They would savor these last moments of peace for as long as possible, for come morning, they would return to their duties as Knights of Ren, the shadow hand of the Supreme Leader.

[member="Kaalia Voldaren"]