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Valery's smile softened as she listened, and she gave a small nod. "Ayame," she repeated, the name rolling easily off her tongue. "Then we'll make sure you look nice for her." The warmth in her voice left no room for teasing this time.
A moment later though, her grin turned playful again, and she reached to loop her arm through Reina's, tugging her gently but firmly toward the row of shops ahead. "Come on then, let's get to it. You've got me curious now."
Her orange eyes glimmered with mischief as she leaned closer, "Tell me... are we looking for something modest and casual, something you can wear out without turning heads? Or do we go fancier? Maybe even something daring~" She drew out the last word with a grin, already imagining the fun of pushing Reina just a little outside her comfort zone.
"Yeah. She's never been off world it seemed like. Her entire life has just been her on Atrisia."
Slowly but surely, Reina was starting to talk. More and more. Even though she had been opposed to the idea, there was something about Ayame that Reina just wanted to talk about. The words just kept tumbling out of her mouth before she could stop herself, as she started to express herself with her hands as well.
"I told her a lot about what I've seen in the Galaxy. She reminded me of a Princess, from one of those stories about Knights, and Kings and Kingdoms."
She had just followed Valery as the woman lead Reina off towards the shops, starting to go into thought at the question...before a sudden blush came to her cheeks as Valery asked if Reina wanted to be daring. The Ersansyr bit her lip for a moment, clearly thinking it over. Ayame seemed very much like...a proper kind of lady. Daring might have been too much.
"I...was thinking...maybe something a bit fancy? Maybe...something that is Atrisian-like? It would show that I've put thought into her and her culture..."
: Means written/typed communication : < Means Sign Language communication >
Valery caught the faint color rising in Reina's cheeks and a smirk tugged at her lips, though she chose not to comment on it. Instead, she gave the younger woman's arm a light squeeze as they walked. "Something fancy and Atrisian-inspired sounds like a wonderful idea," she said warmly. "It shows thought, and I think she'll notice that right away."
Her gaze swept over the shops ahead, eyes already searching for fabrics and styles that might suit the description. "Atrisia has a very elegant tradition in its clothing," she went on, "Clean lines, refined detail… if we can find something like that, while still letting it feel like you, then you'll look perfect."
Valery's smirk returned, a little playful this time. "Let's start there. And if we happen to come across something a little extra on the daring side, well… no harm in trying it on, right?"
"Yeah...I've put a lot of thought into it. I don't normally...think about what other people like."
Okay. Perhaps that sounded slightly arrogant of Reina, but she meant it from a good place. More often than not, she didn't care what people liked the look of. So this was a bit more...of her trying to put more care in someone else's opinion as she looked over towards the shops in the same manner as Valery did...though it was more as if her eyes were just gliding over all the stores. She had no clue what fabrics or styles would actually fit her.
"Atrisia's tradition...sounds a bit like the gear I had to wear when I was fishing. We all needed a specific style. Like a military uniform."
If she thought about it that way, Reina wasn't fully opposed to the idea of wearing dresses now. They had their purpose, in the same way that Reina's old uniform had. Hm...She shook her head, trying not to focus on that thought however and keep her mind on task. Finding something that would look good on her. But what did? What colour went with her hair? Her eyes? This was so much more complicated than she had expected.
: Means written/typed communication : < Means Sign Language communication >
Valery smiled at Reina's words, giving a small nod of acknowledgment. "That's not a bad way of looking at it," she said as her gaze drifted toward a large storefront ahead. Bright fabrics lined the windows, and the entrance spilled light and color out onto the street. Without hesitation, she guided Reina toward it, her hand brushing gently at the younger woman's arm as they stepped inside.
The shop was spacious, with racks arranged in long rows. Dresses of every style and shade were there for them to admire. Silks and satins gleamed in soft blues, whites, and silvers. Richer fabrics in crimson, green, and violet carried more daring cuts. Some were simple and refined, others bold in their detail, patterned with Atrisian designs or laced with gold and silver accents.
There was plenty to try.
Valery let her eyes wander for a moment, then looked back to Reina with an encouraging smile. "Go on. See what catches your eye. There's no wrong choice here, and you may surprise yourself with what feels right."
Reina's eyes glimmered for a moment, their iridescent orange reflecting the light back. There was so many different dresses staring back at her. For a moment, she looked up towards Valery to make sure she was allowed to grab them, before Reina hurried off to start feeling the dresses. Trying to figure out what ones would be comfortable to wear. Some that would be more fanciful and some that would be more of a...risqué option.
Eventually the girl hurried off to the changing rooms to try out the different dresses. She had came to four that she had decided she liked. The first she stepped out in flowed neatly down to her knees as her red hair stood out against the white fabric. It was very much a formal but also comfortable dress, even with the ruffles that showed colour beneath the surface. Enjoying herself for a moment, Reina even afforded a little twirl to show off to Valery before the redhead quickly hurried her way back into the changing room.
The next dress Reina came out in was far more casual. One could say it was somewhat more adorable compared to the last one that she had came out in, though the colour palette seemed to be the same with white and reds. It also had far more frills as Reina enjoyed the moment to just feel normal. Whilst the last dress had been far more elegant and formal, Reina felt a lot more relaxed and alive in this one, and with yet another small twirl, Reina was back to changing.
Whilst the first two dresses had felt more vulnerable, Reina felt far more secure in the third one. It was sharp. Formal yet made casual with the addition of a jacket. The colour of the dress caught the light alongside Reina's hair, shimmering almost like flames. So far each dress she had put on, Reina was having the time of her life. There was no twirl with this dress, just a grin of joy before stepping back in.
And then...there was a pause. The final dress seemed to take a bit of time before Reina came out, hesitant. Any security she had felt in the outfits had been gone as she stepped out, a small blush on her cheeks. So far she had formal and comfortable, cute and casual, and formal and sharp. Now we came to what Reina had viewed as a more risque dress as she looked down at herself, feeling the way the dress moved as she turned before her eyes flickered up towards Valery. Funnily enough, it was also the only one that seemed the most Atrisian-like
"I...Do these show off my legs too much? I feel like...it's a bit much."
: Means written/typed communication : < Means Sign Language communication >
Valery watched each dress with a growing smile, her arms folded loosely as she leaned against one of the nearby racks. When Reina stepped out in the first outfit, Valery's expression softened. "That one suits you," she said, nodding slightly. "Simple, elegant, and the white really brings out your hair. You look like you belong at any formal gathering in the Core."
The second dress drew a chuckle from her. "Adorable," Valery said honestly. "It feels more like you. Comfortable and lively. I can see you wearing that outside of an event too."
As Reina emerged in the third outfit, Valery's smile turned approving. "Now that," she said, taking a step closer, "Has presence and confidence. It fits how you carry yourself."
When the final dress came, Valery straightened slightly. The hesitation in Reina's step didn't escape her notice, nor did the color on her cheeks. Valery's gaze swept over the dress once, taking in the cut, the movement, and how it complemented the younger woman's posture. "It is daring," she admitted with a small grin, "But you wear it well. If it makes you feel good, then you should have it too."
Her tone softened as she added, "Each one shows a different side of you. I think you should take all four. There is nothing wrong with having options for every mood and every occasion."
"Oh. I planned on grabbing all four. After all, I'm not the one paying for it."
At that, Reina broke out into a little cheeky grin before hurrying off into the changing room to put the fourth dress away and pack it up ready to buy it. Sure, she might have been able to pay for it whilst wearing it but Reina still wasn't confident enough to walk around in public wearing it. It would happen in due time.
"It's nice to hear that...I can show different sides of myself. I've been trying to do that for a while."
To Reina, she felt like there was only one side she showed most people. That being of aggressive and cold. It wasn't entirely wrong. Reina was aggressive, and she was cold but there were other sides to that she was trying to change up on. To be more caring and warm to others. So getting some outfits that would help with that could work.
"Well. That's four new dresses to add to my wardrobe when we get back. It's going to make up for a nice change compared to my usual outfits."
: Means written/typed communication : < Means Sign Language communication >
