Shopping and Spa Treatments ((Open to any))

Wren woke up with a cold sweat covering her chilled body and her breath coming in short gasps. She'd had The Nightmare again. She was so fucking tired of waking up scared. Sighing she crawled out of the bed and got into the the shower letting the water warm as she stood in it. She had forgotten to grab her toiletries so just used what the hotel had provided, bitching to the soap about how much lotion she was going to need. She should shave her legs, but giving them a feel she decided they could just be waxed along with her bikini area.

She stepped out of the shower and used three of their dinky towels to dry off and went back into the room. Kneeling on the floor she opened on of her cases and pulled out panties and a bra, both blue gingham with little white eyelet lace trim and little white bows, and a black belt with a rectangle button covered in pink crystals. She knee walked to her other case and pulled out a pair of faded low rise blue jeans and a pink body hugging cashmere sweater, and a pair of trouser socks.

She stood and threw the lot onto the bed. She put lotion from her toiletry bag on as much of her as she could reach, then dressed, putting on the same black boots as yesterday. She ran a brush through her hair to tame it.

She picked up her jeans from that morning and pulled everything out of the pockets. She took the wad of cash from Drev and sat on the bed to count it. 'Fifty, one hundred, one fifty, two, two fifty, three, twenty, forty, sixty, eighty, four, twenty, forty, fifty, five hundred, ten, fifteen, twenty, one, two, three.'


"Holy fucking shit."

She stared at the stack of bills a bit dumb founded. It's not like she'd never had that much, she had two grand in the lining of her suitcase, and she could earn more than that on a good night, it was just the thought of some stranger giving her that much, just because he wanted to pay for her shoes.

She gathered up the bills and tucked them into the wallet in her purse along with the hundred in assorted bills of her own. She added lip balm to the near empty space and decided it was time to spend Drev's money.

She grabbed coat, hat, scarf and glove, checking to make sure her keycard was in the pocket she'd stuffed it in while cleaning out her other jeans, and left for the mall.


It took her a little while to find the mall, but she didn't mind all that much, it gave her a chance to see what else The Strip offered. Once inside she found the little mall map thing and stood staring at it, getting a feel for the stores the placed offered. She was even excited to find a day spa in the court outside one of the department stores.

Shay 18 years ago
Shay liked the shoes Wren had chosen, and since they were the only ones she brought to try on, she hoped they had them in her size. Nothing was more frustrating than going shopping for shoes and coming home empty handed.

"Believe me, I won't be wearing 'these' outside, except to get to and from somewhere." She responded happily.

When Wren had given the man her request, Shay held up all three boots to him.


"And a seven regular here."

So there was another similarity...both had the same basic shoe size...how funny.

When the man left to go get the sizes the girls had asked for, Shay sat back and kicked out her feet on the floor in front of her.


"These things are so comfortable, but jeez...they just look so sad. I only wear these when alone, or shopping with girlfriends. They do nothing for my 'hotness' quotient."

She wrinkled her nose and giggled.

"So a dancer and a singer...that sounds very promising."

And was that another coincidence? Shay was an ex-cop, and now a novelist, who had met a hired killer and researcher...those were all similar fields if you looked at them a certain way.

"And I hope my referring to the two of you this way doesn't make you uncomfortable. My relationship is quite new as well, and I'm still in the stage of analyzing it a bit more than I probably should be."

Though in fairness, Shay did have a few issues out of the norm to come to terms with.
Wren 18 years ago
"And a girl's hotness rating must be taken into account each and every time she dresses." She laughed softly and gestured down at her own choices. "I'm not exactly winning awards today."

She chuckled again at Shay's comment and explanation. "You can refer to it any way you want. I doubt we'll go out again, unless he's the white Rico Suave or drugs me and ties me up in his basement. But it will be a nice evening out, and a good way to see more of the city."
Shay 18 years ago
Shay eyed her a bit suspiciously.

"Okay...I never would have thought I'd be living with a guy I only met a few weeks ago, either...but, it happened."

Blinking at the words, which always surprised her when she said them outloud, Shay was just glad she hadn't told her dad that things were that serious, when he'd called. Though she knew he trusted her, and that she had never done anything so impetuous as this before, she knew too he'd have to doubt her sanity a little.

And for someone who didn't have a lot riding on this date, Wren sure was going to a lot of trouble. Then again, if she really felt this way about this guy, going out dressed to kill could still lead her to meeting someone else more promising.

Then too...maybe she just wasn't into relationships. Shay had been that way once.


"So where do 'you' work...can I come see you dance?"
Wren 18 years ago
Wren laughed, it always came down to this question and she never knew how any one person would react, but Shay seemed the type not to judge.

"Well I don't work anywhere at the moment. I haven't really seen any place I can apply. I'm hoping I can get a teaching job at a studio before I have to resort to stripping again, just to pay the bills. Either way, you are more than welcome to come watch."

She watched the salesman emerge from the back room with three large boot boxes and her tiny shoe box perched on top.

"I'm also hoping I can just find a big space to practice in, even if it's a field with my walkman."
Shay 18 years ago
"Ooooh! A stripper...really? How fun. Though is it still fun, if you do it for money?"

A job was a job, after all, and while Shay loved her's she knew a lot of people who didn't.

"Teaching would be great though, and I would imagine you would be more of your own boss at that...setting times, fees, and such. I wish I knew of a studio or a big place for you to check out, but I can't say I've seen anything like that. Of course, I haven't been looking either, so they may be all around Nachton.

I've got a huge back yard that would be better than a field, and you'd be more than welcome to use it...but right now it's colder than a witch's tit outside...surely you wouldn't resort to that?"

Shay asked slightly horrified, and hoping Wren was kidding.

Taking the boot from the large box, Shay began slipping her foot inside herself. The salesman could assist Wren if she chose, but Shay went ahead on her own.
The first boot she tried on was the comfy one, and after replacing her Uggs with the new ones, she stood up, took a few steps, realized they were just as comfy as they looked, and chalked them up to an instant success.

The next pair she tried were the heavier ones, and after she got them on, and began walking, she quickly decided they would not do at all. Not only were they clunky, but they didn't allow for much movement of her ankles, and she knew after a short while her feet would be killing her, in them. Though she didn't expect them to be as comfy as the earlier ones, because they were for practicality, they had to also offer some ease of wear.

The last pair were the killers, and unfortunately, she couldn't zip them up over her jeans. So she wore them over to a mirror, and stood, holding the sides together, trying to visualize how they would look on her bare legs.


"I don't know...an opinion...? And please, be brutal - I can take it."

From her perspective, bent over holding them together, it really was difficult to decide. At least they didn't pinch, and weren't as uncomfortable as the second pair.
Wren 18 years ago
The man handed her a pair of those silly nylon footies as she toed her boots off. She tugged off her socks and pulled on the footies. She looked up as Shay while the man put the red heels on her feet.

"It's fun so long as the men keep their hands where they belong. And don't worry, my boobs are small enough, I won't be freezing them off anytime soon, thanks."

She watched Shay at the mirror for a moment. Her breasts were much larger than they had been three years ago, but that's not saying much, she still barely filled a C cup, and had opted for the largest implant the doctor said could safely be used, ans still look normal on her body. Though she did like having the small handful better than the maybe if I put some tissue in here I can hold up my leotard ones she had before. She turned her head and squinted at Shay imagining the perfect outfit for those boots.

"I think with a camel skirt, with pleats, a silk blouse and a leather jacket, you wouldn't need to worry about falling on your ass, as you'd have a crowd of men to cushion your landing."

The man finished and she hiked up her jeans and joined Shay at the mirror.

"Damn talk about sex on heels."
Shay 18 years ago
Shay smiled at Wren's mention of boobs. Shay had never been overly endowed, and in fact was more on the smaller side, by today's standards. However, she thought the overall package had always looked good, and yes, she had always gotten more than her share of admiring looks. Besides that, Alexi wasn't complaining, and that was the main thing she considered these days.

"Small? Honey, we won't go there, k? You're almost Pam Anderson next to me."

She teased good naturedly.

"But then as a dancer you must put them to better use anyway. As a writer I could be flat as a board and it wouldn't matter."

Well...to her it would, of course...and Alexi might think differently as well. She would need to ask him what part of the woman's body he fancied the most, out of curiousity only, on her part.

Wren's suggestions made perfect sense, and the blue skirt and white blouse she'd worn to the Eternity club had been in need of replacing. She could also get rid of those boots as well, if she got these...or save them for lesser important events. On the other hand, she had seen these same boots in chocolate...maybe that would be a better choice, and would go so much better with the colors Wren mentioned.


"Do you have these in a brown?"

Shay asked the salesman, and went over to sit and wait when he nodded in the affirmative.

"Sex on heels? Now that is when I would break my neck for sure!"

Though that vision was quite entertaining as well.
Wren 18 years ago
She grinned at Shay. "Ah, but that is half the fun." She turned her foot this way and that, getting the full effect of the shoes. They were undeniably perfect. She returned to her seat to pull them off and put her boots back on.

"It is so exciting when you find the right thing in the first place you go. I seem to be having a day like that. The first dress store I walked into had the exact thing I was looking for."

She felt like a giddy teenager, not that she was that far from teenager, but giddy was not a normal feeling for her.

She took her shoes to the counter and dug out what she figured would cover the shoes, set it on the counter then turned back to Shay.


"I have one more stop to make, then would you like to have..." She looked down at her watch."...lunch with me? There is a food court here and it looked like it contained a couple of sit down restaurant as well as the normal fast food fare."

[i]She bit her lip, suddenly nervous again. It was the first offer she'd made to Shay and she didn't want her to turn her down. Though it might be she had other things to do, and it wouldn't be a rejection so much as a next time, still she hoped for a yes.
Shay 18 years ago
Thrilled to find the boots in brown were in stock, Shay decided on those and the comfy ones. She'd just need to try somewhere else if she determined she really needed some of the other style.

Following the salesman to the register, as he carried her boxes, she quickly paid and was ready to continue on, not wanting to return home to a sleeping Alexi just yet, nor give up her new companion.


"Lunch would be great...in fact perfect actually. I'm supposed to be eating more."

Again she wrinkled her nose, as she often did when faced with something she didn't either agree with, or agrees with but didn't find the easiest to accomplish. So she had lost about ten pounds since coming to Nachton, and really couldn't afford more than a couple. Her mind had just been elsewhere lately.

"And I would just as soon eat someplace nice. I live on fast food most of the time, and would love the change. AND...only if I can treat...it will be my welcome to Nachton gift."

Shay had no idea what Wren's financial circumstances were, but if she had just moved there, and wasn't working yet, there was a chance she might not be quite flush. In any event, Shay wanted to treat.

"Once you get fully settled, you can invite me over to return the gesture...if that's ok? I suck at cooking, or I would have invited you to our place."

No, this would work out much better.
Wren 18 years ago
"It's a deal. I make a mean mac and cheese."

She took her change from Shoe Guy and stuffed it in her pocket with out looking at it./[i]

"There was a Frederick's in the opposite direction and that is back toward the food court..." [i]She reviewed the mental map she had made, with a questioning look on her face.
"Yeah that's right. I just need some sort of bra for this," She gestured vaguely at the plastic covered dress. "And they have microfiber pantyhose there so that will work out fine."

She took the bag with her shoes and headed out of the store with Shay.

"I'll show it to you when we get there and you can help me decide if I should do a bra or just nipple covers. I'd hate to put his eye out on my fembot nipples if it's cold in the restaurant."
Shay 18 years ago
"Oh good...I love a good mac and cheese."

Shay smiled and got excited when Wren said there was a Fredericks close by. Though normally Shay only shopped there when she was feeling in a really 'horny' mood, now that she had someone guaranteed to see it, she considered a trip there might prove quite fun.

"Oh yes, I'd love to see your dress. And see, there are advantages to being small boobed. Normally I only wear a bra if I'm trying to be proper, or around my mom. She still gives me grief about the fact that I'll be saggy by the time I'm fifty. Unfortunately, she's seeing me as she sees herself and my sister...they both got theirs from my grandma. I, lucky me, took after my dad's mom."

It then occurred to her...vampires probably didn't need to worry about saggy boobs. Was that a plus for that team?

The fembot nipples sent Shay into a short fit of giggles.


"If it weren't for my nipples, I'd barely have anything to keep my bra down."

Which was quite an exageration, but Shay didn't want Wren to think she was laughing at her. It was more the picture of putting a guys eye out that started the laughter.

"I've got to see these nipple covers though. I've never heard of such a thing."

And the microfiber panty hose sounded intriguing as well. Back home Shay rarely needed to wear stockings, but here she could see an advantage, if she could find some that looked like she wasn't wearing them.

As they neared the store, scents from the food court wafted towards them, and Shay was glad to feel actually hungry.
Wren 18 years ago
"My mom is the same way, pesters me constantly, even when I was boobless she pestered. I figure I don't need to worry about saggy boobs cause mine are fake. I don't think I've ever seen fake boobs sag, so I rarely wear a bra except in winter when it really is necessary."

Wren gave a small laugh about Shay's nipple comment. She really seemed to have a lot in common with this girl and she hoped they could hang out again. This had been much more fun than doing all this alone.

"They're like masking tape really, except hypo-allergenic and won't pull or wrinkle. They're great for tops that are a little to shear to be braless, but to solid to wear a bra."

She grinned, and turned into Frederick's The girl behind the counter greeted them and Wren headed straight for the little display thing that held the pantyhose and other basic items, like nipple covers and those little stick on strapless bras.
Shay 18 years ago
"Well, I'm certainly no expert on women's boobs, but I have to tell you, from what I see they don't look fake!"

And now Shay was laughing because she couldn't believe she was walking through a public mall talking so casually about boobs, and nipples, and even checking out another woman to give an opinion on that woman's boobs. Crazy.

It was just that Shay really missed this kind of camaraderie with another girl. She and her sister were close, and could carry on this way, but they were rarely able to get together like this very often anymore.

Following Wren inside, Shay strolled along the rows of bras, and corsets...panties, crotchless, and otherwise. Finding a bra with the centers cut out, to let one's nipples free, Shay held it up to Wren. Aside from the holes, it was a pretty bra, but it wouldn't serve any need of Shay's, and she didn't think she could even put it on ane wear it with a straight face.


"I don't guess this is what you'd be looking for?"

The smile across her face hurt, it had been there so long, but it felt good too. She hung up the one bra, and went to look at nighties. Not that she really had a need for these either, now. Why put something on that was going to be removed so quickly. Yet when she found one, quite different than any she had seen before, she had to question that logic.

The gown was floor length, and made of gossamer, and not white, but an ethereal palest, peach, with just a shimmery hint of gold in it. It was cute empire style, and from the bottom of the bodice it flowed in the softest, tiniest folds. The shoulders were connected by small pearls, and from there the sleeves flowed down to a point that looked like it trailed down to the floor as well. The sleeves were slit up from wrist to shoulder, and joined along the top of the hand with another pearl.

The gown was definitely not for sleeping in. In fact Shay thought she'd strangle for sure if she tried. And it was much more virginal a statement than she would normally have made. But she had fallen in love with it. So she checked the size, and found it was too large, but found they did also have it in her size. She almost squealed, but instead gathered it up in her hands, and carried it to show Wren, dropping it and swinging it gently in front of the other woman.


"Isn't this...just...heavenly?"
Wren 18 years ago
Wren found a set of nipple covers that were about the right size she would need and was looking over the stocking selection when Shay walked up and started swinging something in front of her. She turned her head and smiled. She personally wouldn't be caught dead in it, but that didn't make it less lovely.

"Wow, yes. Are you getting it? You should. Talk about setting the mood."

She grinned and put a set of nipple covers in Shay's empty hand, and turned back to the nylons. She had located the right kind, she just needed to find color and size. "A girl can never have too many sets."

"Ah-ha!" She plucked up a black envelope, finally locating a color called barely there, which was a couple of shades lighter than nude, but not white or ivory, with a shear panty and a seam up the back. 'Just like grandma used to wear.' She chuckled and waggled them at Shay.

"Found them! Now my shopping is actually done. Do you want to look some more, or go find a place to eat?"

Wren made her way to the counter the three packages in hand. A girl should always buy an extra pair of pantyhose just in case.
Shay 18 years ago
"You know...before I met Mathias, I never would have even looked twice at something like this. But...he's a bit old fashioned."

She loved that about him too. For all her feminist ideas, he allowed her the freedom to be herself, and she believed he thought her his equal, in as much sense as a woman could be equal to a man. She would always recognize that there were just some things most women couldn't so, and she had no problems with that.

She also loved his old fashioned courtesies, and the fact that she felt safe in his arms. She liked to think she returned those actions with her own, such as offering him comfort and compassion when he needed it.

She blinked at Wren, aware she had been day dreaming.


"Sorry again...I did mention this was a new relationship? And yes, I think I will get it. Hopefully I'll be able to wear it for a few minutes at least."

Shay winked at Wren, and took the nipple covers she gave her.

"As long as you're sure they're not going to remove anything when I take them off. I'm one of those who winces when they remove a bandaid."

She looked at the stockings and found a pair in her size, which she added to her armful. She would give them a try when she wore her boots, and see how well they did.

"Nope, I've done much better than I set out to do, but now food would be good."

Paying for her purchases after Wren's transactions were completed, Shay set the smaller bag inside the one that held her boots, and made her way out the door, alongside Wren.

The food court had several fast food places, and it looked like three 'sit down' restaurants.


"Okay...your choice. Where shall we eat...?"
Wren 18 years ago
"That looks like a mexican place. Let's go try that, I could go for fajitas or nachos or something else spicey."

She pointed to a brightly decorated place with palm trees and parrot all over the place and little statues of fat men with sombreros were tucked here and there. They walked closer and the sizzle and smell of mexican food wafted out at her. She grinned, yeah this would be very very good.

"I love mexican food, any kind. My mom used to tell me she wasn't sure I was hers with all this spice running through my veins." She shrugged. "Personally I just like stuff that's spicey, it doesn't matter what ethnic group it's from, the more my eyes water the better."

She laughed. "You can't get much better than that, except maybe with a night of pizza, dark homebrewed ale with a box of chocolates for dessert."

She asked for a table for two and when they were seated ordered a margarita and a glass of water.
Shay 18 years ago
"Perfect. I grew up with Mexican food, and am a heat freak too. I love spicy Chinese almost as much. But I have limits...I like to be able to taste other things after I finish my meal. I made the mistake of eating a raw habanera once, and I don't think I regained my taste senses for at least two days."

Still following along, Shay set her bag in a nearby chair, and sat across from Wren, at the table.

"And pizza...I'm kinda picky about...I'm one of those freaks who likes the really thin. crispy crust. I'd much rather taste the sauce, cheese, and other toppings than have a whole mouth full of dough."

Shay ordered a top shelf margarita, no salt, and picked up a chip from the basket the waiter had set down. Dipping it into the salsa, she was pleased that not only was it spicy, but she could taste the cilantro...something she really loved the flavor of.

Hearing a baby cry, Shay immediately turned to see where it was. She was confronted with a woman who appeared frustrated, trying to quiet the infant by moving the stroller back and forth too forcefully. Her heart lept a little, as she wanted to go over and pick up the small one, caress its back, and coo into its ear. But the mother wasn't being abusive...just stupid. And the child wouldn't be harmed, though Shay doubted it would quiet either. However, before it got to the point where Shay couldn't stand it, the woman was joined by a man, and they walked off.

She turned to Wren, and smiled, a small, somewhat sad smile.


"I adore kids."

Was all she offered, before she shook her funk.

"You said this guy you're going out with is a retired singer? I didn't think singers ever retired. Aren't Paul McCarthy, and Mick Jagger, like both in their sixties... Oh! This guy...is he..older?"

It never occurred to Shay to think that Wren would want to date anyone that old, but then different strokes, and all. Besides...Alexi was technically way older than that, she smiled.
Wren 18 years ago
Wren tried really hard not to roll her eyes at the crying baby, she hated that sound. "They're ok, so long as they don't belong to me and I can give them back when they cry."

She bit into her own chip and salsa and mmm'd. "No he's young, but his band broke up or something. They just finished a farewell tour and he's back in Nachton"

She dipped another chip and crunched happily away.
Shay 18 years ago
So they didn't share the same feelings about children, it wasn't that unusual in this day and age. Both Wren and Shay were young, and many women didn't start thinking of babies for another ten years or so.

Wren's attitude about this singer piqued Shay's interest though. So she happily left behind the other thoughts.


"And what is it about this guy, that has you already writing him off...or are you just not in the market for anything more than casual? And if I'm being too nosey, I'll apologize for it now...its a force of habit. You can tell me to go to hell anytime."

Shay grinned, again hoping the girl didn't take offense.

If Wren was into one night stands, it wouldn't matter to Shay. It wasn't like it would have any effect on the friendship the two might be cultivating. It just wasn't anything Shay could really grasp an understanding of though.
Wren 18 years ago
"I will, if you do." The waiter brought their drinks and Wren took a happy sip. "I just sort of write off every guy I go out with. It keeps me from being disappointed and keeps them from getting to hands on if you know what I mean."

Wren's past wasn't exactly lunch table conversation. Maybe one day she'd tell Shay what her brothers had done and why she wrote men off, but for now sounding bitchy was the best way to go, as it had always worked before.