Making the most of a morning (Open)

((Continued from Veggie Table))

Nyra pulled her little yellow car into the parking garage. She and Rachyl climbed out, making their way to the entrance. Soft yellow light streamed in from what looked like skylights and windows. The artist pondered as it did not exactly match the light that they had just left upon entering the garage. How odd she thought before brushing the thought aside.

The women joined the ranks of mall walking senior citizens and stroller pushing mothers as they made their way towards the store. Nyra felt highly selfconcious in this realm, very aware of the faded and frayed outfit. If she did not relax they may have to pick something out for her to continue shopping in.

Rachyl 17 years ago
"Well, the weighed down part I should almost get used to, since I'll be dealing with it for nine months," she said, giggling.

She found herself blushing over Nyra's gushing thanks.
"Just a simple smile, a warm hug, and a thank you would be plenty, or maybe some night you and I could go out again, with you dressed in one of your new outfits, on a girlfriend's date that doesn't have business to get in the way." Winking at Nyra, she downed the remainder of her now-cold tea.

The waitress brought back a plastic bag with their containers of food and the check, which Rachyl snatched up before Nyra could. She slipped her corporate card into the folder and handed it back before the waitress had a chance to step away.
"But the rest of today, til five o'clock, is still technically business. Do you want to go back to Gothic-Ah for a tour, or do you want to see if we can't cram in a few more stores before the end of the day?"
Nyra 17 years ago
"A girls night out sounds great!" Nyra was so happy, she felt as if she could float to the ceiling like a helium balloon. Because the clothes made her look fabulous, she was sure Connie would love them. Plus she would not be wandering around town dressed as a starving artist.

Watching Rachyl swipe the check she giggled before listening to their options.
"What else do you think we should get today? We got casual, work, and niceish clothes, lots of undies, several shoes. Whats left?"

Nyra knew she could pick up smocks and such on her own easily enough to keep her new clothes nice should she want to wear new clothes. She needed other things to make some more soaps but that was a simple trip to the craft store which should not be on Rachyl's Fashion Guru time. Though perhaps her friend would like a gift basket of goodies to help in the coming months. Unscented for morning sickness months, super hydrating for expanding belly and soothing scents for the last few months of waiting. Nyra planned out just what exactly she would need to make up the goodies and hoped she would remember.
Rachyl 17 years ago
"Well..." Rachyl pondered the remaining clothing options. "Pajamas, swimsuit, Halloween Costume... Can't think of much else at the moment."

The waitress came back with the printed receipt, and Rachyl signed it, giving her a "tax-doubled plus three" tip. Slipping the card and her receipt copy into her purse, she drank down the remainder of her drink and stood, offering her hand to Nyra. "Of course, if you think of anything, speak up, or forever hold your peace until the next Personal Shopper outing," she said with a wink.
Nyra 17 years ago
Tapping her finger to her lips she considered the options. "Think we could find like one amazing date night dress? Either near here or at Gothic-ah? Then I think we can wrap this shopping trip up with a tour."

Thinking she could invite Connie on a sexy date and wow her with the new clothes. Plus the factory tour sounded way too fun. She loved seeing how others created and Meegan was one creative woman. More confident now, she actually wanted to see just what kind of amazing dresses she offered. Rachyl had done wonders for her today.

Standing and hugging her friend as they exited the restaurant, Nyra couldnt help but grin from ear to ear.
Rachyl 17 years ago
"We definately need to find you an amazing date night dress, definately definately. Here might be a better idea, because if I recall, the Fashion Week returns haven't come back to the office yet, so most of the Gothic-ish-y dresses are elsewhere. We could always look at the designs and photos, to see if there were something you might want... Then again, I haven't been at work today," she said, winking at Nyra, "so things could have changed without me knowing."

Rachyl's mind cast about for the dresses she'd last seen in the showroom... A couple entered her mind that would look wonderful on Nyra...
Nyra 17 years ago
Smiling happily, the artist even gave a tiny clap. "Gothic-ah sounds fine. I can imagine things from photos easily."

The trip had been such a morale booster, she was actually contemplating what kind of dresses she might enjoy. Perhaps something gauzy but with maybe a snug bodice. She was slightly fearful of the corsets Rachyl had discussed earlier in their expedition but perhaps she could find something suitable and comfortable. A daring color in wine or mulberry would be interesting.

Tugging on Rachyls arm as they got to the car, she smiled.
"Thank you so much Rachyl. Honestly, you dont know how wonderful today has been or how much I appreciate it."

Quickly hugging her friend before dashing around to the drivers side she set of to the headquarters of Gothic-ah Inc.
Rachyl 17 years ago
Rachyl didn't want to seem as if she was doing it, but she sped Nyra through their tour of the Gothic-Ah warehouses, factory, production floor and offices.

She noticed that, by the time they'd finally arrived at the "office," it was nearly two in the afternoon. Deliveries would be sometime after five, and Rachyl wanted to get Nyra home to help her stow everything correctly, especially before Connie returned from work.

Standing next to her friend humming the horrible musical rendition of a random Journey song, she shook the melody from her mind and turned to the artist.
"Do you happen to have a lingerie chest or small chest of drawers? I don't recall seeing it at the apartment."
Nyra 17 years ago
Nyra was suitably impressed with the breadth and scope of Gothic-ah. Quite impressive that Meegan was creating such a fabulous place. Things were not quite all that she expected from the snips and bits she saw of the clothing being produced but it was very neat. While it was amazing, she was happy that Rachyl did not linger too long in any one location. Doing so would have resulted in the artist being caught up in something and that was not what she wanted to do right now.

In the elevator, Nyra could not help but smile as her friend hummed something. It was good that they were still happy and perky for the most part after such a full day of shopping. At the question Rachyl posed Nyra chewed on her lip.


"No, I dont, I use the built in linen closet in my studio for the most part and one of Connie's dresser drawers for whatever fits."

She had no idea why she would need a small chest of drawers. What was the point if you couldnt fit everything in it, she wondered.
Rachyl 17 years ago
Rachyl nodded at Nyra's answer. "That'll work. I'm only asking because we did pick you up a bunch of fancy stuff, but what we'll be looking at in this room will need to be hung."

Rachyl guided Nyra off the elevator, down the hall to the surplus room. Tapping in this week's code, she chuckled at herself. "Sometimes I can remember the letters of a code better than the numbers themselves... It's frustrating. My old phone number in Jersey used to be 'fat race.' And this one is... just funny. I'd tell you, but well," she said, turning to Nyra with a serious look on her face, "then I'd have to kill you."
Nyra 17 years ago
Nyra was stunned by the wide array of items on the racks before them. She had assumed Rachyl's joke was just teasing, but now she realized that the items in this room were highly valuable just based on sheer quantity alone.

Blinking rapidly at the options she now had in front of her she peered at her Fashion Diva for a moment.
"How is this organized and do you think there will be anything my size here?"

Walking up to the first rack she tentatively touched a silky green fabric. The top was firm, apparently some type of corset thing but with black beads adorning the top edge. The light had caught on the beadwork and attacted her to it. How pretty. Next to this top was a long black skirt that looked to be almost sheer. That fabric was soft and light in her hands. Her amazement slipped out in one breathy whisper. "Wow."
Rachyl 17 years ago
Rachyl smiled at Nyra's expression; she imagined she herself had had the same look when she first entered the Gothic-Ah surplus room. "Unfortunately, the only organizational motif I have been able to discern is 'this came in and got thrown on a rack.' I couldn't even discover an age lineage, using older catalogs. So, no, not really, but colors tend to be in the same bunches."

Smiling encouragingly at her friend, she nodded. "There are definately outfits here in your size, though. Gothic-Ah does not rely strictly on toothpick models. Honestly, if I thought you'd be interested, I'd ask you if you wanted to do some modelling..." Rachyl didn't want to say too much. Connie had mentioned that her plan to gift the modelling opportunity (from the Christmas charity ball) to Nyra, but couldn't get a seed planted that didn't wreak of 'hot for you'.
Nyra 17 years ago
Nodding at the lack of organization, she continued to run her hands through the greens. Nyra could completely agree about sorting things by color. It worked for her sometimes though other times it made finding things even harder. Perhaps in this instance finding clothes she liked would be easier. She had just pulled out an interesting deep green empire waisted peasant-type blouse when Rachyl mentioned modeling.

"Oh my, I am really glad Gothic-Ah uses real sized models but I don't know that I could ever model myself. I'm the artist, not the art." Her comment trailed off in a nervous laugh. Back in college another art student had been the subject one day, the class was cruel and the girl had been smaller than Nyra. Unwilling to be ridiculed she had never volunteered personally.

Hanging onto the nice shirt with the long flowy sleeves, she moved onto the deep blues. There was an interesting corset type top again, this one with beading in tiny patterns and rather than having shoulder straps it had silk straps that draped down the arm slightly. Beside it was a black skirt with a flowing J shape to it that had to be made up of thirty panels. Since they were both in her size, she picked them up just to try on. Moving into the aisle devoted to red, she found the most amazing full skirt complete with crinolines. Unfortunately no top jumped out at her as going with this ball gown skirt so she continued on with her growing pile to the purples. There hid a simple empire tank dress in silk but with an overlay of paterned black sheer material that gave it long sleeves and a mini train. Putting the pile on a spare rack, she moved onto the black aisle. Three tops and a skirt later, Nyra stood in front of Rachyl with a silly grin on her face. Having passed up all the very gothic attire for more fancy silks, lace and chiffons her choices looked like she was going to a formal. The black tops were interesting and all very different; one was a long line bodice, another was a flowing top and the third was just a silk shell but adorned in ribbons that matched the red skirt.


"Wow" That was all she could say. There was so many more choices she liked, the victorian dress with a bustle, the renaissance dress with a drop waist and sleeves to the floor, and many more but the ones she had found were not in her size so she had these choices.
Rachyl 17 years ago
Rachyl noted to herself as Nyra browsed the abundance of non-standard Gothic-Ah fare. Then after a few moments' reflection, as the artist pushed hangers here and there, she recalled a memo about a pilot program to produce semi- and full-gothic Renaissance Faire items.

"Strictly a niche" had been the business proposal... Though with all the Ren Faires across the US - some several dozen - it might make for a nice little bolster of profits.

Shaking her head at herself - "me, thinking about profits!" - she found herself gravitating towards the black leather and PVC items for just a moment when she realized she was in this room for Nyra, and not herself.

She walked over to the changing area and pulled over a stool to watch as Nyra came out to spin in front of the mirrors.

She smiled and applauded quietly at the variety of items Nyra tried on.
Nyra 17 years ago
Out of all the outfits she had tried on, two stood above the rest. While she liked everything, except that ribbon type top, the two formal looks were the best. Stepping out of the dressing area to look at her friend and fashion fairy godmother she spun around, watching the skirt swish and swoop.

The red silk skirt was ballgown full with a big black bow trailing its ends down the back almost to the floor. Paired with a black long line bodice covered in beads with black sheer organza lacing for the back. The top line of the corset was straight and did marvelous things to her cleavage while the long line went five inches below her waist and perfected an hourglass figure with its even line around the bottom. No princess seams or pointed panels were in evidence here.

Nyra was too distracted by the swish of the skirt to be embarassed about her arms. The whole thing looked formal yet rebellious, demure yet sexy. It was a contradiction in and of itself, black sparkly corset and full fancy skirt. Stepping close to Rachyl she smiled.


"What do you think of this outfit?"
Rachyl 17 years ago
It surprised Rachyl when Nyra stepped out of the dressing 'room' with the black and red gown, as well as the corset already in place. It looked slightly loose, but when Nyra turned to her... She felt her jaw drop.

"I think Connie's an amazingly lucky v- very very lucky woman. It looks wonderful on you, Nyra!" Standing, she beamed, spinning her friend gently. Turning her towards the mirror, she said, "You even did a good job putting the corset on alone, but it needs to be tightened just a little..." Pointing, she showed areas where the corset could rub if a bit loose. "Too much play and you'll end up chafing, and we definately don't want that."

Loosening the bow at the end of the laces, Rachyl carefully tightened them sequentially down Nyra's back. "Let me know if you are having trouble breathing, too. We need you to breathe."

Stepping back, she looked at Nyra in the tri-mirror and furrowed her brow. "I feel like it needs something, but I can't tell what. Maybe something for your neck..." Rachyl stepped over to a set of drawers set into the wall, and opening one, selected a handful of items to bring back to Nyra.

Holding each item up along side Nyra's face, she pondered until she settled on the fifth.
"This velvet choker will work nicely, or we could find you some sort of scarf. Or, if you want, we can just go with nothing, too." Rachyl wanted Nyra to choose, and not force the option of accessories upon her.
Nyra 17 years ago
Trying not to fret too much as Rachyl tightened the laces a bit more. It did not hurt like she was expecting though. More of a snugness and posture correcting. She whould not be painting or sculpting in one of these things but dinner and dancing seemed highly doable.

Accessories sounded fun. Peering intently at the options displayed, the artist touched the velvet choker. Looking down at her outfit before looking back at the offerings she thought about what might pair best.


"What about a red velvet to match the skirt but black beads to match the corset? Would something like that work because I could make something like that easily if you dont have one."

Walking barefooted to the sparkly drawer the guru had just procured the items from, Nyra peeked in. She found one in black, almost exactly what she thought would work. Putting it on carefully she looked at Rachyl again.

"I would feel more comfortable with a wrap of some kind, but lets look at my second outfit choice."

Scrambling back to the dressing room she divested herself of the amazing skirt and corset with minimal difficulties. Of course all that lacing work was ruined as she could only get in and out of the thing by unlacing it. Oh well. Slipping into the deep purple silk dress with its empire waist and black sheer overlay she smoothed it down before walking out. This dress had long sleeves and a mini train too. The black overlay was lightly patterned at the edges in an interesting print that Nyra could not quite identify. It looked angular and scrolling at the same time.

"What do you think of this one?"
Rachyl 17 years ago
Rachyl stifled a yawn as Nyra entered the changing room again. She realized that, being nearly five pm now, with a glance at her phone, they'd been at the whole 'Personal Shopper' outing for nine hours! Of course, stops for breakfast and lunch, but still. "That's a -lot- of shopping," she thought to herself, only to have her train of thought derailed by Nyra's exit in the deep purple dress with the black moire overlay.

Withholding her exuberant 'wow' response, Rachyl simply stated,
"I think you should wear that one either to your next Gallery showing, or to the next party you go to with Connie. Either way, you'll be turning heads, Nyra McGurn, double and triple takes galore. You might want to invest in some whiplash insurance," she joked and yet was completely sincere, winking at the artist.
Nyra 17 years ago
Turning this way and that way to check out how the fabric moved in the mirror she giggled at Rachyl's comment. Putting her hand on the beaded choker she had donned earlier for the other dress she realized it matched this one too. Nodding at herself she wondered if they could do something about her hairstyle someday soon.

"Thank you so much Rachyl. I am feeling decidedly like Cinderella here. Without the whole evil stepmother baggage of course."

Giving her friend a quick spontainious hug before returning to the dressing room. There she returned to her old self and clothes before lovingly hanging up the choices. Walking out with an armful she neatly put the 'No' pile where she found them.

Catching her fairygodmother in a yawn, the artist picked up her choices and bag.
"Cmon, time to go, I need to get home for the deliveries and you need to go nap!"
Rachyl 17 years ago
"I'm glad to be your fairy godmother, Nyra," she said, returning the hug. "And I don't need a nap! This is the most sedentary I've been while working, in weeks!"
Nyra 17 years ago
Laughing and linking arms companionably with her friend as they made their way out of Gothic-Ah and into her little yellow car. It had been a wonderful day and one she hoped they could repeat again but less business-like next time. With the deliveries being made soon, they still had a lot to do before dinner. Driving carefully she headed homeward, fashion fairy godmother in tow.

((Rachyl and Nyra out, lock please))