Claire smiled at the friendly and positive response, looking thoughtfully at the shoes once more.
"I believe you are right. I should get another pair in black."
Looking down at her shawl and then up the young woman, she blushed slightly at the praise.
"Thank you kindly, It is from my homeland in Brittany."
Smoothing out the lace trimmed fabric, she smiled at the thought of her and her sisters working on the intricate lace designs that her region was known for the world over now. This was not one that they had made together, those were kept in a cedar trunk as one of her few treasures but the design was one she had learned a long time ago and Claire had spent many long hours sewing it carefully remembering that early instruction.
"It is perhaps out of style for the times but I love it too much to part with it."
Her long dress with its high collar wasn't exactly fashionable either now that Claire looked about the place. A lot of short skirts and clothes that barely covered the "important" parts. She was sometimes surprised to see the changes in such startling profusion because back at the estate there would be only a few new ones wearing the daring fashions of their times, though not everyone seemed as stuck in the past as she was.
Turning to face the blonde woman, Claire frowned a moment in thought and then realized that would look rather unfriendly. Smiling, she shook her head slightly.
"I am afraid I do not know where there is a house of pain. I suppose I always thought such things were private matters?"
The woman had said it was a club and this was something she understood despite her statement but it was a very odd name for a place you would want people to enter, or perhaps that is the point, the owners didn't want people to go there? Exclusive perhaps? She would have to ask about it at the Manor if there was such a place then certainly they would know of it.
Shoe addiction (Open)
Addison's step was light as he left Dubine. If he was going to meet his new boss tonight at the club, he was going to want a new pair of boots to go with his outfit. Weaving in and out of the busy sidewalks, he loosened his tie and shrugged out of his jacket, slinging it over his arm as he moved. The streets held assortments of different stores, catering to wants from the norm to extreme. Addison's gaze was caught by a store that sold only clothing to small dogs and cats. Weird.
Ah...and here we are. In between a shop advertising children's clothing and a cyber cafe...was a shoe and clothing store with more...creative tastes... Addison opened the door, and stepped inside, immediately spotting the shelves with the high, black leather boots he was desiring. He kept from making any happy little noises as he was pulled right to it with almost magnetic force.
(OOC: All are welcome. Addison is just getting some boots.)
Claire
18 years ago
Shay
18 years ago
Shay couldn't help but smile at the woman, as she had a very soft and friendly air to her. She also seemed to Shay to be a little out of step, but that thought was replaced by another, when she reacted to the name of the club, similarly to the way Shay, herself had.
"Doesn't sound like a place to go for a fun time, does it? But my friend assured me it was where he was going to celebrate his new job."
Giving the other girls a bit of a shrug, Shay looked around for the clerk again, wanting to pay, and maybe ask him if he knew. Surely someone would know the whereabouts of this place.
"Doesn't sound like a place to go for a fun time, does it? But my friend assured me it was where he was going to celebrate his new job."
Giving the other girls a bit of a shrug, Shay looked around for the clerk again, wanting to pay, and maybe ask him if he knew. Surely someone would know the whereabouts of this place.
Danielle
18 years ago
Danielle laughed lightly and picked up her drink again. "Yes, once you find something that works it's hard to pass up getting it in more than one color."Â?
Shaking her head and continuing to smile, she continued. "Oh, I think some things never go out of style! It's unique."Â? Perhaps some would consider the conservative dress the woman wore to be a bit dated, but Danielle was of the opinion that the outfit was interesting and different.
She pulled a little 'eek' face when the blonde approached them for directions, though she listened with some interest to the exchange before adding in her two cents. In any case, she had been there often enough after work or for the sake of it to know the way.
"Ooooh, that is a bit of a trick to get to."Â? Considering for a moment, she continued. "From here, if you hang a left on Pratt and just keep heading west, that'll take you to the industrial district. You want to go...four blocks, then take a right on 41st."Â? She hesitated for a moment, not sure how to break the next bit to the likely unsuspecting woman. "From there...you could probably just follow the crowd, but, well...the only way to enter is via the sewers. Just..."Â? She gave her hand a little wave. "Drop on down and follow the noise. Once you get inside you take the elevator up to the 20th floor and you're in."Â? She gave a little laugh. "Backwards, I know. Anyway..."Â? Feeling some advise, however unsolicited, may be needed, she continued. "It can be kind of a tough crowd; I wouldn't go alone your first time."Â?
She wondered if the blonde were human or vampire; around here she had been surprised enough to know that her guesses weren't really telling. Still, she seemed to be new to the city and either way showing up solo could prove risky. Realizing it might sound a little ridiculous for a little person like her to give others advise on where they should go and with whom, though, she punctuated her speech with a little shrug.
Shaking her head and continuing to smile, she continued. "Oh, I think some things never go out of style! It's unique."Â? Perhaps some would consider the conservative dress the woman wore to be a bit dated, but Danielle was of the opinion that the outfit was interesting and different.
She pulled a little 'eek' face when the blonde approached them for directions, though she listened with some interest to the exchange before adding in her two cents. In any case, she had been there often enough after work or for the sake of it to know the way.
"Ooooh, that is a bit of a trick to get to."Â? Considering for a moment, she continued. "From here, if you hang a left on Pratt and just keep heading west, that'll take you to the industrial district. You want to go...four blocks, then take a right on 41st."Â? She hesitated for a moment, not sure how to break the next bit to the likely unsuspecting woman. "From there...you could probably just follow the crowd, but, well...the only way to enter is via the sewers. Just..."Â? She gave her hand a little wave. "Drop on down and follow the noise. Once you get inside you take the elevator up to the 20th floor and you're in."Â? She gave a little laugh. "Backwards, I know. Anyway..."Â? Feeling some advise, however unsolicited, may be needed, she continued. "It can be kind of a tough crowd; I wouldn't go alone your first time."Â?
She wondered if the blonde were human or vampire; around here she had been surprised enough to know that her guesses weren't really telling. Still, she seemed to be new to the city and either way showing up solo could prove risky. Realizing it might sound a little ridiculous for a little person like her to give others advise on where they should go and with whom, though, she punctuated her speech with a little shrug.
Shay
18 years ago
Listening to the directions, Shay couldn't keep the 'ewww' from wrinkling her nose as she heard she had to go 'into' the sewers! On the other hand...never one to pass up any experience, nor chance to obtain more reference material, a huge part of her became immediately excited.
"Fabulous! I'm so glad you've been there. Rough though? Well, I did used to be a cop...and know a bit about self defense...but...I am new in town, and..."
Shay smiled and extended her hand to both women.
"...Shalimar O Mannon...or Shay, rather..."
When she wrote her novel, Shay had used a pen name, so she never gave any thought to being recognized for it. And while the book had been on the best seller list for fifteen weeks...it never did make number one. She vowed to herself though...this next one would!
"Fabulous! I'm so glad you've been there. Rough though? Well, I did used to be a cop...and know a bit about self defense...but...I am new in town, and..."
Shay smiled and extended her hand to both women.
"...Shalimar O Mannon...or Shay, rather..."
When she wrote her novel, Shay had used a pen name, so she never gave any thought to being recognized for it. And while the book had been on the best seller list for fifteen weeks...it never did make number one. She vowed to herself though...this next one would!
Clerk
18 years ago
Seeing that the three customers in the store had all gathered by the counter, Zach the clerk made his way over to the register and quietly scanned the box containing the red shoes. The trio appeared to be in conversation, so Zach left the sale open and grabbed a bag for the blonde woman's purchase, then picked up an invoice slip so he could charge the repair to Danielle's account. Finishing that task, he waited unobtrusively in the background to see if the blonde customer wanted anything else.
Danielle
18 years ago
Danielle took the offered hand with a smile and a firm grip and answered politely.
"Nice to meet you Shay, I'm Dani. Welcome to Nachton."Â?
She raised her eyebrows at Shay's mentioning of being an ex cop and had half a mind to ask why she had left the force, but decided it might be a touchy subject and she shouldn't let her curiosity get the better of her. Instead, she looked to the dark haired woman, hoping to catch her name in the round of introductions as well.
"Nice to meet you Shay, I'm Dani. Welcome to Nachton."Â?
She raised her eyebrows at Shay's mentioning of being an ex cop and had half a mind to ask why she had left the force, but decided it might be a touchy subject and she shouldn't let her curiosity get the better of her. Instead, she looked to the dark haired woman, hoping to catch her name in the round of introductions as well.
Claire
18 years ago
Claire listened to the description of the place and how one got there with some interest and just a little bit more disgust. It was obviously not the exclusive place that she thought or perhaps the idea of what is exclusive had changed over the years. A tough crowd? Did that mean it was hard to get in or were they a hardened bunch of people? It was likely that she would find the behavior shocking if violence were allowed within the club itself. Perhaps it was outside the club?
Turning to Shay, She smiled and extended her hand.
"Enchanté Shalimar and Danielle." Claire indicated herself with a hand pressed lightly to her chest. "Claire Tremaine."
She looked at Danielle and asked.
"It is tough you say? What is one likely to find there?"
Turning to Shay, She smiled and extended her hand.
"Enchanté Shalimar and Danielle." Claire indicated herself with a hand pressed lightly to her chest. "Claire Tremaine."
She looked at Danielle and asked.
"It is tough you say? What is one likely to find there?"
Shay
18 years ago
Shay handed the clerk her credit card, and waited to sign for her purchase. She didn't look away from the other girls for more than a minute...she was finding the conversation, and her new acquaintances to be highly interesting.
Danielle
18 years ago
Danielle grinned at the use of her full name, though she supposed there weren't all that many names to draw Dani from.
"Good guess! Lovely meeting you, Claire."Â?
Considering Claire's question as Shay paid for her items, Danielle pondered how best to answer.
"Really, for the most part it's all in good fun; it's just that the crowd can get a bit rowdy, carried away. All that drinking and loud music and leather..."Â? She blinked and realized she was rambling. She was, perhaps, trying to excuse a place that there was really no excuse for. "Anyway, you know how a crowd of young people can get."Â?
"Good guess! Lovely meeting you, Claire."Â?
Considering Claire's question as Shay paid for her items, Danielle pondered how best to answer.
"Really, for the most part it's all in good fun; it's just that the crowd can get a bit rowdy, carried away. All that drinking and loud music and leather..."Â? She blinked and realized she was rambling. She was, perhaps, trying to excuse a place that there was really no excuse for. "Anyway, you know how a crowd of young people can get."Â?
Shay
18 years ago
Now that seemed an odd thing to say, Shay thought.
"Young people? A crowd of young people? Younger than us?"
Shay was only twenty four, and she guessed Dani to be a few years older, and Claire to be a few years younger, but all three of them Shay considered to be young.
"This isn't like an eighteen year old club is it?" Shay certainly hoped not...or neither she nor Addision would be drinking to celebrate his new job tonight.
"Young people? A crowd of young people? Younger than us?"
Shay was only twenty four, and she guessed Dani to be a few years older, and Claire to be a few years younger, but all three of them Shay considered to be young.
"This isn't like an eighteen year old club is it?" Shay certainly hoped not...or neither she nor Addision would be drinking to celebrate his new job tonight.
Claire
18 years ago
Claire grinned and blushed a bit at Danielle.
"Pardon, if you both prefer your nicknames then Dani and Shay it is. I believe there is nothing to do with Claire so I am stuck with that. Which is alright as I have grown quite used to it."
It was certainly better than the pet name and operative name that her Sire called her, Oubliette. Claire did not need such a moniker to remind her that she was forgettable. People could walk right past her in a room with no one else in it.
She listened to the explanation and nodded. It was a good long way back but she could remember what it was like to be young, though Claire was never irresponsible and that sense of duty was what nearly got her killed. Danielle seemed that type of focused youth as well, assuming she was a youth, Claire reminded herself.
Smiling at Shay, She said.
"I think Dani means that they are less "mannered" than most. The worst of our generation."
"Pardon, if you both prefer your nicknames then Dani and Shay it is. I believe there is nothing to do with Claire so I am stuck with that. Which is alright as I have grown quite used to it."
It was certainly better than the pet name and operative name that her Sire called her, Oubliette. Claire did not need such a moniker to remind her that she was forgettable. People could walk right past her in a room with no one else in it.
She listened to the explanation and nodded. It was a good long way back but she could remember what it was like to be young, though Claire was never irresponsible and that sense of duty was what nearly got her killed. Danielle seemed that type of focused youth as well, assuming she was a youth, Claire reminded herself.
Smiling at Shay, She said.
"I think Dani means that they are less "mannered" than most. The worst of our generation."
Danielle
18 years ago
Danielle picked up her drink and pulled out her account card for Zach to scan once he was done with Shay's purchases while Claire clarified.
"Oh, I'm not bothered much either way, Dani is just what most people call me."Â? Smiling at Claire's portrayal of the House of Pain crowd, she gave one shoulder a little shrug. "There are probably worse things than bad manners, but yeah, the crowd is about our age, though sometimes younger people try to sneak in."Â? Or at least people who look young, anyway. You just never knew with the House of Pain, though Danielle didn't think it would be prudent to mention that.
"Oh, I'm not bothered much either way, Dani is just what most people call me."Â? Smiling at Claire's portrayal of the House of Pain crowd, she gave one shoulder a little shrug. "There are probably worse things than bad manners, but yeah, the crowd is about our age, though sometimes younger people try to sneak in."Â? Or at least people who look young, anyway. You just never knew with the House of Pain, though Danielle didn't think it would be prudent to mention that.
Clerk
18 years ago
Zach silently rang up the purchases while the three women talked, wondering in the back of his mind what kind of cookies Danielle might have in her purse. Last time she had had soft bake chocolate chip, his favorite. The chances of getting a cookie this time weren't looking good though and he was feeling rather forlorn by the time he pushed the invoice across the counter for Danielle to sign.
Turning his attention to the dark haired young woman he had overheard introducing herself as Claire, he politely waited for a break in the conversation before asking:
"Would you like to try those on? What size can I get you?"Â?
Turning his attention to the dark haired young woman he had overheard introducing herself as Claire, he politely waited for a break in the conversation before asking:
"Would you like to try those on? What size can I get you?"Â?
Shay
18 years ago
"I think Claire is a fine name, and the only reason I go by Shay, is...well, I can't stand the smell of Shalimar perfume, to be honest."
Shay chuckled a little, though her words were quite true.
"My mother, on the other hand, loved it." She shrugged.
"So what's a kid to do? Now Danielle, and Dani are both lovely as well. You are one of the lucky ones."
She smiled at both women, and listened a bit more to the information on the club.
"Would either of you care to join me, if not for the evening, then at least for a drink? I really have only met one other since arriving in Nachton, and if I'm going to get my book written I need more contact with the inhabitants. Though, I can assure you, neither of you would need to worry. I never write about my friends."
She hoped she hadn't scared them away in alerting them to the fact that she was a writer. In the past that happened quite often, before people trusted that she really kept her word, and NEVER included anything about friend in her fiction.
Shay chuckled a little, though her words were quite true.
"My mother, on the other hand, loved it." She shrugged.
"So what's a kid to do? Now Danielle, and Dani are both lovely as well. You are one of the lucky ones."
She smiled at both women, and listened a bit more to the information on the club.
"Would either of you care to join me, if not for the evening, then at least for a drink? I really have only met one other since arriving in Nachton, and if I'm going to get my book written I need more contact with the inhabitants. Though, I can assure you, neither of you would need to worry. I never write about my friends."
She hoped she hadn't scared them away in alerting them to the fact that she was a writer. In the past that happened quite often, before people trusted that she really kept her word, and NEVER included anything about friend in her fiction.
Claire
18 years ago
Claire looked to the sales associate who she noted seemed to be an attentive polite young man. She wondered though if he wasn't more than a little interested in Dani with the way he glanced at her often but perhaps she was misunderstanding it.
"A size 8 please, in beige and black."
She smiled at Shay's compliment to her name and the invitation for them to join her. It would be interesting to see this club that she had never heard about and to learn more about modern day Nachton but she didn't want to intrude on two friends and so she looked at Danielle to see if she wanted to go as well.
"I would love to go if isn't too much trouble to accompany you, Dani. Perhaps you don't mind helping me find something to wear? You seem to know this place. I hate to impose but I would be at a total loss. "
"A size 8 please, in beige and black."
She smiled at Shay's compliment to her name and the invitation for them to join her. It would be interesting to see this club that she had never heard about and to learn more about modern day Nachton but she didn't want to intrude on two friends and so she looked at Danielle to see if she wanted to go as well.
"I would love to go if isn't too much trouble to accompany you, Dani. Perhaps you don't mind helping me find something to wear? You seem to know this place. I hate to impose but I would be at a total loss. "
Clerk
18 years ago
Zach retreated to the back with the model shoe in hand and found a size 8 in black easily. It took a bit more digging to find the beige, but find it he did and walked out of the back room with two boxes in his arms. Setting both boxes on the counter and opening them for the lady's inspection, he turned to put the model shoe back on its shelf, speaking over his shoulder.
"Just let me know if you need a different size and I'll be happy to get you one."Â?
"Just let me know if you need a different size and I'll be happy to get you one."Â?
Danielle
18 years ago
Danielle nodded amiably at the invitation and beamed a smile at Claire's request.
"That sounds delightful! I'd love to hear more about the book."Â? Turning to Claire, she went on. "And it wouldn't be an imposition at all; getting ready is the fun part."Â?
She wondered just how comfortable Claire would be wearing what was the norm for the House of Pain, seeing as how at the moment she was dressed fairly conservatively. She was, however, optimistic that she could find something suitable; women's clothes seemed to be made for tall lean figures like her new friend's.
Slipping her receipt into her bag, she continued. "Let me just call up for a ride then; unless you have a car here? We can find you something to wear and get ready, then all meet up at the club?"Â?
"That sounds delightful! I'd love to hear more about the book."Â? Turning to Claire, she went on. "And it wouldn't be an imposition at all; getting ready is the fun part."Â?
She wondered just how comfortable Claire would be wearing what was the norm for the House of Pain, seeing as how at the moment she was dressed fairly conservatively. She was, however, optimistic that she could find something suitable; women's clothes seemed to be made for tall lean figures like her new friend's.
Slipping her receipt into her bag, she continued. "Let me just call up for a ride then; unless you have a car here? We can find you something to wear and get ready, then all meet up at the club?"Â?
Shay
18 years ago
Shay couldn't believe her luck. Having more or less just moved in, and now already having become acquainted with three people, was beyond incredible. She was going to make a point of shopping here more often, and if this was how each trip turned out, she was sure to have many acquaintances soon.
"It's a date then? Tonight? I'll see you all there later?"
She waited for acknowledgment from the ladies, so she, herself, could find something else to wear, go home, and change.
"It's a date then? Tonight? I'll see you all there later?"
She waited for acknowledgment from the ladies, so she, herself, could find something else to wear, go home, and change.
Claire
18 years ago
Claire sat down in the nearest chair and tried on the pair of beige half boots. Standing up, she got the feel of them by pacing a little ways in one direction and then back in the other. She decided they were comfortable and would suit her purposes.
Taking them off and putting her own shoes back on, she stood and handed the boxes to the clerk.
"Thank you, I'll take both."
Claire pulled out cash, despite having a card, she was still more comfortable with actual currency though she did find it awful inconvenient of the Americans to choose all one color. It made it more difficult to pick out what you wanted at a glance.
Smiling at Danielle, she said.
"That would be perfect and ,no, I caught a ride here."
One of the Manor's limos had dropped her off and it would be available to pick her up if it were needed. She wondered, as she sometimes did in such situations, if she should have learned to drive.
"It does indeed sound like one." Claire grinned at Shay.
Taking them off and putting her own shoes back on, she stood and handed the boxes to the clerk.
"Thank you, I'll take both."
Claire pulled out cash, despite having a card, she was still more comfortable with actual currency though she did find it awful inconvenient of the Americans to choose all one color. It made it more difficult to pick out what you wanted at a glance.
Smiling at Danielle, she said.
"That would be perfect and ,no, I caught a ride here."
One of the Manor's limos had dropped her off and it would be available to pick her up if it were needed. She wondered, as she sometimes did in such situations, if she should have learned to drive.
"It does indeed sound like one." Claire grinned at Shay.
Danielle
18 years ago
"Great, we can ride together. More fuel efficient anyway."Â? Nodding to Shay and still grinning, she continued. "Sure thing! We'll definitely see you there."Â?
Danielle rummaged through her purse to get to the silver mobile at the bottom and went through her contact list. Her hand had passed over something else, though, and she brought out the box of cookies she always seemed to have with her. Smiling, she held out the box, remembering that Zach at least seemed to have a liking for the chocolate chip.
"Cookie anyone?"Â?
Finding the number, she pressed to dial and had a quick conversation with the driver. She replaced the box of cookies (which was now somewhat lighter} and turned to Claire, who it seemed had wrapped up her purchases.
"Our ride will be here in a few. Shall we wait outside?"Â? She turned once more to Shay, bouncing a little on her heels. "It really is great to meet you; I'm looking forward to this!"Â?
Danielle rummaged through her purse to get to the silver mobile at the bottom and went through her contact list. Her hand had passed over something else, though, and she brought out the box of cookies she always seemed to have with her. Smiling, she held out the box, remembering that Zach at least seemed to have a liking for the chocolate chip.
"Cookie anyone?"Â?
Finding the number, she pressed to dial and had a quick conversation with the driver. She replaced the box of cookies (which was now somewhat lighter} and turned to Claire, who it seemed had wrapped up her purchases.
"Our ride will be here in a few. Shall we wait outside?"Â? She turned once more to Shay, bouncing a little on her heels. "It really is great to meet you; I'm looking forward to this!"Â?