1026/Meet Cute Clothes!

Meet Cute Clothes!
Date of Scene:	20 January 2024
Location:	Fairy Drop Fashion
Synopsis:	Ami invites Makoto and Michiru to go clothes shopping with her. Introductions are made, both civilian and secret. Cute clothes! Friends!
Cast of Characters:	Ami Mizuno, Makoto Kino, Michiru Kaiou

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Ami Mizuno has posed:
After the evening Ami had last night she was a bit overwhelmed by the whole fashion thing. Of course, she had some good ideas now of what she might want to update her wardrobe. That didn't mean she entirely felt confident in it yet. She needed backup. Backup that wasn't going to convince her to use her Makeup Pen to try on clothes because really that was a waste of magic, right? It did end up with some cute looks though, admittedly.

A few texts are shot off to Makoto and Michiru asking them to join her for this particular outing. Partially for backup, and partially because she really wanted her friends to meet properly. Now she waits standing outside the shop where she'd gotten those cute hairpins for the Inners New Year gifts, and where that really fancy dress she'd tried on was as well. Not that she was going to get it! But maybe it wouldn't hurt to see it in person.

Bundled up in what *she* thinks is a cute outfit of leggings, a skirt, and an oversized pink sweater with a puffy coat on overtop of it all she waits just outside the store with her phone in hand and a certain nervous aire about her.

Makoto Kino has posed:
Almost immediately, Ami's text gets a thumbs-up emoji in reply from Makoto. She's not waiting all that long before the tall girl comes striding up the sidewalk towards the location that Ami's text gave, her breath trailing a plume of steam in the chilly air.

"Ami-chan, hey!" She waves when she spots Ami, altering course to join her. They seem to have gotten similar fashion memos, even if it's really too cold out for the short black skirt she's wearing - even with white leggings and knee-high boots. Maybe the layers of turtleneck, green cable-knit sweater, and scarf make up for it? Maybe she just runs warm. In any case, she's taken the time to pin a couple of the rose-tipped hairpins Ami gave her into her hair on one side. "You weren't waiting too long, were you?"

Michiru Kaiou has posed:
Michiru Kaiou has never actually been clothes shopping, let alone with friends. She has people that buy her clothes for her. So when she received Ami's text, she was excited for the experience. This was exactly the sort of thing she had been hoping for when she enrolled at Radiant Heart: normal teenaged girl things, even if none of them are normal teenaged girls.

Her car pulls up in front of the boutique right on time. The driver gets out, walks around the rear, and opens the door for her so she can step out. She's dressed for the weather in a royal blue, cable-knit sweater dress, black wool tights, and knee-high black leather boots. Her double-breasted wool peacoat is a lighter sky blue with gold buttons at the waist. Very fashionable. "I'll text you when we're done," she says to the driver, and then turns to head toward the store.

Her eyes light up and she smiles when she spies the bluenette waiting for her right there. "Hi Ami-chan!" Her eyes shift toward the brunette right next to her and there's a brief flash of recognition. She gives Makoto a little fingerwave, and says, "Hello. I'm Michiru Kaiou."

Ami Mizuno has posed:
Ami Mizuno looks up from her phone at Makoto's greeting with a broad, warm smile. The phone is slipped into her the small purse slung at her side while she greets her friend. "Oh not long at all. Thank you for joining me, Mako-chan. I invited another along too because I thought you should meet." Really they were both very sweet girls, how could she not want them to meet? They would totally hit it off. Maybe not as much as Makoto and Haruka might, but she had a feeling Haruka wouldn't reeeeally be up to shopping? She wasn't certain. Michiru though, she had shared her New Years resolution with Ami so she was trying to help.

When the car pulls up she turns her attention toward it with a little blink of surprise. "I knew she was well off but I didn't realize that much," she murmers aside to Makoto quietly. It's all taken in stride when Michiru comes out though. Smiling again she lifts a hand to sweep between the pair to introduce them.

"Mako-chan, this is Michiru-chan. Michiru-chan, thank you so much for joining us. I wanted to spend my New Year money on getting some new clothes for the upcoming school year and..." She trails off looking just a little embarassed. "I could use some help." Even if it's just for moral support!

Not to get too far off topic she gives a small 'oh' recalling something. "Michiru-chan likes baking too, Mako-chan! Maybe you two could share recipes?"

Makoto Kino has posed:
"Yeah?" Mako's brows lift in interest when Ami mentions wanting to introduce someone. "Well, the more the merrier, right?"

Her good cheer turns to mild surprise at the sight of the car, and the driver getting out to open the door, VIP-style. And then, maybe, a hint of frozen dismay. She definitely remembers Michiru, all right, for all they can't be said to have met.

She rallies quickly, however, offering Michiru an only somewhat self-conscious smile. If Michiru sees fit not to mention seeing Mako embarrass herself at the sweets shop months ago, Mako's happy to pretend it didn't happen. "Makoto Kino," she introduces herself in turn. "It's nice to meet you... and I'm always happy to swap recipes," she adds with a little laugh.

Michiru Kaiou has posed:
"It's a pleasure to meet you as well," Michiru says, offering Makoto a smile. "I'm not much of a baker. I only started to learn to cook last year. But it makes the kitchen smell so good when I bake things," she explains. Wouldn't want anybody to get any inflated expectations of her ability.

Then she offers Ami a smile and says. "I'm happy to help, but I should warn you," she says, her voice dropping just a little as she leans in a little closer, "I've never done this before."

Ami Mizuno has posed:
Ami Mizuno glances aside at the tension from Makoto with more than a little confusion. Then again she sometimes felt nervous meeting someone new as well, likely that was the reason. The thought is smoothed over though she makes a mental note to check on Makoto when they have a moment so as to not risk embarassing her in front of Michiru.

Then she's surprised by Michiru's admission looking more than a little surprised. "Really? You always dress so nice, I thought for sure you'd be familair with this." Then again... She had mentioned she had few friends. Maybe this is what she meant. Quickly smiling she reaches out to give Michiru's shoulder a little comforting pat. "That's not a problem. I promise there won't be a test on this!"

Looking between the two she smiles. "I'm happy we could all do this together though. Oh, maybe we can get something to drink afterwards, too," she suggests before looking to the store they were in front of. "Shall we? This place has a lot of really cute accessories."

Makoto Kino has posed:
Makoto brightens up, losing the last of her awkwardness. "That's one of the nice things about baking," she agrees with Michiru. "Plus, it's good for stress relief, and when you're done you have something nice to share with people. And I'd better stop there before I get carried away."

Turning her attention back to Ami, she nods enthusiastically. "I'm really glad you invited me! I like shopping, but it can be hard to find nice things that fit me, so... going with friends is more fun. Especially if we can find a good bargain!" Taking Ami's suggestion, she steps forward, leading the way to hold the door for the other two. "Let's go!"

Michiru Kaiou has posed:
A hint of color rises up in Michiru's cheeks at Ami's surprise. Of course most girls her age who dress as fashionably as she does would have experience shopping. It's unusual to have personal shoppers. Her whole life has been so different from most of her peers', and so she worries it will be hard to connect. But she can put on a smile and do it anyway.

She offers a little shrug, as if this isn't a huge admission, and admits, "I don't really do my own shopping. My father was always so concerned about my image that he had people to handle it." She pauses for a moment, and lets out a little sigh. "And I still have all those people." Even if she doesn't have her father now.

There's a shake of her head and renewed smile and then she turns nodding her agreement with Makoto berfore stepping into the store as soon as she pulls the door open. "Yes, let's!"

Ami Mizuno has posed:
"Well then I'm happy you decided to let us help you on your first trip!" Ami tries to smooth things over a bit with a smile, and she nods at Makoto. "Yes, let's. I'm rather excited to get a few things without having Usagi-chan or Minako-chan think I'm trying to impress a 'crush' or something." Oh that had been SO embarassing. "As if I have time for that." Psssh. As if. She has no one she'd be interested in anyway! Totally! Certainly not some blonde--

Ami slips in through the door to the shop proper taking her time to glance around while walking rather than block the path for the others to come in as well. "Oh, this is where I got your hair clips at, Mako-chan." An apologetic look is cast toward Michiru as she adds, "I wasn't sure at the time what you might like so I opted to get the tea for you all instead. We could look at some for you today if you'd like, though! And I'm sure we'll find lots of things for you too, Mako-chan. This place is said to be a bit more customizable than others."

Makoto Kino has posed:
Makoto looks a little awkward again, for a moment, but once again she shakes it off quickly and just nods along with Ami. And has to try to smother a giggle at the latter's mention of Usagi and Minako's 'help.' "I'm kind of sorry I missed that," she says. "Those two are always lively."

Letting the door close after the three of them, she moves clear of the entrance and gets a look around the shop herself, taking in the displays with bright green eyes. "Are either of you looking for anything in particular?" she wonders. "I usually check for if there's a sale on first, but..." In present company, bargain hunting doesn't seem like quite as much of a concern.

Michiru Kaiou has posed:
Michiru Kaiou steps in and just keeps walking a few paces, taking in the first floor of the shop. She turns around, her eyes wide and then finally stops when she's facing back toward the girls and the door. Every conversation she's ever had with Usagi has been so serious. Must be her, though.

"I hadn't really thought about what," she says to them both. "I was just more interested in who. I figured we could see what all is here, and what struck our fancy."

Ami Mizuno has posed:
Ami Mizuno reaches up to lightly touch her chin in a thoughtful gesture as she gathers her thoughts. "Based on what was suggested by them, I think I'd like to get a new skirt, a blue dress of some kind, and a slouchy sweater for 'casual' wear. Also," she adds looking just a little confused about this. "For some reason they were really excited about berets? I guess they're cute hats."

"The sale rack likely has some good things I can pick up as basics. It's best to check that first and then see what might be good otherwise."

To Michiru she smiles again. "Of course! Being out with friends is half the fun of shopping, even if you don't end up getting anything. Though I'm certain we'll all find something we like."

Makoto Kino has posed:
Makoto considers this for a moment, then nods. "I bet a beret would look really cute on you, Ami-chan," she says. "So, sounds like we'll start there, and then see if anything jumps out at us along the way."

With the practiced eye of an experienced bargain shopper, she scans the store's layout again. "So, it looks like the sale section is... over this way." Once again she strides forth, leading the way across the store. "I can't think of anything I really need right now, myself... but any time I can find something nice that's in my budget, that's a win. Who doesn't like to have nice things?"

Michiru Kaiou has posed:
Now just because Michiru doesn't do her own shopping doesn't mean she doesn't know fashion. She does, she's just never had to go farther than her own closet to participate. So when Ami says the girls have been telling her she should get a beret, the aquanette looks at her for a moment, head slightly tilted and then nods. "Oh yes, you'd look very cute in beret," she confirms.

There is a look of relief on her face when Makosto takes charge. She clearly knows what she's doing here. Michiru can just pay attention to her, and follow her lead. She'll be not bad at shopping in no time.

"Berets are a crucial component of Parisian fashion in winter," she explains as they walk. "So, I'm really not surprised they suggested it, Ami-chan."

Ami Mizuno has posed:
When both girls agree with the beret, Ami reaches up to touch her hair lightly. "Really?" That adds a bit of thought to her list of things to get at least. "I guess I *could* use a hat. I rarely wear one, the cold doesn't bother me as much as it seems to others. Of course, I know to keep my core warm and drink plenty of fluids as well. Did you know it's actually just as common for people to become dehydrated in Winter as it is in Summer? Especially if people tend to drink coffee more than tea to keep warm."

Following along after Makoto she allows her gaze to wander at the same time in case anything jumped out at her. "They also insisted I buy a formal dress I tried, but I don't really have a reason for it." It had made her look very royal though. A bit of an embarassing thought but it *was* pretty, and apparently they *were* some sort of space royalty on their own worlds.

The train of thought comes to her as she continues walking, and looking between the pair she's with. "Oh I... I completely forgot. Do you two know who you are? I mean. Other than... right now."

Makoto Kino has posed:
"Well, it's good to have a formal dress anyway, isn't it?" Makoto reasons. "Otherwise, when you do need one, you have to look around in a hurry and get whatever you can find. There was that ball at the embassy a while back... something like that could happen again." Makoto Kino: enabler.

She's perusing the sale racks as she speaks, but Ami's question stops her completely. She looks up, eyebrows quirking upward. "--I'm gonna guess you mean... you know... magic stuff? If you don't you'd better tell me now, because I am the worst at talking around these things. And also no." Her questioning look flicks toward Michiru, mostly to gauge the degree to which the older girl might be looking at her like she's crazy.

Michiru Kaiou has posed:
It's easy to infer what Ami means, and then Makoto all but confirms it. Michiru was so focused on how she would get to have such a normal girl experience that she'd put all things not-normal out of her mind. So, she didn't notice until now, but sure enough that feeling was there. That feeling of familiarity. Like she'd met the brunette before, and not just at the candy shop.

She looks at Makoto in a new light as she sort of idly goes through the garments hanging on the sale rack, looking for something that catches her eye. "That is surely what she means. I'm almost embarrassed to admit I didn't notice until now. I usually pay better attention to things."

With a lean into the rack, to get just a little closer, she speaks quietly, just loud enough for the two girls to hear. "I'm Sailor Neptune."

Ami Mizuno has posed:
"I am," Ami assures Makoto with a soft, apologetic smile. She keeps her voice low as well while she starts to shift through the racks looking at the various items here. Surely she could find a skirt at least that would be easy to match with something else.

When Michiru confirms the magic topic and identifies herself she just gives a little nod of encouragement to the pair. This was good. They were doing something cozy, casual, fun and friendly. It was a good way to meet one another surely even if the Outer and Inner senshi had been a bit split in their past lives.

Spotting a brown skirt with ruffles she pulls it off the rack. It was a bit big for her, but... "This could be cute on you, Mako-chan," she suggests holding it out only to squint. It wouldn't be TOO short on the taller girl. Hopefully.

Makoto Kino has posed:
Makoto quirks a lopsided smile, equal parts relief and vague embarrassment. "Okay, good," she says with a quick nod, and - somewhat belatedly - pitches her voice lower. "Sailor Jupiter," she confirms in return. "It's nice to meet you... again." A hint of laughter quivers in her voice. "I've met Pluto a couple of times, too. And Uranus was at Soryuu Shrine, but I don't think I've met her off the job. Was that why you wanted to introduce me and Michiru-san, Ami-chan?"

Mako looks over to Ami, pauses, and tilts her head as she considers the skirt. "You think so? I'll try it on, then." She reaches to take the hangar from Ami, checking the size on the label.

Michiru Kaiou has posed:
There it is. Michiru smiles. "Oh, well, you should come around the house, sometime, Makoto-san," she says brightly. "We love having guests over. It's a big house for just the three of us," she explains. Then her idle perusing finally stops.

She pulls out a hangar with a ruffled green chiffon blouse on it. "Oh, I rather like this," she says, holding it up against herself and showing it to the other two. "What do you think? It makes me think of waves carrying algae." Because of course it does.

Ami Mizuno has posed:
Ami Mizuno smiles a bit enigmatically at the question of her reasons for having them meet. "It's a good part of it, yes. There's absolutely no reason that we should have to stay apart from one another. We live in the same city after all," she reasons with a little cluck of her tongue. She knew the Outers had issues with the past, so wouldn't get into it, but she did find it rather silly to continue with it.

As for the skirt she nods emphatically. "You always look so nice in light neutrals. It works nicely with your complexion."

Just as interested she looks over the shirt that Michiru pulls out with a soft hum. "It certainly goes nicely with your hair, as well. You should try it," she encourages smiling brightly as her friends seem to be getting along so far.

Makoto Kino has posed:
Makoto gives the blouse a look of appreciation. "Ami-chan's right. That kind of flowing romantic style seems like it'd suit you. I'd just look like a cake in those ruffles," she adds with a rueful smile, "but on you, Michiru-san, it'd be elegant. Although I think maybe anything you wore would be."

She tucks the skirt over her arm for now, and returns to browsing. "Oh, there are some hats over here. Let's see..." She looks over the selection for a bit before lifting up a soft tam in cream-colored knit for Ami's consideration. "Not sure it counts as a beret, but I think this would look good on your hair, Ami-chan."

Michiru Kaiou has posed:
Michiru Kaiou beams at their approval. She really does like being good at doing things, so getting validation like that on her first try, well it was very encouraging. "Thank you!"

"Oh yes. That is a cute hat," she agrees with Makoto. "Though I think the sign by the door said that most accessories were upstairs. If you wanted to find a beret specifically." She's her own kind of enabler, encouraging Ami to get exactly what she came for.

"I want to see this formal dress you're thinking about, too," she says. "We're all princesses, right? You deserve to look the part."

Ami Mizuno has posed:
Ami Mizuno reaches out for the tam turning it over in her grasp to get a good look at it. "I do like the color," she reasons while lifting it to lay gently over her head so that she doesn't risk getting it dirty while attempting a quick try-on. "I can hold onto this for now just in case though. If there are berets maybe I can match the color to this. It's rather nice."

A glance is cast toward the stairs up in a thoughtful manner. "We can go there too. Ah, as for the dress..." She fidgets a little, glancing down at the ground. "You're right, it wouldn't hurt to have something readily available in case I need it." Her voice drops a bit as she admits with a bit of embarassement, "I do think it's very pretty too."

With a light clearing of her throat she considers. "How about I go get it and we can all meet up at the dressing room?"

Makoto Kino has posed:
"Sounds good!" Makoto agrees. "I want to pick up a couple more things to try on, in case this doesn't fit. Simpler than going back and forth. I'll see you in a few minutes, Ami-chan." She flashes a cheery thumbs-up of encouragement - go get your dress!

Then a glance toward Michiru, curious. "How about you, Michiru-san? Do you want to look a little more while Ami-chan is getting her dress, or...?"

Michiru Kaiou has posed:
Michiru Kaiou nods her agreement. "That sounds like a great plan," she says, to Ami. "I can't wait to see it!"

Turning her attention to Makoto, she smiles. "I'll just stick with you, if you don't mind," she says. "I think I might have to come back here another time and spend some dedicated time going through all of the racks." She can't give the clothes her full attention, because she's also here with friends, and really, they're the more important part of this experience.

She resumes flipping through garments on the racks, looking for other things. "So, you like to bake. What else should I know about you, Makoto-san?"

Makoto Kino has posed:
Makoto makes a wry face, in the act of selecting a blouse from the rack to hold up against herself. "That's a difficult question to answer," she says. A little shake of her head as she puts the blouse back - that one won't work at all. "Although, to start with, it's not only baking, that's just the easiest to do in the kitchen the dorm has for students to use. I like to cook in general."

She makes a thoughtful humming sound, testing fabric between her fingers. "I transferred to Radiant Heart this past summer... um, and I practice judo and aikido? Though I haven't found a dojo to train at since I moved, so I just get my workouts at Inai-sensei's self-defense classes for now, mostly."

She hesitates a moment, but since the question was asked: "And you, Michiru-san? What would you say I ought to know about you?"

Michiru Kaiou has posed:
"Well, I play violin," Michiru says, saying it like any other teenager would say it, even if it is a colossal understatement. "I paint. I have prophetic dreams and I'm the heiress to my parents' estate since they died last year, so I also own a multi-national shipping company."

She says that all so casually as if she's just listing off some facts, not like she's kinda not just a space princess, but also an earth princess.

"I enrolled at Radiant Heart this past summer, too, so I could make friends. It was so lonely living by myself. I've never gone to school before this, and I feel like the experience so far has been pretty amazing," she confides. "I certainly seem to be making friends."

Makoto Kino has posed:
Makoto listens to Michiru casually rattle off all of this information. Her eyes have gotten pretty big. "Wow," she says, and then flushes a little at her own unintentional rudeness. "I mean - sorry. I'm sorry about your parents. I actually... lost mine years ago, when I was a kid." She looks away awkwardly. It's not something she talks about much, or easily. "It's tough."

Bending her attention studiously to the racks, she picks out two more hangars without really scrutinizing what's on them. "I wouldn't have thought, but it sounds like we have a couple of things in common, beyond..." An expressive gesture. "Radiant Heart having dorms was one of the reasons I came here. If they didn't, I'd be living by myself now. Having friends around is a lot better."

Lifting her head, she winces with exaggerated humor. "That got a little heavy, didn't it? Ami-chan's probably waiting for us. The fitting rooms should be over this way, I think."

Ami Mizuno has posed:
True to her word Ami was at the dressing rooms. In them, actually, with the curtain drawn over the room she was in though her head is poking out to catch sight of the pair coming to join her. It's a relief once they do show up.

"Okay. I've got it on. Just a quick show of it, okay?" Her gaze flits around to the other rooms though it wasn't too busy at the moment thankfully. At least there wasn't anyone she knew besides her friends around.

The curtain drops so she can step through it. A blue dress is worn that is covered with a top layer of sheer white tule. Splashes of gold are run through it, and the skirt flows around her with a bit of body to help give more shape to her figure.

http://tinyurl.com/5n9amrk2

Michiru Kaiou has posed:
Michiru Kaiou's brow draws together and she gives Makoto a somewhat concerned glance. Then it softens and she smiles, this time it's a sad sort of smile. She's heard those same words from so many people over the months since they passed. "My condolences to you as well, then," she says before turning her attention back to the rack as well.

"I just stayed in our penthouse until I met Haruka and Setsuna. I'm so grateful for them. It was so lonely," she says, her voice soft and tender. Then she looks up to Makoto, meeting her eyes, and nods. "I'm glad you've been able to find a place here too. It's good for us all to be together through all this stuff that's happening."

She grabs another piece--a slate gray skirt--and then follows after toward the dressing rooms, where Ami has been busy getting into the formal gown. When the bluenette steps out to show off the dress Michiru lets out a quiet gasp. "Oh, Ami-chan. You're beautiful."

Makoto Kino has posed:
Makoto manages a sympathetic nod to Michiru, and leaves the topic at that, turning her focus to the handy excuse of leading the way to the fitting rooms and Ami.

"Ami-chan!" Her eyes get huge when the curtain pulls back and reveals the picture that Ami makes in the dress she's picked out. Catching herself, she dials back down to an inside voice, but with no less gushing enthusiasm. "You look so good. Really just like a princess. You're going to get it, right? You have to!"

Ami Mizuno has posed:
Ami Mizuno laughs cheerfully at the abundant praise from both of the girls. Her cheeks pinken a bit, but she does look genuinely happy about it as well. Her hand cradles her cheek with a sideways tip of her head as she allows her gaze to skirt past to the nearby mirrors taking in the sight of herself. "... I really do like it," she lets out with a longing sigh.

Already she's doing the math in her head. Of *course* she can afford it, that's not a question, but logically--

The recollection of Usagi and Minako's reactions, as well as Makoto and Michiru's, flash in her head chasing logic aside. Still bushing she bites down on her lower lip. "Okay! Okay, I'll get it," she determines with a firm nod of her head. "I haven't splurged in awhile, and there *will* be more dances I could use this at." It really sounds like she's trying so hard to convince herself right now. Her hands lower finally with a little laugh.

"I'll take really good care of it until then. Let me get out of this now, and then I want to see what you both found."