1197/Procurement

Procurement
Date of Scene:	27 February 2024
Location:	Four Clover Mall
Synopsis:	Takes place immediately after scene 1189/Good Morning, Amy. Natsumi and Amy go out to get some new clothes and meet Usagi. Natsumi discovers that the real clothes were the friends she made along the way. Also the actual clothes they bought; those, too, were real clothes.
Cast of Characters:	Natsu Oukanno, Amanda Faust, Usagi Tsukino

---

Natsu Oukanno has posed:
    Hours ago...

    Now full of food, the still-sleep-deprived girl who Natsu has become is leading the way through the campus, headed for the boys' dorms. So much for being worried about being spotted. "Hang on, I'm going to grab some money. I need a long-term solution for clothes outside of a school uniform. Your magic towel isn't going to stay magic forever." She entered her and Jin's dorm, said hi to Mamoru on his way out, waved to Jin and Kano briefly, then dug her wallet out of the drawer next to the bed, before leaving. "Going shopping with Amy, don't wait up."

    All questions and protests are summarily ignored.

    Current time...

    Natsumi is frozen in place. Paralyzed. Staring with wide eyes, while standing rigid, looking around wildly. This is a girls' clothes store, isn't it? Or at least the relevant section! Surrounded by all sorts of garments she has never even thought about let alone known the purpose or names for, she is questioning the foundation of this entire operation. "Amy, should we run?" Natsumi asks out of the corner of her mouth.

Amanda Faust has posed:
    If they picked up an actual uniform, Amy suggests wearing the other clothes Natsumi has under it (fresh from the dryer! So warm!). Otherwise, she'll maintain the conjured uniform for now.

    Of course she knows where the clothing stores *are* vaguely, at the mall, she's *seen* them.

    But Amy's only been inside one for an extended time once, shopping for that yukata together with a pack of other girls who weren't nervous at all.

    Amy still kind of feels like there's a 'you aren't supposed to be in here' forcefield, albeit probably at a weaker strength than Natsu does, but she still has to work up the courage to breach it.

    She leans to the side and replies quietly, "No we don't have to run. We just have to... go inside. Logically, there's no way anyone could suspect. This, this doesn't happen. And, and technically, I'm supposed to be here, and in your present situation, it is a necessity."

    It's easier to move her mouth than her feet, though.

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
Usagi Tsukino is out on a shopping trip; a regular girl on a regular day, planning to pick up a few new and cute things. She's hoping to have something extra cute to wear on a date, and just generally seeking out a chance to refresh her wardrobe, since Winter is almost-almost over.

Normally, people standing outside a store wouldn't be worth noticing, but well -

You don't get too many redheads in Japan. And you don't get too many of them in Radiant Heart Academy uniforms. And also Usagi knows one of them.

"Hey, Amy-chan! How are you?" She bounds over, all good nature and friendly extroversion. "Are you guys shopping for Spring too?"

Natsu Oukanno has posed:
    Natsumi is shielding her eyes against the sparkling brilliance of the store as she tries to edge her way inside, with Amy's goading. "You say this 'doesn't happen', but it clearly has, and twice." she hisses at the shorter girl. Then they are pounced upon by a native predator of the department store: The Genki Shoujo.

    She turns around quickly, in the raincoast, shirt, skirt, and leggins that Amy magicked for her. Umbrella is in one of the pockets. She's standing like she's planning to martial arts fight this unknown attacker, in a defensive stance. "I'm not doing anything wrong, I'm just looking, and it's her fault for bringing me!" To the store that Natsumi picked out.

    She takes a moment to breathe, cough into her hand, and then plants her hands on her hips (it is going to take some time to get used to them being so wide). "That is to say... I don't exactly have a lot to wear, so we came to get me some new clothes." Head tilt and squint. She reluctantly admits, "More like an entire new wardrobe."

Amanda Faust has posed:
    (The magicced outfit is just an RHA school uniform with mary janes and a cold-weather pink-with-white-kitties-on-it coat.)

    Before Amy can point out that the they're magic and thus a special case, she *startles* at Usagi calling over to her and turns, but the nervousness fades somewhat. "Usagi-san!" She smiles, and Natsumi goes on the defensive.

    Amy sweatdrops.

    "Uhhh... kind of... I mean, I still don't have much... clothes in general... besides that yukata... and uniforms... I've been getting T-shirts and..." she glances away, "...necessities in bulk packs at the 100 yen store..." (Ed: Assuming they are similar to 'dollar stores' in the US, and not actually limited to items that are 100 yen)

    She looks down at the red sweatshirt and matching jersey knit skirt she's currently wearing. "...These came with the body."

    It's true, and saying it lets both of them know that the other one knows about Amy.

    She looks back up at Usagi. "Wha, what about you?"

    Amy, she just said she's here shopping for Spring.

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
Uhhhh...huh? There's a look of utter bafflement on Usagi's face as she regards the redhaired girl in a defensive stance.

Riiiiiight... so Amy-chan's picked up another alien, clearly. "Right," she says slowly, looking to Amy with an expression of clear 'girl what?' "Well if you're looking for clothes, this is definitely the right spot..."

Given that it's a clothing store that clearly caters to girls and women. When Amy mentions that she still hasn't really picked up any clothes, Usagi presses a hand to her face, shaking her head woefully.

"Amy-chan, really?! You can't live on cheap t-shirts forever, you know. Okay, um, well, I've been doing some shopping for new Spring outfits so... do you two want to shop with me? Though, if she," nodding at mysterious redhead. "Needs an entirely new wardrobe, does that include like, undergarments, because you are not going to find a bra here."

Natsu Oukanno has posed:
    Natsumi gives a big siiiigh and then folds her arms under her chest. "Yeah, sorry. I've just been wearing my older brother's hand-me-downs, and I've never actually... Worn 'girl' clothes before recently. Except for this one time. Even these are just borrowed." She lifts one hand to gesture up and down at herself. "Call me what you like. Tomboy, weirdo, but my experience with feminine stuff is practically zero. Wasn't a high priority to teach me in my family. So, um, yes. Please. I need everything, and I no idea what I'm looking for."

    Undergarments? Bra!? Oh, Lord save her.

    "I'm Natsumi, by the way. Natsumi Nabara. I was just supposed to be visiting my brother, but looks like I might be attending the school myself." She bows her head. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

Amanda Faust has posed:
    Amy looks appropriately embarassed at her failure to do this thing. Not the kind of embarassed where she wishes people would stop nagging about it or wishes she could ignore it, though. "Well..."

    Natsumi is going with the cover story. She turns and looks at Natsumi with a 'seriously?!' expression, although she can't convey a more nuanced evaluation of the cover silently.

    Amy turns around and shrugs helplessly. "A-as she says." She agrees. Oh no she is a terrible liar.

    "And like, um, yeah. I've been in a store like this once to get the yukata," She smiles at the memory. "and she hasn't at all, I guess. If uh. If uh you spend years thinking of it as a place you don't go it feels... kinda like a... forcefield around it..." She looks away and gets more mumbly as she realizes how stupid that sounds. Oh gods.

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
Usagi has one word for this girl: defensive. And maybe if she was having to do all her shopping for the first time ever, she'd be like that too, but -

"Um, if you're used to like, boyish clothes, do you want some of those then? I mean, you still need a bra, so we've still got to shop for one, but if you don't like feminine stuff, you don't have to wear it, you know?"

She shrugs off the tomboy, weirdo, whatever comments, focusing instead on Amy. Compared to these two, Usagi might seem a bastion of femininity - she's wearing a plaid pink and white top with bell sleeves, and a mid-thigh length blue skirt, with white leggings underneath, as a nod to the fact that it's still winter. She's got a jean jacket tied around her waist.

"Amy-chan, I know you like cute things, so you probably want to shop here. If you guys have different preferenes, we can start here, 'cause we're here, and move on after!"

And then she grabs Amy's hand and with a few casual steps, yanks her into the store, though without being too rough. With a smile on her face, she announces, "Forcefield broken!"

Natsu Oukanno has posed:
    "No, I just..." She sighs. "I'm in a position now where finding out about things I've missed out on is something I'd like to look into. At least a little." Natsumi follows along behind Amy and Usagi as they charge forth through the forcefield. Natsumi's heart is still thumping as she looks around like she expects to be ambushed by a store attendant at any time, to demand to know what she's doing here or ask her questions she doesn't know the answer to. It's quite possible she may get lost, such is the amount of time spent looking over her shoulder instead of following the trailblazer and her blonde guide-hair through the racks.

    "...Do I really need a bra though?" Natsumi asks, obliviously. Sure, she has a magically-provided one right now, but it's just kind of there. Actually buying one is a whole different thing, isn't it? It means it's permanently there and real, in real life, not something that magically goes away when she's done with it.

Amanda Faust has posed:
    Amy looks up at Usagi. (Usagi is one of few people she doesn't have to look up to, now, but she's a little hunched over in embarassment.) Usagi looks right out of a 80's-or-early-90's TV show right now (Amy's seen reruns! Back when streaming was not a thing and people still watched whatever was on TV.)

    The thought that she could look like that hasn't even entered Amy's brain.

    She smiles as Usagi announces that since she likes cute things, she can find them here. Like Amy's sometimes not able to say that so it feels nice to have someone else give the excuse.

    And then she's utterly surprised as she's lightly yanked into the store, and Usagi says she broke the forcefield and, either she did or the joke did! Still smiling, she breaks into light laughter that continues awkwardly long, and then flashes a thankful smile at her savior.

    They walk on into the store, Amy looking around in wonder at the novelty of it. She's not really able to picture these on her, but she's happy to ride the euphoria of being here -- and invited and accepted by a senpai in femininity -- for the moment.

    Natsumi makes a comment, and for once, Amy's actual experience comes to the forefront of her mind before any comments. She mutters, "I regret it every time I forget and run down the hall in PJs, or go down stairs to get the mail. I dunno how you managed yesterday, let alone since..." She trails off.

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
"Yes, you absolutely do." She's not going to elaborate, in the interest of not making the poor girl uncomfortable, but she absolutely definitely does. "Every girl with any amount of cleavage needs at least three bras! A sports bra and two regular ones, at the very least."

And she glances at Natsumi, looking at her face, yes, but also judging because, yes, yes, it is obvious you need multiple bras! Especially you.

"So, do you two know what size you are? And do you have any preferred style? Fabrics you don't like? Colors? Dresses, skirts, or pants preference?"

She's clapping her hands, just once, pleased. This store is a very cute one, with plenty of preppy-style outfits - blouses, skirts, blazers, cute little jackets and the like.

"...oh, right, and I'm Usagi Tsukino, class 9C at Radiant Heart!"

Natsu Oukanno has posed:
    Natsumi jogs to catch up with Usagi and Amy after getting sidetracked staring at some camisoles, only further emphasizing the point being made in the process. "You mean everyone doesn't just hold them when you go down stairs?" Hm. Well, having a device to provide support is probably more efficient. It leaves hands free to defend or attack! "I have no idea. Dad was ignorant about that kind of thing, and mom was too busy with part-time jobs after the divorce. I guess it would be accurate to say I was a late bloomer." She doesn't even bother gesturing at herself this time, the point was already made, by others, and much more eloquently.

    "Nice to meet you, Tsukino." Oh, wait, he can't do that looking like this. He and Kano leave off honorifics frequently, at least with each other, but that offends others sometimes. Heck, a lot of times. It can also be seen as overly-familiar. He--She--Natsumi puts a hand to her head and closes her eyes for a moment as the store starts spinning in her vision. "I'll... Be in grade eleven this year... If I register. Not sure what class. My brother is in grade ten, but I don't have his class memorized... Sorry, I need a sec." Natsumi straightens her back and takes in a deep breath or two, letting them out slowly. When she can open her eyes and not feel dizzy, she says, "Okay. I haven't slept in a while, so I guess I should save the backstory for another time. Thanks for helping us, Usagi-san. ...Tsukino-san." Finally lowering her hand from her head, the taller of the two redheads with red eyes asks with a weak smile, "I'm sorry, how would you prefer to be addressed?"

Amanda Faust has posed:
    "Sports..." Amy mentally notes, muttering to herself. Zero is an amount!

    Size? She looks awkwardly away, quietly muttering, "I just got a pack of small ones at the hundred yen store..."

    STYLE? Amy does not even begin to know how to approach that, having only worn what she considers 'normal clothes' (even if that now includes a couple of skirts,) the outfit Mio lent her one time, the dress she wore to the other dance, the yukata, her henshin outfit, and some costumes.

    She does not have the words to say that her style is, and the author is no expert on this, 'a mix of softgirl and dark softgirl, with a hint of grunge because she grew up in the 90's'. Not counting that wearing even girlier stuff is fine sometimes, actually, given the one-time outfits she's worn.

    "I..." It's like she just started a new MMO at level 1 and is being asked for the details about her planned build! But there isn't even a wiki she can go to to look all this stuff up!

    She's awkwardly quiet for a bit, but... Usagi is trying to help her! Say something! Say something!

    "I don't... know. How do you even... a-asking me what kind of style I want is like me asking what matrix or substitution you should use to solve a math problem when you don't even know what those are yet."

    Beat.

    "...I don't like rough fabrics though. I haven't worn blue jeans or corduroy since I was a kid." (She doesn't know that only men's jeans are needlessly rough. How would she?) Amy pulls her hands into her sleeves, then slips one hand back out and reaches down to pinch her skirt between her fingers. "This is really soft."

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
"Usagi-chan will do," she says cheerfully - it's what she'd tell anyone. "But Usagi-san, if you're more the formal type!"

That says a lot about what she considers formal, huh? Still, Usagi just shakes her head, looking at Natsumi with the sort of slightly pitying expression that would irritate most proud sorts.

"Your back and shoulders have got to be killing you. Maybe you're so used to it you haven't noticed...?"

Still, not much of an answer about the style of clothes, which is kind of essential for this sort of thing! At least Amy is getting into it, even if maybe she's getting into it in an overthink-y sort of way.

"Okay, okay, take it down a notch! Don't panic, it's just clothes - there are always more clothes. Small is a good place to start! Small size, soft fabrics. Do you like bright colors or dark colors? Here, actually, just follow me -" and she's bodily dragging them both. Hey, she's actually pretty strong, huh? Sure, they're probably not resisting, but -

And so it is that the trio ends up in the blouses section, surrounded by tops of varying length, shape, and size.

"Okay, so here we have some blouses that are just solid colors, some patterns, some colorful prints... what speaks to you? Don't be afraid to touch them and see if you like the fabric!"

Natsu Oukanno has posed:
    "It could be," Natsumi agrees readily about being to used to the burden she doesn't notice, and being dragged bodily through the store. Only lie when there's a reasonable expectation of you having an answer that you don't have or don't want to give. If you have established ignorance, don't bother trying to explain further. "I like dark colors generally... And shades of red. But I'll wear anything that I need to. Like, for school or whatever." Think think think. "I've always worn more masculine or unisex clothes before now, I guess. Just a sleeveless top and shorts used to be my go-to during summers as a kid when I was running around." A nostalgic smile appears on Natsumi's face.

    "Baseball, exploring in the forest, racing bikes in the streets of our neighborhood... Even swimming when we got too hot. It was easy to just ditch the top and bam, suddenly your shorts are swim trunks." One hand goes to her hip as she closes her eyes and just kind of basks in the memories. "I should go look up the boys from back then. We got separated when we moved, so they weren't there for..." Natsumi's eyes open and her smile drops away. Yeah. They'd already moved when Natsu had his break-down, so those friends had no idea that their old buddy was a Villain-obsessed social outcast who had to feign conformity just to avoid getting beaten up every day. Maybe they'd still be on his side if they met up. Or maybe they'd just be like...

    Sigh.

    Natsu says, "Sorry. Went on a bit of a detour down memory lane. I'm not being a responsible custodian of your or my time, Usagi-san, Amy-san. Please proceed when you are ready. I will favor the expert opinion of those who know more than I on these matters." He still looks like Natsumi, but his entire demeanor has changed, not to mention his speech patterns. Maybe it's the fatigue. But that doesn't make sense. Why go through more effort to speak with bigger words when tired?

    Previously wide, innocent eyes are narrowed, half-closed, with tension lines on his... her... on Natsumi's face. Then they... Then she puts a hand on Amy's shoulder for support and says, "Usagi-chan... Amy-chan... Can you... Please help me get to a changing room or something? I need to sit down."

Amanda Faust has posed:
    She's not overthinking it! It's a perfectly normal amount of thinking! A necessary amount of thinking! No one could possibly get through life not doing such important and necessary thinking!

    ...So why is it that everyone else seems to?

    Well, Natsumi has plenty to think about, and it gives Amy more to think about too. A sleeveless top? Why did I never wear those when other guys did?

    Wait, You can't ditch the top when swimming! Like, yeah, she gets that it was convenient, she has -- or had, who knows what happened to stuff she left behind in the apartment -- synthetic-fabric zipoffs that could turn into swim trunks in a pinch which was kind of a neat trick, -- but it wouldn't work now! Well, Amy did her part of letting Natsumi know Usagi was cool with things, maintaining the story is Natsumi's choice and responsibility.

    Natsu starts talking like an alien or robot about things. Amy wonders if she does that a lot and doesn't notice from the inside...

    They're dragged to The Blouse Section and okay, picturing one item at a time is much easier than imagining a whole outfit.

    She considers pink and baby blue blouses. In her mind the person in the mirror has paired them with tan, blue, or black slacks. All work.

    For a moment, the mental image of the guy who used to be in the mirror pops up. The reaction isn't as strong as it was seven months ago, although, pants and a blouse can be a guy outfit, like... he'd just look sad and awkward trying to pull it off. Darker colors might kinda help.

    Amy looks at a deep red one and a black one. Flipping her mental image back to the present... No, that doesn't seem right with this style, somehow, though she can't put her finger on why. Well, she could see the black one with a tie if she were going for the woman-wearing-a-suit kinda look, but she doesn't really see the appeal. On her, anyway.

    It would look great on Hannah.

    ...Anything would look great on Hannah.

    White. Better. Almost too generic, but she could see wearing that in an office or something. She glances at some other pastels, but green and yellow don't feel like they'd work as well as pink or blue.

    So she goes to take a pastel pink and pastel blue one off the rack but runs into a problem. What size is she? She'll guess small, like the T-shirts, but grabs adjacent sizes to check. She can come back for blue when she knows which size.

    Natsumi puts a hand on her shoulder and she blinks. "Uh... where are they? I need to check the size on this anyway..."

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
"Oh, I used to do all kinds of sports with my friends too! I mean, I was bad at all of them, but it was nice," Usagi says cheerfully, as Natsumi recollects her childhood. She contemplates the colors - black and red, huh? Mamochan pulled them off best of anyone, but she could see Natsumi managing it too - it would play nicely off her red hair!

And even better, confronted with specific options, Amy starts considering them! How wonderful. Usagi takes a look at Natsumi, considering possible sizes, and starts pulling down a few options, black blouses, red sleeveless tops, all in solid colors without patterns.

"Those look pretty, Amy-chan," she chirps when Amy's got her picks, and then looks up in concern at Natsumi. "Fitting rooms are usually this way - here, follow me," and she grabs Natsumi's hand and pulls her bodily through the store, until they find the fitting rooms. Natsumi isn't left in a fitting room, but a comfortable-looking chair near one of them; can't occupy a room for too long! These kinds of shops just didn't have enough to go around. Usagi leaves the tops she's gathered for Natsumi draped over her legs, and goes to help Amy pick a fitting room.

"Okay, I saw you pick a few sizes, so make sure to try the smallest one first!"

Amanda Faust has posed:
    Amy nods at the fitting advice, although after a second she pauses and wonders, "...Why? I'm not objecting, but what's the reasoning behind that?"

Natsu Oukanno has posed:
    Natsumi sits, head in her hands. "Thanks..." she mutters to Usagi for the help. "I was like... Eight at the time..." she tries to continue on with her story as though there hadn't been any interruption in regard to just going topless. "It's fine, right? It's not like they even knew I was a girl--" A flash of red like lightning leaves pain behind her eyes that quickly get closed. She doesn't talk for a while. She feels like her head is literally splitting in two. Her thoughts are racing, she keeps remembering things, but they're different from how they should be... Aren't they? If she were able to think more clearly, she might wonder if this is a side-effect of adapting to this body, if the magic is somehow changing her brain to more closely match it, and altering her memories in the process.

    But she isn't thinking clearly, and pain is preventing her from putting together the unraveling of everything and her circumstances. So she just stays like that for a while.

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
"Oh, because if you try the biggest ones on first, they'll probably fit, but they'll be loose; the smaller you try, the more likely it is to be tight in the shoulders, or bust, or belly, and then as you move up in size, you'll know best which fit you like."

Usagi doesn't blink at having to give the advice, though she does glance at Natsumi in concern over her mumbles.

"Do you need some water, Natsumi-chan?"

Natsu Oukanno has posed:
    "Perhaps so, Usagi-chan..." Natsumi replies as she raises her head and tries to put on a smile to conceal the turbulence in her head. "And some sleep. But that can wait until after I've gotten home. ...Where 'home' is 'either my brother's dorm or Amy's depending on which one is available'. Amy's been great about helping me out despite my circumstances. I'm glad I met her." Gathering her strength, Natsumi stands up straight, with only a little bit of a wobble, and comes over to look at blouses with the other two. "So where do you think I should start with these, Usagi-chan? A medium?"

Amanda Faust has posed:
    Amy ahhs and nods. She goes into the changeing room and determines which size fits, but... this seems like it clashes with the skirt, somehow? "It fits, but I think I'd need to see it with slacks, or a different color of bottoms maybe. Now I know what size to get for the tops though!"

    She comes back out, holding onto the blouses for now to put the other two back on the rack.

    She looks at Natsumi with concern, and steps up to hug her again. "...I don't think staying with me and Mio is viable long-term, but... worry about one thing at a time, I guess. If you enroll you'll get a room somewhere, anyway..." Although, she can see why Natsu might be uncomfortable with some random roommate.

    The year is about to change over. If she does enroll, should Amy and Mio consider a suite with Natsumi? But... would living with a villain be a problem, and what would Mio and Pin's feelings be about it?

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
"That makes sense; it's hard to tell if an outfit will suit you when it's in bits and the colors aren't complimentary. Do you like the style, too? You can find more things with a cut like that, and you won't have to try them on."

Pro-tips for shopping! Important information!"

Turning her gaze back to Natsumi... "You should definitely start with the medium. You might have to go up a size in the bust, and if it's too loose, you can go to a tailor..."

She's never had to get anything brought in, but Natsumi-chan is a bit more talented, and might need the help. "Oh, you've been staying with your brother and Amy-chan? There's a few empty dorms, you know, you could probably talk to the RA."

Natsu Oukanno has posed:
    Natsumi looks at the blouses of black or red coloration carefully, cupping her chin. She feels a bit more energetic now than before. She's even speaking and moving in a livelier fashion. "Good call. Thanks, Usagi-chan. I would have been lost without you. I'd have just grabbed a big t-shirt and a leather jacket and called it good or something." She giggles. "Can you imagine?" It clicks in her head that she just giggled and she sounds so girly and she isn't sure why that's worth noting. She's a girl isn't she? Shouldn't she sound like that? Another pulse of pain that she covers up by taking a few mediums off the rack and slipping into a changing room.

    "I'll be right back!" she calls back as she slips the curtain closed. n_n

    Then she sits down heavily and just focuses on breathing until the dizziness fades and the pain is manageable. What the hell is happening to her? Breathe for a couple minutes. Just breathe. Nothing else. Empty your mind. Breathe. Breathe. Breathe.

    Finally, she stands up again, feeling much more clear-headed, and sets about holding up the blouse to herself. She'll look good in this one... If it fits, anyway! But... She doesn't think it will, sadly. Without even trying them on, Natsumi re-emerges and puts them back where she got them. "Let's go up a size..." she says while reaching out to feel a blouse with like a lacey part around the neckline? Is it soft? Does it snag on her fingernails? What about this one? It looks a bit 'satiny'... Is that even a word? "Is 'satiny' a word?" she asks outloud.

    Hmmm... Thoughtfully, she grabs a couple of larges and says, "Yeah, it'd be best to get a dorm room of my own. I can't believe I don't already have one. I should have signed up sooner, so it's my own fault." Back into the changing room she goes. Now she's actually starting to get excited about this!

Amanda Faust has posed:
    And Amy doesn't, like, know Natsu, it's more that... Well there aren't a lot of people to help someone with something like this, are there?

    But it does mean a lot that she admitted her obsession and Natsumi didn't think it was weird...

    Does she like the style? "Uhhh... I don't know. I'd have to see it with other things I think..." she repeats.

    Usagi discusses dorm rooms. "Uhh... can someone who's not enrolled get a room, though?" She almost adds that being magical might be grounds for an exception if not, but... Natsumi is trying to hide things, so.

    'Can you imagine?' Amy looks at Natsumi. "...Yeah. You'd need something under the shirt." She admits, plainly.

    Is satiny a word? "Huh? I think so. Clear what you mean, anyway. Does that really work for a top?" Amy tries to imagine a satin-y top, but what comes to mind is a really short dress or the like. Maybe a blouse... styled? To go with a matching skirt, like a dress.

    But, more importantly...

    The way Natsumi sounds now is making alarm bells go off in her head. Increasingly loudly.

    A second of hesitation after Natsumi goes back into the changing room, she tries to follow to whisper to her. (Or instead leans against the door and whispers a bit loudly if already locked.)

    "Pssst! Natsu! I gotta check, are you just getting better at your cover or are you forgetting?"

    Mio and Pin suggested trying to make that happen to herself, just days ago, and she was horrified. The thought that it might be happening to anyone--

    --just like in those stories--

    --is horrifying. Hopefully Natsu's just getting better at their cover, but.

    I have to check. Right?

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
"Anything's a word if you can say it," Usagi says cheerfully, which may not be correct at all, but - Natsumi doesn't feel good, but she does need clothes. So since Usagi doesn't have any reason to think there's anything magical going on... "

"Yeah, I think so, I don't really think they like, pay attention to that kind of stuff?"

Probably not, in truth, but Usagi's gotten very casual about this whole, breaking rules thing - and then Natsumi comes out and her attitude is very different.

Um.

But Amy follows after her... so Usagi just creeps a little closer to eavesdrop. You know, thoughtfully!

What's that about a cover?

Natsu Oukanno has posed:
    Hm. Why is 'giggling' considered 'girly' anyway? What about of this is 'girly', specifically? Why is she thinking about it? But also... This isn't... Is this really how she is? Does she want it to be? Where is her comfort point? She said she was a tomboy. Is she overcompensating when all she wanted was some clothes and maybe a chance to branch out into some more 'traditionally feminine' outfits? Why does she care? Why would she even question it? Why is being a 'tomboy' different from being 'feminine'? Can't she be athletic, physically active, or enjoy things that are traditionally interests of boys, without it dictating her gender? Clear-minded but so terribly, awfully confused. A lot of the fog has been cleared away, but Natsumi still feels like she's forgetting something. Something important.

    Sigh. Well, it will come to her. Her head raises after getting off the top of the outfit Amy magicked for her, and starting to pick up the blouse she picked, the black one with the lace see-through part around the neckline. "Hmm?"

    Before she can see Amy, or parse the question being asked, she sees a girl with long red hair and red eyes in the mirror, with a somewhat puzzled expression, holding up a black blouse to her body. She's wearing a bra, but still it's rude to just step in on someone while they're indecent! Her face is a bit flushed, and she's breathing slightly raggedly as though she has exerted herself physically, or is struggling somehow. Maybe she's sick. She looks pretty regardless, whomever she is.

    "Oh, sorry! When did you get in here? I could have sworn this was empt--" The red eyes go wide and her pupils contract nearly to pinpoints as the worst pain so far rips through her, at the same time she realizes the girl in the mirror is her. She is sent staggering out of the booth after scrabbling with the door to open it. She can hear an impossibly loud ringing in her ears, that's blocking out all other sound, and all she can do is grab the hangar in her hand hard as she puts it and her other hand on both sides of her head like it's going to explode otherwise.

    Breathe. Clear your mind. Breathe. Clear your mind. Breathe.

    Are you forgetting?

    BREATHE!

Amanda Faust has posed:
    Amy is more concerned about Natsu than modesty right now. She can feel embarassed and silly after putting her silly suspicion to bed and

    Oh no.

    Oh no.

    Well, something is wrong.

    After Natsumi stumbles out of the room, Amy grabs the coat and wraps it around Natsu while hugging her.

    "What's wrong? You were so observant before. We need that, now! You can help us help you. Tell us what's happening! Oh please be okay... Uhh, what was his name? Your friend! Should we call your friend? Ka-something? You gotta let me know, who you are..."

    What is happening? Amy doesn't know. Natsumi holding her head doesn't prove anything one way or the other. And it would be a bit crazy to tell her original worry to Usagi at this point...

    What is happening?

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
Usagi's face might as well be made of question marks. You can practically see the row of question marks hovering above her head, absolutely baffled.

"Amy-chan," she says, stepping closer to the duo, "Is this uh, is Natsumi-chan like Hannah-chan, by any chance?"

An alien, is she an alien, and are alien things happening?

She doesn't have any context for what on Earth is happening, given she doesn't even know a henshin was involved.

Natsu Oukanno has posed:
    The ringing continues as Amy wraps up Natsumi in the coat, and turns to stare at her, wide-eyed, uncomprehending. She can't hear anything Amy is saying, and the image of Amy is split into various different colorations and floating on and off center. Eventually, she stops grinding a hangar into the side of her head, because that isn't helping at all. Actually, it was sort of helping by letting her feel a sharp sensation outside of her own mind. The ringing starts to fade, and Natsumi closes her eyes, her brow still twitching a bit, as she lowers her hands carefully. She still has her fingers splayed just in case she has to hold her skull together again, but while it isn't an instant cessation like before, the pain IS receding.

    Finally able to speak, all she can say is, "I'm sorry." Then, clutching the raincoat around herself with one hand, she starts to stumble back into the changing room. "I... Should get at least one thing I know I can wear. But I'm really not feeling well."

    That's easy to tell even without the freak-out, since she swaying on her feet with each slow step she takes, having to wait until she's balanced before taking the next.

    "Usagi-chan... Amy-chan... Can you... Help me with these...?" she asks, turning half-way to hold up the now somewhat crumpled blouses in her free hand. She looks even more flushed than before, and her eyes are barely able to stay open. "We can... Explain later. If that's okay...?" She shakes her head. "I shouldn't... See Kano right now. It'd be..." She scrunches up her face like she expects another flash of pain to come, but there's nothing, and she eventually relaxes again. "...I can't see him right now."

Amanda Faust has posed:
    Amy blinks at Usagi. "What? She's obviously not blind." She's a bit lost.

    We can explain later? "Does that mean it's OK for me to tell her?" Amy checks, continuing to look over Natsumi worriedly.

    Also, if they're leaving... "Arms up." She tries to put the conjured uniform shirt and the coat back on Natsumi, but after watching her struggle for a few seconds, Amy'll just poof-reset the clothes, the jacket and uniform blouse disappearing from where they are and reappearing back on Natsumi in a brief pink sparkly poof.

    If they're leaving now, Amy will swing by the clothing section to drop off the un-fitting clothes and pick up the blue blouse, at least, so she can buy the two tops at least.

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
"What? No, an alien," she hisses the word, looking around to make sure no one is listening - but it seems that whatever is happening to and with Natsumi, she wants to get at least one outfit and go, which is probably for the best. "Okay, let's get this, and I'll run and grab some pants to match, okay? And we'll get out of here."

They need to have some victory for all this, right? Especially if this outfit is the only other thing Natsumi is going to have to wear.

They breeze through check-out pretty quickly, there not being many other customers ready to check out quite when they are.

Natsu Oukanno has posed:
    Some time later...

    Back in Amy's dorm, Natsumi looks feverish, but is more lucid than at the store. She is sitting on Amy's bed, in the corner nearest the wall, with her legs hugged to her chest, and a droopy-eyed gaze. "I'm going to guess that she knows about... Stuff?" she asks, glancing towards Usagi. "I was given a... God, this sounds so dumb even saying it out loud now. I was given a magic item. Paid for it, really, but it was such a suspiciously good deal I may have well gotten it for free. If I had actually thought it would work I would have thought it more dubious. Anyway, I... It allows me to... 'Transform' into a powerful, magical state. But it has side-effects, apparently. And one of them I'm dealing with right now is that the body I'm in is apparently not the one I was born in, and the longer I stay in it, I think the more 'real' it's becoming, including having to deal with going through puberty for the second time. That's the only explanation I can come up with. Wildly fluctuating emotions, physical disorientation and fatigue, and all the rest."

    She sighs. "The only reason I can figure all that out... Is that I remember being sold the magic item, called an 'Oculus Obscura'. And so I remember that it was defective and trapped me. But I don't remember this ever not being my original body and gender. If I don't figure out how to fix this soon, I'm afraid that not only will my form become permanent, but I'll just become a completelt different person." She raises a hand to tap-tap her head. "Up here."

Amanda Faust has posed:
    Alien? Amy shakes her head.

    Later, Amy's invited natsumi to take a seat on her bed (the lower bunk). Usagi knows about... stuff? "Magic, yes." Amy nods.

    As Natsumi starts explaining her theory, Amy shrugs, "I have only my own experience to go on, but that wasn't giving me headaches..."

    Although when Natsumi says she doesn't remember, Amy gasps. "No, no, no no no!" She rushes forward to hug her. "Ohhhh, no, that's what I was afraid of... You really already don't remember? What about your history with... Kano?"

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
Usagi had had plans for the day. Those plans have clearly been derailed, mostly because she's not convinced another alien hasn't appeared, and this time, almost died in the middle of her shopping trip. She's confused now, and faintly invested, but mostly, a bit concerned.

And then Natsumi explains, and the explanation does not make her any less confused.

"Natsumi-chan... I'm not going to say it was dumb to by a discount magical device, because I think you already know that and don't need salt rubbed in the wound," she says slowly. "But also, I don't know if anyone ever gave you the birds and the bees talk, but, you're definitely done with puberty."

She winces, rubbing the back of her neck because maybe that was a little blunt, but -

"I mean! Maybe you're not used to it, or you're looking for an explanation, and it sounds like your body has changed a lot and you're really concerned! But! If you have anymore puberty to go through, you might have a more problems bra shopping than just the embarrassment."

It's not that she wants to be crude or anything, it's just, well, puberty was a physical development! A very big physical development!

"I mean, unless you've been like, slowly growing to fit your current self, I don't think this is puberty. Janky transformation because you bought a discount store magical device, maybe, and maybe some kind of weird mindwarping from that? But... not puberty. But.... I mean, obviously you want to be your original self, I guess? But if you already can't remember a time where you weren't this you... won't it be just as scary to go back?"

Natsu Oukanno has posed:
    Natsumi leans vaguely in Amy's direction when she is hugged. A shift in reaction to previous hugging attempts. She definitely wants comfort right now. "I remember Kano just fine... It's just that in all my memories of him, I was always a girl. I remember that I was trapped because of the henshin thing, but it doesnt make sense for me to be trapped if I was always a girl. Why would I be 'trapped' in my real body?" She rests her cheek on the back of her knee as she watches Usagi and listens.

    "Oh. Yeah, I guess that makes sense. My grades were only barely above average in biology." Too tired to be stubborn, and too clear-headed to want to argue against a good, logical explanation from someone who clearly knows more. Still doesn't explain what's happening to her, but...

    'Won't it be just as scary to go back?'

    At Usagi's question, Natsumi smiles lop-sidedly and says dryly, "I'm fucking terrified."

Amanda Faust has posed:
    Amy nods along as Usagi points out that puberty is maybe not the word for... magically getting a new body in an instant.

    Huh, she remembers the memories, but differently. "I guess we should check records, and see if her memory is changing, or other nonmagical stuff in the world is changing, too. Uhh..." She goes over towards her computer.

    And then she sucks in air through her teeth when Usagi points out it'd be scary to go back.

    She did think of that, but wasn't going to push the moral dilemma onto Natsumi just yet.

    "I think, perhaps, she means that... Like look, I gotta say, I didn't grow either, but everything... Being a teenager is hitting differently this time. But it's not giving me headaches or memory problems or... this, thank goodness."

    "Mio asked, just a few days ago, if I'd like to forget." Amy shakes her head. "I might not worry about the same things, but I wouldn't be me."

    Amy hangs her head. Terrified? So it's come to this... "We'll help you. What matters is what you want. And... right now, let's just try to get you some time to breathe, OK?"

    She tries to see if she can find like. The listing of the student dorm assignments or something. And searching social media for the names Natsu and Natsumi Nobara.

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
"So basically... you remember your life as if you'd been a girl the whole time?"

Usagi considers this for a moment, thinking about if she was suddenly a boy - and honestly? She thinks it would be about the same.

"I think you're still the same person," she says frankly, "And I think you have all the same fears and thoughts and stuff, but you feel new and different, so maybe you think you're new and different?"

That's as best as she can imnagine.

"But, you know, I think this school is the best place for you to be right now. They'll definitely be able to help you like, get situated. There's a lot of people from unusual situations who have a good time!"

All those other actual aliens, instead of Natsumi, who's only a little acting like an alien.

"If you want to get back to being a boy - maybe you can talk to whoever sold you the janky tool?"

Natsu Oukanno has posed:
    Natsumi closes her eyes. She might seem to be dozing a bit while Amy and Usagi talk, but she says, "Thank you both. I've always--well, for most of my life, as far as I can remember, I've been very certain about who I am, what I believe... What I want to do. Suddenly being uncertain about that... I'm definitely very off-balance. I'll take the time to think about it... Re-center myself."

    When her eyes open, she looks at Usagi directly, and raises her head. "Yeah... That whole thing was so weird. Some goth lady in a pawn shop or something out behind a book store. She gave me the weirdest terms of the sale. She said she would sell it to me a favor, and I told her that was way too sketchy, and that I had ten-thousand yen in my pocket, and if that wasn't good enough then I'd walk. Then she said..." She closes her eyes again and tries to remember. "...She said, 'I will take five-thousand for one of them. If you are satisfied with your purchase, come back, and I will refund you, and we can discuss you keeping it long-term.' She said it was a 'rental'. I asked how long I was 'renting' it for, and she just grinned at me and said I would 'know when it's time to return.'"

    Natsumi rolls her eyes as she leans back against the wall. "It was so over-the-top and suspicious and stereotypical like she was just copying something she saw on TV or something. But then it actually worked. And now..." She pulls the little red orb that contains a black stone in a gold setting inside of it from her pocket, to look at that ruby red exterior. No sign of what's inside of it. No hint of magic or dark powers or hidden traps.

    "...Now it might be time to go back, and tell her I want to..." To what? Return it? She hesitates. DOES she want to return it? Defects aside, it has given her the means to do what she has always wanted. Giving up so early isn't like her. Besides, if she returns it, how is she supposed to change back? ...If that's even a thing she wants to do. "...Find out what the hell exactly she sold me." she finishes.

    Then she looks over to Amy at the computer. Hopefully Amy will come up with some answers as well.

Amanda Faust has posed:
    Amy nods. "Here, you have friends -- and can make more friends -- So it's a good place to be. Also, like... A few days of high school isn't that important in the grand scheme of things. If you need to skip class for a bit to get situated, it's okay."

    As for returning to being a boy, if she wants, requiring investigating the henshin item: "There are also magical healers, like you saw with Mamoru. Usagi's her boyfriend-- pffbbbt I mean his girlfriend, his girlfriend, I'm sorry, now I'm misspeaking... Gah... Sorry, I'm thinking and talking and doing at the same time..."

    "Speaking of which, you're still listed at the boy's dorms under... wait, you said you remember your last name as Nobara now? Hmm."

    Amy listens to the tale. She was never very certain of who she was.

    A little shop that wasn't there yesterday... Although, when Natsumi complains about someone being over-the-top and stereotypical she snrrrks. "Sorry."

    She looks over to Usagi. "Do we know anyone who can like... examine magical objects? Maybe a device-user scan?"

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
"Since you can go back and forth, maybe the school will let you keep both rooms. I mean, you can't go back and forth now, but you used to be able to, right? So, for now, we make sure Natsumi is all settled, and then you worry about the rest after."

The rest like this description...

"That sounds like a lady I ran into a few months back. Really pretty, smells like smoke, kind of incredibly sus?" Hmm... "If you went back to where you found the shop the first time, you might find it again."

Wait... healers? Mamochan? Her boyfriend?

She squints at Amy. "Have you been telling people about Mamochan? Because that could be like, dangerous, you know?"

As for knowing anyone...

"I mean, yeah, I know a few people, but... we definitely couldn't meet in the dorms. And I'd have to ask before I brought them up, because they're all you know, really quiet about all the weird."

Natsu Oukanno has posed:
    "Na-ba-ra." Natsumi enunciates for Amy with only a slight downturn of her eyebrows. The fact that the other self still exists is... Reassuring in a way. It means that she hasn't lost her place. There's still somewhere to return to, if she chooses to, and can find a way. "It's my mother's maiden name. She changed it back after the divorce. ...If that's even a thing that really happened." Wonderful. Now she's questioning basic events of her life. Eventually, she won't be able to trust any of her memories, will she? This needs fixed fast, no matter what body she winds up in.

    "Yeah. Yeah, maybe I'll do that. I think that's the same woman. Don't worry, Mamoru helped save a friend's life last night. I won't say anything about him to anyone without asking first." Quite the promise from a self-declared Overlord, but right now, even thinking of herself as Maou seems... Far-fetched. Like, she knows magic exists, obviously, she can remember that, but Overlord Maou is seeming increasingly like a totally different third identity, when she is already disassociating from the first (or second, depending on how you look at it) identity: Natsu Oukanno.

    Siiiiigh. Such a headache. But not the kind from the mall. "You two have both been immensely helpful. I might bring Kano along if he'll come, as back-up, in case she tries anything." A pause. "I did invite Mamoru to play on the GameStation with us last night... If you're his girlfriend, would you and Amy like to come too? I mean, I know that isn't the highest priority right now, but... Once things settle a bit?"

    Natsumi does not look like a demon. She looks like a scared, exhausted young woman who has had one of the worst days of her life followed up with another one in which she has discovered she might not be able to trust her own mind not to lie to her. She looks, at least in her face, like she is much younger than she is. Child-like desperation for someone to make everything be okay again can do that to someone.

Amanda Faust has posed:
    Amy winces a little bit at Usagi calling her out. "I just told him I knew some healers, and Mamoru-san agreed to help. I think he knew the guy. Jin? He was uh. Maybe hours from something really bad happening... lemme check."

    She browses to the Wikipedia page for 'cerebral hemorrhage'. "Yeah. Hours to live. And he had some kinda history with doctors. Wouldn't seek help. I'd have taken him to Nurse Meiou anyway if no one had agreed to help."

    Amy blinks. "That was this guy's roommate. Mamoru didn't tell you, 'Oh I had to go magically heal a guy I usedta know'?"

    Amy blinks at Natsumi. "Uhh. Should I say 'that girl's' I don't wanna make you uncomfortable..."

    Now she's doubting her own memories. Poor girl... "You were keeping a journal, you said. You must've left it in your room."

    Gamestation time? "Oh yeah! I'm curious to see how the DLC plays in Tech-ken. I looked up how to play her, seems pretty interesting and I wonder how well the playstyle translates to 3D."

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
Usagi buries her face in her hands because of course this girl is the same girl that invited her boyfriend to play games after filling the boy's dorm with a dark energy fart. Of course. That's just her life.

"He told me he healed someone he used to know, but not that there was some girl who might come across as an alien," she says, a little tartly.

Then she sighs.

"Yeah, I like games, and Mamochan isn't really a gamer, and you... have had a really bad day, Natsumi-chan."

And you are also a demon girl. Who filled a whole area with Dark Energy. So even if you look like a sad weasel right now...

"You'd better be ready to get your butt kicked though!"