The Dress That Seals My Fate

[Mira Nightingale]

Mira walked down the carefully set cobbled streets, her high heels clicking on them as her long rose colored skirts swished around her ankles. She was flanked on one side by a woman slightly taller than herself with faded red hair containing flecks of white in it. The woman had a slightly weathered face and dark eyes brimming with knowledge, but she held herself like a snotty aristocrat, her nose turned up at the slightest thing.

Mira and the woman, her mother, entered into the second store they passed. It was probably the most expensive dress shop for women in the city, but Lady Elizabeth wouldn’t settle for any less. Only the best seamstresses and tailors would make the clothing for anyone in her family, even if they had to pay a small fortune for each piece. Considering how she treated normal clothing, she certainly wouldn’t have her daughter’s wedding dress be any less than stunning.

Mira, on the other hand, didn’t want to be here at all. She hated the man she was being forced to wed. She didn’t care if he was important, rich, and had connections. He was old enough to be her father, and he was fat and ugly. You can’t get worse than that. With a soft sigh accompanied with a glare from her mother, they bother entered into the large, expensive store for the fittings of the dress that would seal her fate.

[Shadow]

((is it open?))

Shadow had been in the market, buying some food for his hideout, and happened to look up and see Mira, who was accompanied by a woman, who Shadow discerned must be her mother, unhappily lead into a tailor's shop. Shadow looked at the shop with a glare, remembering that it was the only one that was more visited than his fathers. surpressing a growl, he payed for his goods, which mainly sumrised of bread and cheese, and walked over to the shop.
Deciding against going in, he decided to stand across the way from it and browse the crowd for a victim. "maybe there will be some easy prey in this crowd... it might be better here than in the center of town..."

[Mira Nightingale]

((Yes it is.))

The second they entered into the shop several women looked up from what they were doing and bustled over to their customers, already babbling on about the newest styles and prices, and exclaiming how wonderful Mira’s red hair was. She just remained silent as her mother quickly explained how there didn’t need any clothes at the moment, but in fact a certain style white dress.

Blocking out the excited chatter of the women, Mira let herself be lead to a small podium, which she was instructed to stand upon. Masking her face in a bored expression, she let the women start taking measurements and holding up random swathes of colored fabric to see what they could and couldn’t match with her distinctive hair color.

Looking around the shop for a while, she had suddenly lost all interest in spending money. Shopping was usually a favorite pastime of hers, something she enjoyed when her mother, the Lady Elizabeth, wasn’t around. Today, though, shopping was her ultimate least favorite thing since it involved the dress she would wear walking down the aisle toward Lord Bryant.

Glancing out the window for a moment, she saw a familiar figure eyeing the passing people. She couldn’t help but smile wryly as she recalled her meeting with the shape shifter in training, Shadow. Smiling at him, she inclined her head just a bit to show that she saw him, if he could even see her.

[Shadow]

A richly dressed noble passed shadow, and when Shadow bowed his head, the man sneered at him. Shaking his head, Shadow looked up and saw Mira in the store, and she was loking at him, and smiling. She bowed her head, and he sank into a bow, coming up, he mouthed "be right back." and gave her a mock salute before dissapearing.

Sinking in line with the man who had sneered at him, Shadow examined the man from behind, looking for any purse or money carrying feature. Spotting what he wanted, he moved to the left of the man and lightly tapped his right shoulder. the man turned, and shadow quickly cut the cord on the man's purse. It fell heavily, but the hustle and bustle of the people around them seemed to thicken as the purse fell, and the sound was not heard. Shadow heard it though, and his smile got broader. the man turned back and noticing shadow looked at him curiously. Shadow bowed. "my apologies sir, I bumped into you," Bowing, he backed away, and when the man wasnt looking, darted in and grabbed the purse. tossing it lightly, he was amazed at how heavy it was. he shrugged and walked over to where he was standing before.

Unfortunately for him, the man knew that his purse had been stolen, and his shouts of 'Ive been robbed' could be heard all throughout the market. Shadow grimaced, and putting up his hood, ducked into the tailors shop, espicially since it was the only open door nearby. looking around to make sure that no one was following him, He walked in and stood near the fabrics. he put his hood down, and began to browse the selection, remembering things from before that fateful day. he had the purse... why not get some new clothes? he seemingly satisfied with that thought, he stood there and looked around, his gaze resting on mira. He cringed as the shouts of 'Ive been robbed' resounded again throughout the area.


((if you want, you can make the person I stole from someone your character knows... if not, then it will be some random noble.))

[Mira Nightingale]

Mira watched in mild amusement as the husband of one of her mother’s party friends passed by, sneering at Shadow. She continued to watch, half in amusement, half in horror, as Shadow mouthed be right back to her, and then proceeded to sneakily, and tastefully, snatch the man’s purse. He wasn’t careful enough, though, as the man started shouting out that he’d been robbed and Shadow scampered… into the dress shop she was in. He would look rather out of place in the store, and the thought made her bite her cheek to keep from laughing.

Her mother, however, didn’t think it was funny at all. Spinning around her spotted who was shouting about robbery, and gasped loudly, covering her mouth. “Lord Alexander has been robbed!” she practically squeaked, as she rushed toward the door to see if the man was all right. Mira watched her go, the annoying weight on her shoulders lightening just slightly.

Turning her head, she saw Shadow browsing some fabrics, but she couldn’t really speak to him unless her mother left completely. “Ouch.” she muttered, turning away from Shadow as one of the woman pricked her with a pin accidentally.

[lilyparis]

Susan was with the gaurds when she heard a man shout he had been robbed the gaurds moved quickley while susan walked slowley behind they soon arrived at the man he was a rich lord there was a woman standing beside him "gaurds scatter do not disturbe bisness in shops she" *saw shadow and mirs threw the window of the talors shop* "I will do that" so the gaurds dissapered and Susan walked into the shop and moved towards mira and shadow "well well well the usual suspect okay fill me in please" she said begining to doze

OOC Iam not arresting shadow i will let this slide and can I join

[Mira Nightingale]

Several of the women brought out swatches of colored cloth and handed them to her for examination while others matched the colors with her hair and eyes to discard ones that would clash and not look perfect. Mira’s eyes wandered over the colors, wondering which colors her maid of honor, flower girls, and bridesmaids would wear. Their dresses had to match the colored trim on her gown, as well as the flowers and then they couldn’t clash with the carpet… everything was just so complicated.

Turning to gaze out the window she saw Susan and her guards approaching Lord Alexander and her mother, who as fanning herself with her hand in shock. It seemed that the thief had gotten away, but Mira knew the truth. She was divided at the moment, between the thief who was her friend and her loyalty to her family…

Broken out of her thoughts she watched as Susan entered into the shop and chuckled about the usual suspect, asking to be filled in. Mira just shrugged, and said, “I don’t know. Lord Alexander just got robbed, and it seems that the thief has gotten away.”

((Sure))

[lilyparis]

susan had dosed off she was that tired that she had fallen asleep

[Shadow]

Shadow laughed. "yes... He got away, he was a very short man, and he had a vibrantly white shirt on. I watched the whole thing happen, and infact, he went down the street, and is heading to the city gate right now. Id run fast if i were you." He laughed and walked over to Mira.

He looked at her quizzically, and his head was actually was even with her head. "What's with the white dress?" He looked around, and one of the women attending mira shoved him out of the way. He growled, and the lady gave him a funny look. ndding his head, he looked at the one who seemed to be in charge. "umm... Hi. I would like to have some new clothes made, and I was wondering if someone could assist me?" He rolled his eyes impatiently as they ignored him. sighing heavily, he glowed for a short second, and walked up to mira. Pulling something out of his pocket, he tossed it on the ground and it exploded into flames.

the flames had a life of their own however, and they jumped up onto shadow, splitting and also jumping onto mira. they were harmless, seeing as only a small amount of heat radiated from them, but it was enough to cause an extreme alarm in all the people in the shop. Meanwhile, Shadow laughed as they were dancing all over his hand and arm.

[Mira Nightingale]

Mira nodded her head in intense agreement with Shadow’s words. “Yes, Susan, you should run and catch that thief!” As she didn’t seem to answer her, however, Mira couldn’t help but laugh. “S-she’s sleeping!” she managed to choke out amid her laughter. She had never seen someone fall asleep so fast, and standing up too!

As Shadow asked about the dress, and then got haughtily shoved out of the way by one of the seamstress, Mira sighed. “What are white dresses usually for?” she replied bitterly as one of the women made her hold her hands above her head.

“Go get him some new clothes.” Mira told one of the ladies crowding around her, and as one of them took a few steps toward Shadow to see what he needed, Shadow seemed to lose his patience. He took something out of his pocket, threw it on the ground, and Mira watched as it exploded.

Jumping in surprise as the flames caught onto the loose fabric she was bundled in, she stopped herself from saying anything. The flames didn’t hurt. They, in fact, tickled.

[Shadow]

Shadow winked at Mira, and waving his hand, the flames disappeared. "Now that I have your attention, may i please purchase some new clothing?" he looked around impatiently. the 'flames' had left small black smudges where they had touched things, except for on Shadow and Mira. Seeing as no one stepped forward to help him, he reached into his pocket. "Ill do it again." The lady who Shadow thought was in charge stepped forward. in a shaky voice, she asked for him to stand still while they took his measurements. he nodded. "Of course. I'm glad that we see eye-to-eye." laughing, he stepped a pace away from Mira. The woman started measuring him as soon as he stopped moving. Shadow looked at her. "A half coat cloak, Black. Make sure it reaches the floor." He looked at his undershirt, which had rips in the sleeves and in the chest. "a blood red pirate shirt underneath." looking down at his black pants, he sighed. "black slacks, with wide legs, three inches longer than my leg." bringing his hand up and examining it,he nodded his head. "and a pair of black leather gloves." He smiled. "Please." one of the women had wrote it down, and once the leader had finished Shadow's measurements, He backed up and nodded. issuing directions to the other women in the store, they got to work on Shadow's outfit. he looked over at Mira. "Hey, I came across a large sum of money and hid in here, and now I'm spending it. perfect timing, eh?" he laughed. The first piece of clothing that was finished for him was the cloak. they brought it over, and Shadow paid for it. he took off the old one and put it in one of his pouches. Putting the new one on and buttoning the clasps, he stretched a bit, testing the limits. grabbing the ends, he wrapped himself up in it, and it completely covered him. he put the hood up, and it came down to just below his eyes. carefully taking it off, he nodded. "excellent work. It is amazing. But it needs one thing..." He threw it into the air, jumped up and reached for his dagger. landing before anyone saw him take it out, he smiled and looked up at the slowly sinking form of his new cloak. when it settled on the ground, he picked it up and put it on. But something was different about it. where there was once a straight end at the bottom of the cloak was a series of jagged rips, and they came about halfway up to his knees. The hemmed sides were now jagged, but still hemmed. "Well now... much better." he put the cloak on and awaited the rest of his clothing.

[lilyparis]

susan awoke suddenly "I didnt did I"she said startled asking Mira

[Mira Nightingale]

As Susan woke up, Mira trued to suppress her laughter. “Yes, you did fall asleep.” she told her, grinning ridiculously at the humor of the situation. Turning away from Susan for the moment, which was rather difficult since she was still standing on the mini podium, she watched as Shadow made his orders for his new clothes.

“Mmm, very perfect timing.” Mira agreed, sending Shadow a wink back in return. She knew, obviously, where he had gotten the money. But she wasn’t friends with Lord Alexander, so she had no reason to stand up for him and demand that Shadow return the money that he stole. If he had stolen from her mother though, she would have been a tad annoyed.

Shadow managed to cut jagged slits in his new cloak, which Mira just shook her head in response to. That perfectly good new cloak had just depreciated in value by a good fifty percent. If it was hers, she’d never wear it looking like that. “Ouch.” she muttered again as the women returned to their measurements and pins for her dress.

[Shadow]

Shadow looked over at Mira. "what? This is how I wanted it to look, but I knew they wouldnt make it for me." He smiled as they brought over his shirt and pants. "If you'll excuse me, for a moment." He covered himself with his cloak, which still completely covered him, and began to glow. In a matter of seconds, he had his new clothes on and his old clothes folded neatly in his hand. he walked over to a mirror and examined himself. "hmm... I like it." Nodding to himself, he walked back over and took out the purse that he had just aquired. pulling out the amount he needed, he added a little extra because he ripped the cloak in front of them, and bowed. "A very nice job... I might come back here next time i need some clothing instead of borrowing it from someone else." Walking to the entrance of the store, he leaned against the wall and watched as they worked on Mira's dress.

[Mira Nightingale]

Mira watched with mild amusement as Shadow paid them with Lord Alexander’s money, and they didn’t even seem to connect his sudden richness with the robbed man outside. Speaking of Lord Alexander…

Turning and looking back out the window, Mira saw her mother say something to the man and then head inside, right past Shadow. She sent a disgusting glare in his direction before returning to her daughter’s side. “They can’t find the thief!” she told Mira, her voice sounding mildly angry. “Can you believe that? The disgusting thief actually got away!”

Mira had to suppress her laughter as her mother rounded on Susan. “You’re a watchwoman! Why aren’t you finding out who robbed that nice man out there?”