She had exactly thirty minutes of freedom before she'd be forced back behind the counter for another four hours of torturous order taking and pastry-bagging.
It had been exactly a week since she'd taken the job at The Sugar Cube and already she was growing bored with the mall. Sure, shopping was always fun, but when you only had thirty minutes during break time, it severely limited the amount of fun one could have while browsing the makeup counters and clothing racks. Between figuring out which store to hit up and trying on clothing... it really wasn't worth it, unless she already knew exactly what she wanted.
So instead, she once again took her place on one of the many benches surrounding the fountain in the center of the mall, casually sipping on her strawberry smoothie as her phone continued to snap pictures as people descended the nearby escalator. It was incredible, the horrible choices people actually chose to wear - out in public, no less. This made perfect fodder for future amusement, pictures to giggle at later when she was back slaving over the register.
It was a wonder how some of these people even managed to dress themselves in the morning, judging by their appearances. Maybe they lacked a mirror, or got dressed in the dark? Surely they weren't forced to wear such drab, horrible things - it was one thing, to be obligated to wear a uniform to the mall (like herself), but to independently decide to come there, wearing this stuff?
Another click went off as a lady wearing FAR too much makeup passed by.
Darling, were you trying to hide your face, or a blemish? She thought to herself, giggling aloud.
Kaefaux
I got too excited. Not Sorry!
Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2016 10:35 am
It was the one true drawback to the merge. The inability to remain as her blue-eyed self for more than just three pathetically short hours. It was strange, how one's perceptions of time could change so rapidly. Three precious hours she had to plan meticulously to ensure she not only used the timespan to the most productivity possible, but gave herself plenty of time to approach whatever place she needed to be, and return to safety, post and pre her form as Carnotite.
It was far more stressful than it had any right to be.
That day, Lucretia sported a warm, dark long coat, meticulously stitched with gold flower and vine embroidery along the hems. A bright red pencil skirt and black, ruffled blouse peeked out from under the heavy material, pale stockings ending under the gold-tinted pumps. Every inch of fabric and delicate gold accessory was stolen. Not that she had any qualms with this, relishing the warmth of a coffee she'd actually bought--yay for some income coming in now that she had her blogs up and going again.
Three hours to shop, try on new clothing, look for new shoes... it wasn't enough time. But even if she only got ideas for what she could come back to grab at a later date, or come back later that night for... she'd consider it productive!
That being said, as she strolled through the center of the mall with a bag from Victoria's Secret--there were just some things you didn't skimp the dollars on, no matter how easy a five-finger-discount was in some boutiques--and another from Ann & Taylor, she paused as her bright eyes landed on an overly made-up woman. A look of open disgust and bewilderment crossed her face--only to fade into a quick look of bemusement to hear a giggle from near her. Turning, she was grateful her third eye was closed and hidden under her glamour. Trying to look around places like the mall was hellish with all the electrical signals bouncing around. Now however, she gazed freely at the pink-haired woman whom seemed to be just as entertained by some of those coming and going.
Curious, Lucretia paused in her trek to take a seat at another empty bench separated by a potted plant from the one the other woman perched on. Crossing one leg over the other, she slid her gaze to her with a small giggle of her own. "It's really quite amazing what some people will wear in public, isn't it? I can't even begin to fathom what would even inspire them to buy some of that in the first place..."
The fingers that had been busily punching keys on her phone paused as the enchantingly dulcet voice spoke. Despite the constant chatter of shoppers echoing throughout the mall's wide halls and floors, the comment was loud and clear, coming directly behind where she sat. Her back had been pressed against the bench's arm, her legs pulled up onto the bench, as if to prevent any unsavory individual from being bold enough to try to share the bench with her.
Her head turned in attempts to identify the speaker, but her vision was obscured by the potted plant separating the two benches. A pair of adorable stockings, matched by equally gorgeous heels tinged with gold were all she could see. At least the stranger clearly knew what she was talking about, as far as fashion offenses went. Prissy couldn't even tell what the woman was wearing but she was already leagues ahead of the other shoppers from the knees-down alone.
Maybe this girl was talking on the phone when she'd spoken. Maybe she was addressing someone else. Either way, it didn't matter to Priscilla - the comment was far too deliciously true to ignore. Her legs swung over as she adjusted herself into a proper sitting position, her phone now casually resting at her side.
"I know, right? If they're so intent on wearing frocks and scraps from the bargain bin, why on Earth do they even bother coming to the mall?"
She laughed again, tickled at the fact that at least there was someone in this godforsaken building that shared a similar opinion. "They should stick to their K-Marts and WallyWorlds - spare us the punishment of having to see them, at least."
Kaefaux
I already love where this is going
Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2016 12:34 pm
Lucretia couldn't keep her grin down to a modest level. It was so hard to find like-minded folks in places like this. Or perhaps that had merely been her luck lately. Well, generally speaking, it wasn't all that often lately she had conversations outside of her life as Carnotite. That was likely the main culprit, she realized, making this impromptu conversation all the more a breath of fresh air for her.
Leaning with her elbow against the arm of the bench, she laughed, not bothering whom might glance over at the sound. Let them. And if they overheard the conversation and got upset, even better. They likely sorely needed a wardrobe update themselves. "I will give them some credit for being brave enough to clearly not mind being absolute eye-sores," she giggled, before pausing on a thought, letting her gaze traverse the shopfronts around them.
Sighing, a pout entered her voice. "Perhaps they're feeling more comfortable here now that middle and lower-end shops are moving in here? Such a shame, really, there used to be a much nicer selection of stores here... Now I do most of my shopping at boutiques were I have less chances of running into these... offenses." Sure, K-Mart and Walmart hadn't yet to move into the mall itself, but some of the stores that were moving in were barely a scrape of a step above their quality.
Lucretia paused again, this time watching as a girl stalked past in a long patterned skirt... somewhat covered by a long patterned sweater--or rather, multiple, she realized with a cringe. "....good lord. They need to hire personal shoppers and fashion consultants for this place. Even if shoppers can only afford cheap rags, they clearly don't even comprehend how to put them together correctly...."
Further pleased to discover that the stranger was indeed addressing her and not some invisible entity on the other end of a phone, it was Priscilla's turn to laugh, shaking her head as one leg moved to rest atop the other. She, unlike her mysterious companion, did not get the option of choosing a delectable outfit for her mall visit. Instead, she was trapped inside bland slacks and a uniformed, collared shirt - thankfully, the apron got left behind at the cafe. She'd accessorized it the best she could, a silver chain belt to match the silver bangles wrapped around her slender wrist and tear drop earrings.
The Sugar Cube might have destroyed her outfit, but Vera Wang definitely knew how to keep a working girl from going insane.
"If only fashion advising could be a tax right-off. I mean, it's a charitable donation of sorts, right?"
Her nose wrinkled as she watched the same overly-patterned shopper pass by. It was so disappointing that it almost wasn't even worth taking a picture of. Ah, well. She plucked up her phone and click, Over-Patterned Lady was added to her collection.
Priscilla hadn't been in Destiny City long enough to know what older stores were there versus the new companies coming in, but judging by the clientele that walked around them, it didn't surprise her that things were going to the figurative dogs. DC wasn't Los Angeles or New York City by any means when it came to its shopping opportunities, so it left little desire for the big names to make their way towards their more simple city.
Thank god for the internet.
As long as Sephora, Vicky's and Coach stayed in business, she had reason to return to the mall. It was a perk to have clothing stores she still enjoyed, but her sizes never wavered - she could stick to buying online if it meant avoiding second-class stores. God save her soul if she couldn't get her accessories on a whim, especially considering the fact she was already stuck working in this hole for the next year.
Her head tilted as she watched an unfortunate soul from the second floor step onto the escalator. Pink hair tied back in a ponytail brushed against the bench's edge as she casually added, "Escalator. Hawaiian shirt."
It was almost wince-worthy, the tackiness of it. In the middle of January, no less! "It's like they're trying to be retro, I guess? I just... I don't get it."
