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Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2023 8:08 pm
Nilah via Discord
Hanaeko had managed to slip out of the castle with just her one usual guard to accompanied her around everywhere. One was fine with her, it got a little annoying trying to shop when more of them came along. She understood the why, especially since she currently wasn't training in any weapons but that didn't mean she liked it. It was the one downside to her position, other than that she loved who she was and what it allowed her to do. Like being able to go buy things when she wanted them. Todays mission was a couple of new pairs of shoes. She just received the completed outfits from Kirenta's store and now needed to make sure she could complete each ensemble. She hadn't found a craftsman that she liked yet but had recently saw someone with some shoes and demanded they tell her where they found them. So, Hana had made her way there and let herself inside. She had a moments thought that the store owner might not like the surprise visit but she was curious of their wares so she browsed their small store front and took note of the different styles. "Interesting..." She said, as she inspected a particular pair of flats.
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Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2023 8:08 pm
One of Zuribali's favorite pastimes was window shopping. She loved being able to look through the stores and see all of the possibilities beyond the glass barriers. Of course, window shopping usually ended up becoming actual shopping, and that was another favorite activity of hers! Today was no different as she walked by the fine shops with her purse carefully tucked among the folds of her dress. Perhaps she would one day challenge herself to window shopping only!
.....Nah.
It was with much delight that Zuri felt when she saw someone walk into the shop known for its fabulous shoes! Were they open today? Unable to resist, she hurried after the young lady into the shop. Of course, she had to go see what her new guide was looking at as well. "Those are quite pretty, aren't they?" she offered on the flats the Oban was inspecting.
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Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2023 8:08 pm
Her eyes left the pair of shoes she was inspecting upon hearing footsteps approaching her. "Hmm, they are pretty. But how well are they made...have you shopped here before?" Hana asked the strange looking hybrid. She tried to not narrow her eyes, with a little success, as she attempted to figure out what kind of hybrid the lady was. While Hanaeko never had to worry about money, she often worried about her appearance. She was often in the eyes of many and wanted to make sure that whatever she wore was high quality, even if the makers weren't well known. It was why she tried to stop into new places often, her closet knew no bounds and she always needed new everything. Her eyes went back to the pair of shoes. They would match her new dress in color...hmm. She picked them up and inspected them closer.
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Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2023 8:09 pm
Ah! Someone new to the shop! Zuri nodded gently. "Very well made. Most customers don't get in except by appointment. Finding the store open is quite lucky!" She looked her fellow teen over a moment. "I am surprised that you have not heard of this shop before. It is quite coveted fashion, and you appear to be quite up to date yourself." She grinned lightly. "I am certain that this will become a staple in your shoe collection once you buy your first pair."
That being said, Zuri turned to look over another pair of shoes, this one with a tall heel and glittering laces. If she could have, her own closet would be filled with shoes from there! ..Yet, as much as she wanted every pair, her funds were limited. She had to be a little pickier about what she purchased. Still, picky for her was quite generous for the average teenager their age. "Their main line is in their custom made shoes. You could have ones made specifically for an outfit if you wished to."
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Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2023 8:09 pm
"No I hadn't, but I saw someone wearing them at the dinner a couple of days ago and had demanded they tell me where to purchase them." Hana walked a few steps and browsed the shoes. She noticed the other girl had stopped in front of a particular pair of shoes so Hana joined her and inspected them herself. At the mention of custom made shoes the princess cocked her head at the shoes. Custom made wasn't foreign to her, her closet was filled with plenty of custom made items. Still...if she could get the seamstress and the cobbler to work together then her outfits would be seamless. A look of pure happiness overtook her face. "I see..." Hana took note of the shoes and continued looking. "Have you purchased any shoes from here before?" The young woman seemed fairly knowledgeable about the shoes. A pair of pink flats caught her eye, the looked so comfortable and something she could wear around the palace but still look nice. Picking them up, she checked over the seams and inspected the stitching, loving how the shoes felt. This could be trouble, she thought with a smile.
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Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2023 8:09 pm
Zuri chuckled lightly. Demanded to know about the shoes? Clearly, this young lady knew what she liked and was determined to get it. A fine quality indeed! After all, the Oban was clearly accustomed to the finer things. Those clothes and the jewelry? Such quality and refinement! What sort of price tag had those all come with?
Speaking of price tag though... Seeing the heels were quite outside of her own price range, she sighed and placed them back down as though merely disinterested in them. "I have, as have my mothers. Mama Cu and I both love coming here when we have the chance to. I have yet to order anything custom though." A tiny bit of disappointment leaked through that last statement. Custom work was the most expensive of all, and certainly not within her grasp. Not yet, at least. Some day, she knew she wouldn't have to worry about the tags! She picked up a sleek boot with subtle frills along the lacing and smiled. "Everything here is the highest quality from what I have seen. No one else compares, in my opinion."
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Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2023 8:09 pm
"That's good to know!" Hana said happily as she moved from pair to pair. "What kind of shoes are your favorite?" This girl seemed pretty knowledgeable about this shop so surely she has knowledge of shoes. Perhaps this girl would be one worth knowing. "I"m Hana, by the way." Contrary to most of her personality traits, she didn't actually expect everyone to know her, at least for people not in the upper class. She thought about giving a fake name but she was sure she would be fine. Surely this girl was harmless right? What's one to bond over with shoes?
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Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2023 8:10 pm
Zuri gave a dramatic sigh. "My favorite? Oh, how could I possibly choose? There are so many lovely kinds." She gently tapped a finger to her lip and walked along the displays. When her eyes caught sight of a knee-high boot with a slight heel, she grinned and picked it up for inspection. "This is certainly in the top five, I would say. You can't go wrong with a good boot that hugs your calves just right." A nearby box had clean nylons available to use while trying on shoes. She grabbed up a pair and made a little show of putting them on. "Keep in mind that any who dare to try on a shoe here without these as protection will be immediately kicked out of the shop. The owners want us to be able to try the shoes, but it simply wouldn't do to have someone's bare toes wiggling around inside a shoe they don't buy. Not everyone can be counted on to be as hygienic as they aught to be." Indeed, there were some unsavory feet out there... It didn't look like Hana would be a problem though. "Oh, forgive my. My name is Zuribali. But what of you? What is one of your favorites?"
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Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2023 8:10 pm
Hanaeko's eyes grazed over the knee high boot that the other girl had picked out. It was pretty amazing looking pair of boots. They could definitely be the cake topper to a great outfit. "That is a great pick. Definitely something that would grab some attention." She listened to the girl's explanation of the little nylon things and while she nodded politely, Hana knew she could just buy the shoes if there was ever a problem. "It's a pleasure to meet a fellow shoe lover, Zuribali. I always enjoy a nice high heeled shoe but a girl always needs a few pairs of some comfy well fitting flats. You never know when you might have to run out of a ballroom, right?" Hana joked about some old bedtime stories she was told about the princesses running away from the prince.
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Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2023 8:11 pm
Zuri stuck her booted leg out and turned it to see the different angles. Yes, these boots were gorgeous! As she pulled on the other boot, she looked over to Hana and smiled with approval. "Indeed, the pleasure is mine. My companions are rather limited, so finding someone new to talk shoes with is quite refreshing." Zuri wasn't as tall as her Elarian blood might have allowed, but neither was she tiny. That didn't mean she shied away from a good heel!
Ballroom... Her smile softened with desire. One day, she would be one of those fine ladies getting swept around a ballroom. "Everyone needs at least a few pairs of flats to slip into," she mused with a giggle. With both boots on, she stood to model them and look in the mirrors that lined one wall. "Mmm, these are so tempting." She tapped a finger to her lip and once again wore a wistful expression as she peeked at the price tag. "Ugh. I know the price is the quality, but I do wish they would have an occasional sale here." Not that these owners would ever lower themselves down to 'sale' levels.
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Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2023 8:11 pm
"If there was a sale, though, then wouldn't everyone have them? Surely they would all get bought out and then there would be none left for those with the money to purchase them. That is why there is a high price point after all as you said. " Hana looked at the girl's legs, the boots fitting well, almost as if they ahd been made specifically for her. "They fit you well." Hanaeko thought she should tell the girl to get them but if Zuri wanted them then she surely would right? "There are others who I can speak with about this kind of stuff but their opinions....are usually my own. So, as you can imagine, it can get a little boring." Hanaeko walked around the room until she found a pair of emerald green flats that she knew would be going home with her. "I'll take these." She said and placed them on the counter. "As well as those." Hana said as she gestured to the boots that Zuribali was still wearing. "Miss Zuribali will wear them out of the store, no need to box those up." She said with a smile. "Hatald would be unhappy with me if I did not make sure those boots stay with you. Would you like to go shopping with me?" Worst that could happen is that Zuri says no and goes about her day. At least she'd know she did a good thing by making sure those boots made it to someone who would wear them well.
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Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2023 8:11 pm
"They would certainly be gone already if they deemed a sale worthwhile." Zuri sighed softly with a nod. "Thankfully, the shoes they provide are very limited quantity. Few would even be able to get this if the price did lower." If only.. she wanted so badly to be one of those girls who could look at anything she wanted and just buy it. As much as she knew her mothers were happy together, she had trouble wrapping her head around what her Mama Cu had given up for love. If she had that kind of wealth, she would never leave it behind!
...What? Her head swiveled so that her curls bounced around her face. Had Hana truly just...? "Oh, Hana, that is quite generous of you. Thank you very much!" She sat back down to remove the price tag and the nylons. With the boots back on, she tucked her other shoes away into her bag. She stepped in front of the mirror again and gave a delighted spin to display them again. Oh, but there was more! She gave Hana her brightest smile. "I would be delighted to join you! It has been a while since I have had someone new to shop with." And maybe... perhaps she could find out just how generous Hana was willing to be!
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Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2023 8:11 pm
Hana smiled brightly at her new friend. The shock on her face when she gifted her the boots was worth it. "What other secret places in the market do you know about? I have a pretty good seamstress that I enjoy going to. Hmmm, do you have a favorite place to eat at?" She asked. If there was a good food stall it would be good to grab some food and walk around while they ate. "We could grab something small and browse some of the stalls while we eat if that's okay with you. What's your recommendation?" She was always interested in the places that the regular people liked to go to. Sometimes the food at home was just a little too much. Well, mostly it was anyone outside of their family who was invited to eat with them and judged what she and everyone ate. It's not that she had bad eating habits, she liked food but sometimes a girl just wanted three pieces of cake!
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Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2023 8:12 pm
After admiring the adorned boots at every possible angle in the mirror, Zuri turned back to Hana and gave her a small curtsy. "You have certainly earned the knowledge." She giggled lightly and headed outside. Oh, these boots were stylish and comfortable! She had no qualms about taking Hana to one of her other favorite shops now.
Food? She tapped her finger to her chin before she gave a decided nod. "Yes, a light snack would be perfect. We can eat first and then I'll take you to the best shop for hats. I doubt they would appreciate us taking food in there. Now, what is it you would like? If you have a sweet tooth, Marva's Sweet Shoppe has some delightful hard candies. Honey-dip Bakery makes yummy pumpkin bread. Oh, or there's this stall down the way that has mixed veggies and cheese fried together." The last suggestion made her cover her mouth for a playful giggle. "My mothers would die if they saw me eating it!"
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Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2023 8:12 pm
"Well if you mothers wouldn't allow it then obviously that needs to be our first stop!" Hana laughed alongside Zuri. "So we'll get the veggies and cheese and then let's grab some pumpkin bread because that sounds delicious!" So Zuri knew of a place to go for hats?! She had worn some hats sure but none of them had really fit her quite to her liking. "And then if it's not too late we can stop by your hat stop. Or we can schedule another day to meet there, that might take me a bit of scheduling to find a time to meet with you again....but I would definitely look into it for the chance of more shopping!"
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