last_adam | (no subject)

*Nodding, she slides off of him and offers her hand.*

It is. I don't suppose I could bring my sword?

*Taking it, he lifts himself from the bed and heads over to the closet in the possibly futile attempt at finding something relatively clean to wear.*

Your-

*He shakes his head and smiles.*

That's probably not the best of ideas. We'd either be arrested or photographed.

Ah, well. I figured it was worth a try.

*As he heads for the closet, she grabs his hand and steers him toward the other side of the bed. There's a laundry basket of clean clothes.*

Sometimes I find it silly to put things away when you're only going to use them again. Those are clean.

*She nods and reaches down for a pair of grey wool pants and a beige sweater.*

Will this do?

*He nods and slips the sweater on over his head, but then he probably would have nodded and slid a pink polka dot dress over his head if she'd handed it to him.*

So what do we need? A dress?

*Smiling, she nods and turns back to the closet. Her 'modern' clothes don't get worn as much, so they remain on hangers. Plus, she takes extra good care of them. Rifling around in the closet, she replies over her shoulder.*

A dress, yes. Not for Tortall, but I need another for whatever wedding or party occurs next. And I'd like to look for gifts if we can. Not that I know what to get anyone, but maybe something will present itself. Hmmm, this will have to do for me.

*She hums, several articles of clothing tossed over her shoulder as she races to the bathroom.*

I'll be right back.

*He watches after her, a little boggled, but mostly happy. Dressed, he moves to sit back on the bed, his head propped on his hand, watching the bathroom door. After a while, he starts to get worried.*

What are you doing in there?

*As soon as the door shuts, she takes a deep breath and sits on the edge of the tub, fingers twisting in the sweater.

It's not exactly easy to get that mental image to go away, and for a moment, she's worried that it's permanently burned in her brain.

But only for a moment.

Shoving the jealousy and hurt aside, she makes a face at herself in the mirror and gets dressed, playing around a bit with lipstick and mascara. It's cold in London and she dresses accordingly, but still wears a skirt. She likes wearing skirts. Almost as an afterthought, Alanna shakes her head and mumbles something, her hair going a bit wavy. She smiles at the result -quickly wiping the red stain off her teeth- and walks out.*

Okay. I'm ready. Sorry, I had to deal with my hair.

*He head raises slowly, and a smile spreads over his face.*

You look-

*Nervous, she smooths the front of her skirt and finds her shoes, hopping a little as she puts them on. Next goes the hat, and she looks around for her scarf before finally turning back to him.*

...Is it okay?

You look amazing.

*He smiles at her, a little shy, though he wouldn't quite be able to say why.*

Thank you. So do you.

*Relieved, she grins and walks over, running her hand through his hair. *

Ready?

*He nods, taking her hand in his. And soon enough, the early morning murmers of the bar are replaced with the midday bustle of London; wet streets, busy people, cars everywhere. Squeezing her hand, he gives her a smile.*

Dresses first, then?

I do not think I will ever get used to that.

*Alanna laughs, turning sideways to avoid a frazzled looking pedestrian. The noise, lights and sounds will never cease to fascinate her, and she looks around with wide, curious eyes, staring at a man walking by with a cell phone headset attached to his ear.*

Why is he talking to himself?

*Shrugging, she nods.*

Dresses.

*They are standing in front of a large department store named Selfridges & Co. Shoppers with bright yellow bags pause before the store windows, marveling at the holiday decorations. Alanna does the same.*

Great Mother, look at all that glitter.

Everybody's been decorating. The shop is the only building on our street that's not alight constantly.

*He squeezes her hand and leads her in, immediately getting lost amidst the holiday shoppers.*

There must me a map here ... somewhere.

There it-

Ah, we'll have to go up.

*Someone brushes past Alanna, jostling her arm. She tenses for a moment, automatically reaching for a knife that isn't there. Her cheeks redden. Nodding, she eyes the escalator with suspicion.*

Aye. Up. I don't like those things. The one in New York tried to eat me.

*Biting her lip, she squeezes her hand and braves the escalator.*

*He pulls her a bit closer, and places a hand on the small of her back.*

It won't eat you.

*Getting on first, he turns around so that she can watch him as they go up the escalator.*

Huh. Now I feel extra short.

*She grins as they go up, lifting her hand to his waist for balance. It remains an unsettling sensation. When they step off, she nearly causes a traffic jam by digging in her heels and not taking a step away from the escalator.

There are so many dresses. All colors, lengths, sizes: she has no idea where to begin.*

Well.

I suppose I should just look for anything that isn't orange?

*He laughs, trying to tug her away from the escalator - and the growing line of cranky shoppers.*

That would be a start, perhaps.

*Adam turns, then, to look at the dresses and he, too, is rather overwhelmed.*

I don't even know where to start.

Are you looking for a dress as well, then?

*She teases, dragging him toward a section of dresses that look more her style. Less frills. Finding one she likes, she ducks around a display and puts the hanger over her neck.*

What do you think?

It's beautiful. Did you want something quite so long, though?

Hmmm, perhaps you are right.

*Focused, she pushes the dress at him and wanders off. Thankfully, she has been to a department store before, and thus the concept of dressing rooms is not new. Soon she has her arms full and finds him again, grinning.*

Lots of options. These are heavy, so I'm going to go try them.

*Adam just stares at the pile of clothing.*

Oh! Right. Um. Rooms are...

*He looks around, trying to locate the dressing rooms.*

Over to your right. *Says a sales associate eyeing the pile in Alanna's arms.

Alanna smiles at her, suddenly self-conscious.*

Right. I'll just- Will you be here?

Yeah. Or I could-

*Adam catches the eye of the sales associate, who gives him a disapproving look.*

I'll be right here.

All right. If I find one I like, I'll come show you.

Maybe.

*Alanna winks and follows the sales associate, declining the woman's offer to take the dresses. It's possible she's wrinkling them horribly, but they feel good. This feels good. Once inside, she stares at herself in the mirror and smiles.*

Big ears, big ears.

Purple one first, I think.