Twenty-Seven Spools of Thread-[Action]

[so_shik]

[Thanks to the help of one Minato Arisato, the front of All Passions is now decorated with a bunch of garland and fake snowflakes and such. Sitting on the porch is a large tree (where Shiki got it from...don't ask) decorated with brightly-colored ornaments and standing on her ladder is Shiki herself.

Today's she's busy hanging up a new sign in the front window.

Now taking special orders for Christmas.

Dare you say anything?]

Comments

[action]

[chikaidestroyer]

[...Yeah, his height probably doesn't help with the watching feeling.] Good afternoon. "Special orders"?

[action]

[so_shik]

[Yeeeah, not really...but Shiki won't mind!] Yeah, like custom orders. I mean, I guess that doesn't really explain it right? But it's just like...people can tell us what they'd like and by when and we'll make them in time for Christmas.

[action]

[chikaidestroyer]

Have you thought about a limit on orders? I presume you only have this month to work on everything.

[action]

[so_shik]

I'll cap the orders if I get too many, but right now it's just the start of the month so I'm okay.

[action]

[chikaidestroyer]

A good idea. [And now he's looking at the store again.] ...I'm afraid I don't know what kinds of clothes you can make.

[action]

[so_shik]

Try me. Name something.

[action]

[chikaidestroyer]

[Er. ...He doesn't know what would be suitable.] Blouses? Winter sweaters?

[action]

[so_shik]

...for you? Or...?

[action]

[chikaidestroyer]

[... ...Mental facepalm.] Women's blouse. Boy's sweater. I suppose I could get samples for sizes, if necessary. [Yeah, that doesn't sound strange at all.]

[action]

[so_shik]

I might already have some stuff made up you can look at, if you want.

[action]

[chikaidestroyer]

[He nods.] That may be easier; I'll do that. [pause] Then I suppose I could make another request for myself. [Raine had suggested he do this quite awhile back.]

Would you be able to make a copy of my coat?

[action]

[so_shik]

[Okay you know, Shiki's just going to head to the front door of the shop and motion for Albert to follow.] Come on in. [And she nods at the other question as well.] I've copied stuff before, as long as I've got a good enough reference.

[action]

[chikaidestroyer]

[This is somehow a little awkward. It may have something to do with the fact that Shiki is an actual storekeeper after ... well, no storekeepers or vacant-minded ones. Albert follows her inside.] I could let you borrow the coat for awhile. Would that work?

[action]

[so_shik]

[Oh, Shiki can be vacant-minded sometimes, but right now she's pretty focused on what she's doing. Once they're inside though, she'll just gesture to the sales floor with the racks of different clothes.] That'd be perfect, actually.

[action]

[chikaidestroyer]

[It's pretty obvious that Albert's never stepped into Shiki's store. He's looking at the more obviously modern-inspired clothes with faint curiosity.] You've quite an impressive selection.

[action]

[so_shik]

Thanks. I kind of try to make a little of everything. [While Albert's busy looking, Shiki's going to make some notes on her little notepad.]

[action]

[chikaidestroyer]

[Finding something for Genis is fairly simple. The boy seems to prefer blue, and the styles are nice.

...Raine's more difficult. Maybe he should just get ... gloves or something.]

[action]

[so_shik]

Can I ask who you're shopping for? That might help.

[action]

[chikaidestroyer]

The Sage siblings -- Professor Sage and Genis. [Still looking, though he does manage to comment dryly as he searches.] Giving a stack of parchment paper hardly seems like much of a gift.

[action]

[so_shik]

Ohh okay, gotcha. I don't know either of them too well, I mean I go to school so I see Professor Sage a lot and Genis is around but. You're right, parchment's totally not a good present.

[action]

[chikaidestroyer]

Yes. [He probably doesn't need to mention that they've both been abducted, then.] How have you been rewarded for your work here? [Because he kinda figures that clothes are a lot of work and should be traded for something.]

[action]

[so_shik]

Rewarded? [People ask her that a lot, but she still doesn't really think about it much.] Sometimes people will do me small favors, but usually just having them wear the clothing is rewarding enough.

[action]

[chikaidestroyer]

A passionate designer, then. I'm afraid I don't have anything to offer as a "small favor." [He selects a blue and white sweater, then looks around for other things. Perhaps a scarf and hat? ...The Professor did tend to get sick.] May I ask where you keep your scarves and hats?

[action]

[so_shik]

[Starts heading to another section of the store, waving for Albert to follow.] I guess you can say that. It's something I love to do, and this is good practice anyway. Don't worry about repaying me or anything though.

[action]

[chikaidestroyer]

[And he'll follow right after her.] You provide a service that many wouldn't think of. It's natural to want to give you something for what you do. [But he also understands the lack of repayment.] I'm sure your work pleases many residents.