Originally posted October 5, 2009
((An open story regarding the opening of Weekah's clothing boutique. This sparked a lengthy forum RP, with over 100 responses.))
"Ah liked the other name better, ah ken." Weekah reached out to pluck the shrimp from the end of Ríobhca's chopsticks. She dipped it in a small bowl of water, rolling it through her long fingers for a few moments before popping it into her snout. Used to her food thieving sibling, Reeves poked at the box with her utensils, looking for another morsel.
"Too clichéd," responded Weekah, chewing the shrimp. "Some one I talked to told me it sounded too much like a brothel." The raccoon girl pushed her glasses back up her snout to get a better look at the place.
It didn't seem empty or full. She had taken the lessons learned in London and Soho boutiques and applied them here. Custom made, anthropomorphic mannequins stood between racks of modified, high end couture. Skirts, blouses, and slacks hung ready for personalized fittings and on the spot modifications. Sizes ran from the petite to Great White Shark.
Comfortable couches and a drafting table occupied the back third of the store, with sketches adorning the walls. Short, atmospherically lit hallways led to private fitting areas, restrooms, and regularly cleaned litter boxes. Whatever the clients would need. An espresso maker, small wine cellar, refrigerator, and a compact but full bar stood ready to meet any customer request. Weekah had worked out an arrangement with a gourmet cheese and meat place up the street. The shop would send down appetizers on a moment's notice. An omnivore, Weekah would happily cater to the meat eaters and vegans alike.
"It does look cozy," Ríobhca remarked. Weekah pulled her lips back in the approximation of a smile as she fondled a water chestnut in the bowl of water. "I hope so. I need to get them talking, to tell me what they like and how they see things. Even in the short time I've been here, I've realize anthros' senses are all over the place. Some still see things as humans, especially if they're gone through a change as an adult."
Ríobhca nodded, chopsticks still hunting for a shrimp. As a teen, she has asked her mother to charm her; to change her to Weekah's form for a day. She spent hours amazed at the blurry grayscale world, assaulted by odors. She lost track of the time she spent feeling the textures of different flower petals.
The raven haired sorceress gave up on the shrimp and took a sip of wine. "Ah saw the sketches back there. Ye working on something fer Red Cat? He looked quite 'eroic at the party, Saturday."
"Aye. We were chatting. He never had any nice clothes and I thought he would look good in a suit. That's what I'm targeting. Not spandex and body armor, but everyday and dress wear that fits right and looks good on us outside the human norm."
Ríobhca smiled and reached down to pull out a flat wrapped package from her book bag. She handed it to her older sister across the low counter. Weekah took it in both hands, letting her fingertips appreciate the richly textured, hand made paper. She opened it carefully, keeping the wrappings intact to touch again later. They revealed a small, empty picture frame. Nonplussed, Weekah looked up towards her younger sister.
"Ah saw them around at shops an' restaurants. Ye cuid place yer first dollar in there, ah ken." She smiled. "Ye'll bae brilliant, Weekah. This shop is 'ere fer ye tae make a kirk or a mill of it. Ye’ll make a basilica, ah reckon."
Weekah jumped up on the counter in a smooth motion to hug her sister. "Thank you, lass."
“Weekah,” Ríobhca giggled, “Yer gettn’ fur on the food,”. The raccoon-girl stepped down, grabbing one more shrimp from deep in a box and swallowing it down. She pushed her glasses back up her snout. “Reeves?” she asked. “Be a dear and clean up lunch? I guess it’s time to unlock the door.”
Ríobhca began the short ritual to summon a small golem to clean up the mess as Weekah made her way towards the front door. Opening the door to the cool fall air, she wonders who will be the first in.
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