2. Shopping

Posted on Thu Mar 23rd, 2023 @ 3:44pm by Duke Drake & Anthony De Luca & Kranny Shtorm & Rebecca McMillen & Sakura Tanikawa & Astrid Lindstorm & Eli King

2,031 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: 1. Year One
Location: Downtown New Orleans
Timeline: Saturday 29 August 1992

Dr. Duke Drake parked the van in a small parking lot beside a bookstore and a beignet backery. He explained where all the shops were and the mini mall nearby containing a Walmart. "I will remain here near the van, if you make a large purchase just call me and I'll pick it up for you. My only request is that while you are here you visit the tailor shop three doors down for measurements. Other than that try to stick together and watch each other's back."

Sakura was eager to explore and was first out of the van. She hadn’t been into downtown New Orleans yet, and had seen nothing except the train station and the road from it to the manor. “I’m going to the tailor shop first,” she told others in the group, wondering if any wanted to start there with her. She had a few destinations in mind, but clothes she could teach in was top of mind.

"i'll go with if that's ok. Sounds like a good place to start with." As he gets off the bus. Looking around the town. It has been a while since he has had the chance to really enjoy a day on the town, in fact he doesn't remember the last time.

"Hold up Sakura!" Rebecca called out, hopping out of the van and making her way over towards the purple haired woman. She made her way next to Sakura, and then giggled. "Measurements they said."

Anthony steps out of the van and covered his eyes for a second. Even with his sun glasses a shopping center had a lot of noises going on and he prefers to let the sound slowly come in if he can help it "Measurements, what do we need measurements for?"

"Maybe fancy school uniforms for big official functions? I dunno, i wouldn't mind some nicer outfits." Rebecca offered, then paused, "What, you think I just wear doll clothes? No. No no." She shook her head, "They're itchy."

" I don't think I've ever worn anything fancy before. At best maybe my old military uniform but that's long gone now" Shtorm says while giving a small laugh. "In fact I think the Manor is the fanciest place I have ever been."

Rebecca gave a bit of a smile, and held her hand out to Sakura, "I'd say let's go for a girl's ride, but the batteries in my car are charging." She teased, "C'mon, don't need the boys to get measured."

"And.... maybe a sister to make sure my tail doesn't, you know, get noticed?"

Sakura took Rebecca’s hand and off they went. She also didn’t know what any of this was about but was happy to have someone again to have a girls’ shopping day with. “We’ll watch out for each other,” she agreed. “Sayonara boys, we’ll find you later.”

"welp ok then, have fun. Should we do the same,....a guys shopping day. Is that A thing?" Shtorm asked

"Oh come now. It's not like you haven't been to a shop before." Astrid commented, seemingly having appeared from nowhere, but the reality was simply that she'd gotten good at blending into a crowd and not standing out unless she had to.

"It's quite simple - match the numbers on the tags on your clothing to the ones on the shelf. Though if yours are in metric, that may complicate matters slightly." She continued.

Anthony looks up at Shtorm then down at Astrid "I think he is going to need at least a five X. And look, it's now a mixed group!" He picks up a blue polo shirt, Holding it up to his own chest. "Think this will work for class? I have honestly never dressed up before."

Shorm laughs a bit. "it's not that I haven't shopped before, never had a 'shopping day' with others before."

"I plan on continuing this look for class. No need for fancy clothes in the wilderness. And ya, depending on the cut my shoulders like to get in the way of most shirts. Hell a little flexing and I could rip the one i'm currently wearing....but don't worry. Not going to do that." Shtorm laughs again.

"We should also head too stationary to pick up pens, pencils, paper, all that stuff for the kids. Maybe some snacks? I know we have kitchen and all that, but we probably go through a lot more calories. You definitely do big guy!"

"That all depends on what has already been provided. I feel like I've missed some of the basic logistics here but no matter. Done far worse with less. I will need to likely special order some of the books I want to get, particularly in bulk." Astrid commented."

"I do hope we're prepared for more than just school supplies being needed by some of the students who may arrive with whatever is on their person being all they have to their name." Astrid mused as she walked with the others, feeling a pang of sympathy. She'd been prepared - a teenager being forced out would not be.

" Not to mention, we have to be prepared in case one of their powers they may not have full control over goes a little sideways." Said Shtorm nodding his head. "But it also never hurts to have extra on basic supplies."

Anthony hears the sympathy in Astrids voice."Alright then. Let's assume that Doc has taken care of school supply needs, besides at these prices fifty bucks worth of stationary should last us through most of the year. I say we use the rest of the money to go buy personal things for the kids. Clothing, hygiene stuff, Maybe one or two of those new game consoles to set up in their lounge. I saw a vcr and tv in there so a bunch of movies for them too." Anthong smiles "I think I can assume the three of us are used too dealing with out. So I am cool with putting seven hundred of my bonus into the kid fund, how bout you two?"

Shtorm looks over " I'll definitely chip in for that, now I know next to nothing about all of those new entertainment devices and whatnot so I'll leave that up to y'all to know what is best to get."

Anthony's expression turned sheepish "I kinda can't. That wall of TV's messes with me. The same sound coming so many sources is a bit disorienting"

"I did without but we don't need to decide now. Might be that we'll need to deal with this via bulk order. And we could run some polls around the new arrivals, get a feel for their interests and tastes." Astrid replied, "But yes, I think this is worth bringing up if we can't do it on this trip."

"We can ask the managers if we can get boxes of them from the back, at least for the hygiene stuff. But not sure about clothing"

"I can help focus on the clothing and extra general items for the students. At least i doubt that's changed a lot in the last couple years." Shtorm says as he already is making a mental note of all the things, he remembers were basic necessities.

Anthony gave out a little yawn of boredom "Let's finish this up then we can go see that tailor. I wonder if he does hoodies".



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Joe's Tailor Shop & Sundries


Joe looked up as the doorbell chimed indicating more customers. The Doctor wasn't joking when he said he'd be sending a few people by for some specialty suits. "Aloha and Welcome to Joe's, I'm Joe, How can I help you, gentlemen?"

Anthony comes in all smiles, taking off his sunglasses. "Yo Joe, I'm Anthony and my doctor recommended I come here. So, show me your finest hooded jackets!"

"What kind of work will you be doing in a hooded jacket? Surely this is not part of your disguise outfit?" Joe asked somewhat incredulously.

"Hey, a hood is a great way to disguise yourself. And a hooded jacket is even better. Worst case you throw it off while out of site and now half their description is thrown out the window!" Says Anthony with a smile.

"I like the way you think," Joe said. "Will this hooded jacket be part of your costume or will it be for concealing your costume? If it's for everyday wear that's not a problem but if you want it special with maybe some ballistic protection I can hook you up."

"Ballistic?" Anthony eyed up the man's voice "your serious, Doc didn't really say why he wanted us to visit you, but a costume? That's wild man. I guess it will be to help conceal my costume, but it should be ballistic, and lots of concealed pockets. I have some tools that should remain hidden."

"I'll get right on that, any particular color? Doc told me these were going to be disguises in case you ever needed to use your powers," Joe said as he finished his measurements.

Shtorm comes in after. "Why good day" he says with a wide smile. "I was told to come here for a fitting, hopfully not to tight around the arms, or better sleeveless" As he notices Anthony already engaging with the gentleman. "oooh sorry, didn't mean to interrupt. I'll wait." As Shtorm sheepishly finds a wall to lean on while he waits for Anthony to finish.

"We were just finishing up, Sir. I'm assuming the Doc sent you too?" Joe replied. "Let's get your measurements also. "

"Ok, just didn't want to jump the gun". Shtorm gives a chuckle. "So what kind of suit we measuring for? Where I came from its more long wool tunics or a military parade uniform."

"I see this isn't an ordinary fitting." Astrid commented, "I'm usually more used to blending into a crowd as it is."

Eli stepped out slowly from behind Astrid. "I think costuming is meant to be a bit flashy." He smiled wide. "I have a few ideas for myself."

"Flashy or not, I still want a hood, hoods are cool"

"I prefer as unflashy as possible. Oh and i'll take a hood as well." Shtorm adds in.

"Flashy, not Flashy. Hood, no Hood." Joe repeated with a big belly chuckle. "I'll see what I can manage. Let's see. Sleeveless, hood, I'm thinking woodtones for you." he said to Shtorm with a nod, before turning to Anthony, "Hood, pockets, easy." the next person Joe turned to was Astrid, "Blend into a crowd, so I'm thinking that's three for three with hoods but for you maybe a drab grey. No offense on the color scheme, but if you want to blend in, you need a color that says 'Ignore Me'." he said, sliding his hand through the air to illustrate.

"And for you, sir." he finally turned to Eli. "I'm all ears when it comes to ideas. Some people say they can do anything with anything. Me? I say 'I can put a necktie on a pineapple and it'll thank me'." he chuckled.

"I need something that can morph with me when I shift shapes. Probably something a four way stretch." Eli said. He had some knowledge in the way of fabric, stemming from his time in theatre and as a drag performer.

"Oh was that an option?" Says Shtorm inquisitively. "I also can change. If mine could as well that would be perfect, hahaha." Shtorm puts his hand behind his head and laughs a bit.

"I'll see what we can do with that," Joe replied, "I'm surprised no one wanted to go with a Hawaiin shirt design," he teased. "I'll have these all delivered on Tuesday, if there's no other requests," he said while jotting the last of his notes down.

Eli touched his chin. "I really like the color red if that is helpful for you."

"Excellent choice," Joe said with a smile. "Aloha my friends, tell the Doc we need to get together for drinks soon. Good luck everyone," he said with a wave and turned back to his work.

#The End

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