The Dress Shop, Day of the O'Shea's Party

[Lithium]

Matthew
Grinning and feeling like the sun was rising on a new day within him, Matthew led Cassandra out of the mall and up onto Sub-Poplar. They kept walking until, finally, they reached Fence and Sub-Fence where the gate to Royalia was.

"Passes," said a neon-orange vested guard. Matthew pulled out an identification card from his wallet and showed it to the guard. The guard stood up straighter. "Thank you Mr. Fletcher, Sir. It's an honor to be of service to you."

Matthew nodded, wished the man a good day and pulled Cassandra through the gate. When they were out of ear-shot, he turned to her and said, "Yes, it's always like that."

(last reply for now...)

[Cytherea]

(Okay!)
"Yes, it's always like that." Matthew said when they were out of earshot from the guard.
Cassandra smiled.
"Do you get a lot of attention from your girlfriend? What's she like?"

[Lithium]

Matthew
"Do you get a lot of attention from your girlfriend? What's she like?"

Matthew stopped in his tracks. "Girlfriend? What do you mean? Have the press been spreading more lies about me? I don't have a girlfriend. Haven't had time for one and most of the ones who want me are kind of creepy, to be frank." He started walking with her again, only much slower.

"You probably heard me talking to my sister, Missy."

[Cytherea]

"You probably heard me talking to my sister, Missy."
Cassandra felt the blood in her face drain, but she managed to keep herself composed.
"Oh. I'm sorry, I didn't know. You must be awful close to her. When I heard you talking on the phone... oh never mind. I'm sorry."

[Lithium]

Matthew
Matthew smiled. "Don't sweat it. It's not a problem. And, yeah. We're really close. Six years apart, but close."

They turned onto Merlin and Matthew sighed as the street started to get busier, with more high-end vehicles.

Suddenly, a camera flashed and he was temporarily blinded. Then, there was another. And another. Then people were shouting questions.

"Where do you disappear to, Mr. Fletcher?"

"Is this the woman you're secretly in love with?"

"Is she really carrying your child?"

"What on Earth are you talking about?" Matthew exploded. "Get out of our way and find someone who actually wants your publicity! Leave us alone or I'll buy up your companies and fire all of you, then prevent you from ever getting another job! Get out!"

The cameras flashed a few more times, then they cleared out.

"I am so sorry about that. I'll need to meet with damage control tomorrow anyways..." He rolled his eyes. "We've got a store to get to."

[Cytherea]

Cassandra was wondering why she had asked such a silly question when a camera flashed in her eyes. Suddenly more flashed, and she clutched onto Matthew's hand.

The crowd started yelling out questions, and some starting talking to Cassandra.

"How long have you known the renowned Matthew Fletcher?"

"Are you secretly engaged?"

"What would you like to say to Matthew Fletcher's large groups of girl fans?"

"How did Matthew Fletcher find you?"

Cassandra tried her best to smile at them, and some of the men reporters started babbling to her about how beautiful she was and asking for her phone number.

"What on Earth are you talking about?" Matthew exploded. "Get out of our way and find someone who actually wants your publicity! Leave us alone or I'll buy up your companies and fire all of you, then prevent you from ever getting another job! Get out!"

Cameras flashed a few last time and then the people wandered off.

"I am so sorry about that. I'll need to meet with damage control tomorrow anyways..." Matthew rolled his eyes. "We've got a store to get to."

Matthew led her through some of the streets, most girls staring at Matthew, and most boys staring at Cassandra.

"What were those people talking about back there?" Cassandra ventured.

[Lithium]

Matthew
"What were those people talking about back there?" Cassandra ventured.

"Nothing important or edifying. They work for those trashy gossip magazine people are always reading. They like to jump in and assume things before they even get facts.

"By tomorrow, your face will be splashed across the front page of every magazine with stuff like, "Who is she?" and "Does Matthew Fletcher actually have a heart?" and then they'll ask for people to step forward with info, at which point, those people will lie shamelessly, probably telling something about you being a Subterrean I met in a club or something to that effect.

"Then you'll be barraged by hate-mail from obsessive creeper fan-girls. After you've had enough limelight, the press will find some reason to say that you've broken my heart or something. For a few weeks, it should die down, but then they'll discover the truth about us not being together when they assumed it and..."

He stopped at the corner of Merlin and Willow and turned to a clothing store just behind them.

"We're here."

[Lithium]

The following posts have been moved from Just The Streets, Day Three due to a location change.

[Cytherea]

"By tomorrow, your face will be splashed across the front page of every magazine with stuff like, "Who is she?"

A thought flashed through Cassandra's mind, her eyes got large, and she stopped, dead in her tracks.

"For a few weeks, it should die down, but then they'll discover the truth about us not being together when they assumed it and..."

"Oh no." Cassandra said quietly.

[Lithium]

"Oh no." Cassandra said quietly.

"Oh yes. But don't worry about it. I'll protect you." He looked at her and smiled warmly. "I won't let them hurt you."

He opened the door to the dress shop and gestured for her to go in. "After you, Cassandra."

[Cytherea]

"Oh yes. But don't worry about it. I'll protect you." He looked at her and smiled warmly. "I won't let them hurt you."

Feeling comforted, Cassandra smiled back and then walked through the door. The building was much different than the one in Subterria, with way more aisles of fancy (and expensive) clothing.

"Do you have a preference on formal wear?" she asked Matthew.

[Lithium]

Matthew shrugged. "Not for myself. Just the basic suit and tie and I've got plenty of those. My sister will help me find something. But we're here to shop for you. And it'll be casual-formal wear. Something fun, yet formal enough for a high-end Royalia home."

He scratched his jaw. "There's some of that over here."

Pulling out a bright, bright purple dress made with tulle and studded with rhinestones, Matthew held it up and out to Cassandra. "Nearly perfect length. Just above the knee–– not too far, not too long." He shrugged. "What do you like? I'm just here to pay the bill."

[Cytherea]

Cassandra studied the dress. Very flashy. It was a nice length for her, but for some reason she wanted a longer one. Her eyes focused on another purple dress, that was a dark, deep maroon. She walked to it and pulled it off the rack. It was a no-sleeved (yet high lined, so still modest) floor length gown.
"I'll try this one on, if you like it."

[Anwen]

Litonya was measured so that the attendants could find her some dresses in the perfect size. Then they brought in formals of all shapes and styles. From long-sleeved to sleeveless, and from above the knee to the floor, they brought dresses of every fathomable color. She discounted the ones above the knee immediately-- She preferred full skirts to tight ones anyway. A few of the sleeveless dresses were pretty, but Lita wasn't quite comfortable in them... I'm only sixteen after all.

There was a coppery halter-top that she liked, but it was too close to the golden dress that Cloe was wearing. She came out in a midnight blue full length that shimmered like a clear summer night. "You're beautiful Lita!"

[Lithium]

"I'll try this one on, if you like it."

Matthew nodded. "Yes, it's nice. The dressing room is over there. I should probably look for something a bit less... business-like. All I have are business suits."

He looked over at the dressing room and saw a girl in a midnight blue dress being oohed and ahed over by a girl in a gold dress. She looked a bit uncomfortable.

"Excuse me?" he asked an attendant. "I'm going to a party tonight and I'm looking for..."

"Oh? Are you going to the O'Shea's party this evening, Mr. Fletcher?" she asked, flipping back her long black hair and batting her eyelashes. "I can help you find something."

"That would be nice."

"Follow me, Sir."

Matthew looked back at Cassandra, smiled and called out, "You go ahead and look for whatever you want. I'll be back shortly."

She lead him to a rack of very modern looking clothes. "Metal and chrome colors are soo in for guys now-a days. Not all of them can pull off the sharp angles, but you've got the perfect build. You're so..." Her eyes ran over him and he resisted feeling self-conscious or embarrassed. "Muscular. Do you work out?"

He nodded, then turned to the clothes and started going through them. He pulled out a copper colored suit jacket and put it back. "Do you have anything in black or gray? Maybe some white?"

The girl nodded. "Yes, Mr. Fletcher. Over here. This look is really in right now.

Matthew looked closely at it, then nodded. "I guess this is all right. Will I need it tailored?"

"I can do that if you need it," the girl said quickly. "I can do anything you need me to."

He raised one eyebrow. "I'll go try this on, but I think it should be all right."

[Cytherea]

Matthew looked back at Cassandra, smiled and called out, "You go ahead and look for whatever you want. I'll be back shortly."

Cassandra found the dressing room and an attendant let her in. She quickly put on the dress, and it sagged over her. She quickly changed into her others clothes.

"Um,excuse me." she called to the attendant. She showed the dress to the lady. "Do you have this dress in a smaller size?"

"I think we do. You want me to get it?"

"Yeah."

The lady quickly found the dress in a smaller size, and Cassandra tried it on.

"Is this one better?" Cassandra asked the girl.

"Wow. You've got a great frame. That dress looks... perfect."

Cassandra twirled in it, and the maroon skirt floated. She smiled.

"I normally don't like long dresses, but this one is different. Is it all right if I stay inside the store while wearing it? I have to show someone."

"Fine by me."

Cassandra walked through the store until she saw a girl with long black hair and gobs of black mascara on her eyes, that she was batting furiously at Matthew. The girl was pointing him to the dressing room.

"It's right over there. If you need anything, I'll be right here."

Matthew went to change and Cassandra watched the girl. She had moony eyes, and her mascaraed lashes still fluttered. Cassandra shook her head with a half-hearted smile.

Some girls are just naturally like that. Poor things.

Cassandra walked past the girl and to the dressing rooms. She knocked on the door Matthew was in.

"Matthew? I found one."

[Lithium]

Someone knocked on the door Matthew was in. For a second, he was worried it was that girl, coming to accost him with compliments and desperation again, but then he heard Cassandra's welcome voice.

"Matthew? I found one."

"Okay! I'll be right out." He finished zipping the trousers, straightened the color on the shirt and took one last look at himself in the mirror. It was a black casual suit, with black trousers and a maroon button up shirt underneath. The over-jacket didn't have buttons.

He unlocked the door and stepped out. As he looked at Cassandra in her dress, he felt his heartbeat pick up and he put his hands in his pockets. "Wow. I bet you could make any dress look good."

Matthew looked down at his button-up shirt and smiled. "Looks like we ended up matching. It won't be a surprise to them that you're my... is it all right if I call you my date for this?" Heat rose in his cheeks and he was certain he was blushing.

How can someone make me act like this? I've never...

"I'd say we're ready to go. What do you say?"

[Cytherea]

Matthew looked down at his button-up shirt and smiled. "Looks like we ended up matching. It won't be a surprise to them that you're my... is it all right if I call you my date for this?"

Cassandra felt her heart skip and miss a beat.

My date? My date?

"Of course." she said, a little weakly.

"I'd say we're ready to go. What do you say?" he said quickly.

Cassandra stepped up close to him and brushed the little pieces of lint from his shirt. She reached up to straighten his collar and hesitantly put her hands by his face. She straightened the collar, and then got lost in his gaze.

[Lithium]

He felt like he couldn't look away. His heart was beating faster than he thought it could. Her hands were still at his collar, her arms almost around him. Her eyes are so beautiful.

"Excuse me," said the black-haired girl, a scowl on her face. "You going to pay for that dress, girl? Or are you just going to stand around and flirt with people?"

Matthew broke eye contact and his angry eyes flew to the girl's. "How dare you speak to her like that. How dare you speak to a customer like that. Thank God I don't own this store or I would see your position terminated."

The girl blanched, then reddened. "Yes, Sir," she whispered, mollified and looking at the ground. "I am sorry, Ma'am. I am sorry, Sir."

"Thank you," Matthew said, his eyes still narrowed. "Now, we're going to be checking out. Cassandra, let's hurry up so we can get out of here."

He glanced at his watch. "Oh no. It's getting late. The party starts in a couple of hours!"

Matthew dashed back into the dressing room and changed into his street clothes, then came back out, clothes in hand.

"Meet me at the register when you're ready."

"Actually, I can scan those right here and check you out." The black haired girl pulled out a little hand-held card and item scanner. "I'll just need your card and you'll be good to go."

"Thanks." He handed her his items, which she quickly scanned.

[Cytherea]

Cassandra stared into his eyes. She felt like she couldn't move. She wanted the moment to end, but she couldn't stop it. She thought for sure she would blush, when the girl from earlier rushed into the scene.

"Excuse me," said the black-haired girl, a scowl on her face. "You going to pay for that dress, girl? Or are you just going to stand around and flirt with people?"

Matthew broke eye contact with her and his eyes grew angry and flew to the girl's. "How dare you speak to her like that. How dare you speak to a customer like that. Thank God I don't own this store or I would see your position terminated."

The girl whitened and then her face turned a burnt red. She quickly regained herself after she was momentarily shocked by mumbling and whispering some words.

"Thank you," Matthew said, his eyes still narrowed. "Now, we're going to be checking out. Cassandra, let's hurry up so we can get out of here."

He looked at his watch.

"Oh no. It's getting late. The party starts in a couple of hours!"

He rushed into the dressing room and Cassandra quickly went into another one and changed her clothes. She folded the dress up neatly and then carried it out.

Cassandra waited while Matthew paid for both their clothing items, and felt terrible when she found how expensive her dress was. She wanted to pay for it, but she had no money to do so.

The girl gave them a bag and they put their clothes into it.

As they walked to the door, Cassandra's curiosity got the best of her.

"Matthew, do you have a nickname that you like?"

[Lithium]

"Matthew, do you have a nickname that you like?"

He smiled and turned to the street. Cars rushed past them. He held out his hand, then looked back at Cassandra. "I guess."

A bright, lime green taxi pulled over to the curb and the door opened automatically.

"Hop in." Matthew slid into the cab.

[Cytherea]

Matthew pulled a lime green cab over and got in. Cassandra slid in beside him.

Matthew told the taxi driver where to take them, and they sped down the street. Cassandra was deep in thought.

Finally, she voiced her thoughts.

"Is it Matty?"

[Lithium]

"Is it Matty?"

Matthew nodded. "Yeah. That's what my sister calls me. Although, I'm not the one with the complicated name. Her full name is Mistalyn, so we call her Missy." He shook his head. "What her mother was thinking."

The cab pulled over to the curb, Matthew paid the driver with a 30 credit chip and then he opened the door. Once he had hopped out, he held the door open for Cassandra.

"We're up at the top, so we'll take the elevator." He held the front door open for her.

[Cytherea]

Cassandra hopped out of the cab before it zoomed away."We're up at the top, so we'll take the elevator." He held the front door open for her. She walked through and looked around.

The place was huge, and very, very fancy. She smiled uneasily.

"Is your sister here?"

[Lithium]

"Is your sister here?" Cassandra smiled uneasily.

"Yeah. Not here, here. Up in our flat." Matthew strode over to the elevator, pushed the call button and it opened. "Hold doors until commanded. Prepare to go to Floor 100."

"Password?" asked an electronic voice.

"Keyboard, please."

A keyboard popped out of the wall and Matthew punched in his password.

"Password accepted. Welcome home, Mr. Fletcher."

"Come on in, Cassandra."