01 ; Action

[impureheart]

CLOSED; PAWN SHOP; WARNING FOR IMPLIED MURDER - NIGHT
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[ Anastasia was sure most people would find this place strange. And it certainly was, but it wasn't the first time she had traveled to a world other than her own or had to adjust to a new way of life. Even the cheese didn't quite seem outlandish at all in comparison with Wonderland standards, anyway, but there was something to be said about the value of adaptability and very unfortunately, Anastasia's fashion sense wasn't quite adapting as well as she would have hoped. At least not while she didn't have money.

There were so many things that were wrong with this situation and little of them had to do with the time of day being less than ideal for visibility. She'd known there were plenty of other worlds out there, some with magic, some without, and some with more magic than any one person in the world itself could imagine. But in this world the one magic she wanted more than anything was inaccessible. How she had arrived here, how she could get back.. traversing worlds was one of the most difficult tasks imaginable. She'd only managed to do it the first time with the help of a looking glass, and beyond that it took trusting a little rabbit whose allegiance was all too easily bought. But if the pamphlet spoke truth, then this place had been taking those from their worlds for quite some time and would continue to do so. And it also meant that her wish could not be granted, not without Jafar and certainly not without the bottle, the genie, or Alice's wishes.

Which meant for now, it was a game of biding time until she could figure out how to get back or at least find out if the chessboard could be set here. Because in truth there wasn't much else she cared about beyond that impossible wish of hers. But she wasn't about to go scrounging around in the forest again if she couldn't have it, and she knew better than most that without money and power, the world wouldn't bend to your whims no matter how much magic you or the world around you are privy to. If she couldn't have what she wanted in this world, then she would at least have the luxury of everything else.

Of course, such luxuries seemed quite far away after the train of her dress was soaked enough from the bay to feel like she was carrying far too much weight. Anastasia seemed rather frustrated by this, but still trudged forward with the clacking of her heels on the cement. They wouldn't make much noise normally, but with how heavy her steps were to compensate for the added water weight in her dress, she hadn't much choice. This was hardly anything close to an outfit she would've chosen had she known she would be ending up in a strange world, as much as it suited her usual purposes. Neither would be declaring royalty amongst a world she didn't know. Anastasia's route when she left the bay led her to an alley, where she removed her jewels and the cropped jacket of her dress, wrapping her crown, necklace, and earrings within it, the sleeves folded on the inside so it simply looked like she was holding a ball of red material. Nice material, but far less likely to run into thieves if she wasn't wearing enough diamonds, gold, and rubies to pay for multiple villages' livelihoods for decades to come. It wasn't as though she couldn't handle a couple of thieves-- but it was unwise to make a move before you knew what game you were playing. If the fact that the money was free and the pamphlet suggested getting a job was any indication, it wasn't much no matter what currency this place used.

Anastasia squeezed the train of her dress out as much as she could so that it was at least more mobile, then tucked her items, along with the pamphlet, money, and strange device she wasn't quite sure how to use yet, into the nook of her arm, and began wandering around looking through shop windows. She walked for quite some time until she found a shop with a sign that said they bought and sold items. Her feet ached sorely from wearing inappropriate footwear as she'd traversed the town that night, her shoulders cold from having removed her jacket, so the surprising amount of heat within the shop was surprising. An older, gruff-looking gentleman told her that they were just closing up and she brought out a large ruby and gold necklace from the safety of her jacket. ]

Tell me darling, how much would you give me for this? I assure you they are quite real.

[ Anastasia holds a charming smile on her lips as the man takes a close look at them, then offers her a thousand bills. The smile stays on her lips, but it looks far less charming so much as holding back a temper. ]

I know the worth of some items in this shop from your displays and though I'm not aware of the currency rate here, I know the value in comparison. A thousand would cover perhaps one of the rubies on this necklace and you will give me a more appropriate price or you'll find yourself short on a lot more than money.

[ He laughs and says it's closing time and he isn't going to deal with it. So Anastasia flicks her wrist and slams the door shut and well.. deals with it for him. Suffice it to say the man's not going to be telling anyone about her and she's got an entire pawn shop full of things to keep for herself and an entire cash register full of money. It's not near what she needs, but it'll certainly do for now while she tried to figure out what on earth most of the things in the shop she didn't recognize were. Anastasia quickly moved to put the closed sign up and made a note that said "Remodeling- under new ownership!" Better safe than sorry. It was a good thing there wasn't too much of a physical mess when it came to magic unless she wanted there to be. ]

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WHO: The Red Queen & OPEN
WHAT: Anastasia finally leaves the pawn shop she.. acquired, and needs to find some more appropriate clothing.
WHEN: Morning after her arrival.
WHERE: Hamete Shopping Mall.
WARNINGS: None yet but will adjust if needed.

[ She missed her carriage. She could allude the cars she saw every so often during her walk today were whatever the new form was, but she had neither that nor horses to get this over with, so the Queen would be walking by foot today. It wasn't a problem, now that her dress had dried and looked normal, even if it was a day unclean- but that would easily be remedied.

The fashion in these stores in the shopping mall were far from what she considered ideal, but she'd dealt with worse. The strangest thing in the world to her was the idea that they weren't fitted to the buyer, but rather bought as-is from the store. It just seemed illogical to wear something that didn't fit you normally. Nevertheless, with Anastasia's newfound monetary appropriation, she had enough to go through picking out as many outfits as she found necessary. After her first purchase, she changed into it so she looked a little less conspicuous. She still kept her hair up, the diamond earrings on her ears, and she carried her old dress in a bag, along with several new purchases. Once she had about five bags worth of clothing, she had to take a break at one of the tables in front of a restaurant, and ordered a muffin. It wasn't quite as good as the pastries she had in her castle, but it would do to sate her hunger.

Either way, there's a very regal looking woman in red sitting next to a number of bags, with a muffin, and is fiddling with the device as if she's trying to figure out just how to use it and what all it can do. Be a kind, helpful soul? Or perhaps complain that her bags are taking up an entire table worth of seating? ]

Comments

[sakuya_izayoi]

Sakuya had spent much of her day shopping for various things around the mall, wanting to splurge a little bit since she would be moving her things very soon. She wanted something nice to wear that wasn't her usual maid uniforms or the hunting uniform she had been fortunate enough to be carrying when she arrived. What wasn't fortunate was that the only clean outfit she had at the moment was her maid uniform, drawing more than a few odd looks from the local population.

A smell caught her attention, her stomach tightening a bit in response... When was the last time she had eaten? A small breakfast? Though she found herself a bit hesitant to order any food upon her arrival at the food court. While she was very hungry the food being served there was no doubt tailored to the less refined tastes of Genessia's usual population.

Swallowing her pride she went to one of the many restaurants and bought a cold sandwich, and scanned the food court for a place to sit.

Finding none she saw little choice than to sit with a stranger. Readjusting her bags, she walked briskly up to a woman who had absolutely covered a table with her various purchases. "Pardon me Ma'am." She bowed deeply. "Might I trouble you to move your bags slightly? There is no other place to sit." Her tone was very formal.

[impureheart]

[ Anastasia's reflex would have been to tell the girl to find someone else to bother. There were plenty other tables to ask if she could join, but she had to ask about hers. She had to remind herself that she wasn't queen here before she responded, but that didn't mean she would bother with being overly friendly.

Anastasia spoke with a posh accent as she looked at the girl, carefully tuned to sound exactly how she wanted it to the point it sounded as though it were her actual accent. ]

If you need a place to sit, you simply need to take one.

[ But she didn't move her things, nor did she offer her own seat despite getting up from it. No, she stepped over to the table next to her and took the tray of the person who was sitting there and had been jabbering away with his friend rather than eating. ]

You're done, move.

[ Clearly not the type of people to stand up for themselves and Anastasia's commanding tone made certain that they wouldn't do much beyond grumble. This girl had spoken to her and she would, theoretically be of use. The two mice of men would not. Anastasia walked the tray right over to the garbage can, then returned to her seat and smiled at Sakuya, her tone more sing-song than the dangerous one she'd taken with the two less useful members of this society. ]

Have a seat, darling, there's plenty of room.

[sakuya_izayoi]

Sakuya hesitated some when Anastasia stood up, feeling a bit uneasy. This person had a very regal air about her and, truth be told, she felt woefully under-dressed in her maid uniform. Oh well. It was a little late to change now. Even with her time powers.

She bowed gratefully but felt a little strange taking the seat that she had been offered as a lot of attention had been attracted and focused on this one spot. It fortunately didn't last long, the people around them quickly losing interest.

"Thank you again Ma'am. My name is Sakuya Izayoi, head maid of the Scarlet Devil." She didn't always include her role when introducing herself but it seemed appropriate in this situation. "Might I ask your name?"

[impureheart]

[ Anastasia had no desire to keep their interest at this juncture. After all, there would be many opportunities for that later. For now, she was lying relatively low. Which was also why she was refraining from declaring herself queen. These weren't her lands, the title would mean very little unless she could appeal to whatever royalty was in this land for special treatment- and in that case, she'd much rather find out what was going on before that. Anastasia knew how to survive on her own without a dime to her name. She'd done it before. She'd abandoned that lifestyle, no matter how much she lost to do it.

But that was also why she couldn't simply call herself the Red Queen to every stranger she met. She'd buried her name along with who she used to be for so long, but now it would come in use again. ]

You may call me Anastasia. Now take a seat. It's impolite to ask for a seat then not taken when it's provided.

[ A maid would be nice though. She certainly wouldn't mind a servant or two if she could manage this. ]

Who might I ask is this Scarlet Devil?

[sakuya_izayoi]

"Ah- Yes. Forgive my rudeness." She took the offered seat quickly, smoothing her apron and setting her bags to the side. From the clothing that was visible the maid had impeccable taste. It was not likely that she was highborn. She was, after all, a maid. Rather she had been taught and trained very well.

Her table manners reflected this, going so far as to tuck and fold the paper the sandwich had been wrapped in with an almost practiced ease.

"The Scarlet Devil is My Lady. A vampire of an immaculate bloodline. I am the keeper of her mansion and act as her spear against those who would threaten her." She took a small bite, unable to fully hide how hungry she was, chewing the bite a little too quickly.

[impureheart]

[ Despite that she still had the muffin in front of her, it went untouched as she focused on Sakuya. ]

And is your lady here or in a far off land? Perhaps another world?

[ Given that she didn't have her Tweedles with her, she had a feeling that she wasn't the only one in such a separated situation.]

[sakuya_izayoi]

Sakuya finished her bite, setting her hands in her lap before replying. "I do not know where My Lady is. It has been days now since I last saw her." She again reached for her sandwhich, lifting it to her mouth and taking another quick bite.

"Lord Tepes has been so gracious as to let me stay at his castle for now. It is far from what I'm used to as My Lady's mansion is far different. Humans separated from the vampires they are bound to often suffer from the separation. I feel he may be taking pity on me." She frowned a little at the last comment. "But I'm not about to look a gift horse in the mouth."

[impureheart]

Always look a gift horse in the mouth, darling. So often they're full of very sharp teeth.

[ A cryptic bit of advice, she knew, but Anastasia knew all too well that most 'gifts' were not as free as they appeared. Everything came with a price, it was always best to know what it was from the very start. ]

Who is this Lord Tepes?

[sakuya_izayoi]

A small smile. "I suppose. Though it's more polite to keep an eye out for any carnivorous behavior. Otherwise one risks offending the one who so graciously gave it. I know better than to lower my guard, but thank you for the warning none the less."

Sakuya took this opportunity to finish the first half of her sandwich, chewing thoughtfully as the question was posed to her. "Mm. He is Vlad Tepes III. Sometimes referred to as Dracula. He is one of the most famous and notorious vampires to ever walk the face of the earth."

[impureheart]

Anastasia had been taught that as long as you had the power to get what you wanted, you could get it. It was something that she'd gone by, and being polite to simply keep an eye out for it wasn't her style. Namely because the world she came from was a little different.

"Well, I'm hardly from your Earth so I haven't heard of him. Vampires are creatures that feed off of the blood of other creatures, yes?"

[sakuya_izayoi]

The maid nodded. "Generally speaking, yes. Vampires a variety of undead. Blood contains life force that the vampire can take along with general fluids to keep the body functioning. Though there are vampires I've heard of that have found a way to drink energy and simply need some form of liquid beyond that such as water or tea. I've not met one of the latter category however."

She took another bite, chewing it more slowly this time. "You still seem concerned, or at the very least confused. The dealings between vampiric nobles are not entirely different from humans. Thralls are valued resources. Lord Tepes is doing My Lady a favor."

She straightened up in her chair, wiping her mouth with the napkin. "You seem like a woman that understands the value of such dealings. Forgive my forwardness. I wasn't sure at first, but you seem to be a woman who once held a title."

[greenmagick]

[Terra is trying to shop, specifically she is looking for a dress but so far her efforts have been fruitless. She wants to ask for help but her nature has always been timid.

She spots the woman sitting with an array of bags and wonders just how she managed to collect so many things. She walks over curiously but also tries not to be rude.]

Excuse me?

[impureheart]

[ Anastasia turns her attentions to Terra, but having just taken a small piece of her muffin into her mouth, she makes no effort to speed herself up. Terra can wait for her to finish that mouthful. When she is done, she raises both of her brows and speaks with a calm tone. ]

If you need something, speak, darling.

[greenmagick]

Oh? Um, How do you manage to find so many things to buy?

[It might seem like a silly question but Terra has never gone shopping before and she is in need of more clothes.]

[impureheart]

[ Well that was hardly a question that she expected to hear in what appeared to be an indoor shopping bazaar of some kind. ]

You look in the stores for something that suits your fancy, darling, and hope you have the money to pay for it.

[greenmagick]

I know that.

[She has collected a fair amount of money for this.]

I don't know how to shop... Like what my fancy.. is?

[It sounds silly even as Terra says it out loud but it was true. She had her memories but there were simple things she doesn't know if she likes or how she feels about.]