432/Outfitting

Outfitting
Date of Scene:	11 March 2020
Location:	Morningside Heights
Synopsis:	Finding a proper outfit is hard to do!
Cast of Characters:	Heidi Ingerdottir, Beatriz da Costa, Zatanna Zatara, Singularity

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Heidi Ingerdottir has posed:
Midgardian shopping entertains her. Usually when she would get clothing on Asgard, Heidi didn't make much of a fuss about it. It was a particular outfit for a particular reason and she had less in the way of frivolity. Here, clothing was /sport/. There were rules, there were tricks and ways to master the art of getting the best outfit for the right price. She, unfortunately, knows little of it. She weaves in and out of shops, uncertain as to what she should even be looking for.

She's not /pouting/ as she stands outside a stop looking in a window, she just /looks/ like she's pouting.

Beatriz da Costa has posed:
    Ah, yes. Seasonal change and all the boutiques have updated their fronts with the new lines. And there, there is hers, colourful and light and still practical. In that shop with the tall one standing staring in. She smiles to herself and wanders over to have a peek at how they're displaying her clothes.
    "Nice day, isn't it?" she says, taking up a spot near, but not in the personal space of, the Asgardian. Being one of those annoying kinds of people who will cheerfully converse with strangers out of the blue, she continues nattering, "I've always enjoyed multi-colours, even if I don't wear them myself." She's a study in green actually. "There's something just so pleasant about seeing a splash of colour on a person. Especially if there's an overall theme with one thing standing out." She gestures to a blouse that she's particularly proud of. "That one, for example, having mostly pastels, but then that bold splash of red."

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
Zatanna was late! She didn't mean to be late, but things happened, and the young woman is bustling to catch up to the others. "Heidi!" she calls out, trying to catch the Asgardian's attention. "I am sooooo sorry, I was on a date and it went really well and..." then she notices Beatriz, and her cheeks darken. "Bea!" She launches herself at the other woman, catching her in a hug, a hard and affectionate squeeze.

Is there noone that Zatanna doesn't know?

"Do you two know each other?" she asks in clear confusion. "I promised Heidi I'd help with her shopping after torturing her with corsets last night, not everyone can wear those everyday after all." The young woman's voice is in a clear sing-song of a tease. Apparently something went //right// for once.

Singularity has posed:
    There's a flicker in the air, then a glowing blue dot expands out with a swirl of bluish energy, right between the sale rack for fall dresses and the party skirts. Heidi, at least, has seen this before and has an idea what's coming next! Other shoppers....probably not so much, as it likely causes the more experienced ones to grab what they have and move away just in case. The other ones...well, they probably take out smartphones.

    As there's a little *POINK* as, abruptly, a blue girl appears out of thin air a few feet from Heidi. "Heidi! Friend!" Singularity says excitedly and...well, she can be sidestepped or avoided by the Asgardian. But she's gonna try and give her a happy hug otherwise.

    That done, she blinks at thge other women hugging nearby, beaming! This is the way, people should do hugs more! They're great!

Heidi Ingerdottir has posed:
Heidi may be formidable in many things, but she certainly isn't when it comes to fitting in. Especially fitting in /clothing/. She looks around, glancing at Beatriz as she comments on the colors. "You're very good at this, do you paint?" She's almost distracted enough that she doesn't notice Zatanna until she hears her name and glances over. "Ah! Hail, Zatanna!" The woman is beamed and she notices the fact that Beatriz and Zatanna seem to be familiar with each other.

"Oh, friends all around!" She comments, jovially, and she hears her name again. Soon enough, it's Singularity that's spotted. "Ah, greetings!" She makes no move to dodge the hug (who would do such a thing?!) and instead looks towards the collection of people. "It seems we have a whole army."

Beatriz da Costa has posed:
    "Well, truth be told," Bea starts saying, "I have a confession to make. The clothes in this window..."
    Then she's tackled by Zatanna, the only person more prone to gabby social interaction than even she is. She laughs, hugging back, "Zee! Nice to see you out and about. And no, I've not had the pleasure. I just saw someone staring at some of my designs and thought I'd come across and get to know her."
    She grins and winks at Heidi. "That's what I was about to te..."
    And then blue dot-to-blue girl forms and THAT line of thought is interrupted as a girl appears out of nowhere. Which Bea takes with such equanimity it's almost as if she's used to things like that.
    Of course a friend of Zee's would be...

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
"Heidi, this is Beatriz da Costa, she is a dear friend of mine that works with me." Zatanna explains. "She's also a fashion model and designer. Finding something of hers is only second to some of Janet van Dyne's designs - personally, I'm biased to Bea." And then to Bea, she makes introductions. "Bea, this is Heidi, daughter of Inger, and shieldmaiden in training and keeper of flying horses..." That last point may include a small squee of excitement.

Then there's the new arrival. Zee feels the change just a moment before it happens - not enough time for a ward spell -- but it seems the woman is friendly as Heidi shares in the hugs, and she waves. "I'm Zatanna." she greets.

Singularity has posed:
    The newcomer definitely doesn't appear womanly, in appearance at least....she's considerably shorter than everyone here, and looks more teenage than adult. Not that her figure is very detailed, more an impression of female in blue and stars. She happily give Heidi a squeeze when she's allowed, then steps back, looking over to Beatriz and Zatanna, cocking her head, then raising a hand to wave, smiling easily in a friendly way. "Hello!"

    Only then does she appear to take note of where she is, looking around at all the fabrics and colors and such with interest. Not that she looks like she's exactly a high fashion person, considering she really doesn't have a reason to wear much. "Shiny." she says curiously, before her attention comes back to the three woman as she smiles at them again.

Heidi Ingerdottir has posed:
Heidi does seem a bit surprised. "Oh, these are what you design yourself?" There's a pleased look that crosses her face. "Then you will /certainly/ be able to explain to me what I should be wearing." When in Rome, they say. She gives a deep nod as she's introduced. "I have promised Zatanna that I would bring Eira by sometime. She is the pegasus I have been training."

She takes a quick look back at Singularity, then at the the other two. "This is Singularity, a recent friend. She is learning a few things here too while searching for her friends."

Beatriz da Costa has posed:
    Doing the fingerwave thing, Bea flashes a bright smile Singularity's way. "Nice to meet you, Singularity. I'm Bea, this is Zee. We're part of the New York Alphabet List." She gestures into the display that the girl had shown such interest in. "I design and wear clothes for a living." And set things on fire. But that's not something you share on a first date. "Zee tricks people to amaze them, gathers up random people to introduce, and is generally awesome for a living."
    Then, to Heidi, "Well, you know that whatever I suggest will likely be my work, right?" She winks, mischievously. "But of course, I'm always there to help people look their most awesome."

Singularity has posed:
    Singularity beams at Beatrix at the smile back, then her glowing eyes widen at the news that Beatriz actually designed some of the garments. "Pretty!" she compliments, pointing at the nearby rack of shiny clubgear! Apparently she thinks that means everythign in the store is from Beatriz.

    Not a girl for a lot of words, as of yet. Vocalizations are an ongoing learning experience for her. She looks back at Heidi. "Friends?" she asks curiously, pointing to Zatanna and Beatriz.

Heidi Ingerdottir has posed:
"Oh, I would be honored if you would show me from your designs," Heidi gives Beatriz a nod. "I appreciate seeing the work of people who are considered experts in their field." Obviously, if her clothes are selling well, that means Bea /must/ be an expert in Midgardian fashion. "It would be good to find something I can wear with the corset that Zatanna has gifted me. I am hoping to wear it to an event."

Singularity is given a glance and a bright smile as she nods towards Zatanna and Beatriz' direction. "Friends."

Beatriz da Costa has posed:
    "Well, I won't just show my designs," Bea confesses, "because I'm too honest to do just that. Janet--that's the van Dyne collection--also makes killer clothing and truth be told, I'm a flea to her elephant in this biz."
    She frowns in thought. "Tell me about the corset. Colour, style. Frilly or close? Cosplay corset or one of the bone-crushers that pushes you in line?" She gestures to her own outfit. "I favour bustierres myself, but there's enough overlap in approach that I'm sure we can work something out. Your skin tone... eyes..." She looks up. Way up. "And damn are you tall. That's a challenge in itself since you're not rail-thin like the mobile clotheshangers most models your height are. You got a shape." It's pretty clear she's just thinking aloud now and that the conversation has turned into a monologue in her head as she looks over Heidi, even using handspans to guestimate measurements before checking out the possibilities.

Singularity has posed:
    Singularity has really no idea what's being discussed other than vaguely, though she does smile back at Heidi's smile, flashing it back before she starts to follow along after the pair as they search for just the right outfit. To her...well, clothes seem really silly. For her personally, of course, but people seem really worried about wearing enough of it to cover up. Which she supposes they need to stay warm sometimes, but then people seem distracted when other people don't wear lots. Though the colors are certainly pretty! Shiny even. The little pocket universe starts darting around looking at various displays, sometimes just flying up over said display if there are people in the way and settling down on the other side. At least one older grandmothery woman makes a sign of the cross as she goes past, to which she pauses, blinking, then cheerfully returns the gesture, assuming it's a greeting.

Heidi Ingerdottir has posed:
"It is rust-colored and very sturdy. No frills." Heidi looks down at herself, gesturing to how far up the corset goes. "It seems very simple, perhaps elegant? I've seen corsets like it in Asgard but it's usually a little more... than I'm used to." Very rarely does she have an excuse to dress up in any fashion. No use for a corset while you're battling or in stables. This will be a fun change to try.

She looks to Singularity, laughing a bit as she watches her dart around. "You seem like you are enjoying things..." She comments before looking back to Beatriz. "I hope you have a few suggestions. I am unsure of where to start."

Beatriz da Costa has posed:
    "Hmm... Rust coloured will prove a challenge this season. This spring goes for fairly vibrant colours." She snorts as she realizes. "In fact I might be able to recommend my own line with a clear conscience. I decided to break the lockstep and go with muted pastels, mostly, with only loud accents in bright colours. Let's go look over here...."
    She frowns as she starts looking over the clothes on display. "Are you using the corset to shape or do you want it visible? Given the colour I'm guessing you want it to be overclothes, not under?"
    Singularities antics earn a glance of amusement. "I wonder how grandma would react if I lit up?" she murmurs to herself. Or so she thinks. Given the senses of Asgardians... and who knows what the hearing of an entire pocket universe is like!

Singularity has posed:
    If she hears, she doesn't understand what Bea is talking about! Mostly because most people don't really harmlessly burst into flame on command. It'd be neat if she did though! Singularity is now totally distracted by all the shiny things at this point...the actual fit and matching part of clothing isn't nearly as interesting as just finding all the nifty accessories and such. Kid in a clothing store, really.

Heidi Ingerdottir has posed:
The Valkyrie-to-be looks towards the clothing as Beatriz directs the way. "Wearing it over, I think," Heidi has to think about it. That was how she tried it on, so she'll go with that. Her attention goes to all of the colors, then she looks back to Beatriz. "Zatanna was talking about the impression that certain garments, such as a corset, give. I have only heard from her. Do you have an opinion? What impression do your clothes give people?"

Beatriz da Costa has posed:
    "Well, I have three major lines: casual, professional, and sl..." She pauses, looking over to where the little-girl-looking creature is flitting around. "Sexy," she amends with a slight chuckle. "In my casual line I want people to think relaxed, but lively and vivacious. Care-free. The kind of person you just want to get to know. In the professional line, I want to project restrained passion. Someone who's professional from head to toe, but who has an inner passion for whatever she's doing driving her. And in the third line, honestly, it's the kind of clothing I'd wear to the club if I'm looking to hook up."
    A wicked grin goes with that last one.
    So in what circumstance are you aiming to wear this corset?"

Heidi Ingerdottir has posed:
Heidi looks at herself. "I do not really have much of a use for the third line, but either of the other two will work. I am not particularly trying to attract..." She tries to think of polite phrasing. "Let me just say I would like to be appreciated and envied but not /too/ much." She pauses. "Zatanna invited me to an event and it seemed as if I should wear something nice to it and since she bought me the corset I thought I would wear it."

Beatriz da Costa has posed:
    "With Zee, the event could be incredibly informal, incredibly formal, or incredibly ... the other one." A couple of swipes with the kitty claws at her friend for kicks. "I'm guessing, though, that it will be something formal. So ..." She rummages through the rack until she finds something, pulling out a long-cut, tailed blazer in a wine colour. "That might go with the rust?" She pauses, then asks hopefully, "you wouldn't happen to have it here, would you?"

Heidi Ingerdottir has posed:
"When I was talking to her she said what she was wearing was alright," Heidi considers the outfit that Zatanna had been wearing before. "I would describe it as above casual but below formal. Perhaps something you would wear on a date." Well, she's making an assumption as to what sort of outfits Midgardians wore on dates. "Then I suppose I will have an option, should I need it later." Not that she expects to--it's just nice to have choices. The blazer is examined for a moment as Heidi mind-matches the colors. "It might work. Unfortunately I did not bring it with me. I did not have the foresight to think that I would need it."

Beatriz da Costa has posed:
    "Well, here's a thought. See what's in the store, anywhere, that's the best colour match you have. Then I'll do the rest." She roots around in a purse and pulls out a stack of cards, riveted at the corner to keep together. "I got my Pantone matcher here, so I can do a quick check. And if you can't find a fabric that's like, just sort through the cards and get as close as you can, K?"
    She waves her card around like a magic talisman. "Never leave home without one, nor without a tape measure. Just the kind of prepared girl I am."
    Again she looks up, pursing her lips to one side speculatively. "May not have in stock something in your size, but that's not a problem. I'll get them to expedite a special order from me. I'm pretty good at delivering to myself."

Heidi Ingerdottir has posed:
"I would need it by Friday," Heidi says, glancing around as she searches for a similar color somewhere. She roams a tiny bit, eventually returning with rust-colored blouse. "It looks very much like this one." She states, peering over at the cards. "That looks very much like an artist's tool of some sort." She sort of has an idea of what it's for. "You are very good at this, but I am certain you know that." There's very bright smile there.

Beatriz da Costa has posed:
    "Well, fashion is art. It's just instead of paint or clay or marble we use cloth and leather and the body." She then handwobbles before taking the blouse and starting to match colours against the cards. "I'm pretty good. I mean I'm not up in the van Dyne range. She's got an eye that's frankly spooky. I model for her at her shows because I'm too ashamed to put my stuff up alongside hers."
    That's probably a bit of humility showing, rather than the full truth.
    "I've got my niche, but she's the nine hundred pound gorilla in the industry. And has earned every accolade."
    She finds the matching card and notes the number, thinking a moment. She nods and brings the blouse over to the blazer to make the comparison.
    "Yeah, I think this will work. So there's no hope in Hell of anything in the shop fitting you, but I don't want to undermine a buyer of my designs, so let's go talk to the sales clerk. We'll get you measured, and you order it special order for your size. Then I'll take that order's picture and send it straight to my cutters and let them start cutting the pieces needed for your size. The seamstresses will probably have it finished tonight or tomorrow. That OK by you?"

Heidi Ingerdottir has posed:
"Leather I'm used to," Heidi says, confidently. Perhaps not leather in the way it's used in fashion here, but she knows what leather is like. She's comfortable in it. "Just because she is at a different level than you does not mean you shouldn't try. Lady Sif is much stronger than I am but she still sees it fit to train me and help me reach my full potential. I am certain if you strive for it you may one day get your goals." And that's her Heidi inspirational moment of the day.

She nods slowly. "You are very kind, I shall be sure to return and pick it up. I can do that."

Beatriz da Costa has posed:
    "Well, to be fair, I got into the scene late. I did other things and ... an accident ..." She doesn't seem to want to be forthcoming. "... knocked me out of my old gig, so I went back to what I started with as a teen: modelling. And I've always been pretty good at drawing, so I thought I'd use that to knock off a few designs of my own, and that ballooned a bit and a few years later I have a small fashion house. But Janet? She's been doing this since before I was born, I figure." It's a lie, but it's a funny one, so she doesn't care. "I'm happy in my niche. And it leaves me time to model which, you know, makes me feel good because people are paying to look at me."
    She tosses her hair, nose up, like a prima donna.
    "I might be a little vain!" she overacts.

Heidi Ingerdottir has posed:
"I was told by someone that I had a build that was desireable for certain types of pictures?" Heidi's not so sure about /that/ but modeling was mentioned. "I do think it must be nice to not really have to do anything to get money when necessary." It really does seem like a way to just fill her pockets for use on Midgard. It still feels a little weird, however. "I do like what you have here though. It seems very appealing and very colorful."

Beatriz da Costa has posed:
    Bea gives Heidi an appraising once over. "Yeah, I can see it," she says. "Not in the high fashion scene. You've got way too much shape for that. But there's a bunch of places that look for big, muscular women with that face and those eyes. You could clean up in that scene once you learn how to catfight properly with the others." She snickers. "Models aren't exactly the nicest people to each other."
    "But don't ake the mistake that it isn't work. It's actually exhausting work, and you have to walk a fine line between being posed and being groped and know how to deal with the latter without losing yourself any jobs ever again. Most models burn out. The smart ones make their cash and leave. The insane ones go back."

Heidi Ingerdottir has posed:
"I see," Heidi says, already not liking the sound of that. "Perhaps I will find another source of income." She doesn't need much, just a little extra spending money. People don't seem to like Asgardian currency much. "It is a fascinating profession, though." Perhaps one she will inquire more about at some point. "It is good that you seem to enjoy it."

Beatriz da Costa has posed:
    "Well, I wasn't joking very much when I said I was vain," Bea confesses. "I started on the beaches just walking up to tourists and offering to take snapshots with them for cash. A bunch of guys who don't get ouch much and never have the attention of a pretty girl go back home with pictures of a pretty girl that's 'obviously' into them and having fun with them. They get bragging rights. I get spending money. Wasn't long before I was up on stage dancing."

Heidi Ingerdottir has posed:
"I feel as if while that is a good method, I could not personally do something like that. Mostly because I would feel somewhat awkward about all of it," Heidi says. "But I am also not used to... using my physical appearance in any particular way." She gestures at the store. "This is all strange to me as I usually do not attempt to stand out more. It attracts attention that I may not particularly desire. I admit some concern with the corset, but the event is located in Zatanna's house and it sounds as if only trusted guests are allowed."

Beatriz da Costa has posed:
    "Zee's good folk. I tease her a lot, and she snaps back hard, but we're like sisters. We've been working together a long time until my ..." She doesn't finish the thought. "...and retirement. Since I decided to come back to the biz, though, she got in touch with me and I'm back in the family." Minus a few members. Her face says it all. "I had a small coming-out party a couple of days ago at a fashion show, and I'm sure Zee's got something bigger planned for me later."

Heidi Ingerdottir has posed:
"She seems very kind. I am always appreciative for new friends and I am glad she thinks highly enough of me to allow me to attend her event," Heidi says. She is a little curious about what all of the mentions to the "family" and "coming-out" actually refer to, but she's certain she'll figure it out from context at some point. "I am glad you are on top of the world." That was a saying, right?

Beatriz da Costa has posed:
    "Top of the world, Ma!" Bea quotes, laughing. "Just I remember the guy who coined that line had it blow up in his face moments later."
    She finalizes some stuff on her phone as the paperwork is finished. "OK, if everything goes well, you'll be able to pick up the blazer tomorrow afternoon. If there's any issues, call me."
    She presses a business card into Heidi's hand.
    "Now sadly I have to depart. I've got some competition to steal fro... ah... be inspired by for my next line." She winks, goes up on her toes to air-kiss both of Heidi's cheeks, and heads off with a wave.