Emma's Victorian Cosplay Store [[ALWAYS OPEN]]

Here are some examples of what Emma's store offers:

Example One
Example One Side
Example Two
Example Three
Example Four
Example Five

As the pair of teenage girls approached the extensive and very sophisticated seeming Victorian cosplay shop, Juuri's smile widened immensely. She turned to Raven, quite giddy, and exclaimed "Isn't it COOL?!!" She spun in a pirhouette and crossed the street without looking. Thankfully, no cars had swung around the corner at breakneck speeds and made her road chili.

As the silver haired girl came to a dead halt in front of a breathtakingly gorgeous light blue dress, EXTREMELY small corset waist included, with cream lace down the front and along the bottom layers [[see the middle dress in example one]], her jaw unhinged and she openly gaped. Through the window, all she could see were layers upon layers of every color lace, silk, and satin. Turning her head to the right a bit to get a better angle, she saw different color and fabric suits in many rows.

Momentarily pushing the fact that she was accompanied by a younger girl who she should have been looking after to the back of her mind, Juuri rushed through the fancy frosted glass double doors and once more came to a dead halt. The smell was intoxicating to her, a mix of svelte fabrics and rich vanilla, but also a little citrus, like an orange peel. The sacrifice quite enjoyed this place.

A tiny woman dressed in a Victorian maid's uniform [[see example five]] waltzed from in between two rows and smiled in welcome at the girls. "Hello. My name is Emma. May I help you?" she offered in what seemed to be a genuinely happy voice. Juuri took in her small demeanor and brown bun and automatically knew the store was based off one of her favorite manga, Emma. She laughed inwardly at the thought and smiled at the woman, ice blue eyes crinkled in delight. "Hi!" she exclaimed. " You must be the owner of the store, judging by your name. We're just here to peruse, and if the dresses are for sale, maybe buy one." Juuri threw the option of buying out to the woman as a bargaining chip to get on her good side. If the dresses weren't for sale, just for fun and she had to pay to play around in them a bit, so be it. She could probably afford to pay for all three girls. "We have another friend who should be meeting us here shortly. Oh, and I love how much you look like Emma from the manga."

The woman's smile widened and her hazel eyes sparkled. "Yes, the dresses are all for sale, for the great Victorian fans like myself. And I am the owner! Feel free to look around, and if you need any help, please don't hesitate to ask. Oh, and the manga is quite wonderful, it was the inspiration for the shop!" the stranger opened her arms wide, gesturing around her, and without waiting for a reply, pivoted and disappeared once more between the folds of fabric.

Glancing around, Juuri noticed the variety of the store. There were even infants dresses and suits hanging in rows along the walls! And the entire place was split by gender, men, boys, and male infants to the right, women, girls, and female infants to the left. Separating the two was a wide aisle. The dressing rooms were hidden in a place in the wall, and the sacrifice wondered if they would be big enough to be comfortable with the HUGE lace dresses. Would they also need a genuine corset? Her breath became shallow at the thought, but she inhaled deeply and calmed it back down.

Suddenly, a wonderful red velvet dress caught her eye, [[see example three]] and she sprinted to it. "I'm definitely trying this on. Right now. Ai can catch up." she informed her smaller companion.

Raven watches as Juuri dashed across the street, still trailing behind her, she’d stop at the edge of the side walk, looking both ways, before making a break for the other side, standing there besides Juuri, she’d gaze into the shop as well, smiling at how beautiful the different colors appeared to her. Dazzled she didn’t take a moment to follow Juuri into the store.

Gazing around, as she was also dazzled by the aroma of the room. Raven almost didn’t hear the female Emma, not really realizing she was from a manga, seeing as if she’s never read it before. Though she liked how the maids outfit looked on her, noting herself that she’d had to find something like that. Though the girl looked around the store after Juuri had gone to the dress. She smiled, brushing back a few locks of her pinkish-purple hair; even if it just fell back into place.

Shortly following Juuri to the red dress, she’d laugh, and nodded her head. “Alright then.” Raven rubbed her fingers against the different pieces of fabric of the different dresses, not sure what to really try one, before she came across one of the maids outfits. Blushing as take it off the rack, holding it against her small body. “Of course.. This one’s too big..” Raven put it back as she’d then take a smaller version down seeing if it fit against her, which it looked close to it.

Glancing around she’d let Juuri go and try on her dress first, even if there were more changing rooms in the back, Raven felt it was best to wait for Ai to come. So now glancing around the Store, Raven felt drawn to the men’s side, not knowing why she’d simply walked over tilting her head to the side, as she’d take down an outfit that somewhat appealed to her.
It was a young boys outfit [ https://s203.photobucket.com/albums/aa170/DemonTheAssassin/?action=view&current=Erich-1.jpg (Assuming Erich’s)] A dark blue jacket, with the same colored pants. A white shirt and a bow. Raven blushed at the uniform, trying to imagine herself cosplaying as a young boy, knowing it’d be difficult with her hair, but she was sure she could tuck it under a hat. “What are you thinking Raven! That’s embarrassing.” She said aloud, though to herself, before she continued on a different thought "Though.. Girls do that everyday, don't they?" Raven held out the little outfit, the maids dress draped over her left arm, as she stared at the outfit.

Ai hurried into the store glancing around for her two companions. Spotting Raven a little ways away she nearly sprinted to the girl but settled on a brisk walk. She really didn't want to seem kind of crazy and hyper-active. She noted what the girl was looking and smiled. It really was a nice suit. Clearing her throat to catch the girl's attention she really hoped she hadn't scared her. "Um, hey Raven, where's Juuri? And this shop is pretty amazing even if I'm not really into that Victorian stuff. I've never really liked dresses."

The girl let out an embarrassed laugh. "The only time I really ever where one is to weddings and funerals. Pretty lame, huh?" Another laugh escaped her before she sighed. She had spoken all of that in one breath. "Sorry if I'm kind of babbling. I tend to do that when I'm nervous."

Raven glanced over at Ai, glad she hadn't jumped at the sound of her voice, but she smiled warmly towards her. placing the costume she had on her left arm on top of the maids dress she had. "Well, Juuri's back there changing, and yeah. I've always liked Victorian."

Raven glanced to the side when she mentioned funerals, knowing what it was like. "Yeah I don't wear dresses often either, It feels weird to me." She's then suddenly change her expression grinning as she'd look up at Ai, "No it's fine, I tend to babble myself when I get tense about something." Raven then glanced around the store, for no reason but to take her mind off of the boys outfit she had and hopefully to draw Ai's attention away from it as well, Raven then gazed back at Ai, "Want me to help you pick out something?"

Juuri had glanced around quickly to make sure her small companion was safely in the shop with her, then took the dress off the rack and hitched it up over her arm. It was noticeably heavy, but the girl didn't mind it, and turned to jog into the dressing rooms. As she waltzed in, her icy eyes took in the abundance of floor space. The pathway was wide, at least four feet, and long, like a hallway. There were rows of six actual rooms to change in, and at the end of the hallway was a grand three panel mirror, able to show someone off from all angles. Her face lit up and a wide smile spread, and she quickly hung the dress up on a dangerous looking hook that stuck out inches farther than a normal one in the farthest room from the entrance as well as the closest to the three panel mirror.

Before attempting to try the contraption on, Juuri inspected it carefully. Instead of a crinoline, there were layers and layers of silk. 'Well, that explains the weight.' she thought bitterly, frowning. Either the dress was a replica of the time before crinolines, or someone didn't really do their research.

Either way, the deep crimson velvet and delicate buttons down the front caught her contact covered eyes and a small smile graced her features once more. The sacrifice looked around her roomy dressing area and silently wondered if she should have called Emma to ask about undergarments like a corset or camisole. She slipped out of the room and down the hallway quickly, making sure to leave the door cracked so she didn't lock herself out and seem like an idiot.

Poking her head around the corner, Juuri observed Raven criticizing a blue suit that looked suspiciously like Erich Molders from Emma, but didn't see her fighter, so she walked to the back and caught the owner's attention. "Uhm..." she muttered, startling the brunette woman, "I'm sorry to scare you. I was just wondering if I needed any special garments or anything to try on a dress?" she scratched the back of her head, looking sheepishly at the ground to her right. Emma smiled widely though, and replied "Well, it's up to you actually. I have corsets here, and camisoles, if you'd like. but I'll have to help you tighten it."

The young woman smiled, lifting her view back up, and nodded fervently. "Of course! But I'll be able to breath still right?" She stared at the stranger with a worried expression, but the woman just laughed and sized her up. "Of course. I'll just tie it very loosely, so you can breathe comfortably." with that, she turned around and grabbed the article off a desk Juuri had failed to notice before.

About five minutes later (and most likely right around when Ai came in,) Juuri was being helped finishing up the buttons down her dress. "I wish it had actually been his easy back then. I bet not so many women would have walked around with broken ribs just to have a small looking waist!" she laughed amiably to the woman in front of her. She got a laugh in return and a quick "All right, you're done!"

Stepping out of the room was a bit difficult, as she'd never worn something with so many layers before, but the look on Emma's face was comforting, and she didn't bother closing her eyes as she turned to face the mirror. The dress was stunning on her, just plain STUNNING. The red fabric seemed to fall in all the right places, and though she knew her hair would be up had she truly been in the era, her long silver strands stood out wonderfully against the dark crimson. And although her corset was laced loosely, she still looked a bit slimmer. Or maybe the buttons made her seem like that. She turned a dazzling smile toward the woman and thanked her repeatedly, then collected herself and stepped out to face her fighter and the other small girl. She hoped they would be impressed, but also hoped they had found something of their own to try on.

Raven’s attention danced across the room as she’d stare dazed at Juuri. She looked beautiful in the dress as she walked towards the two girls standing there. “It looks amazing on you, Juuri.” Raven said as she’d clap her hands, tilting her head to the side smiling. It actually did look amazingly beautiful on her, the lovely red fabric complimented her silver hair. “I like how the fabric compliments you~” She’d state, as she slightly reached out feeling the fabric.

Raven then stepped towards Juuri, walking around the woman, she’d catch every detail of the dress. “It looks heavy on you Juuri.” Raven finally said after observing the fabric, “It’s still beautiful though.” She’d giggle softly, Raven return to Ai’s side, smiling. “I think you should get it!” She’d suggest, almost dropping the two Cosplay outfits draped over her arm.

Ai was just about to answer Raven when Juuri stepped out in a stunning red dress. Ai felt her eyes go wide, the dress was beautiful and it complimented her sacrifice. "Wow Juuri I think I agree. You should so get that dress, you look so pretty!" Ai shook her head lightly and smiled in amazement.

Juuri grinned widely at the compliments, but blushed a bit. "Thanks guys. I don't have any use for something like this though, so why would I waste the money?" She noticed the owners face fall a bit, but the woman covered it with a polite smile once more and stayed silent, so she chose to ignore it and scrutinize what Raven had chosen. "Is that a replica of Erich's clothes? It's adorable!" she exclaimed, noticing the suit in the smaller girl's arms. She thought it was an odd choice, coming from the boys clothes rack, but kept her manners. She knew everyone had their own opinion and taste. "While you try those on, may I choose something I think will compliment you well?" she smiled sweetly, hoping not to get resistance from the girl. Turning to Ai, she added "You don't have a choice. I AM picking something for you to try on." She winked and smirked menacingly at her fighter.

Raven smiled and respected Juuri's choice "Well, it's up to you if you want to buy it or not." She'd then look down at the outfits draped over her arm, before looking up at Juuri tilting her head to the side as she blushed a bright red, "Thanks, I don't think I'll buy it though." Raven then glanced to the side, though of course some fabric drew her attention, even so she heard what Juuri had said and looked back over at her, "I don't mind, go ahead." Raven gave a warm smile back, then giggled at how Juuri mentioned she was going to pick something out for Ai.

Raven then stepped to the side to walk towards the dressing room. Stepping inside one that was obviously empty, she'd set the two outfits down on the bench that was given for the customers to sit on. Gazing upon the both of them, Raven picked up the little boys outfit. Tilting her head as she'd simply slid the shirt on, even with that mere piece on it felt weird to her but she continued to see what she would look like.

Once dressing herself in the outfit, Raven glanced around her. Seeing it was all in check, she'd then look up at her pinkish-purple hair blowing a piece out of her eyes, she'd then tuck her hair up and under her hat that she kept on "Wow, that's very disrespectful, Miss Nanane.." Her inner voice said the obvious, she'd roll her eyes. Now slowly walking out of the dressing room, as a mirror caught her eye, gazing a the mirror, she criticized herself. "I really don't think blue is my color." She said aloud before walking towards Juuri and Ai, blushing horribly bad.

The brunette's shoulder length hair fell into her eyes as she watched Raven disappear into the dressing room. Flicking it out of her eyes, Ai's smile fell away into a pout as she glanced around the store. She hadn't really studied it when she ran in but now was the perfect time. It was a very nice store, in her opinion at least, but it wasn't really her taste. She was not a fan of dress; they always restricted her ability to move and she like to be able to run if necessary. Glancing back at Juuri she pouted again.

"What if I don't want to try anything on? I don't do dresses and they don't do me. You're not getting me into one." The girl's pout hadn't left her face and she crossed her arms across her chest. She knew this was the wrong thing to say because she figured her sacrifice would find some way for her to eat her words. Shrugging mentally the girl's thoughts reflected a small streak of amusement. 'Oh well, this is what friends do. I suppose, anyway.'

She had seen a dangerous glint in her sacrifice's eyes before and knew just what she would most likely do. In an effort to distract her she pointed as Raven came out in her outfit. "Hey Juuri Raven's dressed. Let's go see!" With that the girl took off.

Juuri watched the younger girl walk away and giggled. She didn't seem to sure of herself, but if she kept in contact with the sacrifice, that'd change very soon. Once Raven was out of sight, she began searching over racks and through different dresses, listening to Ai's pathetically hidden plea for her not to find a garment. Juuri smirked as her other half flat out refused to wear a dress and stated, with just a hint of malice and sadism, "Don't forget that you're my fighter. If I order you to try on the dress, it's physically IMPOSSIBLE for you to refuse." She was tempted to continue her teasing, saying something like "I bet you'll become completely blank, like a robot, and blindly follow me to the dressing room." but the pain of her past came to run her over in a wave as the memories of 'the impostor' as she put it pretending to act exactly in that manner when Juuri thought she had ordered her to do something.

Swimming in the instant headache that formed in her temples, the sacrifice dropped her attention from a gorgeous lilac purple gown that would obviously look amazing on her true fighter. Ai's words seemed fuzzy as she attempted to draw her sacrifice's attention from the dresses. With that simple sentence, Juuri's inner world was thrown into turmoil. As she watched Ai's back while the girl ran forward to see Raven, her thoughts became one frantic strand of worries. 'Can she not tell that something's wrong?! Is the thread not working?! Was it NEVER working, was it all in my head?!! Am I getting tricked again, and Ai will leave just like before?!' as the thoughts swirled in her mind, the sacrifice seemed to become quite ill, frozen in place by the sheer terror of her worst fear, and the room swam before her eyes.

Trying to steady herself, Juuri grabbed hold of the closest dress rack, leaning all her weight onto it, and in turn disappearing from sight of the other two. As a last ditch effort to cling to her sanity, the sacrifice looked down at her unit thread with wide, almost unseeing eyes, and gathered all of her energy to silently scream through the normally invisible wire 'AI! HELP ME!!'


[[ooc: Wolf, check your gmail before you reply, okay?]]

Raven was just now coming out of the dressing area, pulling the white shirt down a little more as she looked up to see Ai, smiling warmly, though blushing horribly as she though she looked horrible in the outfit. Raven looked almost like a boy, but with such feminine features. Her cat like ears that were hidden under her hat would clearly pin backwards. “It’s not really my color..” Raven glanced to the side, suddenly seeing Juuri looking pale and as if she were to throw up her lunch then suddenly collapse.

Raven then looked back over at Ai, putting her hand on Ai’s shoulder, she’d point towards Juuri. “Ai, I think there’s something wrong with Juuri!” She’d slightly push Ai towards her, before she’d run off to go and find the woman Emma. “Emma, help!” As Raven found the woman, the two would surround Juuri, helping her sit down.

Raven knelt in front of Juuri, concerned for her, “Ai, maybe we should call the hospital?” Raven looked up at Ai as she’d stand up glance back and forth between the two. “I know something’s up… Something has to be wrong here... And I bet it has something to do with Kyo-Chan…” Raven thought placing the pieces of the puzzle together. “They have to be this.. Sacrifice and Fighter.. There‘s no other explanation..”

A stinging jolt went through Ai and the girl heard her sacrifice scream through their thread. Spinning around completely the girl quickly overtook Raven and came to a stop in front of her friend. She reached out to steady the girl and her mouth was set in a grim line. A few choice words flowed through her mind but none were voiced; she was too frightened.

Whipping out her phone she quickly called for an ambulance. Turning back to her sacrifice she watched her worriedly. "Juuri, Juuri, can you hear me?!" She waited for the girl's affirmative as she glanced at Raven and beckoned the girl closer. "Raven can you help me lower Juuri to the ground?"

Worry was pooling in her gut and she felt like she was going to be sick. The brunette could feel the burning pricks in her eyes, but she refused to give into the feeling. She had to be strong, for Juuri's sake. The girl began to babble again. "Everything's going to be all right now." 'I hope.' she added silently.

As the two females helped lower Juuri to the ground, the oldest ran around appearing quite similar to a chicken with it's head cut off. She babbled something about ambulances and teenagers and large dresses and paced in a frantic circle whilst waving her arms in a manner that would clip someone's face right off if they were within range.

Meanwhile, Juuri panted and huffed in the heavy dress. What had this fun little shopping visit turned into? A full out delusion caused by a past she had thought was... well, in the past. She allowed herself to be lowered to the ground, and if she could have, she would have rested her head right in between her knees to breathe. As it was, the layers of fabric probably would have suffocated her if she did that, so instead the girl leaned back onto the very soft bottom of another gown and inhaled unevenly.

Juuri wasn't really aware of anything as Ai called for the ambulance, save for the soft cloth behind her head and the sound of the shop owners never ending voice. But when her fighter kneeled down with her and asked, panic laced through every syllable, if she could hear her, the sacrifice snapped her contact lidded eyes open and stared quite terrified at the girl.

Before she could try to calm herself down, Juuri was on her hands and knees, crawling as close to Ai as she could. She paid no attention to Raven, though the VERY small rational part of her mind knew it was very rude. When the girls were face to face, noses almost touching, Juuri pleaded with the girl, praying to any God that could or would hear to affirm her hopes of everything being okay. "Did you hear me?!" she cried to the girl in front of her, tears streaming down her fair cheeks. "Did you hear me call you?!?! I used the thread! You HAVE to have heard me or it's not REAL!! It'll be fake and you'll LEAVE like she did!!" Juuri wailed, not being able to control herself because of her terror.

Somewhere in her mind while she ranted and babbled a part of her thought 'I have to calm myself down! Two people here have no idea what our world is! Three have no idea why I'm freaking out like this!' "I don't want another fighter! You HAVE to be mine, it just doesn't make sense!!" the young woman yanked her left long sleeve up almost to her elbow and stuck out her wrist, revealing the scripted Relentless, right under Ai's nose, literally. "If you weren't true, THIS wouldn't be here!!!"

Without warning, Juuri slumped over onto her left hip and let her head fall to between her now lowered hands. She hadn't fainted, but she knew she had to calm her breathing down or she would. She took a deep breath, but it didn't seem to be enough air, so she panted again unevenly, crying quietly but loud enough to be heard.
Really, what had this seemingly pleasant day come to?

Trying to get Juuri to sit back down, though was clearly ignored. Raven sighed and just stood there besides Emma watching Juuri crawl towards Ai. "What's she doing?" Raven watched at Juuri was now face to face with Ai, blinking she'd then watch her completely and utterly break down.

“What’s this thread?” Raven questioned herself almost aloud but kept quiet as she continued to watch the two females. Gazing at Ai then at Juuri, feeling the pain that came from Juuri, even if she didn’t understand anything of what they were saying.

"She mentioned fighter!!" Raven got excited inside of her own mind knowing this had to be true, but kept calm on the surface. Raven kept watching as Juuri then showed the tattoo looking thing from before. “Relentless?” Raven felt confused as she gazes upon the tattoo. Even if the puzzles pieces were still being put together Raven felt as if she had missed something, something she knew but couldn’t remember.

Raven took a mere step towards Juuri, before her neko ears under her hat would twitch slightly hearing the ambulance coming from down the street. Without speaking Raven just stood there and folded her arms over her chest looking down at Juuri, feeling sorry for the two of them. "Juuri... Ai.. What's going on? I understand.. but then I don't.. What's missing from this puzzle that I can't complete!! I'm missing a piece." Raven sighed softly as she'd glance downward wanting to remember the memory she know she had, wanting to find that puzzle piece that she knew came with the set.

Ai's face was frozen in shock as Juuri completely and utterly broke down. The girl felt her own tears prick and flow over as the desperation and pain laced her sacrifice's voice. The brunette girl could feel the emotions of her sacrifice going haywire. On her knees the girl did something she wouldn't usually do and pulled Juuri into a hug.

"W-what are you talking about?! Of course I heard you; why wouldn't I? We're fighter and sacrifice aren't we?" The girl blinked rapidly against the tears now falling. "I don't know what happened to you before but I would never do anything to hurt you, intentionally anyway." The girl paused for a second before trying to calm and uplift her sacrifice. She pulled up the sleeve of her left arm and shoved it into the silver haired girl's face. "And I really doubt my grandparents would ever let me get a tattoo."

Jumping slightly when she heard the sound of sirens the girl glanced at a confused and sympathetic Raven. She knew that after this both Juuri and her would have some explaining to do. A lot of explaining to do. Mentally shrugging the girl returned her attention back to Juuri and watched the girl sadly. It hurt her to know that Juuri didn't fully trust, but she supposed she could understand. 'If I'm good for only one single thing it's understanding.'

Juuri clutched onto Ai's shirt and sobbed loudly. She sat for a minute listening to her fighter's soothing voice, and laughed at herself just a bit for freaking out. Of course, she wasn't at all calm, and as Emma led the paramedics to where the trio was, her tears only multiplied. 'I'm so stupid. Of course Ai wouldn't do that to me. She's not cruel. And fate wouldn't fuck me up like that again, would it?' "I don't need an ambulance." she stated, shaking her head rapidly and in turn having the room spin around her. She blinked a few times trying to calm everything back down and released her fighter to sit back. The paramedics helped her to her feet and she looked down at herself, cursing her past and her weaknesses.

Breathing deeply and a bit more evenly now, the sacrifice turned to the store owner, who simply stared at her as though she were a monkey at the zoo. "I'm sorry for ruining you dress." she hiccupped, brushing dust from the floor off the velvet fabric. She pulled her arm out of the one man's hand and looked up. "I guess I'll buy it, the cost doesn't matter." she brought her hand up to wipe away some tears that lay drying on her face. The paramedic to her left interrupted then, saying "Ma'am, you need to get into the ambulance. You can come back, or one of your friends can get your wallet and pay for you. But we must leave now."

Juuri stared blankly at the man. "Ai comes with me. She's not allowed to leave." Turning to look at Raven for the first time since breaking down, she offered the girl a watery smile, lips trembling, and informed her "You can come along, if I haven't freaked you out too much." she gave Ai a sidelong glance, half making sure she was still there, and half trying to give her a worried look. "I might have a few things to explain, too." 'We might have to take her to Ritsu, if she's not part of a pair...' she added silently, breath almost back to normal.

Glancing back to the paramedics, she firmly said "I'm fine. I don't need to go to the hospital. Besides, I HAVE to pay for the dress now." she frowned, trying to hide the shaking legs under the layers of heavy fabric. Folding her arms in defiance, she thought that maybe, just maybe, she wasn't as 'completely okay' as she was acting.

As Raven kept to the side, concentrating on the imaginary puzzle in front of her, she’d continue to watch the scene. She still had a concerned look upon her face, wanting to do something but apparently restricted by her knowledge and experience in this field, Raven simply just stood and watched, slightly confused still.

She finally felt the need to talk once Juuri had offered for her to come, “Of course, I’ll want to.” Raven almost let her determination out. Her eyebrows pulled together slightly before swiftly shifting to a calm expression. “I’m not about to back down this far in.. I have questions unknown and unanswered..”

Raven continued to watch as the paramedics left after being reassured that Juuri was fine, stepping back to the changing room without a word, Raven quickly changed back into her normal clothes. “I might as well buy these..” She mumbled to herself while she pulled out her black wallet, admiring the glossy orange and red flames on the top of it. Then laughing mentally to herself at the small pieces of note paper sticking out of the top of it. "I've got to go over these some time, it doesn't look much of a wallet, but a binder of a high school nerd." She thought before letting out a small yet faint giggle. "That's right.. I am a nerd."

Ai shot up quickly from her kneeling position and stared after the paramedics for a second before turning her gaze to the retreating Raven. The girl quickly whirled back to her scarifice and leveled a glare at her. "I really think you should go to the hospital." There was nothing more she could add to her statement.

She couldn't hold the glare and let it drop quickly. She knew what she asked next was a sensitive topic but she couldn't help the curiosity bubbling inside her. "Um, what exactly was this all about? You don't have to answer, I completely understand if you don't and I'll be ready to talk when you are."

Blushing timidly in shame the girl glanced down to her feet. Looking back up she then voiced another concern. "And what exactly are we going to tell Raven; I do think the girl deserves to know. After all we have kind of left her out of the loop." 'I hope we don't get in too much trouble for this.'

Juuri watched the men walk away, shaking their heads and complaining about the drive for nothing. She silently thanked the pink haired girl who was walking away; she highly doubted she could face her two worst fears, Ai leaving and needles, both in the same night without dying. "I'm fine." she reassured her fighter quietly. Juuri was so ashamed of how she had broken down like that that she couldn't look the girl in the face.

Blushing a quite horrible shade of crimson, she swallowed down a few more stray tears that threatened to spill as she thought of how she had kept such a huge secret from her other half. After all, it had altered her life permanently, who was to say if it would affect Ai in a strange way as well? 'How can I tell her that someone scarred me like that, and I'm terrified that she'll do the same? She'll get so pissed...' she pondered sourly. Turning away to walk slowly toward her abandoned dressing room, she murmured "Let's not discuss it here in public. I'm not really sure anyone, myself included, could handle another breakdown like that." she turned her bloodshot eyes toward Emma, who was waiting for Raven to pay for the adorable suit she wore behind the counter, and who kept shooting nervous glances over at the very oddly acting pair. Juuri laughed humorlessly, adding "I really don't think SHE could handle it." and pointing rudely.

Finally finding the nerve to look back at her fighter, Juuri took in the tear lines from where Ai had cried with her and sighed unhappily. "I'm sorry, Ai. I know I shouldn't have kept such a huge secret from you, but I promise, I WILL explain it. Just... give me a few days. I have to prepare myself if we don't want a repeat performance." she frowned. "In the mean time, you're right, Raven deserves to know. The only problem is Ritsu. Won't he send one of his dogs after us if we tell someone who isn't a sacrifice or fighter? God, he'll probably send one just for letting it slip at all. Even if Raven is one of us, Emma isn't." Juuri sighed once more, watching the pair on the opposite side of the shop. 'She doesn't seem to be thinking about that at all, though... She thinks I'm crazy, most likely.' the sacrifice shook her head and looked back at Ai. "Let's see if she has an 'odd tattoo that she can't explain.' If she does, we'll explain flat out. If she doesn't, we can ask if she..." Juuri hesitated, contemplating the best options of how to go about getting information from the younger girl. "We can ask if she's ever heard of a 'verbal battle that uses intricate words, kind of like spells.' If she hasn't, we can't explain without Ritsu coming after us." she watched Ai carefully, resolved that if Ritsu did send someone, she would take all the blame and try to let Ai escape. After all, it was herself that revealed everything in the first place.

Raven kept moving forward towards the counter looking back at Juuri and Ai, still concentrating on what she had forgotten and trying to remember it. Though all the same she smiled up at Emma, and handed her the needed amount of money for the two outfits that she had picked out. She kept her warm smile on, to reassure Emma that everything would and is fine. “I’m sure Juuri was just worried about something and snapped over stress.” Raven gave Emma a polite bow “Arigatou, for the dresses.”

Raven then turned to go towards Ai and Juuri, instead she stood there seeing them talking, and watching Juuri walk back towards the Dressing room. Raven stood by the entrance. Still thinking to herself, before it then suddenly snapped! “Why didn’t this come to me before!” Raven glanced down at her chest slightly, as she had remembered what had happened before. Though remaining quiet and slightly calm, Raven simply brushed her index fingers across her collar bone slowly. Gulping as if she had something stuck in the bottom of her throat.

Raven dropped her hand and remained silent awaiting for Ai and Juuri. “Should I tell them?” Raven debated with herself. “Maybe when we’re not around people.. That seems reasonable.” Raven then glanced over at Emma, seeing as if she thought nothing of the situation. "Well.. At least that's good." Raven then gazed back at Ai and Juuri, now absolutely determined to find out the truth.

Ai frowned again at her sacrifice. It did seem like something Ritsu would do. Ai knew vaguely of him; only through stories mostly. The brunette girl kept pace with Juuri. Her naturally soft voice dropped lower until it was probably barely audible to those who listened. "He probably will, Juuri. But we're in this together. Don't try to say otherwise because you're not gonna take the sole blame on this. We're partners and I'm not going to leave you alone to face him. And if the bastard tries anything he will answer to me; regardless of the consequences."

Brushing the back of her hand against her face the girl wiped away her own tear trails. Smiling softly at the silver haired girl she murmured again. "And thanks for your decision to tell me. Take all the time you want. I don't want to press upon something painful for you. Because it does seem to be painful. Just tell me when you're ready."

Turning away from the girl finally, she jogged over to a deep in thought Raven. She smiled shyly at the pink haired girl and sighed softly. "Um, we're probably going somewhere more secluded. Is that all right with you?" The girl's bronze eyes wavered in her gaze before she broke eye contact and glanced to the floor. It was something she wasn't good at; eye contact. She hardly look anyone in the eyes. She hated herself for it because she knew it made her seem weak. Shaking away her thoughts she glanced nervously at the shopkeeper.

“secluded?” Raven thought for a moment about where this place might be, why it had to be secluded, and what she would find out when she arrives there. Though Raven gave no hesitation to replying to Ai, “Of course, I don’t mind at all.” Raven nodded towards Ai, noticing how she couldn’t keep eye contact with her, though knew she herself were the same.

Without thinking Raven suddenly spoke, “Have you ever forgotten something, and suddenly have it come back to you?” Raven asked Ai, though realized she was talking, and it might ahve sounded retarded or all of a sudden. Raven looked away blushing badly out of embarrassment. “It’s hard to explain.. but I think I remembered something..” Raven added slightly then glanced back up at Ai. Remaining silent till Juuri came, wanting her to hear as well.

Juuri tried in vain to get the little bow at the end of the corset untied, but it seemed to be triple knotted. 'What kind of crazy person triple knots an article of clothing?!' she yelled silently, quite distressed.

Finally throwing her hand up in surrender of the struggle with the undergarment, she turned to taking off the skirt, which wasn't difficult at all, but caused Juuri to laugh, as there was so much lace underneath the velvet that it actually stood almost straight up as if someone were still wearing it. The sacrifice chuckled softly as she pulled her jeans back on, but it was quick lived, as Ai's words replayed themselves in her mind. 'We're in this together...We're partners and I'm not going to leave you alone...'

She found herself staring sadly into the mirror, standing in a white corset and jeans. Yes, pride and joy had welled in her so strongly she felt her knees would buckle once more, but the thought of her fighter taking on someone as strong and infamous as Ritsu made her stomach turn. There was no way in Hell she would let that happen, and she was resolved of that.

Finally sighing and turning back to the affronting bow once more, Juuri watched her nimble fingers in the mirror as they slowly loosened one knot and got it undone. A smile forming on her face, she then focused on the double knot, and quickly had the entire thing undone. "Victory!" she whispered, picking up her shirt and quickly slipping it over her head.



As she walked out of the dressing room, wallet in one hand, dress and hanger in another (rather, thrown over her other arm) her eyes darted about the room to find her companions. Juuri scolded herself silently for being so paranoid as she found them a little closer to the door than the register, but didn't bother alerting them to her presence as she paid a weary looking Emma, who thanked her for the purchase in a tight lipped voice and almost at light-speed was back in the back room, watching her with narrowed eyes. The girl simply chuckled once again and walked back to the others. "Sorry about everything guys. And Raven, especially to you. You can't quite go home yet." Juuri blushed lightly and brought a hand up to scratch the back of her head, watching for the girl's reaction. "We have to talk to you first. Ai, where should we do this?" She knew they needed to take their purchases to their respective homes, but didn't want to run the risk of Raven trying to escape before they could at least TRY to explain things.

Ai nodded at Raven slightly before answering. "Yeah, I've had that happen to me before. A lot actually." She chuckled lightly. The girl didn't notice her sacrifice behind her until the sound of the other girl's voice made her jump. Quickly turning the girl answered even more quickly. "Um, well I was thinking somewhere where we won't be overheard. Um what about your house? You live alone right?"

Blushing slightly at her thoughtlessness the girl quickly stumbled back over her words. "Um, I would say let's do this at my house but I live with my grandparents and they could walk in or over hear us at anytime. So, uh, where ever you want." The girl sighed lightly and mentally smacked herself. 'Great Ai, kudos to you for being kind of insensitive.'