Chapter 24 - That's What She Said

Having recently arrived at a major four-way intersection, Lucas and Jonathan stare up at the massive building diagonally across from them. Multi-tiered stone steps lead up to a corner entrance, its double-wide glass doors are held open with large free-standing signs with the store's current promotional information on them. Above the broad entryway is a sign with "MF Fashion Boutique" written in a large and elegant font.

The outer walls are completely transparent, the floor-to-ceiling windows showing that every floor has a double-height ceiling. The first six floors display a mix of tables and myriad racks on racks of merchandise, with the occasional male mannequin or other such promotional displays. Beyond these six floors, the remaining ones still have a few promotional displays, however, there are walls covered in posters and tapestries blocking off further sight inside behind them. Even from across the intersection, the huge escalators in the center of the store that connects every floor are clearly visible.

The entire building aesthetically appears divided in half, following the seam where the two double-wide doors would touch, were they closed. Throughout every visible floor the left side, when facing in from outside, has the more classic and conservative designs, whereas on the right side are the more vibrant and trendy designs.

"Wow, I didn't think it would be so big." Jonathan lets this slip out as he gawks up at the building across from them. Lucas immediately cracks a grin in response before giving the classic follow-up.

"That's what she said." Lucas barely gets the whole line out before bursting out into laughter at his own bad joke. Unfortunately, Jonathan encourages him further by laughing along with him. As well as two random passersby. Universal, timeless humor.

427 can only give an exaggerated sigh to express his disapproval of Lucas's poor taste in humor.

Still laughing without any care for his image, Lucas goes out onto the relevant crosswalk that is currently vaguely akin to being safe to cross.

Having crossed once, the duo waits for the next change in traffic alongside three strangers. While idling, Lucas notices the soft yipping of a puppy from nearby. As his attention is immediately diverted, he turns around in the direction he heard it from.

The storefront on this corner of the intersection isn't completely glass, however, it does have a large window display to either side of the main door, which is on the side facing MF's. The display leading up to the corner near Lucas currently has three black Labrador and two Husky puppies competing to see who can be the cutest. They are all managing to be simultaneously winning. Those chew toys are absolutely doomed.

One of the Huskies, in particular, seems to have a case of the zoomies, one ear flopped inside-out as he goes about his antics. Watching this scene, Lucas gasps softly before letting out a "D'aww" and starts smacking Jonathan's arm with the back of his hand, pointing out the puppy with his other hand.

"Look, look, that one's just like you." He can't help announcing this insight once Jonathan turns around to look.

Romping a few more steps, the puppy manages to trip over its own feet, landing on its snoot. This doesn't do much to reduce the similarity with Jonathan as far as Lucas is concerned.

Watching the tumble, Jonathan isn't sure if it was an insult or a compliment. Oh, knowing Lucas, it's a compliment either way. He smiles without saying anything, chuckling a bit at their antics as the puppies continue pupping puppily.

[What happened to "Enough fun for now, we have a busy day ahead of us?"]

'THEY'RE. ALL. GOOD. DOGS.'

[...The light is about to change.]

'Ugh, fine.'

Lucas's lingering gaze on the puppies flicks up to the sign over the storefront. Written on it in a simple font is "Faunahorde" with a few paw prints around it, as well as a few bird claw prints. Coughing from the exhaust of a truck that just went past, he begrudgingly turns to cross the multi-lane street over toward their destination.

[Besides, while you were distracted by the puppies, I'm pretty sure Black Ash Snow was staring at you, and he seemed to be thinking hard about something. The weird thing is, you got .01 GDV as it happened.]

'Wait what? Where even was he?'

[...In his store?]

'Eh?'

[…How foolish of me to assume you are familiar with all the local supervillains. He runs Faunahorde. Before you even ask, since you don't seem to know anything about him, his ability is to speak with and command animals.]

'!!! He can tell all the good bois all about what good bois they are! You really jipped me with strength! I want a refund!'

[Ignoring your misplaced priorities, it wasn't an option anyway. His is one of the few unique superpowers that Boss System hasn't been able to replicate. Shit, you've really corrupted me already, I didn't even consciously intend on calling it Boss System.]

'...At least that makes me feel a little better.'

Pausing on the steps of the clothing store, Lucas looks at one of the promotional signs nearby. It is advertising a line of card-suit-themed clothing, doubling as an advertisement for Alice Song's latest movie release that Mind Flare played a supporting role in.

'Oh yeah, I still need to download that. I need to remember to get popcorn for it too. Oh! 427 keep a grocery list for me, and add popcorn to it.'

[You... Sigh, fine.]

Looking up at the displays on the various floors before going in, Lucas's gaze lingers on a blue sequin dress on a male mannequin with matching stiletto heels in front of it up in the fifth floor's window display. As they enter the store, Lucas can't help elbowing Jonathan, at least he manages to control his strength enough that he doesn't make him stagger.

"So, fifth floor right?" Lucas's look of mischief as he says this makes it clear he's just teasing him. Either not realizing it's a joke, or just wanting to cover all his bases, Jonathan pales a bit as he responds.

"...Just the first three please."

"I know, I know, just pullin' your leg. Start with some everyday clothes here first, head up to third for some comfy clothes around the apartment, then spend whatever time we have left to kill on the second floor looking at all the super-suits? Figure we're good to stay here till 4:30, maybe 5 if we don't wanna do anything too fancy for dinner tonight, still need time to hit the grocery store regardless." After chuckling at Jonathan's response, Lucas gives a much more reasonable plan of attack.

Giving an enthusiastic nod and humming an affirmation, Jonathan darts over to look at some patterned hoodies off to his right.

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Lucas kills this chapter: 0

Lucas total kills: 6

Lucas deaths this chapter: 0

Lucas total deaths: 6

Lucas current GDV: 4.4 (+.01 net change)

Jonathan current GDV: .69 (still nice)

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Little character theater:

Jonathan, enthusiastic about spending as much of Lucas's money as he can get away with: Oh, oh, how many outfits can I get!? I get multiple pairs of shoes right? I wear sneakers out pretty quick... (Wait no, he's just looking forward to actually owning things again.)

Lucas, quite amused: Since when were 14-year-old boys so excited about clothes shopping?

427, with a very warning tone: [Just remember, you're not the only super-powered individuals that come here.]

Author, blinking and then staring out into the audience seating once they're done speaking: Shhh 427, don't take the fun out of the upcoming chapter's events.. Wait, oops, I just did. You're probably expecting it anyway, right?