“What are you two looking for today?” Staysha inquires, smoothly transitioning into business mode.
“Vinna needs some clothes, so we’re here to get her set up.”
My head snaps to Aydin at his statement.
“Wait, I thought we were here for you?” I question, feeling duped.
Aydin’s smirk would make the Cheshire Cat jealous, and I shoot him a murderous glare.
“Any particular occasion, season, or style?” Staysha queries, unphased by our exchange.
“She needs anything and everything that you can think of," Aydin supplies, and I hold back a groan.
I feel like that response is too general, but it seems it’s enough information for Staysha because she just nods her head and makes a couple of notes on a tablet.
“Vinna, do you have any brands or styles of clothing that you gravitate towards?”
I pause, trying to gauge how to answer her question best.
“I like to be comfortable and casual most of the time, but I’m not afraid to peacock when it’s time to show off.”
Aydin laughs, “What does that even mean?”
“You know, flash my pretty feathers when the time is right?” I explain, realizing I sound like an idiot as the words leave my mouth. I look at Staysha for help.
“You know the assets that you’re working with and don’t mind playing to your strengths, when the occasion warrants it," Staysha clarifies, giving me a kind and knowing smile.
“Exactly,” I agree, the satisfaction of being understood replacing the embarrassment coursing through me.
We spend the next hour or so perusing an online catalog, marking the things that I like and styles I’m willing to try. Staysha takes a lot of notes, and after a short time, I feel confident that she understands my personal taste. She takes my measurements and notes my shoe size before she tells us she has everything that she needs.
“See that wasn’t so bad, was it?” Aydin teases as he opens the car door for me.
“I can’t lie, that was the least painful shopping trip I’ve ever experienced.”
“It will be even easier in the future, now that she has your sizes and knows what you like. You’ll only need to call and whatever you need is delivered right to our door," Aydin explains.
“Who gets the bill?” I inquire, trying to figure out how I go about paying for things.
“You don’t have to worry about that,” he dodges.
“Aydin, I have money. I can pay my own way.”
“I know, and I don’t care," he huffs. “Do you want to stop and get a phone next, or go set up a bank account?”
I roll my eyes at the obvious evasive maneuvers and implement some of my own.
“So, all of these people are casters?” I ask, pointing at the random people going about their business in town.
“Yep, throw in a smattering of shifters, and that’s Solace for you," Aydin confirms as he starts his car and pulls out onto the road.
I didn’t really have any preconceived notions or imaginings of what this place would look like, but I can’t help feeling a little surprised by how normal it all seems. It’s not a one street, one stoplight small town, or a bustling city. It’s something snuggled quaintly in the middle.
People are walking to different shops, heading in groups to restaurants, grocery shopping, all perfectly normal things. I do notice a couple of stores for spell ingredients and other unusual items, but those are the only things that strike me as unusual.
We drive past The Academy, which I find out is a prestigious school for casters. It looks regal and old, but the campus is empty, and the school looks lonely without any students. Aydin informs me that classes start next month, and a weird look crosses his face as he relays that tidbit of information. Maybe he thinks I didn’t graduate I think to myself as I try to interpret why Aydin’s acting strangely as he talks to me about school.
We tackle the bank next. I’m impressed when the man setting up my account doesn’t even blink twice at the two duffle bags full of cash I set on his desk. He just took the money to be deposited, handed me a debit card, and off we went.
