On the wall of the fountain, a rather small individual had been whiling away the day in the sun. Tick's skin gleamed in the bright light, and while he was left alone he had mostly been sitting almost motionless with his eyes half-closed and enjoying the warmth. There were frequent distractions, however, mostly in the form of children running over to poke him in order to determine whether or not he was a statue. These he dealt with primarily by grinning and dipping a hand into the water, flicking it at them until they ran away laughing. When they were brave enough not to run, and their parents did not call them away, he chatted with them until they grew bored, then returned to his basking. Thus was he occupied when he noticed the Scathachian.

"Timmy, I do believe I hear your mother calling for you. She seems like the sort to refuse to get ice cream if she is kept waiting, so you'd best run along." When the boy questioned this, he winked. "I am going to tell you a secret. You mustn't tell anyone you know this, though." He leaned in conspiratorially before continuing. "She likes ice cream almost as much as you do. Tell her that you think she should have some. When she agrees, why, it would be rude for her not to give some to you, wouldn't it?" He laughed as the boy scampered off, then hopped to his feet and stretched.

"Hello!" He strolled in Isuelt's direction, smiling up at her when he got closer. "I'd been wondering if I had met you in a dream. That inn has that sort of feel to it, you know. But it seems as though it really happened, because here you are, and this is not a dream. You are called Isuelt, yes? How lovely to see you again!"

Once inside, Tick immediately started looking around the shop in bald curiosity, though he did drag his attention to the two women when they began to speak. When Isuelt stated their purpose and the shop girl turned her attention to him, he shook his head and lifted a hand.

"No, no. Nothing for me, thank you." He walked as he talked, touching various garments as he passed them, occasionally pausing to run the material between his fingers. "I'm just here for moral support. Or maybe for my relatively unbiased eye." He stopped to look between the women. "You know, I'm not really sure. Regardless, I've never worn a dress, and I don't think I'm quite built to. For one, it seems like most of these are cut for someone who has a bit more of a chest than I do. Probably wouldn't hang well on me." He grinned and glanced over to the flabbergasted salesgirl. "If you'd have anything in my size anyway. Everyone around here seems to be rather..." He trailed off, gesturing vaguely, then shrugged. "Well, tall. You know, a woman actually stepped over me while I was tying my shoe out by the fountain this morning. I'm not complaining, mind you. It was a rather interesting perspective. Still, it makes me think that people of my stature are somewhat rare in this town. Now, my friend here, on the other hand?" At this he gave Isuelt a once-over. "Well, I don't believe either of those should be an issue for her."

The sales girl managed to gather her wits enough to look between the pair and speak. "I... I see..." Before she could get much more out, though, Tick was reaching up to lift a little number from the rack.

"I like this material. It's very soft." He paused, then, to look at the Scathachian. "Oh. Perhaps not. This is somewhat short." He was nearly on the tips of his toes as he replaced it. "Maybe you would have something in my size, after all. Still, that only would solve one of the problems, and come nowhere near addressing the fact that I am simply not in the market for a dress."

"Oh, that item is really more for..." the sales girl started, but she swallowed the rest of the sentence, which may have included the word "petit," after another look at Isuelt. "Well, I mean... Um. The color wouldn't fit your friend's complexion?"

While Isuelt's dark lashes flickered lightly as she chuckled at Tick's performance, they shot straight to attention as Taneth emerged from absolutely nowhere. The bubbly blonde positively floated through the racks of chiffon and lace, looking like what Isuelt thought was the pink meringue topping to a cupcake. The kiss-kiss on the cheek paired with Taneth's lightning quick movements were truly dizzying. The Scathachian's gaze drifted down to Tick, her expression was akin to a rabbit caught in a bear trap.

Tick's choices of gowns, while they resembled handkerchiefs and short sheets, were not dreadful. Isuelt had hope that perhaps this would not be as painful as she was dreading. Taneth's rapid fire selections of red dresses were reminiscent of the Crimson Flash, himself. The shop girl took a deep breath as she obediently nodded to the "no leather" comment and began to gather gowns that Isuelt didn't appear horrified at.

By the time Taneth had pulled no less than eighteen gowns, ten of them coming from the back, the timid shop girl's arms were piled high with the four gowns that Isuelt hadn't nixed simply on the basis of fabric alone. "If you'll be wanting to try on the gowns, Miss, you can follow me," the shop girl started walking toward the back corner of the shop where a satin-draped divider screen was concealing a dressing room.

Isuelt's dark eyes widened as she glanced first to Tick, then to Taneth. "You know, Taneth, I will of course help you in your move. But I'm not going to wear one of those things while I'm doing it," she was begrudgingly stepping after the shop girl, her boots heavily knocking out her apprehension. "This is just, just... Just so you can say you've seen me in a dress. Right?" In truth, she had considered, and was considering still, actually purchasing a gown if she liked it. Scorpion Wraitharan was planning a visit from Metro and Isuelt thought that he might enjoy the surprise of seeing her in "women's clothes" for a change.

As the Judge arrived behind the screen, the small frame of the shop girl turned to her after finishing arranging the gowns so that access to them would be easiest. Isuelt's espresso-hued eyes stared at the girl who was standing there in anticipation of something. "Yes?" the tall warrior inquired.

"I will help you out of your...uh...things," the shop girl's blue eyes followed Isuelt's form with modest consternation from her heavy boots laced up her shin, over her twin blades at her hips and all the way to her black leather corset.

"Uh, no," Isuelt nearly barked,"I think I can do it by myself just fine. Thank you." And with that, Isuelt's hands reached for the shop girl's shoulders and gently turned her around and ushered her from behind the screen. She sighed as she looked at the gowns. With a shake of her head, she figured she had better get on with it. Sitting down, she unlaced her boots, having them plunk onto the floor unceremoniously. She shimmied out of her black leather pants after unbuckling her belt that held her blades as well as her Scathachian crimson sash. Lastly, her corset was quickly loosened and discarded.

The pile of black leather on the floor in the corner was soon traded for a deep crimson gown of silk that skimmed over her form. Though it had no sleeves, Isuelt rather liked it. Her arms wouldn't be confined if trouble arose and she needed to take a swing at someone. Likewise, her legs felt less threatened by the fabric as it was slit up the left side nearly to her waist. Being a Scathachian meant that she was not modest by any means. Back on the Island, initiates trained with very little on, owing to both the temperatures and the lack of clothing as targets in battle, as well as freedom in range of movement.

Without a mirror, which ironically was on the outside of this little dressing room, Isuelt simply stood there, looking down at herself. She knew the calls would be coming from Tick and Taneth soon. And frankly, she was shocked that Taneth hadn't come around the screen herself to see what was going on. Instead of inviting the summoning or a not-so-stealth visit from the vivacious blonde, she opted to emerge and present herself.

Taneth was off pulling fabrics from the back and measuring said fabrics up against Tick. A nod of approval was given before the girl took the fabrics away from Taneth. She was about ready to burst in on Issy mid-change, but Issy suddenly appeared clad in one of the many red dresses. To simply look at Issy from one angle was not enough, so Taneth motioned a twirl with her finger.

?Twirl around, Issy, and let me see the back and the side,? Taneth said with a professional tone. Of course, since all Taneth wore were dresses, she had some knowledge of how one should look.

A few more nods from Taneth as she studied Issy in the dress. ?We will need fabulous shoes, jewelry, colors for the face, and to do Issy?s hair!? A clap of delighted, excited glee! ?Also, try on another dress, Issy. We will get you two!?

Taneth then motioned to a second shop girl because for Taneth to be in a shop and waited on by one person was very unlikely. ?We need a stool and measuring for the boy, Tick! No dresses for him, but he needs an outfit too!? Commands shouted and big, dramatic gestures were made before the shop girls came for Tick as well.

"He does?" He blinked at Taneth. "I mean, I do? I'm not sure that's really necessary." He turned his attention to the girl with the measuring tape and smiled. "I'd ask you to be gentle, but this is hardly my first time. What do you use here? Inches?" Upon receiving a nod, he began pointing to himself and rattling off numbers, finishing with his inseam and adding, "I prefer a bit of a higher rise. Don't rush off just yet, though."

"Now, Taneth." Gold-flecked greens were turning back to the bubbly blond while the girl processed the measurements he had provided. "What sort of outfit did you have in mind? I may already have it, you know. It would be a waste to get another of the same thing. Also, I would think the tailor whose shop I noticed a few doors down might be better suited to any sartorial needs which I may have overlooked." At that he looked back to the women working the shop. "No offense intended, of course, ladies. I'm just thinking that, well, based on your stock that I've seen, I don't really seem to be your specialty, unless you have clothing for men hidden away in some other section, at least."

Finally, his attention returned to the brunette beauty in burgundy with a smile. "Something subtle wouldn't be all that bad, would it?" He paused in thought for a moment. "Say, it's starting to sound like this moving party is going to include some sort of fashion show. How is your runway walk? I think mine is probably a bit rusty," he confided to the nearest shop girl. "It has been well over a decade, I believe, since I've last felt the need to strut." He followed that with a wink and, for good measure, tossed one toward Taneth and Isuelt as well.

Isuelt's long, dark lashes lowered momentarily. She knew that Taneth was bubbly, yes. Vivacious, yes. Good-natured, yes. But she was nothing if not persistent. And at the rate that the effervescent blonde was going, Tick was going to be leaving the afternoon behind with a few new outfits as well.

"Very well, Taneth," the red silk-draped Scathachian sighed, "But then that's it! And if this takes longer than the afternoon, then I'll take a rain-check." Which meant that she would avoid Taneth at all costs until she forgot about it. Very similarly to how she was handling the Kazzy Hart-roller blading situation.

In truth, Isuelt was not unkempt, nor was she dirty. She was cleanly groomed, keeping her hair, teeth and skin in impeccable condition. A warrior need not be worried with cavities and head lice in the middle of a war. Isuelt assumed that Taneth meant to have Isuelt's hair done-up, which would be another battle on the horizon. While it was never uncommon to see the tall warrior with her dark hair pulled back into a singular braid, Isuelt rather preferred her silken crown to fall smoothly down her back if there was no cause to keep it from her eyes.

"And yes, Taneth," her whiskey-stained voice softened, "I am having fun." She lied through her teeth for the sake of her friend. "Thank you for...for suggesting we do this." Even the hardened soul of someone like Isuelt DeRomiano could see that Taneth was simply wanting to have an afternoon of fun, with people she felt safe with, without worry or regret. Everyone deserved that, didn't they?

"And don't think that I won't take you up on the weaponry retailer, either," she smiled. Taneth had been talking about sword fans and weapons of steel and iron. Frankly, it worried Isuelt. She felt that the often care-free attitude of Ms. Mercer needed a bit of influence or instruction on choosing a proper weapon. A weapon that she wouldn't accidentally hurt someone or kill herself with.

"Tick?" Her dark eyes looked to the small, golden man who was really more than a good sport, "Something tells me that your runway walk would be the talk of the party, the town, and goddess knows where else." Her sun-battered skin looked luminous under the lights of the shop and the company she was presently keeping. There was an odd sense of peace, although she was standing in a strapless crimson silk gown, slit to her waist. Peculiar. But she would take it.

Taneth simply glowed with delight as Issy and Tick ceased the ridiculousness of not agreeing with her. To not agree with Taneth about shopping and clothes was just silly, really. In her delight, she hugged Issy tight then Tick.

?I knew you would agree! I just knew it,? Taneth exclaimed with a bright smile. ?Now, Issy, try one more dress. Just to be sure that this is The One.? Taneth turned to look at Tick. ?Wel, you may need a tuxedo because if we have a special party then you need something to wear.?

Taneth was off again as she bounced around the shop, plucking dresses and various articles of clothes for herself, while exclaiming to her companions ?this will look great on me too? or how an outfit would look fabulous on another person. She did manage to find a few lighter colored ?red? outfits, which she raced over to dump into Issy?s arms.

?Issy, I think me, you, and all your sisters need to have a sleepover.?