Charles Patricius

[Bloodedge]

Phone and case purchases were being processed one by one, all while Soma dealt with the likes of Miko and Chika. Between those two, there was the occasional mention from his mother. She spoke first about his state of completion, as if she didn't think it rational before seeing it herself. "Credit to you. You established the framework and everything I needed to finish the job. You'll be repaid for that too," he assured. Soma had yet to determine who the first receiver of his repayment would be, but Kaguya was undoubtedly the first he owed. That fact was never to be forgotten. Speaking of things not forgotten, it seemed Soma wasn't allowed to forget Miko's greater motivation. Every speck of information she shared could be taken as part of a path toward sex. "It could be fun, it could be terrifying. Speaking of terrifying... I'm going to need something soon. I'll need one of you to make it possible," he said, passive body language becoming a slow, sweeping gesture of his right hand. By the end of it, Soma was pointing a finger pistol forward and pulling the imaginary trigger.

Chika alleged that one could choose anything, provided they kept going forward with it. The logic was something Soma agreed with innately, but... 'anything' wasn't supposed to mean everything. Kaguya and Miko were both right; this girl was a one-way trip toward a headache and unnatural aging. Just the same, she was a shining example of why normal people couldn't observe that level of blissful ignorance. "... Right. Enjoy your decision, then. If you can enjoy yourself to that extent, no one has any right to stop you," he decided. Moving on from that, Soma was offered a phone by none other than Miko. He stared at the activated device for several seconds before taking it in hand. "Is it mine?" he asked. In that same moment, Soma was handing the phone right back to Miko. He wasn't going to take it in its current state.

[Apollymi]

Soma was full of interesting ideas. If anything many regular people might mistake him for an edgy chuuni who was deep in his roleplay. That was fine for general purposes. Of course, this was for the best in this context. Still, his words resonated pretty well with Kaguya even though she'd originally be trying very hard not to create life with her own actions. "Passing credit for something like that, what a sweet boy~" she said in that same teasing tone she always had. No matter what, he'd done for himself something she wouldn't have done on her own and already had the ability to deal with the sorts of betrayals her heart was still healing from. Moving on, apparently repayment could be either fun or terrifying. "I assume you get what you deserve, you seem like that type," Miko observed, since he didn't mind those coming from her. Though the other thing he wanted was... likely strange for one to hear, both his mother and Miko gave it a bit of consideration. "Those things are hard to come by here... but I assume you don't mean in the most legitimate way," Kaguya thought. "I actually think that request might be easier to manage than most," Miko mentioned. They knew at least one clandestine type individual, he could probably procure some less than legal things for them, for the right price, and given their friendliness that price was something Miko herself was willing to pay time and time again.

At the same time, Chika was picking out a new phone case, this one with a weird little cat creature on it. Miko nodded her consent as Soma told the lass to enjoy her life, "Hai!~" she said, in a way that was for obvious reasons similar to how Anya spoke. Ah, but Soma wouldn't be taking his phone, in fact he placed it back into Miko's hands. Was it his? absolutely but, "Sou ka, adding meticulous and demonically specific to that list," Miko uttered. She pocketed that device for the time being. "I guess it will be an exercise in patience today. Not to worry, I will make it yours..." Miko mentioned. At the same time, Kei chose a new phone case with a pink and white spider on it, and Ai chose one that looked like the cosmos. All of these would be easily purchased and switched out or equipped. Miko also bought an extra phone memory expansion for Kazuhiko having remembered that passing mention while he was snapping pictures of her the previous day. She'd pass that along to him as well. Meanwhile, Angelica would be wandering up with two cases, one for herself that had a golden rose on it, and one with a red flower, black moon and large white skeleton. "It reminds me of Saku..." Angelica mentioned. "Very nice~ Gift exchanges like this are great!" Miko encouraged and paid for all items before they were ready to lave. "Alright, seems like that wraps up about everything, are we all ready to get moving. Arigatou Gouzaimasu~" Miko uttered to a still bewildered register person as the group filed out with numerous purchases and the weirdest phone contracts they'd ever put together.

[Bloodedge]

"It's not passing credit. I know better than anyone else what goes on in there," Soma said to Kaguya, taking the time to place a forefinger at the top of her sternum ─ as if to point not at her heart, but the shell of her soul. "A thousand times," he promised. Miko had a good enough grasp of his intent. Moreover, she seemed willing and able to acquire a gun ─ something he knew would become very useful. Whenever he got that, his plans would enter a new phase. "Quick as you like. It's going to be a game-changer."

Speaking of game-changers, another was presently in the works. Soma was given a phone, but he didn't want it in its present state. No, he was owed an exchange, an image the likes of what he'd personally taken with Miko's phone. Without that, given the nature of that forced deal, that phone couldn't truly be called his. Patience was not part of Soma's identity... but this was already part of a long-term plan. He could wait a little while for the phone's return. "I'm sure you will. Don't waste too much time; I'm going to need it," he said.

In the meantime, Kazu was scanning phone cases, only to hear Angelica mention Sakura in passing. He turned to look, and there he saw... disappointment. "Eh?! No fair; I was just looking for one!" he announced. Well, perhaps he'd just have to find something different for the one sacrificing her presence for others. While Kazu was mulling that over, their trip came to an end. Then, just as before, Soma became the first to exit. "Alright, falling back in formation. Annie, where next?" he asked while Soma stared in his direction curiously.

[Apollymi]

Soma wasn't one to pass credit, and he made that abundantly clear by his next set of words. He knew better than anyone what went on inside of her soul. A thousand times, he claimed, making a little smile tug at the corners of Kaguya's lips. "If you say so... I believe you~" she claimed. Kaguya wasn't one to randomly believe in others anymore. No, she was far past that, but what she was, happened to be capable of belief, in a few rare instances. Speaking of beliefs, Miko thought it possible to obtain a weapon for her son, who called it a game-changer, and wanted it, as quickly as possible. "Hai hai, I'll give it priority and do my best," she said adding it to a building list of odd request she'd potentially have for Hiruko when they next spoke.

Beyond that point there was the matter of Soma's phone. He didn't want it back without at least something equivalent from Miko. He claimed he'd be needing his phone soon, so she shouldn't take too long. "No worries, I'll be able to give it to you after our next stop," she mentioned almost casually, well except that blush on her face, which seemed to appear whenever she thought too hard about what her actual intentions were. There was no point in being particularly coy about what she'd decided to do in this case, she'd make sure to take care of Soma as he was currently in front of her with a certain kind of attitude that she felt the need to explore.

Meawnhile, Kazuhiko was a bit slower on the upkeep and didn't pick out a phone case for their missing individual. Miko smiled lightly, "I'm sure you'll think of something good Charlie. Also this is for you... " she mentioned while handing him a small bag with the expanded storage chip for his phone a couple of terabytes should at least hold him over for his current photography spree. "Given our current placement and shopping needs, Peach John is next, It's down several blocks from here, but it should be open by the time we get there... also my apologies in advance," Miko mentioned heartily as the group began to move again. But why did she apologize? Well, because unbeknown to most, Peach John was a shop which sold lingerie and women's accessories. Four people in this group, maybe five, might not actually enjoy this part of the trip, but it had to be done. For every girl here who was of age, including Miko, who needed to pick up a new set of lounge clothes for a place she acknowledged as a secondary home. And eventually whatever amount of traveling time later, Miko would once again approach that store, with a musicians blacked out poster picture not fifteen minutes after it opened for business.

[Bloodedge]

Kaguya believed Soma, just as he figured she would. He knew of her problems and the accompanying lack of trust in others, but he also knew she would place faith in those who were close enough. As one who was undoubtedly close enough, being her literal child and all, Soma had no questions about the chance of her believing him. In the same regard, he fully believed Miko would be making an effort to acquire that firearm. 'I believe both of you. Especially the one willing to be so horny this early in the morning," he said casually. Either way, he'd be getting both a phone and a gun at some point in the near future. Before that, they'd have to reach the next stop. What would that have to do with his returned phone, though? Well... he could make some assumptions while walking the street again.

Kazuhiko had a bit of thinking to do about multiple things, not the least of which was something for Sakura. Angelica may have beat him to the proverbial punch with a phone case, but he wouldn't just give up because of that. There were other things to find for other people anyway, so... a change of plans was in order, but no abandonment. Perhaps the next location would be suitable? Well... no. Miko had given a warning, but their arrival to the place in question had Kazu realize exactly why it'd been given. This 'Peach John' was a lingerie shop, very mature in nature... and very much not a place four teenage boys were accepted easily. Kazu stepped in hesitantly while Seiichi and Yuuya heavily considered waiting around outside to avoid the wayward glares of dozens of women. Soma, however, walked right in as if he owned the place and everyone in it. "Uh, Annie? This isn't the kind of place you warn people about when bringing them. This is the kind of place you just don't bring some people to. Also, there's a baby!" Kazu chided.

[Apollymi]

Kaguya stated her belief in her son, and he in turn stated his belief, in her and her friend. He also comically confirmed that the latter was due to her early morning horniness. That brought something of a pout to Iino Miko's face, but... it was mostly in good fun. "Peas in a pod," she said with her nose up, but that was essentially admitting that she had no problems with Soma's antics in the slightest. After all, she was quite fond of Kaguya to begin with and would never keep someone from being themselves at all. "Oya, is that extra Mi-chan approval~" Kaguya teased once more finding Miko's reaction rather funny. He'd done thing she didn't like so far, and as such she'd be keeping her own pace up.

Eventually they'd reach the store in question and Soma walked in, Kaguya walked in, Emirie walked in, Sena walked in, sticking rather close to Emirie for obvious reasons, Kei and Chika also filed in, but Miko hung back if only to speak with Kazuhiko. Angelica waited around if only to become ever curious "Is this really a store that just sells underwear?" she asked. "Hai, women's underwear, you can go on in too Princess. No worries, underwear are basically a necessity in this world and it's best if you know the size and style you like for yourself," Miko uttered which seemed to encourage Angelica a bit. As for Kazuhiko's points she did have a perfectly logical reason for doing this, and completely understood, the general taboo applied to this kind of thing. "I had to give the warning because we need to go... that being said, i realize there is a baby and also that everyone might not want to come in but, these things are necessities given the sheer number of us that there are. Besides all that we can also get normal pjs and house clothes so no one has to be uncomfortable and all that..." she said with logical reasons for shopping itself. "I know the taboos around places like this, which is why I decided we could fill it up early and get it out of the way. There is also the potential safety thing, since a group of model level girls filing out of a place like this midday would definitely attract way more street attention than they will right now," she expressed of the situation. "I also figured that anyone who didn't want to come inside, could hang out with the baby for a bit, I have snacks and drinks for whoever undertakes that one. Or I could get what I need really quick and pop back out and take over in case the responsibility is too much," she offered clearly. Miko had considered the potential problems and worked through most of them.

[Bloodedge]

Most of the group walked right into the lingerie shop, either because they belonged, or because they didn't care to some extent. Soma and Kazuhiko were the latter for two different reasons. Luckily, this wasn't a decision made in the spur of a moment by Miko. Most of the girls here did have need of general house wear and things to wear out. Moreover, she made a very good point about making this part of the trip early. "Ugh... yeah, it makes sense. This still could have been an early trip made with a specific group, but I guess we're already here now," he agreed reluctantly. The logic of this trip couldn't be argued against for the most part. Of course, there was a pair of lads with no interest in entering.

"Ehh... Anya-chan is like my half-sister, right? I'll stick with her in the lobby," Seiichi offered as Kazuhiko let the pink-haired girl down. "I figured you would. Arigatou, Seiichi," said Kazu. Yuuya also hadn't moved beyond the entrance, thinking the lobby was the farthest he'd ever go. He didn't even want to go that far, but another male and a child present would possibly make things look like a family outing of some sort. With that being the case, he decided to stick with those two. "So, three out and all others in? Shouldn't be too bad. Though this wouldn't have been alright for me just a few days ago. I'll catch up soon guys! Anya, stick with your brother and Tenjou-san. Be good!" he said to those who were staying behind. Why was Kazuhiko himself going ahead though? Well, there was a large group of girls shopping for lingerie. Most of them were points of interest, or people he'd already been involved with. Why would he miss an opportunity like that?

[Apollymi]

Kazuhiko did make the valid point that such a trip could have been made with a specific group of people at the same early time in the morning. Technically Miko agreed with this point but this morning had kind of spiraled out of control already. "Hai, I do get that, and I did figure the group wouldn't be so hard to manage. At this point, I also didn't expect the baby but, I've been able to alter the plan instead of throwing it away," she said with a smile.

Beyond that it would seem her accidental son Seiichi was willing to spend some time with his younger half sister. Miko could smile and appreciate him for offering such a thing and she, dug through her messenger bag for appropriate things. She pulled a box of pocky flavored strawberry and a small bottle of water for each of the boys who was staying out along with the girl. She handed the snacks to Seiichi and beamed at him. "Arigatou gouzaimasu, Sei-chan, Tenjou-kun" she offered both since they'd be spending some time together. No matter what, she'd make sure to not be rude to them. Anya looked at her father after being placed on the ground and smiled. "Hai, I'll be really good!" she claimed. And she would, she walked over to Seiichi and held her arms up to that boy and pointed to a bench the three of them could sit at while they waited for this leg of shopping to be over. "Arigatou, still... I'll make sure we stop by somewhere fun for you too, alright... Anya-chan?" she offered the small girl who smiled and nodded as well. This would be a fruitful day in childhood.

Once inside with the rest of the group, Miko greeted the cashier, whom she'd met the previous day while making exchanges. "Oh? Back again, you really like this place huh?" she greeted seeming to be one of those early morning people who were quite rare. "Hai, these are all my friends, and I'm going to be paying for this stuff... I'll try and organize them to make it easy for you, but we still might need a bit of help. Sorry about the potential inconvenience," she stated being apologetic. "Iia, this place is usually dead until late, I'm glad to see so many people in here..." she stated honestly and that would be all. Then Miko would be clapping her hands together for the group's attention, which she would get. "Minna. We're shopping for underwear and house clothes. Grab a duffle bag for each of you. Get the things you think you'll like. Ask this nice lady to help you, if you need sizing advice or anything like that..." Miko mentioned. "Also if you really like something get two..." she added after the fact. Oddly enough, she'd be grabbing a duffle for herself, branded with Peach John's logo in a pale yellow and she'd be gathering a few things. "Hai!" everyone chimed, with Kaguya and Ai making themselves available for questions from Angelica and Emirie helping Sena.... shopping for lingerie seemed to be starting off well enough. "Chika don't forget tights or socks." Miko added after a moment all while the shop keep watched a shopping trip that looked like organized chaos.

[Bloodedge]

With Anya's promise to behave, Kazuhiko comfortably separated himself from the small group at the entrance. This plan may have been one worth throwing away instead of repurposing, he thought... but he also thought it was one he'd rather see in action than anything else. Perhaps Kazu had gone fully native, but there was no point looking back now. No, he'd look forward. There remained two girls on his list, just from that student council friend group. Surely they weren't going to be shopping just for undergarments, so he'd likely get to see something of interest before their card shop trip. With that in mind, he meandered about while generally sticking close to Angelica. He could at least play off being dragged into the shop by his girlfriend if any local had something to say. Besides, Angelica was one he'd known for ages without seeing in certain states... and that was another opportunity he couldn't miss.

Meanwhile, Soma moved about as if he were still walking the streets. Not a single stray glance was sent his way, unlike the other male teen entering the store. In truth, the few people looking at him had him confused for a flat-chested, yet gorgeous woman. He didn't even shy away from inspecting a number of pieces that were of no interest whatsoever to him. Why did he bother? Well, there was one point of interest. Knowing about some connections he'd have to make in the future, Soma thought it best to prepare for the proper investments. If things were made more interesting for him, he could more easily dedicate himself even in less-favorable situations.

[Apollymi]

Kazuhiko might have thrown away this plan, but Miko thought it was worth it to get it out of the way with as little fuss as possible. Her instructions had everyone picking out duffle bags as well as staring to pick out underwear. Kazuhiko attached himself to Angelica, while Ai and Kaguya hovered nearby. Both of those young women were having a reasonable time picking up a few things. "Try those they'd be cute~" Kaguya mentioned, pointing to a pair for Ai which were pastel blue. Ai picked them up and added them and a matching bra to her bag. Miko on the other hand was picking up lace thongs, nighties and long tights. Mostly because she was already sure of the kinds of things she wanted. "Also don't forget to try on anything you aren't sure about..." Miko called out to her friends. Speaking of, Miko picked up a few things and motioned to the register person that she was going into a changing room, if only because she needed to take a few naughty pictures and thought that would be a reasonable place to do so.

At the same time, Soma managed to move around rather freely, but that made sense at least, given his appearance he was likely mistaken for a girl. At the same time Miko was within a dressing room sitting in front of a mirror with Soma's phone in her hand. She began to strip none to subtly enough to give the lad a short reel of peekaboo shots as she pulled her clothes off, until she was fully naked and took that picture within the mirror to make sure he got a full body view of her. All that done, she slipped back into her clothes and thought to give Soma back his phone. She also programmed her number into his phone and got his for the sake of making sure he had it. All in all it would take her about five minutes and then Kei would be approaching and was looking at the slightly older girl now. "How do those even count as underwear they don't cover anything!" she demanded. "They count, and you might like them... get a few pairs," Miko encouraged. Who else had gone into a dressing room? Chika, she never knew what size she wore so she was busy trying on a new set of pajamas.

[Bloodedge]

While Kazuhiko accompanied Angelica for the sake of managing appearances, Soma gradually moved closer to the pair. He had words to share with Kazu based on an earlier observation. Once he was within earshot, he started scanning a rack and spoke. "What is it about that one that makes you defer?" he asked bluntly. Kazu took a moment to process being addressed so suddenly, and to realize what the black-haired male was talking about. "Huh? You mean Annie?" he asked. "The brunette, yes. You're supposed to be the leader here, right? You've been letting that one make all the calls this entire time. Why?" Whatever Soma wanted this information for, Kazu didn't know. He took a moment to think, but the answer was clear in his mind all along. "Well it's easy, right? I didn't decide to be leader anyway, but besides all that... deferring to the person who knows what they're doing is just the better choice in general. I'll do that before I try to pull something out of my ass," he said.

How interesting. Soma's take on the matter was quite different. He much preferred the idea of acquiring knowledge from the experienced, but not leaving them the stage. Perhaps there was something he didn't understand quite yet. "Sou ka. I guess I'll..." Just then, he was interrupted by a young clerk with long, dark hair held in a ponytail. "Miss! Your friends are already starting to try things on. Did you need any help picking something?" she asked, assuming Soma was a young woman as well. He realized quickly what was going on, and made a decision without hesitation. "Actually... I need something very showy. Something that'll make any normal guy lose his mind the moment he sees it," Soma instructed. "Oh I have just the thing!" the woman answered before gesturing toward a selection of teddy-style sets with openings at the nipples and crotch ─ one that seemed right enough for most of the girls in this group. Soma picked out a black version with matching stockings and partial sleeves. He said nothing more to the clerk, choosing instead to make a casual beeline toward the dressing rooms. He wouldn't be entering an empty one, but instead one occupied by... ah, it seemed Chika was the lucky random walk-in victim.

[Apollymi]

Angelica in this moment, became privy to a second hand conversation. One between Kaguya's son, Soma and Kazuhiko. The former of which was curious about why Kazuhiko chose to let Miko be in charge while he was supposed to be the leader. Did he not understand the necessity of task management? Well, even if he didn't it would seem that Kazuhiko had a pretty reasonable understanding of why he had nothing to say to Miko while she was taking charge of making sure this group got everything it needed. Soon after Kazuhiko responded some random woman walked up who worked at the store and asked the black haired boy if he needed help referring to him as female. Angelica looked at Kazuhiko and found herself whispering, "Does he look like a girl to her?" she whispered?

Miko had taken pictures of herself in her clothes and then all the way down to pink lace panties and then naked. That intense blush on her face was one thing, but it wouldn't be going anywhere any time soon. After trying on a cute teddy, she was sure that she was getting the right sizes and redressed to by a few more. By the time she was redressed she emerged from a dressing room to find Soma peaking his head into one. She'd wait outside of that one, with his phone in her hands. Meanwhile, Chika who was within this particular dressing room looked up to find Soma and apparently thought nothing of it, "Oh? Do you need something?' she wondered while looking at herself in the mirror. Shopping was taking place as Sena seemed to be finding some more sporty options for herself with Emirie's help. While Emirie seemed to be looking for subtly mature pieces in pastel colors.

[Bloodedge]

A woman walking up to Soma as if he belonged, and in fact as if he were a woman, was odd... but not so odd in hindsight. Kazu had a look at the lad while Angelica asked if he looked like a girl to the clerk. Angelica wasn't very well-traveled even in Aincrad, so he supposed that question was normal. "Well, yeah. Guys aren't supposed to be that... pretty. Not at any age. If you just look him in the face, he's actually prettier than most girls you'll find in this world. 8, maybe 9 out of 10 overall," he explained.

Meanwhile, Soma was stepping fully into the dressing room occupied by Chika. She didn't seem very bothered at all. Perhaps it was a stroke of luck that led him to this one. His intention was to utilize Anya, but the higher tier afforded by linking one's mana to another would not be reached with her. As such, he committed to shutting himself inside to answer her question. "I need a lot of things. More importantly, you need this more than... whatever the hell that is," he said regarding an odd choice of pajamas, offering instead the teddy he'd brought along. While holding it on offer, he shifted his gaze slightly toward the entrance. A knowing smirk appeared on Soma's face, and he left it alone to pursue another part of an overarching plan.

[Apollymi]

Angelica's whispered question got a straight forward answer, that Soma for all intents and purposes would have made a very high attractiveness female person. According to Kazuhiko men weren't supposed to be pretty, that was an odd thing to note. Angelica considered Kazuhiko to be among the more attractive men she'd laid eyes on, and she saw Soma as being very attractive as well, but she didn't see it as a non-masculine sort of attractiveness. "Hm, I feel like that means I haven't seen enough people to understand what you're talking about. Though I would describe his face as pretty too," Angelica decided. "Though by that logic you're pretty too..." she decided, she'd picked up several different pieces already. Thongs, in lace and satin with matching bras. Lots of pieces that were the royal blue and white that she enjoyed so much. But also some blacks and whites with various amounts of coverage. Though Angelica's bag was royal blue based on her own taste.

Meanwhile, Soma was busy barging into the dressing room that currently was being occupied by Chika. He claimed he needed a lot of things, but that she needed the outfit he was currently holding. She looked at it and shrugged, "Hai!~" she said accepting it. She'd begin trying to slip into it, without anything considered common sense. Meanwhile, Ai and Kaguya had g-athered a decent amount of things. Ai had a white bag, while Kaguya had a black one, they'd both collected a decent amount of undergarments, but Kaguya had managed one of her other magical abilities so she'd only be getting a single one of each of the items she liked most. Ai, had several different sorts of things collected, but she was looking for button up pajama shirts which she found most comfortable. Miko tapped on the dressing room door occupied by Soma and mentioned outside of it. "Your phone is ready!" she was content to hand it over and then... go back to organizing shopping and starting to pay for important things.

[Bloodedge]

Angelica's limited experience didn't afford her much chance to see most of humanity. Most people she knew were right here in this group, or among a small segment of Aincrad's population. That list was full of the exceptional. "Yeah, you haven't even seen the Gilleses of the world..." he said. Of all the people he'd seen in both worlds, Gilles de Rais was a special kind of concerning to look at. As for Kazuhiko being pretty, he could hardly argue that he lacked the more conventional masculine features. "Thanks, I guess? Most guys would rather go for handsome, which I don't think I could pull off any more than... well, however much I have as Charlemagne. Either way, I'd rather leave the pretty to you guys and... stuff like that," he said, a careful wayward glance falling upon the articles Angelica chose.

Soma didn't even have to convince the pink-haired girl. With no prompting whatsoever, she was taking the lingerie he offered. Soma was content to watch for the time being, but fate wouldn't be allowing that. No, it seemed someone was keen on putting herself right in the way due to their earlier arrangement. Miko, who had his phone, knocked and called out. What an annoying time it was for that. Soma groaned audibly from beyond the door. He had plans for Chika now, but he didn't intend to take that phone until he had time to take a proper look at it. Well, there was always a solution for everything. "I'm busy. Why don't you bring it in? I'm dressed," he said deviously.