thenearshore | [closed] one perfect day

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[closed] one perfect day

Who: Maria and Barry
When: July 19th
Where: Various fashion/beauty shops in Dublin.
What: Prayer #47, making someone stand out for their school formal.

[It's an odd prayer for Maria to receive given her role here - a request from a private school student who wanted to look her best for her months-away debutante. But she had sounded desperate to have this one last chance to shine, and Maria can't help but take pity on such a sincere and innocent request. Organising something perfect to be executed on the night when it comes is more than within Maria's means, after all.

Given Barry is another resident expert on making people shine, she's brought him along for this one, as well as the student herself, who had seemed quite excited at the prospect of being invited out to explore the possibilities. Maria watches her study the dresses in the nearby shop windows with a rather fond smile before turning her gaze to Barry and giving it a more serious edge.]

Alright, this will be her last chance to shine to the people who know her, and we have to set it up perfectly so she can debut the look when the dance comes in a few months. Where do you suggest we start? I have my eye on a few shops already.

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I think any of 'em would look great. It's just down to what kinda vibe you wanna give off.

[Barry's definitely on board with letting the girl make the final choice.]

[She seems to think about that for a few moments, weighing up the dresses before sighing a little and rubbing the back of her neck.] I think that's kinda the problem too. I have this image of "regal" in my head, but these all pretty much fill that in their own ways, so it's hard to pick just one.

[Tapping her chin a little, Maria looks over the remaining options again.] I can see the problem...and they all are definitely good options for it, but they'll also all have very different end looks to them. So it really is down to what impression you want to make.

[After another few moments of hesitation, and an equally unsure initial reach of the hand, the girl picks the green and white mermaid dress off the rack and also puts it on the "no" pile.]

...I really do think I want something with that more natural look.

Gettin' there.

[Barry smiles, nodding in support as the girl moves the dress. At this point, he's sure she'll make a great impression.]

You wanna try each of 'em on again?

[Since there's just two left now, the girl nods in agreement with that pretty quickly.] Yeah, since there's so few to choose from now. If it's just these two, it shouldn't take me very long.

[She glances over to Maria, who nods and unhooks the two dresses.] Alright then. We shouldn't be as long this time, so that's one good thing for having to wait on us.

[Smiling a little at Barry, she leads their charge into the changeroom.]

Take your time. We wanna make sure to get it right.

[He's got his phone. He can watch idol videos while he waits.]

[While getting it right is important, having done it once already today pays off, and they don't really take any longer than last time. It's the very pale green dress they come out in first, with the intricate patterns down the skirt and arms.

The girl does a few more experimental motions in it this time - stepping, spinning, bending. As she makes sure she can move properly in it, Maria circles her with a critical eye.]

That is definitely one of the nicest of the ones we picked out, but how it stacks up against that other one...what do you think so far, Barry?

It'll definitely make an impression visually, with all that patterning and stuff. And it looks pretty easy to move in, too. If turnin' heads is what you're goin' for, this is probably a pretty good way to do it.

[Thumbs up.]

That's definitely one thing it has going for it. They're both quite striking, but this one has a few extra details that could definitely work in your favour. There's less room to accessorise it, which is the main advantage the other dress has, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.

[If they get the look right, there's no real need to do too much in the way of accessories, so it's really a matter of what the right look for this dress is.

The girl still seems to be thinking.] I don't think I'll be settled until I try on the other one again anyway.

Heheh, I kinda figured. We definitely wanna make sure we do this right, after all.

[He stops for a second before seeming to think of something.]

Oh, hey, hang on!

[Pulling out his phone, he points it at her and snaps a picture.]

There we go. I'll take another one of the other dress and we can compare 'em like this.

[The girl nods.] Definitely.

[While she seems surprised briefly at Barry's sudden epiphany, she looks more understanding when he pulls out his phone, and turns more fully towards him so he can get a better shot.]

Thanks. I'll try the other one now, then. [Maria nods back at her, and moves to head back in to the changeroom.]

That does seem best. Hopefully there's a clearer winner at the end of all this.

So, uh... you two can figure out shoes and hair on your own, right?

[Barry laughs a little, turning to Maria and scratching at the back of his head as the girl heads back in.]

[That makes Maria laugh a bit.] Don't worry, we can do that ourselves. If you want to go back home after we're done in this store, I can drop you off.

[It's intentionally worded vaguely so the girl doesn't realise what they mean, and indeed, she doesn't seem to suspect anything as they head back in. When they come out again, it's in the green dress with the neat vine designs up the chest and shoulders.

Again, the girl makes a few movements in it, frowning thoughtfully.] This one's a bit easier to move in, and a little lighter.

Awright, say cheese!

[Barry takes a picture after she's done moving, and then walks over to show her the two pictures side by side.]

So... whaddaya think? We're mostly down to what kinda statement you wanna make at this point. Either way, you're gonna look incredible.

[The girl leans in to look at the pictures, seeming a little surprised herself how good they both look. However, that does just mean it makes it harder to choose, and she bites her lip a bit.]

I could work with both of them...or you guys could. Do either of you have a preference?

[Maria hums, leaning over to look herself.] I prefer the lighter one, but that's more a matter of my own style choices. I think you should still prioritise your own opinion over ours here.

Hmm... I kinda like the other one a little better.

[So it's really up to her as the tiebreaker. Or maybe Barry did that on purpose. Who knows.]

Whichever one ya choose is the right choice at this point, because it's the one ya know will really help ya shine.

[Whether on purpose or not, it does leave the ultimate decision up to the girl. She still doesn't seem quite sure which one she wants to pick, and she closes her eyes as if trying to focus on the images of them in her head.

Finally, slow but sure, she reaches out and puts the paler dress on the "no" rack.]

I think I'll go with this one I've got on now.

Awright! We did it!

[Barry laughs loudly, grabbing the girl's hand and pumping it in the air with his own.]

Make sure ya let us know how it goes, okay?

[The girl laughs a bit as Barry pumps her hand, and Maria just grins from the background at the sight of it. It's nice to see all the time spent choosing pay off like this.]

Of course. I'll leave another note all about it. [It's how the prayer got to Maria in the first place, after all, and Maria nods firmly as if to say that's definitely the way to reach them.]

I'll look forward to it.

Just make sure to have fun, okay? That's what this is all about, after all.

[Barry nods, smiling warmly.]

I will. I won't put all this effort to waste. [The girl seems determined about that, and she's already grinning up a storm.

Meanwhile, with a firm nod, Maria turns back to Barry.]

I can handle the rest from here, if you'd prefer. Will you be alright finding your way back to the Far Shore, or do you need me to take you back to my shrine?

Nah, I got a couple of stops to make myself. I'll head back on my own.

[Barry gives them both a big smile and a nod.]

Good luck, you two.

[With a nod, Maria waves a hand, and the girl gives him a thumbs-up.]

Alright. Call me if you change your mind, but otherwise I'll see you later.

[With a grin, the girl adds:] Thanks for the help.

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[closed] one perfect day

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