[closed] one perfect day

[declamando]

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.

Comments

[very_goodman]

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.

[declamando]

[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.

[very_goodman]

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.

[declamando]

[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.

[very_goodman]

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?

[declamando]

[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.

[very_goodman]

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

[Barry nods, smiling warmly.]

[declamando]

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?

[very_goodman]

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.

[declamando]

[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.