DawnofWar32
War is coming. Prepare yourselves!
- Location
- Butuan City, The Philippines
Hmm... I see your point. Changing my vote now.
[X] Stay with Eric and Yuina.
Of Gods and Monsters
- Thread starter Spectre
- Start date
- Original
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- Tags
- original content
[X] Stay with Eric and Yuina.
Part 55
Spectre
eternal servant to the Fire/EMS gods
- Location
- NY
"I must apologize." Yuina tells you and Eric as her husband rushes out of the room. "I know my sister in law means well, but I want my daughter to have as normal a childhood as possible before entering all this."
Of course Aphrodite would care more for her wants and needs than for the greater good. That whore hasn't taken her responsibilities seriously since-
"I take it Athena doesn't agree with me on that sentiment?" Yuina asks with a chuckle as she watches the contortions your face makes.
"I can't say I entirely disagree with her. I sure as hell wish my folks had clued me in all this before Athena had whammied me."
"And when the time is right, I will tell her everything she needs to know about what her father and I do and begin preparing her for what her role is going to be in this world." You note the change in Yuina's tone. Her eyes dart to you like a lioness', which given your encounter with Elizabeth, you have a good understanding of what those are like. "But that decision is mine and my husband's alone."
"Understood." You meekly reply, looking to change the subject as quickly as possible. "So how did you know it was Catherine? Henry has to know just as many martial arts as she does."
"My husband also likes to use his strength to his advantage, favors Pankration and other wrestling styles. Catherine's all about efficiency, as I'm sure you've found out sparing with her. It's a basic pistol disarm just instead of grabbing the gun, you grab the person's wrist and hand, twisting in opposite directions."
"And here I thought Aphrodite didn't like to fight."
A sly smile spread across Yuina's face. "Catherine was pretty adamant that I live long enough to walk down the aisle after Henry and I got engaged, to say nothing of how she was once she found out I was pregnant. Nothing like the girl I first met. Both her and Liz were… less than pleased with Henry when he introduced me to them. I can't say I blame them though, Aphrodite does have a bit of a reputation for being…"
"Promiscuous." The words are out of your mouth before you even realize it. You cover your mouth with your hands.
Yuina dismisses your outburst with the wave of her hand. "I'm sure that wasn't you talking. You'll learn to control her as time goes by."
"And you know this how?" You squeak.
"Well the first time I meet one of your predecessors, I called her a Japanese term that roughly translated to "stuck up bitch", which is how I learned the hard way that Athena knows all human languages." You instinctively wince. "As I was saying though, it took a little bit for them to warm up to me. I'm glad they did though."
"So Eric." Yuina turns a rather mischievous eye towards the him. "Is everything ready?" Eric responds by throwing a small box over to her, Yuina's eyes lighting up as she looks inside. "I see you took my suggestion."
"Well you are the host of a love goddess." Eric replies with a smile as Yuina threw the box back to him. "So you, Eve, and Liz are going to take her out to New York City tomorrow while I get everything set up here for the party?"
"I was hopping to take Christina and Alexa as well, make it a girls night out." Yuina's gaze turns back towards you. "At least if you're up for it?"
[] "Sounds Fun."
[] "Eric probably needs help setting up for the party."
Of course Aphrodite would care more for her wants and needs than for the greater good. That whore hasn't taken her responsibilities seriously since-
"I take it Athena doesn't agree with me on that sentiment?" Yuina asks with a chuckle as she watches the contortions your face makes.
"I can't say I entirely disagree with her. I sure as hell wish my folks had clued me in all this before Athena had whammied me."
"And when the time is right, I will tell her everything she needs to know about what her father and I do and begin preparing her for what her role is going to be in this world." You note the change in Yuina's tone. Her eyes dart to you like a lioness', which given your encounter with Elizabeth, you have a good understanding of what those are like. "But that decision is mine and my husband's alone."
"Understood." You meekly reply, looking to change the subject as quickly as possible. "So how did you know it was Catherine? Henry has to know just as many martial arts as she does."
"My husband also likes to use his strength to his advantage, favors Pankration and other wrestling styles. Catherine's all about efficiency, as I'm sure you've found out sparing with her. It's a basic pistol disarm just instead of grabbing the gun, you grab the person's wrist and hand, twisting in opposite directions."
"And here I thought Aphrodite didn't like to fight."
A sly smile spread across Yuina's face. "Catherine was pretty adamant that I live long enough to walk down the aisle after Henry and I got engaged, to say nothing of how she was once she found out I was pregnant. Nothing like the girl I first met. Both her and Liz were… less than pleased with Henry when he introduced me to them. I can't say I blame them though, Aphrodite does have a bit of a reputation for being…"
"Promiscuous." The words are out of your mouth before you even realize it. You cover your mouth with your hands.
Yuina dismisses your outburst with the wave of her hand. "I'm sure that wasn't you talking. You'll learn to control her as time goes by."
"And you know this how?" You squeak.
"Well the first time I meet one of your predecessors, I called her a Japanese term that roughly translated to "stuck up bitch", which is how I learned the hard way that Athena knows all human languages." You instinctively wince. "As I was saying though, it took a little bit for them to warm up to me. I'm glad they did though."
"So Eric." Yuina turns a rather mischievous eye towards the him. "Is everything ready?" Eric responds by throwing a small box over to her, Yuina's eyes lighting up as she looks inside. "I see you took my suggestion."
"Well you are the host of a love goddess." Eric replies with a smile as Yuina threw the box back to him. "So you, Eve, and Liz are going to take her out to New York City tomorrow while I get everything set up here for the party?"
"I was hopping to take Christina and Alexa as well, make it a girls night out." Yuina's gaze turns back towards you. "At least if you're up for it?"
[] "Sounds Fun."
[] "Eric probably needs help setting up for the party."
Last edited:
- Location
- Mountains of Appalachia
[X] "Sounds Fun."
DawnofWar32
War is coming. Prepare yourselves!
- Location
- Butuan City, The Philippines
[X] "Sounds Fun."
Part 56
Spectre
eternal servant to the Fire/EMS gods
- Location
- NY
[] "Sounds Fun."
"Sounds good," you tell her. "Just give me a minute to pack."
A sly mischievous smirk reappears on Yuina's face. "Take your time Alexa, I need to get Catherine ready as well." She chuckles as tilt your head in confusion. "It's my sister in law's birthday, the one day of the year she isn't on duty barring the beginning of Ragnorak. Do you really think Aphrodite or I intend to let her celebrate it in a tank-top and sweatpants?"
"Right…" You reply, suddenly wondering if your own fashion sense will pass muster with her.
"If you would like, I could always help you pack too?" Yuina offers. You nod, graciously accepting it. "Well, we probably have a little bit before Catherine and my husband get back." The two of you get up from your seats, you leading Yuina up to your room and meager closet.
"No… no… This is so last season…" Rather predictably, not many of the things you brought with you passes her test. "Give me one second." She walks out of your room, returning a few minutes later with a grey short sleeve top, and black pleated skirt. "Try this on."
Yuina's a close match to you size wise, but it's far from perfect. You're pretty sure the sleeves aren't supposed to reach your elbows, nor the skirt's hem reaching down below your knees. "It's a little big," Yuina admits as you put on a pair of black knee length socks. "But it'll do." She hands you a set of small, silver owl earrings. "To complete the look."
"Thanks."
The two of you head back downstairs, where you find Elizabeth, Catherine, and Eric waiting for you. "Your turn." Yuina teases Catherine, who looks at her sister in law with pure dread on her face as she's dragged up the stairs.
"Doesn't this seem to be a little mean?" You ask Elizabeth. "It is Catherine's birthday."
Elizabeth gives you a smile. "Catherine might make a big fuss about it now, but she enjoys these little trips as much as the rest of us do, and Yuina is a natural when it comes to style and makeup. This isn't the first time she's worked on Catherine. You really should have seen what she did for us on her wedding day."
"Isn't that supposed to be the day she takes everything easy?"
"You mean let someone else do a host of Aphrodite's hair and makeup."
"Point taken." You admit as Christina joins your little group. "So what exactly is the plan for tonight and tomorrow?"
"Well, first we have to meet my mother at the hotel. After that, who knows?"
Your little group makes it way back into the living room as you wait for Catherine to come back down. When she does though… wow. Yuina's traded in her previous attire for a set of black dress pants and a gold short sleeve top under a black leather jacket. Her hair's been done up in a bun similar to her sister, and you catch just the barest hint of makeup accenting her features. It's like you're looking at an entirely different person.
"Alright, if everyone's done staring lets get this over with."
… Well, at least a different looking person. Hefting a bag over her shoulder, Catherine joins the five of you as Yuina opens up a portal to New York. Eric gives her a quick kiss on the lips before you depart, landing in an alley in the middle of Manhattan. You end up having to walk a couple of blocks to the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, where the hotel manager personally meets your group in the lobby.
"Miss Sinclair." He says, shaking Liz's hand. "Your mother told us you and your friends were coming. She's waiting for you in the Royal Suite. I hope you enjoy you're stay here."
"I mean I knew your family was loaded, but the Royal Suite here…"
"I see mother hasn't lost her sense of humor." Catherine talks to herself as you enter the elevator. "The Churchill suite would have been better for a group our size, but she always did have a fondness for Bertie. You know him better as King George the Sixth."
"You're friends with the British royal family." You flatly say in surprise.
"Who do you think helped Princess Elizabeth prepare for her radio address?" Cathy replies with a grin on her face.
Walking into the suite, your groups greeted by what can only be Liz and Cathy's mother. You see the family resemblance almost immediately, though there are a few streaks of grey in her hair. Both Catherine and Liz drop their bags as they run to her and give her a hug. "Nice to see you two again. You too as well Christina." You watch as she makes her way over to the ice queen, squeezing her cheeks before making her way over to you. "And this must be Nichole's little girl, it's a pleasure to meet you. Gwendolyn Sinclair."
"Alexa Myers." You return her handshake.
Gwendolyn nods before turning back to the group. "We've got a couple hours before our dinner reservation. Is there anything you girls want to do before then?"
[] "Shouldn't we be asking the birthday girl?"
[] "Yuina and Liz planned all this, why not ask them."
[] Write-in
"Sounds good," you tell her. "Just give me a minute to pack."
A sly mischievous smirk reappears on Yuina's face. "Take your time Alexa, I need to get Catherine ready as well." She chuckles as tilt your head in confusion. "It's my sister in law's birthday, the one day of the year she isn't on duty barring the beginning of Ragnorak. Do you really think Aphrodite or I intend to let her celebrate it in a tank-top and sweatpants?"
"Right…" You reply, suddenly wondering if your own fashion sense will pass muster with her.
"If you would like, I could always help you pack too?" Yuina offers. You nod, graciously accepting it. "Well, we probably have a little bit before Catherine and my husband get back." The two of you get up from your seats, you leading Yuina up to your room and meager closet.
"No… no… This is so last season…" Rather predictably, not many of the things you brought with you passes her test. "Give me one second." She walks out of your room, returning a few minutes later with a grey short sleeve top, and black pleated skirt. "Try this on."
Yuina's a close match to you size wise, but it's far from perfect. You're pretty sure the sleeves aren't supposed to reach your elbows, nor the skirt's hem reaching down below your knees. "It's a little big," Yuina admits as you put on a pair of black knee length socks. "But it'll do." She hands you a set of small, silver owl earrings. "To complete the look."
"Thanks."
The two of you head back downstairs, where you find Elizabeth, Catherine, and Eric waiting for you. "Your turn." Yuina teases Catherine, who looks at her sister in law with pure dread on her face as she's dragged up the stairs.
"Doesn't this seem to be a little mean?" You ask Elizabeth. "It is Catherine's birthday."
Elizabeth gives you a smile. "Catherine might make a big fuss about it now, but she enjoys these little trips as much as the rest of us do, and Yuina is a natural when it comes to style and makeup. This isn't the first time she's worked on Catherine. You really should have seen what she did for us on her wedding day."
"Isn't that supposed to be the day she takes everything easy?"
"You mean let someone else do a host of Aphrodite's hair and makeup."
"Point taken." You admit as Christina joins your little group. "So what exactly is the plan for tonight and tomorrow?"
"Well, first we have to meet my mother at the hotel. After that, who knows?"
Your little group makes it way back into the living room as you wait for Catherine to come back down. When she does though… wow. Yuina's traded in her previous attire for a set of black dress pants and a gold short sleeve top under a black leather jacket. Her hair's been done up in a bun similar to her sister, and you catch just the barest hint of makeup accenting her features. It's like you're looking at an entirely different person.
"Alright, if everyone's done staring lets get this over with."
… Well, at least a different looking person. Hefting a bag over her shoulder, Catherine joins the five of you as Yuina opens up a portal to New York. Eric gives her a quick kiss on the lips before you depart, landing in an alley in the middle of Manhattan. You end up having to walk a couple of blocks to the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, where the hotel manager personally meets your group in the lobby.
"Miss Sinclair." He says, shaking Liz's hand. "Your mother told us you and your friends were coming. She's waiting for you in the Royal Suite. I hope you enjoy you're stay here."
"I mean I knew your family was loaded, but the Royal Suite here…"
"I see mother hasn't lost her sense of humor." Catherine talks to herself as you enter the elevator. "The Churchill suite would have been better for a group our size, but she always did have a fondness for Bertie. You know him better as King George the Sixth."
"You're friends with the British royal family." You flatly say in surprise.
"Who do you think helped Princess Elizabeth prepare for her radio address?" Cathy replies with a grin on her face.
Walking into the suite, your groups greeted by what can only be Liz and Cathy's mother. You see the family resemblance almost immediately, though there are a few streaks of grey in her hair. Both Catherine and Liz drop their bags as they run to her and give her a hug. "Nice to see you two again. You too as well Christina." You watch as she makes her way over to the ice queen, squeezing her cheeks before making her way over to you. "And this must be Nichole's little girl, it's a pleasure to meet you. Gwendolyn Sinclair."
"Alexa Myers." You return her handshake.
Gwendolyn nods before turning back to the group. "We've got a couple hours before our dinner reservation. Is there anything you girls want to do before then?"
[] "Shouldn't we be asking the birthday girl?"
[] "Yuina and Liz planned all this, why not ask them."
[] Write-in
DawnofWar32
War is coming. Prepare yourselves!
- Location
- Butuan City, The Philippines
[X] "Yuina and Liz planned all this, why not ask them."
- Location
- Mountains of Appalachia
[X] "Yuina and Liz planned all this, why not ask them."
Part 57
Spectre
eternal servant to the Fire/EMS gods
- Location
- NY
[X] "Yuina and Liz planned all this, why not ask them."
"Why don't we ask Yuina and Liz, seeing as they did plan all this."
Next to you, Catherine buries her head in her hands. "Don't say salon, don't say salon, don't say salon." She mutters.
"Oh don't worry Cathy," Yuina replies, wrapping an arm around her. "I know how much you hate all that beauty stuff." A slight frown formed as she ran her hand through Catherine's hair. "As much as you might need them. I was thinking we'd just head over for a quick walk around Central Park, give us a chance to catch up before dinner."
You file out of the hotel and start making your way to the park, Gwendolyn and her daughters trailing behind the rest of you. "Any leads on Orion's whereabouts?"
"Mom, you know one of the rules for these trips is that we don't talk about official business." Elizabeth tensely replies.
"And this situation warrants me breaking that rule."
"Nothing we can use as actionable intelligence yet mother." Catherine remarked, her voice a little tired. "It would be a lot easier if father hadn't forbidden me from tracking down what few leads, we had."
"Your father had no choice Catherine." Gwendolyn responds, wrapping her arms around the two. "He hasn't been this worried since 1942, when you two snuck aboard HMS Campbeltown without his permission to look after your brother."
"If I remember right," Looking back, you see Catherine with a smile on her face as she recalls the memory. "It was you who ordered us to join our brother, and it's a bloody good thing we did, or they never would have made it to the docks."
"Doesn't stop us from caring about our little girl. Now to get away from business…" You hear a bit of glee in Gwendolyn's voice. "So how are you and Eric doing?"
Catherine goes beet red as the rest of your group chuckles. "Mother!"
The next couple of hours is mostly just small talk as you stroll through Central Park. As it turns out, you and Catherine haven't been the busiest group. Yuina's been spending the last few months in the Middle East as an aid worker, helping to relieve the famines brought on by years of wars. With what you know about that area, you don't envy her work.
The dinner that night… well, you thought the food served at the manor was exquisite, and it had nothing on the restaurant you were at. "This is amazing." You tell the others, trying and failing to cover up your middle class roots to their amusement. "And this is how you normally celebrate your birthdays?"
"Well we switch around the cities." Catherine admits, sounding almost like one of those pretentious rich teenager stereotypes Hollywood insists on adding in all their movies and shows. You see a smile on her face as she looks over at her sister in law and mother. "I'm glad they do it though. So what's tomorrow's plans?"
"Shopping~" Yuina replies in a singsong voice. "There's a new outdoors store in the Manhattan Mall that I think you'll love."
Finishing your meals, you return to the hotel room and begin getting ready for bed. You end up having to share a bed with Christina, the two of you quickly drifting off to sleep. You're all up pretty early, checking out of the room by nine. Elizabeth and Gwendolyn make a detour to drop your bags off at the manor, telling you they'll meet up with you at the mall.
You're a little lost once you get there, having not spent a lot of time at mall before. Catherine immediately breaks off for the outdoors store Yuina told her about, while Yuina, and to your surprise Christina, head to one of the fancier clothing stores.
[] Stick with Catherine. Given your life now, outdoors stuff might not be a bad thing.
[] Go with Yuina. You don't get to shop at places like this often, and she already told you she paying for everything.
[] head off by yourself to (write in store type).
"Why don't we ask Yuina and Liz, seeing as they did plan all this."
Next to you, Catherine buries her head in her hands. "Don't say salon, don't say salon, don't say salon." She mutters.
"Oh don't worry Cathy," Yuina replies, wrapping an arm around her. "I know how much you hate all that beauty stuff." A slight frown formed as she ran her hand through Catherine's hair. "As much as you might need them. I was thinking we'd just head over for a quick walk around Central Park, give us a chance to catch up before dinner."
You file out of the hotel and start making your way to the park, Gwendolyn and her daughters trailing behind the rest of you. "Any leads on Orion's whereabouts?"
"Mom, you know one of the rules for these trips is that we don't talk about official business." Elizabeth tensely replies.
"And this situation warrants me breaking that rule."
"Nothing we can use as actionable intelligence yet mother." Catherine remarked, her voice a little tired. "It would be a lot easier if father hadn't forbidden me from tracking down what few leads, we had."
"Your father had no choice Catherine." Gwendolyn responds, wrapping her arms around the two. "He hasn't been this worried since 1942, when you two snuck aboard HMS Campbeltown without his permission to look after your brother."
"If I remember right," Looking back, you see Catherine with a smile on her face as she recalls the memory. "It was you who ordered us to join our brother, and it's a bloody good thing we did, or they never would have made it to the docks."
"Doesn't stop us from caring about our little girl. Now to get away from business…" You hear a bit of glee in Gwendolyn's voice. "So how are you and Eric doing?"
Catherine goes beet red as the rest of your group chuckles. "Mother!"
The next couple of hours is mostly just small talk as you stroll through Central Park. As it turns out, you and Catherine haven't been the busiest group. Yuina's been spending the last few months in the Middle East as an aid worker, helping to relieve the famines brought on by years of wars. With what you know about that area, you don't envy her work.
The dinner that night… well, you thought the food served at the manor was exquisite, and it had nothing on the restaurant you were at. "This is amazing." You tell the others, trying and failing to cover up your middle class roots to their amusement. "And this is how you normally celebrate your birthdays?"
"Well we switch around the cities." Catherine admits, sounding almost like one of those pretentious rich teenager stereotypes Hollywood insists on adding in all their movies and shows. You see a smile on her face as she looks over at her sister in law and mother. "I'm glad they do it though. So what's tomorrow's plans?"
"Shopping~" Yuina replies in a singsong voice. "There's a new outdoors store in the Manhattan Mall that I think you'll love."
Finishing your meals, you return to the hotel room and begin getting ready for bed. You end up having to share a bed with Christina, the two of you quickly drifting off to sleep. You're all up pretty early, checking out of the room by nine. Elizabeth and Gwendolyn make a detour to drop your bags off at the manor, telling you they'll meet up with you at the mall.
You're a little lost once you get there, having not spent a lot of time at mall before. Catherine immediately breaks off for the outdoors store Yuina told her about, while Yuina, and to your surprise Christina, head to one of the fancier clothing stores.
[] Stick with Catherine. Given your life now, outdoors stuff might not be a bad thing.
[] Go with Yuina. You don't get to shop at places like this often, and she already told you she paying for everything.
[] head off by yourself to (write in store type).
- Location
- Mountains of Appalachia
[X] Go with Yuina. You don't get to shop at places like this often, and she already told you she paying for everything.
DawnofWar32
War is coming. Prepare yourselves!
- Location
- Butuan City, The Philippines
[X] Go with Yuina. You don't get to shop at places like this often, and she already told you she paying for everything.
Part 57
Spectre
eternal servant to the Fire/EMS gods
- Location
- NY
You begin following Yuina and Christina, glancing back at Catherine as you do so. "You sure it's okay letting Catherine go off on her own right now with what's gunning for us?"
Christina gives you a smirk and rolls her eyes. "Malls are horrible places to try assassinating someone. The sight-lines are horrible, the crowds of people both make tracking almost impossible and guarantee you'll be spotted before you can take the shot. Add to that a target that it's impossible to sneak up on at close range, and I doubt Orion would be stupid enough to try."
You nod, seeing where she's going with that, but you still make sure to look over your shoulder as the three of you walk into the store. A nice red long sleeve dress catches your eye… right up until you look over at the price tag. Yuina may have already offered to pay for the whole trip, but you still feel guilty spending her money.
"I think you would look great in it." Yuina tells you as she walks over. Placing a hand around you, she not so subtly starts moving you towards the dressing rooms with the dress in hand. Stepping into an open booth, you quickly change into the dress. Looking yourself over, you smile at what you see.
Yuina even more happy to see you when you exit the dressing room, twirling around to show off the dress as you do. "You look just like your mother." She beams.
"You knew my mom?"
"She came to Japan with Gwendolyn after The Great Hanshin earthquake to help with relief efforts, and they both decided to stay afterwords. Nichole we even a member of my bridal party." She pulls up a picture on her phone. On it you see Yuina, Catherine, Elizabeth, your mom, and a few other women you don't recognize. With the exception of Yuina, they're all dressed in red.
"Why am I not surprised Catherine would bring her weapons to a wedding?" You say, shaking your head in disbelief as you spot the distinctive gold glint of her shape-shifting knives disguised as hair sticks.
"It's part of the reason Henry insisted on her being my Maid of Honor. Their family is a bit traditional when it came to the bridesmaid's duties, but that's understandable given our line of work." You nod, having seen the two sisters use their powers enough times to pity anyone who intentionally walked into both their crosshairs. "Thankfully nothing happened, but it never hurts to be prepared." You nod in agreement before heading back into the changing room.
You end up getting a few more dresses that Yuina happily insists on paying for. Catherine and Elizabeth are standing outside, waiting for you with a mountain of bags between them as you exit the store. "I see someone put the credit card I gave them to good use." Yuina teases. "You find everything alright?"
"Yup, this should last me a couple of months." Catherine replies with a shrug. "Thanks."
"Catherine, I just realized I left something back at the hotel. Would you be a dear and retrieve it for me?" Elizabeth asks her sister. "We'll meet you back at the manor." Catherine nods before heading off back to the hotel.
As it turns out, the biggest drawback with teleportation spells is finding a nice secluded place to use them without anyone noticing. It ends up taking you a half hour walking around Manhattan Island before you find a nice alleyway not in use, leaving you and Eric only a few minutes to put everything away as the others get ready spring the surprise party on Catherine.
"So," Eric asks you as you as the two of you put away the last of the shopping bags. "Have you thought about giving that knife to Catherine?"
Christina gives you a smirk and rolls her eyes. "Malls are horrible places to try assassinating someone. The sight-lines are horrible, the crowds of people both make tracking almost impossible and guarantee you'll be spotted before you can take the shot. Add to that a target that it's impossible to sneak up on at close range, and I doubt Orion would be stupid enough to try."
You nod, seeing where she's going with that, but you still make sure to look over your shoulder as the three of you walk into the store. A nice red long sleeve dress catches your eye… right up until you look over at the price tag. Yuina may have already offered to pay for the whole trip, but you still feel guilty spending her money.
"I think you would look great in it." Yuina tells you as she walks over. Placing a hand around you, she not so subtly starts moving you towards the dressing rooms with the dress in hand. Stepping into an open booth, you quickly change into the dress. Looking yourself over, you smile at what you see.
Yuina even more happy to see you when you exit the dressing room, twirling around to show off the dress as you do. "You look just like your mother." She beams.
"You knew my mom?"
"She came to Japan with Gwendolyn after The Great Hanshin earthquake to help with relief efforts, and they both decided to stay afterwords. Nichole we even a member of my bridal party." She pulls up a picture on her phone. On it you see Yuina, Catherine, Elizabeth, your mom, and a few other women you don't recognize. With the exception of Yuina, they're all dressed in red.
"Why am I not surprised Catherine would bring her weapons to a wedding?" You say, shaking your head in disbelief as you spot the distinctive gold glint of her shape-shifting knives disguised as hair sticks.
"It's part of the reason Henry insisted on her being my Maid of Honor. Their family is a bit traditional when it came to the bridesmaid's duties, but that's understandable given our line of work." You nod, having seen the two sisters use their powers enough times to pity anyone who intentionally walked into both their crosshairs. "Thankfully nothing happened, but it never hurts to be prepared." You nod in agreement before heading back into the changing room.
You end up getting a few more dresses that Yuina happily insists on paying for. Catherine and Elizabeth are standing outside, waiting for you with a mountain of bags between them as you exit the store. "I see someone put the credit card I gave them to good use." Yuina teases. "You find everything alright?"
"Yup, this should last me a couple of months." Catherine replies with a shrug. "Thanks."
"Catherine, I just realized I left something back at the hotel. Would you be a dear and retrieve it for me?" Elizabeth asks her sister. "We'll meet you back at the manor." Catherine nods before heading off back to the hotel.
As it turns out, the biggest drawback with teleportation spells is finding a nice secluded place to use them without anyone noticing. It ends up taking you a half hour walking around Manhattan Island before you find a nice alleyway not in use, leaving you and Eric only a few minutes to put everything away as the others get ready spring the surprise party on Catherine.
"So," Eric asks you as you as the two of you put away the last of the shopping bags. "Have you thought about giving that knife to Catherine?"