Sizing up the Station

Posted on Thu Dec 24th, 2020 @ 4:22pm by Skyplex Administration Scarlett Wilson & Station Services Melan Kholia

Mission: This Week's Special
Location: Deck 2, Green Leaf Skyplex
Timeline: Current

Most of the clothing she required Melan already owned, however, she did note a need for some color coordination in her undergarments and that meant it was time to go and pick up some f the finer things. This station did have a boutique where such things were sold, however, she had yet to go there herself.

And after 20 minutes of walking around the large Retail Bazar, she wore a face of frustration and mild concern. She had not only not found the boutique, but she was also now quite lost and the merchants offering her strange meats and spices were of little help.

The mid morning rush on Deck 2 was running about normal, Scarlett noted. A pleasant change from wall-to-wall shoppers from a couple short weeks ago. Scarlett did her morning rounds, waving to merchants and taking a mental stock of the condition of the Skyplex. And truth be told, she was happy to get away from her desk for a little each morning. If she didn't make it a priority to get out, she would be stuck in there all day, and since most days she slept there, a routine of getting out and around was a good thing. She had just been discussing the latest Alex Steel wave with Sandta Siang at Ameoba Wave shop and was headed into the open market section. The myriad of smells and colors was always fascinating to Scarlett. There mixed between all the merchants pushing wares, she saw a very distinct image. A woman dressed far to well for a skyplex looking a bit lost. Duty called.

Scarlett walked up to the woman. "Can I help you find something?" she stopped for a moment realizing that she sounded like half a dozen merchants hawking their wares in the immediate area. "I mean you look a little lost, can I help?"

Even distressed as she was, Melan held herself with a composure that most would have read as calm and confident, inside she was quite upset. "I was..." she glanced around one last time and shook her head. "I was informed the station had a boutique that one might purchase some ladies unmentionables," she said taking a step closer, placing herself within arms reach of the woman who spoke to her. As if to rebel against the common and lower class accents that assaulted her ears her own accent seemed to get more posh with each breath. "Though I fear I have been misinformed."

Scarlett smiled broadly. "No you are not Mistaken, just the twists and turns of the Bazaar can get even seasoned residents lost." Scarlett momentarily considered the woman's finery she was dressed in as compared to the jeans and flannel shirt she was wearing, as usual. "You are looking for Miss Lacy's Umentionables." Its just down the next cooridor and to the right JP apparel. I can show you come on." she motioned for the woman to follow her much to the dislike of the thronging merchants.

"Thank you greatly," Melan said as she quickly followed after, staying no more than a single pace behind the other woman. "I'm Melan Kholia by the way. Not certain if you have checked the registry, but I am one of the companions living her." She spoke smoothly, any encounter was a potential business transaction and she was not so silly as to waste any of them. "May I ask who you are?"

Scarlett stopped for a moment and turned back to her 'companion'. "I had heard you were aboard. You certainly add to the class of our little Skyplex. How has business been for you?" she paused, and held out her hand. "I am Scarlett Wilson, Station Administrator."

"Ah, Station Administrator," Melan said and bowed her head slightly. "Business is perhaps more diverse here, but I find it to be no more troublesome than any other planet. People are people." She smiled at that. "I must admit my most recent request from a client is an interesting one. Not often a Minister requests a companion, but I like to think I do look good on a distinguished gentleman's arm. Men do tend to like to show off."

"A Minister? Of Parliament? Is this an away job, or are they coming here?" Scarlett asked getting a little bit nervous.

"I am not certain I am at liberty to discuss such matters. There is a degree of privacy expected between a companion and her clients," Melan said with a patient nod. How odd. She had not expected to be called for a surprise visit. It was just as likely she would let it slip as keep it secret. It wasn't the kind of caution she expected of the Alliance. Something was afoot and she was glad she was at the heart of it, she would see it play out. "What I can say, as a matter of business is that in 34 hours my docket will be solidly booked for a week so I cannot take any new appointments."

"Gorram it!" Scarlett exclaimed pulling out her bulky cortex device. She furiously typed away at it. "Well my life sounds like its gonna get pretty full about then too. I know you are not supposed to name names, but do you know what division of Parliament the minister works in? It might get us a head start on preparations." This was just great. Scarlett had hoped for a couple weeks of business as usual but it looked like some form of her life was going under the microscope again.

"Well, I cannot be specific, but I can say that I do find government officials like it when companions where undergarments that match their sash and this recent appointment does demand that I purchase a new purple bra," Melan said in an almost offhanded manner. It was almost fun feeding what hints she could to the woman who was so desperate for information. She knew she could say nothing of the identity of the man, but there was information she could share that given context gave a lot of information. "Due to the privacy needs of my client I must keep a high level of discretion, you do understand."

"I totally understand. Professional discretion is very important to Commerce isn't it?" Scarlett said in a metered way to show she was following along. Purple had long been the official colors of the military and the commerce committees. The military had little use of a skyplex, that meant commerce. She breathed out a long sigh. At least it wasn't revenue and auditing. That would be a full scale panic. Commerce would want to inspect trade records, number of ships in port, all things that were posted quarterly with the Alliance. Why come in person. Maybe he was just on holiday.... and for some reason chose the ass end of the Black to spend it. There had to be more. Was this connected with Blue Sun. Hell she didn't even know what they were up to. So she couldn't really be responsible. Moira would get the manifest and financials ready. 34 hours was plenty of time. She looked back at the Companion, who might just be her new best friend if she was contracted to this minister for a week.

"Miss Lacy's is right over here." she said leading the woman through the labyrinth of shops. "They have a great selection. She can fabricate most anything from the catalogs in an hour or so too."

"It is the nature of things. Even in far off places, it's important to find a good bra," Melan smiled at her own little joke. Of course it was true. Even on some of the most distant backwater moons, there was always some kind of boutique specifically to acquire undergarments somewhere. "Have you been to this shop before?"

"Many times, often to my father's chagrin at the time." Scarlett said with a slight laugh. "I know Miss Lacy well too, she has been on the Plex forever. She is one of the leaders of the Merchants Guild. In truth my undergarments are getting a bit threadbare these days a new bra would be a good idea, especially with company coming."

"In that case I shall demand you escort me. In exchange consider your purchase on me," Melan said with a smile. The was a chance to get in the good graces of the station administrator and she knew better than to pass it up. "Perhaps as a jest we could wear matching bras when our visitor arrives." Any cahnce to make friends with someone o powerful was one Melan was willing to put the leg work into achieving.

Scarlett smiled at the Companion accompanying her into the lingere shop. "Well here it is." She held her arms up toward the sign above the door that clearly stated Miss Lacy's Unmentionables. The floor was a myriad of satin, lace and things to make yourself feel wonderful, even if it was only you who knew what you were wearing. "Bras are along the back wall, there is usually someone to help with sizing and special orders nearby."

Melan smiled at the sight of the place, a little piece of polite society for the masses to enjoy. No man would spend what a woman would in a bra, but no man would demand as much as a woman would from her bra. It was quality and that would never come cheap. "After you, my dead Administrator," Melan said, walking up to the door and pulling it open for the other woman.

"Please call me Scarlet. I'm not much of one to stand for titles." the administrator responded.

She walked through the open door and headed for the back. Function and comfort was more Scarlet's interest in the shop, the ensemble of frilly unmentionables at the front of the store hadn't really had a place in her life. Scarlet saw a young woman working the back section of the store she hadn't met before, she steered over towards her. "Hi, we are looking for some new Bras and might need a little help."

Hearing someone speak Reka turned around. She was holding a small stack of packages of silky panties under one arm and a pricing gun in the other. "Yeah?" She asked looking at the two women with the kind of look that said she wished she was anywhere else. "What kind of... uh... Bras do you want?"

"I don't know about Miss Scarlet, but I need something in purple in satin. Nothing crazy in passing, I believe my assets can speak for themselves," Melan said with a haughty smirk.

"Right... And you miss?" Reka asked looking from the one woman to the other.

"I'm just lookin' for something basic for work and life. Doesn't need to be flashy just comfortable. I think I'm still a 36B, but it's been a long time since I bought anything new." Scarlett replied. She looked the young woman over. Basically her age. Not from the Plex, Scarlett would have known her. She looked working class. Of course what mid twenties woman would be working retail on a Skyplex if she wasn't working class. If it hadn't been for her Father being the Dockmaster, Scarlett would likely still be working the fuel dock or one of the retail stores. "You are fairly new to the Plex aren't you. I'm Scarlet." she said holding a hand out to the woman who already had her hands full.

"I'm Reka, and I supose so. I moved in with my... Well, I moved in maybe a month ago," Reka said, looking away. "Would you like me to check your size before you make a purchase then?"

Melan turned, there was something off about the girl. Perhaps a mystery to uncover. Melan looked her over. "Yes, I think we should. Just to be sure. Don't you think so Miss Scarlet?" She asked with a wolfish smile.

Scarlet smiled warmly. "I suppose it is due. Well Reka, just tell us what you would like us to do." Scarlett felt like an adolescent walking into a store she really didn't frequent much. Ms. Lacy had always taken care of her if she needed something, but her like had been far too mundane since she got back to the station. Personal appearance was never a big priority, she just needed to make sure she didn't show up for work naked. She did not want a repeat of that nightmare.

"If you two could step into the changing rooms and remove your tops..." Reka began, but noticed Melan's dress. "Erm, and bras. I need to go get the tape." She quickly hurried behind the counter to look for the measuring tape.

Melan turned to Scarlet. "Well, it looks like we go our separate ways, at least for now. Hopefully the shop girl can set you up with something flattering," she said as she walked toward one of the changing rooms in the back. She was almost disappointed that they weren't going to be sized together, Melan was interesting in seeing how she stacked up compared to the Station's Administrator, but it looked like she'd have to size up Scarlet another time.

Scarlet walked back to the changing room and began unbuttoning her flannel shirt. She looked at herself in the mirror disapprovingly and flipped several locks of hair to the opposite side of her head. Not seeing much improvement she considered her very humble functional bra. There was something about being around a Companion that just made her feel totally inadequate, in just about everything. She wasn't pulling in the big bucks, even as Administrator. She had accomplished nothing of any significance. Keeping the station from tearing itself apart was an accomplishment no one would ever thank her for. She had no romantic prospects, and her most pressing desire was to somehow make it through the next week. She needed a drink.

Reka knocked gently on the door. "Are you ready for me to come in?" she asked. She was dreading sizing the companion, something about women like that just exuded sexuality and made her want a drink.

Scarlet hesitantly opened the door, putting her arm across her chest as Reka walked in. "I haven't had this done is years, not that anything has changed much. What made you try out Ms. Lacy's for a job?"

"There was a now hiring sign in the window," Reka said holding up a soft fabirc tape measure. "Okay, we'll start by doing the band measurements." She moved forward and slipped the measuring tape under the other woman's breasts, making a mental not of the number.

"I suppose that makes sense. I got half my jobs by responding to window postings." Scarlett replied as she turned with the woman's movements as she was getting measured. "So what the bad news, Reka?" she asked preparing for the usual humiliation of her chest size.

"I've gotten almost all of my jobs that way," Reka said and then gestured around her own bust. "I need you to move your hands. I need to measure around the nipple."

Scarlet slid her arms out of the way so Reka could finish measuring. "Have you worked mostly retail? I know pretty much everyone on board, I could help if you are looking for anything particular."

"I've worked at a few bars, clubs, and shops," Reka replied as she moved the band across the other woman's breasts and made a mental note of the number. "I mostly work where and when I can find it." SHe pulled a pad of paper from her pocket and wrote down the two numbers. "Looks like you need a thirty-two B."

Scarlet rolled her eyes playfully, "Not much change. I seem to remember those numbers when I graduated the education center. Better safe than sorry I guess." She smiled at Reka. "Do you know many folks on the Skyplex, I can introduce you to some folks about our age. I know a couple nice guys from Ship maintenance that are available. Ladies too if you like. There's a group of us that hang out at Furor's Pub late most evenings, well, when I can make it, which seems less frequent these days, but you would be more than welcome."

"Are you asking me out?" Reka asked raising an eyebrow. She folded the tape measure and stuffed it into a pocket. She shrugged before adding, with a cheeky smile, "you can put your bra and top back on if you like."

"Don't spend too much time on our lovely Administrator's breasts, you still have mine to size," came the singsong voice of Melan from the other side of the dressing room wall.

Reka turned to Scarlet. "Hold that thought, this should only take a minute," she said as she disappeared out of the dressing room door.

Scarlet watched Reka turn and pop out the door. There she was, half naked, wondering if she had asked the woman out. She didn't mean to. She was just looking for someone to drink and laugh with. Or was she. Brushing a long lock of red hair back from her face she looked at herself in the mirror again. As usual she was unimpressed. 36B was better than 36A she kept telling herself. God that drink was sounding better all the time.

Only a few minutes later there was a knock at the door. "Would you like to try on a bra? Make sure we got the size right?" came the voice of Reka from the other side.

The sudden noise jolted Scarlet out of her self-abasement. "Uh yeah, that blue one we saw earlier. That sounds good." She reached down and picked up the pink t-shirt she had been wearing under her flannel and pulled it over herself for coverage in the empty dressing room.

Only a minute later Reka tapped on the door again. "I have your bras, I got a couple just to try some different fabrics," she said as she opened the door a crack and passed the bras in, not entering herself for the sake of some privacy.

Scarlet took the Bras that were passed through. She looked at them. Typically fancier than her usual fare, but if she was only getting one, she guessed she could splurge on herself. "Thanks, I will take a look. Don't worry I won't take long." she called back out to Reka.

She looked over the selected bras, feeling the fabrics and assessing the colors before quickly holding them up in front of herself in the mirror. Narrowing down to her preferred two she tried the final candidates on. The purple bow in the center of the blue bra was a bit much for Scarlett, but she liked it otherwise and it felt very comfortable.

She put back on her regular clothes and opened up the dressing room handing Reka the blue bra. "Looks like you made a sale." she said with a smile.

Reka took the bra and scanned it's tag before putting it in an ornate paper bag and tying the pink ribbon closed. The bag would have been garish if not for just how adorable it was. Reka quickly rang up the purchase. The bra was not cheap, but it would hold up nicely.

Reka was just about to get the credits from Scarlett to cover the bra when Melan walked up with a selection of 3 bras in her hand. "Did you find something nice?" she asked with a smile.

Scarlet smiled cordially to Melan. "Its a bit more than I would typically consider buying, but I figure why not so something nice for myself for a change." she quickly pulled out her Cortex and set up the transfer of funds to Ms. Lacy's shop and pressed the go button.

"Oh, dear, I hope you haven't paid," Melan said with a slight pout. "I was so hoping to purchase it for you. I know how expensive such things are and I did just acquire a decent client."

Scarlet looked back at Melan and smiled. "I greatly appreciate the gesture. A civil servant doesn't pull down as much as you think, and the hours are horrible. Did you find what you were looking for?"

"I did indeed, I am not overly picky and they do have a very lovely selection here," she said holding up the bras in her arms, a purple one in satin, a purple one in lace, and a significantly more revealing purple lace one. "Thoughts?"

Scarlet looked at them. They were soft, and luxurious. "I gotta admit, I don't have the attitude or body to pull off any of those. But they look adorable. Any man should be quite pleased to gaze upon them."

"Oh, believe me, you get a bra of the right style and size and any man will be totally unable to look away," Melan replied with a laugh as she handed the bra's over to Reka for her to ring them up.

"I will take your word for it. Nobody has looked my way in a long time." She picked up the bag that Reka had bundled up with her comparatively modest bra inside. She had learned long ago not to compare herself to Companions, but it still crept in.

"Oh, trust me, I just walked with you through a crowded market," Melan said holding up a finger, "People look. And not only do they look, they gaze. The only goal is to get them to linger on that look. TO do that all you need to do is present yourself as something worth looking at. To do that you need a bra worthy of your breasts."

Melan turned to Reka. "How much was the bra she got?"

Reka replied, not really overly interested in getting involved.

Melan scoffed. "Oh dear, oh dear," she admonished, turning her attention back to Scarlett. "Do you love your body?"

Scarlet paused for a moment, her eyes looking downward towards her chest. She baubled a little side to side as she considered the words. "I like myself alright. Not overly fond of the skin I'm in, but I am me, and its what I have to work with. I have plenty of self esteem, couldn't survive as Administrator if I didn't, but I'm just a girl, I mean woman in a big Verse. What I want or can do doesnt amount to a whole lot out here."

"My dear administrator, women who love their bodies do not buy cheap bras. It is not simply enough to feel comfortable in a bra, one must feel magnificent," Melan said and seizing Scarlet by the shoulders turned her from the cheaper displays to the more expensive section of the store. She had taken on a certain manic energy, a burning desire and she was not about to be told no. "Today we are going to find you a bra that makes you feel like a goddess."

Scarlet looked at the enthusiastic companion sheepishly. "If you say so... can't say I have ever felt like a Goddess, but I figure you would know if anyone would. Show me what you think would work."

"If you don't mind me asking, Administrator," Melan said as she moved to the racks and began thumbing through various bras. She had a good eye for bras and underwear and she wanted to find a set that really made Scarlet pop, or at least was so comfortable she would be able to relax in them, something to make her feel better. But she was curious about one thing first. "When was the last time you experienced an Orgasm?"

"Uh..... " the administrator responded a little surprised and taken aback by the personal nature of the question. Her eyes quickly darted around seeing who was in listening distance. "Like on my own or like with someone? In general I guess maybe a few days. With someone else... uh I don't remember." Her face was rapidly turning a matching shade to her hair and name.

"Okay, so you're at least not going to long without a little self love," Melan said as she snatched a bra off the shelf and held it up. The number above the bra was almost as much as Scarlet made in two months as administrator. "How do you feel about silk? These have a soft cotton inner cup and silk outside. Feel." She pushed the bra into the other woman's hand.

Scarlett stood there a bit out of sorts, dumbfounded as the Companion filled her hands with expensive actually natural fabrics that were way beyond anything approaching her pay level. The world around her was starting to spin in a flurry of pink, lace and fur. She awkwardly blurt out. "This feels uh... ooh slippery."

"Good slippery? Bad slippery? This isn't jersey cloth or simple cotton, it's supposed to feel nice, if you don't like it," Melan said and snatched the bra from her hand, quickly replacing it with another silky piece and then just as quickly something in the finest cotton there. Bra after bra, each given and snatched away a moment later. "You know, I think we may just need to try some of these on, to get a real picture. I want to get a look at the fit. We need to make those breasts look fantastic and I swear we shall."

"I mean it's good... just different. I don't normally have things like this touching me." Scarlett was growing concerned about spending an inordinate amount of time looking for something as trivial as a Bra, but she also had the unique opportunity to do it in the company of a professional who knew about these things. She surrendered herself to the Companion. "Very well, show me what you think is best." she said, trying to smile through her awkwardness.

Melan took an armful of bras and gestured. "Come, the changing room awaits," she said and then quickly escorted Scarlet into the dressing room and snapped the door shut behind them. "Okay, the only was to see a bra is to see you in nothing but it and panties, so take everything that isn't panties off. And I swear, if you are wearing anything that came wrapped in plastic originally, we will have words."

Scarlet accompanied Melan back to the changing room again. Hesitantly she proceeded to undress. "Gorram, I feel like I am at my annual physical." The companion's word made her think back as to what exactly she was wearing. Certainly nothing flashy, very utilitarian, slightly sporty, she was still 24. If anything the undergarments matched a woman several years less mature and less experienced than the Administrator. Scarlett crossed her arms in from of her exposed breasts as the companion looked her over.

Melan tutted at her panties, but didn't say anything. She'd seen the sorts of things most wore and when it didn't flat out disgust her, it left her annoyed. "Well, I see we have our work cut out, but today is bras. I'll figure you out a nice outfit once we get this messy political business over with," she smiled, a sort of genuine smile. It was something to look forward to. "Now try this one on. Let me know how it makes you feel." She held out a bra.

Scarlet reached out with one hand while her other arm continued to cover her chest. She turned and oriented the bra to try it on. It was soft with an almost seductive quality to it. She turned back towards Melan. "Wow, I feel like I should be getting married.... or breaking someone's marriage up." The notion of feeling overtly sensual was foreign to Scarlet. The Plex had always been about work or messing around. She had spent little time on herself besides acquiring licenses and certificates for all the technical positions her father had run her through, and now as Administrator her life was one constant blur of solving problems.

"Okay, give it a couple jumps, let's make sure it's got good hold and then we can put it in the good pile," Melan said with a smirk as she watched Scarlet's reaction. If this was how she felt about a bra, Melan could not help but wonder how she'd react to some real sensual clothing, the sort you left the underwear off for. "Remember, the goal is to feel like a goddess in flesh, to feel like a woman both sensually and respectably."

Scarlet gave her a questioning look as she made a few half-hearted jumps. "I don't think any of these are going to have trouble keeping what little I have to work with secured. I've never been mistaken for a Goddess and some on the station might question how womanly or respectable I am, but these are nice."

Melan stepped behind her and adjusted the straps over her shoulders. "As any man will tell you, size means nothing," she said with a smirk. "And you have lovely breasts. I can tell. I've seen less than lovely ones." She let out a chuckle as she walked around Scarlet and considered her in the bra. "Okay, take that one off. I want to see how you look in this one." She held up a much thinner bra, less padding and more form fitting.

Scarlett accepted the thinner bra, looking it over carefully before removing the other, placing it down on the cover seat, and pulled the new one on. She nodded, "Yes, this feels a lot better. Actually it doesnt feel very constricting at all. I could work well in this."

Melan considered her for a moment, adjusted the straps of the bra, and considered it again. "You know, you have fantastic breasts, but this bra does nothing for them. It fits well, but they just don't," Melan began, before stopping and making a sound of exasperation. "To much padding and it has no give, to much give and it has no padding." She sighed and pulled another from the pile. "Okay, one more. If this one doesn't feel and look as good as an orgasm, I give."

Scarlett couldn't recall any outfit being that good. Many people considered different foods and beverages equal to an orgasm, Scarlett always assumed they were joking. She really didn't need to feel like that during a meeting or crew review anyways. "I liked that one, but one more if you insist." It was for a complimentary bra, so she wasn't going to complain, although she had spent more time mostly naked with this companion, than anyone she could recall in recent history. It was an unusual day leading into what was undoubtedly an unusual week. She took the offered undergarment and proceeded to try it.

Taking her time, Melan examined Scarlet in the bra. "How does that one feel? Better or worse than the other?" she asked as she quickly adjusted the straps to effortlessly hold the other's breasts. "This one has less padding than the first, but more then the last. Does it feel warm at all?" She wanted to make sure they selected the perfect bra, there was no point in getting a crappy one.

Looking in the mirror again, Scarlet could immediately see the benefits of the bra, it was nowhere near as cumbersome as the first and it definitely made her appear more - substantial - than the second one. She nodded. "I like this one. Not the least bit warm. I could actually do work in this, and it looks pretty good, even for me." she smiled to the Companion. "Thank you for taking the time with me. I know you got lots of things to get ready for tomorrow."

"One cannot have time if one never takes time," Melan replied, repeating something she had said often, her tone well practiced and even. "It's all about what one takes the time to do and who one takes that time with." She paused and smiled. "And I will admit it is nice to spend time with someone who isn't hiring me mostly just to fuck me." She shrugged and turned to pick up the pile of bras. "Okay, let's pic out a couple of colors of that one and we can get this sorted."

Scarlet laughed a little at the statement. "At least you know what people want out of you. I got folks rolling through my office all day trying to get away with something or need special favors, and small threats." she said pulling her shirt back on and tying the flannel shirt around her waist. "These should be great, what about one in black, one in white and one in red?" she stated somewhat playfully. This had been a unique trip around the retail bazaar today. But new experiences that didn't involve fuel consumption reports, or something trying to blow up the station was a good thing.

"Love it, Okay, before you get too dressed, remember to put on the bra you came in wearing and bring that one to the front, I'm going to go pick you out some sex appeal," Melan said with a wink as she walked out of the dressing room with her arm loaded with rejected bras, on her way to go get something far more fun.

Scarlet of course was wearing her old bra, although the new one was more comfortable. She laughed a little at the notion of something with Sex appeal. One thing Scarlet did not consider was her sex appeal, or even much of anything related to sex. She genuinely didn't have time or the ability to give attention to a gentleman caller, at least not the kind of attention that kept people hanging around. Scarlet picked up the new bra of wonders she was acquiring and headed back to the sales girl Reka.

"Looks like its actually going to be this one I'll be taking." she said placing the bra down by the scanner.

Reka took the bra and looking at the tag raised an eyebrow before ringing it up.

As if on cue, Melan appeared carrying three more bras, a simple white one, a lace white one, and a lace black one. "Be a dear and ring these up as well," she said with a smile, glancing to Scarlett.

Reka rung up the bras. The total was more than Scarlett made in 3 months. Melan paid with with her credit chip and turned to Scarlett, holding the bag out for her to take. "And now you have some decent bras. If you don't feel like a Goddess in these, then I don't know what to do. And for your own sake, remember that black is a power move."

Scarlet's heart jumped into her throat as she watched the total being rung up. She had never spent this amount of money on gorram breeches before. Hell, she hadn't spent that much on anything but fuel bills. "Thank you Melan." she said graciously giving a slight bow, then taking the bag from the companion's hand. "I will make sure to wear black when your guest arrives tomorrow. I may have need of goddess powers then."

"Remember, look a man in the eye only if you have the will to not look away, politicians are like wolves and men who think themselves politicians doubly so," Melan warned, her tone suddenly serious. She had seen men like this before, she knew the type and she wanted to make it clear just the position Scarlet was about to find herself in. "Challenging men like this can come back and bite you. You don't get to be a high ranking member of the alliance by playing nice. If you challenge him, he will burn you. If we can both maintain our tact, hopefully he will not come down to hard on either of us."

"I will certain keep that in mind. Not my first time dealing with officials from the Core. I even got locked up by one once. While I don't really want to repeat that this time around, I respect that he easily can make my life far more difficult, so I will defer to being careful, although I don't appreciate surprise visits." Scarlet responded confidently. "Beside I got this shiny new underwear, so what could go wrong?" she said with a playful smile.

"Worst case scenario, you fall madly in love with old coot and run off with him," Melan said returning the playful smile. "Best case scenario, you run off with me." She couldn't help but giggle at that. It was odd for her to be so genuine with someone, but she was having fun. More often she was forced to play nice, very few of her clients had any patience for silliness. "I have heard wealth and power are attractive, and he does have both. Maybe if we both get on our knees for him, he won't blow up all over both our faces."

Scarlet smiled. "You never know. I guess it depends what your client looks like. I've never considered wealth or power a big draw, albeit if someone wanted to sweep me outta here into a life of luxury I might be inclined. When this is all over, or you get a prolonged break, a bunch of us usually get together for drinks at Furrors Pub on Three at the evening shift. You would be more than welcome."

"After this is all over, I am going to need a drink," Melan said with a little smirk. She knew what the Minister looked like and like most men of power who acquired her services, it was clear that if he could have gotten a woman on his own, he would have. But her duty was more than just looking pretty and being a hole, she knew how to use her mind. "Though I cannot saw I have been to many pubs, not exactly the scene of someone of my standing."

"Minus some of our upper class visitors, we are all just folk here. Shop owners, Administrators, performers, mechanics and Companions. I'd love for you to come by." Scarlet shared openly.

An eyebrow quirked and Melan smirked. "As friends? Or are you asking me...?" she asked with a knowing sort of smile. She was pretty sure she knew the answer, but she just had to ask, if for no other reason than to see the reaction.

Scarlet laughed out loud. "You know at least I can't afford your underwear, let alone your rates. Purely social as friends. I hope to see you later, at least we will meet again in the morning when your client arrives."

"We make it through this and I might offer you a special rate, just as a friend," Melan said with a laugh, and then sighed. "Though, please understand that when I am on the job I can offer you little by way of support. My first duty is to my client, even when they stand in opposition to a friend."

"Of course, I would expect nothing less. Stay safe until less formal times, my friend." Scarlet said while taking her bag of undergarments.

With a final wave and a blown kiss, Melan made her way out of the marketplace and back to her small apartment. She had much to prepare. As she walked she had a spring in her step and a genuine smile on her face.