Joined: Nov 2007 Gender: Female Posts: 200 Location: Keeping the Faith Karma: 0
Pretentious Teatime (Thurs 4/4) « Thread Started on Nov 5, 2009, 10:08pm »
Chinika felt blessed to be working in fashion again, but in the months she'd been out of the industry, she'd almost forgotten how tiring and stressful the job could get at times. That was especially true given that she was only a junior designer, and as such had to help create (or at times even do entirely) some of the designs for accounts held by the fashion house's top designers, yet she wouldn't see her name on the finished product. Still, everyone had to start somewhere-- and after toiling away in a small gift shop barely making ends meet for so long, she certainly wasn't complaining! Her feet, at the moment, were another matter entirely. Sure, the black snakeskin stiletto pumps she wore looked good, but after standing in them for hours, they sure didn't feel so good. Normally they would've been kicked off under the desk for much of the day, but this had been one of those days that just wasn't possible.
Now it would just be another few minutes, she thought as she stood waiting to get to the counter of the trendy coffee shop, before she could sink into one of the plush chairs scattered about the dining area with a hot beverage and slip out of those shoes even if just for a while. Maybe she could even find a bit of design muse in the shop's decorations, which were a mixture of antique and futuristic science-fiction influences.
"One kyokan-size chai made with soy milk, please," she requested once she finally reached the counter.
As expensive as this place was, she could never have afforded to indulge in such treats on a daily basis (and honestly couldn't even imagine spending that much every day for a hot beverage, even if she could've afforded it), but as an occasional indulgence, maybe it wasn't all that bad.
Re: Pretentious Teatime (Thurs 4/4) « Reply #1 on Nov 16, 2009, 6:49am »
Hikaru had just left her Literature 101 class – last class of the day. It was basically one and half hours of a self absorbed professor. When the older woman was not droning on about some dull novel she was complaining about the current global news. Maybe the woman just liked to listen to herself talk? In any case the class left Hikaru in need of something with caffeine. In truth, she could have opted for something close or on campus. No, instead she decided to stop by a random coffee shop her roommate recommended. From the rave reviews it seemed worth checking out. What was the harm in checking out their menu? Her attire, though relaxed, was still fairly nice. A pair of dark blue capris covered her lower form. Covering her upper torso was a dull gray hued top with a boat neck line with three quarter length sleeves. Noir hued tresses were brushed back into braid. What little jewelry she had on consisted of a pair small ruby stud earrings and a silver lotus pedant sitting on a long silver chain.
After a fairly decent walk Hikaru finally arrived at the coffee house. She was instantly greeted by the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. Her focus was instantly drawn to the mixed décor. It stood out from the normal places she often frequented. Maybe she could linger her for a bit to get a jump start on a few of her assignments? Crimson hued orbs than focused toward the menu for a moment, the prices were a bit higher than the less trendy little stands. Oh well, she knew she could afford to pay a little extra. The dark haired female moved to stand in the slowly growing line, still picking over what to order.
Joined: Nov 2007 Gender: Female Posts: 200 Location: Keeping the Faith Karma: 0
Re: Pretentious Teatime (Thurs 4/4) « Reply #2 on Nov 18, 2009, 7:16am »
Finally Chinika had her beverage in hand (and of course, it wasn't as big as the name of the size had made it sound like it would be, but she'd expected as much from a place like this), and she made her way out into the dining area.
The seating in this cafe had a rather Victorian look about it, except more relaxed, in keeping with modern tastes. The seat backs weren't quite so stiff and upright, and the upholstery was much more overstuffed. She chose a red-upholstered seat near a coffee table that appeared to be made of parts from a very large clock, with a plexiglass tabletop placed over the top so the array of large gears would show through. She was almost afraid to even set her cup down on that table, especially as coasters weren't provided. Finally she made do by laying a napkin down on the tabletop first, and setting her drink down on that. At least then if it made a ring, the napkin would help protect the glass surface.
It was good to finally get her feet out of those shoes before they formed into the permanent "Barbie foot" shape! It also helped that the place was carpeted, so she was able to stretch her feet, now bare other than the sheer pantyhose she was wearing, out on a fairly soft surface. She had yet to start on her tea, but was simply taking a moment to look around at the furniture and decor of the place. It wasn't a style she was familiar with, so she wasn't even aware it had a name, much less a whole subculture. Where had the idea ever come from to fuse dainty Victorian and science-fiction elements? And was there some way to incorporate such an influence into her own design style and make it her own without copying or looking like she was trying to hard? This place? Eeeeeh, maybe trying a wee bit too hard, or at least she thought while sitting right there in amongst it.
Re: Pretentious Teatime (Thurs 4/4) « Reply #3 on Nov 20, 2009, 8:05pm »
Hikaru continued to silently pick over the menu, while she waited in line. No matter what the drink was it had to have a decent amount of caffeine. Not enough to get her jittery, but just enough to get her through the rest of the day. Well it had to be enough to help her get started on her assignments. She briefly scanned over the normal brewed coffees and lattes. Each of the drinks sounded delicious – well from their brief description. A minute or so later she finally decided on a cappuccino. The price was defiantly higher than the small coffee house she usually frequented. Oh well, this would just be the splurge of the week. Sense she had not spent much during that week it probably would not affect her that much. Now, if she decided to stop by here more often, that might have a worse effect on her bank account.
For the time being the dark haired female continued to ignore higher prices, placing her order as soon as her turn was up. Her gaze shifted around the room for a moment, while she waited on her drink to be made. There was something interesting about the décor. It almost reminded her of some of the neo-steampunk designs she had seen in a random shop. At one random point Hikaru tried some of the fashion, but the style just did not stick. Okay – so maybe the setting made it worth spending a few extra yen? To be honest she could see why her roommate frequented this place.
With drink in hand Hikaru made her way towards the dining area. She soon settled on a large overstuffed chair alongside a very odd looking table, fetching a few things from her book satchel shortly after.
Joined: Nov 2007 Gender: Female Posts: 200 Location: Keeping the Faith Karma: 0
Re: Pretentious Teatime (Thurs 4/4) « Reply #4 on Nov 22, 2009, 11:58pm »
Inspiration can strike anywhere, and sometimes in unusual ways, which was one of the reasons Chinika carried a sketch pad and pencils with her nearly everywhere she went. Right now, that inspiration caused her to take out the pad right there in the coffee shop and sketch what turned out to be a two-piece ballgown. The jacket was done with the military influence that has recently become popular, and boasted a mandarin collar, French-style epaulets, and a slight peplum waist. The long skirt had a bustle, though much smaller than what was popular in its historical heyday. She resisted any urge to incorporate the delicate patterns of clockwork gears she saw encased in the table before her, however, for fear that would take it too far over the top. There was more than enough going on in the outfit already without it!
As so often happened when she was busy with designing, she neglected her cup of chai until after the draft was finished. By then it had gone closer to lukewarm. Even if it had been ice-cold she would've still drunk it, however-- you don't pay that much for a beverage and then not finish it!
Re: Pretentious Teatime (Thurs 4/4) « Reply #5 on Nov 24, 2009, 4:38pm »
Hikaru pulled a slender laptop from her book satchel and began to work on a few of her assignments. Every now and then she paused to take a slow sip of her cappuccino. She could not help but glance toward the café’s more interesting designs. It must have taken a very creative mind to come up with such a décor theme. Even the table her things were sitting on incorporated that general neo steam punk theme. To their credit this was probably one of the better hot drinks she had while in the city. Again, visiting this place two, maybe four times out of the month probably would not hurt her budget. It did provide a nice environment to finish her work.
A few minutes the dark haired female was finally able to put full focus on the small screen before her. It was a pretty simple one, well to her; read the classic novel Breakfast at Tiffany's and draw a few parallels between herself and the main character. For that Hikaru picked Golighty-san! She also noticed something else, no one was bothering her! There were no random nutters staring at her or asking her rude questions. Dare she say, she felt at ease here? Eh – maybe it was too earlier to jump to that conclusion. This café could be her Tiffany’s? ‘Alright, now I am putting way too much thought into this assignment’ she quietly mused to herself.
As Chinika finally took the time to sip at her tea, she took to people-watching, to see what the other patrons of such a place might look like. Surprisingly, many of them weren't dressed in the same fusion of antiquity and sleek futurism as the style in which the place was decorated. Yes, there were small clusters of the style's followers sitting together in a couple of places around the room but for the most part, the patrons were completely normal-looking people (although "normal" was a subjective word, and not one she usually liked to use). Whether they came because they found the style of the place attractive to look at, or they just really liked the beverages sold there (she had to admit, it was rather good chai), it was hard to be sure.
That was when a familiar-looking face was spotted sitting nearby. If ever there had been a Zodiac Senshi who had earned the title of "terrorist", Scorpio was certainly it. Hikaru (yes, she was pretty sure that was the girl's name, despite the fact they'd had no contact since the events of last summer) looked well enough, and at least for the moment, fairly well-adjusted and inconspicuous as she sat reading from an electronic text. That didn't mean Chinika felt much urge to go over and strike up a conversation in some kind of little Zodiac reunion or anything. If spoken to first, she would respond, as was only polite. If any of the other Zodiacs, this one included, needed anything, she would be there to do what she could in an instant. None of that meant they were friends, however, just that they shared the common bond of having been Zodiac Senshi. Friendship and trust still had to be earned on their own merits, and their very mixed encounters of last summer left her with similarly mixed feelings in regards to Hikaru.
Alek Wek as Chinika Pnyango * Dolly Base From Xandorra's Place
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