http://halfman-lion.livejournal.com/ ([identity profile] halfman-lion.livejournal.com) wrote in [community profile] fandomhigh2011-09-18 11:31 pm
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Basic Strategy, Monday, Period 4

The class was back in the Danger Shop this week, and Tyrion was in considerably better form than he had been the Monday before.

The back area of the shop was set up as a boutique, with racks of fashionable and vintage clothing for all occasions and large curtained dressing areas -- including makeup and hair tables -- to the side. A magazine rack placed near the center of the area held a wide variety of current fashion magazines.

Tyrion gathered the students near the front of the area. He hoped he'd be able to hold their attention, evem if he was competing with clothing.

"A few weeks ago," he began, "I ran through some of the areas in which one might be advantaged. The first one we looked at was strength; this week, we'll be looking at beauty." He paused there, half expecting a laugh; what could a dwarf know of beauty?

The stabbing thought passed, and he continued. "You cannot change the form you were born with -- or not without considerable effort and pain. You can, though, make the most of it. Your clothing should be neat, clean, and as high-quality as you can afford." This may have been easier for a Lannister to say.

"Any outfits you wear should make the most of your form without suggesting it might be for sale -- unless, of course, you are for sale. Your hair should be neat and nicely styled, any cosmetics discreetly applied. I won't deny I'm no expert on the fashions of this world, but things have not changed that much."

He drew a breath. "It might seem like a womanly topic, but men are judged on appearance nearly every bit as much. We all have to wear clothes every day; when someone who cares about them is looking, it can't hurt to make them worth looking at."

He gestured back to the racks of clothing. "This week, I want you to pick something out that makes you feel like you have the upper hand. Something you'd wear to meet someone you needed to impress. Then come out and explain what you chose and why."

Re: Dressing Area - Girls [9/19]

[identity profile] regretiz4suckas.livejournal.com 2011-09-19 08:49 pm (UTC)(link)
"Data entry?!" Kenzi said, as if to say marburg's virus! Ebola! "Why would anyone do that unless they're a geeeek that loves numbers? Which, more power to them, I'd kill someone with a stapler on my second day," Kenzi said cheerfully, wiggling into sheer hose, then sticking her feet into the shoes. "Not me, baby. Anything but that. Or fast food, bleeeeah."

Re: Dressing Area - Girls [9/19]

[identity profile] batwaffles.livejournal.com 2011-09-19 09:01 pm (UTC)(link)
"If it's the only thing between me and eviction, I'll take it," Stephanie countered, a mite testily. Not that she'd ever been in that situation while she was old enough to worry about it, and with Mom on an even keel now and no shortage of work for ER nurses in Gotham City it wasn't a current concern, but the Brown household had come close a few times. Thanks, Dad. "I'd just have to learn to make the most of it."

A beat.

"I could probably spy on my coworkers' cubicles in my spare time, if I got really bored . . ."

Re: Dressing Area - Girls [9/19]

[identity profile] regretiz4suckas.livejournal.com 2011-09-19 09:11 pm (UTC)(link)
"There you go," Kenzi said, standing up, and starting to wriggle into the dress. "Enh. Eviction. There's always still time to find another place. You just have to know which squats have water, you know?" Stephanie was more like her more distant cousins: solid citizens, doing their damnedest to get by in the system. There was a reason those guys were distant, though. "Don't get too attached to any one address, and things go smoother."

Those words coming from someone now wearing a $10,000 dress and $1,000 shoes, probably had an element to the bizarre to them.

Re: Dressing Area - Girls [9/19]

[identity profile] batwaffles.livejournal.com 2011-09-19 09:25 pm (UTC)(link)
Whyyyyyyyyy do I have a feeling she should never ever ever ever EVER EVER meet Selina Kyle?

Stephanie could have been put off by that, or offended, but in a weird sort of way, she kind of liked Kenzi. (Bruce would probably frown at her, but he wasn't here to do that -- oh god Steph STOP PICTURING IT!)

"If that ever becomes an issue, I'll keep that in mind," she promised, chuckling a little despite herself.

Re: Dressing Area - Girls [9/19]

[identity profile] regretiz4suckas.livejournal.com 2011-09-19 09:37 pm (UTC)(link)
Because they would so be best buddies in five minutes. As for Bruce, Kenzi was now thoroughly intimidated by the guy, and didn't get why other people weren't-- the version here strangled lizard-wolves and was scarily intense on occasion. And was way too rich to be judging Kenzi's choices, if it came down to it.

"You never know," Kenzi said, flashing Stephanie a grin. "Want help with the make-up? Are we going for demure-and-professional, granola, or here-to-seduce-your-boss?"

Re: Dressing Area - Girls [9/19]

[identity profile] batwaffles.livejournal.com 2011-09-19 09:52 pm (UTC)(link)
Seriously, Cassandra was probably sighing right now.

Stephanie, though? Going all bug-eyed.

"Ohmygod so many kinds of no on the last one," she blurted out. "How far can we swerve away from demure and keep it professional?"

Re: Dressing Area - Girls [9/19]

[identity profile] regretiz4suckas.livejournal.com 2011-09-19 10:04 pm (UTC)(link)
Kenzi cackled at that reaction and said, "I know some bosses are too ick to think about, but..." She dove for the brushes and blusher, scrutinized Stephanie's face, and tilted it up, faking her Russian accent (a lot better than the chick she'd been last weekend.) "Great cheekbones, dahling. We go with the golds, and the browns, make you look older." She dropped the accent and grinned as she started with a dusting of rose-peach blush. "Sometime you should go Goth, just to see what it looks like on you."

Re: Dressing Area - Girls [9/19]

[identity profile] batwaffles.livejournal.com 2011-09-19 10:21 pm (UTC)(link)
No, look, teenage version of her boss in this class and ack ack ack no.

"I don't think Goth falls under 'business casual,'" Stephanie cracked, although she was considering it; who knew if she'd ever have to blend in in a scenario like that? It was completely likely. "Can we pass on that today?"

Re: Dressing Area - Girls [9/19]

[identity profile] regretiz4suckas.livejournal.com 2011-09-19 10:40 pm (UTC)(link)
"Some other time. Look up!" Bronze eyeliner, just enough to bring out her skin tones, some amber eyeshadow, peachy powder, and look, Stephanie was suddenly five years older and not flirty, just businesslike. "Peach or rose lipstick?" Kenzi was trying to decide. "The Goth thing is easy. I was thinking of a club crawl in a week or so, maybe next weekend. Baltimore has some good 18-and-over bars, it'd be fun."

Re: Dressing Area - Girls [9/19]

[identity profile] batwaffles.livejournal.com 2011-09-20 12:03 am (UTC)(link)
"I don't do bars," Stephanie protested, but mildly since it was hard to object too much when someone was wielding makeup implements at your face. "Can we go with peach?"

Re: Dressing Area - Girls [9/19]

[identity profile] regretiz4suckas.livejournal.com 2011-09-20 12:38 am (UTC)(link)
Sure." Kenzi outlined her mouth, and then carefully colored it in, saying, "What, no music? No dancing? No flirting with strange guys and telling them the wrong name so they never find you again?" She winked, and capped the tube. "Blot, and look! You're done. Ready to be a responsible adult-type."