Miraculous: Tales of Pandora Possum and Hawk Demask: Origins

Vile Encounters

As soon as Simone found out what little clothing choices I had, she insisted we go shopping. So, just a few weeks from when I was about to start school, I found myself sitting in the passenger's seat of Simone's red four runner.

"I know lots of shopping places. I'm sure you'll find something you'll like." She said cheerily next to me. Simone chattered on about clothing and different types of fabric, almost as if she knew everything about the Fashion industry.

"Where did you learn so much about fashion?" I asked her curiously.

She glanced over to me, and then said carefully, "I used to be a fashion designer."

"In Paris?" I said excitingly. She nodded her head slowly in reply. Simone told me many things, but she never liked to get very deep into her past, so I didn't push her. Other than the few secrets she shared, we had became very close, it was almost like Simone was an aunt to me.

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"Here we are." Simone said nearly half an hour later as she pulled up into the parking lot of a huge mall. I looked out my window, and marveled at the sight before me. There were rows of monsterously tall buildings, all connected to each other. Truthfully, I had never been to a mall in my life. Seeing one this big was amazing.

"Come on, silly. The clothes are inside the mall," Simone teased as she stepped out of the car. I did the same, hardly taking my eyes off the gigantic structure.

Inside the mall was even more miraculous. There was practically everything you could think of inside. Food, clothes, toys, hair products, and more. I wandered close behind Simone, taking in the wide sight. People walked back and fourth, going about their business, while others tried to convince you to buy their merchandise. Everywhere I turned there was a new thing I had never seen before. One man offered me a sample of a pretzel, which I graciously accepted. Since I had never had a pretzel before, you can imagine how it tasted to me. Salty, hot and warm.

Next we went inside a clothing store, and Simone lead me over to the front desk, then introduced me to one of her fashion friends. They talked for a long time, like true fashionistas do. So much about this fabric, the length of skirts, and so on. I didn't want to be rude, so I looked around a bit. This store had to be one of the fancier ones. There were diamond jewelry pieces, rich velvet dresses, real Stirling silver earrings, and more. I started to wonder around, taking in the many sights. It might have seemed strange to most people, but shopping had to be one of the biggest adventures of my life. So far, anyways.

I peered over a glass counter at some diamond rings inside. Then I heard soft footsteps approach me. Simone put a hand on my shoulder as I turned around.

"And this is Austine, our new friend." Simone said, introducing me to a tall fair skinned woman with a head full of rich black locks. She smiled effortlessly, then shook my hand.

"A pleasure to meet you, Austine. I'm Vanessa." He voice had a sweet tune to it, but it didn't seem fake.

"Its nice to meet you. This store is amazing." I knew that probobly sounded a bit odd to someone who spent many hours in stores just like this, but I couldn't hold back my amazement. Simone chuckled softly.

"There is much to still learn and see."

"Come, this way," Vanessa said. She turned around, and walked flawlessly, despite her three inch heels. I would never understand how anybody could walk in those.