Broken Submission

Shopping Spree

Amelia rotated slowly to face Freya. "What just happened?"

The older woman hopped off the bed. "My lil' bro just fucked off so that we could have some girl time."

"Girl time?" Amelia's brow crinkled.

"Hells yeah."

***

Amelia stared around the store in wonder. "I--I can't afford this."

Freya waved a dismissive hand. "That's why D gave me his card."

Seeing Amelia's head begin to shake, the blonde grabbed her hand. "Relax, okay? Just--accept the gift. And have fun," she added with a wink. "This city has some of the best shops in the country."

Spotting something, Freya grabbed an article of clothing and shoved it into Amelia's hands. "Try that on."

Amelia took what appeared to be a white leather mini-skirt. Eying the hem, she shook her head. "This wouldn't even cover the important bits."

Freya rolled her eyes, a smirk pulling at the corners of her mouth. "Well, I guess you'll just have to pick something out yourself then."

For the next hour, Amelia and Freya tore through the entirety of the shop, Amelia's enthusiasm growing bit by bit as the tension drained away. Freya ordered champagne at one point which Amelia hadn't even known was a thing.

"Does he know you're putting all that on his card?" Amelia asked, amused as she watched Freya hand over Derek's credit card to pay for the counter full of bags, only a third of which were Amelia's.

His sister tossed her hair. "What he doesn't know won't kill him. We'll call it my Christmas bonus."

"Aren't you you're own boss?"

Freya shrugged. "It's more like... co-bosshood. We both own sizable equity in the company."

"Is that all for you ladies?" the cashier asked, charm dialed to an eleven with the knowledge that they were spending exorbitant amount of money.

Freya smiled at her. "Could we get a hand taking these to the car?"

"Absolutely!" If anything, the woman's smile somehow increased in wattage with the prospect of a tip.

Amelia nearly protested the need to bother anyone, but after taking an armload of bags, she was relieved not to have to make a second trip. She shivered as they pushed through the door of the store, the air seeming to bite after so long in the well-warmed shop.

They deposited their purchases in the car and thanked the woman, Freya slipping her a discrete twenty. Then they just stood at the car, sucking in the fresh air.

"So, where to next?" Freya asked finally, nose pink.

Amelia looked at her quizzically. "How should I know?"

Freya rolled her eyes. "Bottoms," she muttered. "Get in the car."

Amelia snorted. "Sir, yes sir."

The next shop they arrived at resembled the first only in that it was a building with four walls and a roof. Set slightly apart from other establishments, the small building sat in shadow, and try as she might, Amelia couldn't pierce the filmy gauze over the windows enough to see what was inside.

"Where are we?" she asked, a tad nervously.

Freya threw her a mischievous grin. "One of my favorite stores."

Freya led her to the door. Pushing it open, Amelia's mouth dropped open.

Inside, the store had a classy, yet sultry feel with the light of the candelabras being almost entirely absorbed in the copious amounts of velvet adorning the walls, furniture, and mannequins. But between the velvet hung intricate links of chain mail, delicate lacework, and--a lot of leather.

"This is..." Amelia's voice trailed off. 

"Thank you." 

She nearly jumped out of her skin as she noticed the person for the first time. "I--I didn't see you."

The person drew nearer. Violet curls formed a loose bowl around their face, and their clothing was an intriguing mixture of the styles otherwise displayed. Loose chainmail draped beneath their breasts, with a loose skirt of the same purple as their hair flowing down to their ankles.

"Amelia," Freya said, "This is Nebula; Nebula, my brother's girlfriend, Amelia."

"Isn't she precious," they crooned. A bright smile lit up their face, made charming by the slightly crooked front teeth. "I have just the thing."

"You're a traditionalist?" Nebula called over their shoulder as they picked through the selection.

"I--I guess so," Amelia said, feeling off balance.

The shop owner reappeared. "Let's shake things up," they said.

Amelia's eyes widened as she saw the outfit clutched in Nebula's hands.

"Oh yes," Freya grinned. "It's perfect."