Chapter 7: Mitsugoshi
Alexia went to the lobby of the boys dorm the following morning and sent a message for Cid to come down and meet her. After keeping her waiting for much too long she finally spotted him slouching towards her.
"Took you long enough. What were you doing, Pooch?"
"Sleeping," he yawned without bothering to cover it up. "It's Saturday, what else would I be doing?"
"You're going to need to be less lazy from now on."
"Don't wanna."
She sighed. While she liked the fact he didn't care what anyone, including her, thought of him. It got on her nerves from time to time.
"Well, whatever, I have plans for us today."
He raised an eyebrow. "These plans don't include you finishing me off do they?"
"Oh, don't be a drama queen. I had the school physician fully heal you, didn't I? Anyway, if you would just do as I say I wouldn't have to resort to violence."
His eyes went wide, and he stared at her.
"What?"
"Nothing. It's just that you suddenly remind me of my sister."
"What the Hell does that mean? You some kind of siscon or something?"
"If I say yes, will you break up with me?"
"Ugh. Whatever, come along, Pooch. I've got a full day ahead of me and I need your help."
"I'll pass. It's the weekend and I plan to spend the whole day doing nothing."
"Oh yeah?" Alexia reached into her purse and tossed him a gold coin. He snagged it out of the air. "How about now?"
Cid made it disappear into a pocket. "Please lead the way."
XXX
They left the academy grounds and headed towards a royal carriage.
"So, what's so important you had to drag me out of bed?"
"There's an amazing store I've been dying to check out. After everything I went through, I thought it would be a nice way to reward myself."
"Shopping? Seriously? You're making me waste my precious free time with that?"
"What? You don't expect me to carry my own bags, do you?"
As they approached the carriage the person waiting inside stepped out to greet them. She was a young woman with long red hair and a sword at her side.
"Hey," Cid said. "Is that your sister?"
"That's right. We've gotten a lot closer since my rescue and I thought this would be a nice way for us to reconnect. There's nothing like a day of shopping to bring women together."
"Hello," she said with a bright smile. "It's a great pleasure to finally meet you, Cid Kagenou. I'm Iris Midgar," she bowed to him. "Thank you so much for taking care of my sister."
"Oh, no, please don't bow to me your majesty," Cid gave her a bow that was a tad sloppy but very enthusiastic. "It's a huge honor for me to meet you."
"There's no need for that. Please, just call me Iris."
Watching this annoyed Alexia. "Hey, why are you treating her better than you treat me?"
"Well, I only just met her. I'm going to give her the benefit of the doubt and assume she's not pure evil."
Alexia glared at him, but Cid pretended not to notice.
"You know, I've met your sister," Iris said.
"You have?" Cid sounded nervous.
"That's right. She stormed into my office and demanded to speak to me. She insisted you were innocent and there was no way you could have had any part in Alexia's kidnapping. She was very passionate in your defense."
"Uhm, she didn't attack you, did she?"
Iris laughed and turned to her sister. "I like him, he's funny."
"Yeah, he's a laugh riot," she didn't find him amusing in the least. "Let's get going."
The three of them climbed in and the carriage was soon moving.
"So, where are we headed?" Cid asked.
"Mitsugoshi," Alexia replied.
"Never heard of it."
"Have you been living under a rock? It's only the most popular new store in the whole city, maybe the whole country."
"You don't say?" Cid was looking out the window, apparently having already lost interest.
"It's very trendy," Iris said. "They're introducing all kinds of unique and interesting consumer goods. I'm especially intrigued in a new confectionary treat called chocolate."
"Chocolate?" Cid perked up a bit. "Huh, it's been a long while since I've had any. Maybe I'll get some."
Both girls laughed.
"What? Was something I said funny?"
"You need to stop pretending to be all worldly and stuff." Alexia said. "No, one'd ever even heard of chocolate until the store opened up about three months ago. It's also expensive, I doubt you've ever tasted it."
"What do you mean expensive? Like is a chocolate bar two hundred zeni?"
Both girls started laughing again.
"Cid! You really are hilarious!" Iris told him.
Alexia wiped the tears from her eyes and pulled out a gold coin. Its value was ten thousand zeni. "This will buy you one small box of their standard chocolate. The high-quality product can run from twenty thousand to fifty thousand."
"You're kidding."
"I'll tell you what. If you're a reaaaallly good boy today, I'll buy you a box."
XXX
The carriage came to a stop before a large storefront with the title MITSUGOSHI up on the overhead banner. A line four deep stretched from the entrance out and went completely around the block. The three of them exited and Alexia immediately headed towards the door.
Iris called out. "Alexia! Wait we can't go before all these people."
"I'm sure it'll be fine."
As if on cue a pretty girl with dark brown hair and brown eyes, in the blue store uniform stepped out to greet them and gave them a curtsy.
"Princess Iris, princess Alexia, good sir, welcome to Mitsugoshi Store. If you'd follow me, I'd be most pleased to lead you to a special boutique reserved for our most privileged guests."
With that the three of them strolled in past the horde of waiting customers and into the store.
As soon as they entered Alexia was impressed. This store was like nothing else she'd ever seen before. There was a high arching ceiling with multiple chandeliers with enchanted crystals giving off light. There were wide aisles with neatly swept tiled floors. The shelves were stocked with colorful goods, many of which she'd never seen before. Not only dresses, shoes, and other fashionwear, but scented candles, perfumes, soaps, shampoos, hand mirrors, and an endless assortment of cosmetics. She could spend the entire day just wandering the aisles exploring. This place was a wonderland in the form of a store.
When Alexia looked over to the side, she could see her sister was every bit as enthralled as she was. It was no surprise as anyone with sense would feel this way. But when she looked in the other direction there was Poochie strolling along with only the mildest look of interest on his face. Is he pretending to be cool again?
The thought annoyed her. Surely this had to be his first time in a place like this. And if she and Iris found it impressive there was no way he could be so blasé about it. This wasn't how he normally behaved. Usually, he was more honest with his thoughts and indifferent to what others thought. Alexia damn well knew he wasn't acting this way to try and impress her. It had to be because of Iris.
I guess I'll just have to put Poochie in his proper place.
They were eventually led to a small private parlor where a beautiful elf woman with long flowing blue hair greeted them with an elegant curtsey.
"Welcome, Princess Iris, princess Alexia, and honored gentleman. I am Luna, President of Mitsugoshi Ltd. It gives me and all my loyal retainers the greatest of joy to welcome you here. We are your obedient servants and will strive to fulfill your every wish."
Alexia knew the beauty was addressing her and her sister, but it certainly seemed that she was looking straight at Cid as she spoke those words. She wasn't surprised to note that Pooch was giving her his full focus. The woman had a large bosom, and he was ogling it without any shame at all. Alexia's annoyance meter went up a couple notches.
"If you would like," Luna said rising from her curtsey. "I and my assistant," she motioned to the brown-haired girl who'd led them here. "Can act as personal shoppers for you and direct to the various products we offer that I think you would be most interested in."
"That sounds wonderful," Iris said.
"And of course, we will provide employees to assist you with carrying your purchases."
Three girls in blue uniforms suddenly appeared as if from thin air.
"Oh, that won't be necessary," Alexia said with a dismissive wave. "Poochie here can take care of all that. I mean that's the whole reason I brought him along. If I'm going to reward my pooch, he's got to earn it."
Cid let out a groan that made Alexia chuckle.
"Poochie?" A voice said from behind Alexia. "Isn't that name a bit… insulting?"
When Alexia looked over her shoulder at the assistant, she gasped. The girl was giving her a look that was murderous. It melted away in a flash to be replaced by the friendly visage that had been there previously.
"Uhm, it's a pet name, he loves it."
"No, I don't."
Alexia gave Cid a scowl, but he just shrugged.
"Why don't we begin with the clothing department?" Luna suggested.
"That sounds lovely," Iris said.
"Then please come with me. Luna led the way and they all followed. They were just leaving the parlor and returning to the main sales floor when Alexia felt something catch her foot.
"Ack!" Alexia fell face first to the floor as everyone along with a number of regular customers and employees witnessed it.
"Dear customer! Are you alright?" The brown-haired assistant was at her side in a flash, hand extended, and phony concern plastered all over her face.
Alexia glared up at the girl. "You tripped me!"
The girl gasped and put her hand to her mouth. "Dear customer, I did no such thing. Regretfully you were just clumsy and stumbled over your own feet."
"No, I didn't!" Alexia got back up.
"Sure, looked that way to me," Cid piped up.
Alexia aimed a hard look and resisted the urge to go over and punch him.
"Why don't we just say it was an accident?" Iris suggested.
"Yes, that would probably be best," an amused Luna said. "Accidents do happen."
She could see no one was going to believe her. "Fine," Alexia growled.
They continued, though Alexia made very sure to keep an eye on assistant-san. The girl kept a safe distance and didn't try it again.
XXX
Despite the unmitigated attack on her dignity, Alexia and her sister did have a lot of fun shopping.
High heeled shoes, slippers, dresses, robes, skirts, hats, scarves, and other articles were tried on and happily purchased. There was a cosmetic counter where they tried on lipstick, blush, mascara, eye liner, and various perfumes. There was a small in-house bakery where they sampled scones, brownies, jelly donuts, funnel cakes, and even shaved ice and ice cream. Then they finally got to try the legendary chocolate.
"This is our latest product," Luna presented them with a plate with three bite size morsels. "They are chocolate truffles."
"Truffles?" Iris sounded dubious.
"They certainly don't look very appetizing," Alexia said.
"But they do have a nice aroma," Iris noted.
"Please try them," Luna encouraged. "They are free samples."
"Well, if you insist," Alexia took one and popped it into her mouth.
Iris followed her example.
Both girls were immediately smiling.
"Mmmm! It's very sweet," Iris said.
Alexia nodded. "The bitter notes highlight the sweetness. It's smooth and rich and divine!"
Luna appeared pleased but was holding the last sample out to Cid. "Won't you try it, sir?"
But Cid shook his head. "I'll pass, I don't like truffles. I wouldn't mind a solid bar of chocolate though."
As if by magic the assistant suddenly produced a plate with several small bars of the creamy brown treat.
"Please help yourself, sir."
"Don't mind if I do."
"Hey!" Alexia called out. "I want to try that too."
"Oh, so do I!" Iris said.
The girl offered the plate to them.
Alexia tried it and it began to melt in her mouth almost instantly, spreading sweet, yummy goodness.
"This is really delicious, but why'd you offer it to Poochie first?"
"Because he asked for it and we cater to the needs and wants of all our customers," the brown-haired girl said.
"I guess that's fair." Alexia reached out for a second piece. As she did so, the assistant's heel came down deliberately and with force on the middle of her right foot.
"Ow!"
"Oh! Please forgive me, your highness! I accidentally stepped on you!"
"That was no accident!"
The assistant gave her an apologetic bow. "It was. Accidents do happen and I am deeply sorry."
The girl's features were filled with regret and apology. But Alexia wasn't fooled. Just as with the earlier tripping this had been deliberate. Iris took the apology at face value though and Luna offered them each a complimentary box of chocolate as recompense. Alexia couldn't push the issue but was absolutely certain the assistant was out to get her for some reason.
"Now, if you are interested," Luna said. "I'd like to show you some intimate apparel, including a groundbreaking new item."
They headed off to another location within the vast store. As she and her sister had purchased more and more goods, they'd been handed to Pooch to carry. Having now shopped all morning and much of the afternoon he was now half buried beneath a small mountain of boxes and bags. He struggled but managed to follow them to the new location.
Luna turned to him. "Regretfully, dear sir, we'll need to have our demonstration in the ladies dressing rooms. Unfortunately, you'll not be permitted to enter."
The assistant turned to him. "While you wait, dear customer could we possibly trouble you to fill out a short survey?"
"Don't wanna."
"Please, sir, we would be ever so grateful to receive your feedback. We'll even offer you a small gift in return for your time."
"Yes," Luna said hands clasped. "We would be deeply honored to have you take this survey."
Alexia thought both women were being a bit overeager about this survey. She wondered if these surveys somehow helped Mitsugoshi come up with their amazing range and selection of goods.
"Fine, whatever."
The assistant beamed, and unlike the false smiles she'd received Alexia thought this one sincere. As the girl led Cid away, Luna brought them into the dressing room. But after no more than a couple minutes a blonde employee entered and whispered something in her ear.
"I apologize," Luna said with a bow. "But it seems an urgent matter has come up and demands my immediate attention. If you will excuse me, Rachel," she motioned to the blonde girl. "Will assist you."
Whatever it was must have been important as the blue haired elf wasted no time in departing.
"So, what is it you want to show us?" Iris asked. We've already seen so many amazing things I can hardly wait."
In response, the girl laid out three small pieces of cloth before them, one white, one black, and one pink. The two sisters scrutinized them. Alexia held the white cloth between her fingers, it was very soft and thin. Like everything else in this store, the quality of the product was beyond reproach. She just couldn't guess what it actually was.
"So, what is it?" Alexia asked.
"Underwear. We call them G-strings."
"U… Underwear? You're supposed to wear that?" Iris shuddered. "It's… It's indecent."
"Men seem to like them quite a lot."
"Oh really?" Alexia perked up and studied the T shaped articles with greater interest.
Her sister looked over at her in horror. "Alexia! You can't be thinking of wearing something so shameful!"
"I'm confident in the shape of my butt."
"That's not the issue here! A princess shouldn't wear something so lewd!"
"I'm confident in the shape of my butt."
"You've already said that! It's improper! It's out of the question! I forbid it!"
"You can try it on if you like," Rachel suggested.
"Yes, please."
"NO! Absolutely not!"
"What's the problem?" Alexia asked sounding as innocent as a four-year-old. "I'm just going to try them on to see how they look."
"Oh, please. I know you! You're setting up a situation where you'll have to purchase them! You'll pretend to be all indecisive and unsure and then just buy them anyway. I know how this works!"
Wow, she really does know me. Alexia thought. It was at once heartwarming and annoying.
"Your highnesses," the salesgirl jumped in. "G-strings are not only comfortable, but very fashionable. I'm wearing the same model right now." She turned her back to them. "Though my miniskirt is tight fitting you can't see them at all."
"Sh… She's right," Iris admitted.
Underwear lines were always visible under lightweight fabrics. Some girls refused to wear them to major events just to avoid having them show through.
"Are you really wearing them?" Iris asked.
The girl promptly lifted the hem of her skirt to reveal most of her shapely read along with a teal green G-string.
"You shouldn't expose yourself!"
Rachel dropped her skirt. "This is a private dressing room and we're all women. What's the harm?"
"She's got a point," Alexia promptly undid her skirt and let it fall to her ankles.
"Alexia!"
"What? Isn't this why we came in here in the first place?" She stepped out of her skirt, then off came the panties.
She tried the black ones. They felt very comfortable. Alexia looked at herself in the full-length mirror and turned about. The G-string did indeed show off her round and supple rump. She put her skirt back on and studied herself in the mirror.
"You really can't see any panty lines at all."
"No… you really can't," Iris admitted.
"I want to get them," Alexia announced.
Iris stood there frowning.
"I know you don't approve, but as royal princesses I feel it's our duty to support the local economy with our patronage."
Iris sighed and rubbed at her temple. "Please don't pretend this has anything to do with helping a store that is obviously already thriving."
Alexia laughed. "Alright, you got me. I just like them."
Iris gave her a severe look. "Alexia… how serious are you about Cid?"
"Huh? What has Poochie got to do with this?"
"I noticed that you got awfully interested the moment it was mentioned men like these things."
"So? I've always enjoyed fashion and appearing attractive in public."
"Then what Cid thinks doesn't matter to you?"
Alexia forced out a contemptuous snort. "Oh, please! He's more a pet than anything else. I mean you know how these academy romances go. They're meant to be fun and exciting and a way to pass the time, but they don't really mean anything. The moment I take my wedding vows Cid will be nothing but a pleasant memory and the occasional funny story, that's all."
"When I suggested we go shopping today you immediately mentioned bringing Cid along with us."
"Someone had to carry our things."
"You talk about him quite a lot, and you kept paying attention to him all day today."
"Well, what pet owner doesn't play around with her doggie?"
"I also got a report you assaulted him."
Alexia shrugged. "When your pooch acts up you need to discipline them."
Iris crossed her arms. "So, you're telling me Cid is no more to you than a casual fling? That you don't have any serious interest in him beyond entertaining yourself?"
"Absolutely! I mean, what do you think I'm going to fall in love with that dumb mutt? Come on, you know me better than that."
"You've never dated anyone before, or even expressed interest in a boy."
"Which makes him practice. I'm just using him to figure out what dating is all about. I mean seriously, he's good for a laugh and some basic labor, but that's about all. Does he really strike you as the sort of guy I'd fall for?" She waved a hand through the air. "I'll probably get bored with him in a month or two and move on. I'm sure he'll cry and beg me to stay, but as soon as I find someone more interesting, he's history."
"Really?"
"Really!"
All of this was said in front of Rachel who stood there smiling and spoke not a word.
XXX
In the end, Alexia was able to convince her older sister that a princess wearing a G-string was not a scandal that would bring down the monarchy and she bought six pair, all in different colors. Walking out of the dressing room though, she was once again tripped and fell flat on her face. Rachel was instantly at her side spilling out 'apologies.' Alexia came to the conclusion that while Mitsugoshi was an amazing store with some incredible products the sales staff had some serious issues.