Exploration

[Emily Shale-Vanders]

Connor sounded like a great guy, and Emily felt really happy for them. "Connor sounds like a really special guy. I'm very happy for you two."
Emily's smile was genuine.

Emily stifled another yawn. Jet lag wasn't very fun. Her meeting tomorrow as at 9:00 AM and she didn't want to wake up too early. At the same time she was unsure of what would be better. It was really the first time she had been out of the country for business reasons.

She thought she should probably get ready for the meeting, but found herself not quite ready to go back to the hotel room. These women seemed really friendly and, despite the excitement that had occured, for the first time in a couple of weeks, Emily felt relaxed and well...normal. It was a good feeling.

"I'm sorry about all the yawning. I'm jet-lagged and have this business meeting tomorrow morning. It's also way too early to go to bed. Do you guys want to go do something - shopping - not necessarily wedding shopping - that's for your bridal party - see a museum...anything. It's just..."
Emily sighed. "For the first time in two weeks, I feel relaxed and want to keep that for a little bit longer. Really right now the last thing I want to do is go back to my hotel room and think about what I'm going to say to these people tomorrow."


Emily found herself surprised that she was saying these things. She also felt a little ashamed at being a little selfish, but the truth was she felt like it. She had thought little of herself since Mom and Dad had died. She had to be a constant comfort to her sisters, she had been there for Asha ans Sasha today. The give, give, give was taking it's toll and for once she wanted someone to be there for her, but it wasn't really in her nature to ask.

"Sorry about that little outburst. It's been a rough couple of weeks. Maybe I need a vacation."

[Ayden]

Ayden perked up inside at the idea of shopping, it was hardly something she could afford to do, but window shopping was just as good. She had money, she did, but she told Connor she'd leave that life behind. It was part of that life. And she still had plenty of money from that life, she could have more if she sold off all those caches. She'd have to talk to Connor about that. He had the keys. But Ayden was sentimental, she didn't really want to get rid of that life, not completely. It was partially why she'd given the keys to Connor. He could do with them what he wanted.

"Shopping sounds good. Have you been to the GUM? Even if you don't buy anything it's still an experience."
It was one of the most grandiose places to shop in Moscow. Ayden had never been, assassins don't shop in malls. But Ayden enjoyed malls, and the people and the shops and well just shopping.

[Emily Shale-Vanders]

Emily had never been there. It was her first day in Moscow, but she enjoyed Malls. She often went to Gurnee Mills with her sisters. She would definitely enjoy it.

Emily also felt better since her little outburst. It seemed like she needed to emote a bit. She made a mental note to do that again later. After shopping she could call her sisters and they could talk about Mom and Dad and Emily could have a much needed cry.

Emily nodded. "That sounds great. Come on, Asha! It will be fun!"

[Ashavari]

When Ayden talked about her wedding she was disconnected in a way Asha couldn't really explain, other than that her enthusiasm did not sink far below her skin. But that she wasn't really lying either. Just... overacting? She shrugged it off in any case, like she did most things that pressed the boundary of privacy with strangers. The conversation seemed to enliven Emily, despite the copious yawns, and given the woman's kindness Asha felt gratified to feel it, and happy to offer back the aid she receive.

Though.

Shopping.

Asha had never done something so girlish in her life, nor had ever been encouraged to indulge such frivolity by her uncle. The fact such places were a hive of overwhelming activity of course didn't help - she was naturally inclined to stay away. But an amused smile lifted the corners of her lips at the spark of Ayden's interest nonetheless. It wasn't the idea of shopping that swayed her so much as Emily's enthusiasm and the promise of pleasant company for a time longer. She had no money anyway, nor any interest in buying stuff she didn't need even if she could afford it. "Sure. Why not."

[Ayden]

Ayden wasn't exactly surprised by the fact neither of them had been to the GUM, Emily was an American and Asha well she was new to Moscow too. Ayden hadn't been herself, but that was mostly because she couldn't afford much, not logically anyway, not on her waitress salary, now she was marrying another American who was making money in Moscow too. Though Ayden disliked using his money for frivolous things, she needed to find her calling, something she wanted to do in life. That was the question.

They finished their coffee with a little chatting and hopped the metro towards the GUM. The mall itself was lavious, Ayden had walked through it on occassion, particularly in the cold of the winter. She still was getting used to the chill of the air, the near frozen temperatures, the constant snow. If it weren't so cold she'd think she was in hell. Ayden missed the warmth of her typical locals from her past life. She'd spend the winters in Mexico or some other tropical local.

The three women chatted and wandered the shops, Ayden even tried on a few outfits, though she didn't buy anything. She really wasn't in the mood to spend money. But shopping brought joy, even if she didn't spend any money. Looking and trying on things, and generally have a girls day was good, maybe Emily and Asha would be friends. She didn't have any, not really. Sasha was a co-worker more so than anything, they got on great, she was the closet thing Ayden had to a friend, but they still weren't close.

(( more than willing to just exchange contact and call this done unless ya'll want something to happen. ))

[Emily Shale-Vanders]

Emily enjoyed the trip and was glad that Asha had decided to join them. Emily just window-shopped. She refrained from buying anything. She was able to relax and she needed that before getting back to work.

Work...
she thought, but then when back to shopping for a bit. Just a little bit longer.

Ayden tried on some outfits and so did Emily. Emily even pointed out a few that she thought would look good on Asha, but never pushed her to try things on if she didn't want to.

The work thought came back into her mind. Unfortunately, she did have to prepare for the meeting. "Alright ladies, I'm afraid I better get going. I do have this meeting tomorrow and it is important, so I better get prepared. Thank you so much for this tonight - the company, coffee, and commercialism."


Emily pulled out her wallet and hit a few keys, turning of private mode. That way the two women would get her personal number as well as her business card and exchanged information with them. "Call anytime."
She gave both woman a hug. "I was so glad to meet both of you. Stay safe and have a wonderful night."


Emily waited for the other two to say their goodbyes and hailed a taxi to get back to her hotel. She sighed, sat down at the table and began working.


Edited by Emily Shale, Nov 3 2014, 10:25 AM.