Stars Forever Falling

Chapter 12: "New Outfit"

"Well yes of course but, in return for what? If I know her well enough. And I know her. She's hiding something. And I don't want to think about what that could be. Last time she did- well... she came home with Floyd in a perfume bottle. Yesterday she went out for lip balm and now it's a new outfit. I hate to say it, but i don't trust her." His mind started spiralling from worry of what she could be up to. He scratched at his wrist and tried to distract himself with his comforting fidgets.

"Try not to worry too much Ven, I think you're just feeling some separation anxiety. I get it, you guys are never apart. But like you said, you're trying to work on it right?" Ritz leaned forward and took Veneer's hand to stop him from fidgeting. Looking up at him with a reassuring smile.
"Tell you what, why don't we head over to the Rage Dome and start setting up to take your mind off of things?"

"By that, do you mean sit around sipping on cocktails while bossing everybody else about?" Ven looked down at his hand in his and blushed slightly, returning the smile as he asked.

"Bingo." Ritz smirked, and they made their leave soon after Ven finally made his mind up about his outfit.

---------

Velvet did not have her driving licence. And even if she did, she sure as hell would have had it suspended permanently. Veneer had his, and as a result of their performance antics had it suspended for a few months during their parole period. As a result of her sudden leave, no such lifts had been arranged for her to travel to and from downtown and so she had to rely on public transport, she hated how cramped the lively jump buses were, but soon enough she got to where she wanted to be.

She couldn't make up her mind, whether she should actually buy a new outfit first or just claim she changed her mind when she came back. Then she saw her. In her usual spot, outside of a lower market designer store. Orchid was tuning her guitar up ready to start performing, it was midday and so Mount Rageous had only just started to come alive. Suddenly, Velvet's mind was made up.

She couldn't for the life of her figure out why she kept coming out to see this girl. She had come to the wavering conclusion that she liked the brief conversations she would have with her passing by. Nevermind the fact that despite Orchid's dishevelled appearance, and gentle voice and charming charisma and-... made Velvet want to know more about her! That's it.

'She's the first rageon, besides Ritz and store clerks I spoke to after coming out- of prison- she should feel honoured that I am willing to take time out of my day even to say hello to her. Even though i haven't dared say who i am.' Velvet thought to herself as she hid behind a phone box, not looking suspicious at all. She reached into her purse and applied a fresh scent of perfume. Actual perfume. Exhaling as she tucked whatever loose hair that had fallen, back under the silky scarf. Her whole body shook before she stepped out and started to strut in the general direction of the small performer.

"Oh hey Miss! Nice to see you out and about again today. Wow you smell amazing, is that Cherry Baker?" Orchid perked up so fast as she smelt the sweet scent tickle her nose. She had one hand on the shoulder strap of her guitar while the other was setting up the mic in front of her, with her foot at the base to hold it steady.

"Why yes it is. Glad you noticed. You must really know your scents." Velvet smirked as she stopped in front of the purple girl, pretending that she intended to walk past her.

"Nahhhh not really. It was one of the things you bought yesterday, remember?" Orchid chuckled to herself as she stood back to look up at the taller woman blocking the neon lights behind her from her eyes. "It really suits you."

Velvet's cheeks flushed from embarrassment, she had forgotten that she had actually mentioned it to her during her outing yesterday. It was just one of the many useless words that escaped her lips during her passing by.
Orchid however only guessed the brand, she smelt cherries so naturally the name made sense. Ever since she had first come into contact with Velvet her heart was doing loops. Like the perfume, she had guessed the real identity of the casual luxury shopper that had started to become a regular chatter. But not once had either of them given the other a name. Orchid feared that if she asked her then she would turn away and never come back if she was right. But the nonchalant flirting between them had become too much of a distraction from her goal on the busy street and she needed to know. It would certainly help put her mind at ease. She wanted to know if she was in fact talking to the criminal she once fell in love with.