"Why not? I think that looks kinda cool - you'll be a real trendsetter!" Stella said.
"Yes, and besides, you said I be the one to brighten your wardrobe up a bit." Discorda added. "Now come out of that changing room and show us what you've got!"
Stella and Discorda were enjoying every minute of their day out at Aquisates, especially as it meant dressing Tegryn up in all sorts of outlandish outfits - well, outlandish to Tegryn's eyes anyway. To Stella and Discorda, their choices were the height in male chic, the cutting edge of Majix fashion.
"Come on then... we're waiting!" Discorda nagged impatiently, tapping her foot.
"Very well... I'm coming out." Tegryn emerged from his cubicle decked out in a light blue silk haori (a loose fitting Japanese-style shirt) with a large dragon motif on the back, complete with matching trousers.
"Ooh go on, give us a twirl!"
Discorda clapped her hands together in approval. "Now THAT'S more like it. You look very stylish."
"That's odd, cos I feel like a complete..." Tegryn stopped abruptly as he caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror. "Actually, this does look rather good on me, doesn't it? In fact, I can't decide whether to wear this or the dinner suit for our date."
"I don't think it really matters 'cos I'll tell you now - Musa won't be able to keep her eyes off you tonight... or her hands!"
The clothes shop was filled with their happy laughter - however, Layla was nowhere to be seen. She had gone off earlier into a another shop to get the things she wanted for Piff, plus a few treats for the others (being as kind-hearted and generous as she is). Laden with her shopping, she raced down the street to meet up with the others, but as she ran around a corner she hit something solid, knocking her backwards onto the floor. She looked up to see a rather muscular young man looking down kindly at her.
"Ooh, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to..."
"Don't worry," said the stranger. "It was an accident, right?" He offered his hand to Layla and helped her up. "Here, allow me to get your bag."
"Thank you," she said as she took it, but as she did so she happened to glance at his eyes. They were... mesmerising, instantly captivating her soul. They were dark and intense, matching his hair. They were somewhat sinister, yet at the same time warm, kind and passionate. She gazed into them for what seemed like ages, becoming more and more lost in them before coming to her senses.
"I, erm, I'm sorry about this." she stammered, blushing as she did so. "I have to go and meet my friends. Thank you!" she called as she hurriedly walked away.
The stranger smiled to himself and reached into his long overcoat.
"Wait a minute!" he called.
Layla stopped and turned around to see the man throwing something at her. Instinctively, she reached out and whatever it was fell neatly into her hand with a soft rustle. She looked at the object - it was a bunch of the most beautiful white roses she had ever seen. She drew them towards her and took a deep breath. She gasped - the aroma was absolutely divine, like nothing she had ever smelled before. It was sweet, heady, almost hypnotic, making her more and more giddy with every lungful.
"Til next time babe!" said the stranger as he started to walk off.
Layla just stood there, allowing herself to become more and more entranced by the bouquet's fragrance, when suddenly she realised. Seeing the man disappear around the corner, she quickly followed him, calling out "Next time? Wait! Please wait, I don't even know your name."
It was no use... as she rounded the corner, the stranger had vanished. Layla stood still, staring down the street in the hope she would catch another glimpse of this man, clutching the flowers tight to her chest as a soft breeze blew around her. She looked down at the flowers and sighed happily - she didn't know his name, this mystery man who came and went like the wind, but she didn't care because deep down she knew that somehow, they would meet again... 'Til next time babe'.
"Hey Layla!"
She was shaken from her thoughts by her friends calling out to her.
"Whoa!" said Stella. "I love those flowers!"
"Yes, they ARE nice," Tegryn added. "They're not for Piff, are they?"
"No... someone gave them to me!"
"Really? Who was he - anyone we know?"
"Yes, come on" said Stella, nudging Layla with her elbow. "Tell us - who was it?"
Layla giggled nervously. "I... I don't know."