Title: The shopping trip
Author: Ree
Theme: Preseries - retro fashion
Genre: general
Version: Anime/Manga
Rating: G

I asked for their stories and this is what they told me. I can't guarantee they're the truth, you will have to ask Takeuchi Naoko, to whom they belong to.

The shopping trip

Minako slipped down the hall as quiet as she could. She knew her mom had been up really late last night, so she decided to make breakfast for them today. 'Made it! Mom's not stirring. Okay... what shall we have today.' Looking through the cupboards, refrigerator, and freezer, she decided on eggs and toast. 'But first I need to start the coffee. That will wake her up, and it will take the longest to make.' Soon eggs were sizzling, toast was popping up, and the smell of coffee was drifting down the hall. As she was setting the table, Minako wondered if she would have to go wake her mom up.

"Mm-m-m-mm Something smells good out here." Megami pushed her hair back away from her face and tighten the tie of her robe. She refrained form mentioning the slightly burned toast smell. "You made breakfast."

Minako beamed at her. "You worked so late last night. Let me get your coffee."

Megami waved towards the table as she crossed to the coffee pot. "I'll get it. What do you want to drink?"

Minako settled into her seat. "Juice, please."

Setting her coffee cup down on the counter, she pulled out a glass and poured a cup of juice. Carrying both cups to the table, she handed the juice to Minako. One look at the eggs made her decide she had to reteach Minako how to scramble them. "So, I take it you are ready to start our search?" Grinning from ear to ear, Minako nodded. "Okay, what type of costumes are we looking for?"

"Dresses. Fancy dresses like you see on TV, that idols wear." The words were slightly muffled by the toast Minako was trying to eat.

Megami raised an eyebrow. "Talking with your mouthful is not going to get us started any earlier." She waited for Minako to acknowledge the scold before she continued. "How about some old dresses? We can look in the storage boxes and see if there are any you like."

Minako sighed, she had hoped to go shopping. "Okay, we can start there."

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Megami and Minako's feet hurt. There had been nothing in the storage boxes and they had spent most of the morning running from one shop to another. The different shops had one thing in common, none of their costumes fit Minako.

Megami sank onto a park bench. "Why don't they make costumes for ten year olds?"

Minako knew it was a rhetorical question, but answered her anyway. "They do, just not in my size."

Megami tried to think of where to go next. A store sign caught her eye. "How about we try The Attic?

"We don't have an attic Mom, and we have already searched the storage boxes."

"No, the store called The Attic." Brown green eyes met with blue. "Are you up to it, or should we go home."

Minako grinned. "I can out shop you. Are you up to it?" Megami nodded. Hopping off the bench, they headed for the next store.

As the door slide closed behind them, they stood transfixed, staring at a creation of champagne colored tulle and satin. The dress was strapless with a sweetheart neckline, and the skirt reached the floor.

Both of them spoke at the same time, their voices dripping with desire. "There is no way we could afford that."

Turning her back on the absolutely gorgeous dress Megami sank few inches down that put her eye level with her daughter. "Let's find you some dresses that you can wear." They both made a bee line to the rack of dresses on the back right of the store. Owwing, ahhing, and laughing over the selections they eventually came up with three for her to try on. Carrying them over their arms, they headed for the fitting room.

"You wish to try them on?" The attendant reached out for the dresses.

"Yes, please." They placed the dresses into her arms.

The attendant hung them up in one of the rooms. "A beautiful red 1950s swing dress, a blue 1920s flapper fringe dress, and black 1920s flapper gown. Three lovely choices, if you need any help please ask." She gestured them into the fitting room.

Closing the door behind them, Megami took in the large fitting room. It had a floor length tri-panal mirror, a shelf to set your cloths, purse and what-nots on, and a large comfortable chair. Taking the chair, she smiled at Minako. "Which one do you wish to try on first?"

"The black gown." Kicking off her sandals, she stripped out of her shorts and t-shirt.

Megami got up and took the dress of the hanger while she was stripping. Holding it over Minako's head, she helped her into it. The jagged hem touched the floor. That was okay, but the bodice dipped really low. Pulling up on the straps, she raised the neckline. Both of them stared in the mirror, and Megami realized that she was going to need help fending off the boys in a few years.

"You can adjust it, right?" Hope shined in Minako eyes.

"I can try. Let's see how the other ones look." Megami let go of the straps as Minako spun about. "Whoa... I have to unzip it first."

Minako waited impatiently, she wanted to try on the red dress. When she was finally free of the black one, she slipped into it on her own. Spinning about, watching the skirt flare, she presented her back to her mother, waiting for her to zip and tie it. Spinning back to the mirror, her face reflected her dismay. The dress hung on her like a bag.

Megami reached forward and gathered the material on the sides of the bodice, collecting about an inch on each side. The effect made Minako thrilled. "I can take the seams in on this one as well. One last one to try on." She untied the halter strap, but didn't bother undoing the zipper. Lifting it carefully, she pulled the dress over Minako's head.

Minako slipped the blue dress off its hanger while Megami hung the red one. "Mom! This one has adjustable straps." Sliding the dress over her head, she wiggled just to feel the fringes sway.

"Settle down a moment. Let me zip it up." A soon as she finished, Minako was back to wiggling. Studying the line of the dress, Megami was happy, she wouldn't need to make any adjustments. Settling back into the chair, she contemplated the three dresses. The black one made Minako's skin seem dazzling white while the red one brought warmth to her skin. The blue one matched her eyes. 'Can we afford to get all three?' There were no tags on any thing in the store, which had given her a slight pause to begin with. 'The attendant did say to ask her if we needed help.'

"Okay, time to get back into your normal clothes, let me unzip that thing." She slipped the fringed dress of her daughter and back onto the hanger. "Which one do you like the best?"

Minako's eyes trailed over the three dresses. "The blue one."

"Then you carry that one." Scooping up the dresses, they went to find help.

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Megami listened to Minako singing in the living room. She was glad they were able to buy all three dresses. Now her budding idol had the beginning of her wardrobe.