11615/Lets. Go. Shopping.

Lets. Go. Shopping.
Date of Scene:	10 June 2020
Location:	Mall - Salem Center
Synopsis:	Andrea takes Jean and Alexis on a shopping trip to talk about graduation, food and friendship.
Cast of Characters:	Rage, Phoenix, Prismatic

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Rage has posed:
What a last couple of years it has been for Andrea. Reavers. Sentinels. War Wolves. New Mutants. X-Man in training. Mason Steele. Shot in the head. Guts torn out. Jay Guthrie. Now? High School Graduate.

Currently in her room, there is multiple cardboard boxes set up with her belongings packed away. She has various boxes marked as clothing and other personal belongings. All that is mostly left is her bedsheets, a couple pairs of outfits and her guitar that is covered in a multitude of celebrity autographs ranging from Taylor, Katy, Dazzler and Madonna.

Currently dressed in a skin tight pair of flexible jeans with snags and tears up along the thighs and knees, a hot pink shirt that reads: Mutie Cutie on it in silver cursive, and new white sneakers, she is currently packing up one of the last boxes. This one is filled with books, journals, notebooks and vinyls that are carefully wrapped in plastic. Music can be heard from her phone docked on a Zeppelin speaker. Expensive. Designed to have perfect acoustics.

Phoenix has posed:
Graduation time. There were several rooms being packed as young mutants prepared to go out into the world. A few others were staying on and moving to other rooms, with college level courses and team goals in mind. But there was one elusive student Jean was seeking out. The headmistress leans in against Andrea's doorframe, dressed on a long olive green sun dress with a ivory rope belt and brown heeled sandals, with just a few gold bangles and a necklace to dress up an otherwise casual attire.

"Packing is always bittersweet." She says quietly as she looks to the young woman through a few hanging locks of wavy red. "You close a chapter on one story, and get ready to start writing another."

Rage has posed:
Glancing over at the voice, Andrea blows her blonde streaked brown hair away from her face. Offering up a big grin, she bobs her head in a nod. "I think I'm at a Lord of the Rings level type of novel by now with how many chapters I've written. I won't be too far away though. NYU got me on a full ride and I still have my condo in Manhattan. I'll make sure to visit once in awhile. Maybe you guys can do a career day and have a popstar slip in and talk about how terrible and rapey Hollywood is."

Taking out some duct tape, it goes rrrrrrrip, followed by a tug of her teeth to tear it free. She tapes the box down after smooshing the flaps closed. "I'm going to miss living here. Miss my friends. The teachers. This has been a great experience for me. Even if I did lost my fair share of skin and spent too much time in the med bay with stitches and people freaking out. Sides' that, it was a great Senior year."

"I left a few Easter eggs around the room for whoever moves in next."

Phoenix has posed:
"I'd say you've done more than a three hour long walking simulator." Jean says to her with a wink. "But if someone tries to give you a gold ring, you better let me know first. Just to be sure, you never know these days."

Her smile fades slightly as Andrea speaks of leaving and she glances around the room. "It's never the same when someone leaves, but I know you're going to be fine. You're going to go out in the world and own it. Besides, this isn't a good bye. I'm sure we'll be working together a lot in the future, and you'll always be welcome here anytime that you need. Who knows, maybe some day when you're sick of the industry and Vegas gets too cheap, you'll come back and be on payroll. Maybe I'll letcha have my office." She teases with a returning grin.

"So. Just throwing this out there, but, since you're technically not my student anymore and you're probably sick of packing boxes, I could use some company as I go spend money that I don't need to at the mall because I am sick to death of seeing these walls anymore today. You interested?"

Rage has posed:
"Me, as Headmistress?" Andrea says with a laugh, shrugging her shoulders upwards. "I don't know about that. I'd probably do better leading performing arts or something. Glee club." Her lips give a small twitch of amusement as she gives a long stretch of her body.

"Did you just ask me to go shopping with you? Miss Grey. That is scandalous. What will the rest of the student body think?" As she heads to her desk, she plucks up her purse and slings it over her shoulder, then takes out a shiny, metal, pure black card. She winks at her. "I think they'll be insanely jealous, that's what. Come on. My treat. I'll write it off as a business expense. Say it's for backup dancers or something. I haven't found the limit yet to this card."

Phoenix has posed:
"Alexis is actually going to see about starting up a possible choir. We may have an X-Glee yet." Jean points out cheerfully, "I'm excited to see what it'll hold. So maybe you can work with her in the future and come cameo some lessons and do some presentations. We can be so visible to join in public competitions, but, presentations here for the students and mutants on the down low are certainly possible."

The mention of scandals and testing credit limits has the woman laughing as she steps back out the door. "If I was afraid of scandals, then I've been living the wrong life all of this time. I've maybe expensed some personal trips from time to time. Not that The Professor minds. He indulges my retail vices once in awhile, probably out of guilt. You don't have to pay for me, though. Come on. My car just got tuned, so I was going to take her out and make sure everything's good."

Rage has posed:
"Oh. Don't worry about driving. I have that covered." Andrea says as she taps on her phone a few times. "I'll have someone from the company drive us. Bulletproof SUV. I tend to have an escort when I walk around town. You know, just in case. He won't bother us. He just blends in the crowd and makes sure that an idiot doesn't try and yell something about filthy muties and try to shoot me in the name of Jesus or whatever."

Lifting the phone up, she says, "Yes, hello. Can you send Roger over with the car? I'll be out front with Miss Grey. We're going to the mall. Thank you!" Sliding her phone into her pocket, she heads over to grab a light blue windbreaker that has a bit of a silvery shimmer to it as it hits the light. "It's not that I'm worried we would get attacked. It's just that my label prefers this. Can't damage the merchandise. Even if I'm traveling with the legendary Phoenix."

Phoenix has posed:
"Zealots." Jean says with a quiet sigh through her nose. She walks along with Andrea through the familiar halls, moving with years of muscle memory. "Well, I'm not legendary out there, which I know disappoints a fair number of people. There's plenty of days I wish I could just be open, but so long as I have this school to protect, I have to keep my secrets. I'd say I envy your freedom in that regard, but I know it comes with a price." Like needing escorts.

"One day I imagine I'll end up needing to stand in front of a crowd. I'd love to say the school with be safe and anonymous forever, but nothing lasts. Not with the enemies that we have. Just like not anticipating you'll get attack. We all have to be ready for the inevitable."

Rage has posed:
"It's a price I'm willing to pay, if it means that my presence out in public can help bridge the gap of mutants and humans. To finally achieve Professor Xavier's dream." Andrea says as she walks along the halls with her. She hears a few fellow students call out to her, causing her to wave back. Most of it is congratulations for tomorrow's ceremony.

"Though I may be leaving Xavier's on an adventure to NYU, I won't ever stop. Even if it kills me. I will make sure my voice is heard. /Our/ voice is heard. Whether it's through my music, my charity, my activism. I will be heard." As she speaks, there is determination and fire in her voice. Classic Andrea Jackson. Such a fighter. A leader. An Alpha wolf.

Once they head through the front doors, the black SUV pulls up in front of them, and a man in a full suit and dark raybans heads over to open the doors for them. It's quite cushy inside, decked out with a full bar, snacks and bottles of water. "Thank you, Roger." She says as she climbs in and buckles up. Once Jean is settled and they move on, she leans over and opens one of the cabinets. "I have you pegged for a brandy kind of lady. Fireball whisky?"

Phoenix has posed:
"I know you wouln't." Jean says to her as they arrive to the front doors. "As much as it kills me to hear my kids ready to go out there and die for the cause - which also turns my stomach because I sound like Erik when I say that. But... I get it, because I've done it."

But enough of that depressing topic, they're going out to have fun. She settles into the vehicle and buckles herself in. Talk of liquor does make her drop a slight shade paler. "Glossing over that you're underage..." Cough. "I'm good, thanks. I promised Scott I'd lay off for a bit. I may have gone a little overboard the other day. It wasn't my proudest moment, but thankfully I didn't make a complete fool of myself."

Rage has posed:
"Oh, please. You haven't lived yet until you had to drag Mason Steele from a bathroom, passed out, hopped up on coke after snorting lines off a stripper's stomach and you're his emergency backup in his phone." Andrea says as she plucks out a small bottle of vodka and uncaps it. She pours it into small martini glass, then adds a few drops of grenadine to give it a bit of flavor, followed by a squeeze of an orange slice. She hums to herself as she goes, without a care in the world.

"From where I'm sitting, you're allowed to have a blackout night of drinking once in awhile. There is no way I'd be able to put up with a quarter of that chaos on a daily manner. Cheers!" She raises the glass up for a sip, then leans forward to tap the music on, filling the back cabin with some current rock music.

"So, what are you in the mood for clothes wise? Are you going for mild or wild? Maaaybe a little something naughty for Scotty?" She drawls out teasingly to her.

Phoenix has posed:
"Yeah, well, I try and keep hookers and blow out of my day to day life. I get enough adventure without ending up on the internet, thanks." Says Jean, who makes no moves to actually stop Andrea. They'd officially passed the gates, which means they were off school property. She continues on candidly, "When I do decide to have a trainwreck moment, I try and keep it off the grounds. The kids don't need to see their teachers dealing with pressure, you know? Some of you grew up as fast as we did, but not all of them, and I'd like to keep as many that way as I can."

The question regarding her shopping goals is met with a quiet huff of laughter. "Nothing crazy. I'm just getting a bit bored of my wardrobe. Spring cleaning, ya know? I started pulling out the warm weather clothes and realize I kind of hate half of it, and I swear I've lost pieces along the way. So time for a refresh."

Rage has posed:
"FYI, Miss Grey. I love to run around the woods on all fours once in awhile and you won't /believe/ what my nose picks up sometimes." Andrea says as she gives another sip of her drink, watching her with an amused look in her eyes. She taps the side of her nose a few times, then finishes the drink with one last gulp, then lobs an olive into her mouth that she fishes out of a container.

"But, I agree with you. I may donate my clothes to the rest of the dorms and buy a whole new wardrobe tonight. If I am going to college, I need to look fierce. I got accepted into Zeta Tau Alpha. Kinda helps my mother was a legacy, and the fact I'm rich and popular, but, hey, it will look great on my resume. I even got invited to move in to their sorority house which doesn't usually happen for incoming Freshman. I figure if I decide to do that instead of commute, I have to shred this high school look and strut like the Alpha I am."

As the SUV pulls up in front of the mall, Roger climbs out to open the door for them again. He is a polite, rather large man who looks like he could wrestle a bear and break it's neck. "Come, Miss Grey. Let's make some salesman's dream come true. Pick a store. Any store."

Phoenix has posed:
Jean Grey just sighs with quiet, grave dignity. She says nothing in regards to what secrets the woods may hold.

"Mm, the stash is getting a bit low. I'll be adding some of my own clothes to it. So far we don't have any students incoming that should need the hook up, but, when they're a surprise you don't usually see them coming. That'll give me something to do this weekend, actually. Thanks for the reminder. That sounds like a plan. It's a good time to reinvent yourself, get a chance to start out fresh. If it doesn't work out then it doesn't, but it's an opening to make some connections."

She steps out of the car and gives the doorman-escort a nod of thanks before approaching the building. "Andrea, you can just call me Jean." She says aside to the blonde woman with a smile. "You're free now. At this stage, I'd say we're business associates. And friends." Her eyes turn back to the mall then consideringly, then just shrugs as she walks on. "I've got nowhere to be. Let's check 'em all out."

Rage has posed:
"I think it may physically hurt me to call you Jean. My mother would beat my ass into the ground if she found out I wasn't using proper etiquette around you. You've met her. One eye. Built like Chuck Norris. Hits like him? You haven't seen her lose her mind yet on something." Andrea says with a laugh as she walks towards the main doors of the mall, tugging a pair of shades over her eyes. If it works for Clark Kent. It can work for Andrea Jackson.

"You want to check them all out? Awesome. What is your style? You always pegged me as this bohemian type of lady that was hiding it under pantsuits. You long to be wild and free and to dress the part. I still get a discount at American Eagle since I modeled for them if you're into more of a teen-college fashion." She pauses in thought. "Oh! You know, we can always hit up Vera Wang and Bottega Veneta! They have sister stores here in Manhattan. They have some incredible fashionable throwback styles for current runway models."

Phoenix has posed:
"Yes, I've met your mother, but she's not here. Whatever you're comfortable with, though." Jean says to her with a grin. "You're right, though. The pantsuits are a good work compromise, but I belong on a California beach. At least in my head. It does depend on my mood. Day to day when I'm not working, I love light and airy, things that are easy to move in and don't weigh me down. Some days, though, I like to go for the vintage, and I have my moto look when I have a hot date with a hot car or feel like being a bit edgy. I mostly blame my side job fashion on that one. There was a black phase."

They make their way into the mall proper with the blessed blast of industrial air conditioning banishing the humid outside. "It's been ages since I went shopping like this. Bottega Veneta's a hell of a price tag. Have something in particular in mind there? I window shopped, but never went in."

Rage has posed:
"Bottega Veneta is for the poor, rich people. If you /really/ want to blow some minds, we can head over to Oscr De La Renta in the City. In fact." Andrea hums to herself. "After the mall trip, we will head over there. I am going to get you a California dream outfit that could cost more than most people's rent in San Francisco. Also, we're getting our hair, nails and toes done. We're going all out. I haven't done this in awhile and I don't really have anyone at the school to do this with."

As Andrea moves through the mall, she's like a wolf on the prowl for the perfect prey. She snoops along windows, taking quick glances into stores without actually stepping in. She takes out her phone, tapping along the glass, then passes it over to Jean. On Oscar's page there is this beautiful ivory sundress embroidered with the spring's season of floral and botanical designs. It hits at the knees. It has a look that screams 'California'. It also has a price tag of over two grand.

"I'm buying this for you. It will insane with your red hair and those long legs of yours. It's made in Italy." And with that, she sidesteps into American Eagle, eyes widening. "Until then, let's buy something cute and easy without making a credit card scream in pain."

Phoenix has posed:
There's a low, quiet whistle from Jean as she eyes the price tag. "Scott shall not hear of how much anything costs today. I'll have to resuscitate him. Everything goes in the AE bags before we step back into the school, deal?" Because Jean isn't always a good girl, especially when it comes to retail. "...that is pretty, though. Hah, that one has a cape. No thanks, had my fill of those." She murmurs under her breath as she passes the phone back.

She follows Andrea into the shallow end of the mall pool to get their feet wet. Jean does gravitate towards the boho styles. Textiles, tiered skirts, light layers; if it'd move in a gentle breeze, she angles for it. "Actually this trip'll be perfect. I was trying to figure out what I was going to wear tomorrow and coming up annoyed at everything. What were you thinking of?"

Rage has posed:
"What was I going to wear? Besides my graduation cap and gown? I don't know. Probably just jeans and a t-shirt. I don't like to show off in front of the other students. At least not this type of stuff. It's why we will make a detour to my condo before we head back to the school. I don't like the other students feeling bad about themselves because they don't have the benefit of two platinum albums and a successful Disney career. My entire goal of going to Xavier's was to fit in and be a normal girl. So that they can have someone to look up to. Someone who isn't a diva. A big sister who will bite the head off a bully. All of this." She gives a wave of her hand around. "This is my job you know? To look amazing, to walk red carpets, to smile for the cameras and get asked a million times if Mason and I are still dating. I don't want to bring that home with me to the school."

As she picks through the clothing, she selects a sleeveless henley shirt, along with a twist bank top. Something breezy to show the arms off. She grabs a couple of V neck shirts of different colors, as well as a Pride shirt that says: New York City on it in rainbow lettering.

Glancing over to Jean and the items she looks through, she is all grins. "Those look super cute." She calls over. "Make sure to check out the off the shoulder gray cable knit half sweater. It shows off your tummy."

Prismatic has posed:
    Outside, in the mall, all on her lonesome a familiar figure passes by the storefront, looking down at her phone. Dark hair was bound behind her in a simple braid, wearing a T-shirt promoting some Klaus Nomi's classic single 'You don't own me' complete with over-embelished tux stretched accross her chest. She has earbuds in, and a cloth bag over her shoulder. Jeans and sneakers complete her 'hiding in plain sight' outfit.

Phoenix has posed:
Jean Grey is dressed down, looking like any other mid-twenties girl as opposed to a business attired mutant headmistress slash soldier. She's got on an olive green sun dress with a rope belt, with only modest jewelry. She blends right in with most of the customers, just one of the crowd. But clothes don't mean her powers aren't any less on point, and when someone familiar brushes past her senses, she's looking up from the indicated shirts Andrea pointed out and is looking to the glass storefront. "Ah! ...speaking of." She quickly flips out her phone from her purse and taps off a message, pinging Alexis the old fashioned way and saying that she's just inside. Yelling, out loud or in the head, is a bit awkward in such settings. "She should notice that."

And while she waits, she goes back to checking out the top. "These are cute. Sweater would actually be good for the evenings when it gets a bit cooler. With..." She plucks up a pair of shorts in a military green, holding them up to compare with the grey shirt. "Just needs the right belt and shoes."

Rage has posed:
"Well, if we're buying belts and shoes, we got better places to go to snag those. Shoes here will just give you blisters and the belts are generic." Andrea says as she scoops up a trio of jeans of various rips, tears and flex material. As she watches her text, her eyes track through the window and she brightens. "Hey, it's Alexis. Cool. We can drag her on this girl trip of splurging."

She practically prances through the racks of clothing, looking happy to be out shopping. Fresh air just feels great, and knowing she will be graduating tomorrow feels even better. "They got these denim shorts with tons of rips in them and they cut off just enough to be considered appropriate if you were looking for some beach clothes."

Prismatic has posed:
    <New Message from: Headmistress Grey>

    Alexis pauses a moment, tapping the phone screen, then she gives a smile, looking up and ducking into the store, keeping her cloth bag about her when she spots Jean, giving a grin before she registers Andrea's presence.

    "Goodness, do my eyes betray me? Jean and Andrea in the wild?" she gives a grin, the shorter girl offering a hug to Andrea!

    "It feels like it's been ages!" she greets the other muscian with a little bit of glee. "Doing a spot of shopping?"

Phoenix has posed:
Jean Grey is starting a collection over her arm. Some tanks, babydoll shirts, cold shoulder, midriff, shorts. Clearly she didn't just mean she was bored of her wardrobe, she intended to scorch earth her closet and start over. "Oh no, I'm on my feet too much. Shoes are one thing I do spend solid money on."

"Alexis! Good, you spotted my text." She greets her fellow with a beaming smile. "I know, me beyond the wrought iron gates, huh? Rare sight, like a unicorn escaping from the zoo. I invited Andrea out to get some fresh air and some shopping and this is turning into an adventure in credit limits pretty quick. I'd actually been talking about you to her, mentioning your plans for a choral group, so it's perfect that we spotted you. Care to join us?"

Rage has posed:
Returning the hug, Andrea says, "Right? It feels like forever. You know how Senior projects are. Gotta cram for every test and write a million college applications. I got accepted to NYU by the way, so I won't be too far away! I'll be studying the Arts with a focus on production and brocast." Tracking an associate down, she hauls over her clothes to her to be held at the counter, then grabs another for Jean's. No need to hurt their back with the piles of clothes they're building up.

"I remember when I started up Glee Club and we did a few shows. That was exciting. Shannon has a great voice, and obviously so does Jay. We had some good times last year." Giving herself a long stretch, she yanks her shirt down over her heavily scarred stomach and side before anyone's eyes linger too long.

"Come along with us, Alexis. I'm paying for the day. After a quick mall trip, we're getting out hair and nails done, then we're going to pop over to Oscar Da La Renta for a special treat. Then, because I /know/ you love your Italian roots, we're hitting up Bottega Veneta. Consider it a final going away present from yours truly to my favorite teachers."

Prismatic has posed:
    "Oh, ah, certainly, I'll play accompaniment." she gives a smile, holding her cloth tote a bit tighter. "I was just going and picking up my own gift to all the graduates, but... never having one, I wasn't sure what to pick up." she admits, looking just a little out of place with her thrift-store chic and jeans that don't have holes in them at all, but she gives a pleasant smile.

    "The idea was a chamber strings group; there's been some interest in classical strings, but not really enough to qualify an orchestra club, but a chamber group would do just fine. I haven't really taught or composed for strings since I was thirteen, so this should be interesting."

    The scars don't bother Alexis in the least. Goodness knows street life left their own on her, and Alexis just lightly sets her hand on Andrea's arm with a smile.

    "Well. I'm going to be particularly judgey this time; I got to visit my Nonna and Papa."

Phoenix has posed:
"I'll leave the music to you to. I'm a well practiced shower and driving singer, but that's about the extent of my talents there." Jean says to the two as she keeps browsing, seeming to be enjoying herself, though there is one or two times her eyes trail towards another shopper with a quick, considering look on her face. Maybe picking up on some ambient thoughts and emotions.

Rage has posed:
"It sounds like a great project to work on. I wish I could be apart of it." Andrea says as she snatches up a sundress that has a cute boho style to it, perhaps drawing some inspiration from Jean's choices. "I really am going to miss you two not being in my day to day."

"Oh. By the way, since I have you two here, I'd like to let you both in on a surprise. Every year, Starlight sponsors a number of young mutants for graduates to pick a college of their choice. I have decided to personally select one of our graduating class for a full ride scholarship." Her lips tug into a bit of a smile. "I selected this person because they told me in the past that they don't think college is in their future and that their number one concern was having to go back home and support his family without any plans of a career."

"I selected Jay Guthrie. I think his family can benefit from a college graduate and he is insanely talented in singing - song writing and there is a number of studio engineering degree paths that could open a lot of doors for him."

Prismatic has posed:
    "I heard you singing in the garage, Jean. A few years polishing, and you could be singing Puccini." Alexis gives a grin to the older redhead, and she lifts a few tops more on the conservitive side, pursing her lips a moment "I'm sure that was not a decision made lightly or with considerable weight placed on worthiness." Alexis surmises with a slight smile to Andrea, and she gives a slight frown of her own thoughts, her lips giving a slight twitch.

Phoenix has posed:
"Oh heavens, I don't think I'm set up to be a famous singer anytime soon, but thanks for the vote of confidence. And you know, Andrea, I'm only ever a call or a text away." Says Jean over her shoulder as she grabs another dress and seems to be satisfied by her choices. "And I mean that. So if something comes up or if you just need to talk, you have my ear."

"Mm, that's incredibly generous of you. I know the Guthries though, they're proud, and rightfully so. Do you think he'll accept it?" She asks quietly of Andrea. "He deserves it, he's worked hard. I just hope he sees that in himself too."

Rage has posed:
"I don't know. That boy's stubborn as a rock. If he doesn't accept it, I can let my manager at Starlight pass it on to someone else. I just know that there is no way his family can afford for him to go to college and while I know that Xavier's will let him go to college here for free, I think it'd do him some good to be able to stretch his wings outside of the school. Give him some independence and out of his brother and sister's shadow."

Andrea clicks her tongue against her teeth in thought. "But, I figure it's the least I can do since he's my best friend and all the ups and downs we've gone through together. I'm in love with that stupid boy, even though he's still .. not over Julia. Which.. I can't blame him. The love of his life killed herself when she thought he was dead after her dad shot him. It's a tragic situation. I just figure maybe if I can help him find a future, it will help with his healing, instead of being forced to go back home and have to .. relive those moments."

"I'm done shopping. Let me know when you guys are ready. Alexis, feel free to snag something."

Prismatic has posed:
    "You're better than a famous singer, Jean -- you're a friend, a mentor, and protector." Alexis gives a smile to the older redhead, and she turns back to Andrea, she gives a grin. "I agree with Jean. Jay's worked so very hard for what he's accomplished, and I know a thing or two about being in the shadows of someone else." she adds, and she rubs the back of her neck a moment, then gives a slight smile.

    "It is my experience that every single one of those Guthries are *ruthlessly* stubborn, but they're also sweet, and so very stout-of-heart. Given enough time, perhaps he will heal."

    She pauses a moment, then blushes. "Oh, no, I couldn't Andrea, none of these clothes are really to my liking, and I need far more professional clothes if I'm going to be teaching full time in the fall, not to mention summer courses --" she trails off.

Phoenix has posed:
"The heart doesn't heal quickly, and no one we love is ever forgotten, but with time and stubbornness of your own I think he'll come around. He'll recognize that you're still standing next to him." Jean says to Andrea with a warm, affectionate smile. "I'd suggest maybe talking to him about the scholarship ahead of time. This way you don't spook him by offering it in front of everyone. He may be more accepting of it with some time to think it over in private."

As Alexis turns down the offer, Jean gives her fellow teacher a nod. "Well then, how about we take a quick detour and help find you some work clothes that fit your style. We have a whole mall, I'm sure we can find something. Easier to shop when you have some other opinions handy. I'm good in here, so we can head out."

Rage has posed:
"Yeah, I planned on doing it after graduation, like right before I leave. That way it'd be our secret and the other students won't know about it." Andrea says as she starts for the counter. "And I'm buying /something/ for you Alexis. Whether it's a twenty dollar shirt or a two thousand dollar pantsuit for work. This is my graduation present to the two of you. Just enjoy the ride."

Once she reaches the counter, she takes out a discount card from her purse, sliding it over to scan, even though they need no introductions with the popstar. As the items are scanned, she gives a glance at the rising total for a brief moment before she turns around to rest her backside against the counter, grinning to the pair.

"What do you two want to do for dinner? Is there a place you guys /always/ wanted to go to but couldn't get in? I can make a phone call."

Prismatic has posed:
    The Brit looks to Jean, and she rubs the back of her neck again before her shoulders rise up as she gives a slight grimmace of embarrassment behind Andrea's back, her cheeks turning red -- and her ears turning a bright, embarrassed shade, along with her fingertips as her chromatic power kicks in, and she legs out a breath. "Oh, no, I had planned to perhaps do that trip this weekend, you know, I'm horribly picky when it comes to clothes and their fit -- and Andrea, I'm *hardly* worthy of such. I mean, I'm just barely a teacher and was *just* a TA this year, for four months."

Phoenix has posed:
Jean Grey tilts her head towards Alexis and then glances back towards Andrea before she suggests, "Alright, I'm not gonna push you if you don't want." Says the redhead with an understanding note. She doesn't need her powers to pick up on the discomfort.

"But how about you pick the spot to eat then? We can go grab a bite, then you can head home if you want while Andrea and I finish up. Sound like a plan? I'm not picky. I'd be perfectly happy with Chilis, it's just nice to have a day out relaxing."

Rage has posed:
There is a sniff at the air and Andrea shrugs. "Okay, that's cool. But we're doing dinner and I'm paying for that. You can't wiggle out of that one Alexis. My bodyguard will carry you." Where is Roger anyways? He's lurking around somewhere, blending in, despite being a six foot five beast of a man. He's very good at staying out of sight while being in line of sight.

"We are definitely not doing Chilis. Have you ever been to a Chilis in New York? Ew. Chilis is like the Taco Bell of family eating anyways. Barely a step above Applebees. Alexis, surely you know of an amazing Italian place you'd trust?"

"We /could/ go to The Dove, which is my favorite place and they treat you like family."

Prismatic has posed:
    Alexis gives a soft chuff of embarassment, and shrugs her shoulders. "I don't see what's so terribly wrong with Chili's, it's fine for what it is... and their cheese curds are good." Alexis protests, crossing her arms a moment, and then glances around.

    "Where *is* your bodyguard? Usually I see him before I spot you."

Phoenix has posed:
"I will never say no to ribs and beer." Jean says with a chuckle as she collects up her bag of clothes and offers Andrea her's. "I'm a filthy country girl at heart. I also don't say no to fine wine and a nice steak. I'm not picky. Good food is good food, it's the company that makes it amazing."

She starts to walk towards the store entrance as she looks over her shoulder towards Andrea, "Dove. The Italian place, right? I didn't realize it was still around. I clearly have not been out enough lately."

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"I just want to have a nice dinner with two of my favorite people and I would like for it to be classy." Andrea says as she swipes the card without so much as looking at the total. It's up there. Once the clothing is bagged and she pauses for a quick selfie with some of the staffers, she waves as she heads out with the two.

"The Dove is still around. Passed on to their son I believe. It's as nice as it gets without a reservation and it's authentic Italian. But we can do ribs also if you want to do more American food. I just know I can go for some /thick/ slabs of lasagne."

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    "You just want to see me actually get angry at someone treating a server like bollocks." Alexis gently accuses to Andrea, and she gives a little bit of a grin.

    "If you want the real deal, since I've patched things up with Nona and Papa, we could hit them up sometime. As long as you don't mind that they don't speak much English, but roast lamb with vegetable ragu and a side of the mountain morrels with some of nonna's fresh pasta?"

    Alexis actually stops.

    "... now I've actually got to write and get recipies from my grandmother."

Phoenix has posed:
"Well then you're lucky you have someone who can head off that kind of ignorance." Jean smirks towards Alexis as she slings her bag over her shoulder. "But the more upscale places are generally calmer. No one wants to get kicked out of a fancy restaurant for being a jerk."

"I'm game for anything. That does sound amazing, Alexis. Not too many places even do fresh pasta, let alone made by an authentic hand. Now I want to invite them to take over our kitchen for a day. I actually used to cook all the time when I was a student. The team was a bunch of guys who probably would have starved if it wasn't for Pop Tarts and Hot Pockets, so I tended to keep them fed. Now I just don't have the time."

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"It's why I want to go to The Dove. It's fresh everything and it's a chill vibe." Andrea says as she steps out into the main area of the mall, giving a glance over at Roger as the large man falls into step next to her. It's like he just comes out of no where. A large suited ninja. He hands the bags to him, which he takes, even Jean's.

"Okay, so we get dinner, drop Alexis off and then we can go do the rest of our shopping trip?" She asks over to Jean as she pokes at her phone's screen with her thumbs. "And I want to try your Nona's pasta one day. You want me to fly them out?"

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    "... Andrea, if I were to call them right now and say-" she turns, walking backwards a little bit as she weeps, crying real tears, "'Nonna, i bambini in questa casa hanno fame!'" she gives a loud sob, then brings her hands up as if in prayer "'Per favore vieni!'"

    And she straightens "She and Papa would be here in twelve hours. And she would fuss over everyone in the household -- don't... be insulted, but they run one of the largest and most expensive vinyards in Abruzzo... they just need an address to show up to."

Phoenix has posed:
"Sounds good." Jean says to Andrea with a nod of her head. Free of her bag, she sweeps some of her hair back into place and behind her ears. And off back towards the car they go. "Seems like Italian may be a consensus, then. Time to enjoy some delicious, guilt-free carbs and tiramisu. Even if it's not old world."

Towards Alexis she looks then and says, "Sounds like the right kind of family. Maybe not always perfect, but there when you need them, even after time and distance."

Rage has posed:
At the performance from Alexis, Andrea's lips give a bit of a twitch upwards. "Bravo. The Oscar goes to you." She says with a slow clap, giggling. "If I called my mom and told her I was hungry, she'd tell me to walk it off and pop an asprin or something. I wish I had an old school granny to hook me up with noms."

Roger pulls the armored black SUV up to the curb once he has put away the bags, then opens the door for the now three ladies, instead of two. Inside is a fully stocked bar, snacks, and a small TV. "Make yourself a drink." She says to Alexis, grinning to Jean. "You gonna have one now that you walked off your shopping?"

Climbing in, she scoots over to the far left to sit next to the window. "Roger, we're heading to The Dove."