Things Reborn, Wednesday, 3/11

[swipedthatfoot.livejournal.com]

If Claire hadn't been closer to work than she was to the dorms when she spotted her first harpy, she would have called in "hi, there's an invasion" and skipped work for the day.

Sadly, she was too far into town to turn back, so she ran as fast as she could, sticking close to buildings and hoping she didn't look like a snack. And while the harpies screamed at her and buzzed overhead, they didn't attack.

She took a good 15 minutes to calm down even slightly once she got to work, then started sticking old beach umbrellas into the sundress-themed display.

They fit, and they worked as weapons.

[OOC: Open store, no OCD.]

Comments

[iguessiamaclone.livejournal.com]

Today was the kind of day where a business owner should check in on his employees. Ben had his mask hidden in a pocket and his webshooters hidden under his long sleeves so he was ready just in case Claire needed some help.

"Hey Claire," he said. "Anyone buying anything today?"

[swipedthatfoot.livejournal.com]

Claire gave Ben a look as if he were insane.

"There are evil screaming bird things throwing poo," she said. "Sane people are inside, probably under their beds."

[iguessiamaclone.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, but this is a thrift store. We probably have an amulet hidden somewhere that will repel the harpies," Ben said. "That's what movies have led me to believe, anyway. Are you okay?"

[swipedthatfoot.livejournal.com]

"Physically yeah, I'm just kind of shaken up," Claire admitted. "Are you?"

[iguessiamaclone.livejournal.com]

"I've woken up to worse things invading a town," Ben said. "Just keep your head down, keep something with you to hit them with, and you'll be fine."

"Did you say poo?"

[swipedthatfoot.livejournal.com]

"Worse things than birds who called my mom a whore?" Claire wanted to know. She eyed her boss with new respect. "And yeah, look at the window. The stuff on the outside is harpy poo."

[iguessiamaclone.livejournal.com]

"At least the window's still there..." Ben said, shaking his head. "Anyway, yeah. This one time, giant robots took over New York in my world. That was a fun day."

[swipedthatfoot.livejournal.com]

"Giant robots?" Claire repeated with dismay. "Like that movie? Did they turn into cars?"

[iguessiamaclone.livejournal.com]

"No. They just wrecked buildings, attacked people, that kind of thing," Ben said. "It would have been cool if they turned into cars, though."

[swipedthatfoot.livejournal.com]

Claire visibly shuddered. "Okay, I don't want to insult your culture, but I'm really freaking glad I'm going home where it's normal in a couple months."

[iguessiamaclone.livejournal.com]

"Badmouth my culture all you want," Ben said. "It sucked."

[swipedthatfoot.livejournal.com]

"I mean, my culture sucks too," Claire elaborated. "But no giant screaming bird things who throw shit at you. Or giant robots."

[iguessiamaclone.livejournal.com]

"Go my universe! We win at sucking," Ben said.

[swipedthatfoot.livejournal.com]

Claire grinned at that, stifling a laugh behind her hand. "You should get a trophy," she said. "Or one of those 'I went to wherever and all I got was this lousy t-shirt', t-shirts."

[iguessiamaclone.livejournal.com]

"If we didn't only sell used things, I'd be getting 'I went to Fandom and all I got was poo thrown on me by a harpy' shirts printed right now," Ben said.

[swipedthatfoot.livejournal.com]

Claire made big eyes at him. "It's not like there's a law that we can only ever sell used stuff?"

[iguessiamaclone.livejournal.com]

"No, but it does go against the theme of the business," Ben said. "I'd rather not cheat on my business plan."

[swipedthatfoot.livejournal.com]

"So you're all faithful," Claire said. "That's ... nice. I approve."

Her approval clearly being vitally important to Ben.

"Hey, is it okay if I crash here if the harpies aren't gone when it's time to close?"

[iguessiamaclone.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, of course," Ben said. "Or I could arrange for an escort back to the school gates. Whichever you'd prefer."

[swipedthatfoot.livejournal.com]

"I'll stay here," Claire decided. "I don't wanna make anyone else go out and get clawed up, either. And we have sleeping bags and stuff."

[iguessiamaclone.livejournal.com]

"Enjoy your sleepover, then," Ben said. "Give me a call if anything happens with the harpies, though."

[swipedthatfoot.livejournal.com]

"I'll do that right after I run away screaming," Claire promised. "You're going back out?"

[iguessiamaclone.livejournal.com]

"Yeah. If I can avoid the poo, it's still a pretty nice day out. Might as well enjoy it," Ben said.

It was possible that this made him sound insane.

[swipedthatfoot.livejournal.com]

Claire had decided her boss was definitely deranged. And he seemed so nice, too.

"Um, good luck with that?"