Intimate Things with a Stranger (Alice)

[Catherine Novella]

It was just one of those days. As it was a sunday Cat had made it down to the bus, and to the mall. She had realized she had needed to go shopping for undergarments. Her old ones were too tight and they were starting to get holes in them. Cat hated spending money, so she had put off this little adventure as long as possible.

Besides, sports bras were working fine.

Her grandmother had found out about her situation and sent money over. She had been told to go bra shopping or else. It was the or else that Cat was worried about. Her grandmother was scary when it came to punishments. She looked over at the store in front of her and blushed. Why did she have to do this?

Cat sat down on the bench outside of Victoria's Secret. It would be so much better if she didn't have to do this. To tell the truth she had never actually been in the store before. Just the thought made her blush. She pulled open copy of Jane Eyre and began to read, trying to calm her mind before she went in.

[Alice Halifax]

Alice enjoyed Victoria's Secret, mainly she just enjoyed looking over the girls in there more than anything else. Intimate things weren't embarrassing for Alice, in her family every topic was an open matter. Her family was very open minded on several subjects and sex was top of the list. Intimacy was an art in the Halifax family, not some taboo act. This didn't mean Alice was some tramp, flaunting her goods around for everybody to see, it just meant she was comfortable sexually. Usually Alice shopped for her delicate under things at more exclusive and expensive stores, but not always. She found shopping at the mall more desirable today and upon exiting the store, she was glad she did.

Outside the store, sitting on a bench halfway reading a book was a shy looking young woman. Alice surmised the girl was trying to work up some courage to enter the store and smiled at the thought. Alice would have some fun with this one, pushing her to see how uncomfortable she was with such intimate things. An older man appeared behind Alice, carrying several bags. This man was her father's assistant and one of Alice's few confidants. "Thank you Sebastian. If you would, please take my things to the car and then take some time for yourself before we head back to the loft," Alice said with a smile, turning to face Sebastian. The man glanced to the young woman sitting on the bench and then back to Alice with a grin. "Yes ma'am. Should I expect a visitor tonight?," he asked her arching his eyebrow for her knew Alice's tastes and her ability to get what she wanted. Alice smiled and shrugged her shoulders, "Maybe," she replied as Sebastian nodded and then headed off.

Giving herself a quick refresh, Alice headed toward Catherine. Alice was pleased to see Cat dressed like a young woman other than some tomboy. Alice herself was dressed in a loose flowing white skirt with a peasant top which hung loosely about her shoulders. Her hair was curled a bit and bounced about her shoulders. The gold chain around Alice's neck drew attention to her bosom as the small charm on it rested comfortably between her breasts. Soft pink painted her lips and her eye shadow had a smokey effect to it to make her look mysterious.

"Mind if I sit with you?," Alice asked Cat, taking a seat next to her before Cat could respond. The question was meant to get her attention as Alice wasn't one to ask permission for anything. "I don't like shopping by myself, do you?," she asked Cat, turning her body slightly to the side to face her new conversation partner. "I'm Alice by the way. Guess I should have introduced myself first, not really proper of me not too," she added with a little giggle.

[Catherine Novella]

For her, Shopping for intimate things was extremely embarrassing. Especially knowing that she would have to try so many on. All bra's were different you couldn't just buy one without trying it on. She normally made these sorts of trips as fast as she could, and as profitable as she could. It was ridiculous to spend forty dollars on a bra. That money could go towards much better things. Things that didn't involve embarrassing her to death.

As she was reading she was reminded on the similarities and the differences of her and Jane. She actually didn't like Jane when she had first read the book. She had more of a... liking towards her first best friend at the orphanage. Helen that is. She was so straightforward, and true to herself, yet she took all of the criticism that was placed onto her. Cat was actually mad at the author for killing her off when she had first read it. Jane was spoiled and much much too passionate. That just wasn't Cat. As she read on she knew she adored Ms. Temple. The school teacher was one of her favorites. She was so kind and polite, and she always believed the best of Jane, no matter what was said about her. Still she was not any Helen Burns and the girl was annoyed still.

Cat was soon caught up in the book as she was want to do. It didn't take much for her to get caught up in the stories and the tales that were laid out for her. She loved reading, it allowed her to escape into a world where it was only her and and the characters. She may have an author's thought drift by once and a while but that made it all the better. She wouldn't notice anything outside of her vision and the fact that she was able to continue to read, completely forgetting about her task at hand was evident as she bit her lip with a small smile gracing her face. She crossed her legs slightly and made sure to flip the book. She was having a bit of a hard time adjusting to the contacts she had been given for christmas, but she was doing ok. Smiling at the contents of the story she put one strand of her hair behind her ear letting the other fall in front of her face.

Cat was jolted out of the story as someone sat down next to her. She wasn't quite sure what was going on but this person seemed to be talking and initiating conversation. "Ah I suppose." It seemed Cat didn't have a say in the matter as the lady sat down. She scored over towards the other side to give her and the other some room. "I honestly don't know." Shopping by yourself was more comfortable, at least for cat but she wouldn't admit that just yet. "I am Catherine. Or Cat." She wasn't sure why this girl was talking to her. People like her didn't talk to Cat. "It is perfectly fine." There conversation made, back to reading.

[Alice Halifax]

Cat wasn't one for making much conversation and judging by the way she retreated quickly back into the safety of her book, Alice surmised the girl was quite introverted. No make up and no one to sit with besides her stuffy little book. Alice would change this, it was her first thought and with Alice, once she took a liking to you for whatever odd reason, you would never get rid of her fully. She wasn't clingy, but very possessive as Cat was about to find out.

"Odd place to read a book. Don't you think so," Alice said with a smile, trying to get a better look at Cat's face which tried so hard to hide itself away behind the book. Alice would break this defense as she always did with anyone she met. She had no idea of surrender and when faced with an obstacle was pushed even more by her desire to always win to overcome it. Cat would be a challenge as Alice would see, but no one could resist Alice fully, it was just impossible. Alice knew how to manipulate others around her in almost every sense of the word. Whether it was through the use of her meta ability or through other means, such as her body or her money.

What drew Alice's attention to others was different for each person. Sometimes it was their appearance or just the sound of their voice and it could have been their attitude but the point was, it wasn't anything in particular for her. The life which Alice came from was a privileged one and while she was an elitist, Alice wasn't a snob. She thought herself better than most, true, but it wasn't because of her family name or money. Alice thought herself better than the average masses of people because she was simply better. She was highly intelligent and knew how to carry herself, not to mention she was a meta human. "You wouldn't do a girl a favor would you sweetheart? Like I said, I don't shopping alone and I would love to have someone to talk to as well. Why don't we grab a late or something and do a bit of shopping together?"

[Catherine Novella]

Catherine glanced at the girl that had sat down next to her. She seemed to be a people person, someone that normally Cat would avoid. Those types of people normally hung out with her for two reasons, so she could do their homework, or to make fun of her. Cat was done with trusting people. She wasn't quite sure what she thought go this girl but her gut was telling her that she shouldn't trust her. Deciding to go against that Cat looked towards her and nodded slightly in acknowledgment before going back to reading letting her hair fall into her face.

" Not really" Was mummered from the girl as she continued to read. It was as good a place as any to read and she was perfectly fine with it as she had been doing it for a while. Why was this girl even talking to her? It wasn't normal. Things that were not in a plan or scheduled threw Cat off. " It is semi quite as it is sunday and not many people stop to talk to you as you are reading. Plus they are shopping." Cat had logic behind her sitting here, other then avoiding going into the store. It was odd,but it did make sense at least.

Ah there it was. She knew it would come out eventually. The girl wanted something. Probably for Cat to carry her bags. Sighing she shut her book and looked towards the girl sitting next to her giving her a small smile. "Why in the world would you want me to accompany you? It doesn't make logical sense. Besides, you just met me." What stranger trusted another to go shopping with them? Standing Cat gave a small smile before grabbing bother her book and her purse. " If you insist though I shall come along." As long as it wasn't into the store behind them that was.

[Alice Halifax]

Logic....such a useless word in Alice's opinion. True, Alice had laid out such grand plans for her life, but they were just that, grand plans. One didn't have to be logical to be smart, in fact, being emotional was what made her so good at manipulating people. Feelings drove all human beings, even those like Cat, they just didn't know it yet. Cat's point on it being quiet in the mall today was a good one, but still, this was a social place, not a library. The mall was meant for others types of fun, not reading. Perhaps Cat was here out of necessity instead of fun?

Alice didn't flinch or change her amused demeanor as Cat sort of went on the defensive. Cat couldn't make sense of why Alice was so social it seemed, but for Alice it didn't make sense not to be. True, it might have been out of the norm for someone to want to go shopping with a total stranger, but then again, nothing Alice did was ever really normal. Alice simply sat there as Cat posed her questions and even sat back as Cat stood and gathered her things so hurriedly. Cat was going to oblige Alice it seemed, but not in the manner which Alice wished. Keeping eye contact, Alice hummed to herself as she listened to Cat talk and then upon the silence, she finally spoke. "Relax sweetheart....Would you kindly?," she asked Cat, tripping that ever popular phrase of hers when using her powers.

When Alice spoke using her ability, it was powerful, even when she dialed it back. Her voice would sound different to those who heard it and each person heard it differently in a way. Some said it was almost melodic while others said it sort of echoed, but no matter how it sounded, all said it was impossible to resist. Alice loved her ability and abused it daily. Some would be able to tell when it was on them and some would not. Cat, being intelligent as she was, might be part of the first.

[Catherine Novella]

It wasn't logical for Alice to even be talking with Cat. Cat was not a spontaneous person as Alice seemed to be. Things had t be planned and had to be done in a certain order. Rules had to be followed and people had to not be trusted. Alice wasn't to be trusted. Though in truth, Cat did not trust anyone. Let alone a stranger. Alice shouldn't feel so worried.It was just who she was. She needed time to warm up to others.

Cat watched as she was listened to. The eyes on Alice seemed calculating and almost mischievous. She wasn't sure what was going on in her head but she was sure it wasn't good. Alice seemed to have something to say, and Apparently Cat was going to listen. "I am relaxed" was the immediate reply out of her mouth. Somehow though she was a bit more relaxed. She didn't know why or how but she was. Cat felt her posture relax in the tiniest as the words were spoken.

Something was off, about this whole thing. She had already agreed, why did the girl say so again? Ask her again. To make matters worse, She knew it. She could not resist the way this girl said those words, they floated off of her tongue, as if it were just a butterfly taking of. The words compelled cat, made her want to do as Alice said. She didn't understand it, but she knew she had to, she wanted to. "Do you have Meta Powers?" Come to think of it Cat had rarely seen her around Hammel. Rarely but she had." You went to Hammel didn't you?"

[Alice Halifax]

Oh, this one was going to be fun, Alice could tell already. She picked up on Alice's manipulation almost immediately. This further show of intelligence marked Catherine as a new plaything for Alice. Marked as she was now, Alice wasn't about to give up on her.....Ever. People weren't possessions, but to Alice they were. Cat would fight it at first, but eventually, like the others, she would give in to Alice's whims, especially when Alice introduced her to more forbidden pleasures. That last part would take time but when it did get here, Cat would see just how enjoyable the taboo things in life were.

Despite her introverted traits, Cat was a forward person. She didn't hesitate to question Alice's genetic status, especially when she made the connection to Hammel. Alice could say she recognized Cat from Hammel, but then again there were quiet a few students there. Alice stood out for sure, but that was different as she was Alice Halifax and standing out was her thing. One thing Alice knew was that it would be a bit harder the next time she used her powers on Cat as Cat knew to watch out now. Still, Alice would be able to move Cat with her words, few could really resist her, although it wasn't impossible. Resisting Alice's hypnotic ability took a great amount of will and determination and with Alice's prodding Cat along, one day Cat might be able to resist her a little. Although, if Cat stuck around long enough, she might not want to resist Alice's advances.

"Quick girl," Alice said simply with a coy smile, "and yes, I did attend Hammel. I just graduated as a matter of fact, hence the little shopping expedition. Figured I needed some new things before heading off to college and what not," she said, still ever smiling. "I'm afraid I don't recognize you though sweetheart and I apologize. I hope I haven't insulted you," she said, really meaning what she said. Alice hadn't set out to insult Cat in any manner but figured the other might take offense at being overlooked by a fellow classmate. Playing with a strand of curls, Alice tilted her head to the side somewhat, "You find me intimidating don't you?," Alice asked Cat, curious of the way she had been reacting to her advances and request. "You just seem really on edge or something. I've seen distrustful people before but you seem more so than most. Did I wrong you at school or something?," she asked, narrowing her eyes some, curious if she had come across Cat before and simply forgot about her.

[Catherine Novella]

She didn't know what but from the smile on her face Cat had a feeling she had hit the jackpot. She knew that she was using her powers on her, she just didn't know what her powers were. It was at times like these that Cat was a bit annoyed with the world. Sure he got a power but it could only be used when she was reading something that was written. It was evident to say that she didn't like the power she was given.

Cat knew what she knew and she knew Alice. Not personally know, but in reputation yes. In school she had gone out of her way to avoid her, not that Alice would have noticed her anyway. Alice was a popular. Cat avoided those. Now that she had made the connection Cat had figured out what Alice was. A rich person who only hung with certain people. It was when she had heard her and one of her conquests in the library that Cat had first learned of the girl. She had throughly avoided her after that.

" No insult, and it is only natural that you would not recognize me." She made it her job not to be recognized. Cat gave a small smile and tilted her head. "I do not find you intimidating." Intimidating was not the word she would use, it did not fit her impression of the girl by her. unsettling yes, intimidating no. As far as she knew Cat had not been wronged. "Why should I trust people?" Books were much better to trust, they wouldn't let her or anyone else down. "Not to my knowledge have I been wronged by you."

[Alice Halifax]

Again with all the robotic replies and stiffness of voice. It could prove to maddening after a while so that meant Alice was going to have to act fast a bit more aggressive in her approach. This wasn't a challenge though as being aggressive was Alice's natural state of being. Anxiety was a word which sprang to mind rather quickly as well. Usually someone who had every second of their day planned out and followed those logical footsteps were eat up with stress and worry. Cat appeared to be no different, but fortunately for her, Alice was a great stress reliever.

Standing to her feet, Alice looked about the area around the two of them. She wondered what stores Cat liked to shop at and what she was here to buy today. Victoria's Secret seemed like a good place to start, after all, what young woman didn't like shopping for intimate under garments? "Okay, where to start? Oh, how about Victoria's Secret? I know I just left there, but trust me, one can't get enough of that place," Alice said with a smile and a wink, not really aware that this was the store Cat was dreading so much and why she was hesitating with her book. "With your petite figure I know we can find all sorts of cute things for you to try on, as a matter of fact," Alice added with a giggle.

Reaching out and offering her hand to Cat, Alice giggled again, eager to share this experience. Alice was an only child and so when the opportunity arose to share moments like these Alice became somewhat ecstatic.

[Catherine Novella]

Anxiety? No way. Cat didn't have anxiety. She was just more planned then others. She was more planned and that made her life easier, thus making everyone else's life easier. Besides, for her it was easier to just let things lie low. It was much easier to go unnoticed then anything else. For her it was just the way of life she had chosen. She chose to have the stress, it kept her motivated, kept her going. stress was a good thing. no matter what anyone else said. She thrived when she was stressed.

Cat watched warily as the girl stood, she wanted to be careful, as she still wasn't quite sure what the girl wanted from her. There must be an alternative matter that was urging the girl. It was the only logical thing. Cat visibly took a step back blushing. "Oh.. no thank you.." She shook her head and tried to back away from the store more. " Is there any other place you wanted to go?" Cat was begging her. Anywhere else. Especially when Alice commented as such. She let her hair fall in her face and tried to hide from the other. "I much rather not go in there."

Shakily Catherine took Alice's hand. She wasn't sure what exactly was going to happen, but at the moment nothing was going wrong. As long as they didn't have to go into that store. She could put it off until another day. She should be able to anyway.

[Alice Halifax]

The meek and timid were so much fun, especially the female ones. Alice had never been timid in her life, she had feigned being timid when trying to manipulate some guy into giving her what she wanted but to know the true feeling, well, it was foreign. Seeing this timidness in Cat only fueled Alice's obsession even more. She was bound and determined to show this girl a good time today even if it killed her.

Taking hold of her hand firmly, Alice once again locked her gaze with Cat. "Relax, we're gonna have fun sweetheart," she said, tapping into her power once more to relieve some of the fear and worry she seemed to exhibit. "What's wrong with the lingerie shop? Your not shy now are you?," Alice asked, with a sort of teasing tone to her voice. She saw nothing wrong with shopping in the store with another female, after all, they all had the same set of parts, some just more accented than others. Judging from the dress Cat wore, she had a rather petite and attractive frame, something which caught Alice's eye quickly. Finding things for Cat to wear and try on would be easy in the shop behind them, getting Cat to go along with the whole thing might be a different story altogether, but then again, Alice had a way with others.

Taking a slow deep breath, Alice looked Cat over once more. "Sweetheart, with a figure like yours, you have nothing to be ashamed of, trust me. There isn't anything wrong with being sexy or wanting to be sexy, after all, we're woman aren't we? Tell you what, to sweeten the deal a bit, I'm buying," she said, flashing her sweet smile to Cat. It wasn't like Alice was doing this out of pity, she was just being Alice. She spent money freely, after all, it was daddy's credit card.

[Catherine Novella]

Really? Her being meek and timid attracted Alice? She wasn't even trying. This is just Cat. ring herself. It wasn't as if she wasn't attention! most of the time Cat just wanted to disappear front he spotlight. She much rather hide in the shadows. It was most certainly easier then standing out. Besides, who would want that much pressure?

Frowning over at Alice Cat couldn't help but relax. " Don't do that!" It was that voice again. That voice that just made her want to follow what ever it said. "Please?" She didn't want Alice to have control over her. It wasn't right. Wasn't alice's goal to be her friend? Friends doesn't use vocal control on one another. " Of course I am shy" Cat mumbled the words looking down as she let her hair fall in her face again. "It's embarrassing." See... growing up Cat had her grandmother to go shopping with. That was if they were lucky enough to be able to go. For her it was scary and often times she got her bra's at the used clothing store. So yea. It was embarrassing.

She wasn't ashamed. A small frown made its way onto Cat's face as Alice continued to talk. "I'm not ashamed... I just don't like..." Cat was at a falter for words before she sighed and looked at Alice. "To be frank that store scares me." Alice don't hit her she is telling the complete truth. For someone who buy's their undergarments at Walmart and normally wears sports bras Victoria's Secret was a scary place. You really can't blame her Alice. Then of course came the buying issue. "Alice you are not going to pay." Cat's pride would not allow it.

[Alice Halifax]

Usually when someone was aware of being manipulated by Alice's meta ability, they showed annoyance or anger, but Cat showed something different. She wasn't exactly begging Alice to stop using it on her, but something just struck Alice that Cat was truly bothered by the ability. Alice hadn't set out to scare or frighten Cat in any manner, as a matter of fact, she had set out to make a new friend of sorts. With a small nod of her head, Alice sort of consented to reign in her meta ability for the time being, after all, Cat was willing to go shopping with her.

Reaching out with one dainty hand, Alice pushed back the hair from Cat's face, not letting the girl hide herself. Cat had no reason to let anything or anyone force her into a corner so to speak. "Don't do that, it makes you look weak and there are all sorts of creeps and perverts out here looking to take advantage of a weak young woman," Alice said, stroking the side of Cat's face a time or two, trying to inspire a bit of confidence in her. This sort of intimate touch just came natural to Alice, like breathing. It didn't mean she was hitting on Cat, but then again, it didn't mean she wasn't either. With Alice, flirting was a game and a fun one at that.

"As for the store, you don't have any valid reason to be afraid of some lingerie. Its just clothing in the end, albeit intimate clothing," Alice said sort of cocking her head to the side and then smiling. "Your a woman, that shop is made for you so walk in there like you own the place because in a way you sort of do. The customer is always right as the old saying goes and trust me sweetheart, I'm good at always being right," Alice added this time with a giggle. "If you insist, I'll do my best not to make you let me buy you something.....but no real promises on that ," Alice said, this time with a fake pout even though a sort of twinkle in her eye let Cat know there wasn't any way she was getting out of the lingerie shop without Alice buying her something.

[Catherine Novella]

To not be in control of your own body was something fearful. She didn't want to experience that again. She was fearful and sad because she knew she would have no control. That made her even more fearful. It was even scarier to think of what she would be doing unconsciously. Alice had most likely never felt the feeling of being absolutely and utterly out of control. To lose yourself so much that you didn't even have control of your actions anymore. Cat gave a sigh of relief when a nod was given by Alice, it seemed the girl would put a curb on her power.

Cat shied away from the hand that touched her. She wasn't used to such blatant displays of contact. She was used to people shiding away from her, from running from her. People did not just touch her like that. Staring at Alice Cat tilted her head with a small smile as the words came out of the older girl's mouth. "Who says I am weak?" The words came with a small grin, but she kept eye contact with Alice. "I am not as weak as you think." Cat tilted her head with a small grin and let her hair fall naturally where it would. She really wasn't weak.

" Who says fears are rational and valid?" She wasn't afraid of it, but it was more fun ti tease Alice, at least slightly. When Alice made that comment about the store being made for her it was all Cat could do not to grimace. " But its too... too...too girly!" Now she wasn't against girly things, but Cat wasn't ever the type of person to shop at such a store! By now the petite girl was blushing bright red. She wasn't able to hide her embarrassment at all.Cat shivered at such a giggle and gave a weak smile. The look on her face was absolutely devilish. Sighing Cat looked down at the floor and shifted her weight. "Lets get this over with..."