Friday Pt 5 RealDreams

"Cum let me show you a magical time, Masters and Mistresses!"

Walt winced looking at the bimbos on display including the head bimbo of the group, a happily smiling Hermione. Terri saw him look in that direction. "Do you want to enter the raffle?"

Walt shook his head. "Not even at gunpoint."

She nodded and let it drop but the others didn't. "That's not how they normally look, is it?" Mission asked.

Walt nodded his head. "That's right. Those girls have been completely modified. Looks like various levels of bimbofication."

He showed them a picture of several of the girls from before. "But why?" Blake asked.

Walt pointed. "See how similar they all look despite being different characters? They were all portrayed by the same actress." Walt showed them clips from several movies and video clips from W.A.R. rallies and their spokesperson. "That actress is a very public and vocal figure in the liberation movement. So they're raffle off a bunch of modified versions of Miss Watson's popular roles... and poor Hermione is at the top of that list..."

Nora looks angry, Curie intrigued as a scientist and Mission disgusted. Blake is upset as well but she takes Walt's hand. "Two wrongs don't make a right... you hate it, don't you?"

Walt nodded. "The characters didn't do anything wrong. Sure legally they're "property" and just about anything can be done to them. And they're bimbos now which as strange as that is, bimbos are generally the happiest types of modified characters so believe it or not those ladies are likely very happy... but it's being done to "punish" and "mock" the actress for her unpopular opinions and vocal demonstration. If they'd done that to her, personally, I honestly don't think I'd care... but doing that to the characters just because she portrayed them to make a statement? That's not right. They aren't her."

The other girls listened to that. Mission and Curie nodded and smiled. Their old friend would say something like that. But Blake specifically looked at Nora.

Nora could hardly believe that Blake of all people wasn't getting more upset but listening to that she realized. She could see it in the look she gave her. Blake wanted her to hear his thoughts on the subject.

Nora nodded grimly. *This is one of those times you gotta think instead of smash, Nora Valkyrie!* she thought. *Blake wanted you to hear that. She and the others trust Walt. I do to a certain extent as well. Walt doesn't care if they punish some actress lady but he's... he's mad! Angry! Furious even! I can just barely sense it but he wants to tear the place apart!* Her eyes meet Blake's and she nods her understanding. *Walt is angry because he likes characters, sees them as people and not "things". Wait... his words! He might even like them better than these "people"?!*

Nora looked at her friend holding his hand. Comforting her friend. Two friends. *Blake really has changed... matured a little. Pyrrha too. Walt's a part of that. Maybe I can too. I did just figure stuff out... though it wasn't easy.* she rubbed her aching head. *I don't have to be "stupid, Nora who smashes stuff". I can continue to figure out "me" here... like in Atlas. Maybe Walt can help with my growth too!* She thought about that. About who she wanted "Nora Valkyrie" to be on their way to their next destination.

"Here we are," Terri said stopping. "Clothing, costumes and accessories!"

They got off and headed into the area. The space didn't look like a typical clothing "store". There were a few things on racks, displays and mannequins but most of them were "on sale". The biggest differences was another large counter with sales associates behind it and the "changing" areas.

The counter was staffed with people. After customers picked and chose the outfits and items they'd like to see the items "arrived" shortly in bins behind them. They'd then gather them together for the customer to look at.

If the customer wanted to try them on, or their characters to try them on, they could go to the "changing" areas. They seemed to consist of changing rooms and comfortable looking chairs and couches surrounding small platforms.

A woman was excitedly going through the "sale" rack. "The Barbie stuff is always on sale! There's just so much of it in every instance!" Her boyfriend looked less than pleased. "But you can barely fit into any of it- owch!" He hopped around comically clutching his foot.

At the counter a man collected a bunch of different capes and cloaks and went to the trying on area to see how they "swished" while a woman was returning a tiara. "No, I don't think that's quite regal enough. Can you show me something else?"

In the changing area a couple families clapped as their kids came out in costumes and stood on the platform to show them off. The parents clapped. "See? Woody and Buzz! How fun! Isn't that better?"

The kids looked at each other frowning. "No. We want Sweeny Todd and Mrs Lovett!" "That's a custom order kids. They don't have them in you sizes in stock." The kids looked at each other and shrugged. "Mortica and Gomez, then?"

In another a High school DxD Akeno modeled some of her alternate outfits for her owner while in yet another a man and a woman entered with their characters, Emma Frost and Aquaman, and a sales associate and drew the curtain for a "private" trying on.

Walt approached the counter but kept looking at the man trying on the capes and cloaks. When the sales associate smiling asked if they could help.

"Yes," he said. "I need multiple versions of these four ladies standard and variant outfits please and we'd also like to look at some other options... I'm sorry. I can't get it out of mind. Do you have the mask that goes with that cloak?"

The woman smiles. "The Zero mask? Of course!" She pulls it and the rest of the purple costume out of the bin. "For some reason that young man wasn't interested in it or the suit. Just the cloak..."

Walt shakes his head looking at the kid waving the cloak back and forth in tiny little motions. "He's probably never seen the series and he's doing it all wrong..." He looks at Terri. "Can you assist the ladies for a bit? Thanks." Before walking over towards the young man and clearing his throat. "Excuse me. Hi. I hope you don't mind, and I can go if you want, but that cloak is designed for bolder movements. You have to be a bit theatrical and exaggerated in your movements. I can show you if you..."

They laugh as Walter and the young man start doing dramatic cloak flourishes, sweeps and swishes.

Mission laughed as Walt puts on the mask. "That's Revan- I mean, Walt! He knows how to make an entrance!"

Curie giggled. "Oh? He was quite good at making an entrance in our adventures as well. Though nothing quite so theatrical!"

Blake smiled. "It's surprising but black and purple isn't a bad look for him."

"Oh?" Asked Nora looking at Blake with a telling smile. "You like seeing him in black and purple, eh?"

Blake blushed. "This isn't the time for that," she dodged. "We need to see if they have appropriate formal attire for you three to wear."

Terri smiles as she shows them the list of outfits and she and the sales associate started helping them make some selections of things to try on.

Blake helps Nora look. "See they have your previous outfits and in your current sizes so knowing Walt he'll definitely get you several of each of those. He did the same for us. Oh, and your workout outfit too! And here's your dress from the prom!" She notices Nora doesn't seem that excited. "Do you want to look at other stuff?"

Nora nods and starts looking at other outfits. Most of them are pretty basic and not her usual type of clothes. Longer sleeves and skirts.

Blake looks at her. "Not your usual cute style. Do you want to make a change?"

Nora's quiet for a minute. "I've got these scars now..."

Blake hugs her. "I'm sorry. That was insensitive of me."

Nora smiles sadly. "It's fine, Blake. I need to get used to them... I just know that they're not cute and probably not nice for other people to look at."

Blake shook her head and smiling pulled out her phone. "Can I show you something?"

Nora looked at her curiously. "Sure. What's up?"

Blake scrolled through her pictures then showed her pictures of her and Balalaika from lunch today and then the same from earlier this week. "She's on Walt's secretary duty for another week. Her names Balalaika. She's a very formidable woman and she got those horrible scars in war."

Nora looks and it's obvious she'd be an extremely attractive woman if not for those scars. "That's too bad. She'd probably be really beautiful otherwise-"

"Walt let it slip today that he found her beautiful today," Blake said smiling.

Nora blinked then stared at Blake. "H-He must have said that to be kind..."

Blake shook her head. "No. It was an unconscious moment where he was distracted and let his true feelings out, I think. He still hasn't realized he said anything."

Curie had overheard. "You know, Nora. If you wish too your scars can be healed quite easily here."

"They can?" Nora asked quietly.

"Oui," Curie said. "We have facilities at home that can likely repair the damage. And I'm certain that 3S does as well with experts likely greater than myself."

Nora feels her eyes start to tear up a bit.

Blake rubs her back. "And if you choose to keep them, like she does, some people will still see you as cute, pretty and attractive." She looked over at Walt still playing around. "He's one of them... and you should see him with his shirt off! You saw the scars on his arms and legs this morning. He's got more."

Nora watched as he looked her way then shook the young persons hand saying goodbye. He walked over to her pulling out his silk bandana. "Hey champ," he started drying her eyes with it. "Everything ok?"

Nora started to nod her head weakly but stopped and gave a little shake followed by a shrug. "It's... I don't know..."

Walt nodded and looked at Blake who nodded at him. He took Nora's hand and walked over to one of the open changing areas and sat her down.

Nora thought he'd say something or do something but all he did was put his arm around her and sit next to her, handing her the bandana. Like a friend. Gentle. Supportive. Caring.

Nora cried.

*Stupid crybaby,* she thought. *What are you even crying for? Your scars? Whether you're "cute" or not? Whether you're "dumb" Nora still or not? The pain and fatigue of being on the run for so long? From being separated from your friends? From Ren? You don't even know stupid!*

Walt stayed silent. Just sat there next to her giving her a one armed hug. As a friend.

They stayed like that even after she'd stopped. Finally she said, "Thanks Walt."

Walt gently squeezed her shoulder. "Anytime, Nora. Always."

She could tell he meant that. He was a friend if she wanted and she felt that she did. Their friendship was growing. She saw... no, felt why the others trusted him. Why she'd trusted him. He was a good person and friend.

She reached over and took his hand giving it a little squeeze. She smiled when he squeezed back. She took a breath, let it out and nodded. "I'm good now."

Walt nodded too. "You're not good. You're great, Nora."

She chuckled and he smiled. "Want to go?"

She shook her head. "No. We came here for a reason. Let's do it."

Walt nodded. "Can I ask you a favor?"

She looked at him curiously. "Sure. What's up?"

Walt paused. "I was thinking... and feel free to say "no"... but I was thinking since tomorrow's a day off of doing some relaxing, hanging out stuff. I'm likely going to be pulling an all night thing getting everything done so I'd like to relax and just hang out with some of you afterwards. You want to join in?"

Nora smiled. "That sounds nice... what did you have in mind?"

Walt nodded. "I was thinking a picnic/fishing trip. Just have some drinks down by the river. Eat and have a stress free day. Maybe laze about on the porch a bit and play with Zwei." He chuckled. "The calm before the storm of the wedding!"

Nora laughed. "Yeah, that sounds like fun! Count me in!"

Walt grinned. "Thanks, Nora."

She grinned too as she repeated his earlier reply. "Anytime, Walt. Always."

[Walter Stark Penny Polendina F.R.I.D.A.Y Neopolitan Pyrrha Nikos Blake Belladonna Kali Belladonna Sienna Khan Willow Schnee Glynda Goodwitch Nora Valkyrie Zwei Ahnassi Lifts-Her-Tail Senko Sayoko Shinozaki Roberta Cisneros Haruna Sasha Blouse Ilulu Raven Manami Aiba also with Tsuyu Asui Haruhime Sanjouno The Baroness Demona Mystique Pirotess Lydia Aela the Huntress Serana Mission Vao Curie Ada PAM and KL-E-O

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