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Interlude, Part 3

Posted on Sun Dec 20th, 2020 @ 2:15pm by Captain Henry Crow & Lieutenant Aemilia "Millie" Stepanova

Mission: Shore Leave

Millie couldn't help but giggle as they walked down the avenue towards the town's center square. "You know, he's almost as bad as my mother! Two grown women needing an escort for an afternoon of shopping?" Millie laughed again, lifting her face up to the sun as they passed into a patch of sunlight.

"Can I ask why you insist on putting me in his crosshairs? First making me give that briefing and then demanding I go with you for this outing. I don't want to end up in some work camp because he thinks I'm a troublemaker."

"You think I haven't noticed you in the periphery of everything since I became embroiled in his affairs?" Millie patted the woman on the arm. "On average, how long does he keep an employee?"

"Five years ago his last personal assistant was dragged out of the building. I was standing there watching the scene when he stopped and we locked eyes. You know how piercing they can be even though they're that violet color. And he says 'you're hired" and walks away. A moment later I quickly shuffled after him and I've been doing everything he doesn't have time or willingness to do."

"Five years seems like a rather long life span for one of his employees, if my arrival is any indication." She tilted her head towards Marcy. "It would seem that is a regular occurrence."

"He doesn't tolerate incompetence...or disloyalty...or dissent...or failure."

"I wouldn't say that's entirely the case." Millie smirked. "I hold no loyalty to him. And I most certainly dissented with his requirement to send his security team down on a shopping trip. Though I think he was more concerned about one of his men having to escort me into a changing room." She giggled. "My dear, he is just as easily manipulated as every other person. He just has to be convinced that it's all his idea."

"You're not the run of the mill visitor we get. He values you and your counsel. He could find another me in a heartbeat."

"Not 'run-of-the-mill'?" Millie gave a sarcastic smirk. "And I'm sure all of the lace that I'm wearing under these close are from his 'usual favorite', da?"

"He knows what he likes. I wish he was more aware of those who see him outside of his reputation."

"Such as yourself, da?" Millie nodded in agreement.

She looked away as they walked. "Maybe."

Millie placed an arm on the woman's shoulder. "This afternoon, you don't have to worry about restraint. He's not here. It's just you and me, an afternoon of shopping, dinner on the Riverscape, and balcony seats at the Berchtesgaden Bauerntheater." She grinned. "Have you ever been to see a show there?"

Marcy shook her head. "I've never even been down to this village before. And we can't be here so late he'll be expecting us back soon."

"Well, he'll be expecting that you escort me through the duration of my excursion today." Millie smiled. "And besides, when was the last time he gave you the rest of the day off?"

"What's a day off?" Marcy gave a small smirk, pushing her glasses further up her nose. "I serve at the pleasure of the Executive Vice President and he needs me to do all sorts of things. Some of it business, some of it is...arranging his personal life."

"Then, today consider ME to be your personal assistant!" Millie laughed. "Today, in your personal life, we have arranged for a wonderful night out at the theatre! So, what would you like to do before we head to dinner? Shopping for an outfit to wear? A spa day? Hairstyle and makeup?" She gave a winning smile. "All of the above?"

Marcy looked down at her skirt, blouse, and light jacket. "I'd better get something fitting for the theatre or it might reflect badly on him."

"How about we pick out something that would be stunning for you?" Millie smiled. "You have my permission to forget about your boss for one night."

She paused as they approached the main square, looking around at their shopping options. "Well, madame," Millie said with a flair, "as your personal assistant of the day, I will leave the first choice up to you?" She gestured to the windows of the shops around them. "Which one catches your eye first?"

Marcy looked between the more modern and traditional shops. "That one looks good," she said pointing to a modern one.

"Perfect." Millie held the door and they stepped inside. She stepped back, letting Marcy take the lead.

Marcy looked around for a few minutes finding a professional looking outfit not that different from her normal attire. "This is nice."

Millie nodded, picking up the outfit and holding it up. "This would look really sharp for work. We can definitely try it on!" She looked around the shop, thinking for a moment. "Marcy, what is your favorite color?"

She thought. "Uh, probably red."

Millie smiled. "Red it is then!" She looped her arm in Marcy's and gently guided her past the racks of professional wear. "Red would be very striking against your black hair--unless you want to change that today." Her smile got wider. "For me personally, after two months of rugged living, I'm personally due up for a bit of a trim and deep conditioning." She quirked an eyebrow in inquiry.

"I, uh, well....maybe a small haircut." She was led through the store and soon was bustled into the changing room. She felt very out of place but slipped into a semi formal dress. It was more form-sitting than she was used to. She usually tried hard not to show off any curves. Stepping out of the room she pushed her glasses up. "Well?"

Millie gave a soft whistle under her breath. "Wow." She motioned for Marcy to give a spin, and then gave an approving nod. "Da! This is the one! Now, it just needs--" Her voice trailed off as she hustled to several racks of accessories. After holding several up near the dress, she stopped on a silver chain that dangled a dainty line of crystals along Marcy's collarbone. "This one?"

"That...looks expensive." Her eyes were wide. "I'll have my salary docked for a year."

Millie smirked over her shoulder, passing the necklace--and accompanying bracelet and earrings over to the store assistant. "Consider it back pay for what you should have been receiving in bonuses and back vacation time in the last five years." Millie closed the distance again, this time to carefully pull out the pins that held Marcy's hair atop her head. "No worries. Your personal assistant took care of everything while you were in the dressing room."

She began to protest as her hair was undone. "Now I'll have to redo that when we go back."

Millie gave a gentle smile as she pulled the last few pins, letting the hair cascade down. "You have the evening off, my dear. There is no dress code for the night, except 'whatever you want to wear.' He's not here, and you don't have to cater to his whims tonight." Her smile widened. "Neither of us do." She took several twists of hair, spun them up, and secured the hair with a new pin--one with a tiny, red metal rose on the end.

Marcy was not used to all this attention. "He was very anxious when you and his ex girlfriend were missing."

Millie passed the pin collection to the store assistant with a smile. "That, my dear, is a story best told over several glasses of wine." She placed both hands on Marcy's shoulders. "Now, we just need one more thing to complete this outfit."

"What's that?"

Millie grinned at Marcy in the mirror. "A killer pair of heels."


Lieutenant JG Aemilia "Millie" Stepanova
Chief Counselor, USS Mercutio

 

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