The Original

Spa Day

The influence of super-heroes and, though we pretend otherwise, super-villains on fashion is not something that can be properly ignored. While the War in Afghanistan seems to have caused a surge in the ‘tactical look’ among some segments of American style, so to does the battle of titans in city streets on a weekly basis.

While yoga pants might have become popular anyway, especially considering how the third decade of the century started, one piece body suits made out of advanced materials have surged into dominance in sports.

Then there’s the developments in fashion specifically to suit the Enhanced. Sunrise Shoes, who provides specialized heel and soles to the shoe industry at large, has been the leader in super-strength and speed surviving footwear since the 1940’s. Norelco’s obsidian shaver line allows clean shaven looks for even the most durable of super men without them going through a dozen razors to scrape off that five o’clock shadow.

Still, the hassles of day to day grooming might be why so many supers wear long leggings and full face masks.

Rachel Omuru, Fashion and Style in the 2020’s

“Hello Penny, how are you enjoying Bergdorfs,” Solaris asked as she met her assistant at the in store spa

"I'm slightly overwhelmed. Did you really order me luggage? I mean, I appreciate it, but I think you can buy an actual porsche for the price of those things. I'm tempted to check!” then she giggled. “Then you’d order the Porsche I found.”

“Ehh, Depends on what it looks like, some of the italian cars just don't quite speak to me.”

A tall thin man, clean shaven in a white shirt and black slacks came over and introduced himself as Andre. Solaris blinked at the way he moved and spoke, He was the most homophyllic man she’d ever seen, and she’d never seen one out so…brazenly.

Penny greeted Andre easily, Elizabeth noticing that she didn’t react to his obvious nature, settling into a chair next to Elizabeth as a parade of cosmetics and care products were presented to them as the stylists considered their hair and nails and what suggestions they would make. Penny, in this case, was more comfortable having her personal makeup kit and picking a few things hesitantly to add to it.

“Well, you are coming to England with me right? You’re going to need proper bags, I didn’t want you to worry about your new things. I selected a set for Marcus as well.” She glanced at Andre “Be careful my hair is very, very tough. Fortunately it still styles mostly the same but scissors are not going to work and may be damaged.”

"Oh, of course. We've been warned." The stylist pulled out a case, a light glowing on the front to signify charging what was inside. "My master weapon. Synthetic sapphire bladed shears with precision response actuators. I could shave anything short of diamond down with these, my dear. So, what shall we do? A simple trim and style, or something dramatic?"

“Well, my last trim was done with wire snips in the 1950s.” Solaris said with a laugh. “Your super sheers will be a magnificent treat! Assuming they work as you advertise.”

"Well dear, watch this.." He lifted a lock of hair, showed her a split end tuft, and trimmed it with a soft hum and snip, snip, snip. "You just sit back, relax, and we'll get everything neat, smooth, and maybe even shiny without needing to glow."

Solaris almost teared up, she’d not had a proper cut in years. She relaxed and let his soothing hands tend her. “You have no idea what a miracle you are to me right now.” She said softly.

"You're not the first Super to sit in my chair, my dear. Think of all those poor girls stuck going to strip mall haircut shops. There's a reason a lot of you ladies have long hair." he chuckled as he worked, while a nail tech using a dremel with a diamond tip to start a manicure and pedicure for the relaxing woman.

“Darling, I may just set up a fund so you can cut their hair, I missed this so much. I have spent hours in chairs getting put together for events, and it’s always a chore, not a pleasure. This is pure heaven.”

"I'll arrange for someone to get you the company name. It's professional spa equipment, so not on the sales floor, even here." He chuckled. "Fortunately, your hair is otherwise rich and healthy, so once this trimming is done it'll be a dream to work with a stylist before an event."

“I’ll use that information, I promise.” she sat silently for a while just savoring getting to feel like every other woman. “Well that’s enough being maudlin. How do you think Marcus is faring?”

"Didn't you notice he's four chairs over? And asleep?” Penny actually giggled. “I have no idea what they're doing to his skin and hair, but I am slightly afraid his grandmother won't recognize him."

“I didn’t see him come in. I wonder what he thinks of this, and you to be fair. I rather swept you along. I hope you don’t mind getting caught in my momentum, though it does tend to happen.”

"Yeah, I'm trying not to think about how my paycheck wouldn't cover any of this reasonably. You are just set. Why did you do the hero thing? You sure as hell didn't need the money."

“I was raised to serve. My father was a career navy man, an admiral and my mother filled her time with charity work. Neither had any use for the idly wealthy, both my brother and I were encouraged to find our own way to serve. I chose nursing, I loved being able to directly help people. When the war started I signed up with my brother. Because of our family’s reputation we were both put in special services, me working at a lab trying to improve upon our soldiers, Hugh as a man of many faces in the intelligence service.

“When I became enhanced, quite by accident, it was a natural path. Father raised me to believe that it is the duty of the strong and the privileged to be better, not to act entitled. To inspire by our actions the best in others. And those boys I worked with, well they were brave but incautious men, they would have gotten themselves killed and I couldn’t let that happen.”

“War always changes, but the warfighter is always young and brash.”

Solaris nodded at the simple truth. “Did they get you through all the clothing? That’s next for me. I got a couple of purses, and sundries already chosen.”

"They walked me through a few designs, and I think I'm going to be trying things back on after alterations. Some suits, some cruise things apparently, but nothing compared to what you have coming, obviously."

“Well, I assume that you at least have day to day wear, though I don’t mind if you want to pick a few purses or casual clothing.”

"I'll consider that. I'm a bit over-awed as it is. Is this how you recruited this fabled Wendy? I heard you also paid for her whole wedding?"

Solaris laughed. “Yes, Wendy was assigned to me by the US government because I needed someone to keep track of my shows and commitments. She was delightfully unimpressed by all the superhero malarkey. And like you I hired her out to be my personal assistant and companion. And yes, we got her wedding dress at this establishment's own boutique.”

“Nice.”

“It was beautiful.”

An hour later, they were back to the try on room, the walls covered with dresses, gowns, outfits, and separates. "Welcome back. Feeling pampered?" Pooja asked as they returned.

“Yes, that was divine, Solaris said looking at her nails now covered in a pearly blue and gold paint. It is an experience I will be having again!”

"We're glad to hear it. Now, I don't want to overwhelm, so I picked a kind of starter set. I selected Three formal gowns and five party dresses of a less formal nature for you to select from. I don't know if you'd have anything on the line already, but thought you might like an option or three already in the closet for if something comes up."

Solaris nodded, starting to look at the clothing, touching the fabrics and holding some in front of her to judge the fit. “I have no idea if anything I have in storage would be at all relevant, So I am going to want a full kit. But no reason to do it all in one go..” She looked at a pale pink dress with some clever rushing under the breasts. “I like this one, but I’ll want a dickie with it. The neckline is a bit too daring. But it will look stunning with my chocolate mink capelet.”

Pooja gave a soft purr thinking of it. "Oh, furs never go out of fashion, as long as you avoid the PETA people and yours are vintage, so no one will sniff at them really." She nodded. "We can find a shell to put under it, something silk." Solaris nodded as an assistant moved the dress to the accepted rack.

"Here is a suggestion I have for more business wear. Being a Super, you get a buy on being a bit flamboyant, and it speaks to me..." It was a dark blue pantsuit, with a small galaxy of tiny crystals in the jacket and slacks, to which the Englishwoman quickly agreed. Liking the charm and the cut. "Now, with your background, I thought something for tennis clubs or polo might be wise, so I was going to suggest these, a day party dress if you will."

Solaris selected and rejected items decisively. Preferring bold colors,and fabrics that where rich but not too shiny. “Yes to the white tennis dress, no to the purple. I love the color and the sleeves but I think it will just make me look shorter than I am, as billowing as it is.”

"Hmmm, a point I did not think of. But then, you are authoritative so it's easy to miss your height." She sent the purple dress away. "Now... perhaps some casual options?"

A couple of hours later the stylist nodded at the approved rack. "I think that this gets you the basics all together. You'll of course need another appointment soon to fill out your closet once you have more of a sense of the times, and of course your own shopping adventures at other locales, but I am sure what you have will suit for a short time at least." She chuckled.

Solaris nodded, “You are not wrong. It’s better to stop before getting too tired to make good decisions, and I am starting to get a bit peckish. I think it’s time to gather my companions and get some dinner.”

"Absolutely." She agreed." I've got the dress you wanted to wear out, ready for you here, and the items ready to go home will be bagged up. The things requiring tailoring will be delivered by tomorrow morning to your hotel.”

Solaris changed into a rose gold sweater dress with a cute pair of gold tone heels, putting her phone and wallet into the new backpack purse. She smiled at Penny who had opted to wear what she came in wearing. “I feel so much better now.”

“I imagine it must be better wearing your own skin, so to speak.”

“Did you have fun?”

"It was a wild experience, and enjoyable. I also managed to find a place for dinner and I'm paying. This is a lot.” She glanced out the door. “Yes you can come to Marcus, and get in here. You’re looking good!”

“We’re going to Fogo de Chao, it’s within walking distance so we can come back for the car. Brazilian food and eat till you can't. You both will love it."

“I don’t think I’ve ever had Brazilian, that sounds perfect, I’ll handle the tip though. Did you enjoy yourself Marcus?”

"I was a bit blown away. How do I look, by the way? They, um, the old lady said something about burning my outfit from before." He frowned and shrugged. He wore a gray designer t-shirt under a charcoal sports coat, with black slacks, and sturdy walking boots. "It was the only wear out option that she'd allow me?" He was confused by that too. "I think that the lady must know my Granny. She had the same glare."

“Years of practice with trust fund princesses.” Solaris suggested.

Penny glanced up from her phone. "By the way, Michelle sent me a potential house. I'll go over it with you later, but it certainly seems to check all your boxes and then some.

“Oh, that is good to hear! I can’t wait to see it! Her blue eyes sparkled. She was feeling much more comfortable.”