Kara could not rid the worried look in her eyes when Hallbjorn did not come join her immediately. When he climbed into the cab, it seemed as if he didn't even see her. Her lips still tingled from their kiss, but his shut off expression made her think that perhaps he regretted it. Or perhaps she was a horrible kisser. She had no real experience to rely on. Maybe she had done something that made him wish he could take back their kiss. Or maybe he was disgusted by her inability to control her powers.<br/><br/>She remained quiet, because she was unsure of how to even breach the gap that seemed to have sprung up between them. When he finally spoke, it felt as if a weight had been lifted from her heart, leaving only a tiny bit behind. She blinked back tears and fought the urge to reach out for his hand. Her gaze kept moving back to Hallbjorn during the ride. She worried about him. It could not be comfortable to remain in his wet clothes, especially with his long, glorious hair still damp. She would have dried it for him, if she had a towel to do so.<br/><br/>The bright lights of the strip mall he turned into had her blinking with confusion. She had thought they'd been headed to a laundromat, or perhaps a thrift store, if they could find one open this late. When they parked, and Hallbjorn told her about the store they'd be going to, Kara felt no small amount of trepidation. Hallbjorn was the only immortal that she had met whom she trusted. The others, through their violence and their stares, had her nervous to meet another one. Kara resolved herself to trust in Hallbjorn's judgment.<br/><br/>Slipping back on her wet shoes was not pleasant, but soon she was rushing to keep up with Hallbjorn and the squishing of her shoes became a minor inconvenience. When he stopped, then took her hand, Kara's lower lip quivered for just a moment. She smiled up at him, happy to have her Hallbjorn back. Before they made it into the store, she told him softly, “Aside from that one part, I had a wonderful time at the fair. Thank you for going with me.”<br/><br/>What she really wanted to do was jump into his arms and kiss him soundly. Her chance missed, she followed him inside the store, and her lips parted in surprise. Nothing looked cheap in the store, nothing even coming close to thrift store value. In fact, she saw a lot of high priced fashion. There were designer clothing that she had only dreamed about wearing.<br/><br/>Kara's attention was drawn to the woman that had a very pleased look on her face. Jealousy flared up inside of her, before she realized that the woman was not undressing Hallbjorn with her eyes. In fact, her eyes seemed to be dressing Kara up. There was nothing about the woman to make Kara think she was a shifter. She would need to ask Hallbjorn how he could tell the difference between human and Lorean.<br/><br/>Her eyes grew wide at Hallbjorn's words, and she was tempted to tug him out of their and pick up clothes from some drug store along the way. But when he told Kara that he forbid her to fret, and at his direction to the sales associate, her lips pulled up into a smile of happiness. It wasn't that Hallbjorn would be spending a lot on Kara that touched her so much, but that cared about her needs.<br/><br/>Before being led away with the shifter woman, Kara tugged Hallbjorn down so she could kiss his cheek. It was all she could give him at the moment. Her heart was swelling so big in her chest that she felt she could not get the words out.<br/><br/>The next hour and a half was spending in a shopping euphoria the likes of which she'd never experienced. The sales associate, Patricia, went out of her way to make Kara feel like she was a princess. It seemed as if she sped through the store to bring her every item of clothing that she could for Kara to try on.<br/><br/>Even while she was busy trying on new clothes, Kara's thoughts kept turning back to Hallbjorn. Because every item she chose was based on whether or not he would like seeing her in it. There were some daring items that she would never have chosen otherwise, such as a tight black miniskirt, or a lovely shirt that had no back. A slinky silver chain looped around the back of her neck, and then another one held the sides of the shirt together halfway down her back. The silvery shirt didn't even reach her belly button, and she couldn't wear it with a bra. But she added it to her growing pile of clothes, because she wanted to see the look on Hallbjorn's face when she wore it.<br/><br/>There were a few items that were her usual style, such as soft pink skirts that ended above her knees, and lacy tank tops. But they did not compare to the amount of seductive outfits she picked. When it came to sleepwear, she refused to wear the teddies that Patricia suggested. Instead, she chose short shorts and matching tops. Although, she did chose a few silky nightgowns with spaghetti straps and that ended well above her knees.<br/><br/>When it was time to look at the items she didn't need to change into, Patricia told her she could wear one of her new outfits to do so. Kara came out wearing some pink short shorts, and a lacy black camisole top. She looked for Hallbjorn, and when she found him she gave him a radiant smile.<br/><br/>The next thing she needed to look at here panties and bras. When she saw the brand Strumpet & Pink, she squealed with happiness and picked out more matching sets then was necessary. They were much sexier then what she usually wore, but she'd always wanted to be brave enough to wear the brand. Included in her choices was a black silky thong with a little bell on the back that hung just enough to make sure it would ring with each step she took. Kara intended to drive Hallbjorn mad with it. The thought alone made her grin.<br/><br/>After choosing stockings, garters, and even a few corsets, Patricia led her to look at the shoes. There were no regular tennis shoes to be had, but there were nice sandals that laced up her ankle. Those she chose to wear before leaving, and then picked out a few more pairs of shoes. Her fingers paused when she found a knee high pair of boots in soft black leather, with six inch heels. Kara glanced back at Hallbjorn, then made her mind to get them. It would be nice to be a little taller around him.<br/><br/>She had never been the kind to wear much make up or perfume, but she did select some eyeliner, mascara, and cherry flavored lip gloss. Coconut lime lotion, nail polishes, and a few hair pieces finished off her shopping spree.<br/><br/>As Patricia started ringing up the sale, Kara moved over to Hallbjorn before he approached the counter. She smiled happily at him as she displayed her current outfit, then gave into the urge to wrap her arms around him in a hug with her cheek pressed against his chest. “Thank you so much, Hallbjorn.”<br/>