A mother always has to think twice,

[wavesofjade]

WHO: Dolores Maryam and Marshall Lee
TONE: Amusing, motherly, Marshall being a grouchy pseudo-teen.
RATING: G
WHEN: 30th November
WHERE: Hogsmeade
WHAT: Marshall doesn't know how to shop. Dolores takes him down to Hogsmeade to find something to wear for the Yule Ball.
STATUS: Ongoing

---

Dolores enjoyed shopping. More than that, she enjoyed shopping for other people far more than she enjoyed shopping for herself. That was part of the reason she'd suggested taking Marshall down into Hogsmeade to find something that he could wear for the upcoming Ball. Aside from that, she couldn't help but feel something of a mothering instinct towards the other vampire, even knowing that he was easily four times her age. He just seemed so lost sometimes.

Despite not really being able to feel the cold, she was still fussing, and as they entered the top of the main street Marshall would find himself assaulted with a scarf being wrapped around his neck, the soft fabric pulled up around his ears. Forgive her, Marshall, she really couldn't help herself.

"Now, which shop did you try before you gave up? We can avoid that one."

Comments

[marshall_lee]

"Yeeeah, I suffered through ruffles once and I don't care to repeat the experience." He grinned.

He watched her as she went about pulling things and working her fashion magic. Dolores always dressed wonderfully herself so he had complete trust in her tastes.
When she was finally finished and handed him what she picked out he looked over it carefully. It sharp and not fussy in the least.

"This is perfect. I haven't even tried it on yet and I know I want it." He smiled at her and joked. "If nursing doesn't work out I think you'd have a great career as a personal shopper or a stylist."

[wavesofjade]

"I'll keep that in mind for the future," she replied with a laugh. She did have a rather long future ahead of her, after all. Though, nursing had worked out quite well for her so far.

You never knew when a change of direction would come in handy, though.

"Now, go ahead and try these on so we can make sure they fit." Dolores was, however, rather sure that they would.

[marshall_lee]

Oh no, the part he was dreading the most..actually trying the things on. He sucked it up though and proceeded to find a dressing room from the overly happy to help sales girl.
A few minutes and several muttered curses later he finally made his way out smoothing the clothes out as he did.

"It seems like a pretty close fit..what do you think?" He held his arms out and turned around. "Does it look okay?"

[wavesofjade]

She was waiting close enough to hear his muttered cursing and smiled to herself, shaking her head and answering the sales girl's passing comment on her 'son' with a small chuckle.

When he stepped out, she clapped her hands together and made a soft sound of approval, moving over to straighten the cravat and check the fit over his shoulders.

"It looks very handsome, dear. Do you like it?"

[marshall_lee]

Marshall blushed a little when he overheard the sales girl comment. Personally he didn't think Dolores looked remotely old enough to have a teenage son!

He let her fix what needed fixing. He hadn't tied a cravat in a pretty long time so he was a bit rusty.

"I actually do. Well, about as much as I can like dress clothes anyways. These at least suit me personality wise. Do you think the fit is okay? I'm not sure if it needs tailored or not, I mean, it doesn't feel too big anywhere."

[wavesofjade]

"If you're happy with them, I think that they fit you very well." She was clearly pleased with what she'd picked out, brushing her hands once more over his shoulders to straighten the jacket out.

"I did tell you that I could find something for you, did I not?"

[marshall_lee]

"I think these will be just fine." He lets her fuss and pays attention to how she does it so he can fix it himself later. He smiles at how pleased she is with how things turned out.

"I never doubted you for a minute." He grinned. "And now..I think it's your turn to go shopping for yourself. And it's no use saying no either! If you don't pick something out for yourself I'll pick something out for you and you don't want me to do that."

[wavesofjade]

"Very good!" And she was fully prepared to leave it at that, happy that she'd managed to find something for Marshall so quickly. When he stopped her, though, her expression could only be compared to a deer caught in the headlights. She wasn't really used to treating herself like that. Or being treated by someone else. Marshall would be one to understand how self-sufficient being a vampire forced a person to be.

"Oh, you don't need to do that. I'm sure that I have something I can wear back at the castle."

[marshall_lee]

He smiled at her look. He understood her surprise. He hadn't bought anything for someone or had anyone buy him anything in ages.

"Don't be silly. I want to.
Come on, I finally have people in my life I can actually buy gifts for now and it's something I really want to do."

He gives a cute little mock pout.

"Come on, please? You can consider it an early Christmas gift from me."

[wavesofjade]

Dolores made a quiet, uncertain sound and looked about the shop. It went against everything in her to let a student buy her a gift, but of course she had to remind herself that Marshall wasn't like the other students, and he could certainly afford this.

Not that the latter point changed anything.

It was only knowing that he wouldn't let up that had her letting out a soft, fond sigh and putting her arm around his shoulders for a moment, giving him a brief hug.

"Alright, dear. If it is to be a gift. Would you help me choose?"

[marshall_lee]

Even though he would never admit it to himself Marshall was actually kind of excited that he had people to buy presents for over the holidays. Regardless on whether she agreed or not he was going to buy her something.

He grinned happily when she finally agreed.

"Sure. Um..how about something in green? You always look nice in green."

[wavesofjade]

It was easier just to let him have what he wanted, and she didn't mind terribly that it would mean that she got something that she wanted out of it too. She looked pleased with his suggestion, and nodded, putting her arm around his shoulders as she browsed through the available gowns.

It didn't take her long to find one that she liked, and she drew it from the rail to hold it against herself.

"What do you think?"

[marshall_lee]

He let himself lean into her and be steered around as they browsed. True, he wasn't too crazy about shopping for himself but he was having a good time shopping for her instead.

When she pulled out the gown he nodded, gave a cheeky wink and a thumbs up and quipped "Drop dead gorgeous."

[wavesofjade]

It took her only a split second to catch the joke, and she covered her mouth as she laughed. She took the dress to try it on, and Marshall could probably hear her softly cooing in approval before she made an appearance. The colour of the gown utterly complimented her own colouring, even the pale shade of her skin, and she twirled in front of him, bare feet padding silently on the wooden floor.

"Does it suit me?" she asked, though it was quite clear she had already decided she liked it.

[marshall_lee]

He smiled as he did indeed hear her noises of approval. He took it to be a good sign. When she came out he gave a low whistle of approval.

"That looks awesome!You're not just going to turn heads. You're going to break necks."

[wavesofjade]

She twirled again and brushed her fingers over the fabric. Ah.. but could she afford this? Dolores shot Marshall a look, knowing that he wanted to buy something for her.

"Oh dear, I do hope not. That would create a lot of work for me," she said with a laugh, clasping her hands at her chest. "It has been a while since I bought a new dress. I wonder if I might make something like this."

[marshall_lee]

He raised his eyebrows at her look and nodded again. He rarely spent any of his money and he could definitely afford it.
He laughed. "I guess I didn't think of it that way."
He made a face at her comment about making something.
"I'm sure you probably could, but the question is do you really have the time? Just get this one. Please?"

[wavesofjade]

"I might have the time, but..." It would make him happy to buy it for her, wouldn't it? That alone gave some sway to her decision, but he was right, too. She probably wouldn't have the time to make something quite this pretty.

"... Very well."

[marshall_lee]

He grins.
"Then before you try to change my mind I'm going to go pay for it."
Before she can protest again he heads to the register. The smiling salesgirl smiles even wider when he tells her that he'll be buying both the dress robes and the dress. She clasps her hands and tells him what a wonderful son he is for doing something so nice for his Mum.
Marshall resists the urge to roll his eyes but just smiles and nods as he pays for it.
After he does he comes back over and smiles.
"All done. Just take it up when you're finished and they'll wrap it for you."