Who: Lola and Garcia What: Lola only has dude clothes (gdoc, then comments) When: June 26 Where: Starbucks Rating: low
Lola woke up to find all of Lola’s clothes had turned into Simon’s clothes. No, that wasn’t true. Simon’s wardrobe at least had colours like pinks and purples and patterns. This was all drab browns and beiges and blacks and greys. Unimaginative, to say the least. It wasn’t that Lola never dressed as ‘Simon’. They did, but it was mostly out of necessity or whatever days she felt like it.
Today it would have to be Simon. From the network posts it was easy to tell that this was some sort of trick from the Dome and not a normal occurrence so at least Simon took solace in that. He tried to help himself feel more confident by putting on some makeup - purple eye shadow and mascara and red lipstick - and headed out. It was decided early on that a sugary drink that was more like dessert than coffee was needed.
As Simon entered, he paused. There were a lot of people today. Unlike Lola, Simon had a lot of confidence issues. He always felt too awkward dressed in bloke’s clothing. Even as he stepped in line, he glanced at a table of giggly girls and frowned, having to push away the thought that they were laughing at him. He exhaled softly.
--
Penelope had been disheartened when she woke this morning and discovered that all of her bright and colorful clothes were replaced with boring, drab pantsuits. It was like the kind of thing that she had to wear when she got stuck testifying in court for one of the BAU cases.
If she was going to get through this day, she was going to need a massive iced coffee, which was why she headed to Starbucks before attempting anything else. When she felt someone line up behind her, she turned to see if it was someone she knew. It took her a good thirty seconds, but she eventually realized that she did recognize them.
“Lola?” she asked.
***
He heard the voice and the name and looked up from his staring a hole into the floor. There was something like relief that washed over his face even if it was only momentary and then he smiled, though it was rather weak. “It is. Or rather, it is normally. Today I supposed I should be going by Simon. That’s my real name, you know.” He didn’t necessarily look ashamed of that, but he wasn’t the same vibrant and confident person this way. He took a moment to take in her outfit and frowned just a little. “Have you been a victim of this weird wardrobe thing too, then?” If he recalled, Penelope was not someone who wore pantsuits very much. “Not that you look bad in it, mind you, just… well, different.” Like she was going to a funeral of someone she didn’t particularly like or something.
--
“Sorry. Simon,” she said with a smile she hoped was comforting. “And yes, this is definitely not something I’d choose to wear under normal circumstances. Maybe if I had to testify in a trial, but that’s about it.” Being an IT analyst meant she could get away with dressing more brightly than her friends who were agents.
Penelope figured she was dealing with less trauma about the whole clothing issue than Simon was though. “I’m sorry you’re stuck dealing with this.”
***
“It’s a bit silly, isn’t it? I can flounce around on stage in six inch heels and not blink an eye, but you put me in a pair of trousers and suddenly the world is a much bigger place than I’d like it to be.” He gave a little sigh. He wished it didn’t bother him so much. “It’s not that I hate pants, of course, but this -” He gestured to himself with a downward sweeping motion. “Has never quite felt like me.” Despite still identifying as a man who was straight which was a concept some people, like Don, didn’t really understand. “At least the Dome didn’t take away my makeup otherwise I don’t think I could have left the house today. I came here hoping to drown my sorrows in some highly caffeinated and sugary drink.” He did give a smile at that. “Could I buy you one too?”
--
The offer came as a surprise, but it was a pleasant one and she nodded. “I’d like that,” she said. And she understood what he meant about not feeling like himself. Or herself. Penelope realized that she actually had no idea how the person in front of her identified and she should probably ask. That could wait until they were seated and away from the crowd though.
“With any luck, this will only last a day or two and we’ll get our regular wardrobes back soon,” she said.
***
“I hope you're right. I just got a hold of two pairs of fabulous heels and I haven’t even been able to wear them yet. I’m reduced to these.” He gestured dramatically to his feet with an expression of disdain. He was wearing fancy dress shoes, but they were a boring brown. Why were men’s shoes so boring? “I have half a mind to go shopping for new clothes, but I don’t think I have the budget and who’s to say they won’t turn into trousers and dress shirts when they go into my bag.” Like having a Midas touch, but for something worse than turning things into gold.
When they got to the counter, Simon gave his order and then waited for Penelope to give hers before he paid and they moved to wait to the side.
--
Penelope gave her order and then stepped to the side so they weren’t in the way while they waited for their drinks. “I’ve been here more than two years and these things are always temporary,” she said. “So I wouldn’t waste your money on new things just yet.” Even though she completely understood the temptation.
“I’d offer to lend you something of mine, but well…” she gestured at herself and chuckled. “I don’t think that would help very much.”
***
The smile that he had on his face was both thankful and a bit sad at the same time. “The only thing better about your pants suit than the one I had to wear is there’s at least some attempt to fit to form. I never understood when most men’s clothing are just so… frumpy.” There were some things that were tailored, yet, but the majority of men’s stuff always lacked both in colour and in style. “I guess we got off easy in comparison to some of the stories I’ve heard of this place, like how sometimes the Dome changes who you are completely.” He made a face - that was something he most definitely did not want to experience.