Fashionista - Chapter 03

By Steve and Hklaw

‘We run our training facilities at several locations depending on the type of training.  Basic Boot Camp is the starting point.  This where we see if the recruit has the physical and mental makeup and stamina to become an agent.  Once past that it’s on to advanced training in weapons, combat, computers and other areas, this is where we will be going, the confluence of all the agents who have gotten past the hurdles.  From this point we take the remaining recruits and design specific training around their unique talents, this is also the place we work on and I know it sounds silly, but charm, class, deportment and of course more personal aspects, how to apply makeup correctly, how to walk, even how to sit and rise from a chair, even how to affect a pose and of course how to dress for any situation,’ Rachel said.

‘What do you mean by unique talents?’ Jessica asked.

‘You’ve read the dossiers of all the active agents and recruits.  Not all women have the same talents, we aim to maximize the good ones and minimize the bad,’ she said, but quickly saw that this was not explaining it any better.

‘Here, take these two recruits, you can clearly see they are not at all the same.  This girl Trudy Austen, here’s her before picture, you can be polite and say what you’re thinking, what a mess right.  I mean what does she have to recommend her, who could she ever attract, she’s a size 22, you wince when you look at her, but look closer,’ Rachel encouraged.

‘Well she is very bright, her academic achievements are impressive,’ Jessica said as she flipped the screen on the tablet.

‘Yes they are, but I meant look at her looks, in particular her facial structure.  As cruel as it is and this business is cruel, a face is the first thing someone else notices and well, you can have the greatest body in the world, but if you’re face is not worth a second look then mostly likely you aren’t either,’ Rachel said as she manipulated the screen and highlighted certain areas of Trudy’s face.  Her lips, you want to kiss those, great cheek bones, what you can see of them at this point, I agree, and cruel, but true, fantastic eyes and overall a knockout heart shaped face.  This is what we start with; the body can be changed if the person is willing.  Now look again at the after pic.  She was put into an intensive weight loss and fitness program well before official training started, she went from a 22 to a 12, that’s the potential.  You just have to see past the picture, kind of like a sculpture who doesn’t see the granite block but just what’s inside it, if that makes sense,’ Rachel explained.

‘Absolutely, but what about her then?’ Jessica asked, calling up a very attractive blonde young woman.

‘Katherine Long, yes she’s easy, she has the looks and the brains, and you’ll find brains are the common thread, all these women are very smart.  As I said she’s easy she has it all, the challenge isn’t in any of that, it’s getting it all to work together and getting her to work.  Someone this good looking is used to having it all her way or getting her way, that is the challenge getting them to think and act differently,’ Rachel said.

They past the remainder of the flight finalising their plan of attack and in genial gossip.  From the airport they were met by Sarah Heaton, the head of the training school an older woman than Jessica had expected, but by now she was learning to expect the unexpected and quickly surmised that actually she was what she should have suspected.  Obviously a retired agent, she still had a killer body, great face and a stylish manner, her makeup was perfect and her clothes just right with just a hint of daring for her age. 

‘If she made it this far in life she must have been an excellent operative, who better to learn from,’ Jessica thought as she took a sideways glance at Sarah on more time, she didn’t she Sarah smile knowingly.  Jessica made a few mental notes about what she would tell this woman.

‘When we get there I’ll let you settle and get set up I made the arrangements as per your email request so all is set to go, the trainees I take I understand have all acknowledged your emails and confirmed their times with you.  I’ve arranged for you to meet them within their respective groupings, the seniors as your requested are first, then down to the very newest recruits, so 48 in all.  I will tell you that some of the senior ones, the ones closest to becoming full time agents bristled a little at this, but you would expect that, they think they know it already.  Then you’ll the opposite extreme with the newest recruits, some have no idea of style, we even had to teach some of them to walk in heels, never owned a pair in their lives, oh my a world away from when I started,’ Sarah smiled as they drove down toward the sea.

‘Should I ask where we’re going or should I be all spy and not ask too many questions,’ Jessica thought as the car parked and they got out the two Fashionista’s retrieving their luggage from the trunk.  ‘I think I’ll try and blend and not ask, just play along like I know,’ she though as they made their way into the marina, down a dock, a turn on other and then unto a boat.  Jessica noticed man look away and raise his hands as if in greeting to some person they could not see, the boat, lines cast off pulled out of the harbour.

‘You learn fast for someone not at all trained, maybe you have a natural bent for this line of work, ‘Sarah smiled at Jessica who fanyed surprise.

‘You didn’t ask about where we’re going, you looked at me more times that necessary, of course I want your advice on fashion, I may be retired but I still want to look good.  You scanned the horizon and looked for tell-tale signs to see if you could deduce our destination and you noticed the man in the harbour giving the all clear sign to me, are you sure you haven’t been schooling her Rachel?’

‘Not a bit, it’s all her, 100% natural, made you should consider it, at least some of the training anyway?’ Rachel added.

Jessica just smiled and laughed a little, but she did not completely dismiss it, she wondered if Sarah caught that as well.

About 50 minutes later they docked and made their way up to the main building.

‘Why do you think we use an island Miss Collins,’ Sarah suddenly said as she opened the screen door to the entrance way, her eyes looking at Jessica with a stern probing interest.

Jessica instantly knew she was being tested, to see what she was made of and if she deserved to be here.

‘An island is hard to penetrate I suspect there are all kinds of devices to detect intruders in fact I would not be surprised if the girls all wear something that tells you where they are at all times, maybe or maybe not to spy on them, but if one of them was say an enemy agent, tracking their movements would be the easiest way to tell that.  Aside from that, with no place to go it creates a kind of bond an sisterhood much like the way boot camp does for the military.  There are no distractions other than ones created for them to test them I suspect.  As for this island I suspect the tropical environment for several reasons, it induces bikini bodies, hence the need to stay in shape and from the limited reading I’ve done on operations it helps acclimatise the agents to hotter weather so when they are on missions should they become involved in a peril situation they will not so easily succumb to it because of the heat and one final thing wearing clothes and looking good is one thing wearing them and looking good in a humid environment is another, it can give a girl an upper hand if she looks effortless doing it again acclimatisation, but for another reason,’ Jessica stated.

‘This line of work suits you Jessica, you should consider it,’ Sarah said as they moved down a hallway.

This is your office and right across the hall, these are the two interview rooms you requested.  I’ll let you set up, Rachel you have the guest cabana; you remember where it is I’m sure.  First meeting is in an hour and half, I’ll be in the back just to observe, you’ll both be great I can tell,’ Sarah smiled, gave them a reassuring touch on the shoulder and exited on a well turned heel.

They quickly laid out the few things they brought and went across the hall and set up the camera, ensured it operated then left for their cabana so unpack, Jessica and Rachel slipping off their heels as they walked in and enjoyed the warm white sand.

That accomplished they changed into fresh clothes and were back inside the main building pausing just outside the door to the small lecture theatre.  Each looked at the other, they smiled and Jessica opened the door and the two walked in.

Good afternoon ladies my name is Jessica Collins and this is my partner  Rachel Sparks and as you know we’re from the newly created Style Centre,’ she said placing her tablet on the table in front, it formed into a tripod with the faces and the names of the recruits on it for quick and familiar reference.  ‘What we’re here to do,’ she continued,  ‘is not to so much change your fashion style, although if that is called for we will, but to augment or refine it, to give you all the better an edge to succeed

‘I don’t see why we need this, all of us have been on multiple missions with experienced agents who have guided us along the way, including in this area and I think speaking for myself and the group that we’ve done extremely well so far,’ she a very attractive redhead in the front row.

Rachel looked a little alarmed but kept a neutral face, her insides churning at this push back so quickly.  She thought to leap into action but Jessica just turned about, looked at her and smiled as she walked back around the table and picked up the name of the young woman then circled round the other side of the table and leaned back on it directly facing the questioner not 4 feet away.

‘Well Madeleine,’ addressing the woman directly as she looked at her. ‘What would you say if I told you I’ve investigated all those missions and in fact I’ve investigated the last 10 solo missions of the agents who’ve trained all you ladies and both Rachel and I have discovered the direct or partial failure 50% of the time, which does not mean the mission was lost, but was directly or indirectly related to the use of fashion with regard to but limited to, body shape, age, location, event situation and level of comfort with an item.  The last issue meaning using the same style or outfit too many times because you like it and it worked in the past.  50% ladies is far too high and far too risky for as you are all aware I’m sure one delay or speed bump on a mission causes a 45% chance of another happening as you try and compensate and this leads to further errors, if those errors go past a combined 3 in total it indicates a 68.5% chance of total mission failure and a 73.6% chance of the agent being killed.  Now if you want to continue to play with those stats we’ve just presented Madeleine, then please feel free to walk out that door, I will and F.O.R.C.E. will not hold it against you and you can continue on to becoming a full time agent for as long as you can.  The rest of you are free to make that choice as well,’ Jessica stated then turned around and smiled at Rachel as everyone remained seated and Rachel and Jessica exchanged places.

‘I’m glad you all decided to stay, those are the harsh numbers, and that is why we are here, to reduce those numbers.  We decided the start with this group as you will be the newest agents and those that follow you will to a large extend be influence by you.  We want you to realize this is not a one off program, we will have frequent and by that Jessica and I mean every 6 months, visits with you each of you.  To that end your input is vital and will not be ignored, every woman operates best when she looks good and together we will achieve that.  We are only part of this team, together we have assembled several other members, Gina Perini, a former agent who currently provides you with lingerie and nightgowns of various styles will be working more closely with us.  No longer will that apparel be generic in the sense of one style for all, just different sizes.  Just as certain cuts and styles of clothes look better on some women than others so do Gina’s garments, in other words a baby doll that may work for one woman completely and totally fails on another.  I am also happy to say that we have just recruited our newest member Alvice Papin, she makes jewelry of the highest order and will tailor everything to each agent, so if pearls don’t work on you and Alvice will not let you wear them and rest assured none of the special features of any of your current accoutrements will be lost, in fact Alvice came up with many new ideas she plans to incorporate into them.  You all have been sent our meeting times and what we want to see, Jessica and I are going to be here for as long as it takes so when you see us about and want to talk please do.  Thank you and we’ll see each of you soon, ‘Rachel smiled as she finished and the room emptied in an orderly fashion.

‘Went well,’ they both said at the same time and laughed.

*             *             *             *             *             *             *             *             *             *             

 ‘Do you want to go back to our rooms and unpack or get something to eat first,’ Rachel asked as they exited the room into the hallway and started down the corridor past various rooms.  ‘Jessica, what will it be? Jessica.’  Rachel stopped realising she was solo and turned to see her comrade starring into a classroom.

‘What is this?’ Jessica asked her voice half in bewildered question and rapt curiosity.

Rachel stole a look in the small window and smiled to herself at the memories. 

‘That Fashionista Specialist is first year yoga,’ Rachel answered looking at Jessica’s fascinated expression.  ‘Tell you what, why don’t you go on in introduce yourself and ask to join the class.’

‘I couldn’t, I’d interrupt the rhythm of the session, they might say no then I’d look the fool for later when we meet these girls, they might resent a none trainee in the class, they might..’

‘And they just might say yes, in fact that’s exactly what the teacher, Priya Navadee will say, I know she was mine and countless others teacher, seasoned agents still train with her, the wealth of knowledge that woman processes has barely been explored by most agents, of course you have to show the ability to be able to access and understand at that level.  Go on you’re a fully paid up member of FORCE why not enjoy the membership privileges?  Or perhaps it’s something else that’s stopping you?’ Rachel smiled.

‘It doesn’t take Sherlock Holmes to deduce that,’ Jessica said.

‘So you’ll be naked, the floors heated,’ Rachel mocked.  ‘No really so what your naked it case he hadn’t noticed so is everyone else in there, you get used to it very quickly, besides in aids in body motion among other things.  And finally,’ Rachel said putting up her hand to stop Jessica from saying something she knew was coming.  ‘You’ve got nothing to be ashamed of from the little I’ve seen of you.  Go on if nothing else it’s a great way to relax.’

Jessica was unsure, like so many other things that had happened to her recently, this was yet another unknown.  Her hand hesitated on the door before it suddenly flew open, thanks to Rachel and Jessica less than gracefully stumbled into the room her heels clacking noisily on the floor so that everyone stopped and turn to look at her.

‘I’m sorry, I..,’ she fumbled with her words thinking it would just be a good time to cut and run when a warm hand took hers and led her to the front. 

‘Nothing to be sorry about, my dear, we will just start again once you are ready.  No complaints ladies, most of you could use a do over or several, this woman is doing you all a favour.  I’m sorry my dear, your name?’

‘Jessica Collins, Yogini.  Namaste,’ she added and bowed.

‘Such respect, it shows a willing and open mind ready to learn, please dear take your clothes off and join us on the floor wherever you feel comfortable being.’

Jessica walked slowly over to the far wall eyeing the students as she went, all were young and pretty, with good bodies, something young people were blest with, they didn’t have to work too hard to stay firm at this age.  Then it suddenly dawn on her that she had nothing to be nervous about, her body was very good, as Claire had said, and with a little work, she remember her saying.  The Fashionista took off her clothes, folding and placing them just so.

‘After all,’ she thought. This may not be my bailiwick, but clothes and fashion are and I’ll be seeing all these ladies sometime later, impressions count.’

Jessica looked at the collection of young beautiful women and then chanced a quick look in the mirror before moving to an open space that a student had made for her, taking with her a note of pride that she did indeed not look out of place amongst the group. 

‘Follow along ladies, do the best you can, remember progress is doing just a little bit better than before and that will add up,’ Priya said her voice a lovely combination of Indian accented English.

Jessica found to her amazement that she could keep up with the class and the positions.  She had taken yoga before, in New York, but that was a many years ago and the closest she’d come to the discipline in recent years while was owning a pair of yoga pants.   All the classic positions came back to her as second nature and after an hour she was gleaming in moisture and thankful the class was coming to a close or so she assumed.

‘Now ladies watch the screen and follow along as best you can, I will be assisting you were necessary,’ Priya said as she switched on the large projector screen of her continuing the routine amidst small groans from the group of students.

‘Curiosity kills the cat,’ the young woman next to her said as she began.

‘I volunteered, press on,’ Jessica told herself; although just how far she could continue she was not sure.  This was not pampered executive big city che’ che’ yoga that she was used to, this was turning into a hard core workout and now the yoga began to change into a yoga she had never seen before. 

One by one around her women much younger than herself began to falter, they had to stop for a bit and rest, she did notice they never really quit altogether, but rather just worked on slow stretches and motions with their arms.  As a few more around her gave way she thought of stopping herself, her thoughts were certainly encouraging it telling her that since very young women all around her had quit before her there was certainly no shame in throwing in the towel or for that matter finding one and using it.  She refused to listen, pressed on and found herself immersing into the discipline, her mind and body instead of fighting against each other fused into one cohesive force that did things she was certain were impossible.  She became totally focused on the yoga, hearing her body, listening to her mind, the outside world became kind of a fuzzy background while her hearing pushed everything to a background din except her own self, breathing, heartbeat, muscle command.  She was very dimly aware of a touch to her, here and there, a straightening of her form or and adjustment to her posture, the tiniest pressure to her chest to fine-tune her breathing and then it ended and she startled to attention shadows passing by her as the session ended and the trainee agents left.  Jessica quickly, surprising even herself at how fast got to her feet and moved in the direction of a series of towels on a bench and then for her clothes and then a shower following the others, she needed one.

‘You are a natural, you put the others to shame and what are they 15 years or older than you and yet you were by far the most impressive for one who has not studied for a long time,’ Priya said as Jessica was just about to leave the classroom. ‘Come and sit my dear and talk.’

Jessica came over offered her respects again to the teacher and sat next to her one the floor when invited.

‘You show such respect, the others do not yet, but they will as they learn what this discipline means to them as an agent, but you know already, maybe not in words you can form to express the idea, but inside you is the answer, more exploration will bring it out,’ she said handing her a memory stick.  ‘Maybe this will help.’

‘What is it?’ Jessica asking taking the stick that was closed into her hand as Priya held it in hers.

‘Advanced learning, lesson by lesson, it takes you from right here to the end of your third year and perhaps further if you are clever enough.  Use it and also contact me anytime for advice or guidance,’ Priya explained.

I don’t know what to say, I mean I just came in because I was curious and now all this?’ Jessica said unsure of herself yet again.

‘Nothing happens by accident, you and I were meant to find each other, the legacy passes on, it came to me now, perhaps it moves to you,’ Priya said.

‘Whoa, hold on, legacy, I’m sure that’s a huge mistake, not me.  I’m sure you’ve had hundreds of much younger much more, well let’s use the word capable women than myself,’ Jessica said taking an alarmed step backwards.

‘Age has nothing to do with it, as you will find out if you pursue the path before you, as for capable, well you sell yourself short in every category that word could apply to.  Just indulge me a little and at least try it, you may find yourself on a journey that changes everything,’ Priya smiled as she patted Jessica’s hand with the memory stick in it.

‘I’m already on a journey like that,’ Jessica said.

‘Then this is just one more step on the path,’ Priya said and gave her a kiss on the cheek and a smile.

There was nothing else to say after that Jessica supposed nothing that would change Priya’s mind and Jessica was not so sure she wanted to.

‘Maybe I’m becoming more comfortable with the uncertain, maybe even embracing it,’ she thought as made her way back to her room.

*             *             *             *             *             *             *             *             *             *             

As luck or perhaps karma would have it, Madeleine was the first agent Rachel and Jessica had for the fashion review.  Gina and Alvice had been video conferenced it.  Alvice from her home in Paris newly fitted out with FORCE security measures and Gina from another location where she was reviewing first year trainees.

Madeleine appeared in her first outfit on the agenda, an evening gown, a creamy yellow strapless concoction.  Rachel felt her stomach fall away and disappear as Jessica spoke.

‘No, no, no!  Please tell this was not your choice,’ she said getting up and walking into the posing circle with the young spy trainee.

Rachel thought this was it, Madeleine, who had been pointed and obstinate in their first encounter was sure to go off.

‘I used it on my last training mission, it was picked for me by my trainer,’ she answered her tone more subdued than Rachel would have thought, Jessica didn’t even notice, she was too focused on the dress.

‘And was it a success, an attention grabber?’ Jessica asked looking her right in the eye and already knowing the answer.

‘No, it didn’t work, I mean it got looks but not from the one I wanted them from.’ Madeleine said her tone and attitude a complete reverse of her earlier one.

Jessica and Rachel were so on the same wave length at this point, the chemistry between them so profound, they had started to pick up each other’s nonverbal clues to join the conversation, Rachel jumped in as she came to the posing circle with her tablet.

‘Look at this,’ she said playing the video of Madeleine inside the circle.

Madeleine looked at the video and thought long and hard before she answered, because this was ego deflating to her.  She like most of the other young women here had been so used to having their looks and bodies open every door they want, get things they wanted, have the date they wanted and everything else you could think of given to them simply because they looked good and now she had to admit, that was not the case anymore. They were not big fish in small ponds anymore, they were big fish in a bigger pond with other big fish and some of those were sharks, hungry sharks would circled, looking for tasty prey, them and if some other prey looked more tasty, well they got left to themselves and they did not want that, at least not in this profession, they needed to the tasty.

‘I’m really just there, aren’t I?’ she said in a resigned voice.

‘Not for long, Rachel said.

Let’s break this down and Madeleine add anything you want to as we speak jump in,’ Jessica added as she looked into the mirror at her reflection.

‘Assets, long legs, back, long torso, great sweep to the neck, fantastic arms,’ Jessica and Rachel alternated but and forth.

‘Liabilities, small breasts,’ Madeleine added.

‘Ah, now we come to it, the insecurity, the doubt,’ Rachel said, the a-ha moment she suspected was coming, because she had been there with her training and had never gotten over it.

‘I bet I hear some girl say large breasts as a liability before my time here is up.  You have what you have and believe me, they are not too small, it’s how they were displayed in this gown.  You can be whatever you think is perfect, but you wear the wrong clothes and nothing your body has or does can compensate for it, this gown is living proof of that,’ Rachel said.

‘It’s the wrong colour for you, a black or even better a stunning teal or mid-summer green would really bring out that luxuriant hair of yours,’ Jessica said.

‘Strapless is wrong for your bust size, you don’t project enough in this loose material, if it were a sequinned or firm material where we could use the fabric itself to push you up a little, then I would consider it,’ Jessica added.

‘This cut, I don’t even know where to start, wow is it bad!  A woman like you with such a long torso needs this to be tight to the body to advertise you.  You want those elevator eyes, the full scan, dilated pupils following the contours of you,’ Rachel explained then Jessica picked up.

‘Down here, nothing is going on; it’s just formless fabric billowing about.  I need tighter to the hips, under pinned at the butt and of course what on earth are your legs doing hidden, their dynamite, I want them on display.  I may be new to this game, but Rachel has schooled me well on the distraction to error concept.  This dress, maybe I look, maybe I give it a passing glance, that’s it.  But, as I said we tighten this up and then give it a slit way up the leg you get radar lock and you keep the legs free if their use is required.’

‘The wonderful thing about software is we can do this,’ Rachel said and showed Madeleine a simulation using her but with a new dress imposed instead of the current one, or this number of this one, or perhaps a combination of changes.’

The trainee’s eyes widened.  ‘I would look amazing in any of those.’

‘Yes you would now let’s try one the other outfits and make some more magic,’ Jessica said.

True to form they changed just about everything except Madeleine’s choice of shoes, she seemed to have a real flair for shoes.  The final step and the real gem of the posing circle was its laser system.  Madeleine’s last wardrobe change was into nothing.  She stepped into the circle completely nude while the laser’s measured her from every angle and height; she posed in different positions to give the program the variance it needed to build in the motion of the agent and the stretch of the fabric, even down to her doing kicks and contortions of her body.  The end result would be a complete wardrobe for her, all the data along with colours and materials sent to Jessica’s clandestine factory for immediate creation.  While she was changing Jessica and Rachel talked to Gina and Alvice about what they could come up with for her. 

‘What a graceful woman, such sweeping and long flows to her neck, fantastic ears and great long fingers.  I think thin but very delicate would work so wonderful on her and of course colour, those green eyes and the auburn hair, c’est fantastic.  I have so many ideas in my head I’m glad and saved them in my notebook.  I don’t see how it can get better than this, merci bouquet Rachel.  I will start right away Alvice enthused.

‘It’s hard not to see her as the classic long nightgown type, see’s not a baby doll, maybe a chemise, but modified.  I need to think more on her, she could fit into several styles well.  I will get to work on the lingerie, definitely a push up, but discreet and very small bra and panties, a body to be reckoned with I’ll see it.’

When she changed back into the clothes she came Madeleine gave them both a kiss and a warm hug but said nothing, she didn’t need to.

‘That went really well!’ they both said.