Raven nodded. "Well, there's no shortage of stores, so take your pick." This time, she'd let the girls lead. Next time, she'd take them shopping at her favorite places.

Preferably on Charles again.

Paige hesitated, then nodded and headed to a store she knew would have nice suit pieces in her size. Interview wear first, then casual stuff.

Crystal followed her and started to look around as well, picking out one nice interview suit. Just in case.

Once their suits were picked out, Paige went to peruse real clothes. She did need at least two pairs of jeans and a couple sweaters, if not a few tees as well. But the tees could likely wait.

Crystal was just as careful about getting clothes, trying to pick out things that weren't too expensive but would last a while. Raven helped them both, finding good sales for them and trying to nudge them into getting a few more things than just the bare bone essentials.

Once Paige had found what she needed (though she did pretty much stick with bare essentials), she reluctantly handed it all to Raven to pay for. Raven was the one with a copy of Charles's credit card, after all.

Raven took the clothes and grinned. "Why don't you two find somewhere that sounds good for lunch? I'll come find you after I've paid."

"You sure?" Paige asked. "We can wait, it's no big deal."

"It's getting close to lunch time, and after lunch I want to see about picking out a few things for the newest little one." Raven grinned. "It's not a problem, this will only take a minute."

Plus then she could sneak in a few extra things she'd picked up and the girls wouldn't be able to protest.

"Alright, if you're sure," Paige said. She touched Crystal's arm and tilted her head a bit.

Crystal nodded and let her lead the way, staying quiet until they were out in the mall searching for places to eat.

"So, what do you think?" she asked quietly.

"About what?" Paige asked. "Charles? Or the state of our apartment-hunt?"

"Both," Crystal said. "And possibly staying for a bit. I mean, things aren't going well, and we can only afford so much. Maybe we can stay for a month or two, save up some extra money and give us a bit of time to get second jobs so we can afford a better place. It's not a bad idea. I don't think."

"Not a bad idea at all," Paige mused. "I'm okay with it if you are."

"I think I should be okay," Crystal agreed. "As long as people don't pester me. Like Stark." Because he was still an annoying jerk and she still wanted to throw stuff at him. Preferably explodey stuff.

"I kind of think he's just like that," Paige said. "He was pestering me about my x-gene the other day, and he pouted when I wouldn't show him."

"Yeah well he's a dick." Crystal pouted a bit but brightened when she saw a place that sold chai. Because while she loved English Breakfast tea, chai was by far her favorite.

Paige had seen the tea place too, and immediately detoured over.

"Come on," she said. "We can get this and then find somewhere for lunch."

Crystal nodded and grabbed some cash from her wallet, heading over to the tea place.

It didn't take her long at all to be happily sucking on an iced chai, a little bit of the loose leaf tea bagged up and safely in her purse now.

Paige was equally as happy with her iced oolong, a packet of jasmine safely tucked into her own purse.

"Now what do we want for actual food?" she asked.

"I'm feeling a burger or something. Sound good?" Crystal looked over at Paige and nearly jumped out of her skin when Raven replied from behind her.

"Sounds great, actually, and I know just the place."

Paige jumped as well, one hand automatically reaching for the brick wall.

"Jesus, Raven," she gasped. "Don't do that."

Raven grinned. "Sorry. Couldn't help myself." She looked at the two. "Well? Come on, I'm hungry."

"You evil, evil shapeshifter," Paige said, though she was grinning a bit. "Yeah, come on, burgers sound good."

"Excellent." Raven led the way to a place and got a table for the three of them, settling in. "Best burgers I've tasted on this coast," she said. "They're all good, and I've had all of them at some point."