It was midday and the sun was shining bright from above. Being winter when the sun didn't last long at all and it was rare for it break through the clouds, the streets were quite a bit more crowded than usual. The sun breathed an energy into the city as the heat seeped into the stone and skin of the people. For Chloe however even as bright as it was, the overall temperature was terribly cold compared to the mild climates she was used to. With only a thin dress, she was wrapped in Mask's blanket and cuddled into his arms. At first she had refused and said she would walk, but without proper clothing the chill air proved too much.
It was the first time in a long while since Chloe had been to the streets of a city. The variety of people mainly had pale white skin similar to the inn keeper lady. Then there was the rare non-human who Chloe couldn't help but gape at. Some covered with fur and strange ears resembling beasts, some short and stocky, others lithe with fine pointed ears. All of them seemingly fine with the presence of the other.
"Toren is a free city so having a mingling of races isn't strange. Being so far north you won't see too many." Mask spoke as he noticed her staring. "The Central region is mostly human after all, but from how excited you seem, you must have not got out much."
"I've seen pictures but seeing them in person is so different!" Chloe squealed.
"Hmm, I have to say I am surprised. Most nobles from the Central region and Empire have a disapproval of non-humans."
"Ah," Chloe stuttered. "Well, I-. One of our maids was non-human s-so I got along with her."
"Is that so," Mask replied simply. "Then at least I can expect that you'll be easy to travel with in that regard." He stopped in front of a large store in the finer part of the market area. "We're here."
The store front had wide windows displaying sets of clothing on mannequins. The clothes however weren't those for fine dining or nobility but those that showed off quality adventuring clothes. Chloe couldn't help but feel excited as they entered. The left section was filled with pre-made clothes assorted by size while the right side held dozens of different cloths waiting to be cut.
A thin man with pale skin and sharp animal eyes immediately approached them, "Greetings dear customer."
"Hello there," Mask returned the greeting. Though Chloe couldn't see through his mask she could feel an inkling of the expression that he was showing and assumed he was smiling. "I'd like to order some clothes for my niece."
"Oh my, what a cute niece you have," the man smiled to Chloe sweetly. "What clothes are you looking for?"
"A wardrobe really. On our way here my niece's bags had an accident and her clothes were ruined. Everything will need to be replaced."
"Oh no!" the man was genuinely shocked and concerned. "Winter is terribly cold here. Are you looking for premade or tailored?"
"I'll take a premade set for today and tailor some sets as well."
"And the quality of fabric?"
"Your finest but nothing that will stand out."
Chloe had to butt in, "W-wait! You can't. I'll be fine with just a single set of anything."
Mask looked at her with a perfectly acted sweetness, "Chloe it's alright. I know I can't replace what you lost but I have enough savings to make sure you'll be warm for the winter. I wouldn't be able to face your dad if I didn't do that much."
"My oh my," the shop keeper sniffed and wiped his eye. "You are truly a dear Uncle. Our prices aren't cheap due to our lacking supplies but I'll see what we can do."
"Thank you, it means a lot to us both," Mask let Chloe down. "Go on and pick out what you like and let the kind man take your measurements."
Again Chloe was flabbergasted by Masks ability to create and act out a story on the fly. Thankfully her blankness came out as concern for her Uncle and she was quickly able to follow along with the supposed circumstances. Chloe's honest heart couldn't help but thump in excitement seeing all the different sets of clothing that she could choose from. Though many of them were adult size, they could be tailored to her.
"Is something wrong?" Masked asked as Chloe hesitated.
"Umm actually it's the first time I've ever chosen anything for myself," she pressed in her cheeks. "I'm not sure where to start."
The shop keeper smiled with an odd sympathy, "Then let's start with your outer wear. We have cloaks and coats, jackets and jumpers. Then you can see our dress selection, or if you prefer, we also have pants."
Chloe looked to Mask one more time for approval. He simply nodded.
The next hour was spent with Chloe trying on different sets of clothes. She couldn't help but have fun despite the situation she had found herself in. These clothes weren't like the fine dresses of the Central Empire which could tear if you curtsied the wrong way. They were tough and rugged for adventurers who trudged into the unknown. Just feeling the cloth against her skin made Chloe feel like a new person. She could jump and run all she wanted, roll on the ground and climb trees without having to worry at all.
It slowly came to an end with Chloe choosing a premade set she would wear while the shop keeper worked on the rest of the order. The dress she wore was a dull red with long sleeves. The material wasn't all too thick but incredibly hardy and resisted the cold to an amazing degree. Add on a weatherproof cloak to match accompanied by thermal regulating black stockings and sturdy shoes, Chloe felt like a new girl.
"So that's three jackets, two cloaks, seven sets of dresses along with stockings. The needed undergarments and socks. Two pairs of shoes, three travelling gloves and hair ties." The shop keeper rubbed his chin, "I can bring it down to 2450g."
Chloe almost chocked on the water she was drinking nearby. The price was ridiculous. Sure she had worn more expensive dresses, but those were due to prices inflated for nobles. A good set of clothing shouldn't even exceed 50g. She went to stop Mask but the man had already taken the coins from his pocket. Two gold, four silver and one bronze.
"Thank you for your patronage," the shop keeper bowed.
"And thank you for your service. Not many people could deal with a job as sudden as this."
The shop keeper laughed, "It's the start of winter and I run a business catered to adventurers. I was wondering what I might have to do to afford the bills but I should be fine now. I'll make sure to show you my best work."
"We appreciate it," Mask gestured to Chloe. "Say thank you."
"T-thank you," Chloe had trouble speaking, still reeling from the cost of it all.
The shop keeper gently patted her head, "My you truly are a blessed darling." He turned to Mask, "Young children can grow quite suddenly. I'll make sure to make it so any decent tailor can make adjustments to the size. That way it should last a year or two."
"Thank you again. We'll be back in two days then," Mask smiled to him and guided Chloe to the door.
As the pair left the store welcomed by the midday sun, Chloe turned to Mask concerned, "Is it really alright for you to spend so much on me?"
"Well I will be rewarded in the end won't I?" he looked down at her gently.
"O-of course!" she replied strongly only to turn meek. "But..., I only needed one or two sets didn't I? I got carried away choosing, sorry."
A laugh broke from beneath the mask, "You made it easier for me. I honestly didn't know where to start either. I've never been one for fashion. As for the price, yes it was much more expensive than if we had bought the same clothes further south but you can't always have that luxury."
"But you paid for so much...."
"Never underestimate comfort," Mask crouched down to match her height. "Always have fresh spare clothes, especially socks. After a long day of travelling the last thing you want is to sleep covered in dirt. They may seem like small things, but they can quickly pile up and when the difference between life and death is how irritated you feel, clean clothes can make just that difference. Understand?"
"Y-yes," Chloe nodded. "But still, I'll make sure to pay you back!"
Mask laughed again, "Yes of course. Now before we stop for lunch there is another place we need to visit."
"The adventurer's guild?" Chloe guessed full of excitement. Adventurers, the valiant and free. Recognised all over the world, they were the spearhead to the unknown and the forgotten. From odd jobs to saving the world, the organisation that guided them couldn't be underestimated. Though she had heard tales of them from the rumours between the maids and the few stories she could find, they were mostly an existence she could never approach.
"No, not yet," Mask replied apologetically as Chloe's excitement turned to embarrassment. "Tell me Chloe, how much do you know about Titles?"
She paused to think as they began to walk again, "They are given by the One God and they're the truth. They represent a person's achievements and soul."
"Yes, and who governs them?"
"The Church?"
"That's correct," Mask nodded. "Our contract stated you would help me as I help you. To do that, we need to see just how far your eyes can take you. What better place to start than where Titles are read."
"Can I really help you though?" Chloe asked meekly. "I'm small and I can't move well. Won't I just be burden?"
He smirked in reply, "I think you could be the best little helper I've ever had."