Emergency Clothes

-----Yui's POV

After my discussion with Kaede last night, she also brought up at the last minute that we'd be going clothes shopping for Mai early in the morning. It was quite shocking to learn that Kaede wouldn't be coming with us to fight against the monsters, but that was the whole reason for Mai being with us. I get what Lillian and Sicily was saying, but still, I'd feel more comfortable with Kaede by my side.

It was now morning as the sun was breaking into our window. The both of us were getting changed to head out, with me opting to wear the same noble attire I wore coming here, and Kaede wearing that same black dress with her dagger strapped around her thigh.

Kaede: "Okay, you ready?"

Yui: "Mmm!"

I quickly tie up my hair in a ponytail before we both walk out the room. There, Olivia was standing outside her door, waiting for us as she gives a small wave to us.

Olivia: "Morning~"

Yui/Kaede: "Good morning."

Olivia: "So you two ready? Lets-"

Kaede: "Ah, wait. We need to do some shopping for Mai first if that's okay."

Olivia: "Oh- Sure! Did you want me to come?"

Kaede: "If you like. It'll save us the trip coming back here."

Olivia: "Then I'll come!"

Kaede: "Let me just wake up the others. Gimme a minute."

She turns to go knock on their door as I make my way to Olivia's side.

Olivia: "So~ Why is it that Mai needs clothes?"

Yui: "She doesn't have any. Oh and I learnt at the last minute, but Kaede will be staying back, letting Mai take her place to watch over us."

Olivia: "Is that-"

We were stopped short from our conversation as the door to Sicily, Lillian and Mell's room flung open, with Mell leaping into Kaede's arms mere moments later.

Kaede: "Morning Mell. You ready to go shopping?"

Mell: "Yes!"

Sicily: "We're ready as well."

Sicily and Lillian both walked out into the hallway with the both of them wearing a hood over their heads. It would be fine with me, but I'm sure they wouldn't like to risk accidentally exposing their ears to the public.

We made our way downstairs as we wave goodbye to Faye who was working behind the desk, and Fleur who had just appeared out from the back.

Kaede: "We're off~"

Faye: "Take care!"

Fleur: "We'll be here when you return. Good luck!"

With our parting words, we make our way outside as I spot many of the same adventurers that came here with us, rushing to the west.

Yui: "Things are looking serious huh."

Kaede: "We'll be quick. Mell, be sure to stick with me okay?"

Mell: "Mhmm!"

She clung to Kaede's arm just like a mother helping her kid cross the street as we make our way east; the opposite direction of where the other adventurers are headed.

We walk inside of what appears to be a clothing store, but there also appears to be armor being sold as well. I guess with Azalea being on the outer parts of Inasdale, I guess armor would be just as important if not more important than clothing. I follow Kaede to the counter as we're greeted by a middle aged man.

Clerk: "What brings you two here today?"

Kaede: "I'm looking for something loose to wear. Nothing that's too tight fitting. Oh and is there a changing room around?"

Clerk: "Yes, there are a few changing rooms just at the back there. As for loose fitting, were you looking for clothes or armor?"

She pauses for a moment, but It didn't look like she was debating anything, more likely she was communicating with Mai. After a few moments, she looks back at the clerk.

Kaede: "Either will do, just as long as it's loose."

Clerk: "Well then your best bet would not be armor. I don't think we have any dresses here, but if it's loose that you want, then you could just buy something a few sizes up that you'd normally wear."

Kaede: "We'll look around then, thank you."

Once again, Kaede pauses before answering as we start looking around the store. The others, besides Mell, were looking around by themselves as we head over to what looked to be where the majority of the clothes were.

Yui: "So? What does Mai think?"

Kaede: "She doesn't care. She just wants something loose, she doesn't care about the weight or anything else."

Yui: "So just loose then..."

I began to look around the many shelves and racks of clothes, trying to look for anything that seemed big. Mai is quite tall, maybe the same size as Fleur, so she'd probably want something like~ this? I spot a light-grey long sleeve, button down shirt that has some vine type design coming from the hem of it. If it's loose then something that you can undo would be best, much like how I have my button up shirt for when Kaede needs to drink my blood. I grab the shirt to show to Kaede.

Yui: "What about this?"

Kaede: "Mai?"

I undo some of the buttons in an attempt to showcase the shirt more, as I think Mai might not have understood otherwise.

Kaede: "Yup, she said she'll try it out. She also wants to try out this skirt as well."

She held up a navy-blue skirt that if I would wear it, it would reach just below my knees. Mai is about a head and a half taller than me so I don't think the skirt would be too much of an issue for her. I do agree though that a skirt is the ideal choice if it's looseness she wants. But then that's leave a whole new issue... Underwear.

Yui: "Uhm... Won't she need some underwear as well?"

Kaede: "Oh, don't worry about that. I went shopping for some when I was in Maemont. I have some spare's for her."

Well that saves us the extra trouble from that. I guess Kaede and Mai both have a similar body type so bras won't be an issue I think. Might be due to Mai being bound to Kaede, but I suppose I can ask her next time.

We make our way to the changing area as Olivia and Sicily made their way behind us.

Yui: "Oh? You two found something?"

Olivia: "Yes. I just want to try on this leather chest piece."

Sicily: "And I~ want to try on these boots."

Kaede: "I don't think you really need a changing room for boots, fufu~"

Sicily: "Hey, I just wanted an excuse to come join in on the fun. Plus I like these."

She held up dark brown leather boots that looked like it'd reach half way up to your knee.

Kaede: "Hey, could you watch Mell for a bit?"

Yui: "Of course."

Kaede: "Okay, Mell. Can you wait out here with Yui for a bit? I'm just gonna help Mai change, I'll be out soon."

Mell: "Mmkay~"

She begrudgingly lets go of Kaede as I then give her the shirt I picked before she, Olivia and Sicily make their way into their own changing areas. I hold onto Mell's hand as we wait patiently for them to come out. We wouldn't have to wait long as Sicily came out just as fast as she went in.

Sicily: "Tada~ How do I look?"

Yui: "They look good on you."

Sicily: "They do? Okay, I'll get a pair for sis then~"

She scrambles off to join back up with her sis as I hear them chatting with each other in the distance. Not too long after, Olivia comes out wearing the leather chest piece over her clothes. It was then that I realized she hadn't done it up properly.

Yui: "Ah- Hold on."

I stand back up to help properly fasten it so that it fits snuggly around her. In my opinion, the size was perfect, but then again chest pieces like these are kind of like a "one size fits all" type of deal.

Yui: "Mmm. It looks good."

Olivia: "Thank you my la- Yui. I got a little nervous going to sleep so I wanted some extra protection for the upcoming fight."

Yui: "Good idea."

Olivia: "You don't plan on buying anything?"

Yui: "Hmm? Nah. I don't like the extra weight on me. It slows me down."

Olivia: "You're so br-"

Mai: "Too tight!"

It was then that our conversation was interrupted at the sound of Mai's complaints coming from the changing area next to us.

Kaede: "Deal with it! It's bad enough as it is."

Suddenly, both Kaede and Mell come out from the changing area. From what I heard just now, I was expecting buttons to fly off or something, but Mai looked surprisingly normal, albeit her cleavage is barely covered with those few buttons undone. If one more button were to be undone, it'd spell disaster. That being said, it was a spectacle to witness. Mai was beautiful already, but with this outfit, her sex appeal had skyrocketed. It might cause even more problems down the road, but at the very least, this can work.

Kaede: "May I present to you, Mai."

Mai: "I guess this will do. Far better than those other clothes you forced on me."

Kaede: "Good, then stop complaining."

Mai: "Fine~ But does this mean I don't need to go back inside you?"

Kaede: "For now, yes."

Mai: "This can work then!"

With the main problem dealt with, we joined back up with Sicily and Lillian who were both wearing the same similar boots.

Kaede: "You guys have the money to pay for those?"

Sicily: "Mhmm! We just finished paying for them."

Yui: "I'll pay for yours Olivia."

Olivia: "Eh? No no, I can pay for it-"

Clerk: "That leather chest piece will be 5 gold."

Olivia: "..."

Yui: "Can't afford it?"

She shakes her head in defeat as I approach the clerk behind the desk, taking out the gold needed to pay for it.

Clerk: "Thank you very much."

Kaede: "What about these clothes my friend here is wearing?"

Clerk: "Hmm? I didn't see her come into the store. Ah but those 2 pieces of clothes will add up to 26 silver."

She checks her bag, but after a few moments, the look on her face was the same as Olivia's. Quickly making up my mind, I slam down another gold piece on the desk.

Clerk: "Oh no no, a gold piece for those is too-"

Yui: "It's okay, I insist. Thank you for the help."

Clerk: "Oh uhm. Thank you for your patronage ma'am."

With everything settled, we walk back out of the store as we head west where everyone else is seeming to be meeting up.

Mell: "But Kaede~ You said you were gonna take me shopping as well."

Kaede: "Sorry. I didn't see anything that would fit you. We can have a look around other stores after I get some more money, okay?"

Mell: "Okay~"

Seeing Kaede like this with Mell only makes my smile grow as I hold her hand, with Mell holding onto the other. It's almost like we're a family.