New Clothes

As Ayaka skipped ahead, she stopped and then tugged at the long, brown coat Zaper had her to wear. It scratched against her bare skin underneath, rubbing her shoulders and thighs raw. She frowned, pulling at the rough fabric as they walked through Rumi City's busy streets.

"Zaper, this thing's awful!" she said, her voice loud enough to turn a few heads. "It's all rough and itchy. I'm naked under here, and it's making it worse!"

Zaper glanced at her, his face tightening. "Keep your voice down," he muttered. "People are staring."

"I don't care!" Ayaka said, stomping her foot. "It feels like I'm wearing a sack of thorns! Can't we get something better before we go adventuring?"

Zaper sighed, rubbing his temple. "Yeah, fine," he said. "You're right. That coat's not gonna work for long. Let's get you some real clothes."

Ayaka's eyes lit up. "Real clothes? Like what?"

"Something that fits," Zaper said. "Come on, I know a place."

He led her through the winding streets, past bakeries and blacksmiths, until they reached a small shop tucked between two taller buildings. The sign above the door read "Mira's Threads" in faded paint. The windows were dusty, but colorful fabrics peeked through the glass. Zaper pushed the door open, and a little bell jingled.

Inside, the shop smelled of wool and lavender. Shelves lined the walls, stacked with bolts of cloth, reds, blues, greens, and golds. Racks held shirts, trousers, and cloaks, some plain, some stitched with fancy patterns.

Behind the counter stood an old lady, her gray hair tied in a messy bun. Her face was wrinkled, but her brown eyes were sharp. She wore a patched apron over a simple dress. When she saw Zaper, she smirked.

"Well, well," she said, her voice raspy. "If it ain't Zaper. Back with another girl, huh?"

Zaper grinned and winked at her. "Good to see you too, Mira. You know me, always helping out a friend."

Mira snorted. "Friend, sure. Last time it was that redhead with the loud laugh. What's this one's story?"

"She's new in town," Zaper said, stepping aside to show Ayaka. "Needs some clothes. Can you help us out?"

Mira squinted at Ayaka, still hidden in the coat. "Looks like a walking sack. Alright, bring her to the back. No one'll bother you there."

"Thanks, Mira," Zaper said, nodding. He grabbed Ayaka's arm. "Come on, let's go."

"Where are we going?" Ayaka asked, following him past the counter.

"Back room," Zaper said. "You can try stuff on there."

The back room was small, with a wooden floor and a single lantern hanging from the ceiling. Piles of clothes sat on tables—shirts, skirts, trousers, all folded messy. A cracked mirror leaned against one wall. Zaper shut the door behind them and turned to Ayaka.

"Okay," he said. "Take off that coat. Let's find you something better."

Ayaka didn't hesitate. She yanked the coat off, letting it drop to the floor. Her naked body stood bare in the dim light, big breasts, curvy hips, smooth skin. Zaper's breath caught, but he forced himself to focus. "Right," he said, clearing his throat. "Try some of these."

Ayaka grinned and grabbed a pile of clothes. First, she picked up a modest dress, long, gray, with high sleeves and a collar that buttoned to her neck. She slipped it on, spinning in front of the mirror. "How's this?" she asked.

Zaper shook his head. "Too plain. You look like a nun. Next."

She tossed it off and grabbed something else, a tiny, revealing outfit. It was a short top made of thin red fabric, barely covering her chest, leaving her stomach and arms bare. The skirt was even shorter, just a strip of cloth that showed off her thighs and hips. She twirled again. "What about this one?"

Zaper's eyes widened. "Uh… that's too much. Way too much. You'd make everyone nosebleed in that. Try something else."

Ayaka laughed. "I like it! It's breezy!" But she dropped it anyway and kept digging.

Zaper rummaged through the piles and pulled out some undergarments. He handed her a pair of linen drawers, soft and white, tied with a thin cord at the waist. "Put these on," he said. "They're underwear. Keeps you covered down there."

Ayaka took them, holding them up. "Ooh, soft! What's this string for?"

"To tie it," Zaper said. "Just pull it on."

She slipped into the drawers, tying the cord with a sloppy bow. "Feels nice!" she said, wiggling her hips.

"Good," Zaper said. He grabbed a bra next, a padded band of green cloth with leather straps that hooked in the back. "This goes over your chest. Holds everything in place."

Ayaka frowned at it. "Looks complicated. How do I wear it?"

"Like this," Zaper said, stepping closer. "Arms up." She raised her arms, and he slid the band around her, hooking it behind her back. It hugged her breasts, lifting them slightly. "There. How's that?"

"Snug!" Ayaka said, poking at it. "But I like it. Makes me feel strong."

Zaper nodded. "Good. Now for the rest." He handed her a pair of fitted trousers, dark brown, made of tough fabric with stitching along the sides. "These go on your legs."

Ayaka pulled them on, tugging them over her hips. "They're tight!" she said. "But I can move easy. Look!" She kicked her leg high, nearly hitting Zaper.

"Watch it!" he said, dodging. "Yeah, they're perfect. Next, this."

He gave her a shirt, a tunic, light blue, with short sleeves and a low neckline that showed a hint of her chest. It flowed down to her thighs, loose but flattering.

Ayaka slipped it on and spun. "Pretty!" she said. "It's soft and cool. I want this one!"

"Almost done," Zaper said. He picked up a corset, black, with thin boning and laces up the front. "This goes over the shirt. Makes you look tougher."

Ayaka took it, fumbling with the laces. "How's it work?"

"Pull it tight," Zaper said. "Here, let me." He stepped in, tugging the laces until the corset cinched her waist, showing off her curves. "There. Badass, right?"

"Badass!" Ayaka repeated, grinning. "I feel like a warrior!"

"One last thing," Zaper said. He grabbed a cloak, thin, gray, with a deep hood. It was light but long enough to hide her figure and breasts when she pulled it closed. "This keeps you low-key. Hood up, and no one'll see your face."

Ayaka draped it over her shoulders, flipping the hood up. "Ooh, yeah, I'm hiding I'm girl!" she said, peering out. "I like it. Can I keep all this?"

"Yeah," Zaper said. "It's yours. Let's pay and go."

They walked back to the front. Mira looked up from the counter. "Find what you need?" she asked.

"Yep," Zaper said, tossing her a few coins from his pouch. "Thanks, Mira. You're the best."

"Always am," Mira said, pocketing the silver.

Ayaka adjusted her hood. "These clothes are so much better!" she said. "No more itchy coat. I'm ready to fight wolves now!"

"Good," Zaper said, heading for the door. "Let's get moving. That quest won't finish itself."

Ayaka nodded, falling in step beside him. "Zaper, do wolves have soft fur? Maybe I can make a hat!"

"No eating, no hats," Zaper said, holding the door open. "Just pelts. Got it?"

"Fine," Ayaka said, stepping outside. "But I'm still gonna eat one."

Zaper groaned.

Together, they walked into the street.