This isn't too early in the morning. Every shop is open for business. I see a row of shops. Different shops with different atmospheres.
The right lane has a few large buildings. There are some multi storied buildings as well. I can read the signs. Some say mercantile houses and some are private shops.
So business merchants have an entire building dedicated for sales. I decided to go into the quieter one.
Aegis is with me arm in arm. She isn't letting go of my right arm and is squeezing it tight enough for it to show symptoms of blood deficiency.
My blood flow would have stopped if I hadn't reinforced my arm and increased my blood pressure. But I am not gonna tell her off. She is in a good mood. I think this is the happiest I have seen her so far.
"Aegis, how about we go in that shop?"
"Let's. It seems like they have some good things to sell." (Aegis)
The shop sign says Pablo's General Store. A general store? They are owned by merchants anyway.
Upon entering, I found one person. She is standing behind a desk. Looks like my dreams did have some information. This shop must be high class.
I take a look at their wares. It has almost everything. From clothes to weapons to even camping equipment. I see some fishing tools as well. Don't tell me! It hit me suddenly.
I tell Aegis to keep browsing while I will ask the receptionist a question.
"Pardon me but do you sell fishing boats?"
"Yes. This shop also deals with fishing boats up to a certain length. If you wish for a bigger one, we can arrange it for you." (Receptionist)
"I see. I don't have a need for a boat now. But that was informative. For now, I will stick with clothes."
She flashes a smile and I go back to where Aegis was. Aegis is looking through clothes.
"Master, how about this?" (Aegis)
She pulls a blouse over her. It has frills in the middle and it's buttoned. The blouse is kind of mature and is on the deeper side of shades. It's probably something like deep brown or something. My sense of fashion is rather lacking.
But she is pure white. The darker shade does accentuate her fair tone. Her getup until now was just normal white one piece. Aera also has the same clothes.
But looking at her with different clothes on, she looks like a completely new person.
"It looks nice on you. But again, you are perfect. Anything would just look good on you. Tell me Aegis, do you have a favorite color?"
"Master, you should practice complimenting. But I know that you aren't lying. If I have to choose a color, it would be this." (Aegis)
She pulls another dress of a different color. I forgot the name of this type of dress. It's bottle green in color. So she likes darker shade of green.
"Isn't that a good color? Do you want that dress?"
"No. I have always been wearing a one piece. It's a frock. There's almost no difference. This blouse comes with pants. I want to try wearing two pieces." (Aegis)
Most of her talking felt gibberish to me. I still listened to her. In the end, she decided to go with that blouse and white pants.
"Let's buy them then. It'll give me an idea of how much it actually costs."
The price isn't written. Which is confusing and misleading but if they already have a set clientele, then they don't need to. Business usually runs on set clientele. Not new ones. Startups do that.
We go to the receptionist and put those on the desk.
She wanted pack them but I told her that won't be necessary. I told Aegis to change into those clothes. She kindly showed Aegis the way to the changing room.
After making her way back to the desk, I take out my pouch from my singularity.
The receptionist is kind of shocked.
"Esteemed customer, are you able to use storage magic?" (Receptionist)
"It isn't something like storage magic. It's actually spatial magic. But you can call it that. So how much were those two?"
"It comes to a grand total of 46 silvers."
I look inside of my pouch. It only has gold coins. Aren't I rich? Man, I don't have a change. I put a gold coin on the tray. If I remember it right, 100 silvers is worth a gold.
I should receive a change of 54 silvers. But she put exactly 60 silvers on the tray.
"Isn't that more than my exact change?"
"This is your first time shopping with us. Think of it as a welcoming discount. I have a feeling that doing business with you would be most prosperous." (Receptionist)
"I see. Do you procure your wares yourself? I mean, the shop directly collects them, right?"
"Yes. We also manufacture a few of our wares. We have some talented craftsmen and artisans working for me." (Receptionist)
"Are you the owner of this shop?"
It hit me. She is firm and isn't budging. Her tone is aggressive. She is trying to make me into one of her patrons.
"Yes. I am Montana Pablo. It's a pleasure. I own this Pablo's General Store." (Montana)
"I am Clive Belmont. Currently I am a B rank adventurer."
"Oh, you are one of the high ranking adventurers. I see. I hope you will continue doing business with us." (Montana)
"Do you take orders for clothes?"
"Yes. If you want, we can make clothes specifically to your instructions. Our tailors and seamstresses are always happy to have new ideas." (Montana)
"I see. Then, I will be back tomorrow. With 8 of my companions. They are all women. But you do make male clothes, don't you?"
"We do. We can make casual clothes to even Royal Banquet worthy dresses. So it'll be for 9 people, right?" (Montana)
"Yes. And one is a child of 6. Do you make children's clothing?"
"Of course. If you wish, we can even make clothes for demons." (Montana)
"No need to go that far. Then looking forward to doing business with you."
I guess I can solve most of my shopping problems here. I don't like wandering the entire market for one thing. If I can get most of my necessities here then it'll be fine.
Aegis came back and she is looking stunning. With her black hair and brown eyes, the blouse is matching her. The white pants is making the brown color come out which in turn is making her look radiant.
I say goodbye to Ms. Montana and be on my way with Aegis. It's only begun but I feel like my energy is gone. Human interactions are always taxing. I just wanna be a loner.
I cried in my mind as I made my way to what looks like a fountain. This town is pretty good on the outside. But the cover doesn't convey the full message. I need to be sharp or I might regret it later.
Tried to write something of a date. Can’t say anything about it though. Wrote it in one go. Took me 25 minutes.