"Jean shorts?" Rianta-chira repeats as she holds the article in question. The quality of its make doesn't seem to really fit her pallet, but the scale otherwise does. This piece in particular would barely cross over both of her... Um, cheeks.

"Yes, that seems to be what they are called." I say, putting my hands through a rack of similar clothes. They all seem to hold the same trait of being trousers made of the same material. A bluish fabric that has been intentionally eroded in some places for a natural blend of white. Probably made of some kind of cotton-blend, I would guess. I can't say it's really for me.

Much as I am not into Rianta-chira's idea of clothing style, I am more than willing to agree with her choice of material. With how my last few months at sea and river have been, fine clothes are so nostalgically warm for me. It's a comfort I am amazed I was able to let go of. But, I guess it makes sense when I think about it properly. If all I have is nothing... How am I supposed to move away from it?

Well, at least now, that is not the case. I have people looking out for me and people to do things with. Lord Brewbrt and I went to the temple, and we carried on our conversations and I ran into Rianta-chira. Our host graced us with some funds and told us to enjoy the town. So, here we are.

I am glad Rianta-chira otherwise seems to be enjoying our trip through the many shops. Though, I am worried her intent desire for such fanciful clothes does not bring our host to financial ruin. He might joke about a 'petal's' tendencies. But, all jokes have their truth to them, somewhere.

"Einervaene, does your home have anything like this?" Rianta-chira asks, drawing me out of my head. Following her fingers as they part vests and sleeveless tops, I try to recall any similarities. I don't think so, no-

Rianta-chira's pace jumps.

"He-Hey!" I call out, almost having to chase her as she fiddles with something that has grabbed her attention. A pair of shorts made of a jean-like material with suspender straps coming out of them. Despite how loose the hips and width of the shorts are, they lack the means to be belted. As if it naturally implies the straps are to be the means to fasten?

I'm pretty sure I've seen similar clothes in Rianta-chira's supply. I guess why that is why it has caught her attention so well. The item is quite revealing in and of itself, with a natural, easy means to take it off. It's no wonder, really.

"Well?" Rianta-chira goes, making me blink.

"Huh?"

"My question. You've yet to answer," she clarifies and I blink again, caught off-guard. I... I thought she lost interest and didn't care because she went off!?

"R-Right, the question... No... N-No, it does not. Nothing like this here in this shop. Though, I would say there's a similarity it how easy it is to remove. While modest, a lot of the work goes into belts, strings and ropes. We're all like presents ready to be unwrapped!" I answer, trying to answer the question in an amusing way.

I stare at Rianta-chira as her brow rises, her bottom lip sinking to the pressure of a gentle nibble.

"Presents, hm?" she repeats, her tail slithering about where it shouldn't go. Doing my best to politely swat it away, she giggles at my behaviour and walks off with her usual confidence. A behaviour that only grows when a handful of hard-working men cross by during their own shopping trip. They leave her be with joke scenarios on their lips and I find Rianta-chira smirking.

"H-Heh, sometimes, when I was younger, it felt like the only thing I was a present for was the bathtub." I try to joke, but her head is still elsewhere.

"Sorry, human roots, but you're too inferior for something like me," Rianta-chira giggles as she focuses on a display of more revealing clothes. My words still seemingly lingering in her head. She picks up one such piece and presses it against her body. She drops it, a sneer of disgust on her face. Her sharp turn almost tears up the carpet.

Worriedly moaning, I try to tidy up the mess she left. Something catches my eye and I glance back at the petal lady. Leaving her be for the moment, I go over to inspect the item closer. Such a soft-looking item.

"Oh... Oh, wow. This is very soft." I remark, putting my hand through the pink, fluffy fabric. Like a well-groomed pet, one so pampered it probably never even played outside in the filth. What is really amazing to me, though, is how I haven't even taken off one of my gloves. It must really be something for the hands if I just pull one of them off!

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

"Is something meant to be worn with this?" Rianta-chira comes out of nowhere asking, spooking me. Flinching and banging my leg, I get myself together and face her. She ignores my reaction and gets to pretending she is wearing it.

Noting the way it has an accompanying, matching belt and crossover, a response clicks away in my head, "It does not appear to need anything else, no..."

I glance at a nearby shop sign to get some clarification. Apparently, it's a 'bed robe,' so, yeah, nothing is really needed with it. Bed doesn't really have a dress code beyond the individual's comfort. With how many nights I've been sharing a room with Nin, though... I prefer to have something on. It feels scandalous to have even a shoulder slip out overnight in the tossing and turning.

I mean, I always liked to wear something, even back in the near limitless privacy of my home. But, I can understand why someone might prefer to be naked in bed. In fact, I know of several who do that and one right now who is quite proud of that detail. Though, I must admit for the sake of my conscience, I've yet to experience unbearably warm weather, which forces lighter clothing.

A bad storm can often overcharge and heat the metalwork under the floorboards back home. Natural lightning is free, easy heating, but it lacks regulation. I don't think much can really be done to keep a god's creation in check, however. Thankfully, all I need to worry about here is the wind.

Nasty storms often gave rise to many problems. Those who can't afford to keep their homes spotless even get their houses called 'Charred Frames.' Blacked with soot by all the lightning and the power within the bolts. It's easy to be envious of the Jhermonikra when all they have to deal with is gales. Winds the mountains block the worst of. In that regard, I suppose our two lands are quite similar. It's just stormless to an absurd, comparative degree here.

"Ah, there you are!" a barely recognisable voice calls out. Looking away from the clothes, I see that it is that woman from earlier. The one asking about Nin-kischu.

"What do you want?" Rianta-chira snaps, her patience thin and her demand clear. I think I am best off not remarking about this hostility...

"To ask you something," the woman explains, a click on her tongue as her posture emphasises her armaments. Rianta-chira cares little and even taunts the human by striding a step closer. Her tail sways gently while a finger bends at the edge of her lips. She tries to provoke the human by slapping at her sword's guard.

The woman secures her weapon, gripping it tight.

"Well...? Spit it out in your horrid tongue, then!" Rianta-chira scoffs as she turns away, her tail yanking at an unprotected article. I shuffle back as her look of disgust passes by me on its way back around to the woman.

"If you were to knock on the door. Where your 'precious' love is. What would you say, assuming he wants privacy?" the woman asks, something clicking behind her back. I glance at Rianta-chira, her ears having twitched.

"What would I say?" she questions, her confusion much the same as mine. It's a very odd question. Has something happened to Nin-kischu?

"Yes." the woman goes.

"My love, it is me. Can I come in?" Rianta-chira answers, her tone off and shoulders rising as the awkwardness of the question registers. The woman smiles, taking off with a smirk.

"Th-That was odd." I struggle to say without whispering it. Rianta-chira lets out a noise of distaste. Her fingers gently direct my attention back to the clothes.

"Just be glad she is gone. That root is beneath us, most certainly you. Now, which one would you say is better?" Rianta-chira asks as she presents me with a bunch of fresh pieces of clothing from somewhere. Blinking at her blindsiding preparation, I shake my bafflement away.

"I... I quite like this one." I am slow to tell as my thoughts get back into order. She eases the clothes about, fluttering it in some magical wind with the smell of an undergrowth to it. I take another sniff. It's surprising to know that wind magic can have a scent.

She passes it on to me and encourages me to show off how I might look in its form. I must say, I am thankful for the opportunity. I love this about clothes shopping. I do not have to buy it to imagine how it might look on me. Clothes are so easy to imagine on what we are so intimately familiar with.

Finding a mirror, I sway in time with my reflection some more until I spot the tell-tale signs. Holding it out in front of me, I see the gaps that would show off one's stomach, toned or otherwise. The tips of their hipbones, shoulder blades as they roll and how it would stretch over the curve of one's bottom. My face flares up, red once again, and I shakily hand it back to her with an equally unstable smile.

"Y-Y-You want this?" I ask, happy to have this robe-like lingerie back in her hands.

"I'm not sure, really." Rianta-chira ponders as she joins me in the mirror's line of sight.

"W-hy?" I almost choke on as she fits into it without any regard to who might've just seen her. She puts her owned clothes into a neat pile.

"It is clearly similar to what I usually and am currently wearing. But, it is also something I'd expect from... Well, a stem," she says, her thoughts pondering away with or without me. I nervously smile at a member of staff as her eyes linger on the price tag still on Rianta-chira.

"If... If it's not to your taste, why go for it?" I ask, and she becomes elated with something.

"Oh! OH!" she goes, her head things glowing bright. She blushes as she realises I am not hearing any actual words from her. She strips. Again.

"Y-Yes...?" I meekly ask, shutting up in the face of her blooming idea.

"Go- GO! Go and take it to my love and see if he likes it!" she encourages, shoving me out of the door with a member of staff catching on. She forces her way on them and urges me even on from the door. Getting my head together, I rush off with a naked woman barring people from chasing after me.

Ask Nin-kischu if he likes it!?