Chapter 119

Wagner came back with Celeste aside from him, wearing no shirt or trying some trousers any longer. She was still barefoot, which couldn't be helped.

She wore rather nice clothes, pointing to some custom foreign and strange attire that was pretty and soft from looks alone. It looked like a robe but was closer to a cloak, secured by a thick belt around the hips and belly. It was a Japanese-style attire with high-quality fabric, dress-like style, and plenty of freedom. Called the kimono, it was a rather varied foreign cloth style for the West, but Wagner had it.

And lost it.

Wagner figured this the hard way. It seemed Celeste had her silent preferences and wanted something free and comforting like Dreadus's cloak and Hound. Thus, this was the best option available. One of the most expensive unique works that came from Japan left his private collection. Wagner shed a tear but was secretly glad that this menace for a girl liked it. She was nodding, feeling the soft fabric of the sleeves all over her head, and smiling in the best way she could.

Of course, Wagner didn't know her preferences and gave her dozens of choices before this one. Frankly, it looked more than fine on her. Her black hair went well with a softer colorful battle-kimono, a courtesy coming from Japan's finest craftsmen. It had some petals on it, followed by simple patterns of white and grey, with golden flowers in the bottom.

William was almost impressed as he watched her walk and smile.

Celeste was excited but didn't even show it that much.

Wagner shed a silent tear for another reason; this thing alone cost him thousands of credits and a lot of effort to get that eclipsed some silly credits.

“Young man, is what you have up to your satisfaction?” Wagner said and sounded as if he didn't want to hear anything else from him.

“Fabric shirt and trousers are enough for me. Nothing like hers. I don't like this... big style, but it sure hides the body. Well, this must be comfortable in this weather, unlike the jeans that everyone seems to wear.”

“Jeans aren't that bad. Though tropical, jeans vary in style and warmth depending on their cut and materials. Their durability is excellent. Some could be thin, tight, and comforting. Others might be thick, protective, and warm. Young man, you should have no worries about tough winters, but the night could be colder with winds. There are also occasional storms. I will take into consideration your credits and will deal with everything.” Wagner no longer cared about Celeste who was very satisfied and had nothing else in mind.

She forgot about shoes in an instant and ignored sniffing Hound aside from her, who seemed enthralled in her new attire.

Her kimono had loose long sleeves, and its layers went around her neck, leaving just a touch of her neck visible. Making some kind of dress that went a bit below her knees, William genuinely believed it suited her. The fabric was flexible and her legs could kick anything, as she tried to do in a few moments. She kept playing with it, feeling the fabric and layers of this gift.

William looked at Wagner next and his surprising hospitality. Perhaps it was fitting because of his old age, or was everyone in the Federation this generous? Nah. There was no way that was true. It seemed rare in his world Outside, where death wasn't common. Living until old age wasn't often a luxury. It was a terrible reality and everyone who managed to do so was worth talking to, or worth a lot of respect.

Wagner was definitely approaching that age or was already behind that age. Well, he was part of this place for a long time and seemed to be in his sixties, so his age had a different appeal.

It didn't bother William too much; he would gladly take his hospitality and get some shoes tomorrow. He had enough credits anyway, even if they weren't his.

There had been rare seniors in camps. They were generally the toughest and most unique people one could meet there. It was simple. Since they survived, telling tales and knowledge of previous generations was within them. Outside, this matter was precious. Here? Not so much.

William already figured out the way of the library and it wasn't all about old people. Before the Dawn, knowledge was essentially free. The world was much bigger, so it made sense. Such seniors usually knew the best stories and adventures, or they were broken. For the most part, there was nothing in between.

William waited a couple more minutes before Wagner got him a paper bag with his new set of clothes. The ones around the shop were right to grab and buy as well, but William had his preference and he didn't want to waste too much time, so Wagner grabbed some in stock, even if he hadn't planned for it. Celeste was so intense that he forgot about Williams' matters altogether.

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Wagner didn't even ask about his size or anything. It was his unique skill to see through people and what they needed. Strolling around the alleys of clothes, Wagner emerged behind a counter. Trousers and a long-sleeved shirt, all in beige colors and black stitching, looked delightful and made of quality soft cotton.

“This is the best set worth eleven credits,” Wagner said, tossing him the bag.

William grabbed them from the bag and thought he would give him a cheaper option. Still, the moment he got them, he hesitated. Then he was speechless. Not only were they smooth and soft, but an unnatural soothing feeling went to his fingers.

Unwittingly, Celeste followed suit and copied him, almost snatching his clothes from him after feeling them up. However, upon closer inspection, she felt these didn't feel as comforting as her new clothes. She nodded in self-appreciation and her clever judgment.

William let her touch it as much as she wanted since it seemed she had her own nasty stories.

For him, these clothes were above his asking standard, and a bit better than those around the shop. Once more, Wagner used his generosity and figured this wouldn't be a bad investment. William sounded a little naive but he knew what he wanted, and he was already half-plaged to buy some shoes. Doing so was clever, and Wagner wanted long-term customers.

Or was it something else? The previous price of ten credits was different than the eleven, while the quality was also different.

Better, he meant.

Was it fine to call it a scam? A reverse scam?!

Going with more or less, William understood how silly this sounded. He wasn't scamming anyone if this was about generosity and quality.

“How about ten? I haven't eaten since the morning and I don't have more credits with me.” William stated, unknowingly saying one hell of a mistake.

Wagner hesitated and saw Celeste's fingers and glinting light coming from her long sleeve. As for the rest or reason for his complicated face, her Emblem wasn't it. He had seen her. Celeste had many little and old scars and who knew what else. William's hands were rough because of work, yet not filled with scars or old wounds.

“Young man is in luck. I will sell this for ten credits. It is a popular set among young people. It can be for work, sport, or anything, really. Take care of it, and it will last you years.”

“Great! Thank you very much, sir.” William cheered in a good mood and snatched it from Celeste's hands. She began to touch her clothes in confirmation that hers were better.

Nodding to herself, she felt victorious and showed it off to Hound who sat aside from her, nodding as well. It was impressed, howling in agreement.

William wasn't sure how to think of them.

Fortunately, it didn't last long because Reaz came back, holding a pile of her gifts, and wearing new clothes. “Oh lord, this is nice. What the hell, Wagner? This shit is priceless and set from Japan.” She said out loud and sized Celeste in her new clothes. “Maybe I will take one such gift myself.”

“No, you won't! This is from my personal collection! You would rip and waste it in no time! ” Wagner snapped at her, but he already saw her pile and shed an inner tear.

“I am not heartless. I will pay for my stuff.”

“Like the young lady over there? She has nothing. I can tell that, but this isn't about that and we know that. She is poor. Poor child.”

“Dreadus is nothing? Well, that's not my point. He can be generous when needed and this seems excessive. Like here... with this girl. What about the shoes? I said to her to grab a pair first because she shouldn't walk around with nothing.”

Celeste glared at her, finding nothing wrong with going around barefoot. If she did so in the literal Holy Land, what was some silly human fortress?

“I will look for a fine pair tomorrow,” Wagner said. “She had her preferences and she already destroyed a bunch of them. I am not a master shoemaker, and this kimono needs a good pair for it to matter.”

“Destroyed? Hm. Fine. Sounds like not my problem.” Reaz raised a brow and didn't care about the rest. She gestured for Celeste to follow her back to where Dreadus and the siblings waited.

Then, they left without wasting much time because they had a lot of work ahead. Like sleeping, resting, and giving Celeste a new home and understanding.

William and Wagner remained.

“If the young man has no issue, instead of throwing away your old clothes, I do the recycling for the people Outside. Is it fine if you give them to me for free? They are no longer useful for much, you see.”

“Outside? You are one of those people who sent stuff out?”

“Does the young man know? Charity is important since the people Outside have a much harder life than here. Am I wrong? You aren't like me, I know. It changed a lot. Outside, I mean. Younger and... different. I can tell you've experienced some stuff Outside. Hm. Hm.” Nodding, Wagner reassured his truth and observed this youth.

“I can vouch that you aren't wrong. Still, I appreciate your services. It is helping a ton of people in need and some who have nothing.” William gave him a slight bow.

“I am thrilled to hear that. There is a changing room around the corner. You can leave your clothes there and go out of here as a new young man.”

These old clothes that he had for years weren't worth any sentiment. William discarded them without hesitation. They were the kind of clothes that the old man described: donated and recycled to the people Outside or part of some trading exchanged for some goods.

It was still about business and anyone in the camps appreciated a chance to get anything to sustain themselves. The Federation had their needs as well.

However, not everything was about food and water supplies. This was about priorities and space. They were compromises followed by a ton of secondary interests, which then made many loops for many people. It was what human cultures were about. There was always something to take care of as far as civilization went and moved forward.

Humans needed a lot to survive and live. Appearance was less of a fact Outside, where Darks could attack anytime. Providing protection and tools was one of the numerous mandatory needs that the Federation knew. Other needs were different.

Spices could not be grown in some places, same with many crops, animals, and large-scale farms. Camps were the same. Salt was important and taking care of materials was one part of many merchant groups and camps.

The use of salt was one of the oldest methods for food preservation, right behind the good ol' ice and cold. There was never enough salt, and William never knew why. Although he knew it usually came from the salty waters and some mines around the world, how was so much water so salty? He never understood it.