Approximately 1.5 Terran Months before Arrival to the Planetary Station...

Lu watched Bai Ze pace around the room, then sit and pace again.

Ze: "...I don't like it."

Lu: "Well you never like anything, do you?"

Ze: "That's not true."

Lu: "You almost tried to stage a Mutiny after Berthold decided to upgrade the showers..."

Ze: "I'm just thinking about what's best for your future."

Lu: "There was no loss for us to get an upgrade that HE was paying for..."

Ze: "He neglected to mention that during the proposal-"

Lu: "For Fucks sake, It's a pair of shoes just PICK one."

Everyone had decided that it was time for a bit of an outfit change now that they were all moved in and cozy on The Kitchen. As handy dandy as the base uniform is, they really didn't leave much room for individual style. Sure, they insured that the wearer didn't accidently pop joints out of place or break their own bones... well. You try looking at the same thing for 40 odd days and not losing your mind a bit. So everyone hauled ass to the "Mall Hall" with some recommendations and directions Hatti and Nyeith. Xiao Lu didn't really mind the uniform... but more practical or heavy duty boots, or maybe a comfortable long sleeved version of the top. Though by Bai Ze's manic doting, borderline paranoia.... He'll be stuck looking at several display models, nearly Identical for half an hour.

Hada and Katherine made for a mighty if also mini pair, dipping into various shops. One of Which was a Pfonti Tailor. Full of amazing tops and dresses... and of course a severe lack of pants. It made sense, what with having a snake-like lower body. They did have what looked to be just a giant sock, should a Pfonti be staying in a cooler area, and required assistance to maintain their body temperature. May as well have been a sleeping bag to a Terran... So Hada happily got one.

Katherine: "Well that's a reasonable purchase... I guess, though I don't know how I feel about. The rest." Holding onto one of the dresses that were on display. They went from an almost Silk thin and smooth to an almost suffocating thick. What ever was in between was meant for Pfonti officers by the look of it. Requiring a sign-off.

Hada: "...I mean yeah... Some of these, I couldn't wear on my bravest nights..."

Katherine: "Then get out of the Nightwear section!"

Hada: "Whaaaat? I'm curious, sue me."

Katherine: "And that curiosity skins the Cat, remember?"

Hada: "...I'm pretty sure it kills the cat, WOAH.... Hey, think Nyeith has one of these?" Holding up something akin to a half a nightgown, though it was hard to hell which half was missing.

Katherine: "Good lord... C'mon Hada, Onto the next store before you start buying presents."

Hada: "It's an honest question! You have to admit, it's alot of fun seeing clothes made by other cultures."

Katherine: "Of course it is! You can start to guess as to why they designed them in such a way... From here alone I'm guessing that they come from a warm climate, but as they began traveling, started to develop warmer clothing to make up for their lower body temperature."

Hada: "...I'm guessing that things have to get pretty steamy to wear this, huh?"

Katherine: "..." Rather than going into this whole back and forth, Katherine simply started leaving the shop without Hada.

Hada: "Hey! I was only fooling around a bit! Don't just ditch me!" picking up their purchase and chasing after the supposed gal pal. "What happened to no person left behind!?"

Berthold posed in front of the mirror. Now THIS made him feel like a captain. Many of the stores had military apparel, but those could only be sold to officials above his own rank of Ground 3. It was weird to him at first, and weirder still when he didn't remember hearing about the ranks in class. Thankfully Katherine gave him a reminder session after the fact... and after he had been a bit rude to a Sky 2. In order to maintain an understanding for new recruits. The usual ranking system of an allied planet was changed from local to Intergalactic standard when off planet.

Ground 3 was the base rank given to every new recruit, followed by G2 and G1. Sky 3,2,1. Void 3,2,1. Lunar 2,1 and lastly Solar 2 and 1. Ranking up was determined by Exams or Feats done while in service. So... while could not in fact go and buy the ready made Rank-uniforms, he could just have one tailored. Which he did, Terran Style. Ceremonial Navy. No medals of course. it was essentially cosplay... and he knew he'd catch hell from Hada and Finlay for it... and probably Katherine, seeing as she was actual military in the past, but Damn if he didn't feel and look Good. He was tempted to go out of his way to commission a programmer to design a Hat and a tie for Yuri.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

Berthold: "... Maybe I should grow a Beard..."

Yuri: "Berthold... You tried that before... How well did that end for you?"

Berthold: "...Right. Well, lets start looking for the others, Shall we?" That was an embarrassment best left forgotten...

Now then... Finlay was in a bit of a pickle. All Casual wear had to be of a certain grade for regulation. He could get away with wearing his dads coat most of the time thanks to the uniform underneath he baked under it. Barry had actually given him directions to a small Ouzonn outlet. One thing fits all may as well have been their slogan. it was the same thing just in different colors. It made sense considering that they change shape at will... a bag with an adjustable collar, simply step in and get the collar to your neck or waist and let it do the rest. A full bodysuit or Pants, like he was ready for the beach. It was... Snug, but he could adjust certain aspects through Spec. He got 2 in Black and one in white, And for a surprising ly small amount, some light flexible armor plating. Gotta protect the bits, it also kept to the Sync regulations... so no complaints.

As for Barry's other suggestion, He now stood in front of it... Glaring at the sign above the store, Eternal Flowers. If you wanted absolute comfort... this was the place to go. Even now, Finlay was questioning just what exactly Barry meant. He did know Finlay was going clothes shopping... right?

Hibiyad Model: "Uhhh, Sir?"

Finlay: "Yup... that's me. Hi, so, uh... just what kind of place is this?"

Hibiyad Model: "Ah okay, we've been getting that... alot. we sell apparel, I understand that our state of dress is questionable to your kind. We photosynthesize in addition to eating small meals. So our natural state is to allow as much solar rays as possible."

Finlay: "Alright! good... good. Next question. Do all of your clothes do that glowly business or just yours? And, do you also sell... Male attire? or just..." Gesturing to the Hibiyad, from what he could tell, it was a basic 2 piece set, it just had more Sun rays coming off of it to blind God himself.

Hibiyad: "Another common misconception, The reason we have the Shinegaurd series is so that we can wear regular clothes over them and not worry about not getting enough light. We do have, as you would call it, regular attire."

Finlay: "Cool cool cool coolcoolcool. Uh.... Mind leading me to the underwear I guess? Do you have Boxershorts?"

Hibiyad: "We have more than that..." Looking over Finlay... a bit closer than he would have expected or preferred. Was the Ouzonn suit still too tight? He made sure it wasn't creasing or bulging anywhere. "How do you feel about a new long coat? and maybe a work belt?"

Finlay: "Ehhhhh Coat maybe, if it's awesome. Workbelt? Feel like I'd be trying to look like some clearance shelf superhero... I'll pass on that."

Hibiyad:" I'm just saying... And you thought my clothes looked inappropriate." casting another glance at his waist.

Finlay: "Guh, uh... alright, whatever covers up the goods."

Hibiyad: "Oh... so you're for sale?"

Finlay: "...You're either dangerous for my health or my wallet, and it troubles me that I don't know which."

It was his wallet. He had set out with a budget of 350C and just now spent double that. A waist length Hooded Coat Black with white accents, but what really caught his attention, was the fact that the accents were also made of Shinegaurd material, coated in a smart prismatic plastic... so basically, he could have the accents change color and glow when he wanted. Fuck your PC rig, this Jacket has better RGB lighting. He also got 10 of the silkiest, most comfortable boxers he's ever felt. whether it was out of mercy or pity, he also got free 5 off-white T-shirts made of a similar material... he will not share these, and he will keep them in a safe... away from his Room/team/crewmates. These will be handed down to his children, so help him God.

Everyone decided to Meet at Hatti's Creamery, To show off what everyone got. Finlay was surprised that he was actually first to arrive. He was wearing the Ouzonn suit as just regular pants and set them to a nice and normal fit, one of his new Hibiyad T-shirts, his usual boots and the RBG-J, Did he Look like a Space wizard went to a rave with Batman? Maybe. Was he comfortable as all hell? Yes, and that's what's important. Berthold would be the second to arrive in his Navy regalia along side Yuri, who sported a matching hat and Jacket.

Finlay: "...I have notes. But. Yuri looks adorable. So I'll hold my tongue."

Berthold: "Appreciated. I have to say though... I thought I would look the most... Terran of our group. I don't know what I was expecting from you but-" Before Berthold could finish his thought, Finlay sent a signal through Spec, to his coat. turning on the light show. "Ah... Well it does look nice."

Finlay: "Hell yeah it does... And I'm gonna sleep like a King."

Berthold: "What?"

Finlay: "Don't worry about it." They must never know.

Hada: "Woah! Where did you buy the Lightshow from?"

Katherine and Hada were back from their own expedition. Their new wardrobes were... Different. Katherine was somewhere between Motor Leathers and a long sleeved cocktail dress. Elegant and practical. Hada had gotten a tank top from somewhere and then bought or ripped the sleeves from some other shirt, from the looks of it. Then trimmed those with an almost metallic purple cloth. To Berthold, that was Just a cute look. To Finlay, he immediately recognized the free movement that gave their arms and they had just done so to enhance their ability to throw. Yes, it looked good on Hada, but it would be a lethal mistake for him to say anything else right now.

Katherine: "...Really Bertie? All of the new Cultures in the known Galaxies, and you go for a costume?"

Berthold: "Costume, Personal Uniform. I just wanted to look the part... That and I think I look pretty good."

Katherine: "...It's alright, Yuri wears it better though."

Berthold: "Oh, fuck off."

Yuri: "I look better in everything."

Hada: "Agreed."

Finlay was staring off into the middle distance when He spotted Xiao Lu, and nearly choked on his milkshake. quickly devolving into a wheezing laugh. The behemoth strode inside to the Creamery as everyone watched Finlay have yet another near death experience. Then they finally turned their attention to Lu and stifled their own chuckles. This man had gotten an orange button up shirt with black stripes, probably to keep with his tiger aesthetic. Which he wore open with a pure white long-sleeve underneath, a red ascot loosely tied around his neck.

Lu: "What?"

Finlay: Wheeeeeze "You Tryin' to sell us some frosted flakes?" Cough " You better tell us Theeeeey're Great!"

This was the end of any civil discussion in their group, as everyone broke into laughter. Even Lu as he looked down and realized just what Finlay was dying over. He couldn't even blame someone else... the button up was his idea. Some of the Non-Terran customers in the creamery looked to the group laughing so loudly and asked their holos to fill them in on the joke if they could. which led to an almost infectious spread of joy through the store as things were explained.