Chapter 20

Dinner was flat bread pepperoni pizza with cucumber wedges and applesauce. They skipped dessert due to Jay being too nervous to eat anything more. All told they spent maybe a total of 10 minutes in the dining room before Aiden walked them out and in to the city.

“First things first. Your outfit.” Aiden stated flatly.

“It needs a wash, I know,” Jay replied confidently.

“No,” Aiden said, “it needs to be replaced. People go to a play so they can dress up. Do you feel dressed up at all in that outfit?”

Jay shook his head. “I feel the exact opposite. Ok, I need clothes. What kind? I don't know the styles here. Honestly I didn't know the styles back on Earth either so no surprise there.”

Aiden shrugged, “I'm not good with that kind of thing either. So lets head back to Vinnie's and see if he can help you out?”

That sounded like a great idea and the two caught a cart over to the Tailor's shop. Aiden explained what they needed, why they needed it, and the fact that they needed it tonight. Vinnie found Jay's ineptitude with dating in general to be hilarious and for that reason alone chose to take on the job for Jay.

An hour later they left with a waxed paper wrapped package containing a white button-up dress shirt, a black suit jacket with red trim, and a pair of dress pants with red trim as well. Vinnie sold the outfit to Jay for coppers on the silver and wished him luck on his night out. He stuffed a pair of dark dress socks in to Jay's pocket as he left, “You'll be needing these as well I think.”

Aiden smacked himself on the forehead. “Thank gods you just did that or I would have forgotten shoes entirely.”

Vinnie gave them directions to a friend of his that could fit Jay with a reasonable pair of nice looking dress shoes and Jay and Aiden finally headed back out in to the city. The cobbler wasn't too far from the tailor's shop so the two men walked instead of taking the cart.

“Welcome!” said a large man, almost as wide as he was tall wearing a dark brown leather apron. “What can I get you?”

Jay and Aiden took turns explaining the situation and the cobbler grinned. “I remember those days even though they are long past for me. Love to help ya, come on in back and have a seat, take your boots off.”

Jay and Aiden spent another hour with the cobbler, finally leaving with a box of shiny black lace up dress shoes. He stored the box in his backpack along with his outfit for the night.

“Ok. What next?” Jay asked.

“Your head. It needs work.” Aiden said with a laugh as they caught a cart to another section of the city.

“You have barbers here!” Jay said excitedly as they entered the next shop. He hadn't had a haircut since he'd first arrived on Eden and although it had been a nice haircut it hadn't been a great one, leaving him looking a little shaggy as it had grown in. The two men walked in to the shop and were greeted by two white haired gentlemen who ushered them to seats, covering them with a fabric sheet around their shoulders to catch any hair.

“What will it be boys?” asked the taller of the two gentlemen.

“I'm going on a date tonight. I think. There's some question as to whether or not its a date but I'd like to play it safe and look good, just in case. In case it is a date I mean.” Jay stammered out.

“Just make us look good for the ladies,” Aiden replied simply while grinning at Jay.

“Two handsome men coming right up.” the barber said as they both went to work with their scissors. Thankfully it didn't take long and Jay was shown a mirror in which he barely recognized the image in front of him. He looked good. Which was good, because he felt nervous as hell.

The barbers then shaved off Jay's beard and mustache which had started growing in and cleaned up his eyebrows. When the barbers finished Jay and Aiden looked good. Sharp.

After Jay paid the two men along with a generous tip he paused outside while running a hand through his freshly cut hair. “Well that went well.” he said.

“Ya they did a great job. Two more stops and we're done which is a good thing. We don't want to run out of time. Its one thing if she's late on a date, its an entirely different thing if you are.” Aiden rambled as they caught a cart to a more expensive area of the city. It was starting to get dark out and Jay was getting nervous he wouldn't have enough time to get ready.

Aiden brought Jay in to an expensive looking shop in which the security guard at the front did not appear too happy to have them inside.

“Can I help you two?” asked an older lady with bluish white hair in a snooty voice that practically shouted GO AWAY.

“Maybe,” said Aiden. “Can you find us a cologne with hints of grass and rain?”

Jay visibly startled, “Whoa, that's the scent of the soap M'redith bought me. How'd you even remember that?”

Looking away from the shop keeper Aiden shrugged, “Attention to detail?”

“Our scents tend to be on the expensive side. How will you be paying?” the shopkeeper stated with a bored look.

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“Bank draft. If you don't piss me off enough to walk out of here entirely that is.” Jay replied crossly.

The shop keeper had the good graces to look embarrassed while at the same time appearing slightly offended by Jay's tone. “This way.” she said, leading them to a table in back surrounded by various vials and jars of various substances and liquids. An old man, short and balding but with piercing blue eyes smiled as they approached. “Welcome!” he said while the shopkeeper continued to look snooty.

“I'm H'rold. I'm a mixer and if you can describe it I bet I can make you a cologne that matches it!” the man said excitedly. He was the kind of man that truly enjoyed his work. The fact that the work was fun certainly helped out a bit.

Jay smiled for the first time since entering the shop. “Hi! I'm Jay. I'm looking for something to wear out with a friend tonight. Maybe a date?”

H'rold grinned knowingly and nodded. “I understand. Here, let's get a sample of your natural scent as a base.” H'rold used a glass rod and rubbed it on the inside of Jay's wrist as he talked, mixing a clear solution with the rod. “What does your date like? Has she ever mentioned scents she likes on you?”

Jay said hesitantly, “Well its technically not a date. She's more of a friend I think.”

Aiden interrupted while shaking his head at Jay, “Rain and grass. She seems to like those.”

Jay nodded in agreement. “She bought me soap with those scents.”

H'rold laughed. “She bought you soap? Strong message there. If she has to smell you it might as well be a smell she likes, yes?” Vials and powders were mixed and variously stirred or shaken all in accordance with a recipe H'rold apparently kept in his head as he did not refer to any notes or papers.

The price was an eye watering 30 silver which Jay paid for by a signed bank draft. Just a magical piece of paper that took money from Jay's bank account and placed it in to H'rold's, and all with nothing but Jay's signature. Magic!

H'rold finally poured the mixture in to a hand sized glass container with an attachment on top that let Jay spray the contents out in a fine mist. The mixture itself It smelled wonderful, much better than even the soap. “Its been balanced with your natural scent so it retains its proper natural smell without clashing with yours.”

Jay thanked him happily finding the final product to be beyond his earlier expectations. “I wasn't entirely on board with this at first but this scent is amazing!”

H'rold beamed happily at the compliment and waved, “My pleasure! Its a good feeling knowing that my work will help bring joy to others.”

Jay and Aiden thanked him again while ignoring the snooty shopkeeper as they left, Jay placing the cologne in to his backpack, making certain the cap on it was first securely fastened.

“Where to next?” Jay asked as he looked at the darkening sky.

“Bath house. We've run out of time. This will have to do.” Aiden said as he waved down a passing passenger cart. “Don't worry, you'll do fine.”

Aiden met Jay at Jay's room after they had each gotten a bath. Jay had used the soap M'redith had gotten him. Aiden helped him get his outfit straightened out, making sure there were no unsightly wrinkles and that his pants and shirt lined up properly. Then he helped him buff his shoes to a pleasant shine.

Jay finally came out of the bedroom all dressed up. He looked good and smelled even better.

“Ooof.” Aiden said while waving a hand in front of him. “How much cologne did you use, the whole bottle?”

Jay smiled sheepishly, “Too much?”

Aiden chuckled, “It'll wear off a bit once you're out. At least I hope it will. Ok that will have to do. You look great. Just relax and have fun! I'm leaving now. Don't do anything stupid, ok?”

They exchanged the standard half hug and half handshake goodbye. “Thanks Aiden, I don't know what I would have done without you.” Jay said.

“I do. You would have screwed it all up!” Aiden jokingly replied as he walked off in to a night that was rapidly turning from dusk to darkness.

Jay stood in the entry way of his room and waited, unsure of what else he should be doing. She should be there any minute. A knock on the door startled him and he quickly opened it.

M'redith stood in front of him outside his room clothed in a blood red dress with a slit that ran along one leg. She stood with her side facing the door and Jay could see her entire sheer stocking clad leg with the hint of a garter belt at the top. She wore black heels that gave her an extra inch or two in height with narrow black straps and a feather lined black jacket with red trim. Her hair fell across her shoulders in curly waves. Jay thought that she had applied the perfect shade of red lipstick to match her skin tone along with just a hint of mascara.

She looked as put together as a woman possibly could and Jay inhaled her scent which was a mix of sandalwood and a light musk he couldn't place. Suddenly he understood just how much of a favor Aiden had done him by helping him get dressed up properly.

“You're beautiful.” Jay stammered out before he could catch himself.

M'redith laughed but was visibly pleased by Jay's reaction to her appearance. “You look really nice. Mmm what is that cologne you're wearing? I love it!” She leaned in so close it made Jay nervous and smelled his neck. “Very nice. I like your haircut too. It looks good!”

“Thanks.” Jay replied lamely.

“Well we should get going. I got us a coach for the night. I hope you don't mind.” M'redith said as Jay closed and locked his door behind him while having difficulties keeping his eyes off of M'redith.

“I don't think I've ever rode in a coach before so no, I don't mind at all.” Jay said while tugging on his jacket slightly to straighten it out.

“Oh this will be extra fun then!” M'redith said brightly.

After a short walk they ended up at the front entrance where the coach was waiting. It was black and sleek looking and powered by two horses hitched at the front. There was a bench up front for the driver, the sides of the coach dominated by large doors that swung open and lay flush against the coach. It reminded Jay of a limousine but with horses.

Jay offered his hand to help M'redith in and she took it, her hand feeling cool and soft to the touch in contrast to Jay's, which was hot but thankfully dry. Jay climbed in after her and sat down next to her as the driver shut the doors, the sounds from outside suddenly muffled, leaving them in a thick silence as the coach smoothly began moving.

M'redith grinned next to him as she placed her hand on his arm and Jay was sitting so close he could smell the sandalwood she wore. “I'm so excited! This is going to be so much fun!” she said, her cheeks flushed slightly red.

The sleek black coach disappeared in to the night as it rode towards the Theatre District. It was going to be a fun night.