I Need Some New Clothes

Closing the door behind him, Flynn looked around the store. It was smaller than the outside had made it seem.

An old man, his white hair tied in a bun on the nape of his neck. The man was judging a selection of multicoloured textiles. Picking one up, he held it up to the light. Hearing the door shut, he turned around, pushing his glasses up his nose he smiled seeing a new customer.

"Hello there." Waving Flynn over, he stood up from his stool. "I wasn't expecting to see someone so early in the morning. What can I do for you?"

"Good morning." He responded. "Well." Nodding to the display, he smiled. "I was referred to your shop by a friend. I need some new clothes that will be able to withstand travelling."

Looking Flynn up and down, the man agreed. "You're not wrong there. I don't think I've ever seen attire quite like what you're wearing now."

Scratching the back of his neck, Flynn pulled his oversized shirt down. "I got into a… confrontation recently. So a friend loaned me his shirt until I can get something more my size. Do you have anything that may suit me?"

"Travelling, huh? I may have some things in the back that will suit your needs."

Walking away, the man opened a door. Disappearing into a room off to the side. Flynn could hear him rummaging around. Shifting what sounded like boxes around.

As he waited for the man to return, a mannequin caught Flynn's eye.

The mannequin was modelling a jacket. Flynn moved to inspect it. The jacket was a dusty red, a fur-lined hood, the fur a duller red. The sleeves reached down to the mannequin's hands, covering them. Running his hand down the buttons, Flynn felt that the material was smooth to the touch.

"You like that do you?"

Jumping slightly, Flynn turned around to see that the man had returned, a box of clothes was placed on the table next to him.

Taking a moment to consider the jacket, "I guess you could say it caught my eye."

"It will admit it is one of the finest things I've made." The man proudly stated.

"You made that?" Flynn asked.

"Of course, I've made everything here, what kind of clothier would I be if I didn't stock only my own creations and that well, made of the finest Ashen Hound leather. Very resistant to wear and tear, waterproof, doesn't burn easily and from what I've heard. A very good material for hunting things that show you why you don't bring flammable items to a firefight. In both senses of the word."

Backing up to the man, Flynn motioned to the box. "And what do you have there?"

Patting the box, he held it up for Flynn. "A selection of apparel that I believe should fit your size."

Flynn took the box from the man, with a sweeping motion, the man gestured to the room he had just stepped out from. "I don't have any changing rooms, but you're welcome to use the storeroom. I even left a selection of shoes for you to try if you wanted"

"Thanks." Flynn kindly responded.

Making his way into the small storeroom, Flynn gently pushed the door shut with his foot. Looking around for a place to put the box, Flynn was astounded by the number of boxes that were filled to the brim with clothes. Shelves piled with them and a mirror half-buried in clothes stood in the middle of the room, leaning against the wall. Not seeing a table to put the box on, Flynn ended up putting it on the floor.

Rummaging through the clothes the man had picked out for him. After a few minutes, Flynn decided on what he wanted.

Taking his shirt off. He noticed that his body looked considerably more muscular than when he was getting ready for school the day prior.

Touching his arms, he felt his muscles. Deciding to leave this line of thought for later, he slid a white tunic over his head. Kicking his shoes off, he took his trousers off, donning pale brown woollen trousers in their place. Picking a belt up, he tightened it around his waist.

Spotting the shoes the man had left out for him, Flynn picked up a pair of leather boots. Putting them on, he stood back up.

Taking a step back, Flynn looked in the mirror.

'Like something out of a fantasy book.' He snorted. 'Now all I need is a sword to finish the look.' Putting his hands together, Flynn mimed attacking with a sword. After a moment, he stopped feeling embarrassed at his miming.

Kneeling, he collected his discarded items of clothing. Placing his shoes on his old trousers, he held his borrowed shirt in the other hand.

Exiting the room, the old man smiled at Flynn in his new apparel.

"You look good kid, now you look like an adventurer."

Placing the clothes on the table, Flynn shook his head. "I'm not an adventurer, well. Not yet anyway. The Guild site is my next stop."

"So you're just starting out, are you? Hmm. Do you still want the coat?"

Looking at the Ashen Hound skin coat, Flynn nodded.

"Tell you what, I'll give you the coat for free. As long as you promise to do good by it."

Flynn was confused. "You're giving it to me for free? Didn't you say it was one of your nicest pieces on show?"

"I did say that, didn't I." Scratching his nose, he shrugged. "In all honesty, I've been having trouble trying to sell it. No one needs a fire-resistant coat around here. It does cost a fair bit, but any adventurer that passes through here already has all they need when it comes to clothing and well, any adventurer starting here wouldn't want to buy it. So yeah, I'm giving it to you for free. Go on, take it before I change my mind." He chuckled.

Walking over to the mannequin, Flynn took the coat off it and put it on himself. His new coat covered his body well below the waist, stopping an inch below his knees. The sleeves came to rest over his knuckles. Pulling the fur-lined hood up, it left Flynn with a nice amount of room to move his head.

"Now that completes the look." The man applauded. "So, about payment for the rest of your clothes."

"Oh right. The friend who pointed me in your direction, Any. She told me to tell you to put it on her tab."

As Flynn mentioned Any's name, the man's eyes widened whilst he slapped his forehead, causing Flynn to jump back. "Any's paying for you! If you told me that sooner, I could have had her pay for the coat." He loudly laughed. "Oh no matter, I'm a man of my word. Just remember our deal. Go do something big with that beauty."

Nodding, Flynn thanked him. "I really appreciate this and if you don't mind." he patted his old clothes. "Can you get rid of these? I don't need them any more, and for this." he motioned to the shirt. "I borrowed that from Redford, you wouldn't mind holding onto it, I'll come and pick it up later."

"Will do." The man bowed slightly.

Moving to leave, Flynn stopped as he reached the door handle. "Oh, and, I have a friend who may be in need of clothes like me. I'll make sure to point her in your direction when she wakes up."

"That's lovely to hear, thank you for coming by my little store." The man responded with a smile.

With a nod, Flynn opened the door, leaving the store behind.

Leaving the door to swing shut behind him. Flynn buried his hands in the pockets of his coat.

Meandering down the street, Flynn looked back on the past twenty-four hours.

'It was just a normal day… until it wasn't." He thought. 'Going to school, getting attacked by a man with a giant cleaver, Oriel has wings, getting attacked outside my own house, ladies with fireballs and Brynn…' Exhaling Flynn sighed. "I'll figure this all out. I- I'll get you back, sis."

Seeing something swinging in the wind, Flynn noticed it was a board. Emblazoned on the wood, was a shield with two swords crossing it and an arrow sticking down the middle of them.

'The Guild Site.' Flynn thought.

Putting a hand on the door, the boy pushed it open.