Anyway, back inside the large apparel store, Bart and the others were entertained by the salespersons there.
Or more accurately, they were surrounded by pretty ladies (and maybe a few queers) blowing compliments in an attempt to make them buy a lot.
"Wow, good sir! It looks soo good on you!!" One said to Bart, while another swooned when Eloi put on another one.
"Oh my… so handsome!"
"Kyaa! That one! No, that one also looks even better on you," Another saleswoman squealed as Sipa tried on different styles of hats. "Ah, they all look soooo good! It's so hard to decide~"
Unconsciously, the men's backs straightened and they inhaled their stomachs in.
They had never felt so handsome in their lives.
"Okay, I will buy them all…"
There were swoons and squeals that resounded in the room, validating their choice. "Wise choice, handsome sir~"
"Would you to choose accessories that will match each hat? It will make your style look more holistic, make you look even more handsome!" a salesperson said, and the others echoed her words, and soon they were dragged down to aisles displaying other things.
Suffice to say, they were beloved customers.
There were various styles of apparel in this store, selling various accessories like scarves, bags, belts, and the like. For men and for women, and they bought a couple that seemed comfortable and fit them well.
There was also a small metallic mirror on the side to check. They were impressed that a store had it, but it was probably rich.
Anyway, while they were trying other apparels now (including shirts and pants now), the door opened and the group went straight to a section with odd looking canes.
Unexpectedly, the newcomers were acquaintances.
"Pieto?" Eloi exclaimed, and the others turned and were startled to see who it was.
"Bart?" he blinked. "You're here! Then again I'm not that surprised. You're always updated."
Pieto was a famous merchant in Twinwave Town. He bought a lot of their sauces back then. He was also a famous connoisseur of various things and could be a bit snobbish at times.
Well, seeing him here, now he could no longer charge middleman fees. Pity.
The merchant saw his face and smirked, taking two 'staff' with different colors. "Two umbrellas please," he said and the others looked at him.
"What are those?" he asked and Pieto—who was obviously in a good mood—actually answered him well.
"These are umbrellas, you should've seen almost everyone outside holding something above their heads," he said. "Press this button—I won't open it inside—and it would expand into those.
At this time a lot of the others were listening in. They had indeed since those and saw the comfortable shadow they made underneath. "Ohhh…"
"They're opaque and could protect from heat, and they are also waterproof against rain."
"No water comes in?" They could tell it blocked the heat after seeing it used before but, apparently, it was also useful in rain!
Rains in Xeno could literally weaken them! Having this lightweight and convenient staff-shield thing would be so useful!
"Well, as long as they're blocked by the surface. It's a different problem if it's windy. They have raincoats and boots for those."
"We're buying two big ones because we're going to have a picnic in the gardens!" he said, looking excited as he said so.
"Bye now!" he said and Pietro and his team scuttled away, looking like leisurely tourists just out having fun.
Hey, they felt envious.
Louie saw this and smiled. "It's not like you can't do the same," he said, and the group brightened, absolutely ready to do so.
After buying bags of apparel, the group finally moved on (though not without a few flying kisses from the happy salesladies and salesqueers.
However, Louie—due to professional habit—ended up selling a few stores they passed by. Although he didn't get commissions for this (they weren't allowed to), he still felt happy when the guests became patrons of their Alterran stores.
He was so immersed in his job that he was unaware of the darkening atmosphere of the large guy behind their group.
Anyway, as they walked ahead, they ended up passing by some cleaner women who were sweeping the streets, wiping the benches, and picking up fallen branches. They didn't think much of it until Louie was suddenly called out.
"Louie?" the voice started tentatively, but when he slightly turned his head it turned to an exclamation. "LOUIE!"
They turned to the source and saw who it was. Among these cleaner women was an especially pitiful-looking one with the dirtiest cloth and the biggest eyebags.
This was Ramona, and when she saw the person who passed, her eyes brightened as if finally seeing hope. When she saw them looking at her, her body language softened and her eyelids fluttered.
"Louie! Louie!" she yelled again, this time her voice was soft and pitiful.
The man though only frowned. He gave the woman a bad look, intending to ignore her.
The woman noticed this and immediately kneeled down. "Please, Louie! Listen to me, it's a misunderstanding! I love you!" She yelled, grabbing his arms. "Please, help me! I can't live anymore!"
Ramona had grown up spoiled with a silver spoon in her mouth. How could she live cleaning up? She was lucky today and got the streets—which were usually clean due to the non-littering rule—but she was usually assigned to the grazing farms!
Every day she had to wake up early to feed those animals and clean their shit! Oftentimes she'd lose balance or get outwardly kicked by the damned critters! She couldn't even count the number of times she fell on feces!
Seeing Louie—someone she used to see as so incredibly plain and un-special—looking clean and proper made him look dashing!
She had to get out of this life! And she can't do it on her own!
Ramona looked at Louie hungrily, determined to do whatever to regain his heart.
No matter what—she must get him back!