Chu! An dabbed her nose with a handkerchief. Chu! Her nose dared to bother her again. It was quiet and polite, a hushed noise more fitting of a small Persian cat.

Sarah giggled, “What a cute sneeze!”

“It is, isn’t it?” Roy joked back.

An sneezed again, “Pardon me for living.”

Roy chuckled. “Well, I’m not doing so well either,” he said through his chattering teeth, “Maybe I’m not one to talk.” His entire body shivered with his clattering teeth and his breath steamed in front of him. “Let’s gets moving – get the blood flowing and warm our bodies. Sarah, would you take us to some clothing stores?”

“Sure, I know a few places up in the Westlake area.” Sarah stomped through the snow, headed due North.

Her path utilized Canor’s Way, the circular road that ran around the old church. A surprising amount people populated the street – more than Roy would have anticipated. If it weren’t for the snow, it would have felt like an average day.

Their path crossed the church’s black-iron gates. They stood as guardians, preserving the sanctity of the church grounds. However, the pervasive silence was nothing but eerie; was the peace the only things those gates protected? Roy wondered.

“There are a lot more stores the closer you get to the ocean,” Sarah explained. “While inner areas like Vodom are full of houses and factories, districts like Westlake are more upscale with shops and recreations.”

The Gieryoum estate had nothing of the sort – it was mansion out in the woods. The towns and villages nearby did have such commercial districts, but Roy did not think they would be an apt comparison to the shops in a major city. “Do you go out there often?” He asked.

“From time-to-time,” she shrugged. “I mostly go to window shop or hang out – I don’t have the money to buy the nicer things. Though there is a bookstore I visit often. One of the few places I can actual afford to go to.”

“I see.”

Sarah led them further North. Westlake was a short walk away from Vodom, but they stood worlds apart. Trees lined the middle of the road, decorating the path as a median. The buildings stood in pristine condition. No dilapidated structures or shuttered stores. Life flowed as well; the streets weren’t devoid of people as Vodom was. Couples chatted, school kids congregated, friends enjoyed fellowship. How many of them were Vampires, Roy wondered.

“This street here has plenty of clothing stores,” Sarah said, coming to a stop. “Pick one and we can start.”

Roy went into the first store he saw. The frost was burning his skin and freezing his bones – he had to get out. His first order of business, of course, was to buy a jacket. As many as he could and as thick as he could get him. Fur and wool were his primary options, picking up a thick coat in each. Scarves and caps were thrown in as well.

“Find anything you like, An?” Roy was making progress on his wardrobe upgrade but wondered how the Vampire faired.

She rounded a clothing rack and came into view. In her hands was a burly brown fur coat one size too large.

Roy tilted his head, “Isn’t that a little… large?”

In response, An fumbled her way inside the titanic coat. It swallowed her like an adult humpback whale would to a school of krill. The coat draped her like a massive comforter, her head peeking out from the cloth folds.

“Are you sure that is what you want?”

“It’s warm.”

He took that a yes. In addition to her brown coat, An also singled out a crimson red scarf. She hesitated in picking it up until Roy reassured her it was okay.

“That’s a lot of clothes,” Sarah said with a perplexed face. “You sure you can afford all of it?”

“…Yeah,” he hesitantly replied, “I can.” Frankly, there wasn’t a lot he couldn’t afford, but he didn’t want to explain that. “There is still a little bit more shopping we need to do. Café uniforms and then something a little extra; An needs to spruce up her wardrobe, add some diversity.”

An, still wearing her gigantic jacket, replied, “I don’t need clothes.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Roy waved his hand in annoyance. “I know you have clothes, but the ones you have are all maid outfits. You need to diversify – get something nice like a dress or some casual clothes.”

She titled her head, “If you say so.”

“So how are you going to get the uniforms?” Sarah asked. “It might be hard to find something that fits perfectly pre-made.”

Roy answered back, “The plan was to get them tailor made anyways. Get a couple sets in various sizes and hand them out as needed.”

“O-oh. That’s how it is.” Sarah’s voiced lacked enthusiasm.

“I’ll take care of the uniforms – just give your measurements to the tailor here so they can make the right size.”

“Wait, you’ll purchase a custom uniform for me?” Sarah’s draw dropped.

Roy shrugged, “Why wouldn’t I? It’s the café uniform, a store expense. I don’t see why not.”

Sarah crossed her arms, “I mean, if you can afford it…”

“Again,” Roy replied with a smile, “Don’t worry about the cost. What I want you to do instead, is help An pick out some clothes. Some casual, some formal. Just something to upgrade her uniform style.”

“But I already have clothes,” An said.

“I know,” Roy said, “We are getting you more anyways.”

An was thinking of a reply, but before she could put anything together, Sarah gave Roy a helping hand and whisked her away. While Sarah worked with An, Roy went to the tailor in the store.

Two distinct uniform styles came to his mind: One was a white dress shirt with black pants, adorned in a black vest. An outfit for males, but designed such that a girl could wear it as well. A red apron bearing the Red Moon Café logo finishing the style. The other uniform was fashioned as a dress; The dress shirt a dark red this time. A black vest still topped it. The pants, however, were exchanged for a poofy, black skirt. A plain white apron wrapped up the dress (though Roy envisioned extras like black stockings to go along with it). The attire was designed with a dirndl in mind.

Roy ordered several sets of each style in different sizes. It was expensive, but a justified business expense in his mind. The funds from this familial wealth would cover the cost. He sorted out the logistics with the tailor, payment and delivery, and went to check on the girls.

“How is it coming along?” Roy questioned Sarah who was leaning against a clothing rack.

She grinned. “Fun.”

“Good to hear…?” Roy wasn’t sure how to take that. “Did you find anything at least.”

“Plenty of good stuff to wear. She’s trying on a dress right now. I think you’ll like it.”

An glided out of the changing room. Roy gulped. An was the shining moon dressed in the starry night, and he was swimming in the moonlight. He had no words.

Sarah did. “Amazing,” she said wide-eyed. “You’re making me jealous, to be honest. I would never be able to pull off a look like that.”

“I-is that it?” Roy inquired, composing himself.

“That was the last outfit. I think we picked up a few good pieces.”

“Then let’s wrap this all up. The tailor will make the uniforms and deliver them, so we don’t have to worry about those for now.”

Sarah nodded her head, “Sounds good. I have one request though.” Roy raised an eyebrow. “We are close to the bookstore I visit. Would you mind letting me stop by? I ran out of new books to read.”

He mulled it over. “There’s no problem with that,” he finally replied. “I might as well pick up something as well. I haven’t had a chance to read in a long time. Maybe An would want something to.”

An reemerged from the changing room, back in her typical maid outfit – the only difference being the oversized jacket she now wore. Underneath the lumps of fur, she had nothing to say.

Heading to the front with the hangars of clothes, Roy said, “Let’s get going. The sun is setting and the chill may get worse.” They exchanged their hangars for bags and went on their way.

-------------

It bothered me that, in my mind, chapter 10 was not completed. There was only a little left (hence why its a little short), so I finished it. I feel like a fish that was plopped onto concrete during a hot July afternoon in Texas where the air has less moisture in it than the sand the flows through the sahara desert, but it was worth it. I guess. And, as I look at my planner, things are getting spicy. I might be super busy, but I should have the time to stop by and answer questions and whatnot if there are any. Until next time, cya.

Im going to die now - I mean sleep.