Chapter 105 - Dauphiné (1/2)
When Luke and Alexis finally arrived at the address they had been told, they knew they were in the right place because there was a single store with blue details. On the second floor of a five-story commercial building, there was a shop window with large letters that read 'Dauphiné - From embroidery to collars'.
The half-wolf entered the store, and the bell on top of the door shook, causing a ruckus. He held the door, and Alexis entered right behind him.
”This is right here, isn't it?” She asked because the place was totally different from the tavern, they were in a few minutes ago.
”I think so.”
All around the room were expensive looking clothes of all kinds. There were clothes with embroidery and social clothing in the window display, but inside the store, there were even some types of cloaks for winter and pieces of clothing with room for armor.
”Hello, how can I help you?” A gray-haired, thin man with thick glasses asked. He was wearing a typical black vest, and underneath was a red social shirt, which matched perfectly with all the rest of his also red clothing.
Luke looked at the store's surroundings and made sure that there was no one present to eavesdrop on. ”Are you Jonak?”
”Maybe I am. What could you offer me?”
”Money in exchange for information.” Luke answered quickly, in a way that surprised even his companion, who no longer had a penny in his pocket.
”Ha... I'm sorry, man. I don't need any money... Hmmmm... I got it. You buy one of my clothes and I'll tell you everything I know. How about that? The best way to promote my brand is with customers wearing my clothes.”
Luke shrugged; after all, that would be the same as giving money to the man, except at least he would get something. ”Which one would you recommend to me?” He asked the shopkeeper.
”This one would look perfect on you.” Alexis cut in and pointed to a mannequin on the left, displaying a thick jacket in which you could see a bulge in the breasts. ”Hahaha! Kidding... Is that really a man thing?”
”That's fashion, miss! Male breasts are in fashion here in Uptown, haven't you heard?” The shopkeeper replied nervously.
None of the half-beasts doubted because the rich part of Oukiwa really did seem to be weird. Internally, the shopkeeper was embarrassed because this was only a test model.
Luke walked for a few seconds through the store window and stopped in front of something that looked to his liking. ”I liked that one.” Luke said.
He was standing in front of a cloak almost identical to his own, except that the fabric of this one was not faded and seemed much more rain resistant, plus the fact that there were actually buttons at chest height.
The shopkeeper looked at the half-wolf from head to toe and wasn't even surprised by the choice because this was one of the best-selling pieces of clothing in his store.
”That's 300 silver coins, please.”
”100 silver coins.” Luke bargained, for 300 coins was something otherworldly for such a simple item.
”There's no such thing as a stranger's discount...” The shopkeeper saw Luke's serious look and turned back before he finished his sentence. ”150 coins are a fair value, don't you think?”
”It will be a fair value if the information you have to tell me is good, don't you think?”
The half-dragon held back from giggling while impressed with Luke's bargaining skills.
”Sigh... Son! Come here; there's someone wanting to know about your gossip!” The man shouted. Then quick footsteps came down the discreet ladder behind the counter, hidden by some hanging clothes.
”Who needs me?” A boy no older than sixteen questioned, excited to be asked. ”Who are you?” He asked the half-beads.
”Do you know anything about the fire at the con in the harbor?”