Chapter 20: ~Choosing clothes.~ (1/2)

***Norfolk, Fellmar***

“This is unacceptable!”

I am trying the sixteenth ball gown while Ascathon is looking at me with a bored expression. We are inside an exquisite shop for clothing in Fellmar.

“Could you decide soon? The Ball of Fellmar is going to start soon.” He points at an antique hourglass in a corner of the shop.

“I can't go like this! This looks … like... like...”

“A bikini?”

“Thanks. That's the nice word for it. Get me a decent ball gown!” I snap at the saleswoman who seems utterly confused.

“But... I don't understand the problem. That's the best traditional gown we have.” The saleswoman seems honestly confused.

Ascathon starts to chuckle in the background. He has no problems with the traditional clothing for men of Norfolk. It looks like a strange combination of a smoking and a robe.

The traditional clothing for women on a big festivity seems to be nothing more than a bad joke. I smile at the saleswoman. “I won't show off my entire body to lecherous old men. So get me something that doesn't freeze me to death.”

“How about going with traditional clothing from Jamaian.” Ascathon waves at another row of clothing which is meant for festivities. Unfortunately Jamaian tradition is the polar opposite of Norfolk clothing.

“I don't even understand the logic behind it. Is it to torture the female population? The warm country dresses you up for winter and the cold country dresses you for summer?” I start mumbling while I look at the ski suits from Jamaian.

That's when the saleswoman comes back with something like a china dress. It's a set with a fan and a big hair needle. “Here! That's the latest fashion from the Academy. It shouldn't be a taboo to wear it on the Ball of Fellmar.”

Ascathon just raises an eyebrow. “You have to cut the walking slit higher.”

Sometimes I really want to know what's going on in his head. I guess that's the best compromise between swimming suits and ski suits.

“Why? It should fit fine.” The saleswoman looks sceptical at Ascathon.

“If she kicks someone it will rip!”

Hooh... nice thinking.

“Why should you kick someone at the Ball of Fellmar!?” The saleswoman is shocked.

“Cut it higher. I may have to kick my husband.” I wave for the saleswoman to do as ordered.

“Haah.... so it's that kind of relationship.... and they looked so good together....” The disillusioned saleswoman leaves the room again.

I guess our relationship isn't really the best. After the issue at the island I decided to try it inverted. Physical relationship first. Then acceptance. Then love.... maybe. Haaah... I hope I don't make a big mistake with this.

Well I guess a stable and secure life is better than love. All my other options are worse.

“That reminds me. Why didn't you object at all when I wanted to join you?” I look at Ascathon who is loafing on a chair in the corner.

“Mmh... It's required for noble landlords to bring their own companionship. If you come alone it either means that you have some kind of problem or you are some powerless nobody. Not that I would care. But the other indication is that you are single and willing to take everyone who offers himself.” He signals me a very obscene gesture to emphasize his point.

My expression drops a little. “I see. So you see me as an insecticide against all those lonely feme sole.”

“It's in your interest to ward off any pushy characters.” He smiles at me.

I purse my lips when the saleswoman enters the room again. She has the china dress in her hands and I start to change myself. They were really fast with adjusting it!

This world has almost no sense of shame in regards of nudity in certain areas. If you would ask a salesman for a changing room, they would look at you with big unintelligible eyes.

I grab the fan and the saleswoman helps me with the matching hairpin. I wish this world would have acceptable mirrors. But the most you can find even in high-spec stores like this are polished copper plates. So i turn to look into the biggest one at the wall.