Noone and Raelith passed in front of several wood-carved mannequins showcasing simple clothing designs and fabrics. Raelith walked by them without even giving a second glance. As a well-traveled elf from the capital, what clothes had she not seen? There was nothing that would interest her in such an outskirts town.

Noone on the other hand found it fascinating. Each one seemed uniquely designed for different functions. But Noone didn’t know enough to tell what for. As he followed Raelith he reached out a hand and felt the textures of each cloth. Not a single one was similar to the clothes he wore from Tapestry.

The course fibers and rough furs were finely woven together with thread, creating seamless pieces.

The one thing Noone did not see as he passed through the doors were armors. Anything more durable like the leathers or metal-wear that Tobias had was absent from the store floor.

“Hi! Welcome to Ardglass Wears.” Noone’s eyebrows went up in response to the young voice, was that some kind of pun?

“Hi, we are looking to have three outfits made for him.” Raelith took the lead and Noone was happy to let her have it. He occupied himself by looking at the various clothing styles on the mannequins inside.

The girl standing behind the counter was 16 at most. She had dirty brown hair which was pulled back into a loose braid. She quickly eyed the man Raelith was referring to.

She had noticed him when they walked in but tried not to stare as to not be rude. However now she found it impossible to tear her eyes away.

“Scary.” Was her first thought. Not only was Noone intimidatingly large, but his bearing made him seem even grander. At the same time though he almost seemed to blend in with the room slightly. Like any room he walked in was comfortable for him. She didn’t know how to explain it.

As she looked him up and down, she was unable to discern the glowing white lines from his skin. Were they tattoos? Or some kind of magic? She had never seen anything like it before.

“He is big.” Her wide eyes had drawn Noone’s attention by this point, and he couldn’t help but look over and smile sheepishly at her comment.

From what Raelith said, his height will become less of an oddity as they move closer to bigger cities. Instead he would have to worry about the glowing lines which snaked across his flesh - however most people would probably assume it was some kind of magic anyways.

For now though, Noone felt out of place.

The teen girl immediately shut her mouth when she realized she said those words out loud. Her cheeks went red and she quickly attempted to remedy her situation.

“I mean. He is a size that we don’t usually carry premade stock of. We might have to make it to order. Umm.” She began to stumble over her words. Raelith said nothing, taking joy in the awkwardness of the young human and trying to stifle her own chuckles. “Let me go get Mr. Rynt”

Finally, the young girl couldn’t stand having made a fool of herself and began to back up towards a door behind the counter. However just as she was about to reach for the wooden handle it swung inwards, opening from the other side.

“No need girl. I could hear everything from back there.” A moderately well-dressed man stepped through the doorway, lightly pushing the young girl to the side.

“Yes sir.” She lowered her head and stepped against the wall, allowing Rynt to move up to the counter in her place.

“So… What do we have here?” Mr. Rynt adjusted his monocle and looked at Noone who was now standing next to Raelith on the other side of the counter.

“Well, I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone of your race before Mr…?”

“Noone” Noone smiled at the man, this was the first time someone had spoken these words out loud to him. Noone couldn't help but feel this Mr. Rynt was a rather confident and unassuming character. Even to Noone, who paid careful attention to every human he came across, felt like this man was extremely plain. If it weren’t for his obviously carefully kept clothing and strange eye-wear, it seemed to Noone that he wouldn’t stand out at all.

“Ah. Like the time of day? Right then.” The man kept a plain look on his face. Mild interest showed, but nothing else. However, in the back of his mind he couldn’t help but wonder who in their right mind would name their child after the hottest time of the day?

“Three outfits you said? I am going to have to measure you first, then give me two days for us to stitch it all together.” He eyed the axes strapped to Noone’s waist, carefully noting the sculpted muscles which coursed under Noone’s stony skin. “Obviously you’re an adventurer or a fighter… make that three days. We are going to need to double stitch everything so it will last a bit longer.”

Noone nodded and Raelith readily agreed. Rae knew that should be about as long as they are staying in Ardglass for.

“Alright.” The man said. “And for the young lady?” He smiled at Raelith who couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Nothing for me thank you. Just do a good job on his clothing, and you will have my thanks.” She was not unfamiliar with human men, especially in smaller towns like this. They didn’t get to see elves as often so far south. Let alone Moon-Elves

“Haha of course. Noone, then. Come on back with me.” The exchange between the tailor and Rae went over Noone’s head and he nodded his thanks. The man had no reaction whatsoever, a pleasant but unassuming smile stayed on his lips.

Finally, he and Noone passed through the back doors, leaving Raelith with the young human clerk

“You’re a cleric, right? From… out of town?” Once a little time had passed the girls voice reached Raelith, who was browsing the work along the walls. While plain, the craftsmanship was rather good. This must be a family business, she assumed.

Raelith looked over and nodded, an unreadably neutral smile was strung on her lips.

The young girl’s eyes shifted. “Is it true… about a war?” Raelith paused, but her natural smile did not even flicker.

“It certainly seems that way.”

The young girl looked towards the front door of the shop, her mind was obviously thinking about something else. However, Raelith said nothing.

It was possible the tribe would completely overlook such a small satellite town, or equally possible this town would be swallowed alive in the coming war. Or even still something else may occur, stopping the advancing tribesmen and sending them back.

However, all of this was above her, above everybody really. Except those at the top of the world in terms of power.

Raelith joined the Order of Life because she was dedicated to the gods who cherished living and health. However, she had lived for almost two full centuries. She was not a naïve young elf anymore. If there was something she could do, she would. In truth, she would give her life if it would make a difference. But war? There was nothing she could do about that right now.

She didn’t speak any of these thoughts to the girl. The teenage human was able to do even less about the incoming tides than she.

Half an hour passed in silence, eventually Raelith sat on a bench waiting for Noone to finish.

Finally, Noone stepped through the door followed by Mr. Rynt.

“Truly! It was a pleasure to meet you.” Mr. Rynt’s voice was filled with hearty laughter. Raelith and the young girl looked up in surprise. Noone had a broad smile as well, showing off his teeth.

“And you as well! I look forward to seeing what you have for me.”

Raelith stared wide-eyed. This was the first time she had ever seen Noone so cheerful. What could have happened?

“Also… here.” The man handed a slip of paper to Noone. “Just in case.” He smiled and couldn’t help but clap his hand against Noone’s shoulder.

The man was not short, about the average height of a human. However, seeing him have to reach up was a funny sight. It seemed he was not used to it and quickly readjusted his clothes.

“Well then.” The man said. “Three days!”

Noone and Raelith left the tailor’s shop, he smiled in a way that reached his eyes.

“What happened back there to put you in such a good mood?” Raelith asked.

Noone was about to respond, however he paused. Finally, his smile widened. Eventually he just said, “Secret.” and nothing else. Noone was unable to keep from chuckling, he really was in a good mood.

Raelith was at a loss for words. When had Noone ever been mischievous like this?