They had to eat quickly but weren’t late meeting the others. The others were Ann, Andy, Jaidu, and Remtani. Remtani and Nim wanted to get their pledges local clothing. Ann was going along to help make sure they picked out stuff that fit with palace life. Andy went along just to go although Nim suspected he wanted to keep an eye on Remtani, just in case. Nim usually hated shopping for clothes. There were too many selections, too many colors. It made his eyes hurt. He did enjoy seeing Joanne in the different clothes. Unfortunately, most of what he liked, Ann insisted would not work in the palace. “You don’t want her to look like a street kid do you?” She asked that one point. “No, but doesn’t she also need stuff to wear working with the kids?” Nim reminded her. They did find some things they agreed on that Jo also liked. Jaidu was quickly overwhelmed. She had never been shopping before nor had she been given a choice of what to wear. Everything had been tailor-made for her and dictated by her father. Jo helped her pick out clothes to try on. Remtani gave his opinion but deferred to Ann’s judgment. After a bit, both Joanne and Jaidu got an idea of what Ann would okay. Joanne looked for things that Nim would like also. After time, Andy brought an outfit to Nim. “What do you think?” He asked. “You need more clothes?” Nim asked. Ann had bought him several sets of traveling clothes and Tylan had the royal tailor make him a wardrobe. Plus, he still sometimes wore clothes from home. “You’re as bad as Pt’this.” “I meant for you,” Andy said. “Me? What do I need more clothes for?” “You have one court outfit, and if I remember correctly, it’s a hand-me-down from Pt’this.” “Hand-me-down?” Nim asked. “Something that used to belong to Pt’this that he wore but no longer needed so he gave it to you.” “It’s not a hand-me-down. He helped me pick it out, but I bought that.” “Sorry, but I think you need more than one outfit and I think this would look good.” “He’s right. That would look good on you.” Remtani agreed. Joanne peeked her head out of the dressing room. “You can at least try it on.” Nim sighed. He tried it on. “How do I look?” He came out of the dressing room. “It looks good,” Andy said. “It does,” Remtani agreed. “Let me see,” Joanne requested. She was still getting change. He went to show her. She smiled. “Don’t get it.” “You don’t like it?” “I do, but you’ll never wear.” “Why do you think that?” Nim frowned. He actually rather liked it. “Because I’ll keep taking it off you,” Jo smiled. Nim blush. “Now you have to get it,” Andy said. “I agree, get it,” Remtani said. Jaidu peeked out. “I like it,” she said and went back into her dressing room. “Ann?” Nim asked. “You do need more clothes for court. It looks good. Jo likes it. Why have you not bought it? Don’t you like it?” “I do but…” “Let me guess. It’s not black dragon skin. It’s silk, Nim. You are the only mage I know who doesn’t own something silk. Even when I was living on the streets I had one silk outfit.” Jaidu poked her head out. “Why were you living at the streets?” “It’s a long story. I’ll tell you later,” Ann said. She nodded and closed the dressing room door. “Get it already, Nim,” Joanne called. Nim sighed and nodded. He went back into the dressing room. Moments later, Joanne, back in her own clothes, slipped in. “Jo! What are you doing in here?” Nim said surprised. “What’s wrong?” She put her arms around him. “And don’t tell me nothing.” “Can we talk later?” Nim asked. Jo shook her head. “Now.” She whispered. “I just don’t see the point of buying a bunch of court clothes when I’m only stationed here temporarily.” “How much longer will we be in Sen-gan?” “I don’t know. Until the Council decides I should be somewhere else. When they decide Emeton isn’t ignoring the treaties.” “How long will that take?” “I don’t know.” “We can’t live our lives on maybes. Buy the outfit. It will look good no matter where we go.” Nim smiled. “Get dressed. We’ll get that outfit,” Jo said and slipped out. Nim changed back to his own clothes. They paid for the clothes and left. “Are we going to back to the palace now?” Jaidu asked. “Is there something else you wanted to do?” Remtani asked. “I don’t know. I’ve never seen the city,” Jaidu said. “We’ve got a bunch of packages. How about we explore another day?” Remtani suggested. He whispered something to her that Nim didn’t hear. Jaidu nodded. “Okay.” Back at the palace, Jaidu wanted to show Shay her clothes. Ann said she wanted to show something to Joanne in her room so Andy offered to help Nim carry the packages to his room. They bumped into Pt’this on the stairs. “Guess who got new clothes,” Andy said to him. “Jo? About time you bought that poor girl something decent wear,” Pt’this said with a grin. “And Nim,” Andy said. “You got yourself something? Six pairs of black dragon skin aren’t enough?” “No, something for court,” Andy said. “Come on. He can try it on for you.” “I can?” Nim asked. “Come on. I don’t want to be holding these all night.” Andy continued up the stairs. “Come on, hermit. Let’s see what you got,” Pt’this said following Andy.