"Actually yes, you have perfect timing. I am looking for flexible combat boots that are tough and good for martial arts." The attendant that had asked was happy to help. He had just been trying to find a customer to make a sale since he was paid based off of how many customers he helped.
"These here are out favorite combat boots for martial artists. These here are also water proof." The grey pair he pointed too looked bulky but water proof was a good idea. "These here are fire resistant and also very flexible." The black pair he pointed to did not have water proofing but withstood fire. However they looked pretty soft and definitely couldn't protect his feet as well.
"Hard seller huh? Well this pair right here are our multi-use combat boots. They are actually made by the same engineer as the shirt you're holding. They are tough and flexible but also made to resist water and fire. They are not full proof but can handle warmer temperatures or basic rain storms." Asher's eyes lit up seeing that these blue and white striped boots matched the shirt and pants he chose along with had a range of qualities.
"I will take these one then. They look perfect and match my favorite color blue." The attendant happily took down Asher's size and went to the back storage room to find a fitting pair.
'Now to look for some combat gloves..' When he made his way to the shelves and racks full of different gloves he found way too many options. He started immediately looking for the same style he had for his boots and clothing but came up empty.
The attendant returned with a box with his combat boots in them and handed them over to Asher. "Is there anything else I can assist with today? Or would you like to check out now?"
"Actually I had hope that there were gloves made by the same engineer as well?" Asher still could not see any.
"Ah, unfortunately there were but they were placed on sale last week and sold out. If there are any left they are most likely damaged or returned. I can point out other options." Asher's face dropped unhappy with this. But what could he do?
The attendant went to grab a pair he recommended when his shirt caught on the rack nearby. The attendant managed to get out of the way as the rack fell with a loud crash.
"Ah, I am sorry sir. Are you alright?" The fear on the attendants face was strong until he realized that no one was hurt and that everything was fine. The audible sigh was a sign to let Asher relax as well. However as the attendant rushed to pick up the fallen display a small flash of blue caught Asher's eye.
"Wait a minute. '' Asher bent to grab the little bit of blue and white fabric from under the fallen display. When he pulled it out he found that he was looking at flexible and tough combat gloves that match everything he had found so far. "These look like they were under your display. They must have made it unbalanced. I am glad you're alright. But do you think I could purchase these?" The kind smile Asher had made the attendant rest easy. He also was happy to see that his customer had found the cause of such a problem most likely preventing it from happening again.
The attendant took extra care when checking Asher out since he was thankful for him being so polite with the falling display. The beep of the scanner rang out twice when he scanned the gloves. "Well look at that, these are listed as fifty percent off. You got a great deal for these." This made Asher's day even better.
With his smile wider than anything Asher clutched his bag now holding the game he had gotten and also the gear he had just bought. He couldn't be happier with what he found and saw similar smiles on his friends' faces as he saw they had the paperwork in hand for their orders.
"The guy that helped me knew exactly what I wanted. He even had a design that I could have adjusted as I grow and get stronger. They really are the best engineers in the world." Art was raving to the two as they walked out of the design store.
"You think you struck it good, I have a woman who knew exactly my style and what would work for my power. She was even able to make a mask that would let people see my face indirectly using a clear mirror like technology. When she looked at me through it she didn't freeze up!" This was great news since Jane had been worrying about this constantly.
"That's awesome. I can't wait to see what they look like at camp. I just got some premade items but they are all matching and by the same engineer. It's a complete set." Asher almost pulled his out thigh in the middle of the plaza but decided it would be better to wait and show off at camp.
"So all that's left is to hit the grocery store right? Asher couldn't think of anywhere else he needed to go.
"Well I need to stop upstairs and have my mother sign this on her lunch break. If you guys want to go ahead and eat while I do that I would be fine." Art pointed upward toward the upstairs hero corp offices. It would make sense that his family worked for hero corp if they had such a large mansion property. They did have some of the world's highest paid employees.
"Yes, that is fine. We want to make sure you can go to camp. Hurry up and go get that signed." Jane was a little forceful when she said this but neither of the boys thought anything of it. 'Hehehe. Asher and I can have a lunch date now!'
"Then I am off on my way." Art waved to them and headed towards an elevator while flashing his student Identification card to a man posted as security. He soon disappeared to the upper floors.
"So anywhere you want to go eat?" Asher figured it was only polite to let Jane decide.
"Then we should try those five alarm tacos. I saw the advertisement when we walked in and I know you really like tacos…" She had her hands behind her back a little shy to say this but her words were like music to his ears.
"Taco day! I'm definitely down with that. Come on!" Asher grabbed Jane's hand in excitement and practically dragged her in to the store. 'He's holding my hand.' Jane was off in her own dream land.
"Hello, welcome to taco palace, are you interested in our five alarm taco deal? One five alarm taco and a milkshake. Get the hot and the cold just like A rank hero frost fire." The woman taking their order pointed at a man with flames all over his body but breathing ice from his mouth. This was one of the more popular heroes that advertised on the side to make a little extra money for charity.
"Sure, we will take two please!" Asher took the liberty to order for both of them and pay. His father had made it clear that a woman should never be forced to pay when with a gentleman. Jane was busy swooning in her own little world. To her Asher was becoming a dashing gentleman.
Their order came out fairly fast, however the heat coming from the five alarm taco was intense. They could feel their eyes start to burn just from the fumes coming off of it. The milkshakes were frosty and nearly solid ice cream but this was just the way Asher liked them.
"They even swirled the chocolate and vanilla, this is the best way to make a milkshake." Jane was more interested in the milkshake than the taco. 'If I eat that taco I might breath fire too.' This was her only thought when she saw the pure fire that seemed to radiate off the five alarm taco.
'Well I can't give up now. I need to be strong and fight the fire.' Asher grabbed the taco and committed to his first bite. "Huh, it's not hot at all." He was surprised to notice there was no hint of heat at all. However as he said this he realized that it was just a delay. The searing heat started to spread across his tongue.
Jane had heard him say this and already taken a bite from under her mask. "I was wrong, I was wrong." Asher had started to tear up and his face was turning red. He was way out of his normal.
"Oh no. Oh no. Oh no." Jane could only repeat this over and over as she was not used to dealing with extremely hot foods. The two were struggling to take another bite but could not stop now. The perfect lunch date Jane had envisioned had turned in to a strange red face, tearful dance.