The odd group of three were the first ones to wake up the next morning. Having slept in the forest for the past few days, they had already gotten accustomed to waking up early in the morning.
After Zingel brought up two buckets of water, the girls wiped themselves down in the smaller room that was provided for baths. They changed into their clothes after which Evy took two silver coins from the bigger pouch and placed them in her smaller coin pouch, "Now, this is how it is Thea, you should not remove another coin from the purse. This should be enough to last us a couple of days. There is food, and there is the issue of our clothes," she gestured at the silver coins, "this should be enough for all of that."
Almathea cocked her head, "Are you sure? There is still more we can use." She shook her the pouch with the larger amount of coins.
Evy shook her head, "We are common people right now, Thea. Common people don't just flaunt around wealth that they do not have. Do you understand me?"
Almathea nodded, "I think I do. But we should also find a way to earn more money then. That way we don't have to be frugal."
"Frugal?" Evy was confused upon hearing the new word.
"You know, self-denying ourselves of money."
Evy shook her head over the new word. She was absolutely sure of Almathea's position as a noble's child.
As they were speaking, Zingel finished wiping himself down and he entered into the room without knocking. He walked in, with just a pair of trousers covering his body. He hugged the unknowing Evy from behind. Evy froze and slowly turned her head to look at him.
When she realized who it was, she got out of his hold and smacked him over the head, "Do you think that this is your house. Why are you coming in without knocking? What if we were undressed?"
The boy rubbed his head, looking quite pitiful. He pouted at Evy, "Zingel finish. Zingel finish. Zingel clean." He gestured upon his clean self. Since he did not have his own clothes, he usually wore only a cloak to cover his torso and the only pair of extra trousers that Almathea owned. However, at the moment, his torso was bare, and the cloak had been discarded somewhere. The pair of trousers he wore, since they previously belonged to Almathea were a little tight on him.
However, he did his best to keep himself clean. If he refused to be clean, the sweet smelling girl refused to get close to him.
Evy flushed, and blinked twice, "Who are you showing your bare body like this? Here." She shoved the cloak to him, "Put this on. We are going clothes shopping this instant."
Almathea watched them silently, as she strapped her backpack onto her back.
After a light breakfast they began to explore the small village. There were a lot of people walking in the town. There were some stalls that had been put up which were selling various things.
Lexine took everything in with an excited look on her face. The feeling of being surrounded by so many people felt so new to her. If it were not for Evy pulling her along after every stall, then it is possible that Almathea would have stopped at each and every one.
The trio arrived at a building which sold clothing within a few minutes. Zingel did not know how to associate himself with people, therefore he had stuck close to Evy almost as if he was glued to Evy's side.
Evy did not stop him either. The two people she was with did not know anything about how dangerous towns were. People were looking to con you. Don't think that because they were smiling it meant that they were actually nice. The shopkeepers would try to keep you so that you used up all your money.
If you tried to ask someone for help, there was a high chance that they would lie to you so that they can con you out of your money. If you tried to help a begger, no doubt they would try something that would make you leave all their money to them. If not, they would stick to you and refuse to let go unless you gave them what it is they desired.
In other words it was completely pointless to try and believe in someone you did not know.
It was thanks to Evy's superior skills that they managed to reach the shop that sold clothes. Almathea and Zingel had no idea how she did it.
Inside the clothing shop, there was a small number of people buying clothes. However, they looked beautiful and comfortable enough to walk in. Almathea immediately wanted them. She turned to the duo, "I think this would be the best place to buy clothes, what do you think?"
Evy looked around the shop with a frown on her pale pink lips, "I don't think that it would be good to buy clothes here Thea. They look like they would easily get spoiled if we wore them too much."
That was true since the clothes were meant to be worn by people who did not do too much work. However, Almathea was relentless, "But they look so good. Its not like we don't have the money." She whispered the last part into Evy's ear.
"Remember we are going to be hunting monsters to get money. We need to find sturdy clothes. Come."
Almathea and Zingel looked longingly at the clothes that were on display before following behind the shorter girl. Although Evy was the shortest out of all of them, she was still the scariest. If she did not want to do something, there was no way that you would make her do it.
The group of three arrived at another shop which sold clothes that were coarser looking and cheaper. Evy immediately bought clothes for all of them using the money.