We walked into Batustone without a hitch, and I couldn't help but take note of the entrance—or, rather, the lack of one. No gate, no guards, just an open space between two stone walls, like someone got lazy midway through building the town.
"The dungeon's entrance was guarded, but the town's wide open?" I quipped, keeping my voice low as we strolled through.
Tia laughed lightly. "There's usually a guy posted here. Guess today's one of those days where no one's bothering to watch."
I raised an eyebrow. "So much for security."
She waved it off. "Oh, don't worry about it. I've lived here for a year, and crime's barely a thing. Everyone's nice, so there's really nothing to be afraid of."
Nice people? Minimal crime? I exchanged a silent thought with Ellen.
"A naïve human, isn't she?" Ellen's voice echoed in my mind, sounding more amused than concerned.
"Yeah, a little too trusting," I replied mentally, not letting my face betray our conversation.
It didn't take long before people started to notice Tia. Whispers spread like wildfire, and soon it felt like we were walking straight into the middle of a celebration. Some stared, others shouted her name. A few even waved excitedly. It was almost like she was some sort of local celebrity.
"She sure gets a lot of attention," I mused internally.
Ellen's agreement was immediate. "Indeed. Tia seems to be well-liked, but she shouldn't get too comfortable with that. Kindness like hers... it can be easily taken advantage of."
I nodded to myself. "Yeah, that's what worries me."
Before the crowd could get any bigger, I turned to Tia. "Looks like you've got some explaining to do. I'll leave you to it."
She smiled brightly, completely oblivious to the weight of the situation. "Yeah, I'll settle things down and come find you once I'm done!"
With that, I slipped away, letting her get swarmed by the townsfolk while I wandered off in the opposite direction. A few curious eyes flicked my way, but no one seemed too interested in the weird guy in the robe with metal feet. Yet.
"What do you make of how they treat her?" I asked Ellen as I dodged the growing cluster of people.
"They adore her," Ellen replied after a moment. "Though, it might be a good idea for her to keep some distance. Being too friendly with everyone makes her vulnerable. She should learn to protect herself better, especially if she's living here alone."
I nodded again, even though Ellen couldn't see it. "Agreed. Too much openness can be dangerous."
Walking through the narrow streets of Batustone, I realized I needed to deal with a more immediate issue. "Ellen, where can I get some proper clothes? I mean, these robes are fine for now, but... you know, metal feet tend to attract unwanted attention."
Ellen's voice took on a joking tone. "Isn't the robe enough for you? It's very... monk-like."
I rolled my eyes internally. "Very funny. I just need some pants and shoes, at least. Don't want people thinking I'm some kind of weird ascetic barefoot wanderer."
There was a pause, and then Ellen sighed. "I'd check my database, but the section on Batustone's local shops is still corrupted. Conclusion: as long as my memory module is broken, I cannot help much with information."
I shrugged it off. "No big deal. I'll figure it out while I'm wandering around."
And with that, I kept walking, taking in the small town of Batustone, keeping an eye out for a place that could outfit me with some proper clothes. Just a pair of pants and shoes—that's all I needed to blend in a little better.
As I continued my walk through the small town, the cool breeze brushed against my face, and the people were as friendly as I had expected. Small-town hospitality was something I was used to in the past, well at least before that wretched war. The older villagers smiled and greeted me as if I were one of their own, while some of the younger ones stared with curiosity at my legs and arms.
I took in the sight of the gardens that lined the streets—lush tomatoes hung from vines, their bright red standing out against the greenery, and another fruit, pink and bulbous, caught my eye. It looked completely foreign, like nothing I'd ever seen before. I filed that curiosity away for later; now wasn't the time to play horticulturist.
As I walked, I was approached by a few people who asked about my mechanical limbs. It was a harmless enough inquiry, so I simply told them the usual—that they were prosthetics, replacements for what had once been flesh and bone. Most nodded sympathetically, as if that answered everything. A quick shrug and a half-hearted smile were all I needed to give. I made sure to keep my robes pulled tight, careful not to let anyone catch sight of the more delicate machinery underneath.
After wandering for a bit, I found myself standing in front of a small boutique. The sign above the door was simple, painted in warm tones, and the inside looked inviting enough. Figuring I could use some new clothes to blend in better, I stepped inside. A soft chime rang as I pushed the door open.
The interior was cozy. Wooden shelves were lined with folded shirts, trousers, and dresses, the air lightly scented with lavender. The woman behind the counter—a middle-aged lady with a friendly face and graying hair pulled into a neat bun—greeted me with a wide smile.
"Welcome, traveler," she said. "What can I do for you today?"
I smiled back and nodded. "Just passing through," I replied, my voice smooth and calm. "Been on the road for a while. Figured it was time for some new clothes." I casually gestured at my tattered attire. "First time in Batustone."
Her eyes drifted to my legs, the metal glinting slightly from under my robes. For a moment, she looked curious but not shocked. It wasn't every day you saw someone with fully mechanical limbs, but the people in this town seemed to take everything in stride.
"I see you've had some... accidents along the way," she said gently, nodding toward my arms and legs.
I gave her a small, dismissive shrug. "Let's just say my real limbs have seen better days."
She nodded, her face softening into a look of understanding. "I'm sorry if I made you recall something painful."
"It's fine. Ancient history," I replied quickly, keeping the conversation light.
She didn't pry further, to my relief. "Well, let's see what we can do for you. I've got plenty of simple shirts and pants in your size." She looked me up and down, sizing me up as she moved toward a rack of clothes.
I followed her through the shop, pretending to be interested in the fabrics and designs. Honestly, all I needed were simple pants and a shirt that wouldn't tear apart too easily. I hadn't planned on sticking around this town for long, but it was nice to blend in a little better.
As she pulled out a pair of black trousers and a dark shirt, something clicked in my mind: I had no idea what the local currency was, let alone if I had enough to pay for the clothes.
The realization hit me like a hammer. I didn't even have a coin to my name.
Clearing my throat, I scratched the back of my head awkwardly. "Uh… I just realized I don't have any money on me."
I thought to myself, Heck, what's the currency in here anyway?
Ellen spoke to my mind, answering my question instantly, "The currency in this world is called talmas. Please keep that in mind."
The storeowner looked at me for a moment and then laughed softly. "Oh, don't worry about that. You're new here, and it's not often we get visitors. Consider this a gift—on the house."
I blinked, a bit taken aback by her generosity. "Are you sure? I'll come back and pay you once I've sorted things out."
She waved her hand dismissively, her warm smile unwavering. "It's quite alright. A welcoming gift for a weary traveler. Just be sure to visit Batustone again."
I couldn't help but nod in appreciation. "Thank you. Really. I'll make sure to repay your kindness one day."
She handed me the clothes, and I tucked them under my arm. The way she talked to me, it almost felt like she was speaking to an old man in a young man's body. Which, in some ways, wasn't far from the truth.
After bidding her farewell, I left the boutique and decided it was best to change out of these ragged clothes somewhere more private. The woods outside of town were a good option—peaceful, secluded, and quiet enough that no one would stumble upon me accidentally. Plus, I needed to poke a hole in the back of the shirt to allow the cable between me and Ellen to stay connected.
I made my way toward the outskirts of the town, heading into the dense woods just beyond the village. The air felt cooler there, the canopy of trees filtering the sunlight into a gentle, golden hue. Once I was sure I was alone, I found a secluded spot between the trees and knelt down.
It didn't take long to change into the new outfit. I kept my robes draped over my shoulder as I made the necessary adjustments to the shirt, carefully cutting a hole in the fabric for the cable that linked me to Ellen. My fingers worked with practiced ease, the repetitive task almost soothing.
As I finished and settled into my new attire, I stood up, stretching my arms and legs. The clothes fit well – better than I expected for something I hadn't even paid for. With the cable secured and hidden beneath the shirt, I felt ready to move on.
But before I could think too far ahead, I heard the faintest sound of movement behind me.