Walking around the lively caverns of Pleasure Luke couldn't help but feel that he stuck out. While everyone else wore flashy and new clothes Luke was still wandering around in the same rags he had been imprisoned in. Before he headed to the arena rep stall he at least wanted to look less like he had just emerged from a dump, even if that was exactly what he had done.
Thankfully, Pleasure was the perfect place to do some shopping. There was no lack of clothing stores. The only issue was the price. A lot of the prices were extremely high.
With all he had spent at the Hotel and in the weapon shop, Luke had already spent over 500 tickets. While that left over 3000 he didn't want to run too low in case there was an emergency. He also wasn't interested in trading in his one remaining large Azure Gem. He was certain he could get a better deal for it elsewhere.
After a while wandering around the different caverns, tucked away in the back of one of the quieter areas Luke found a small shop that looked ideal. From the shop windows, Luke could see that the clothes and items they were selling looked like just what he wanted. Most shops had smart clothes or items made from colourful materials, which neither suited the day-to-day of the Azure World or Luke's taste.
Entering the shop, like before, a bell chimed and a call came from the back.
"Sorry, I will be with you in just one second." A slightly strained voice called out.
Luke quickly spotted what he needed. He grabbed a simple grey T-shirt and outdoor trousers, as well as a backpack with a clip to secure his metal rod and a dark grey waterproof jacket. Unfortunately, the Dark Dawn had only made the weather in Azure London worse, so protection from the rain was a must.
As Luke looked down at his hole-riddled shoes, he also decided to invest in a new pair of boots. There were plenty to choose from, but in the end, he selected a sturdy-looking black pair.
After gathering everything he wanted, Luke headed over to the counter to pay. A man, old enough that his hair was as white as snow and his face deeply lined with wrinkles, appeared, descending the stairs gingerly. When he reached the bottom and faced Luke, he dropped the box he was carrying to the floor.
The man stood stock-still just staring at Luke, who moved to help the old man pick up what appeared to be a collection of sewing equipment.
"Are you okay, sir?" Luke asked.
"Sorry, young man it's just that you look just like my grandson."
"No problem, I am happy to help."
"You are kind like he was too." The old man's face looked pained as he spoke.
"I'm sorry for your loss," Luke replied solemnly.
"Don't mind me. You won't find a single person in all the world who hasn't lost somebody in the past year. I'm just proud that he died protecting a friend." The man's sadness turned into a smile.
"It's funny; you actually remind me of my foster father. He would have said the same thing."
"Oh is that so. I'm honoured he must have been a good man if he raised a kind young man like you."
"He was."
"I guess we have that in common." It is a tough world. I'm sure he would be proud of you for making your way through it."
"Thanks. I'm trying to make the most of life even in this mess."
"Good." The old man pointed to the large pile of clothes and accessories Luke held. "You have quite the set there. Just to warn you everything in this shop is repaired by me not new. I hope that is alright."
"Oh, that's no problem. I never would have known. It all looks brand new. You have done an amazing job."
"Bless you, glad to hear someone appreciates it." The old man smiled. "You know what it's rare that I meet such a nice person and get to share such a lovely chat how about you take these for free, but promise you will come back the next time you need something made."
"That's very kind but I couldn't take all of this for free."
"In that case, I shall have to give you a discount. Before you refuse I insist."
"If you insist. I appreciate the gesture."
The old man generously allowed Luke to use the changing room to put on the new clothes. Luke had to throw away the old clothes as even the old man didn't think he could fix them.
"I will be sure to come back soon. My name is Luke for next time."
"Excellent. Nice to meet you, Luke. My name is Albert."
After saying his goodbyes Luke left the shop.
*ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED*
[Fashionista] Hidden Bronze Achievement Unlocked for acquiring a full set of clothes. (+3 Health)
After reading his notification, Luke double-checked that he had turned off his title. He was worried the old man had been as kind as he had been because of it. However, Pigeon Pontiff was the only active title. After he had spoken to Jasper, Luke had deactivated Lesser Lord. He wasn't too keen on overusing the ability to manipulate how people felt about him. Also if he did use it he wouldn't be able to find out what people were really like.
Feeling like he was fully prepared Luke headed back to the arena rep desk. When he got back there was once again a queue waiting to see the rep. However, this time the young woman was not there. It was an older woman, whom Luke had not seen before. Behind her, however, was a familiar face. The moment, he caught the man's eyes Jasper sprung out to meet him.
"Wow look at you! A night in Pleasure really can do wonders. You even found some new threads." Luke was interested to see that even without the title Jasper was just as intense.
"I feel a great deal better today."
"Good to hear! Michaela told me you had stopped by while I was gone. It seems like you are all ready to get signed up for the tournament." Luke realised that Michaela must have been the name of the young woman he had met earlier.
"Yes. She also told me that you were busy dealing with the Gate opening. That's impressive."
"No not that impressive." Jasper waved his hand and shook his head to press the point. "I don't get involved in the fighting. I am just in reserve here at Pleasure in case anything gets through. One day though...." He paused and looked onwards.
"Still. You must be strong. I hope you aren't fighting in the arena."
"No sadly my time fighting in it is done. Now I just get to watch. Speaking of, I was thinking that we could go and check out a fight. That way you will know what you are getting into."
"Sounds good. I have wandered around a bit but I never saw the arena."
"There are actually a couple of arenas. The Rookie tournament takes place in the smallest one. It's easy to spot if you know what you are looking for, but not so easy otherwise."
Luke followed Jasper as they went deeper into the safe zone.
"So I take it that metal rod is going to be your weapon then or were you planning on helping out with the settlement construction after this."
"Yeah it wasn't my first choice but I am stuck with it now," Luke mumbled
"Can't you just pick something else," Jasper asked puzzled.
"I wish," Luke replied and this time it was Jasper's turn to find Luke a little strange. Luke realised and tried to change the topic of conversation. "Wow, this place is amazing."
While the comment was just an attempt to distract Jasper from Luke's earlier weirdness, Luke wasn't lying. They had entered yet another cavern that had at least a dozen shops running around the outside. The buildings were not makeshift, but proper pieces of construction. Even in the midst of the apocalypse they had managed to find time to not just build them but adorn them with a touch of beauty. And it had all been built in the last year despite everything going on above ground.
"And you have only experienced half of it if you spent the night in the hotel alone," Jasper replied his big Cheshire grin back on his face. "Make sure you get the full experience at some point. And if you do, tell them Jasper sent you. They will be sure to look after you."
"Thanks maybe I will," Luke responded to be polite.
"But yeah I know what you mean. It's a miracle that this place exists down here."
"I don't actually know which of the factions runs it?" Luke had been wondering about that for a while.
"None of them. That's the thing. Everything you see was built by the boss. They run it all. None of the other factions mess with this place. In fact, a lot of the other faction's leadership spend time here now and then. If you ask me the boss probably has dirt on them or something. There isn't much information that doesn't make it to the boss. "
"Wow, it's all run by one person."
"Yeah. Even more impressive than the place itself huh?"
"True. Do they have a name?"
"Everyone, just calls them the conductor. But that's for another time we are here." Jasper pointed ahead of him to two large round gazebos-like structures made of stone. There was a queue leading down into one and people filtering out the other. On top of them, there was the brightest sign he had seen in the whole of Pleasure. With two words flashing on and off:
"The Pit."