After a long walk, we finally leave the bustling food section behind and step into a quieter part of town, where the streets are lined with shops instead of food stalls.
This area of Mistvale has a different feel—more organized, more specialized.
Rows of stores stretch down the street, offering everything from clothing, armor, and weapons to potions, daily essentials, souvenirs, and maps. Most of the shops are already closed for the night, their wooden shutters drawn and lanterns dimmed, but a few remain open, their warm glow spilling onto the cobblestone paths.
The air here is calmer, the sounds of merchants calling out deals replaced by the occasional chatter of late-night shoppers.
As I take it all in, Eris suddenly snaps her fingers.
"Oh! That reminds me!" she exclaims, turning to me with a grin. "We need to buy you some new clothes!"
I blink. "Eh? But…"
I hesitate. "I don't have any money right now…"
"Nah, don't worry about it!" Eris waves a hand dismissively. "It's my gift to you. A congratulations for landing the job!"
She winks, but then—
She leans in closer, lowering her voice to a conspiratorial whisper.
"And besides…" Her lips curve into a mischievous smirk. "We really need to get you some undergarments."
Huh?
Under… what?
I blink, confused.
Eris leans in even closer, practically nose-to-nose now.
"Undergarments…" she whispers, cupping her hands in front of her chest in a subtle gesture. "You know… for your briskets and your lil' muffins."
…Briskets? Muffins???
I repeat the words, my brain short-circuiting.
Beef brisket? Bread?
Is she hungry again?!?
It takes a second—
And then—
OH.
OH NO.
A wave of heat rushes straight to my face, my cheeks burning so hot I feel like I might spontaneously combust.
RIGHT.
Undergarments.
Underwear.
I haven't even thought about it until now!!!
My face feels like it's on FIRE.
And there is a reason for that.
I swallow hard, suddenly terrified of the answer to the horrifying question forming in my head.
"E-Eris?" I stammer, my voice barely a whisper. "W-Whose undergarments am I wearing right now?"
Eris tilts her head, as if the question is no big deal at all.
"Oh, mine, of course," she replies casually.
Like it's the most natural thing in the world.
At her words, I freeze.
My entire body locks up.
Brain: MELTDOWN MODE.
What?
WHAT?!?
I'm…
I'm wearing Eris' panties???
I'M WEARING ERIS' PANTIES?!?!?
HOLY. FREAKING. SHIT!
A tidal wave of emotions crashes over me—shock, embarrassment, and something else I can't even begin to identify.
My brain short-circuits, flickering between panic and utter humiliation.
I know I shouldn't be freaking out about this.
It's just girls sharing clothes, right?
Nothing serious… right?
RIGHT?!?!?
But just the thought that the panties I'm wearing used to be worn by Eris as well…
Indirect muffin touches…
AAAAAAAAAAAA!!!
DAMN YOU, PERVERTED THOUGHTS!!!
I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to drown out the flood of improper images rushing into my mind.
But the damage is done.
The horrible, awful, sinful thoughts refuse to leave, pulling me deeper into a dangerous abyss.
I have to stop.
I shake my head violently, as if that'll rattle the inappropriate thoughts out of existence.
But then, I glance at Eris.
She's just chuckling.
Chuckling.
Like this is nothing.
Like she's completely unaware that I am mentally combusting right now.
"Don't worry," she says, her tone casual. "They're mine, but they're new! I literally just bought them last week. I haven't worn them yet."
…Oh.
OHHHH.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!
I want to die.
I WANT TO DIE SO BADLY NOW!!!
The perverted thoughts earlier were one thing.
But now—
Now that I know Eris never actually wore these panties…
WHY THE HECK AM I FEELING DISAPPOINTED?!?!?
I physically recoil, clutching my chest like I've just been struck by divine judgment.
No.
NO.
We are not going down this rabbit hole.
MOVING ON.
There's another issue.
The top part.
Eris and I are about the same height and build, which is why I can wear her clothes without much trouble. In fact, the dress I'm wearing right now is hers.
It's comfortable.
I like it.
But there's a key difference.
The chest.
Eris has…
Well.
She has a chest.
Two round, jiggly chiffon cakes.
Meanwhile, mine?
Two sad pancakes with tiny raisins on top.
Or, in simpler words—
FLAT.
FLAT AS A BOARD.
I glance down at myself, heaving the biggest sigh of my life.
Right now, I am literally just wrapping a piece of cloth around my chest to keep my nipples from poking through the dress.
That's it.
I grip my cloak tightly, trying to suppress the wave of existential dread creeping up my spine.
And then—
"L-Let's get those undergarments now!" I squeak, voice cracking.
Eris bursts out laughing, her golden eyes twinkling with amusement.
"Yeah, let's go!" she grins, grabbing my hand and dragging me forward. "I know just the place."
Before I can protest, she pulls me through the narrow streets, weaving seamlessly between people and carts, her tail flicking excitedly.
We finally arrive at a quaint little shop, tucked between two larger buildings.
A wooden sign hangs above the door, swaying gently in the evening breeze.
"Eclipse."
The name is delicately carved into the wood, and through the shop's windows, I see the soft flicker of candlelight dancing against the glass.
It's late, and most shops are already closed—
We're lucky to have made it just in time.
With a soft creak, Eris pushes the door open, and we step inside.
--------------------------