Young Writers Society

Mage shook his head.

"Not like this," he replied.

"Clothes are usually sold in open markets," Soul clarified from nearby, "and neither one of us really goes to them."

Mage gave a tiny nod in agreement.

"Hmm, that would make sense I suppose," said Jennifer, "in that case though, would you like to pick something a little more different to this style you picked or just something similar to it?"

Mage mulled it over for a moment.

"Both would be good," he decided. "I like the style, but I also want to try more new clothes on."

"Hmm...then perhaps one more color in this style?" suggested Jennifer.

Mage nodded.

He eyed the table again, looking for other jackets in a similar style but also in a different color. After a few moments of searching, his gaze landed on a dark blue jacket. The fabric was a little different, but it still felt soft when he picked it up and draped over his arm with the other one.

"I like this one," he decided.

"Hmm, I think that one's another good choice," said Jennifer looking it over carefully. "I think you're a bit of a natural at this. Or at least you've gotten lucky twice."

Mage stood a little straighter with a smile on his face.

"Thank you," he said. He turned to Soul out of habit, the smile still there. "Soul, you should-"

He faltered. Soul, who had been watching the conversation from close by, did as well. Soul couldn't feel things with his armor on, and didn't have the best sense of touch even without wearing it. Mage wanted him to feel how soft the jackets were, but there was no point in asking.

"They look nice," Soul said, with a smile in his voice. He moved closer to Mage and peered down at the jackets. "The dark blue one is my favorite."

"Blue is usually superior, that is correct," said Harry, agreeing with Soul. You also seem to have pretty good taste.

Soul, though no one could see it, gave a smile underneath his helmet.

"Thank you," he said. He paused. The smile grew a little more. "You have good taste, too."

Harry gave him a warm smile and gave him a gentle pat on the back. He had no idea what possessed him to do that, but it felt right somehow.

Soul stiffened.

He wasn't against the contact, but it was...strange. Zogin had never done that, and Mage was more for giving hugs than something quick like a pat on the back.

Harry noticed how Soul stiffened and reasoned that maybe his past wasn't too terribly off from Mage's own when Harry had run into him last time.

Jennifer broke him out of his thoughts as she asked Mage if there was one more piece he'd want to select. Three as it turned was usually a good number for this sort of situation.

Mage glanced at the clothes in front of him again.

His first thought was to grab another jacket, but he had wanted to try clothes on that he wouldn't normally be able to wear. Wearing multiple versions of the same jacket was too limiting. He needed something different-

His gaze landed on a dark jacket nearby.

It wasn't the same kind of jacket as the ones he had on his arms. It was long, with long sleeves and a noticeable collar. The end of it would probably go down just past his knees.

He grabbed the jacket.

"I think I have everything," Mage said.

Harry had to let out a chuckle when Mage picked out the last of his jackets. He had a feeling Mage was going to end up looking utterly adorable in that.

"Great, umm, let's find the nearest changing room then, and you can go try that on. Soul, do you want to come and help him what looks good on him. Harry, I assume you're..."

"Actually I want to see this, " said Harry, straightening.

"Well there's a surprise," said Shania.

"Please," said Harry, shooing both of them.

"I also want to help Mage with trying the clothes on," Soul offered, not wanting them to think he didn't want to be involved if someone else had already been him to it.

And...maybe it was naive of him to think, but Soul also couldn't help but wonder if the privacy of a changing room would be a good place to bring up what he was hiding under his armor. He was still hesitant about sharing it with anyone else, but Harry seemed...different. He could see why Mage trusted him so much.