Warrior Priest of Dmon-Li - Brian Pratt [3]
Jiron has his own set on as well and they look at each other, nodding in admiration. “Actually, James,” he says when he sees him, “it doesn’t look so bad once you have them on.” He comes over and joins him in front of the mirror.
“You look pretty good too,” he tells him.
“It’s still another hour till mealtime,” Jiron says. “What say we go and show off our new clothes to some of the serving girls?”
Smiling at his friend, he replies, “You go ahead, I’m going to go and find Miko. He’s probably still sitting with Nate, and I need to make sure he gets ready for the celebration.”
“Alright, then,” he says. Going to the door, Jiron opens it and pauses a moment as he says, “See you there.” Shutting the door behind him, he heads down the hallway to find one of the several serving girls he’s been ‘impressing’ since they’ve arrived.
Under his tunic, he straps on the belt holding his slugs so as not to be conspicuous. He really hasn’t felt safe anywhere since coming to this crazy world, and he always likes to be prepared. A couple days ago while they were sight seeing in the city, he’d found a store where he was able to restock his supply of slugs. Sitting over in the corner of their room is a box holding a hundred of them. When Miriam had found out why he’d wanted them, she had bought him the box.
Straightening his tunic so it will hide his belt of slugs, he leaves his room and makes his way back up the stairs to Nate’s room. When he gets there, he knocks but receives no answer. Knocking again, he waits but no reply is forthcoming. Opening the door a crack, he peeks in and discovers Nate and Miko are no longer there.
Closing the door, he continues down the hallway toward where they’d put Miko. Being Nate’s friend had warranted him a room to himself next door. As he approaches Miko’s room, he hears arguing inside and raised voices. Fearing the worst, he readies a slug and bursts through the door.
Standing in the middle of the room is Miko, bright red tights in hand and a stubborn look on his face. Nate is there sitting in a chair and it seems as if they’ve been arguing. When the door bursts in, they both turn to see James framed in the doorway.
“James,” Miko cries out holding the clothes out to him, “do you realize what they expect me to wear?” Turning to Nate, he says, “If I have to wear this, then I’m not going!”
“Miko,” James says to him as he enters the room, “we’re their guests. And if they want us to wear these things, then wear them we shall. It’s the least we can do for the hospitality we’ve received.”
“But…” he starts to say and then stops abruptly when he realizes just what James is wearing. Breaking into a laugh, he drops his clothes to the floor and sits down in a nearby chair. “Man, would you look at you!” he says as he starts laughing even harder.
Turning a little red, James looks to Nate who says, “You do look good, James. It’s what everyone will be wearing tonight at the celebration.”
“Come on ‘Torchy’,” James says to Miko as he comes over and picks up the clothes from the floor. Handing them to him, he says, “Put them on.”
“Torchy?” Miko asks when he calms down. “Why did you call me that?”
Pointing to the clothes Miko’s holding, he replies, “Wearing that will make you look like a flaming candle.” Nate breaks out into a smile at Miko’s expense when he hears that.
Looking forlorn, he holds the clothes and says to James with a slight whine in his voice, “Do I have to?”
“Yes, you do,” he tells him. “Now stop bemoaning your circumstances and put them on. Our hosts are expecting it.”
Under James’ glare he gets into his new clothes and sure enough, he looks like a flaming candle. When he looks to James for approval, he does his best to not smile.
“You look good,” he assures him.
“You sure?” he asks as he looks down at himself, not entirely convinced.
James glances to Nate for support, who chimes in, “Miko, you do look fine.”
“Are you coming to the celebration?” James asks Nate.
Nodding,