Chapter 75 Fancy Meeting You Here.

  The men’s tailors across from the Extravagance is Priceless was built with solid columns and large sweeping curves. It was designed in a way to inspire a sense of power and opulent authority. The lines were filled with brass and polished to perfection that shone brightly in the early morning sun.

  The duo arrived just as the sign was being turned from ‘Closed’ to ‘Open’ and they were immediately ushered inside by a middle aged man who had not only immediately taken notice of Lenna’s incredible dress, but also where they had just come from and had instantly put together why they would be there. “Please, my Lord, my Lady, come in and let us see what we can do about the Lord’s attire.” He said with a bow.

  There were more people working in the Threaded Arsenal than where the duo had just come from and they all seemed to be a bit more grounded. They also had a larger stock of clothing on hand though none of it was as strange as the dresses in the Extravagance is Priceless. The staff were a mix of men and women, all human save for a singular female half-elf who hardly even looked at Isaac once she saw Lenna. It wasn’t that the woman was suddenly drawn to Lenna, quite the opposite in fact, it was as if she realized that Isaac was not available and that she would not be able to take him so she let it go and got back to work.

  It only took a few minutes for Isaac to be introduced to a tapestry vest that was solid black with silver outlines of flames embroidered into it with enough depth that they almost seemed to come alive. There was a subtle magic woven into the inside of the vest that made the silver flames glow softly. The vest would only last for the next one hundred years, as long as it was properly taken care of, before the enchantments would burn out but that was fine for Isaac. The back laced up so it would always be a skin tight fit that would embolden his silhouette and, even if it wouldn’t do anything for his height, would make Isaac look even more fit than he already was.

  After the vest, Isaac found a pair of black pants with silver stitching that were specifically designed to go with a silver on black style of upper attire. He also received a pair of black boots with silver laces and a new black shirt that had exclusively platinum buttons, just like the vest. Next up was a black regency style coat with its own platinum buttons and cuffs. The coat’s seams were lined with short silver tassels that worked to outline every hard line of Isaac’s upper body.

  As soon as Isaac was dressed he stood in front of Lenna and offered her a smile. They had only been in the tailor’s for an hour and the coat had just finished being sized to fit him by two people working in tandem. The tailors took the fact that Isaac had said that it was a ‘rush job’ very seriously. “My Lady, if I look even a tenth as radiant as yourself, then we may want to warn Lucius of our arrival.”

  Lenna gave him a dazzling smile that caused his brain to melt into soft rice pudding. “You look far better than a tenth, my Lord, I would say you might have even reached half.” She teased with a twinkle in her eye.

  Isaac laughed. “Then,” He turned to the head tailor who had overseen most of what had culminated in Isaac’s new attire. “you, good sir, and your employees, have truly out done yourselves. At some point in the future, we will be commissioning you again. Perhaps for nearly half of my wardrobe.”

  The much older man bowed deeply towards Isaac. “It has been our pleasure, Lord Darkness, and we would be honored if you would allow us to produce even one more outfit for you to wear.”

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  Isaac and Lenna wrapped up their clothes shopping and then headed to the cafe that the gnomish dressmaker had told them about. In the end, Isaac’s clothes had only cost them five thousand gold after the markup for the rush job and the fitting. It was hardly a drop in the bucket but it was still the same price that a gold level adventuring bounty paid out on just Isaac’s clothes. It was only after they left that Isaac realized that the Threaded Arsenal was decently priced considering the level of attire that was sold there. As they were leaving, Isaac noticed a suit on a manikin in the window. It was wearing the same suit that Fable wore and a few things fell into place.

  Threaded Arsenal was a clothing shop for high profile combatants. Noble scions, platinum level adventurers, Guild Masters, those were the kinds of people who shopped there. With that knowledge, their prices started to make sense. They probably weren’t even making a one hundred percent profit on each piece because they were always busy. Even while Isaac and Lenna were there, aside from the second of the two salesmen, everyone else was constantly working on one project or another. With the newfound knowledge of whom the Threaded Arsenal often supplied, Isaac now had a sneaking suspicion that a few of the pieces that were hanging inside the tailor shop were specifically made for him just in case he ever showed up. Especially considering the fact that Isaac had been known to work with plenty of Guild Masters and even the Glinting Blade from time to time. Isaac going to their tailor for his own clothing needs would only be natural. Once they were outside, Isaac shook his head and chuckled.

  “What?” Lenna wondered from under her black parasol that Isaac was holding for her with the same hand that her arm was looped around. Isaac explained what he had just realized and she could only comment: “Only the prepared, smart, and lucky survive in business.”

  “True, true.” Isaac agreed. “Any ideas about what you want for breakfast?”

  “Something that won’t get my clothing or hands dirty.” Lenna replied and looked over herself. “I feel like even the slightest speck of dust will be noticeable from across the street.”

  Isaac chuckled. He was wearing all black with only a bit of silver, which was a bit more forgiving than Lenna’s all platinum and silver white, but he still feared getting dirt on the new clothes. They were worth more than some of the magic items he had used and the only part of them that were enchanted at all was his vest’s flames and that was one of the lowest level light enchantments. “I’ll do my best.” He assured her.

  The cafe was spotless and there were even a few pairs of noble heirs and heiresses on dates sitting inside. As soon as the duo entered, the entire cafe started to get quieter and quieter as everyone, one by one, noticed Lenna and couldn’t help but stare. She was practically glowing from the mid morning sun and the ground beneath her feet was entirely devoid of light or color. That was the only way that Isaac knew to make sure no dirt got on the bottom of her skirt or the furls around her ankles.

  Isaac entered behind her and then interposed himself between Lenna and the gawking young nobles. He made eye contact with the barista. “She may be the most stunning person you have ever met, but you should still maintain your professionalism.” He casually chastised the young woman. The brown haired woman jolted from Isaac’s words and bowed so deeply that her forehead hit the edge of the bar. Isaac barely suppressed a wince. Maybe they had gone a bit overboard with Lenna’s new dress.

  “I-I greatly apologize, my Lord, my Lady!” The young woman exclaimed.

  Isaac just sighed. They definitely went overboard with the dress. Now they absolutely had to get the underarmor for the royals sooner rather than later. There was no way that the king and queen would not end up hearing about their presence by the end of the day. Even if the royals already knew that the duo were there, their relatively low profile actions up until that point had at least helped delay any audiences with the royals but now, as far as the king and queen were concerned, the duo were both dressed to the occasion and it would soon by time for a summons.

  “Lord Wexler, Lady V’Nova, fancy meeting you here.” A familiar voice chimed from further into the cafe. Isaac turned just in time to see Lucius rising from his seat across from a charming young woman. “Please, join us.”

  Isaac glanced at Lenna just long enough for her to nod in assent. “Lucius, we would love to.” Isaac confirmed and led the way for his wife. ‘In for a copper, in for a gold.’ Isaac thought to himself. The topic of that particular saying was how high profile they were at the moment. Everyone knew who they were already, there was no point in trying to downplay their presences, so Isaac had no reason not to help out Lenna’s eyes while they walked further into the cafe. The cafe in question was on the corner of an intersection which meant that all of the seating had a bright view out of a massive glass window that took up most of the two exterior walls. It made for a very pleasant view, for everyone who wasn’t hyper sensitive to the light, so Isaac did what he could to help his wife. The parasol may have helped outside, but that was not something that could be carried around indoors. So instead, Isaac just nearly blacked out each window as they walked past until they arrived at Lucius and his date’s table.

  Amaranth Serentia V'Nova Wexler