Alright, first things first... 

Well, I feel like I should head to the inn first, but I don't really wanna show up looking like this. My clothes are a mess. Which, granted, is pretty cool, but I really should show up in civilized clothes.

And, if I'm being entirely honest, the lack of pocket space in these rags is making me antsy.  

"Guess we should hit up Heremays first." I said.

Thus, we began walking to Heremays's place. I probably could have teleported us there, but it's not like it's that long a walk. It'd be unwise to teleport around everywhere, y'know? 

Once again, there were a sizable amount of guards roaming the streets that day. I guess Baldy's paranoia about Catface hasn't subsided yet. I can't help but wonder just how justified it is. Like, on one hand, Catface is powerful, that much is obvious, but the only crime I've actually seen them commit is assault. Which, by my understanding, isn't all that serious in this world. I mean, it's not even noon yet and I've already been assaulted today. It's like it's not even an event anymore. 

Oh, I guess they also did break into an officials home and threaten the life of their child. That's pretty bad, I guess.

And, obviously, there's all the stuff Baldy mentioned, which, granted, was pretty freaky, but I don't know how much of it actually had merit. 

Yet, since they came here, all they've done is buy cat ears and act all cryptic and intimidating for no reason. As far as I know, anyways. It's a little hard for me to imagine they're deserving of a response like this. It feels a little unreal. 

I wonder if I made the right decision, not spilling the beans to Baldy, back then.

...

Ah well, too late to change anything now. Well, not really, but it'd be kinda awkward going back wouldn't it? Plus, S said that I looked cool. No way I'd second guess myself after that.

... 

Oh, all this has reminded me, I oughta see if they're still selling cat ears around here. I'll try to keep an eye out.

Anyways, we got to Heremays's place pretty quick.

"Man, this place looks even weirder from this angle." Sis said, chuckling to herself. I couldn't help but notice a couple guards just down the way doing the same thing.

"Rude." I said, though, honestly, I couldn't help but agree. 

As we were about to enter Heremays's shop, a comedically tall figure, wearing an entirely black robe, black shoes, black trilby hat, sunglasses, and a shadow somehow persistently covering their face no matter where they were facing sped out of the shop, almost running into us. They seemed to be in a bit of a hurry, which made them look a little ridiculous, given their attire.   

I could see Heremays sigh tiredly through the door as the figure sped out. He looked up at us as we came in. "Ohoh, you again! And who might this be?" He asked, cheerily. 

"I'm his sister." Sis lied without missing a beat.

"Ohoh, is that so? I can see the resemblance." 

No you can't, you liar. Well, okay, maybe he can. I mean, our hair and bodies aren't anywhere close, but out faces are pretty similar. Mostly because of the brown eyes and tired gaze. Honestly, when I first met her, a part of me sort of thought she'd be like me, y'know, with the whole face thing. But, I'm pretty sure she just actually doesn't care about anything other than fishing. 

Heremays began studying Sis in a familiar way. I knew immediately where this was going. Honestly, I was kind of looking forward to it. 

"Aha! Stay right there, I have this dress that-" Heremays began.

"No, uh, actually, we're in a bit of a hurry." She said, a little loudly, before Heremays could sprint off into the store. "Sorry." Awww, man.

"O-oh." Heremays said, sadly. "That's disappointing. Another time, then." 

Sis laughed awkwardly.

"S-Sorry, she can be a bit of a drag sometimes." I said, trying to smooth things over. 

Sis shot a glare at me as I said that.

"Oh, no worries. Now, I presume you're here for your ensemble, correct?" 

Calling a sweatshirt and cargo pants an 'ensemble' feels a bit wrong, but, "Yeah. Is it ready?" 

"I just added the finishing touches this morning. It was a little hard to figure out, but I got the material as close as I could. I think you'll be pleased with the results. One moment, please." He said, making his way to the room in the back. 

He quickly returned with my old clothes in tow, looking as good as they were the day I died in them. It was surprisingly refreshing seeing them again. I almost shed a tear, actually.

"Is everything to your liking, boy?" Heremays asked, handing my 'ensemble' to me.

I felt them around a little bit. Specifically, the material in the areas where the holes were made. At first, I didn't notice anything, but, after a moment, I was able to feel a slight difference. It felt a bit denser, a just a little more rough in those areas. It was incredibly subtle. Honestly, I'm not sure I'd have ever noticed if I wasn't specifically looking for differences. Visually, the clothes looked perfectly consistent all throughout, just the same as I remembered them. 

"It's... Perfect." I said, maybe a little too fondly. 

I heard a faint "Pfft." from Sis, who was stuffing back a laugh.

"Oh, I am glad to hear it! In truth, I was quite nervous that I might have mucked something up. I'd only seen garments like this once before, after all." He said.

"You did great." I said. Really, even the little imperfections weren't bad at all. There was something oddly satisfying about the-

Wait, what?

"Wait, you've seen stuff like this before?" I asked.

"Hmm? Oh, yes. Once. It was long ago, though. Long, long ago..." He said, looking out thoughtfully. He sighed, and shook his head, bringing himself back to reality. "Anyways, I'm glad my work was to your liking." 

Okay, okay, okay... That could mean any number of things. Just gotta organize my thoughts real quick, okay.

Whew... So, that could mean that there's somewhere in this world that makes clothes that are like the ones in my previous world. That'd make sense. I mean, there's a lot of overlap between this world and the other. Honestly, I'm almost surprised I haven't seen anything like that yet. 

Or, possibly, it could mean that there is, or maybe was, someone... Like me. A reincarnated one.

That would... Explain a lot, actually, depending how long 'long ago' is. "Uhm, if you don't mind me asking, how lo-"

"Oh, boy," Heremays quickly interrupted me. "Your robes are positively..." He paused as he studied the state of my robes. 

"Yeah, there was some... stuff that happened. Can't tell if this looks cool or not. What do you think?" 

"Hmm... My concern is that the holes are a little big, but the natural, genuine feeling they give really adds a lot. I... Ah, I can't decide."  

"Yep, my thoughts exactly."

"How is this a question? Why would you want to wear something with holes in it?" Sis asked, a little irritated.

Heremays and I looked over at her, disapprovingly. 

She stared back, unnerved by our combined pressure.  

"Anyways," I said, bringing us back to reality. "I'll have to get back to you on this later." I really should head out before I forget to buy cat ears. And also drop by the inn.

"Indeed. Then, I shall bid you farewell, friend." Heremays said.

"Yeah, you too." I said. "Oh, uh, may I borrow a dressing room before we leave?" I asked. I'm eager to get back into my usual garb.

"Oh, of course. Go right ahead." 

"Thanks."

Quickly, I made my way to the dressing room. I practically tore off my robe, and began hastily putting my sweatshirt and pants back on.

Ahhhhhhh... Oh yeah... There's no better feeling in the world than this, surely... This... This is bliss.

I took a good look at myself in the mirror for a while after I finished putting everything on. 

The robe was great and all, but this, this is how it ought to be. This is what's natural. Oh, how I've missed you, sweatshirt and cargo pants.

Before I exited the room, I took one last hard look in the mirror. I flipped my hood up, with great purpose, and stuffed my hands in my shirt pocket. 

Euphoria...