The glow of lanterns spilled across the cobblestone street, painting long shadows as Shirou walked with Nana at his side. Her small hand gripped his fingers tightly, swinging slightly with each step, her eyes dancing as she took in the city's vivid life. Velgrath was alive—bustling stalls, laughing crowds, floating signs made of glowing runes. For once, there was no tension in her steps, no glance over the shoulder. Just curiosity. Just joy.
They stopped before a shop with polished windows displaying elegant clothes. Dresses of every colour hung behind glass, each adorned with gleaming threads and magical flourishes. One, in particular, caught Shirou's attention—not because of the design, but the price tag.
He leaned in. "That's... steep. Let's hope they've got something less soul-crushingly expensive."
Shirou had money, sure. A good haul from the bandits who'd once thought him easy prey. It didn't matter where it came from—it was his now. Still, he had to be smart about it. He wanted to save enough to buy a new sword—one worthy of what he was becoming.
They entered. A soft chime rang as the door closed behind them. Inside, the air smelled faintly of lavender and cotton. Rows of finely stitched outfits filled the room, each rack more extravagant than the last. A young woman clad in a modest uniform approached with a pleasant smile.
"Good evening, sir. Looking for something in particular?"
Shirou gestured toward Nana. "Something for both of us. Not too expensive, but not dirt cheap either. Middle ground."
The clerk gave a polite nod. "Right this way, please."
As they followed her, Shirou's mind drifted. In this world, money wasn't just about comfort—it was survival. The currency, he'd learned, was called Aether Coins, and it came in four types:
Copper Aether (CA) – the smallest unit, used for common transactions.
Silver Aether (SA) – 1 SA = 100 CA.
Gold Aether (GA) – 1 GA = 100 SA = 10,000 CA.
Platinum Aether (PA) – 1 PA = 100 GA, reserved for the elite.
He barely had a handful of Golds left and a few dozen Silvers. Enough for now, but he needed to be careful.
"Can I choose the colour?" Nana asked, pulling gently at his sleeve.
Shirou smiled. "Of course."
She beamed. "Pink. For both of us."
He paused mid-step. "Pink's not really my thing," he said with a laugh. "You go ahead and get the pink one."
The clerk chuckled. "We do have a pink frock that might suit her. Come."
They stopped in front of a dress that shimmered with soft magic, the pink fabric catching the light like water. Intricate silver waves wove across the hem. Nana stared, wide-eyed.
"Love at first sight, huh?" Shirou murmured.
Nana nodded slowly, completely entranced.
"She can try it on," the clerk offered.
That was all Nana needed. She clutched the dress and darted toward the trial rooms with a grin that split her face.
A few minutes later, she emerged, arms spread wide. The dress swayed as she moved, catching the light like a ripple in a pond. Shirou couldn't help but chuckle.
"You look beautiful," he said.
"I love it!" Nana declared, twirling.
"That'll be 16 Silver Aether," the clerk said. "Would you like something for yourself, sir?"
Shirou nodded. He picked out a pair of black trousers, a dark blue shirt, and a pair of grey boots. Not flashy, but clean and practical. He stepped into the trial room.
Inside, he stood in front of the mirror. The new clothes fit well, complementing his lean frame. He studied his reflection—golden eyes, fair skin, black hair that now reached past his collar.
"Time for a trim," he muttered.
Summoning his knife, he carefully cut the front locks until they barely brushed his forehead. Then, with a black band, he tied the rest into a small knot at the back. The reflection that stared back was a little more grounded, a little more him.
He stepped out.
"Looks good on you," the clerk said approvingly.
"How much for both outfits?"
"Total comes to 37 Silver Aether."
Shirou opened his pouch, counted out the coins, and handed them over. He took Nana's hand, and they stepped out into the cooling night.
"Hungry?" he asked.
"Mhm," she nodded.
They wandered down the street, eventually stopping at a cosy café with soft candlelight flickering through the windows. Inside, the aroma of roasted meat and fresh bread wrapped around them like a warm blanket. Wooden tables were scattered throughout the room, and a few patrons sat quietly eating or chatting.
A young waitress approached. "Welcome! What can I get you?"
Shirou glanced at the chalkboard menu. "What's filling and cheap?"
She grinned. "Roasted meat with fresh bread. You'll love it."
He nodded and took a seat near the window, Nana settling beside him. They watched the world pass outside—lights glimmering, people laughing, guards marching past in polished armour.
Their food arrived—generous portions of sizzling meat, a basket of warm bread, and a jug of chilled water. Shirou ate slowly, savouring every bite. It had been too long since his last real meal. Nana ate eagerly, crumbs dotting her cheeks.
Then she asked, softly, "When are we going to meet Daddy?"
Shirou froze a piece of bread halfway to his mouth. The warmth in his chest flickered.
"Pretty soon," he said gently, forcing a smile.
How do you tell a child that their world has already ended?
After they finished eating, Shirou paid the bill and approached the waitress. "Know any cheap inns nearby?"
"Go down Market Street, take the first alley on your left. You'll see a wooden sign with a sleeping fox. Good place, cheap, and clean."
He thanked her, and they stepped out once again. The streets had quieted, the bustle giving way to soft conversation and the distant tune of a flute. The sky was now a deep velvet blue, stars peeking through the gaps between rooftops.
They followed the directions, cutting through a narrow alleyway that twisted between buildings. It opened onto a quieter road, where a faded wooden sign swung gently in the breeze—The Sleeping Fox Inn.
Inside, a young woman stood at the counter, flipping through a leather-bound ledger.
"Looking for a room?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah. Something simple and cheap."
"Three Silver Aether a night. One bed, attached bath."
Shirou placed the coins on the counter without hesitation. She handed him a key.
"Second floor. Third door on the left. Enjoy your stay."
The stairs creaked beneath their feet as they climbed. The hallway smelled of old wood and lavender soap. When they reached their room, Shirou turned the key and pushed open the door.
It was modest—a single bed with a woollen blanket, a wooden table and chair in the corner, and a closet against the wall. The attached bath was small, with a clean washbasin, a mirror, and a wooden bucket.
Shirou set their things down and glanced at Nana. She stood at the centre of the room, turning slowly, then smiled at him.
"It's nice."
"It is," he agreed.
It wasn't much, but it was enough. For tonight, they had warmth, shelter, and each other.
And for Shirou, that was more than he'd had in a long time.