Gray Clouds

Chapter 8 - Unfamiliar Safety.

Delafield City was different to what Eli expected it to be. He expected it to be a busy, stereotypical city with lots of people in suits walking around and borings scenery—albeit better scenery than back in Ramora Lane.

It was indeed a busy, stereotypical city, but it looked a lot brighter and sweeter than he'd thought with different districts. Eli didn't get to see them all from the route Sky was taking, but he did see a few. For example, there was the Entertainment District, where most of the fun-looking things were. It was also where the most sounds were, since it was mostly arcades, video game, board game and tabletop game shops and stage performances. There was even a large indoor theatre!

"Do they always have performances and bands play at the stage?" Eli asked, his face almost pressed on the glass in awe.

"No, of course not. Everyone has to take a break some days, too." Sky answered. "But when it is unoccupied, you're free to use it for yourself. It's not very common that the usual citygoer is confident enough to put themselves up on a stage to perform, though."

Then there was the Shopping District. It was an open area mall full of banners hanging atop streetlights and roofs, mannequins displayed behind windows, and advertisements absolutely everywhere Eli looked. He couldn't help but observe how busy this district was, considering this was the district where most of the groceries and clothes were found.

That was when Eli was reminded that he was wearing the Community dress and pulled the skirt down his legs in embarrassment. Gray, whose arms were leaning on the leather headrest behind him, noticed Eli's discomfort.

"Oi, Sky, could we stop by a clothes store first?" Gray asked, his wing lightly tapping his car door. "I don't think I'd wanna see Eli in that anymore. I hate uniforms."

"Oh, um, alright." Sky pulled over to a side parking in front of a store. Eli unfastened his seatbelt to get out, and Gray hopped out with him to accompany him to the shop.

"Hurry up and pick something, we got somewhere to be." Gray yawned, his wings stretching again in a carefree manner. "You'd better not get anything too expensive, 'kay?"

That was when Eli froze on the spot. "...We don't have any money, Gray."

"...Oh. Shit." Gray mumbled, examining the clothes-filled premises before frowning. "Eh, fuck it, let's ask Sky."

"We can't just ask to borrow money for clothes!" Eli scolded, but his words went unheard as Gray was already making his way back to the car. Eli groaned in frustration, following the angel.

Luckily, Sky had a generous heart, so he gave Gray and Eli a fifty dollar note to buy some clothes. Eli ended up choosing a cheap white-striped shirt, gray leggings and a jacket, feeling bad for having to depend on the detective's money. He swapped outfits in the change rooms, with Gray waiting outside to rate his outfit once he got out.

"...You could've bought something a little nicer." Gray grumbled, disappointment in his tight-lipped expression as he held out the money Sky lent them. "We have about thirty dollars to spare, and you choose this?"

"What's wrong with it? I don't need much." Eli scoffed, snatching the fifty dollar note and looking around to see if anyone was staring at Eli taking a floating note. "Also, don't just hold stuff out, it'll make me look like I brought a ghost here."

"What's wrong with it is that you're not taking advantage of what you have." Gray grumbled, crossing his arms and ignoring Eli's latter statement. "Who knows? You might regret not getting something you like later. It's good to make the most of life, especially since you have a chance at getting one now."

"...Alright, no need to get serious."

"Our entire relationship was serious the moment we met, Starboy. I did save your life, after all."