The Moogle shop's door chid softly as Helios stepped inside, the faint scent of polished wood and brewing herbal tea greeting him. The soft orange glow of lanterns lit the interior in gentle warmth, and the Victorian-dressed Moogle stood behind the counter, already smiling.
"Welco back, kupo!" the Moogle chirped, his round red nose twitching with excitent.
Helios smiled and stepped forward, his boots barely making a sound on the wooden floor. "Good to see you again. Everything okay?" he said warmly.
The Moogle adjusted his little top hat with a proud bounce. "Yes everything is fine and its always a pleasure seeing my dear friend and our best custor. The young gentleman is getting changed now, kupo. The outfit ca out wonderfully."
"Glad to hear it," Helios said, and turned toward the sound of soft footfalls echoing from the backroom.
Thalen erged, dressed in his new attire.
He wore a short, tactical jacket with cropped sleeves, a high collar, and reinforced angular shoulder guards. The jacket was navy with faint geotric patterns stitched in silver thread—reminiscent of constellations. Underneath the jacket was a black sleeveless compression top with a faint heart emblem over the chest—split down the middle into light and dark halves. There was a single strap across the chest with utility pouches; another leather strap wrapped diagonally from right shoulder to left side, clasped with a crescent-shaped brooch. The pants were asymtrical—the left leg was armored with smooth, matte silver plates etched with swirling sigils; the right leg had fabric with layered belts and stitched glyphs running down to the boot. The boots were heavy, knee-high combat boots with wide tongues and tallic toe guards. Each has an emblem resembling a broken crown stitched into the side. He also wore fingerless and tight-fitting gloves. There was also a chain dangling from the belt with a miniature hourglass. Hood folded at the back with a feathered trim.
Helios took a mont, genuinely surprised at how naturally the look suited him.
"You wear it well," he said.
Thalen blinked once not saying a word, Kurai then stood up and said. "I chose it since the boy has little when it cos to a sense of self. Now take him and do sothing about the hair."
The Victorian Moogle clapped his small hands. "Told you we'd make both of them look stunning, kupo!"
Helios chuckled. "You delivered."
As Kurai turned her gaze away, Helios caught a brief flicker of reflection in her eyes—a remnant of the ancient, overwhelming darkness that was her soul.
"Still," Helios said, glancing to the counter, "maybe I should get sothing new for myself too."
The Moogle perked up. "Oh? Are we planning a new look, kupo? We've got so designs that would fit you perfectly!"
"Next ti," Helios said with a half-smile. "Right now, I've got other errands to run."
The Moogle's ears drooped slightly but quickly perked back up. "Anyti you're ready. And oh! We've got you a new Moogle Card, kupo!"
The Moogle handed over the sleek silver rectangle embedded with a glowing gem at its center. "Your share from the last batch of synthesis items—ninety-thousand munny!"
Helios raised an eyebrow and took the card. "That's... generous. Guess I won't be short on munny anyti soon since Skuld still has my other card."
"And if you ever want to invest in anything, let us know," the Moogle added, fluttering up to the counter.
Helios's gaze slid to Kurai.
"Actually that's a good idea," he said, "I'd like to ask you all to purchase a house."
The Moogles collectively gasped.
"Wait—kupoooo! You're not gonna stay with us anymore?" The Victorian one's voice wavered just a bit.
Helios laughed, a rare, genuine sound. "It's not for . It's for her," he said, jerking his head toward Kurai. "In case she cos by and I'm not around. She'll need sowhere to stay."
All three Moogles went stiff.
"Y-yes! Of course! Right away, kupo!" they stamred, visibly sweating at the thought of denying Kurai anything.
Kurai blinked, turning slowly to regard Helios. "Why?"
"Because I trust you'll need your own space," Helios said with a sly grin.
Kurai didn't respond imdiately. She looked around the cozy shop, then back at him. "I suppose I will."
Helios nodded and turned to the counter. "Use the card to make the arrangents. Sothing modest. Discreet. Just enough to lay low."
The Moogles saluted. "You can count on us, kupo!"
Just then, Kurai whispered low enough for only Helios to hear, "You're oddly considerate."
Helios shrugged. "I like having less to worry about. And you don't like asking for things."
Kurai narrowed her eyes, not disagreeing.
The door to the back room opened again and Thalen erged after the Moogle took him back to trim his hair.
His windswept blond hair had been brushed neatly to the side.
Helios studied the boy's look from boots to the hourglass chain on his belt.
"Well done," he murmured. "That suits you."
Thalen gave a faint nod, eyes never fully lifting.
The Moogle flitted beside him proudly. "The young miss was very picky—but we figured it out, kupo!"
Helios knelt slightly, eting the boy's eyes. "Thalen," he said again. "Rember it because that's your na now."
The boy blinked and tilted his head slightly, curious, but didn't resist.
Kurai stepped beside the boy. "Thalen," she repeated.
He turned to look at her.
"I think it suits him. Well, any na is better than none I suppose," she said flatly.
Helios gave a soft smirk. "It will grow on him."
Then, as he stood, he clapped once. "Alright. Let's get you settled in. I've got work to do and we'll head out in a few hours."
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