Chapter 16

Silk Armor, Roya Lane, London, England, United Kingdom

Gen had never cared for the finer things. That was something that her father valued. That her twin sister, Elizabeth, loved. But for Gen, she liked things that weathered the test of time and battle. She wanted durability over luxury.

That was one of the reasons that picking out finer clothes was strange to Gen. But she had heard from Sophia that the seamster she was taking her to would know the best for her. With all her spirit, Gen hoped that this person knew what she needed to feel like the real warrior and dragon rider that she wanted to be.

Imagine Gen's surprise when she entered the seamster's shop to find that the owner of the Silk Armor wasn't a person at all. Standing in front of her, perched on a platform was what appeared to be a man-eating monster. The seamster was a giant spider with huge hairy legs and multiple eyes and the face of nightmares. Suddenly, Gen understood the name of the shop—the Silk Armor.

Gen would have pulled her sword, but Sophia preemptively jumped in front of her, blocking the movement, apparently, knowing that's what she'd do.

"That's Jeremy Bearimy, the master seamster," Sophia assured.

Gen didn't know how to compute the idea that a beady-eyed monster with eight legs could make her clothes. But when the creature clicked his pincers and a man ran out, holding fabric, she began to take notice.

"That's his assistant, Juergen," Sophia said, affectionately pointing at the man holding different cloths in front of Gen, like giving the giant spider an idea of how it would reflect on her skin.

"And they are the best?" Gen asked. "They can help me?"

"They are going to more than help you."

"But it's just an outfit," Gen countered.

Sophia shook her head. "Everything depends on how you arrive in each situation and battle, and that's in your clothes. So, start with that. And we already know that you're going to show up with a badass attitude. But you need an outfit to match your personality. All vigilantes arrive dressed like badasses. So please, show up like you're going to save the world."

Gen gave her a serious look. "But I'm not here to save the world."

"Not dressed like that," Sophia said with a laugh, striding forward, looking up at the giant tarantula. "I think Gen needs to look modern and then like Robin Hood. Maybe you can give her a medieval style with an edge. So maybe a braided top and a half skirt but then make it so she can throw a roundhouse kick."

"I know exactly what she needs!" Jeremy Bearimy said, clicking his pincers and then hurrying off, his furry legs scurrying for the back of the shop.

Sophia brightened, looking at the man "Oh, and Jurgen."

The assistant with a long beard turned, giving Sophia his full attention. "Yeah?"

"Make her look like the most badass Beaufont yet," Sophia said. "You've dressed us all, but she's the first, so make her, well, something better and edgier than the rest of us. Make her look like she belongs in all times."

He nodded, looking to the back where the giant spider was doing…whatever.

"I can definitely do that. We have the perfect outfit for Gen Beaufont."