Shopping for clothes without an incredibly strict budget was beyond everything Duo had ever hoped for. He'd always bought his second-hand clothes from Salvation Armies and flea markets, and while he had gotten a few decent outfits before, he'd never been able to afford anything like what he was looking at now.

He passed up a few clothes stores, like Old Navy and GAP, without a second thought. He shuddered at the thought of all the khaki and pastels. Once he found a Hot Topic and a Black Fly, however, he was in clothing heaven.

"Black leather was created for people like me," he mused to himself, staring at a pair of tall, black leather boots adorned with silver buckles and spikes. "And fortunately for those boots, I was made for loving leather." He checked the price tag—eighty dollars—then added them to his horde of treasures without thinking twice about it.

When it was time to meet back up with Hilde, Duo was almost out of cash, but loaded down with dark plastic shopping bags. He spotted her sitting in front of a McDonalds, a single shopping bag lying on the table in front of her.

"Hey, Duo. Have fun shopping?" Hilde greeted him with a cheerful smile.

"You'd better believe it," Duo replied as he bounced over and joined her at the table. "So, can I see the curtains now?"

"Yeah. I think they'll match the room. After all, there's not exactly a whole lot for them to clash with yet."

"What color are they?"

"Pink."

Duo stared at Hilde for a few seconds, letting the sounds from the people in the food court whirl around him. "You're kidding, right?"

Hilde's smile shifted into a mischievous grin. "Of course. I'm not that stupid, you know. Here, tell me what you think." She dumped the contents of the bag onto the table and waited for Duo's reaction.

The package containing the curtains was thick, dark plastic and not see-through, but the picture on the front label pleased Duo immensely. The curtains were a set of sorts: gauzy black spider web material to cover the entire window, and heavy black faux-velvet drapes.

"I was just playing off of what little I know about you so far, so I hope they're your style," Hilde said, carefully watching Duo's face. "Do you like them?"

"They're great, Hilde!" Duo gushed, his face literally radiating happiness. "Don't worry about them not being my style," he added, nodding at the bags he's placed on the ground next to his chair.

"Well, looks like you've been a busy boy," Hilde commented, raising one eyebrow. "Are you going to model any of that when we get home?"

Duo shrugged. "Is that a request?"

"Or an invitation, whichever way you prefer."

"Sure, I might as well. Not that there's much point in it…"

"Why is that?"

"I already know that I'll look great!"