Wardrobe Change

From Reydala

Dante exited the building, leaving his companions (and Mentat, he mentally excluded from the main group) to wring what information from the Dragon Descendant they had found. Apparantly he knew Mikhal. This was surprising.

The Jovenite mused on this as he entered the forest opposite the ruin, wading in a good 40 feet or so. Tossing a glance over his shoulder, he could still see the entrance, but it was unlikely anyone would see him. (Well, time to get to work.)

Dante crouched behind a particularly large tree, and began stripping. First came his cloak, jingling faintly with money, tools, and other pilfered things. His backpack, shoes, and other assorted clothes and gear followed, until he was squatting completely in the nude (save, of course, for his eyepatch, which in the cosmic scheme of things wasn't contributing greatly to the whole "hiding the goods" job that clothing by and large is meant to do). Removing a mirror from his backpack, he looked at himself and winced.

(My hair's gotten way too long. Not a whole lot I can do about this stubble for now, but I should be able to do something about the hair...) Reaching into his backpack, Dante took out a knife, which he used to give himself a very impromptu haircut. (Good enough. Now where are those other clothes?)

Reaching again into his backpack, he withdrew a change of clothes, which he hurredly put on. Mikhal would never let him hear the end of it if he saw a certain tattoo. After getting dressed, Dante stood and was immediately able to tell the difference; for once, he didn't stick out like a sore thumb. As he strapped his katanas to their customary places on his hips, he mentally catalogued his possessions, and decided what could fit into his belt and leg pouches.

(I can keep the mythril, Desteral's sword, and Ichi'Ban's sword...I'll need those tools...no way I'm leaving the spyglass...I guess I can do without the cowbell...)

Straightening once more, he wrapped the belongings he was abandoning into his red cloak, and left the entire bundle behind the tree. He felt a momentary pang, which quickly subsided; he was much more streamlined, stealthier, and could always steal more later. (At least THAT doesn't take up a whole lot of room.)

Dante fingered a ring with a lizard engraved on it he picked up in town as he leaned against a tree, waiting for his party (and Mentat) while certain that he was completely hidden from view.