"That's good. And - hm. I do believe the mall has some options..."

"I suppose I'd also need to borrow some money."

"Fortunately I neither eat nor pay rent, so I have some squirreled away."

"Thanks. Shall we go now?"

"Alright. Back to the house, or do you have somewhere else to be?"

"The mall? Or is that too far?"

"We can catch a bus from close by."

"That works."

The bus is a short walk, which the Crone takes briskly, and barely has anyone this time of day. The mall itself is quiet, the small handful of people seeming almost nervous.

"...Is this sort of atmosphere normal?"

"Has been, lately," the Crone says, voice soft. "People are getting scared. But it wasn't before."

"I see."

She doesn't need a fancy phone, just a cheap one capable of texting and ideally prepaid.

Those are very easily found, at least. Prepaid flip phones seem popular.

She'll get a pink one, then.

"Good choice. Nausicaa might be put out you didn't get orange."

"Orange is definitely not my color."

"You know how kids are with favorites," the Crone says with a laugh. "Now, anything else while we're here?"

"It might be a good idea to expand my wardrobe a bit. I can keep these clothes clean by transforming regularly, but wearing the same outfit forever might get people suspicious."

"Hm, yes. I can afford something nice for you easily enough, but there is a consignment store and a thrift store here..."

"I don't need anything fancy."

"You're a good kid," she says with clear amusement. "You'll probably want a nice thing or two, but that's usually not too hard. Let's start with consignment, then."

Makoto's taste is elegant and understated. She has an eye for pieces that combine well into a variety of outfits. It doesn't take her long to collect a serviceable selection.

And the Crone pays for it easily enough, all in cash, then in no uncertain terms tells Makoto they won't be eating at the mall; they can go home, and the Crone will cook, or they can eat somewhere decent and not made of salt.

Fine by her. She never really liked fast food.

By the time food's done, there'll still be a few hours until Nausicaa arrives home. Does Makoto have something she wants to do in that time?