Bundled up in a scarf and his hands deep and warm in his jacket pockets, Ira strolled down the street on his way to meet Staas at Madame Blueberry’s. He didn’t know the clothing shop’s exact address, only the general direction in which it was located, but Solaris was only so long. His breath misted out into the crisp noon air as he went along at a fairly fast pace, keeping an eye out for a “tiny blue building with open doors,” as he’d been advised.
Sooner than expected, Ira came upon a corner store of matching description (though the doors were closed, presumably to keep out the cold) with a painted emblem in curling, decorative script: “Madame Blueberry’s Clothing and Costuming.” Aha. He glanced at the stands of clothing on display – the quality looked promising, though he didn’t see Staas’ coveted coat, then walked past and inside.
It took a couple of seconds for his eyes to adjust to the dimly lit interiors, but he used the opportunity to take off his hat and wipe stray streaks of snow from his glasses. When the sunny glare of the day faded from his vision, Ira spotted a few familiar figures off to the side and was pleased at the sight of Staas wriggling his son out of his bulky coat as Alida hovered by, obviously excited by the racks of pretty clothing that surrounded them.
“Staas,” he called quietly, approaching the trio as they started for a cluster of costumes. He smiled and stopped to offer a little bow to Theo and Alida, as he had when he’d met them earlier that morning. “I hope I’m not late or anything.”