The Guardian startled, drawing back slightly and widening those silver eyes even as Tess leaned away from the counter and dropped the pouch of coins somewhere safe. No way she was giving those up!

"I don't have to. I want to," Declan replied earnestly, blinking slowly and tilting his head. "Miss Levante will provide most of the things you need free of cost, but for uncommon items, like a personal wardrobe or food that doesn't come from the fabrications, you have to come to Miss Everis."

"Yep. I'm sort of like a legal black market, around here. If it makes you feel more comfortable, you can call me the commissary. Doesn't matter to me. But what I've got isn't easy to get, and it costs. Don't worry. Declan here can afford it. He's a nasty penny-pincher," the woman scowled playfully. Declan merely shrugged in reply. It wasn't that so much as he had absolutely nothing to spend money on other than ammunition and occasionally parts in the hangar. And that was so rare that he had enough money saved where the banking droid recommended he stop acquiring funds.

"It's alright, Aoba. I promise," Declan offered, the gravity of his voice reflecting the sincerity of his expression. "I don't have anything else to spend money on. Some clothes and a real meal shouldn't be an issue. Please?"