A merchant appears with a deal

“Wait, hide!” Shez hears a merchant pass by the road next to the pond. She grabs Petra and hides behind a tree, their naked bodies are so close that they rubbed against each other.

Petra's face goes red, and she giggles. “Shez, we should be taking advantage of this opportunity to get proper clothes!” Petra wades out of the water and crosses the bushes to talk to the merchant. She is a lovely woman with red hair tied into a ponytail and wearing a trendy skirt.

The merchant's eyes widen, and a bit of red enters her cheeks as the half-naked Petra approaches. She laughs and waves their arms. “Hello! I am happy to do business with such lovely ladies! May I interest you in a towel, perhaps?”

Before Petra can reply, Shez runs in front of her. The redheaded merchant smirks as she stares at the mercenary's toned behind. “Look, Petra. I know that people in Brigid have more lax modesty standards, but aren't you a Queen? Wouldn’t it be scandalous to be caught wearing nothing in Fodlan?”

Petra blushes in embarrassment and looks at Shez while the merchant chuckles. “I…”

“There's nothing to be shy about, ladies,” the merchant says. “It's a hot day, it's only natural that you wanted to cool off for a bit. Now, do you want to do business?” She holds her hand up for a handshake, which Petra eagerly obliges.

Shez grumbles, this is embarrassing, but maybe the merchant could help them. “Could we buy some clothes on credit? I'm afraid our money is kind of… not existent, as you can see.”

“I… see,” the merchant released Petra's hand. “I am afraid I can't give credit. Sorry, store policy.”

“Would you be interested in a trade agreement?” Petra offers and points at her skimpy skirt. “I will be giving you this fine plant and its many uses for some of your clothes for my friend to wear.”

“Listen, girls, you seem nice and all, but I can't just give away my wares, you understand?” The merchant's red eyes sparked with inspiration, she had an idea. “However, we might be able to cut a deal. A couple of lovely naked ladies are sure to attract more attention to my stall. If you help me with …advertisement the rest of the day, I promise I'll give you something to wear by nightfall.”

Petra smiles and steps forward. “I would be very willing to offer advertising and to be a model with the fashion of Fodlan.”

“Wonderful! You can start by walking laps around the pond and the town!” the merchant said, unprompted and out of her own volition.

Shez pulls Petra back behind the tree. “Petra, are you sure? Isn't this too demeaning for the Queen of Brigid? To moonlight as a naked signboard in exchange for scraps?”

Petra thinks hard about these words, a faint blush spreading across her cheeks. “We are needing some clothes for the trek back to camp.” She holds out her hand to Shez. “Please be joining me on the first lap. But if you are wanting to be sitting out, that is okay... I will be doing this by myself.”

Shez sighs and takes a deep breath. “I can't let you do this alone. I'm coming with.”

“Excellent! Before you go, one last thing,” the merchant picks up a quill and writes: “please visit Anna's store on the main plaza” above the naked girl's breasts and buttocks. “Now, I'll be waiting at the market! If you need to know where I am, look down!”

Petra blushes with embarrassment after getting painted by Anna. It feels a bit forward, but maybe Fodlan folks have lower standards of modesty? In any case, a lap of the town will not take long. Petra smiles and walks around the pond, showing off a few revealing poses for the astonished travelers.