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Mono wasn’t going to deny it: the Pale City was terrble. It was full of trash, there was never anything to eat, and it was always cold and rainy. However, despite the constant downpour, it had a few amenities that made it a little more bearable. For Six, it was the occasional not soaked cardboard box to stay in; for Mono, though, it was the antique hat shop next to the old general store.
He and Six had been travelling through the streets trying to find a place to get out of the rain the first time he noticed it. Like all the other buildings, it had started crumbling long before they had gotten there—the old, hand-painted sign had begun to fall off the hinges, its windows were cracked and filthy, among several other things that made it…less than ideal. Though, what caught his eye was how most of the hats were almost perfect. A perfect row of perfect hats, all lined up like they were waiting for that moment. Six had gone up ahead, though the clattering in the next room made it obvious to him that he should hurry up.
…
She could wait.
He walked over to the row of hats, looking over them for a moment before picking up the one to his left.
A definite no.
First and foremost, the hat dropped over his eyes. Most of the time he wouldn’t have minded, in fact it was almost preferable—to an extent. This was unacceptable. Second of all, it looked like something straight out of a magazine. Mono didn’t know how anyone in their right mind would voluntarily wear it, nor did he ask. The hat went back to its stand.
After some serious contemplation, he picked up another one, this one with a gold badge on the front. The hat itself wasn’t anything special—just a blue hat with a black brim. He plopped it on his head and looked at himself in the broken mirror. Yes, it certainly fit well, however it didn’t match at all; the blue clashed with the olive green of his coat way too much for his liking. This hat went back to its stand as well.
Mono stared at the rest of the hats. After not one, but two misses, he was cautious about which one to pick next. Ten minutes went by, before he finally landed on a black hat with a wide brim. Just like the last one, it wasn’t anything special; however, something felt special with it. He just didn’t know why. Placing the hat on his head and facing the mirror, he stared at his reflection.
….
It wasn’t right either.
He took the hat off and placed it back on its stand. Six call for him from the next room, her impatience very much clear. The hat shop had nothing left for him in turn, so he started making his way out, before a box in the very back caught his eye.
Six could wait a few more minutes.
Rushing over to it, he lifted back the flaps of the box, causing dust to scatter everywhere. He looked inside and—wait. Could it be? No. It was impossible.
Was it though?
In the box was the brightest yellow hat Mono had ever seen. There were a few tears, but it would be good for keeping the rain off his head. His paper bag had needed an upgrade after his last one tore from constantly getting drenched.
After Pulling his bag off his head and putting it in his pocket—making sure to fold it nicely of course—he plopped the hat onto his head, tying the strings underneath his chin.
It. was. Perfect.
Everything was correct, like the hat was made especially for him.
Closing the box, he made sure that his new bright, colourful, amazing hat was turned the right way, before setting off to go find Six. And to show her his new bright, colourful, amazing hat, only for her to call it obnoxious.
And to all the adults in the city, bright enough to make them noticeable in just about any hiding spot.