While the shop clerk was occupied with pulling pattern books, Thomas addressed Zilrud's questions.
"It's not that you did something wrong, it's that you don't know the rules, and she found that amusing. People in positions like this put a lot of importance on the rules," he paused, making sure no employees were in earshot before adding, "because it's one of the only comforts they have. It allows them to feel better about themselves when they see others not knowing the steps to a dance they know well."
"The truth, though, is that people are raised into this," Thomas said, a casual wave of the hand taking in the tableau of the multi-generational family doing their shopping, "And so they forget that they ever had to be taught. You don't think about walking, but you weren't born knowing how to walk. You don't need to think when you whittle, or when you chop wood because it's second nature to you. When I do it, I have to concentrate very hard, because I'm not practiced enough to do it without thinking. It's the same with many parts of society, including manners and shopping."
Thomas intuited what Zilrud was asking about obliquely: an idea of what to expect from the rest of this encounter. Some form of step pattern for what was to come so that he wouldn't tread on Thomas' foot again.
"We will start with selecting patterns that are suitable for your frame and your form. That may take some time, as we have to select shirts, jackets, trousers, small clothes and socks. A full wardrobe. Once we have done so, the clerk, or perhaps a male clerk out of respect and decorum, will measure you in many places: the circumference of your ankle, your shin, and your thigh. Your waist, your chest at its widest point which is quite wide indeed, the span of your shoulders, and then the span of your arms. I'm also going to recommend they add in extra seam allowance at the biceps, thighs, chest, shoulders, and back. This will make finding styles difficult for you, but the alternative is having you look like a stuffed sausage the minute you wish to exert yourself and your muscles expand. This may mean additional measurements, as well, so they can verify that I'm not encouraging them to make garments that will look bad and then refuse them payment later."
Thomas mirrored Zilrud's gesture, putting an arm behind the big man in the center of his back where it cleared the shelf of the low couch.
"You're doing well," he said, before beaming at the sales clerk bringing back a stack of pattern books that had to be no less than a dozen thick. "Oh, excellent!" He exclaimed. "I'm sure we shall find something suitable in one of these."
"As you say, Sir," She replied, back to the carefully neutral expression she'd started with.
