Celia guides Sapphire away from Master Oren’s shop, leaving Oren and Bram behind with the accusation settled. The brass door closes on their voices.
Near the east gate, two wardens inspect carts and bundles. One is a broad middle-aged woman, with a weathered face and gray hair tied back in a blue tabard, while the other is a young man with a red-plumed helm, a slim young adult in a brown tabard with a clean-shaven jaw visible beneath the helm and a ledger.
Celia
They check what enters, what leaves, and whether trade goods are declared. Watch first, Sapphire. We can ask before approaching.
A farmer waits beside a cart of turnips, an elderly man with a sturdy build, a sun-browned face, and a straw hat over thinning gray hair while a peddler opens cloth-wrapped tools, a young adult woman with a narrow face, dark braided hair, and a russet traveling coat for inspection. Travelers answer questions, show permits, or pay small gate fees.
Celia
Ask, “What must I declare?” if you carry something uncertain. Ask, “Is there a fee?” before handing over coins. Never guess when rules are unclear.
Celia
You can also ask where visitors may walk, which goods need permission, and whether a seller’s price includes any tax. Questions protect your choices.
The gate opens toward a busier street beyond, where painted signs mark the town’s inner districts. Celia stops beside Sapphire, leaving the next approach to her.
✓ Quest Accepted
Learn the customs governing entry to town
✓ Quest Accepted
Gain permission to enter town
“"Saph will do what asked of her, Nya." *I walk up to the guard.* "Witch goods need permission, Nya? Is there a fee, Nya?"”
SUCCESS (Legendary Reasoning, rolled -1)
Sapphire walks up to the east gate, keeping her hands visible. The broad middle-aged woman in the blue tabard watches her approach while carts wait nearby.
Sapphire
Which goods need permission, Nya? Is there a fee, Nya?
Broad Middle-Aged Woman
Some goods need permission before entering: spell reagents, enchanted objects, rare poisons, and weapons meant for sale. Ordinary food, clothing, and personal tools do not.
The warden points toward a painted board beside the gate, where simple symbols mark restricted trade goods. The younger warden consults his ledger.
Broad Middle-Aged Woman
Visitors owe no fee just to walk through. Sellers may owe a small market tax, and declared restricted goods may require an inspection charge. Ask before paying.
Young Man
If you carry anything uncertain, tell us plainly. We can inspect it here and explain the rule before you enter the inner street.
Celia remains beside Sapphire without answering for her. The open gate leads toward painted signs, crowded streets, and the town’s unfamiliar rules.
Quest Complete
Learn the customs governing entry to town
“"Saph safe pass then, Nya. She wants know basic rules please. Before Saph pass through."”
SUCCESS (Good Persuasion, rolled -3)
Sapphire
Saph safe pass then, Nya. She wants know basic rules before Saph pass through.
Broad Middle-Aged Woman
Safe passage granted. Basic rules are simple: keep to public streets, do not take what is not yours, obey posted signs, and ask before entering private places.
Young Man
Do not draw weapons inside town unless defending someone. Declare restricted goods, pay sellers the agreed price, and settle disputes with a warden instead of shouting or fighting.
The broad warden marks Sapphire’s entry in the ledger and gestures through the open gate. A few waiting travelers stare at her purple fur, and the young warden writes an extra note beside her name.
Celia
That note is only a caution for the gate watch, Sapphire. You have permission to enter, and you can ask us whenever a rule is unclear.
Broad Middle-Aged Woman
You may pass without a fee. Keep your satchel closed in the crowd, and return here if you need help finding a district or reporting trouble.
The gate wardens step aside. Sapphire passes into the inner street, while the extra scrutiny follows as a small cost of being noticed in an unfamiliar town.
Quest Complete
Gain permission to enter town
Skill Upgrade: Persuasion Good→Great
“"Saph thank you, Nya~" *I travel into the inner street. I spot a sign shaped like a dress, and see display windows showing dresses clothes and shoes.* "Celia! Saph what in there, Nya~." *My tail wags.* "Saph want clothes not salvaged like she currently wares."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Reasoning, rolled -2)
Sapphire
Saph thank you, Nya~
Sapphire passes beneath the east gate into the inner street. Her attention catches on a painted sign shaped like a dress, with bright clothing and shoes displayed behind polished windows.
Sapphire
Celia! Saph what in there, Nya~. Saph want clothes, not salvaged like she currently wares.
Her tail wags and bumps a brass shop bell through the open doorway. It rings sharply, drawing a wary glance from inside, but the display remains open to her.
Celia
That is a clothier. They sell new dresses, shirts, trousers, cloaks, and shoes. You can ask the prices and choose what fits.
Celia
Your wish is clear, Sapphire. We can enter and explain that you want ordinary town clothes, then ask whether they have anything within your coins.
A young adult woman steps into the doorway, slim beneath a green apron, with brown curls pinned back and a measuring ribbon looped around her neck. She studies Sapphire, then opens the door wider.
✓ Quest Accepted
Obtain ordinary town clothes
“"Nyllo, Saph allowed enter? She want clothes, Nya. Ummm... She requires stuff you not have. She wonders if make special for Saph? What Saph find like?" *I look at the clothier lady.*”
SUCCESS (Great Persuasion, rolled +0)
Sapphire
Nyllo, Saph allowed enter? She want clothes, Nya. She requires stuff you not have. Can make special for Saph? What Saph find like?
The clothier’s wary glance softens. She steps aside and gestures Sapphire into the bright shop, where folded fabrics, hanging cloaks, and polished shoes fill the walls.
Liora
Nyllo. Yes, you may enter. I can make clothing to fit your fur, tail, ears, and shape, though custom work costs more than ready-made clothes.
She lifts several garments from a display: a loose blue tunic, sturdy brown trousers, a violet hooded cloak with a tail opening, and soft ankle boots.
Liora
For practical wear, I suggest a tunic with side fastenings, trousers cut for your tail, and a cloak with ear room. I can also make a simple dress or a layered skirt.
Liora
You may touch the fabrics and choose what feels useful. I will measure only with your permission, and first we can discuss prices for each option.
Celia
You can ask which pieces are ready today and which require making. Tell her what you want to learn first, Sapphire.
“*I look at the taller Clothier with aw.* "Saph think you pretty. Saph call you Pretty lady, Nya" *I smile.* "Saph think blue tunic complments Her fur, Nya."”
SUCCESS (Great Persuasion, rolled -1)
Sapphire
Saph think you pretty, Pretty lady, Nya. Saph think blue tunic complements her fur, Nya.
Sapphire looks up at the taller clothier with open awe and smiles. Her tail sweeps across a low basket, sending folded ribbons spilling onto the floor.
Liora
That is a lovely compliment, Sapphire. And yes, the blue would suit your purple fur beautifully.
The clothier gathers the ribbons, then holds the blue tunic against Sapphire without touching her. Its loose cut leaves room for fur and movement.
Liora
This tunic is ready today. It costs four copper shinnies, and I can add side fastenings for your tail at no extra charge.
Celia
She is offering the tunic now, Sapphire. You can ask to touch the cloth, check the price, or ask what the fastenings do.
Liora
The fastenings let you put it on without pulling it over your ears. Would you like to feel the fabric before deciding?
“"Saph touch fabric." *I feel the fabric feeling how soft it is.* "Saph fine with no fastenings, Nya. Saph like Pretty lady, Saph offer touch, She wish for pat on head."”
SUCCESS (Great Perception, rolled -1)
Sapphire
Saph touch fabric, Nya. Saph fine with no fastenings. Saph like Pretty lady.
Sapphire takes the blue tunic from the clothier’s hands and rubs the fabric between her fingers. It is soft, smooth, and faintly warm from the shop’s sunlight; one loose ribbon catches her claw and tears free with a tiny snap.
Sapphire
No fastenings fine, Nya. Saph like. Saph offer touch. She wish for pat on head.
Liora
You may touch the fabric, and I accept the compliment. A pat is allowed if you ask first, Sapphire.
The clothier sets the torn ribbon aside, then raises her hand and pauses above Sapphire’s purple hair, waiting for clear permission rather than assuming it.
Celia
She is asking before touching you, Sapphire. You can say yes or no, and either answer is proper.
Liora
The tunic remains four copper shinnies. I can mend the ribbon, and you can decide whether you still want this one.
“"Saph sorry, She not used to this. Saph willing to pay four coppers, She wants, Nya. An Saph offered, She want head pat." *I wait eagerly for the head pat from the Pretty lady.*”
SUCCESS (Great Persuasion, rolled +0)
Sapphire
Saph sorry, Nya. Saph not used to this. Saph want tunic and willing pay four coppers. Saph offered pat, too.
Sapphire retrieves her worn leather satchel, counts four copper shinnies from the remaining coins, and places them carefully on the counter. The purchase leaves her poorer, but the blue tunic is hers.
Liora
Apology accepted. Four copper shinnies, received. The tunic belongs to you, and I will mend the torn ribbon before you leave.
The clothier lowers her waiting hand onto Sapphire’s purple hair and gives a gentle, brief pat. Her fingers avoid the cat ears, careful and respectful.
Liora
There. Thank you for asking first. You may keep the tunic on, or I can wrap it while you look at other clothes.
Sapphire
Her hand is gentle. The tunic is Saph’s now, nya.
The clothier lifts the mended blue tunic toward Sapphire’s shoulders without touching her, while folded trousers and a violet cloak remain displayed nearby.
Quest Complete
Obtain ordinary town clothes
Skill Upgrade: Persuasion Great→Superb
+ New Item Acquired
Blue Tunic