Liora has barely begun gathering the sewing tools when the shop door opens. A middle-aged constable woman enters, broad-shouldered in a dark green coat, with iron-gray hair, a weathered face, and a brass badge at her throat.
The Constable
Clothier, I need to ask about this strip. It was found near the inner street, caught beneath a stall.
She holds up a torn strip threaded with blue, careful not to touch its frayed edges. Its color resembles the fresh patch covering Sapphire’s sleeve, though the constable studies the comparison without certainty.
The Constable
Did you sell or use blue thread like this today? I am not declaring a theft. I am tracing where the cloth may have come from.
Liora
Yes, I used blue thread today, and Sapphire bought a blue tunic. She also made that patch under my supervision.
Liora keeps one hand near the repaired sleeve but does not touch Sapphire or move the garment. Her voice stays measured as the constable compares the strip’s weave with the patch.
The Constable
Then I need to know whether this piece came from your shop, her clothing, or another seller’s goods. May I examine the patch and your thread spool?
✓ Quest Accepted
Resolve the constable’s suspicion about the blue cloth strip
“"Saph has only been here. She has not left shop, as she is learning sewing, Nya" *I show the patch on the sleave of my old clothes.*”
SUCCESS (Superb Persuasion, rolled +0)
Sapphire
Saph has only been here, Nya. She has not left the shop while learning sewing.
Sapphire turns her sleeve outward and shows the constable the fresh patch covering the tear in her old clothes. Blue stitches cross the worn fabric, uneven but secure.
The Constable
Thank you for showing me. That patch is clearly attached to your sleeve, and the stitching looks newly made.
The constable compares the patch with the torn strip in her hand, holding both beneath the shop’s bright window light without touching either one.
The Constable
Liora, did Sapphire remain here throughout the day? I need the timeline as well as the thread comparison.
Liora
Yes. Sapphire has stayed in this shop while learning to sew. I gathered the tools only moments ago, and the patch was made here from her practice hem.
The Constable
That establishes where this patch came from. I will compare the loose strip with your remaining thread, then record that Sapphire did not leave the shop.
“"Saph used last of spool, Nya." *I move to pick up the empty spool to show the constable.*”
SUCCESS (Great Agility, rolled +0)
Sapphire
Saph used last of spool, Nya. Saph show empty spool.
Sapphire reaches to the worktable, lifts the empty blue-thread spool, and holds it out toward the constable. No thread remains wound around its wooden center.
The Constable
Thank you. That supports Liora’s account that the thread was used here, especially with the fresh patch and finished practice hem.
The constable accepts the spool for inspection without taking it from Sapphire, turning it beneath the window light and checking its blue fibers.
Liora
That was the spool I gave Sapphire for the patch. She used the last of it carefully, and the remaining thread is in the stitches.
The Constable
The color matches, but this spool has no connection to the loose strip’s location. I will record it as evidence of use, not evidence of wrongdoing.
She writes the observation into her notebook, then returns the empty spool to Sapphire’s open hand. The shop settles again around the repaired sleeve and its uneven blue patch.
Quest Complete
Resolve the constable’s suspicion about the blue cloth strip
Skill Upgrade: Persuasion Superb→Legendary
+ New Item Acquired
Empty Blue-Thread Spool
“"Saph want know why cloth you hold important? You claimed just looking for owner, not crime, Nya?"”
SUCCESS (Legendary Persuasion, rolled -1)
Sapphire
Saph want know why cloth you hold important, Nya. You said looking for owner, not crime. Saph asks if you suspect crime?
The constable lowers her notebook and studies Sapphire directly. She keeps the torn strip visible, but does not bring it closer to the repaired sleeve or empty spool.
The Constable
The strip matters because someone may have lost or discarded it, and its blue thread could identify the cloth’s source. I am tracing ownership, not accusing you.
The Constable
I would investigate a crime only if evidence showed someone took it unlawfully. So far, I have no such evidence, and your account fits what Liora has told me.
She opens her notebook to the earlier entry and taps the line recording Sapphire’s stay. The loose strip remains separate from the shop’s used thread and finished patch.
The Constable
The important distinction is this: I am asking where the strip came from, not claiming you stole it. If another owner reports a loss, I will compare their description before drawing conclusions.
Liora
That is why careful questions help, Sapphire. The constable is checking facts, and she has said plainly that you are not accused.
“"Saph would think discarded, Nya. It's ripped trash. is not?"”
SUCCESS (Legendary Reasoning, rolled -1)
Sapphire
Saph would think it discarded, Nya. It is ripped trash, is not?
Sapphire’s repaired sleeve remains beside the constable’s torn strip. The blue fibers are frayed and dirty, while the fresh patch is securely stitched and clearly different in condition.
The Constable
It may be discarded, yes. But torn does not always mean trash. Someone might have lost it, cut it away, or thrown it aside after using it.
The Constable
Until I know which, I record it as found cloth. That protects an owner’s chance to reclaim it without treating the finder as a criminal.
She turns the strip toward the window, revealing a faint red-brown stain along one edge and two tiny green fibers woven through the blue thread.
The Constable
These details may tell me more than the color. The green fibers could point to another garment or stall covering, and the stain may show where it was caught.
Liora
So the strip is not evidence against Sapphire. It is a clue about where someone else’s cloth came from.
“"Saph confused. Saph don't understand how this important. Saph go munch bread now." *I take a large loaf from my satchel, tear off a chunk and munch on it.*”
Sapphire
Saph confused. Saph do not understand why important, Nya. Saph go munch bread now.
Sapphire opens her satchel, takes out the large loaf, tears away a thick chunk, and munches it while the constable keeps the found strip raised.
The Constable
That is fair. In simple words, I do not know if this cloth is trash or belongs to someone. I check before deciding.
Bread crumbs cling to Sapphire’s purple fur as she chews. The constable waits without interrupting, then lowers the strip onto a clean page in her notebook.
Liora
You do not need to solve it, Sapphire. The constable is responsible for asking where it came from. You can eat and listen.
The Constable
If nobody claims it, the record may simply say found cloth, no owner identified. You are not required to do anything else.
The constable marks the strip’s red-brown stain and green fibers, leaving the empty spool and Sapphire’s repaired sleeve undisturbed as the shop returns to its quiet rhythm.