After class, Maris reaches Ember’s apartment with her checked index card tucked in one hand. Ember opens the door before Maris can knock twice and welcomes her inside.
Ember
You made it. I have the rest of your gift ready, and no pressure to open it before you’re settled.
The completed gift rests on Ember’s table, wrapped in fresh green paper with the same twine as before. Ember offers it with both hands, then leaves Maris room to choose.
Ember
After tonight’s class, what do you want next? Not what you should commit to. Just what sounds worth making room for.
Before Maris can answer, her phone lights on the table. Mina’s message asks whether Maris could help set up the display for the mural reception, and how much time she might have.
Mina
Hi, Maris. Could you help with the reception display? Even a small role would help, and you can tell me what fits your boundaries.
Ember
You don’t have to answer immediately. You can decide what kind of help you want to offer, if any, and I’ll listen.
✓ Quest Accepted
Clarify my boundaries about helping with the mural reception
Maris's turn“Ember, I almost passed out talking, and standing up to Sylvester today, but I feel like I finally got through to him and that felt so good. My public speaking class is going well too. It's so hard overcoming my shyness but I don't think I'm meant to be the wallflower in the florist shop forever, and maybe I could work hard and gain the confidence to speak in front of small groups.”
SUCCESS (Superb Conversation, rolled +1)
Maris
Ember, I almost passed out talking and standing up to Sylvester today, but I finally got through to him. It felt so good.
Maris
My public speaking class is going well too. Overcoming my shyness is hard, but I don’t think I’m meant to be the wallflower in the florist shop forever.
Painfully shy catches in Maris’s pauses and tightens her breath, yet Great Listener keeps her tuned to Ember’s attentive silence instead of making her retreat. She finishes the thought.
Maris
Maybe I can work hard and gain the confidence to speak in front of small groups.
Ember sets the wrapped gift down without taking it back, her expression brightening as she gives Maris the whole moment. The room feels quiet enough for the possibility to stand plainly.
Ember
I believe you can. You don’t have to become someone else or fill a room by force. You already know how to make people listen when you speak carefully.
Ember
And if small groups are where you want to begin, I’ll be glad to hear you practice. Not to manage you, just to be here while you become more comfortable in your own voice.
Maris's turn“Thank you Ember. Doing the flowers for the last two events, it helped me realize I have knowledge and a talent that some people want to see, and people can be kind enough to hear me.”
SUCCESS (Superb Conversation, rolled +2)
Maris
Thank you, Ember. Doing the flowers for the last two events helped me realize I have knowledge and a talent people want to see, and people can be kind enough to hear me.
Painfully shy catches in Maris’s pauses and makes her hands tighten around the edge of her sleeve. Great Listener keeps her attentive to Ember’s steady silence, giving her time to finish without retreating.
Ember
I hear you. Those events did not just use something you knew. They showed you that your care and judgment have a place, and that people can recognize them.
Ember’s smile softens, and she leaves the gift untouched between them. Her attention stays on Maris rather than shifting toward Mina’s waiting message.
Ember
You were kind enough to hear other people, too. Now you’re learning that being heard does not require giving up your boundaries or becoming louder than yourself.
The recognition settles warmly in the small apartment. Maris has said the realization aloud, and Ember accepts it as something real she can carry into the next room, the next event, and the next conversation.
Maris's turn“I message Mina back: "Can you tell me what you would like me to do for the mural reception?" I take Ember's gift and ask: "Is it okay if I open this now?"”
SUCCESS (Superb Conversation, rolled -2)
Maris
Mina, can you tell me what you would like me to do for the mural reception?
Mina
I’d like you to shape the flower display, choose what fits the mural space, and help set it up before guests arrive. A small role is completely fine.
Mina’s reply makes the request concrete, but her follow-up adds a cost: she asks Maris to reserve Saturday morning while the gallery confirms the schedule, placing a tentative favor between them.
Maris
I can consider reserving Saturday morning once you confirm the schedule. I’ll help with the flowers, but I need the details first.
Maris
Ember, is it okay if I open this now?
Ember
Of course. Please open it now. I’m glad you asked, but you never needed permission to accept something meant for you.
Maris takes the wrapped gift from the table. Painfully Shy makes her fingers hesitate over the twine, while Great Listener catches Ember’s patient quiet and lets her finish without apologizing. Inside is a small brass bookmark shaped like a rosemary sprig, engraved with: “Your attention makes room for beauty.”
Quest Complete
MarisClarify my boundaries about helping with the mural reception
Skill Upgrade: Conversation Superb→Legendary
New gift: Steady Boundary-Setting
+ New Item Acquired
Rosemary bookmark