Livia lifts the front shutters. Morning light spills across the display, catching the golden French toast and glossy brownies as the quiet street slowly stirs.
Mara Vellin, a sturdy middle-aged woman with sun-browned skin, braided brown hair, and a green wool dress beneath a weathered tan shawl, steps inside carrying a wicker basket.
Mara Vellin
That smells better than the whole market combined. Good morning, Livia.
Mara's gaze flicks to Livia's increasingly tight white top, then to the clean pails arranged behind the counter. Her expression turns practical rather than surprised.
Mara Vellin
The curse has been busy again, hasn't it? You should not work yourself past discomfort.
Outside, two farmhands and several townspeople slow near the open shutters. Each soft chime of Livia's cowbell draws another curious glance, until a small gathering forms along the street.
No one from the bakery remains apart from Livia; Mara is the first customer inside, while the growing crowd waits beyond the threshold, leaving the next choice to her.
✓ Quest Accepted
Serve the waiting customers gracefully
“Ignore the breast growth for now as it is slow and I can't milk myself in public. Start selling the brownies and French toast I made to customers for the time being.”
SUCCESS (Good Persuasion, rolled +0)
Livia begins serving from behind the counter, placing warm French toast on small wooden plates and wrapping glossy brownie squares in paper for the waiting customers.
Mara Vellin
Two portions of French toast, and four brownies. I will bring these home before my children smell them.
Mara Vellin sets coins on the counter and receives her basket filled with the fresh goods. Outside, the line advances in an orderly murmur.
the elderly farmer
A brownie for me, and three slices of toast. Your prices are fair for something this fine.
Coins gather in a shallow dish as Livia serves each order. The bakery fills with cinnamon, chocolate, and the pleased sounds of customers discovering the morning fare.
the young farmhand
Save two brownies for the watch at the south gate. They will pay when their shift ends.
By late morning, the first display tier stands nearly empty and the brownie tray has only a few squares remaining. Mara Vellin watches the steady sales with approval.
Quest Complete
Serve the waiting customers gracefully
“As it is now noon and the bakery is out of goods, wait for the remaining customers to leave as well as Mara Vellin, then once everyone is gone, examine myself to see how much my breasts have grown and determine my next course of action.”
SUCCESS (Fair Perception, rolled +3)
The last customers collect their wrapped brownies and toast, leaving coins in the dish and warm thanks behind them. The street quiets as the line disperses.
Mara Vellin
I will return after market-day for another basket. Set aside what you can, and I will pay in advance next time.
Mara Vellin gathers her empty wicker basket and steps into the noon brightness. Soon, only the faint chime of Livia's cowbell remains inside the bakery.
With the shutters still open, Livia checks the quiet workroom, then examines herself by the polished copper panel beside the flour shelves.
Livia Bellagarth
The growth is about half a cup size since dawn, and the next replenishment is already noticeable.
Her white top is strained across her chest but remains secured; the pails are empty, the counters need cleaning, and no baked goods remain for afternoon trade.
The advance-order offer gives the bakery a dependable next sale. The immediate course is clear in the workroom: milk herself, wash the utensils, and begin another batch.
✓ Quest Accepted
Prepare another batch of baked goods for afternoon trade
The Hu-Cow character's milk production continues constantly.
“Livia notices that she still has plenty of milk left over from this morning, and decides she can afford to not milk herself for now, subtly enjoying the current growth. She will refrain from milking herself for now and use the remaining milk collected this morning to bake a few large cakes for the afternoon sale.”
SUCCESS (Great Crafting, rolled +2)
Livia leaves the clean pails untouched for now. The curse continues its steady work beneath her strained white top, while the cowbell gives a quiet chime as she turns toward the worktable.
Livia Bellagarth
The remaining milk is enough for several large cakes.
She pours the morning's reserve into a broad bowl, then measures flour, sugar, eggs, butter, and baking powder with her practiced precision.
The whisk turns the mixture smooth and pale. Livia folds in vanilla and grated spice, dividing the batter among three deep cake tins.
The tins slide into the heated oven. As they bake, the bakery fills with butter, sweet milk, and warm vanilla, replacing the morning's chocolate scent.
Livia cleans the bowls and wipes the counter while the curse continues replenishing what she chose not to collect, making her top increasingly snug.
When the cakes emerge, their golden tops are high and even. She sets them on racks to cool, ready to layer and offer for the afternoon sale.
Quest Complete
Prepare another batch of baked goods for afternoon trade
The Hu-Cow character's milk production continues constantly.