March Catch All, open

[kiss_it_better]

🧙 WHO: Chang Geng and you
⚔️️ WHAT: Quests and other open stuff
🕒 WHEN: Throughout March
🗺️ WHERE: Around the town
⚠️ WARNINGS: None so far



i: Run Snagglefoot Run

[A thief, though his magic isn't so suited to this he has other skills at his disposal. He pulls out a map from (a magical hammer space) pouch. He pointed at a spot on it after a quick glance.]

We can head him off here and set up an ambush.



ii: Farmer-R-Us

[He'd helped out on a farm or two during his four years travels so this was a little familiar.

At some point, when his sleeves and the heat had gotten to be too much, he'd stripped off the top part of his robes to tie around his waist as he worked on getting the hay into bales.

Though when it came time to casting magic on the hay he'd dressed properly and looked incredibly interested as he watched the hay's colour turn into a clean, golden colour.]

I wonder if this magic can be used on other things?

[Like water, for example.]


iii: some shopping is in order

[At some point, he needed to get more clothes. Ready made fashion isn't something he's used to so he browses a store with interest...though the styles were all a little strange to him.]

Surely not everyone fits into a standard size... [He looks thoughtful as he rubs a bit of fabric between his fingers.] Though I suppose it is easier to modify an outfit than to make one from scratch. [He lets go with a thoughtful sort of sound. Perhaps you're a stranger and maybe he's talking to himself but he does turn to you as if looking for a reply.

But he can also be found later on, in a different store just looking at fabric, asking questions about the ones he doesn't recognize the material of. One such question that might get directed your way is:]

Would this be a good fabric for summer?

Comments

[angel_of_death]

[The last sentence causes Walter to pause in reminiscence, words conjuring the mental image of his partner, whose clothes could repair no matter what damage they were caused.

This being for one reason: the clothes were not truly clothes, but the vampire's own body.

Walter's expression at this memory is rather complex; slightly uncomfortable, slightly awkward, but not outright disturbed.]

...Well, the fibres are already dead. Perhaps alchemy might work?

[If alchemy could rearrange the metal in his rings to make wires, perhaps it could also rearrange fibres to mend fabric.]

[kiss_it_better]

Hm...perhaps. If we could find someone who knows such magic we could ask.

[His fingers linger on another fabric, one that feels more familiar.]

This one feels more like cotton.

[And it is too! And it's not overly patterned.

[angel_of_death]

[Walter responds to the first with a thoughtful hum. While he does know someone with that sort of magic, he's not certain whether the man would be interested, and if the incident with the bread informed him of anything, it was that the man doesn't very much seem the sort to pursue an action if it does not personally interest him. Maybe if he frames it as a possibility for easily making money...

Walter's mind is brought back to the present when Chang Geng speaks again, the announcement of something like cotton drawing his attention. He leans forward, curious eyes and curious fingers examining the fabric before gently folding it back to expose the label on the bolt's end.]

So it is. Do you like how it looks?

[kiss_it_better]

[What he does first before answer is check the price per whatever-unit-of-measure-is-used-here-probably-metres (either way, it's interesting to think of how unit of measures work. They do use different ones in different countries...perhaps when the Silk Roads open properly they should develop a more standardized unit of measure).

Only when he saw the price did he answer (because it was important).]

I think it's fine.

[angel_of_death]

[Walter notices Chang Geng checking the price, and lets out an amused huff at the behaviour.]

Gauging the quality versus the price?

[There are definitely different grades of cotton fabric. The ones with lower thread counts are less expensive, but rougher to the touch. Finding a good balance is important in their current situation. The fine muslin of ancient India is almost certainly well out of their price range.]

[kiss_it_better]

[He doesn't look embarrassed at all to be caught.]

To be honest, I don't really have an eye for fashion. As long as it's comfortable and isn't overly expensive then it's fine.

[angel_of_death]

Sounds reasonable to me.

[Walter doesn't pay much attention to fashion, either. Even without rationing hanging over his head he hasn't felt the impulse to go out and buy a lot of new clothing.]

What are you going to make with it?

[kiss_it_better]

New robes I suppose.

[One more set should be good, he thinks. He also paused for a moment and his gaze slid to Walter's hands.]

I was thinking I could find a place that sells leather as well.

[angel_of_death]

[New robes. How many yards of fabric did they even take up? Or metres, he supposes. Since when did the metric system become favoured in English-speaking lands, he wonders?

Though it seems as though robes aren't the only thing on his friend's mind for new clothes.]

Why? Fancy making yourself a pair of gloves?

[kiss_it_better]

[Quite a lot which is why he doesn't intend to really increase his wardrobe by too much.

But also, he smiles.]

Actually, I was thinking of making a pair for you.

[angel_of_death]

[Well. His friend certainly has a gift for stunning him with kindness, doesn't he.]

...Yes. Well. You really needn't go to the trouble...

[Even if he could use something to wear other than his combat gloves.]

...but, thank you.

[kiss_it_better]

It's no trouble.

[It's because he's become fond of you, Walter.]

Though I may have to borrow your hands for sizing once I manage to get the materials.

[angel_of_death]

[As bold as Walter is in some arenas, physical contact is still a nuanced situation for him. Aside from touches to the top of his head, he is still unaccustomed to most gestures involving touch, and continues to be shy about it.

Consequentially, the smallest traces of a flush start to creep over his cheeks in response, skin as pale as his unfortunately having a habit of displaying every minute change there is to be marked in flesh.]

...Oh. Of course.

[That makes perfect sense. Though he doesn't know what sort of gloves Chang Geng has in mind to make for him, taking measurements beforehand is bound to make for a better fit.]

[kiss_it_better]

[He notices the blush but decides not to comment on it. Instead, he went back to looking at the fabric.]

If you have any preferences, please let me know.

[angel_of_death]

[The blush soon disperses anyhow; a product of minute flustering that abates as soon as he has that moment to regain his composure.]

...I usually wear a set that covers the whole hand when not on a mission. White leather for serving gloves. Black leather is what I wear for fighting.

[Black doesn't show blood like white does.]

Goatskin and deerskin are the leathers typically used. The ones I'm wearing right now are deerskin.

[kiss_it_better]

[He nods.]

How long would you like them to be?

[angel_of_death]

Well... I already have these.

[He holds out his hands, glancing down at them as he speaks.]

I suppose having a set that covers the fingers entirely would be nice, for more formal occasions.

[Wearing the half-fingered set makes him stick out oddly, and draws too much attention. He doesn't really like attention in formal settings. Attention means having to interact with others, and he still doesn't really know how to handle that well.]

[kiss_it_better]

All right. Should they only cover your wrists?

[He knows there exists gloves that go to the elbows.]

Perhaps I can put your initials on them as well.

[angel_of_death]

...You can.

[It's nothing he's ever had done before. But a little something different from the norm will make them stick out from his other pairs... something to remember them by.]

And yes, there isn't much point in that sort of glove going beyond the wrist.

[Anything longer in that material would decrease dexterity.]

[kiss_it_better]

I understand.

[He did appreciate things that were well made and functional.

He took another look at the fabric.]

This one is good, but I'd also like another colour of the same fabric weight, I think.

[angel_of_death]

[The same fabric weight, hmn? While he can't tell something like that from a glance, inexperienced in the art of sewing as he is, he supposes they might find something along those lines if they stick to the same type of fabric.

Lifting his gaze, he looks over the signage gracing the shelves, murmuring thoughtfully.]

Unless other customers have mixed up the bolts, it looks like similar fabrics should be grouped together...