>>1038678
1.

1

4, it's been there for days already, a few minutes more won't make much difference.

It's just underwear, leave it be. You have money to make.

>>1038678
What's the town's statute on exposure that isn't nudity? You're wearing white and if that becomes see through, does that violate the HIGHLY illegal public nudity laws?

I say 4 as well. Being nonchalant means not making a scene, which would be good in case you run into people who know you. Taking your time also means you might find some potential customers.

3, you need to be there and back before anyone even knows you’re gone!

I can support going fast... only IF Saiorse decides to wear exercise clothes to run instead of her white shirt.

Saiorse 2022/07/21(Thu)17:18 No. 1038837 ID: 8483cf
File 165844909542.png - (33.18KB , 750x1200 , CR_48.png )

I head straight for the door and throw it open. This is UNACCEPTABLE that my unmentionables have been hanging out in public for DAYS and I need to go get them RIGHT NOW so people don’t think I leave stuff just lying around, I need to be professional and-

Huh.

Professionals probably wear bras under white blouses in public.

I close the door.

Maybe, just maybe, I should slow down a little and think things through. Yeah. Everything’s been sitting out for days, a few extra minutes won’t change anything. But I definitely need to worry about my appearance, if I want people to think they can rely on me for theirs.

I put on some underwear and a cami, actually grabbing a handbag for my errands this time. Even if my blouse turns a little transparent, nothing will be showing.

Everything is going fine, Saiorse. Just take it easy and relax. With that in mind, I head out the door and make my way to the secret swimming spot as casual as can be.

It’s early afternoon, and the sun is hot.

Is there anyone at the Secret Swimming Spot when I arrive?
1. No
2. Yes, Naomi
3. Yes, an adventurer Naomi told about the spot
4. Yes (other)

Are my stockings, garter belt and bra still hanging from the vines?
A. Yes
B. No

>>1038837
2, A.

2, B

3, B

3A.

A. Yes. Give her a break. Buuuuut...

4. It's about to be eaten by Tineola. OH NO!

or 3.

>>1038837
3: Yes, one of the adventurers.
A: Yes, but they're in use by the adventurer.

Saiorse 2022/08/28(Sun)15:40 No. 1042085 ID: 8483cf
File 166172641547.png - (15.29KB , 500x500 , CR_49.png )

I arrive at the Secret Swimming Spot to find Elaine, my first (non-paying) customer, dipping her hooves in the water. I bet Naomi told her about this spot, so I can’t count on it being totally secret anymore. Oh, well. It’s still nice to have a little secluded spot that takes some real effort to find.

I glance at the vines where I left my underthings. They’re safe and sound! Hooray!

I clear my throat and quietly announce myself with a quiet hello. I don’t want to spook her.

“Oh!” Elaine jolts upright and looks over her shoulder, eyes wide. “Um… I… It’s you. Ah… hello.”

“It’s Saiorse. Elaine, right?”

“Y-yes,” she says. “Um… did you want to go swimming?”

“I’m just here to pick up some laundry,” I say lightheartedly.

“Oh, those are yours? I was wondering…” Elaine sighs. “Never mind.”

Something is clearly bothering her. I try and steer the conversation to something she’ll obviously like.

“Did the corset I made you fit?”

“Yes,” Elaine says. “Very well, and it was very sturdy. Your reinforced robes helped me out on my first mission, too. Thank you.”

“Happy to be of service!” I glow with pride. “Did the mission go well?”

“Ah…” Elaine sighs again. “Everyone says it was a complete success. My clients, the Censors, are very happy with me. I helped get some very valuable cargo to some very needy people. But…”

“But?”

“I just…” Elaine stares at her reflection in the river for a moment before continuing. “I don’t know how to feel about them. About the Censors, I mean. How people can swear to do and serve one thing, but act completely the opposite. And then some people you think are jerks turn out to be okay, but… they’re still jerks, but less of a jerk, and… they took vows, and I took vows, but they judge me without knowing me, and… I’m sorry, I’m rambling, and you must be so confused.”

“It’s okay,” I say. “It’s good to get it off your chest. I don’t know what it’s like to take a vow as important as a vow of poverty or celibacy, but I can say that no one has the right to judge you like that. It isn’t fair.”

Elaine kicks her hooves in the water. She seems to feel a little better.

I collect my things and fold them up as tiny as I can into my errand bag. As I turn to leave, Elaine calls out with a question.

“Um… if I were to ask you for something, then, you wouldn’t judge me either, would you? Please don’t tell anyone.”

“I’m sworn to secrecy and non-judging,” I say solemnly.

“Then…” Elaine scrunches up her face. “Would you… if it’s not too much trouble… I can’t really offer anything, but… I… I’d just like to wear something nice. Something that makes me look like I… like I hadn’t taken my vow.”

I let out a high-pitched squeal and quickly cover my mouth. Elaine looks at me, shocked.

“Of course you can!” I say. “You can try on whatever you want! I’d love to help! Our little secret. I promise.”

Elaine glances around nervously, but excitement lights up in her eyes. “You can’t tell anyone.”

“I double swear. In fact, I vow not to tell anyone. It’s that serious.”

“Good,” Elaine smiles. “Ah… do you really mean you’ll let me try on anything?”

“Yep, anything!”

“Okay,” Elaine says. “Um… I’m just thinking about a few things, but… do you have anything like… um… I I’ve always wanted to see how a few things just… just fit, you know?”

What kinds of clothes does Elaine want to try on? Do I have them in stock, or do I have to make some myself?

She throws a curveball and wants to wear goth clothes!

You'll have to make them tho.

Let Elaine try something cute, and totally not practical. Like a brightly colored sundress. Or maybe something casual, like a tanktop and jeans.

You definitely have things like these in stock, though you'll have to make some adjustments to let them fit her.

>>1042086
This. Or you have some of the pieces, but they're a little tight around the waist.

>How people can swear to do and serve one thing, but act completely the opposite
"... Oh, darling. It's because nobody cares to ask.
Most don't find it 'polite', even if it might be necessary, to frequently ask questions about a priest's faith, or a politician's maturity, or a soldier's courage. So, all the bad people hide their flaws by joining up, and then it turns out they're good at climbing the ranks without believing in anything."

>Vow of poverty sucks
"... You know, I wonder if there's a vow that's even more painful, but far healthier and happier."
[Vow of Charity]
You swear an oath to give away everything - even the very robes on your back - to anyone in need. You may not hold onto any form of wealth for more than a month (and based on digestion, you must consume or surrender food even faster).
(Note: Augmentations count as material possessions, unless they merely mitigate the effects of a crippling wound without enhancing the user in any way whatsoever.)

>Clothes
Guy clothes! You know, since she's just trying things on.

>>1042086
We ABSOLUTELY have to get her full-on Corpsepaint Goth

Give her socks but put a lot of emphasis on them as the main part of the getup!

Now that I think about it, since Elaine wants to try on the clothes we have, maybe we can ask if she wants to try modeling now and then. We did think about it before. The only thing is that right now, she doesn't want to be judged. But perhaps this can be a stepping stone to let her try on outfits without our judgement, and then later, we can ease into letting a friend or two visit and see her in the outfits we design until Elaine is more comfortable to model and show off our clothing to potential customers. Plus, she's not going to be owning them, just showing them off.

Saiorse 2022/09/11(Sun)13:21 No. 1043510 ID: 8483cf
File 166292771885.png - (50.81KB , 500x500 , CR_50.png )

“This is our secret,” Elaine whispers. “Just… do you have anything… dark and elegant?”

“Lots!” I say. “Anything specific?”

Elaine fidgets for a minute. “I can’t describe it that well. I’d… I’d like to wear something cute, with lace, and tons of detailed etching, and… and it would be shapely, too.”

Elaine’s just described literally the opposite of what she’s been wearing her entire life and I LOVE IT.

“Can do!” I pump my arms in the air. “You want dark, cute and frilly? You got it!”

Elaine grips her hands together tight and stares straight at the ground, and it’s super obvious she’s fighting to keep a smile off her face. She’s not even allowing herself to show excitement about fancy clothes. She is STARVING for fashion and refuses to even acknowledge it.

Guess it’s my job to break her of that habit!

“Why stop there?” I say. “How about seeing yourself in something super poufy and floofy, like a spaghetti-strap dress with a billion petticoats? Oh! I know! I’ve got some ankle socks that are just to DIE for! And how about some nice comfy jeans? Or even skinny jeans! I love jeans. Great excuse to show off your butt, AND they’ve got POCKETS!”

Elaine is biting her lip so hard I’m afraid for her a little bit. I step close and lean down next to her.

“I promise you’re gonna look great and feel great, too. You wanna know a secret?”

Elaine nods.

“The secret is…” I whisper in her ear. “I think your vow of poverty is really unfair, and I would never tell anyone about what you wear or do or wish, ‘cause a girl’s gotta dream.”

Totally out of the blue, Elaine reaches up and gives me a huge hug with her big long arms and I have to dodge one of her horns from stabbing my face but that’s totally okay.

“Thank you,” Elaine says after a long moment. She lets go, and I’m very grateful I didn’t sneeze when my face was right in her hair.

I sit down next to her and we both stare at the water for a minute. I take a moment to appreciate how well things have gone today. I got a customer (even if she was an angy sheep that didn’t really appreciate my work). I got my underthings back. And I even got, maybe, a new friend.

I don’t really have to do anything other than run a few errands, but those can wait. It’s afternoon, and the day is hot.

Should I:

1. Offer to take Elaine back to my shop RIGHT NOW and let her try on stuff
2. Finish running my errands and look for a maid
3. Ask Elaine if she wants to go swimming

2. Your a PRO FES SHUN AL, you gotta get your chores done, and find a maid! but ask her when a good time for her to come over for modeling would be.

I really want 3, but we just became her friend, and I feel offering that is too forward.

1 is my second choice, but I think we really gotta prioritize getting a maid to help clean our place first.

3. You're already here! Might as well. Finish up your errands and look for a maid tomorrow.

>>1043510
Errands first, elaine can come in discreetly this evening

2, those errands are important, and shouldn't be ignored.

3 would be fun, but let's be real you did NOT bring a swimsuit. You need at least one more level in your friendship with Elaine before you can suggest stripping down to your underwear and swimming together.

1/2 Saiorse 2022/09/11(Sun)20:52 No. 1043554 ID: 8483cf
File 166295475555.png - (34.03KB , 500x450 , CR_51.png )

It would be fun (and daring!) to go swimming with Elaine, but neither of us have swimsuits. I don’t think Elaine would be comfortable enough to strip down and jump in with me, at least not right now.

And as much as I’d love to spend the rest of the day playing dress-up with my favorite cowzelle monk girl, my shop is, and I quote my angy sheep customer on this, a total pigsty. That needs fixing. Plus I need to see if Samantha and/or Naomi are back from adventuring so I can ask them about charging my lens.

I have errands, which sucks, but at least I have money to run those errands, which is so much better than my situation when I first opened up shop. Hooray!

I gather up my hanging underthings and stuff them in my errand bag and invite Elaine to drop by my shop any time, even after hours, if she wants to be stealthy about it. That’d give me a good excuse to have the door locked for privacy, too. She nods eagerly.

“Can I come over in two days? Saturday night?” she asks. “Sorry to intrude on your weekend…”

“Sure thing!” I say. “I’ve got a date tomorrow, so two days from now is perfect.”

“Oh, how wonderful!” Elaine says. “Um, may I ask…?”

“I’m getting flowers from the cutest druid guy with the most adorable eyes and floppiest ears and he smells- uh, he looks great,” I gush. “He’s Celyn. Have you met him?”

“Yes!” Elaine says. “I ran into him on my travels this week. He’s the kindest person in his adventuring party. I’m sure you’ll get along very well.”

I give Elaine a goodbye for now and head out on my errands. I’m all smiles. Things are going GREAT!

-----

Halfway through my grocery shopping in the small Busalla marketplace, I spy a very tired wizard. I clear my throat and make myself presentable as I can.

“Hello? Miss Stevens?”

Without even looking at me, Samantha lets out a long, tired sigh. “What did she do this time?”

“Wha?” I nervously tug at a strand of hair. “I’m not sure what you mean.”

“Oh,” Samantha says, straightening up a bit. “Force of habit. Shall we start over?”

“Sure!” I beam. Samantha withers at my sunny disposition, so I tone it down somewhat. “I’m Saiorse MacTavish. Your companion visited my seamstress’s shop about five days ago.”

”A Stich in Time,” Samantha says. “So you’re the one who so thoroughly drained my stipend for the month.”

“Um…” I scratch the back of my neck, hoping I’m not about to get asked for a refund. “Naomi seemed to like her outfit. Did it hold up well?”

“It did,” Samantha says, and now it’s my turn to relax a little. “Your work is exceptional. Honestly, whatever seamstress sorcery you used in making that outfit has kept Naomi calmer, cooler and more comfortable than she has ever been in this climate. I understand why your fee is so exorbitant.”

“Uh… thank you?” I smile. “Um, actually, I was hoping to ask for your help, too, if you don’t mind. I have something that needs some wizardly examination, and a bit of discretion.”

“I can appreciate the value of discretion,” Samantha says, “Unlike some people. You’re wise to come directly to me.”

“I’m willing to pay,” I say quickly.

“No charge for a bit of advice,” Samantha says. “Since she first stopped by your shop, every day at noon exactly, Naomi has asked me to casting illusory swimwear on her, and then disappears for hours. She hasn’t said why, but it’s easy to guess… and now, my afternoons here have been much less stressful. Honestly, I’d have paid you even more than Naomi’s outfit just for that. Anything that keeps Naomi out of trouble in Busalla… It’s the first town she hasn’t been ejected from in a long time. It’s worth the effort to keep things this way. I appreciate your assistance.”

What luck!

“Let’s go back to my shop,” I say. “It’s just a few minutes away.”

2/2 Saiorse 2022/09/11(Sun)20:52 No. 1043555 ID: 8483cf
File 166295477117.png - (28.64KB , 500x500 , CR_52.png )

I take Samantha to A Stitch in Time and make sure to lock the door securely behind us, close the shutters. Only then do I show her the lens and describe a few basic functions, leaving out the x-ray features. She doesn’t need to know about those.

“One moment.” Samantha stares at the lens, conjures a ring of diagnostic runes, and they all light up a solid, glimmering gold. “Saiorse, this… this is beyond a masterwork. How in the world did you come to own such a finely enchanted lens?”

“Someone threw it off a bridge,” I say, realizing how ridiculous it sounds. “I swear! I found it buried in the muck of the river running through town.”

“I can’t imagine why anyone would part with it willingly. Oh, dear. Let me check…” Samantha spins her projected runes and ticks off each one carefully. “Ah, it’s not cursed. Good. But still, there are so many layers of spells cast upon each other, I can’t fathom where to begin in assessing what it’s fully capable of. This lens is incredibly valuable; far more valuable than this shop and everything in it. I highly recommend you keep this in a secure location.”

“I kind of guessed that,” I say, shuffling my feet. “But as nice as it is, I can’t get it to charge up again.”

“It’s missing a similarly attuned mana source,” Samantha says. “For something like this, I would imagine its original owner had a lens case with a gem to convert ambient energy, perhaps solar, into usable mana. Without attunement, you can’t recharge it.”

“So it’s dead, then,” I say glumly.

“I didn’t say that,” Samantha says. “I can locate a suitable gem and attune it to the lens, given a day or so. I can even set it to charge off of ambient heat, if you like; all you’d have to do is set the case on top of a stove if you really needed to charge it quickly, but simple sunlight or even a summer’s day should provide enough mana to keep it topped off with light use.”

“You’d really do that for free?” I ask.

“I said I’d diagnose your problem,” Samantha says. “If you’d like me to provide a suitable charging case, I’d ask for reimbursement of materials and the value of my time spent on the project.”

“Of course,” I say quickly. “How much would it be for just a quick fix?”

“A small amount of Lira. But I’m capable of much more, and… something makes me suspect you have enough to splurge a little.”

I smile. It’s true.

Should I ask Samantha for:

1: A Quick Fix. Charges the lens slowly.
- Will cost a little; about two outfits’ profits
2. A Good Charging Case that has options for fast charging, like stovetop heat absorption
- Will cost about four outfits’ profits
3. Custom enchantments on the lens case, like concealment and other anti-theft features
- Suggest special features. Will cost at least six regular outfits’ profit, plus more for extra features.

(The money I made off Naomi’s outfit is worth about nine or ten full outfits’ profit, enough to pay all my expenses this month, including rent and food. Anything I spend here will take away from that.)

Holy cow, that was quite the stipend! Go for the fast charging option, you'll be using this item heavily to speed up dress fitting and therefore greatly increase profits. You should make more profits before committing to custom features however.

>>1043555
Option 2, lets not go wildly overboard here.

Option 3. Make an investment now so that you don't blow your money on something that'll just be stolen or lost later.

More than anything else: Tracking. Make it so that you can track down the lens using the case, even if it requires the aid of a wizard to do so. That way if it's stolen, you can get it back later.

Theft prevention would also be good, but consider that if it's something Samantha can think of, it's probably something an expert thief knows to expect and get around.

Option 3 - You want this thing attuned to you. It needs to fold into a slit on the side of your head, Adam Jensen style.
This is the most precious thing you own and it will be worth ten outfits to ensure your family keeps it as an heirloom forever.

2. Just 2.

Saiorse 2022/09/11(Sun)23:26 No. 1043582 ID: 8483cf
File 166296401512.png - (20.69KB , 212x179 , CR_53.png )

>>1043574
"Wait! Wait wait wait!" I say. "You say I can attune the lens to something that provides mana, right? Like a gem?"

"Yes," Samantha says, though she's somewhat wary.

"So what if you attune the lens to me? No need for a charging case."

"I don't recommend it," Samantha says, "But it could work. Attunement is a delicate thing, and magic users usually choose gems because they're so predictable in how they channel energy when finely cut. If I were to attune the lens to you, you yourself would need to be in harmony with not just the workings of the lens, but your own core mana in order to regulate the flow. For me to help set things up for you would be a sensitive and difficult process, and requires a level of intimacy that few are willing to share. Not to mention that you'd be the one providing mana to the lens, and you'd need to be trained to cut off the flow if it gets dangerous to you."

"And it would cost money," I say.

"It would cost money," Samantha agrees, "But I'm willing to give you a discount, if only because no one else has ever allowed me to practice that particular skill, for reasons I have already mentioned."

Oh. So she'd be doing it for the first time.

"Another question!" I ask. "What about if I just charge the gem with my own body heat, and keep the lens hidden on me all the time? Like in my hair bun, or someplace else?"

"It would charge much more slowly than on a stove," Samantha says. "I know a few witches who charge their gems on their persons by sewing gems into their clothing in, ah, strategic places."

Should I ask Samantha to attune the lens to me? Should I do it in addition to getting a lens case? Should I try and conceal the lens case on my person somehow, and charge it there?

>>1043582
No. Look inside yourself, attune with your inner feelings, and understand that you would drain yourself to a husk abusing the X-ray function.

>>1043582
>>1043574
I think we can still pick options, so I'm going to vote 3, I like it being able to meld with you and anti theft ideas.

Still sticking by my 2 vote

Okay, attunement is off the table for now.
However, we should have this thing registered to a safe - enchant the lens so it teleports when dropped through a one-way portal into your personal vault.

3, get some sort of anti-theft enchantment on it. It's worth more than your shop, you really need to prevent it being stolen.

>>1043566

Sticking with my original vote.

Saiorse 2022/09/12(Mon)19:58 No. 1043637 ID: 8483cf
File 166303790410.png - (38.99KB , 300x300 , CR_55.png )

I really like having immediate financial security, but I like having my ultra-fancy lens even more. If worst comes to worst, I can try and sell it. I can’t sell what’s been stolen.

Plus, I could use my lens to boost my earnings. I have to protect it! I had to deal with an angry Lamisa without being able to take her measurements, and that was stressful enough that I don’t feel like doing it again unless I absolutely have to. As for attuning it to myself…

“Attuning the lens to my own energy sounds dangerous,” I say truthfully.

“A wise decision,” Samantha says. “It takes training to control your own core mana. If you aren’t careful, you could use too much without knowing it.”

Or I could use too much and absolutely know it. Sigh…

Samantha and I come up with some anti-theft features that will deter any crimes of opportunity. They won’t stop a determined and knowledgeable thief, but I don’t realistically have any options that would. That’s where the tracker spell comes in!

My lens case will have:
-Quick Charging via ambient energy, e.g. heat or strong sunlight. Lens case cannot overheat, even if placed directly on stove element;
-Quick-Stick spell to attach lens case to most any surface, and will only un-stick in response to my touch. Can be fooled by a determined and knowledgeable thief, but they’ll need special skills;
-Chameleon spell to blend in with surface it’s attached to; and
-A slim design easy to fit in tiny pants pockets or inside bra

Samantha also promises to cast a spell on both the lens and case that will allow any competent magic-user with my specific secret passcode to track either one down if they’re stolen. It’s a simple spell, but quite unbreakable (unless I remove it or reprogram another, different passcode).

“I’ll come by tomorrow and work on your lens case here,” Samantha says. “In the meantime, I’ll find a suitable gem from my collection. Ah… do you have a workbench that is slightly cleaner?”

“Sorry.” I shuffle my feet. “I was going to hire a maid to help out with that. Do you know anyone local?”

Samantha considers for a moment, then nods. “Yes, I believe I know a few people who can help. Clover and her siblings are local fairies trying to scrape together some money and favors to put their sister through Fairy College. Clover herself isn’t exactly cut out for adventuring, I’m afraid, but she and her siblings are always ready to do odd jobs.”

“Great! How many siblings does Clover have?”

“A few.”

-----

Create-A-Fairy!

Nickname: What name do they use in public?
True Name: What name do they know instinctively, and never share?
Gender & Sex: How do they identify? What’s up their skirt/pants?
Colors: List glow color, hair color, and skin color. Glow and skin are usually similar, but can be different.
Wings: Describe wing shape, size, number, and if they have color splotches or patterns (can be natural or dyed). Four wings is average.
Silhouette: Pick one adjective to describe what shape of body silhouette they have (slim, curvy, stacked, beefcake, shortstack, etc.)
Personality: Pick five adjectives.

Nickname: Lily
True name: Lilivane Trefoile Fidgetwing
F/F
Lime green glow, light green skin, pink hair.
Wings: Two large wings with rounded edges and sharp points at the top (like a lily pad), two smaller wings rounding out the circle at the bottom.
Silhouette: Curvy (she's like a watermelon, except where she's like a lily.)
Personality: Relaxed, soothing, laid-back, steady, doting.

Nickname: Snake

True Name: Lux

Gender & Sex: Male

Colors:
-Glow: A bold ocean blue
-Hair: A light desaturated blue
-Skin: A pale white skintone

Wings: Two average-sized wings with a bit of flourish to their shape. Detailed with golden tips

Silhouette: Beanpole

Personality: Proud, Diligent, Considerate, Formal, Patronizing

I'm fine with whatever

But I want this fairy to have bat shaped wings

>>1043637
name: alecksi, despoiler of worlds and trodder upon graves
true name: grimble segsymanne
gender: male
colors:
purple glow, blue skin, unnervingly red hair.
silhouette: effete
personality: gloomy, upbeat, omenous, mischievous, bloodyminded

Nickname: Suck-This-Down
True Name: Parlina Glimwitter
Gender & Sex: Gender-Fluid, Intersex (Haz both, but boy parts are sterile)
Colors: Gray, Violet, Tan. List glow color, hair color, and skin color. Glow and skin are usually similar, but can be different.
Wings: Poodle Moth, Small, 6 Wings, tattered with dyed puzzle pieces.
Silhouette: Stacked.
Personality: Aggressive, Lustful, Playful, Intelligent, Foolish.

>>1043662
this sounds like a funny fairy

>>1043662
Ill support this too, it fits the bat wing shaped fairy wing idea I have. (Wings are still white, still a fairy after all. 4 of them, with eye patterns on them maybe)

>>1043638
Backing this.