act17mini

No, it's a perfect fit...

Are you making these clothes for a friend?

No. It is a gift to myself.

This outfit's creation is my dream, but alas, I am still unable to realize it.

I think it's pretty much perfect already.

Far from it, I'm afraid. The cuffs still need embellishment, the accessories still need matching. All in all, still rather crude...

You may take it off now, Nymph. My thanks.

Oh, okay.

But why would you make an outfit you can't wear?

Because its revelation gave my life direction.

I wanted to distinguish my life from those of others, but I too love this city. And so, I called attention to myself through a multitude of methods, old Sarkaz tricks all. I'm sure you'll understand where I'm coming from.

In the end, I was driven away from Kazdel, set adrift in the wilds.

I was offered menial work in Ursus. At first, it was only my survival instinct that spurred me to accept.

But I found myself rather suited to deft needlework. More importantly, I obtained a designer's manuscript.

A Sarkaz designer from Kazdel. Kazdel, designer. Never had I thought those two words could fit together.

Were these clothes in that manuscript?

They were. It was a heavily damaged book, and much information was lost, save for a note reading 'for AM' and the framework of this suit. Naught else remained.

Despite the damage, it provoked an emotion I had never felt before.

In order to understand it, I took up tailoring, alongside the crafting of many other knick-knacks.

As it happened, Kazdel had forgotten me by that point. And so I returned, under a new identity.

Kazdel has changed, just as I have. It's a more tolerant city these days. Even a stuck-out nail such as I can find a stage here.

Is that why you made stuff you can't sell?

They are souvenirs. There will come a day that Kazdel will entertain visitors from all across Terra. This, I do believe.

Though I am merely testing the waters on a whim, if other places can enjoy something, then why not Kazdel? We are not so different from them.

It could be a suit of fashionable clothes, a set of baubles for tourists, or even... a way of life. The pursuit of beauty.

You might be thinking too far ahead. I've never even <i>dreamed</i> of Kazdel being a tourist attraction!

You're right that the city has changed lately, though. There's lots of people walking around, and it's real lively these days. Completely different from before.

Did you see the fireworks a few nights ago? They were so pretty! Maybe the Furnace got a bit too happy and lively, and that's why it fired them off.

Nymph, what's going on?

Everything's fine now, Ermi. Ran into some trouble while I was trying to get the fragment, but they're all taken care of.

Good to hear. I was helping the old— *cough* aiding my master in some research on phylactery, so I didn't catch your calls. Terribly sorry about that.

It's fine, I've covered most of the city by now. There's just one newly-repaired residential district left to check. I might be finished by tomorrow, so you'd better get that reward ready!

Once you're done, come right over and it's all yours. You're a lifesaver.

I'll be turning in early tonight. Goodbye.

Sure, see you soon, Ermi.

Well, I won't trouble you any longer, Crownie. If anything comes up, remember to come find me. Here's my contact.

I will, thank you. Good night, Nymph.

Good night.

Hah... I'm so tired...

I never got to eat any of that baked dough I bought this morning.

*munch*

Hmm... I think if I warm it up once I get home, it'll taste a lot better.

Pohl! How did you find me?

You walked up to the city gates and flew off the walls. The information brokers've been chatting about you pretty much all day.

Did you find anything?

Nope. No signs of fragment influence around the Military Commission garrison or settlement.

You found something yourself, didn't you?

Yeah! Look! The fragment I found today is super pretty! It's like a gem!

It's a piece of glass from inside the furnace, looks like. You're right though, that color is really distinctive.

The lady who gave it to me was really distinctive too!

Today's been real hard on me, though. I was running around all day, and now I'm hungry and tired, haaah...

Go home and get some rest already. Just one residential district left to check. Gotta do all we can to get everything wrapped up tomorrow.

Alright...

Damn, you're so tired you nearly smacked your head against the wall... Fine, I'll walk you home.

Don't fall asleep just yet. Tell me about this 'distinctive lady' you met.

Sure... I went to the market this morning to buy...

Some baked dough, which smelled real nice...