Is it wrong to fleece adventurers at the item shop?

Lunch really was something else. And with the new mana mill quests posted as well I can feel the exhaustion creeping up on me, as we, Elzbieta with the new quest papers and I, return to the shop. I barely have the presence of mind to note the expenses for the new quests down in the ledger.

Afterwards I can't help it anymore. While my adventurer friend takes the mana mill outside to work in the sun I simply have to lie down for a quick nap. Even the best potions can only keep you going for so long after all. And with more training looming ahead I really have to catch up some on sleep.

And, as Sour Cream snuggles up to me the moment I lie down, the quick nap turns into a slightly longer one.

In the end it is Elzbieta who wakes me a few hours later when she is done with the mill.

Due to my sleep addled state it takes me a moment to come back around and stamp her papers with my seal, while she distracts Sour Cream, who seems to be of the opinion that her treat is more important than Elzbieta's papers.

Once the adventurer is on her way, I take care of my feline companion's needs as well.

A quick glance out the window lets me know that it is not yet time to close the shop. I take a moment to head down to the creek to splash some cold water into my face though. That wakes me up the rest of the way.

Time to get some more work done before my workout!

I don't get any new brews started though. Instead I settle on something else that needs doing. The diapers. They still need their second enchantment! I just hope that I'm not mistaken about my ability to reliably add a second enchantment.

No, I can't start second guessing myself and my abilities now. I just need to get this done!

Before I can find any more excuses I get the diapers, depositing them on the workbench for now, except for the one I'll get started with. That one goes straight onto the enchanting table.

A moment later one of my new chalks is in my hand I get started. The enchantment isn't exactly the same as the one for the dress, but it is pretty close. For this reason I pay even closer attention than I usually would. I don't want any embarrassing mix ups after all.

One glowing and sparkling rune after the other I draw the circle. Each rune is a picture of perfection, as the enchantment comes together. Finally, as I finish the last rune the circle is drawn into the diaper. If anything it takes hold easier than during my last two double enchantments.

For a moment I just stand there, blinking surprised. There was almost no resistance this time around. I could get used to this, if this is how it is going to be in the future. Still, I'm a little worried too.

No, it is no use worrying! I just need to check the result, thus this is exactly what I do.

[Pristine Cloth Diaper, Quality: Rare, A comfortable cloth diaper made from soft cloth. It is enchanted to perpetually clean and repair itself. Even the worst of stains will disappear in short order and any minor damage, just like wear and tear, will be mended just as quick.]

Marvelous! It worked!

I need to take a deep breath to ease my nerves and calm my fluttering heart. I allow myself a silly, big grin though. This is a good reason to be joyous after all. Although, I'm not quite done yet. I still need to enchant two more diapers after all.

Without hesitation I fold up this newly enchanted treasure so I can put it right back into the trunk. Then I grab the next diaper and repeat the process I just finished.

It takes considerable effort to not slip into routine and stay watchful, but I manage to prevail. I check the result with my appraisal skill this time as well. To my great relief it is exactly what I expect to see.

Instead of getting started with the last one right away I take a little break though. It is only now when I sit on the wooden bench out back that I realize that it is almost time to close the shop already.

I would have really liked to get the last diaper done as well, but I better prepare for my late night dance lessons instead. Especially as I'm not quite sure, when Feliks, Lotar and Rafal will drop by. Even more so, as I need to do more than just get changed today! After all there will be no snacks provided by Agnieszka tonight. Instead I'll need to get some elsewhere.

Thus it is decided. I need to get going!

I close the shop and grab some of my new coffee based stamina potions. They go into the basket I had along last night. I grab some coins from the chest under the counter as well. A little more than usual in fact. Then I get changed into my enchanted dress.

Afterwards I head down to the inn. I ask Maryla for two bottles of wine and some sandwiches. Instead of waiting for the goods I head over to the temple after paying though.

Wislawa is already waiting for me, with an enigmatic smile on her lips, as I enter the antechamber.

“Welcome back, Valeria!”

I bow my head in response and take of my sandals to wash my feet.

“The divine have been very generous with their rewards recently.”

She nods and motions for me to come inside once I'm done and we get ready to enter the divine pool together.

The motions have become much more familiar ever since I have come here to Clear Brook. The same is true for the sensation of floating in the extremely salty water and the more subtle change of my surroundings as I slip into the divine dreamscape.

One moment I'm looking up at the middle aged priestess, as my head comes to rest in her lap. The next I'm looking up at my own likeness.

“Welcome once again, Valeria, dear. It is good to see you back.”

I blush a little as I reply.

“The divine have been quite generous with their rewards lately. I hope I'm not a bother.”

The divine avatar shakes her head.

“Don't worry. We wouldn't reward you the way we do, if we didn't want you to make good use of those rewards. And besides, I have a feeling that this will be a very quick visit. You don't seem to be in need of advice this time around. Am I right? Or am I mistaken?”

I swallow hard and nod.

“Yes, I just wanted to upgrade my dance skill to journeyman rank with the Karma from the Stars Arcana.”

My mirror image nods and smiles.

“Quick and to the point. Very well.”

[The Dusk Maiden grants your wish! Your dancing skill has been upgraded to journeyman level in exchange for 4 points of the Stars Arcana. This is a passive effect. You can spend more points of the Stars Arcana to upgrade this skill further. Each further upgrade will be more expensive.]

As she bends down to place a gentle kiss on my forehead the dream vision fades to be replaced by the temple's interior once more.

The priestess smiles, as she gets up and helps me up in turn as well.

“My, my, This was quick.”

I nod, as we dry off and get dressed again.

“Yes, I asked for a rather straightforward skill upgrade this time around.”

She nods and pulls me into a quick hug, before she sees me back out.

“I see you are preparing for the big dance quite diligently.”

She pauses quickly, tilting her head slightly, before she continues.

“And it seems your mentors for the next lesson are already waiting for you. Godspeed, my dear!”

It is as she said. The trio is in fact already waiting for me outside the temple on the village square. Rafal has his lute with him, as expected. Feliks is carrying my basket, which is now a little heavier, due to the snacks and the wine. I'm a little more surprised that Lotar is carrying a music instrument, a small drum, as well.

It is Rafal who offers an explanation as we exchange greetings.

“Rhythm and timing is essential for today's lesson. A drum is, at times like this, the better choice.”

Well, I can't exactly argue with that reasoning. Especially, as the others seem to agree with him too. In the end I just nod.

“Where are we going tonight? The fairground again?”

“Indeed! Why don't you lead the way?”

That is all the encouragement I need. Time for another night of grueling dance lessons!