Chapter 127: Fitting In (Patreon)

“You don’t gotta do this. It’s just a pair of pants.”

Jessica watched the excitable gnome gleefully scurry around the fabrics wing of her vault. It still, and always would, boggle Jessica’s mind that a vault could have wings, let alone enough junk to pack it full to bursting. And Jessica couldn’t even call it “junk,” not when a single bolt of cloth from any given pile in the room was auction-worthy.

And technically, they didn’t even need to be in the fabrics wing when what they really needed was leather. Obviously, leather was stored in the leathers wing, because of course there would be an entire room dedicated to monster skins. As a [Hunter], Jessica preferred leather armor, though if push came to shove she supposed she might be able to work some chainmail into her getup if she needed more protection.

They’d already retrieved the leather. Some very quality [Tigerskin] from a rank 5 mob that was just within bounds for equipment in Jessica’s level. At first, Jessica feared anything with the word “tiger” in it would be horribly gaudy, with a very obvious (and obnoxious) pattern, but she needn’t have worried. While Melia did have gods-awful things like spotted [Leopard Skin], most of the leather set aside for use in clothing (as opposed to decoration) was treated to be dyed.

Actually, at the very beginning, Jessica regretted opening her mouth at all. A side comment she made to Queen Moeldywn was not meant for the ears of an all-powerful dragongnome. All she wanted to do was discreetly ask whether the [Tailor] Moeldywn had mentioned in passing was still available and willing to work with a mid-to-low-level adventurer. Some professional artisans got very picky about the clients they took, and someone who served a rank 12 Queen had to be selective.

Melia heard them from across the room.

She scurried up to them immediately and demanded to know why Jessica needed a [Tailor] and if her own skills weren’t good enough. Jessica and Moeldywn both squawked in surprise, having not even considered Melia as an option. They really should have, though, considering she was the secret maker of [Melii] bears all along. But for some reason, Jessica didn’t want to rely on the gnome for this. She had no idea why, either, since anything the gnome made was bound to be better than anything a craftsman of today could make. Maybe it was stubbornness, maybe it was a resurging feeling of inadequacy; Jessica couldn’t pin it down.

Or maybe it was because she didn’t want to admit to the person she always went out to eat with that she'd gained a little weight.

Melia seemed to understand by her silence that Jessica didn’t want to rely on her for this, and thankfully she didn’t make it awkward. She opened up her Spellbook and showed Jessica an entire catalog of clothing, half of which should be available at any decent, self-respecting [Tailor] or [Leatherworker]. The number of options was staggering, and that didn’t even account for style. It didn’t surprise Jessica in the slightest that all of Melia’s recipes focused on what stats they could give her, not how they looked. As such, they weren’t…the trendiest styles she’d ever seen.

But boy did they beat the pants off her current pants!

To be honest, Jessica was already starting to regret not letting Melia whip her something up, but she wasn’t going to be swayed. She really wanted something normal for once…which instantly went out the window as soon as she agreed to let Melia provide the materials.

Jessica was secretly glad that they couldn’t use the absolute best Melia had in her vault. Some of the leather had actually been higher level than she was. Most of the time, when a monster got turned into a material, the level took a substantial hit. Seeing some [Tyrant Leather] at level 850 was rather concerning. Not that Jessica could see the level herself, but she had Melia explain as she [Inspected] the pile. In the end, they went with an assortment of [Yeti Hide], [Alpha Wolf Fur], and [Raptor Leather] for the base material.

“What do you think of this?” Melia asked, returning from where she was rummaging through cloth. She held up a rather striking blue fabric for Jessica and [Keeper] Jonathan to evaluate.

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[Stormbolt]

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Level: 350

Quality: 5 Stars

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An electric blue fabric made from [Thunderthistle].

​

Here comes the boom.

​

Jessica wouldn’t lie; the fabric was amazing on its own. She’d never seen a blue so…blue. But she didn’t know if she could pull it off. She gave a noncommittal grunt and turned to look at the old [Keeper].

“As a primary, I fear it may clash with the young Miss’ hair, but as an accent, I believe it will be quite suitable. It reveals the vibrancy in her eyes.”

…why was everyone in Melia’s circle strangely competent? And receiving a compliment from a century-old banker was…conflicting. But Jessica didn’t hate it.

“We’ll keep it on the menu, then,” Melia said, absorbing some bolts into her inventory. “And Jessica, it doesn't matter that it’s ‘just a pair of pants.’ We have the materials, so we might as well make something nice.”

“I mean, I don’t know if I’ll even end up ordering anything,” Jessica muttered. “And it’s not like I’ll be able to afford anything she makes anyway. I just wanted an introduction.”

“I’m eager to meet the lady who’s been making all of Melody’s dresses,” Melia said conversationally. “They have very good taste.”

Jessica wore a conflicted expression as she watched the gnome rifle through more piles of fabric. What…exactly did it mean for a dragon to approve of their princess’ motif? It was more than dressing up a doll; it felt closer to displaying an elaborate art piece. In a different world, Jessica could imagine Melia sitting in a tea room with other dragons, bragging about the poofiness of her princess’ dress. The gnome in question lifted up a rich, velvety-looking purple fabric that looked like the surface of a rippling river. She turned, held it up, and squinted at Jessica.

“How about this one? Might be nice.”

Jessica felt her common sense eroding by the minute.

​

When all was said and done, Melia had chosen 3 fabrics to go along with the 3 leathers. Melia declared that they were “passable” and “mid-grade materials,” but in Jessica’s eyes, they were a portable fortune. Not that anyone would ever know, given the carefree smile on the gnome’s face. Jessica tamped down the growing feeling of inadequacy as they said goodbye to the ancient [Vault Keeper] and boarded a carriage to the Nobles’ District. Jessica never had a good reason to visit the upper crust, even with her party member’s family living there, and the few times she found herself there always left her feeling taxed and irritated. Between the homes that could fit a dozen families like her own to the haughty socialites looking down their well-bred noses at the very sight of her, Jessica was hoping to keep the visit short, sweet, and hopefully…discreet.

She wasn’t hopeful the last point would succeed.

Their coach pulled down a street filled with expensive stores and extravagant boutiques. Noble daughters and their stately escorts strolled along either side of the boulevard, parasols held high to protect them from the sun. Jessica fidgeted in her seat. She looked at her tanned arms and compared them to the gnome’s pale flesh.

Hadn’t she heard before that fair skin was a sign of the nobility? That they were above such menial tasks as working the fields, or anything else that might expose them to the sun? Jessica felt a wry smile creep across her face. She was already cooked…both physically and metaphorically. These girls would have to be genuinely blind to miss her adventurer’s clothing, and if somehow they managed to see through that, Jessica’s body betrayed her. She didn’t belong here. What was she doing?

She couldn’t even joke and laugh it off, because as much as she liked to do so around her friends, she was only able to maintain her crass, carefree lifestyle because she was comfortable.

Right now, she was anything but.

“My ladies,” the coachman said, bringing their ride to a stop, “We have arrived. If you’ll allow me….”

The carriage door opened, and a well-groomed hand reached in to offer them a safe step down. Jessica cringed slightly as it was almost immediately ignored.

“Wooo!” Melia cheered, hopping from the seat all the way to the ground outside, looking like a kid playing in a park. The man blinked down at her as if unsure what to do with the tiny ball of trouble, and Jessica gave him a helpless laugh.

“She be like that,” she chuckled. She considered helping the man save face, but the moment was already trampled on so she decided to dismount on her own terms, too. She wasn’t wearing one of those huge skirts that made it impossible to see her feet, so she gripped the carriage wall and took two steps down without even looking. “Thanks, though. And thanks for the ride?”

She wasn’t sure what else to say since it was already paid in advance. The man recovered well enough and used his outstretched hand to shut the door behind them.

“I have been instructed to wait for your return.”

“Oof,” Jessica grimaced. “Listen, buddy, I’ve got no idea how long we’ll be. I was thinking we’d be in and out, but now…I get the feeling I’m gonna be wrong. By a lot.”

Her eyes fell on Melia, who was staring up at the building in front of them, making appropriately impressed noises. Two noble daughters gave the gnome a peculiar glance as they passed and Jessica felt her heart sink. This was where they were going to get condescended on, wasn’t it? It’s how it happened in the plays. Know your place, peasant, and all that. The girls’ eyes wandered up and met Jessica’s and she froze.

But instead of the expected sneer, they gave her a demure smile, dipped a curtsy, and continued on their way.

Huh. Perhaps this wouldn’t be as bad as she thought. Maybe nobles weren’t as stuck up as she’d been led to believe.

Or maybe her level helped, since she was nearly 400, and the last time she’d wandered these roads freely on a whim over a year ago, she’d been half that. There was nothing quite like a healthy level advantage to put the fear of the gods in someone.

Jessica spared the two noble girls a weak smile and a nod as they moved on, then quickly bent forward to corral the gnome before they had a major catastrophe on their hands.

“This is definitely the place!” Melia chirped, taking Jessica’s hand and leading her forward. “Look at that sign! Madame Bordeaux's Fit and Tailor! We’re here!”

Jessica wanted to roll her eyes. Surely the coachman wouldn’t have dropped them off in a random spot if he wanted to keep his job. But Melia was an excitable creature and her enthusiasm was contagious. Jessica found herself smiling widely as she looked into the clear glass windows at the beautiful clothes inside.

Her smile dimmed ever so slightly.

Jessica knew this place was a real-deal [Tailor]’s because, through the windows, heavy blackout drapes hung behind the featured apparel, keeping the shop's interior shrouded in mystery. And those outfits…two dresses and two suits with all the extra trimmings? Jessica didn’t have the finest eye for fashion and even she could tell they were top of the line.

But she didn’t have time to reconsider, as Melia pulled her right up to the front door and pointed up at the handle expectantly.

…For a brief moment, Jessica wondered what would happen if she didn’t open it. It was high above the gnome’s head and if she wanted to open it herself, she’d need to jump.

But Jessica didn’t want to call Melia’s bluff because she knew the troublemaker would absolutely make a mess out of opening that door, as soon as she tried reaching up, straining herself to do so. Jessica was starting to notice something: both as a dragon and a gnome, Melia had very little awareness of her actual size. Jessica reached forward to pull on the handle, but she stopped.

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Madame Bordeaux's Fit and Tailor

By Appointment Only

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A large brass plaque was affixed firmly in the middle of the door, so Jessica lifted the heavy knocker instead and pounded it against the sturdy wood. Deep reverberations echoed through the shop, and it wasn’t long before the door opened inward.

“Yes, come in, come in!” An impatient voice demanded. “I’ve been expecting you all day!”

“You have?” Melia gasped, waddling through as if it were any other bog-standard door, not the entrance to the Queen’s personal [Tailor]. Jessica quickly followed and the door was shut behind her.

Once inside, her eyes took a moment to adjust. With the heavy curtains sealing out the natural light, it was much darker inside. But it was shrouded in shadow; it wasn’t even dim. The presence of many fancy mana-lights blazing on the walls made Jessica blink. The room was incredibly well lit, and much warmer and more inviting than she expected. But then again, if people were spending the kind of money it likely took to shop at a place like this, hospitality was probably a premium. The shopkeeper, presumably Madame Bordoux, locked the door and stood before them. The butterflies which had vacated Jessica’s stomach returned to float around in force.

“Of course I have,” the woman answered. She didn’t fit the image Jessica had built of such a prestigious person. She had the Queen's favor, a prime location on one of the trendiest streets in the city, and Madame in her name. Jessica expected a shriveled old crone with white hair, a hunched back, and gnarled hands holding a delicate, long-stemmed pipe. But the woman was actually slightly taller than Jessica and she wasn’t old at all…not that Jessica could tell what was old or not these days with immortal princesses and dragongnomes running around. She was somewhere in her early 50s, with long black hair pulled into a neat bun and a pair of gold spectacles resting on her thin, hawkish nose. She stared at Melia for a moment, then turned her blazing brown eyes on Jessica.

“I was told to expect a dragon. Is it you?”

Jessica nearly took a step back. She didn’t think anybody but the Queen had the audacity to speak with a dragon like that…but then again, this woman was obviously special. A cut above, one might say.

“No,” she said thoughtfully, turning back to Melia. “I suppose it’s you. I must say, I’ve never seen a gnomish transformation before. Hmm? Would you happen to be a Black Dragon?” She asked fearlessly, bending down to examine Melia. “Ebony hair; deep eye shadow; a rather…commanding outfit. Yes, the motif fits,” She mused.

“Have you served dragons before?” Jessica asked before she could stop herself.

“My dear,” the woman laughed, “My clientele is exclusive and elite. Of course dragons want me. But it’s only been the Reds; I must say I’m looking forward to discovering the tastes of a Black.”

“Well, I’m afraid we’ll have to disappoint,” Melia said dramatically. The woman looked shocked and Jessica’s heart nearly flew out of her mouth.

“I think this is all a misunderstanding!” She hastily exclaimed. “I’ll be honest, I don’t even know if we’re buying! All we asked for was an introduction!”

The [Tailor] bore her sharp eyes into Jessica and she wilted. She didn’t know what level the woman was, but as a craftsman, even a [Master] of her trade, it was unlikely she had the stats to truly threaten Jessica’s combat class. And yet…Jessica was cowed. But the woman quickly eased off the pressure and burst out laughing.

“You have Queen Moeldywn’s ear,” the Madame scoffed. “Any misunderstandings are purely in your head. You have been sent here for a fitting, so a fitting is what you’ll get. Somebody here is getting new clothes; this is a personal request from the Queen.”

“It’s not me!” Melia said happily. “I’ve grown quite fond of my [Midnight Reverie]. Though, that being said, I should probably get some casual wear, too….”

“Oh, the things I could do for your body,” Madame Bordeaux grinned, and for a brief moment, Jessica considered running away in fear. “I’ve heard it said that once a dragon chooses their Human form, it sticks with them for life. I’ve never known one to choose a gnome, which is a shame. Gnomes have such fascinating proportions; it’s sure to pose a challenge. But worry not! You’ll leave here satisfied, I stake my reputation as a [Master] on it!”

“I’m sure you’d do your best,” Melia said in what she probably thought was a winning tone, once again making Jessica pale. “But only if we have time. I mean it, we aren’t here today for me; we’re here for Jessica!”

“That’s me,” Jessica said, running her hand down her face. “I’m so sorry, we haven’t introduced ourselves. I’m Jessica Miller, and this…thing…is Melia.”

“Not a dragon’s name if I’ve ever heard one,” the Madame said questioningly. She raised an eyebrow at Melia, demanding an answer.

“Meliastraza Obsidianheart,” the gnome chirped.

“Ah,” the [Tailor] nodded. “Of course. But where are my manners?! You must forgive me. I let my excitement get the better of me; it isn’t every decade you get to work with a dragon. I am Madame Clarissa Bordeaux, [Master Weaver] and proprietor of this [Tailor] shop.”

“Do you run it by yourself?” Melia asked curiously. Jessica could already see the conversation running away.

“Gracious, no!” The woman laughed. “As the Queen specifically requested a private meeting, I sent my apprentices home for the day. But rest assured, my skill alone will suffice. I hardly get to push it to the limits these days…as a level 728, it is quite difficult to gain appreciable experience.”

Jessica’s eyes widened. That was…incredibly high for today’s crafters. Probably in the top 10 in the city. No wonder the Queen was her patron.

“Even if I don’t get a skill-up today,” the woman sighed, “I’m still quite happy to take your orders. A request from the Queen might as well be a demand, you know? So…Jessica. What are you looking for today? Something…fashionable?”

Jessica cringed as the woman’s eyes dissected her clothing piece by piece, disrobing her visually in the least sexy way possible. She hesitated so long that it was clear she really needed to find an inoffensive term.

“I just thought I might like to get a fitting,” Jessica said awkwardly. “Due to…circumstances, I was talking with the Queen and she recommended you.”

“Yes,” Madame Bordeaux said with a smirk. “I can see we have work to do.”

Jessica wanted to cover her chest with her arms, but she was still fully clothed.

“It’s not that bad!” She instantly denied. “At best, I might need to go up a size! Or maybe I just need a bigger belt!”

It was true…mostly. She did need to go up a notch or two.

Once again, the woman laughed and shook her head.

“Take my advice,” Madame Bordeaux said wryly. “There are two people you never want to lie to: [Doctors] and [Tailors]. The truth always comes out.”

Jessica stared down at herself and felt her stubborn instincts flare up. But, out of the blue, she was spared from answering.

“I’m afraid it’s my fault,” Melia said dramatically with an exaggerated sigh. “Take it easy on poor Jessica; she’s actually really active!”

“Are you helping or making things worse?” Jessica muttered, but the Madame was intrigued.

“How are her ill-fitting clothes your responsibility?”

“Well, since you’re already aware, there’s no harm in saying it,” Melia mused. “You know I’m a dragon.”

“So I’ve heard.”

“And do you know how much food it takes to keep a dragon running?”

Judging from the woman’s surprised look, the thought never crossed her mind. Jessica couldn’t blame her; aside from not becoming a meal themselves, a dragon’s dietary concerns weren’t on most people’s short list.

“I might not look like it, but I’m rather large,” Melia said proudly, puffing up her chest. “You may have seen me the other day; I’m sorry if you did. But I’m a social eater; I don’t like to eat alone! Jessica here is my feasting buddy!”

“Is…that a thing?” Madame Bordeaux asked, amused.

“It’s not a class,” Jessica said, “But I think it might be a magically binding agreement. I’m stuck with it.”

“Ah,” Madame Bordeaux said, her eyes conveying a wealth of understanding. Jessica almost wished she’d go back to clinically undressing her instead of staring at her midsection with such pity.

“Ah,” Jessica agreed. “Ah indeed.”

​

“Well, you’ve come to the right place,” the Madame said. She’d taken them into a parlor with one of those fancy tri-fold mirrors and had Jessica strip down. She took all the measurements she needed, which Jessica dreaded…but it was incredibly painless. It was over before she knew it and Jessica’s heart didn’t have time to receive emotional damage. Skills were definitely at play, as multiple measuring tapes seemed to move of their own accord while Madame Bordeaux conducted them. And Jessica wasn’t forced to confront her shame for long, as she was given loose-fitting, comfortable clothes to lounge in while the [Tailor] worked.

Jessica immediately wanted to ask if they could just settle for the lounge-wear; she’d never worn anything remotely this agreeable. She heard Melia muttering something about “fantasy sweatpants” and understood that they were a type of bougie pajamas for the rich and famous. Jessica had a hunch that if she took these home, all she’d do from here on out is sit at home on a couch and veg. Then she’d really be a potato. And, alas, Madame Bordeaux would never settle for it either.

“The importance of your job as an adventurer is apparent,” she said. “You’ve clearly prioritized function over fashion.”

It wasn’t a dig at Jessica’s tastes, but the [Tailor] had been [Inspecting] her old clothes intently.

“I’m not primarily a [Leather Worker], so I’m afraid I won’t be able to improve upon these stats by much, but I have enough skill with the material that I should be able to maintain them, at the very least. Now, letting out this set is reasonable if we’re only going up a single size. But, ah, given your current roles and responsibilities, it might be wise to consider future growth. I can only do so much. For new garments, ones with usable stats, or to resize these much further, I’d suggest you visit a [Leatherworker]. I can make an introduction, if need be.”

“That won’t be necessary,” Melia said pleasantly. “I can take care of that.”

“As you say,” the Madame bowed respectfully. “I’m sure a dragon such as yourself has plenty of connections.”

This was the part where Melia should have kept her mouth shut.

“Oh, no…I meant I’d just make it myself.”

Jessica wanted to slap her hand over her face, but she was far too comfortable to move.

“Is…that so?” Madame Bordeaux challenged. It was the first time she took a condescending tone, but Jessica understood. Craftsmen didn’t like it when people looked down upon their profession, often misjudging the work it took to get so far. Even reaching [Journeyman] status was a reasonable career. “Even for a dragon, it might be harder than you think. The difficulty of tradeskills might surprise you.”

“Oh, I totally agree!” Melia nodded enthusiastically. “I never thought I’d hit Master with my first profession! [Leatherworking] was especially difficult because I had to source most of the material by myself. That meant learning [Skinning], which needed plenty of reagents to tan and cure the hides, which meant [Mining] and [Alchemy] as well. And, if I was going to do it anyway, I might as well have my [Smithing] make the tools to do the job in the first place….”

The poor woman looked like she’d been hit by a carriage. The words were an assault on her ears, and she was powerless to defend against them.

“Listen,” Jessica said, sitting up quickly. “Ignore the loud gnome for the moment. She’ll get carried away and, if you let her, she’ll defeat you. But since you insisted, I won’t lie to my [Tailor]; she’s telling the truth. In fact, she wanted to make my clothes today instead of letting the Queen send us here. But I told her no because I want something normal. You…can do normal, can’t you?”

“I’ll give you the best damn normal you’ve ever seen,” the Madame muttered, still staring at Melia in shock. She seemed to realize what she’d said and came to her senses, shaking her head. “I mean! Yes. I pride myself on the number of trends that have taken Horizon by storm and originated behind these walls, but I can do casual clothing for the common man. You don’t get to the top without starting at the bottom, don’t you know?”

Melia was still waxing poetic about the nuance of all her many crafting classes, gesticulating wildly to an unseen audience. Jessica laughed it off, used to the gnome’s quirks, and quickly took over the conversation.

“Perfect,” she said. “So, uh, if possible, please do refit my current clothes. They’re my best set of gear, and we just started running dungeons, so I’d like to keep using them until I can find something better. If I have to give you a shopping list, I’d like at least one or two dresses that I wouldn’t be ashamed of wearing around town, oh, and we work at the abbey in Abbyton a lot, so it’d be nice if they fit in there. But I’m a [Hunter], so I do pants more than I do dresses, so if I could get a couple of pairs of pants and some shirts…?”

“Easily done,” Madame Bordeaux waved her hand like she was wafting away a fly. “I can have it ready by the end of the week.”

“I mean, it doesn't need to be that fast….”

“Do you think a direct request from the Queen doesn’t deserve to be expedited?”

“Good point.”

“Anything else?” The Madame asked. “Surely you won’t be satisfied with a mere four sets of clothes?”

Jessica blinked owlishly at the [Tailor] as the gap in stations hit her once again.

“Lady,” Jessica said with only a hint of self-derision, “I’m an adventurer. I don’t own more than 4 sets of clothes.”

“I…see.” Madame Bordeaux had the good grace to blush. “Well then. That won’t do; I can’t send you away empty-handed. Queen Moeldywn will be most displeased.”

“I’ll take a set of these?” Jessica blurted, tugging at her soft shirt. “What’s this made of, anyway?”

“[Cotton],” Melia chimed in, having folded herself back into the conversation. “I don’t know what you’d call it, but to me it’s a ‘Jersey Knit.’ Very good for bumming around.”

“I do enjoy bumming,” Jessica grinned.

“Right?” Melia grinned. “If Madame can’t make it for you, I will. And I might make some for myself as well.”

“I certainly can,” The Madame agreed. “Though [Silk] might be more comfortable for sleeping in this heat. Do you have other materials in mind? Others provide extra benefits, but they get expensive the more exotic they are.”

“Actually,” Melia perked up, “We brought some of our own! Please use some of these if you think it’ll help.”

Jessica watched in anticipation as Melia started dumping out her inventory. Judging from Madame Bordeaux’s unimpressed face, she wasn’t expecting much. But Melia was Melia…and she Melia’d all over the shop. She kept pulling out bolt after bolt, fold of leather after fold of leather, while the Madame’s eyes kept widening.

“[Stormbolt]?” The woman whispered, her eyes bulging out of their sockets. She ignored most of the leather, completely fixated on the various cloths. “[Dreamersilk]? [Frostweave]?!”

“I thought it might be nice in this hot weather,” Melia casually remarked. “Something to cool her down.”

“Cool her…ahem.” Madame Bordeaux composed herself. “I must apologize. I’ve underestimated you. These materials are quite…elusive. I’m reminded of stories from the Age of Upheaval, where such things and more were found more readily by seasoned adventurers. I almost wish I was around back then to see it. Are you really offering to let me work with these?”

“Yes?” Melia said, looking at the giant piles she made without any idea of their true worth. Or, at least, the worth people today would ascribe to them.

“At the risk of sounding dense, allow me to repeat myself. You’re letting me use these rare materials? Materials that only make their way onto the Auction Houses once a decade?”

“Of course!” Melia beamed. “Only the best for Jessica!”

Suddenly, Jessica wished there was a conveniently sized hole (perhaps one size larger) that she could crawl into and die.

“Any crafter, no matter the profession, would kill to get their hands on these,” Madame Bordeaux muttered. “With this, there’s no doubt I’ll get a skill-up….”

Jessica watched (from the comfort of the lounge) as Melia took the time to painstakingly explain every piece of fabric she brought along at the [Tailor]’s request. Most of them she’d worked with before and was (not so) secretly anxious to use again, but a few she’d never encountered in her long career. Melia was a veritable encyclopedia of knowledge, explaining what they were, where they came from, and in many cases, how she made them. She explained which cloths were naturally colorful and which were suitable for dyeing, as well as any special secondary traits.

Like the penchant for [Frostweave] to enhance [Ice Magic] on top of lowering the wearer’s temperature.

Or how [Dreamersilk] was excellent for taking naps, and a person wearing a [Dreamersilk Robe] was guaranteed to have a dream. It went especially well with Wisdom-based [Enchantments].

Madame Bordeaux instantly got to work mocking up a simple outfit just to match it up with Jessica, and after an hour of meticulous cutting and trimming, she had a “plain” (the [Tailor]’s words) dress to show off.

Jessica didn’t know if she’d ever worn something so nice…except the time Queen Moeldywn’s maids stuffed her into a fancy dress a few weeks back.

Madame Bordeaux was nothing if not efficient, and eventually, there was nothing more she needed from Jessica. All she had left to do was actually sit down and sew the clothing, which would be ready in a couple of days. Jessica could barely wrap her head around it, but she supposed it wasn’t the same thing as smithing ingots in a forge before hammering them into a breastplate. She and Melia both stood up, ready to leave.

“You know,” the Madame said with a sly smirk, “I’m surprised you haven’t asked about the cost. I can see you’re frugal, and less cautious customers than you are hesitant to seek my services.”

“Normally, you’d be right,” Jessica agreed. “But right now? I’m not paying. I’ve got a dragon with deep pockets backing me, so I don’t gotta worry about a thing.”

“Aw,” the Madame pouted. “You’ve spoiled my fun. But I know better than to bet against a dragon’s hoard…and besides, it’s already covered. The Queen paid for it in advance.”

“Oh,” Melia said, looking shocked. “I should have seen that coming. I guess we’re done here then?”

Jessica turned for the door, but Madame Bordeaux held them back.

“I am afraid not,” she said sternly, shaking her head.

“But you said we’re paid?” Melia asked, confused, already pulling out some gold coins. Both Jessica and Madame Bordeaux followed them, but the old woman caught herself first.

“Yes, your bill is paid…for two fittings. The Queen specifically requested that her dragon be fitted for proper clothing. It’s time. Get on the stool so I can get your measurements.”

Jessica burst out laughing. The look of utter disbelief on Melia’s face was totally worth lounging around for another several hours.