Aeric stepped out of the shop, waving a quick goodbye as he headed over to Maddicks. On the way he paid special attention to the people wandering the streets, more specifically he was focused on their clothing. The golem-like individuals were wearing mostly dresses or something like a simple sheet wrapping. Something vaguely toga-ish, the avians wore breastbands and short poofy pants for the most part. Often in colours that melded with their own plumage, though few were as vibrantly colourful as Treeka.

The beastmen he saw walking around ranged from wolf to rabbit. He even saw a rhino and an elephant among the crowd. Their style was remarkably similar despite their physical differences. Mostly cotton shirts, they tended to hang loosely instead of the tighter fits he saw amongst the more human-like races, they had pants tightened at their ankles with either a band or a wrapping and most walked around barefoot. The humans, elves and the rare aerminian walked around with clothing that was tailored to their size. Clinging on their curves but leaving enough room to move in.

As far as he could tell there wasn’t a singular colour trend, he saw all the colours he could imagine out in the street. He’d expected more natural colours because of the difficulty to get dye. He assumed there’d be some trouble getting dye, might just be another glass situation. Were there dye-mages? What would they even be called? He shook the stray thoughts from his head and continued down the street. He hadn’t ever really left their inner circle residential district now that he thought about it. To be fair he hadn’t really needed to. He’d been focused on work and both the suppliers, his home and workplace were all on the same street.

Add to that the lack of need to do groceries because Xii was the one who cooked and that left little reason to venture out into the city. He might need to see about picking up a hobby however, all work and no relaxation was bound to cause stress. Aeric shrugged, no need to worry about that now. There was a project that needed doing and he had more than enough energy left to get to work on it today. He’d start with the more normal clothing before he’d get started on the unique pieces for the social events.

He walked up to his favourite supplier, the sign with a winged dick with a frowny face drawn at the tip never failed to make him smirk. So some people called it childish, he didn’t care. Aeric still thought it was funny every time, he gazed at the carvings that flowed around the windowsill. The neatly lacquered wood, the clean front steps and small bits of painted accentuation drew the eye to the shop.

“Huh.” Aeric murmured under his breath.

He hadn’t expected Maddick’s store to have been built as tastefully as it had been, he expected a bit more chaotic haphazardness to fit the store to the owner. Everything was oddly clean and neat from the front of the store. He shook his head and put a hand on the knob, another piece that had tasteful etching. Something of a more floral design, which is not what he would have expected.

He opened the door and stepped inside, instantly the store darkened and the ingredients and materials sprang to the forefront of his mind. Various ethereal glows filled the store with a vast array of colours, little ornaments hanging from the ceiling caught the light and spread it around. It gave the whole store a somewhat magical and mystical feel to it, all of this in combination with the storefront made Aeric think. Was it really chaotic in here? Perhaps Maddicks had put everything just so to give his store the vibe he wanted.

Something to ponder, Aeric shook his head and wandered over to the material section that was reserved for clothing and other similar professions. Tapping his chin he looked over the various cloth-like materials. He ran a finger over some of them, testing their heft and softness. He pursed his lips and sat down on his heels, looking at the bottom row with the same scrutiny. He almost jumped when someone tapped on his shoulder, he jerked around and saw a violet-haired young man standing behind him.

Aeric blinked, “Uhhh sorry, did you say something?”

The young man smiled, Aeric took the brief moment to check the young man’s clothing. He had neatly fitted pants of a monotone black. Something that was definitely tailor-made for him, he had a shirt tucked into his pants that looked almost exactly like a modern work blouse. Made of a material that was so white it nearly shone, the blouse itself had some small embroidery done around the neckline and the cuffs. All in all the man was dressed tastefully and his clothes had been created by someone experienced in the craft.

The young man held his tongue as Aeric took a tad longer to inspect the clothing than he had been planning on. Then grinned when Aeric looked up and noticed the eyes with the same violet colour as the hair. “Does the outfit get a professional's approval?”

Aeric laughed and straightened, “It does, very tastefull. Sorry I’ve been spending the last few moments pondering local fashion with my thoughts focused on my upcoming work. Did you need something?”

The young man chuckled, “I was actually here to ask you that, I’m Maddick’s grandson. Recently moved into the city with my sister and I’m working in the shop. So when I saw a customer so thoroughly in thought over our goods I thought I might be able to lend a hand.”

Aeric blinked, Maddick had a family? He should have thought of that possibility but it had never really come to mind. He looked from the man who was of similar age to himself to the materials and scratched at his beard. “That would depend on how much you know of Gnolls and their preferred fashion.”

The man blinked, then grinned from ear to ear. “Fashion is something of a passion of mine so I know quite a bit. Summer and spring trends all year long for gnolls, they don’t really do fall or winter. It doesn’t get that cold here anyway, so they have no need to prepare for colder climates unless traveling to them. They tend to prefer earthy tones for casual wear and brighter tones whenever they need to do business or attend a social event. Loose clothing is preferred, if the cloth is of a rougher material they won’t mind. It doesn’t rub against their skin anyway, they have their fur as a buffer.”

Aeric blinked, then grinned. “That actually does help, I’ve been commissioned to make some custom clothing for a customer named Varush.”

The young man's eyes widened slightly, “Pack Leader Varush?”

Aeric shrugged, “He sounded like the type to have a few titles, Pack leader was one of them, yea.”

The youngman hummed tonelessly, “Well I’m familiar with the man and his reputation. Is there a budget on how much you can spend?”

Aeric shook his head, “Not that I’ve been told, so likely unless I’m looking at things that can bankrupt a city I should be good.”

The guy snorted, “That generally wouldn’t be the smartest thing to tell a shopkeeper.”

Aeric laughed and shrugged, spreading his arms. “You're family of Maddick, if you're anything like the old man I doubt you have the intent to fleece me.”

The man chuckled and stuck out his hand, “The name’s Grant, by the way, a pleasure.”

Aeric grabbed the hand and pumped it up and down, “I’m Aeric, likewise.”

Grant hummed again, “Aeric, I’ve heard that name. Gramps mentioned you a couple times, called you a promising youngling. If a tad odd, but a good lad at heart.”

Aeric smirked, “Well I’m glad I made a decent impression on the man, and I’m a tailor talent hopeful. If you hadn’t guessed that part yet.”

Grant returned the smirk, “Seeing how we’ve been talking about fashion I assumed so yea.”

Then he raised a brow and continued, “How did you get a guy like Varush to come to you for a custom piece if you’ve only just entered the city and set up shop. He’s not the type to go to a random unknown tailor for his dressing needs.”

Aeric scratched the back of his neck, “Well I work for Aliami, which as I understand comes with some perks in regards to renown and reputation.”

Grant nodded, “Lady Aliami is rather well known amongst the merchant community even in neighbouring lands. She hasn’t quite reached that global fame level or the ranking lists yet, however. Unlike her brother.”

Aeric cocked his head, “Her brother?”

Grant blinked, “You don’t know? She’s the little sister of Ursmir, Lord of the City.”

Aeric opened his mouth, paused, then closed it and shrugged. “That does clear up a few things actually. I don’t think she’s a fan of the Lady by association thing.”

Grant grinned, “Well she is a Leonid, and stereotypes dictate that they are pridefull.”

Aeric chuckled, “Well I can’t say she isn’t, she’s not arrogant though. Pride without arrogance is fine, arrogance in itself just pisses me off though. It’s so irritating when someone looks down on others. Really rubs me the wrong way.”

Grant smirked, “Good you’re in a new and growing city then, none of that old-blood tradionalist I’m better than you mindset. Everyone is a new addition so there’s nothing like the noble families in the capitals of old countries. Trust me on this, those noble kids are the absolute woooorst.” He added a groan just to accentuate how he felt about them.

Aeric laughed, “Yea I’m really lucky that I ended up here and with the people I met. I won’t lie knowing I have people like Aliami and the girls to help me out is really… I don’t know the words for it, it helps.”

Grant laughed, “Yea I know the feeling, Pops has quite the bit of influence and strength himself so people tend to not mess with my family.”

Aeric nodded and smiled, “Yea I’ve heard that about him, what did he use to do though? No one really mentions that part, it’s all just rumors.”

Grant grinned and winked, “That’s a secret, for us to know and others to find out.”

Aeric rolled his eyes and waved Grant away. Who merely chuckled at the gesture. “About the reason I’m actually here though.”

Grant grinned and looked at the materials, “Well you’re gonna wanna avoid any of the undead or death-related materials. Makes their fur stand on end, also anything that we can smell even a little. It’ll smell a lot stronger to them and wearing clothes that you smell constantly? Horrible experience.”

Aeric nodded, “Nothing too flimsy or breakable either, I’ve been told gnolls like to move around a lot?”

Grant nodded, “They love a good run, and they tend to get into regular scuffles with their kinmates. Friendship through wrestling and playfighting and the like. A lot like dogs, but don’t let them hear you say that.”

Aeric smirked, “I think common sense would warn me away from those comments.”

Grant chuckled, “You’d be surprised how many people lack common sense.”

Aeric shrugged, “Or they simply don’t care for common courtesy which might even be worse. No reason to not be polite, even to your enemies.”

Grant glanced up at him, “You’d be polite to your enemies?”

Aeric pursed his lips and cocked his head a bit, “No reason to stoop to their level is there? Politeness can get you far, or at least stop things from escalating even more if you give it the chance. Although there is the odd person who gets all insulted when you’re polite to them. As if you think you’re better than them.”

Grant nodded, “Yea gutter rats might feel insulted, probably someone small and weak for their kind.”

Aeric snorted, “Because they have to make up for their lack of stature?”

Grant shrugged, “Hey don’t knock it, it’s the big bark, little bite guys that are probably the ones to get all offended about something like that.”

Aeric scratched the back of his neck, “Well since I have no bite whatsoever, I’ll do my best to avoid fights.”

Grant snorted, “You have Xii as a housemate, any fights that you get into will end as soon as she appears.”

Aeric sighed slightly, “She’s another well-known person isn’t she?”

Grant guffawed at the remark, “Everyone you live with is well known, even if it is for different reasons. Xii might just be the single most dangerous combatant in the city on her lonesome, although Ursmir is still far out of her reach. Ursmir is the brother to your landlady and boss, who in herself is a pretty good fighter and the highest level merchant of the city. She doesn’t just own the tailor store, she runs most of the city trade with foreign powers.”

Aeric blinked, “I’ve never really noticed her doing any of that.”

Grant shook his head, “You don’t see her around the shop that much do you? She’s probably out meeting with other rich people and foreign dignitaries and the like. Then you have Yissillia who is the best healer the city’s got.”

Aeric jerked and stared at Grant, then slumped down a bit. “I didn’t even know she was a mage, I really need to interact more with people in general.”

Grant laughed, “Well there’s no harm to that, but allow me to continue. Showing you the error of your ways is fun.”

Aeric rolled his eyes, “So glad you’re enjoying yourself. Do continue regardless of my so very severely hurt feelings.”

Another smirk greeted his sarcasm, “Well you have Lshrkr, the lady with six bodies. Each of which is high leveled and skilled. Then you have Hurma, even if her own strength were to pass your highly underutilized perceptiveness.”

“Har har”

“She is rumored to be dating the most powerful geomancer this side of the continent.”

Aeric sighed, “Yeah the girls did tell me the guy she was dancing with was dangerous, laughed at me when I called them gentle giants.”

Grant smiled, “Oh Hurma fit’s the bill for sure, she’s a softie. I think she’s only ever been angered the one time. Somebody had hurt Treeka and she practically threw the guy through the wall.”

Aeric smiled gently, “That does sound like her. What about Treeka then?”

Grant shrugged, “She’s that girl that everyone knows and likes. Does a ton of odd jobs, always willing to help or hang out. Big sister to all the little streetrats that run around. Rumored to have once been a high-ranking individual in a criminal gang.”

Aeric snorted, “Treeka? A gang member? Unless this was a streetkid gang that loved pranking people I don’t see it.”

Grant nodded, “I agree, that rumour was probably some jealous girl who wanted to bring down our ever peppy bird of paradise.”

“Jelousy, ill fitting dress for any person.” Aeric murmured.

Grant glanced at him from the corner of his eye, “Are you going to start making everything into a clothing saying. Cuz if you do I might just leave.”

Aeric grinned at him, “I’ll try to think up a few more then, get this weird store clerk to leave me in peace so I can finally get to work.”

Grant rolled his eyes, “Yea sure you damn workaholic, pick some cloth then. Maybe some of the Ironid-wool? Carpenter-cotton? Silk and the like are honestly wasted on our more furred brethren. Their skin can never really appreciate the smoothness as I mentioned.”

Aeric tapped a few of the materials, “I’ll take the Ironid-wool, and the Karminer-cloth. Give me some of that Bloodboar-fur as well.” He inspected the lot of them and nodded, all of them uncommon. Good enough for everyday wear, with proper treatment they should reach magic rarity without too much issue.

“I’ll be back for some higher quality stuff for the more serious orders. But there is no need for everyday wear to become that pricy. Senseless waste otherwise.”

Grant grabbed the materials and headed over to the counter, “You’re the one making everything.” He shrugged, “I just sell stuff.”

Aeric smiled, “For now you do, if you ever want a job switch it’s never too late to find a passion.”

Grant rolled his shoulders, “I’ve never really felt all that excited about anything but if I do I’ll let you know.”

Aeric grabbed the bag with materials and handed the payment over to Grant, who didn’t even bother checking the amount of coin. “Well if you ever feel some need for social interaction and the like, drop by the shop. I’ll introduce you to the girls. Bring your sister if she needs to expand her social circle, or if she just wants to meet them or whatever.”

Grant smirked, “And open standing invitation to meet the city’s highrollers and move-makers. However could I possibly refuse.”

Aeric grinned, “With a no and a refusal to show would be my guess.”

Grant snorted, “Begone ye of needle and thread, for sarcasm, is my tool to use. Tis not yours to appropriate.”

Aeric waved him off and left the store, calling out just before he left. “See you around Grant.”

“Yup!” Was the answering shout.