"I still believe we should have traveled by steamcar," Mina said some time later.

"This city's cool though," Carl protested. He waved his hand around at their surroundings. "Isn't this a great change from that other, stupid city? People actually do stuff here, and you don't have all those BDSM-ish elves wandering around, and, well, people are a lot more friendly even if you're not wearing shoes."

"BDSM?" she repeated in a questioning tone.

Oops. Carl glanced down at the eighteen year-old girl who was walking along next to him on the side of a street which would take them over to D-four, where they'd find a well-regarded shop that sold various fabrics, also known as a clothier.

"Uh…" He hesitated briefly before falling back to his usual low-level cover-up skill, Maybe When You're Older. Halfway through its execution, however, he reconsidered, as was frequently the case these days since all those things that had been more difficult to figure out when he was young were now easily able to be learned through the magic of the internet. Besides, as a father who'd already had The Talk with two daughters, this was pretty trivial by comparison.

"Well, BDSM is that thing with the collars and leashes," he said, sort of circumnavigating the issue since she seemed clever enough to pick up on his meaning. "Sort of," he added, feeling like he needed to be a bit clearer. "It's a whole subculture and lifestyle kinda thing, and there's a lot more to it than that, but it's basically just a specific type of role-playing between consenting adults." A little surprising she's never heard it if she was in that city for a while, but… His mind went back to the bruise that had been on her neck until today, and he felt alternating senses of anger and approval as he thought of the abuser and then realized that she must finally be recovering since her skin was unblemished now. She was also choosing not to cover her neck with the scarf he'd bought, instead wearing it draped over her shoulders despite the heat.

"I see," she said. They turned a corner. "And this BDSM is always between consenting adults?"

Carl grimaced at the implication. Poor kid. "Ideally," he said.

They walked in silence for a short while, passing a number of buildings that seemed to be more residential. Mina edged farther away from the road as a somewhat rare horse-drawn carriage rolled by with a shouting gladiator on the back, and Carl moved with her, putting a comforting arm around her shoulder.

She started, then leaned into him a little. "Carl, do you truly believe me capable of becoming a queen of racing?" she asked in a timid voice.

He squeezed her shoulder. "I think you can do anything you put your mind to, Mina. And I think this is the place."

Mina looked up at the unimaginative black-lettered sign for Celatus' Cloths. "The storefronts here are so drab," she commented.

"Yeah, I'm gonna have to talk to someone about that," Carl said. He pulled open the wooden door and held it while she entered. The store's interior had a few tree-like hangers scattered about with various fabrics draped over them, and on the walls hung more fabrics, which he judged were of both different types of material and different designs.

"Thank you," Mina said, sounding pleased. "Now then, my thought is that it should be possible to—"

"Welcome! How may I help you?" called a thin, bald, older man dressed in an ornate-looking robe who was adjusting the hang of some fabrics on hooks near the rear of the shop.

"Ah, good day," Mina responded, her head swiveling from side to side. "We've come in search of a specific fabric. I believe it may be known to you as cotton treated with soda lye?"

What the heck is that?

"Someone who knows her way about fabrics!" the man exclaimed in a tone of delight. "I happen to have some in stock." He waved them towards the back, pointing to an off-white, bed-sized sheet of cloth hanging from a wooden rod nearby. "If you need more, I can make another batch later today."

Mina placed her hands on the cloth and stretched it, probing with her thumbs. "No need, this will do nicely," she said after a brief inspection. "I'll buy the lot of it."

"I'm glad you were able to find victory in my store," the old man said. He gathered up the cloth, folding it carefully while he looked them over. "For the entire sheet… Forty marks."

Carl stared. That's like…a full dozen pork shanks!

Mina took a look at the cloth, then the shopkeeper. "Twenty five."

The shopkeeper made a thoughtful noise. "For someone who knows cloths like you, I'll sell it for thirty five."

"Please. I think we're both aware of how inexpensive cotton is, disregarding the cost of soda lye," Mina said in a slightly patronizing manner. "And the treatment process is no great task provided one possesses a roller machine, as I suspect you must."

The man set the bundle of cloth over one shoulder and crossed his arms. "If you're so well-informed, maybe you should just be making this yourself."

This is some serious haggling. Don't get to see this kinda thing in real life with everything being automated and online.

"I'd considered it," Mina said, taking a moment to stroke her chin as though again considering it in a truly masterful display of acting that Carl was really appreciating, "but we'd heard that your shop was one which should receive the benefit of our patronage."

The shopkeeper frowned. "Who'd you hear that from?"

Mina looked up at Carl, which was apparently his cue. "Rusonia Zoila from D-five," he said, naming the seamstress at the shop where he'd gone to procure women's clothes for the doll and had gotten distracted by the opportunity to learn sewing, kill time, and think from a new perspective simultaneously. "Who…m I was referred to by Attia Romuliana." These names are such a pain to remember.

The man started. "Are you new members of the church?"

"I'm considering it," Carl lied. Definitely gonna be some kinda discount from this.

"I suppose I could sell for thirty marks," the man said slowly, seeming to be in deep thought. "The goddess works in mysterious ways," he muttered.

Carl refrained from rolling his eyes.

"My thanks," said Mina. She pulled out her coin purse and produced a trio of ten-marks.

The man handed over the bundle of fabric in exchange. "Is there anything else you need?"

"No, this was victory enough," Mina said, holding the cloth up. She inclined her head slightly. "Thank you once more."

"May you find victory in the light," the shopkeeper said, using the same farewell that both the old church fanatics had given that morning.

Can't believe there's a freaking cult in the game. Carl finally rolled his eyes once they were turned around and walking towards the door. He pushed it open and held it as Mina strode out with a triumphant grin. "Nice haggling."

"Why thank you, Carl," she said, her grin turning mischievous. "You played your role flawlessly as well."

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

They started to walk slowly along the street, and he grimaced, recalling how earnestly he'd been encouraged to join the church prior to receiving the suggestion to visit this shop for seatbelt stuff. Gotta be some kinda weird, old people sex cult with how they kept telling me to get a second wife or whatever. Mayb—

"I hope you weren't speaking literally when you'd claimed you were considering visiting the church," Mina said quietly. "They… Those are not the sort one should spend time with, if you catch my meaning."

"Yeah, don't worry, I'm not looking to join any cults," Carl said. He stretched his arms a little. At least they're pretty deep into the background here instead of flaunting it like all those lifestyle people in the other city. This one must not be age-restricted.

"It does seem that their referral afforded quite a discount, however," Mina said, her pace slowing. She looked up at him. "At the place you purchased clothes for Phonia, were there sensible trousers and blouses being sold as well?"

Sensible? He thought back to the old seamstress's shop, where there had been more than one woman working, and the amount of clothes in stock seemed entirely sensible. "Yeah," he said. "Probably."

"I should like to visit, then," Mina proclaimed. "This heat is an absolute nightmare, and I've a need for new clothes."

"Uh, okay," Carl said, rubbing his beard. "I figured you'd wanna do more shopping for car stuff though?"

"Well," Mina said, her eyes shifting to look away, "we lack the capital to purchase much of what my schematics require. I believe I've devised a method for solving this issue, but it will take some time to yield results."

Carl looked down suspiciously at her. Dad Sense went off right there. That's sounding a lot like when Sammy's trying to get away with something.

"It should be quite reliable," she added. "But were we not preparing to visit this clothing store you spoke of? Perhaps we can stop for a quick meal along the way."

I guess I can't be too overprotective. If she's got some crazy idea and needs help, I'm sure she'll ask. Don't wanna baby her. "Yeah, sounds good," he said.

"Since I've been encumbered with this weighty cloth," Mina said, seeming to suddenly stagger under the weight of the cotton sheet, "perhaps we could drive?"

Carl held his hand out. "I'll put it in my inventory if you don't have space in yours."

Mina paused for a moment, then shook her head. "No, if I were to relinquish this, I'd lose my claim to need my steamcar. And I would like to drive it after so many changes were made while I was gone."

"Uh…" Carl gave her an awkward look. Probably not cool that I've just been holding onto it like this when it's hers. Oops. "Yeah, right," he said. "Sorry. Let's do some driving. Inventory."

Mina grinned gleefully.

Game's so much better when I don't have to worry about breaking everyone's immersion. He pulled Mina's car out of his inventory and set it onto the edge of the reasonably busy street when there was a clear break in traffic. Not trying to be that guy ruining it for everyone else, but staying in character all the time is just impossible. Sorry role-playing fans, but it's not for me. I gave it a shot though. "Here we go. All ready for you."

Mina passed the cloth to him and hopped into the car, sliding across the seat. "I'll need to procure some manner of cleaning agent," she said while surveying the blood-splattered interior of the car.

"Can't you just do it with magic?" Carl asked as he sat in the passenger seat. He tossed the cloth into his inventory and dismissed the game window, ignoring the stare from an old man walking by who was probably just shocked at how much blood had gotten into the car. People seem to keep stuff pretty clean here. Can't believe you've gotta think about cleaning in a game.

"Hm. Perhaps," Mina said, continuing to observe for a moment longer. "Such things are beyond my skills, however." She set her hands on the wheel. "Ooh, I can sense the engine is running quite hot."

"Yeah, uh, you're gonna wanna be really careful with…"

The car inched forward.

"With what?" Mina asked, seeming to again be testing the acceleration of the car with careful taps on the go pedal.

"No, nothing," Carl said. Figured she'd just start driving like before and we'd end up crashing.

She looked over at him with an amused smile. "You believed me so incautious that I would crash us into that steamcar ahead, didn't you?"

"Well…"

"Naturally I'd be cautious after one as powerful as her had enacted spells upon my steamcar. And the power has increased by a noticeable amount, oh my."

"Ir'alith's really that strong?"

"Um… There may be none stronger in this world if the stories are to be believed."

"Huh. W—Huh."

"Yes, I was quite surprised that you were acquainted. As an aside, I've quite literally no idea where I should be driving us at the moment, so if you have some sense of which direction to set off in…"

"Oh. Uh, yeah. I think you go straight on here a bit longer. Ah, shoot, we're going the wrong way though."

"Carl, I could have made use of that information more effectively if you'd informed me before I began—"

"I know, I know, I got distracted. Sorry. Hey, that was a great K-turn, Mina."

"I am familiar with basic maneuvering, I'll have you know."

"And you're driving a lot more safely today."

"I suppose I've put some thought into your previous suggestions. Now then, you said we'll be going straight on along… Oh my, is the name of our current avenue truly Triumph Avenue?"

"Yup."

"How incredible. I'd read some details about the naming sensibilities here, but to see such things with my own eyes…"

"Sword Street. Hammer Street. Greatsw—"

"Hey, you! Stop!"

"Uhh what the heck?"

"Coffee-seeker!"

"Someone you've become acquainted with?"

"Nope, keep driving."

"Coffee-seeker, stop! I must learn your skill!"

"Are you certain? She's quite pretty, Carl."

"Mina."

"I was only joking."

"COFFEE-SEEKER, WHY DO YOU FLEE?"

"Uhhh what the actual heck is—"

"Carl, I'm going to begin driving slightly more quickly."

"Oh no."

"COFFEE-SEEKER!"

"Step on it, Mina, she's gaining on us! How's she so fast?!"

"Steady yourself!"

"Oh sh—Wow, that was close. Nice steering, Mina!"

"It was purely by chance. But still, why—"

"Whoa, why's there such a huge hole in the road back there? Looks like we lost that crazy lady when she got run over, at least. Uh, she's sort of okay, though. What the heck, the bottom part of that building's destroyed? Uh, turn right here, I think."

"Perhaps some disagreement occurred in the streets here between some of the gladiators recently."

"Is that something that happens? Uh, right… Next right, up ahead there."

"I'm certain I've no idea. There's only so much to be learned by reading, Carl."

"Oh. Right. No, I meant that was the right you were supposed to—"

"I'd thought you were referring to this one!"

"Well, whatever, we can probably just circle back since it's all a nice grid."

"How have you become so well-versed in the city's layout already? It's not even been a full day yet."

"Instinct. And I've been to a lot of cities. Yeah, I bet if we go right here…"

"Ah, Seamstress. Charus City did, I believe, have superior sign craftsmen."

"Yeah, I've really gotta talk to somebody about that."

Mina slowed the car and expertly parallel parked it between a pair of others before turning to him with an exceptionally pleased smile.

"Nice driving, Mina," Carl said, unable to stop himself from grinning back.

"It's considerably simpler when the layout of the streets is more methodical," she said. "Ah…" She chewed her lip for a moment. "Would it be possible for me to borrow some marks if you've any to spare?" she asked with obvious hesitance. "I—"

"Sure, how much do you need?"

"Perhaps thirty, though I imagine forty or fifty would be—"

"Alright, let's see…" Carl pulled out a fistful of coins from his pocket. Kids always gotta be borrowing money from Dad. He sighed contentedly at the familiar situation. "One, three, five," he said, counting out ten-mark coins before he dropped them into Mina's hand. Spent fifteen on those overalls, another ten on the shirt, twenty five on the scarf… Prices seem pretty easy to figure out here, at least.

"Carl, why… How have you gotten so much money?" Mina asked, staring at the coins in her hand. "I thought you'd said you weren't allowed to create coins?"

"Well," Carl said as he pocketed the remaining coins he'd pulled out.