— Aster —

The next few days I spent working on my idea to ‘recover’ the pin. I was close to my deadline of a week, so I needed to make this count. There wasn't enough time for me to try anything else at this point, especially if this gets me knocked unconscious. My idea relied heavily on the observation of the clerk and the assumption he relied too much on his own security system. My plan hinged on this one, admittedly flimsy, conclusion.

After putting the finishing touches together, I stared down at my work. I really hope this works. Gathering up my resolve, I grabbed everything and made my way across the street. Constantly repeat the plan in my head.

Even though it was only a short walk across the street my nerves were shot. My hands had a slight twitch, and I was shaking ever so subtly. Entering the hat store, I headed straight for the pin I needed before I lost my nerve.

Why is this so stressful? I was still shaking as I headed toward the barrel of pins when something caught my eye. A new display of magical hats had been set out, and a few of them were...odd to say the least. When did those get here?

I had been watching the store for days and never once had I seen a delivery. Admittedly, I had been distracted by the project, but I was still observing the store quite frequently. Must have just missed it. These distracting thoughts were just enough to help me stop shaking, as I observed the new additions. Three new hats were sitting in the display, with labels below describing each one's special characteristics. The first was a pointy hat similar to the store itself, the second was a small white square hat with a red cross on the center, and the final one.

“I see you’ve noticed our newest product.” I jumped, feeling the blood try to jump out of my body sending pins and needles all through my body. The storekeeper had come up behind me smiling. My heart was beating so hard I could barely think. I stared at the clerk, but he didn't really look at me. He seemed to only have eyes for the hats.

“Yes. It is pretty interesting.” I pointed to the third hat as I asked, “Is it really a hat?” It was just so odd.

“In the most general terms? Yes, but not really. It can be worn as a hat if you really want.” He picked up the strange hat that looked more like a scarf someone balled up like dirty laundry and decided to make that into a hat. I would have called it a turban if it looked anything like one, but it looked like a bundle of cloth constantly swirling with color.

I found myself captivated by it as I asked. “What does it do?”

The clerk seemed genuinely excited to explain the hat. “Two things. First, it is extremely stretchy and strong.” The clerk took the hat and stretched the hat opening to surprising dimensions, hooking it to two support beams between the displays. After stretching the hat, the clerk began to climb into it like a hammock. The ‘hat’ stretched slightly down but only just enough for him to not fall out.

“That’s not what I expected. What's the second thing?”

“Here’s my favorite part.” The hammock began to change color, going through the entire rainbow. After the rainbow of colors was displayed, the hue changed to a single solid green color. Slowly the pigment began to grow brighter and brighter, then dimming back to green. It then grew darker and darker until it was a solid black. It didn’t stop there. The area around the clerk started to grow until a cloud of darkness surrounded him. “Add a little magic it can change colors, glow, or darken. Cool right?”

“How much?” I needed it. As long as I could afford it I would get it.

“For you only two silver.” The clerk held up two fingers.

I involuntarily took in a breath at the price. “That’s a little steep.”

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“Yeah, but it’s worth it.” The clerk nodded his head affirming it. Then almost as an afterthought added. "Also, we don’t haggle here.”

“You sure you don’t haggle?” I asked casually.

“Prices are set by corporate. So we don't do haggling. Honestly, only the open market really has that option. But you can get some good stuff there though.” There goes getting a discount.

I had to have it. It would help in so many ways. “Ok. I’ll take it.”

“Ok, I’ll ring you up.” The clerk took the hat to the counter. As I made my way up to the counter, I no longer felt nervous. I was no longer shaking, I was just excited about my new hat. Who knew just being distracted could help so much?

Handing over the money, the clerk waved the bronze wand over the hat deactivating the security system on it. When the clerk handed me my receipt, I just grabbed my hat and headed toward the exit. My heart started racing as I approached the exit. Looking down at the item I just purchased then back up at the door. My hands began to shake harder, barely keeping a grip on my purchase.

I really hope this works. It was only a few steps to the exit but it felt like hours. Finally, I took a step out of the store. Crossing the threshold I only felt a small tingle in my thigh. I let out the breath I was holding as a wave of relief washed over me. Thank the keepers. I can’t believe that worked. Now with my mission complete, I returned to the inn to take stock while I figure out my next steps.

I decided to take some time in the room to examine my new ‘hat’. It was still just a bundle of cloth that would slowly swirl with color like clouds of mist. “Who would turn this into a hat? A shoddy one at that.”

Deciding to rectify this issue I proceeded to pull the stitching that held it together. It was way too easy. I only took out 2 or 3 threads before it just fell into a scarf. The colors were still swirling, as nothing seemed to change other than the hat was now a scarf. The scarf was at least 10-foot-long fully rolled out.

Wrapping the scarf around my neck, I found it surprisingly...comfortable. Something about the scarf wrapped around my neck made me feel...more together. I think I needed this.

Now wearing my scarf I moved on to the reason I was even here. Reaching into my pocket I pulled out a small leather pouch that was shoddily patched together. I could still feel slight amounts of electricity through the pouch. “That is one blight of a security system.”

I placed the small leather pouch in my bag, not wanting to touch it any more than I had to. Making my way down to the bar to check out, I thought about what I had accomplished. I succeeded in bypassing the security and got a cool scarf, not a bad haul. I was reveling in my success, as I checked out of my room. Finally making my way back to the home for wayward cats.

It had grown dark by the time I left the inn. I had spent more time in my room than I thought, as the sun had already gone down, streets lit by lamps. Walking by streetlight it was still a lot easier to find the place the second time, especially now that I knew the signs. No matter where I was in the city, thanks to these signs, I would always be able to find my way back. Really, it was impossible not to find the place now. It was still a long walk to get back to the front of the guild’s facade.

I stood outside the ‘Home For Wayward Cats’ getting a much better look at it in the bright lamps. This time I noticed that what I had seen as a decrepit old building, was really just well worn. It looked like it only needed a few minor repairs, maybe some paint. The roof over the porch was bleached from the sun, the paint was chipping, and the steps slightly dipping from use. The flowers were almost overgrown, overflowing all around the shop. Giving it a wildness all around.

I was a bit anxious about completing the test. I had achieved the goal, but I wasn't sure if I did it the right way. This whole process has been confusing, to say the least.

I made my way back into the building, brushing my hands past the flowers once more. I wondered if I should stop doing it, not sure it was good for the flowers. Still, they were the softest thing I had ever touched. I wanted to just jump into them and see how soft they really were.

Opening the door the frizzy-haired woman was still frantically writing in her thick book. What is she writing? I made my way up to her desk and waited for her to finish. It was only another moment before she put her pen down and looked up at me annoyed. "Looking for a cat are we?" Her look of annoyance quickly changed as recognition crossed her face. “Ah. Not looking for a cat. A little kitten looking for a home. Did you find one?”

I tilted my head, why is she still being cryptic’ “Yes.”

The woman put her pen down leaning on an ink-stained palm. “Oh? If you found your home, why are you here?”

Not wanting to be misconstrued I answered bluntly. “To finish my test?”

“Ah, only those looking for a home, come in here.” The woman gestured to the hall behind her. “Those ready for their new home need to enter the same way they left.” She pointed out the front door. “Now go home little kitten. Go home.” The woman went back to her book, frantically scratching away.

With those instructions I made my way to the alley; to find my way home. The alley I had come out of originally was easy to find. It was just a block away. As I entered the alley I asked aloud. “Now where was that door again?”