The next morning I wake once again, when my feline housemate jumps onto the bed. Things are not entirely as they should be though. Not quite.

Sour Cream is sopping wet and the constant patter of raindrops leaves no doubt about the reason as to why either.

Before the cat can curl up on my sheets I jump out of bed, startling her a little, to grab a spare towel. I rub her down with it, eliciting a few meows of protest in the process. In the end she lets me dry her off though. That I prepare a bowl of sour cream for her right after probably helps sooth her wrath as well.

I give her a little kiss atop her head, before moving on to the next order of business. Raising my enchanted lantern high I check to make sure the roof isn't leaking anywhere. I doubt it is the case, as the house is in a pretty good state overall, but I decide to make sure anyway.

Despite not expecting to find any leaks I still feel relief after actually not finding any. By the time I put the lantern away again to get dressed for the day the cat is already fast asleep in her usual place. I envy her a little. With weather like this I wouldn't mind curling up and sleeping in either. It really would be nice. I can't do that though. Curse those responsibilities!

I open the windows and both the front as well as the back door though, as the fresh, clean air is pretty nice. It is a little chilly as well though. Well, can't have everything.

For a little while I just stand there in the doorway, pondering if I should go to the bath today. In the end I decide against it. The rain isn't too cold, but it is coming down heavy enough to discourage me. In the end I just get some water from the creek and wash real quick.

The short trip across the backyard and down to the gurgling creek already is enough to leave me a little drenched. That state earns me a half lidded stare from Sour Cream as well, as if she were wondering what I expected to happen.

Do adventurers even head out during weather like this? The answer to that question does come knocking before long. Obviously they do. If you want to eat good food and sleep in a clean bed you need to earn the necessary coin after all.

My first two customers arrive just as I get ready to brew some more mana potions and they are not any of the adventurers I'm already familiar with.

No, these two look a little out of place. They are elves, but they are most certainly not from around here. They are tall of course, like all elves I know. Probably even a little taller than most. Considering their dark, tanned skin and the rather colorful clothing they wear, they probably are from the islands to the south. And of course they are both tracking water into the shop. Well, at least they don't seem to mind being wet.

I catch myself staring and quickly bow in greeting.

“Welcome to my shop. What can I do for you?”

Thankfully they don't seem to mind. Maybe they even stared a little themselves. Could it be that half elves are not quite as common on the islands? Finally the younger of the two bows in return and speaks up, after receiving an elbow to the side from his companion.

“Ah, we are new around here. Yes. We just arrived late the other day. In fact. You sell some second hand gear? Yes? We need to supplement our equipment a little before heading out into the Twilight Forest. Yes?”

I nod along. What a curious way of speaking. Not unpleasant though. In the end I direct them towards the bins with the second hand gear.

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The older of the two elves in the meantime studies the signs at the counter.

“I have some second hand weapons and some other gear. Have a look.”

Then I point towards a shelf with some more second hand gear on it.

“There are some other things as well. Ropes, lamps, a climbing kit and camp supplies as well as some second hand clothes. You might consider getting two raincoats.”

I show them the rugged cloaks made of oil cloth.

“You might not mind the summer rain right now, but it can still get a little chilly at night.”

The younger of the two pays rapt attention while the other has already wandered over to the shelves with the potions. I give them some time to browse the wares on display and the duo gathers a small pile of gear at the counter, including the raincoats and an assortment of potions. They are surprisingly quick about it.

I ring up their purchases and they pay without even making an attempt to haggle me down. Could it be that my Silver Tongue gift finally pays off? Either way, this is a pretty good sale!

Before the duo can leave I speak up once more though.

“If you are still unfamiliar with the area or the forest in general, you probably should team up with some of the adventurers from around here. Just in case.”

The two look at each other for a moment. Then they nod.

“Thank you. We will.”

I flash them a smile in return.

“Good, good. Take care out there! And please drop by again!”

They bow again and as they leave I see them off with a cheerful wave.

Just as they disappear after putting on their new rain cloaks my next visitor arrives. This one I'm quite familiar with. There is no mistaking Elzbieta's figure after all, despite the rain cloak she wears. Before I can even ask she waves a quest paper in my direction.

“I picked up the new one today. Lets give this a try. But, uh, could we do this indoors today? I don't like the rain all that much.”

I laugh out loud. It is all too understandable after all.

“Sure. Come around to the back. You can hang your coat by the door. Just give me a moment to get a fire started.”

She nods and walks around the house to the backdoor.

I'm quite glad that she doesn't track any mud through the shop although the way would have been much shorter and, of course, out of the rain.

While she slips out of the coat and her shoes, I get the fire started. I'll need it to brew a new batch of mana potions anyway. I move a chair to the fireside as well, placing it in such a way that I'll be able to work there, without tripping over her, as well.

She stretches a little after sitting down and I hand her one of the mana mills. While she gets busy right away, I get her shoes and place them by the fireside as well. Not too close though, or the leather might suffer.

Only then do I return to the potion ingredients I have been preparing. I pause once more though as Elzbieta starts singing. The songs she picked for today are not any I'm familiar with. Something about the misadventures of drunken sailors?

She catches me staring and pauses briefly to laugh.

“Something I picked up from the duo you met earlier. They are islanders as you might have already guessed. And sailors. Probably. Could be that they are a lovey, dovey couple on the run from their families as well. I'm not entirely sure about that one though.”

Now it is my turn to laugh. Before I can inquire about what might have led her to that conclusion, she speaks up again though.

“Say, do you have any plans for the midsummer night dance?”

The sudden change in subject leaves me speechless for a moment. The dance? I honestly haven't even thought about it.

I never get a chance to voice my thoughts though. Apparently it doesn't matter. Might be that they were plainly visible on my face after all. Elzbieta laughs out loud once more, never stopping with the mill, before she continues.

“You might want to give it some thought. It is the biggest event around here after all. Well, maybe with the exception of the midwinter dance. That one is pretty big as well. Wear fancy clothes! Have a drink or two or three as well as some fun. And of course there is the dance with the bull. Ever thought about jumping the bull? Or you could dance with some fey! They tend to show up on occasion! I'd attend myself, but the timing, you know.”

She pats her bulging belly, as she makes that last point, and I can only nod dumbly, still busy processing all the things she casually mentioned.