The town was alive with people going about their day to day, content with their routines. Bustling between market stalls, or to work out in the fields, small wagons laden with goods for trade rolled in and out of the streets. Delilah absently toyed with her blue cloak as she watched the town and its people hurry around her, focused on their destinations. A few people stopping the two as they recognised and greeted Mavrik whose large figure and full plate stood out, the man humbly navigated each interaction with smooth ease. Meanwhile the devil-kin fought not to cower under the attention, thoughts running wild if they discovered what she was.

Finally they reached a tailors shop, pushing their way inside. Fabric of every colour leaping across the falls, some wrangled into elaborate outfits on proud display, while others leant against the wall in tall, tightly wound bolts.

"Welcome, how can I help you today?"

A woman chimed as she stepped out of another room. Her face lighting up in recognition, "Mavrik! Its been too long" the woman appeared to be around Delilah's age, human, with auburn hair woven into a low bun. Her clothing colourful, but stylish and well made, the Devil-kin couldn't help but hold a stab of envy. Feeling like a washed up wreck near this woman. Gold bangles on her wrists, dress twirling around her ankles, and most noticeably no horns atop her head.

"Who's this?" turning her warm gaze to Delilah.

Mavrik noticed his companion's apprehension, gently nudging her forward, shaking her out of her daze.

"My name's Delilah, it's nice to meet you" anxious racing thoughts as she spoke.

The lady nodded "what a beautiful name! I'm Elise, so what brings you here?"

"She's in need of some new garments."

"That I can help with!"

Elise only smiled wider, looking Delilah up and down thoughtfully for a moment, reaching for her cloak "but its hard to see what build you are under th-"

Delilah leapt back, colliding into Mavrik's chest, causing Elise to gasp in confusion at the violent reaction.

"It's alright Delilah, I wouldn't have brought you here if you weren't safe"

She could feel Mavrik's voice, rumbling through his chest against the plate. Feeling guilty as she stepped away from Mavrik, "I-I'm sorry.. I just.." Knowing it was easier to show, raising her hands to her hood, tugging it down and looking at the floor. Fearing what she would find in Elise's eyes, not wanting to see the scorn or horror.

The silence stretched, likely for no more than a few moments, but it felt like an eternity for the young Tiefling. Would she run screaming? Throw her to the towns people? Demand why the town hero who hunted monsters, was now taking one to buy clothes?

"I like the way you've braided your hair"

Elise's soft voice broke through the silence, her head shot up in surprise, she liked her hair? Elise was smiling kindly, understanding now registered on her face as she offered a hand out to Delilah.

"Come on, lets find you something better than, whatever.. this is" she playfully tugged at the oversized shirt.

Delilah relaxed, checking over her shoulder for a nod of approval from Mavrik, she followed the auburn haired woman into another room.

"You don't have to worry Delilah, my late husband was like you."

She pulled her gaze away from the elegant dresses that caught her eye on the wall, as Elise continued. "He had a heart of gold, despite what everyone judged him for. He died aiding Mavrik in fighting the beast that attacked the town" she explained.

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"I'm sorry for your loss" Delilah offered softly, wishing she could do more than just speak words. The lady shook her head with a smile, "time heals everything" she assured.

She wanted to ask more, this woman had been married to someone with the same affliction. But he was gone now, not wanting to pull open Elise's wounds for her own curiosity.

"Now, what do you think of something like this?" Elise held up a simple white cotton shirt with elegant black embroidery along its long sleeved cuffs. It bore some decorative stitched pleats on the side to make it more fitted against a feminine figure.

"It'll go nicely under any armour, and look super cute" Elise added thoughtfully, scooping up a tan coloured belt, a pair of soft leather boots, and some black pants made from a heavier durable fabric.

"Here, try everything on."

She left the room to give Delilah privacy to change "Come show us when you're done."

Swiftly changing into the clothes, she appreciated the softness of the fresh fabric against her skin. The clothing hugged her lithe, hourglass figure flatteringly, but remained modest. Tugging on the boots and slinging the cloak over her arm, she hesitated to re-join the others.

Delilah granted herself a moment to look at herself in one of the large mirrors in the room, her figure framed nicely in the bodice of the shirt, in a way she'd never known clothing could. Hair tamed into two twin braids that reached just past her shoulders, starting around her horns, she noted they had grown longer since the last time she had dared face her reflection. Still curling back, but now turning up wards at the tips slightly. She tentatively tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, reluctantly meeting her bright golden eyes. Steeling herself, hearing Elise's voice floating from the other room, pulling her back into the present.

Wiping her clammy palms on her thighs nervously, she stepped out of the room, returning down the hall into the shop front.

"You look so cute!" Elise praised, circling around Delilah in approval, gently tugging at a few creases and folds to adjust them. "I just knew there was an elegant lady hiding under all that adventurer garb".

"It's thanks to your good eye" She blushed, shaking off the compliment.

"Nonsense!" Elise grinned, looking up at Mavrik, his eyes had remained on the bashful tiefling. "Doesn't she look wonderful?" she pushed mischievously.

Delilah turned her attention to the tall male, now realising he was watching her.

"You look nice, Elise knows her trade well."

Elise tutted as Delilah couldn't help but laugh, she'd take the win. Listening to Elise chastising the man on how to speak to a lady.

The seamstress gave another look over Delilah, eyes falling to the tattered crimson scarf, causing the devil kin to raise a hand up to it defensively.

"The scarf stays" she stated, it seemed enough for Elise as she smiled and nodded "of course! If you'll allow me, perhaps I can stop some of those loose threads?"

Delilah smiled in gratitude, handing over the treasured possession.

"Wow, I haven't seen his work in a long time" she breathed.

"His work?"

"Oh yes, a lot of tailors have a signature way of stitching. Consider it, almost like embroidering our names on our work. This scarf was made by a talented artesian called Matthew, his works were my inspiration" she admitted sheepishly. Carefully laying the scarf on her work table, "he just upped and vanished one day, most presume he's dead" not looking up as she continued on her careful and precise repairs, stitching the holes and closing the loose threads.

"Where did you find it?"

"It was a gift, I've had it since I was a baby" Delilah admitted, feeling bad that she couldn't shed more light on how it came into her possession. Nadia had given her the scarf, filling it with fond memories of her crouching down in front of her as a child, and wrapping it firmly around her shoulders.

"Well, will that be everything today?" Elise held the mended the scarf out for Delilah to take, despite the uplift, there was little that could be done to combat the tired fabric.

Moving back towards the counter as Mavrik followed her, placing a small pouch of coin on it. Delilah adjusted the cloak and scarf back around her, listening to the two exchange farewells, staying back and not wanting to interrupt.

"Bye Delilah! I hope to see you again soon, it was lovely meeting you" Elise chimed waving from across the room as Mavrik held the door open.

"You be good to her Mavrik!".

"Thank you for all your help Elise, it was nice meeting you too" Delilah returned the wave, before stepping out with a laugh at her final statement.

"Let's get back to Gadrin"

Delilah skipped forward, for a moment imbued with new found confidence. She had met someone who had not only known, but loved a tiefling. Someone who had made a noble sacrifice, and it made her heart swell as she relished the thought.

"you go on ahead, I'll meet you back at the house later" Mavrik called after her.

"If you want to leave Gad and I on our own, that's at your risk" Delilah giggled in return, humming lightly to herself as she retraced her steps back to his home.