Aurelia Market first. I assume that can have a pretty wild variety over the others.

Dionysus They do.

Dionysus Average fare today, though

Dionysus Nothing especially interesting catches your eye.

Aurelia The boutiques, then.

Dionysus Apparently, the fashion district was hit by the riot. Most are closed, & those that are open are being rather snooty about who they let in the shops today.

Aurelia What do they feel on seeing me?

Dionysus Lack of interest, contempt, or fear of Kashaji.

• Aurelia leaves without a word in all three cases. Modest tailor is probably better anyway, if those are to be had...

Dionysus "Oh, ma'am, do come in, do."

Dionysus "I have /just/ the thing for you."

• Aurelia tilts her head and steps further inside.

Dionysus It's nice inside, with various dresses & things lying around. The keeper feels slight panic at Kashaji, then just says, "Nice doggie, ma'am. Here, have a seat, take a load off. I have just the dress for you."

Dionysus He pulls out a nice but simple green dress with a pale yellow silk ribbon.

• Aurelia sits, then stands again, moving closer to look.

Dionysus It's a decent dress, not spectacular.

Aurelia "Have you anything in darker color?"

Dionysus "I suppose, but it's summer. Bright colors are in season. Are you sure you want dark?"

• Aurelia pauses, then shakes her head. "I will take the green. Also, I need a cloak." She hesitates. "And a shirt and trousers, 37 inches to the chest, 29 to the arm..."

Dionysus "I have a lovely pink one, too... Yes, shirt, trousers, yes, what fabric? What colors?"

Aurelia "Cotton or wool suffice. Black, the trousers, crimson, the shirt."

Dionysus "What cut, what style? I can do several. Domestic or foreign. Fine elven cuts, even that brash reever style some of the more adventuresome pop singers are going for."

Aurelia "Reever."

• Aurelia says immediately after he voices the word.

Dionysus He arches an eye, a little surprised.

Dionysus "Oh ho, know what we want for our beau, eh? Very well. When do you need it by? And will you try the dress on? I might need to make a few alterations."

Aurelia "As soon as is possible. They need no alterations."

Dionysus He nods, "I can have this done by tomorrow night."

Aurelia "Thank you."

Dionysus He names a price, which isn't too bad.

• Aurelia pays it, then practically flees.

Dionysus Where to?

Aurelia Then wanders the market for a little while and goes back to the ship.

Dionysus And there it is. At the stall there, it's perfect.

Aurelia ... What is it?

Dionysus I'm not sure, but I rolled a ten on your luck.

Aurelia Oh. Dear. I'm not even sure what she's looking for now, or would want. Um.

Dionysus Hmm

Dionysus A thin, gaunt young man is sitting in a small little stall, surrounded by latticeworked walls, covered in small paintings. He calls out, "Portraits! Get your portrait done!"

• Aurelia pauses to look.

Dionysus He's very skilled, to your eye, & deeply romantic in style.

Aurelia What does he feel like?

Dionysus A little hungry, a little eager, a little mad, a little inspired, a little in love.

Dionysus Human

• Aurelia approaches.

Dionysus "Oh, yes, miss! Come right up! One hour, paint your portrait!"

• Aurelia nods.

Dionysus "Sit down, sit down." Eagerness, excitement.

Dionysus "Any pose you like, miss. Wolfhound in it, too?"

Aurelia "Yes. Please."

• Aurelia sits, guiding Kashaji to lie beside her with his head in her lap.

Dionysus "Pose as you both please. Good doggie."

Dionysus "Ahh, very good, very good."

Dionysus "Now, what's your name, birthdate, & occupation, miss?"

• Aurelia blinks and tilts her head, but answers, "Aurelia Lucent. April 21, 673. Artist. Musician."

Dionysus "Ooh, a fellow artist! I like it. Do you worship? Do you have a man... or woman? Do you Serve? Are you currently engaged in any particular activity of note? Do you, ma'am, have any convictions?"

Dionysus "What, in short, is the essence of you?"

Dionysus All the while, he paints.

Aurelia "I... do not know. No. N- yes. I am... in the Contest. I..."

Dionysus He paints while you try to answer.

Dionysus The painting is fairly decent, definitely one of the better ones you've ever seen in a mere hour.

• Aurelia is unable to answer the last question. After a few minutes she risks changing pose to bring her oboe from her bag, attempting to play the piece from her dream and improvise the gaps.

Dionysus Roll.

Dionysus oboe & improv

Aurelia Does the karma on the crossed out still apply?

Dionysus He seems to improve as you play, ending with a phenomenal painting.

Dionysus Yes

Aurelia Then self realization.

Dionysus After it is ove,r he hands you the portrait, "A painting for a song, fair's fair."

Aurelia How does he feel saying that?

Dionysus Impressed, honored, hopeful.

Dionysus You accept his painting?

Aurelia Yes.