Synexus walked with Yu through the streets of Goldhill quietly watching the excitement and impact of his newest creation. Citizens of the city were lined up at the bank, and various shops trying to get their guins converted and put their belongings onto the nexus.
Artisans were dashing around their shops with a new intensity to get their artwork up on the listings to get more exposure. Blacksmiths, sculptors, painters, jewelers alike were working on new pieces to truly showcase their talents.
Synexus simply smiled.
This was the buzz of progress he aimed for.
Even the seamstress was rushing around with various fabrics and garments when they walked in the door. She almost didn’t notice the little ding of the metallic bell above the door ring out.
Synexus and Yu watched for a few minutes while she started to put everything in her arms away so she could give them her full attention. She was spitting out apologies in a constant stream while murmuring to herself about all the tasks she needed to get done. Then a sigh left her lips, and she rushed over to properly greet them.
“I really do apologize. This new function of the benevolent System has granted me an opportunity, and I don’t intend to waste it.”
“It is no bother to us to wait a few minutes for your level of skill.” Yu assured her and then bowed.
The seamstress bowed back and then looked to Synexus while speaking to Yu.
“Is this the friend you were talking about that may have the fabric you want to use?”
“It is indeed.”
“May I take a look at your materials?”
“Of course, right this way!”
She led them back into the private room once more and showed them all samples of her beautiful fabrics.
“As I told your impressive friend here, I do have every material in this part of the world in stock.”
“It is quite the inventory. This may take a minute. Feel free to go back to your tasks for the nexus. We will take a look at these ourselves and find you when we are ready.”
The seamstress smiled and then nodded before leaving them alone.
“You’re right, Yu. She is incredibly nice and has a passion for her path.” He then turned to the fabrics. “Now, give me a minute to log these.”
Moonsilk: 100%
Mountaintop Cashmere: 100%
Snow Wool: 100%
Goldhill linen: 100%
Eight-legged Alpaca: 100%
Nightlace: 100%
Consuming Velvet: 100%
Royal Satin: 100%
Sand Leather: 100%
…
Silk Cotton: 100%
There were nearly a hundred different fabrics and Synexus didn’t have most of them logged yet. His skills broke each down to their individual elements as well and most were simply a few elements that made all the difference. He had logged Yu’s genes earlier as well for her feathers specifically.
“There are a lot of amazing fabrics here. That moonsilk feels like air against your skin. It’ll take me a few minutes to sort through the entries and make something spectacular for you.”
Yu nodded and thanked him. They had discussed what she had wanted earlier in the day, and she trusted him to get something perfect. While waiting she decided to go help the seamstress with her tasks that way Synexus had space to meditate on the fabric.
He grabbed the entire roll of mountaintop cashmere since it would be used as his base, and it was the most expensive which would help the nice seamstress out. With the roll of fabric in hand, he sat cross legged in the middle of the private room and focused on his skills.
The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
Entry after entry came forth and he filtered through them looking for the ideal combination to create an amazing fabric for his friend. His first confirmed entry that he would use was Yu’s feather of course. He would be able to work the feather’s mana attunement into the fabric so it would work naturally with her skills.
Next, he worked in the sheen of a deep velvet and the feel of the moonsilk into his new creation. After that he worked on the durability by looking at the elemental breakdown and changing a few elements to match the durability of a jute without sacrificing the softness of a silk. That led to him adding in resistances such as fire and heat resistance since Yu would clearly need those. He accomplished that by taking inspiration from a few fire attuned plants he had encountered before. Using their leaves and stem materials that had evolved to become immune to fire.
His final creation had been taken from nearly three dozen different materials and would be perfect for Yu specifically. It was fireproof, waterproof, tear resistant, mana attuned, aerodynamic for when she got her flight back, it had a beautiful sheen, and it was as black as her feathers.
Still, he wasn’t done. There was one final step to make it something that Yu could use for a lifetime.
Mana gathered around him as he directed it with his hands into himself. His will worked within to create the instructions for what his mana would need to do. This would be a much simpler enchantment since he would be using the pattern of one of his skills and he had done it before with his ship.
Once all the mana was gathered, he pushed it into the roll of fabric. The deep black sheen lit up as it devoured his mana, and instructions were slowly carved into the threads themselves. It would have been easier to enchant the fabric as a whole, but this way, the enchantment would go unseen, and it would be more potent.
Thirty minutes passed before it was completed and to his surprise, the seamstress and Yu were standing there already admiring the new roll of fabric.
Immortal Sphinx Feather (Unique): This fabric was created with resistance to most damage while keeping the beauty and luxurious feel of silk. Its sheen will draw the eyes of any being lucky enough to witness it. Additionally, this fabric has further been enchanted to self-repair by using the mana of the user.
“In…incredible! You made this?” The seamstress was on the floor feeling the fabric and staring in disbelief.
“I did. I used your roll of mountaintop cashmere as base, so please factor that into the price.”
Yu felt the fabric and then stared silently for several minutes. Synexus and seamstress were waiting to hear the verdict of whether it was worthy of her first dress.
“This is perfect! How did you capture my essence like that?!”
Synexus laughed. “I’ve known you for a while now. I knew what you’d like.”
He then turned back towards the seamstress.
“Can you please make however many outfits or pieces of clothing that can be made for her out of this roll? I believe you two discussed the plans for a dress, but I’m sure the whole roll won’t be needed for that.”
“With this amount, I could make several dresses, and some accessories for her to wear as well. I must say though, it will be expensive. Is that okay?”
“Yes. I’ll pay for it either in gold guins or Progress Credits. Your choice.”
She bowed and immediately started getting things ready to get to work, but before she could start, a young lady stumbled from a door into the private room and fell onto the floor.
Synexus bent down to help her up but was a second behind the ghost white seamstress.
“I’m so sorry. That shouldn’t have happened.” She stood the woman up and started directing her back into the room.
“Who is that?” Yu asked.
“And why are you pushing her into a dark room?” Synexus added.
“Please don’t tell anyone. This is my daughter. She’s all I have.”
“Why are you keeping her locked away in a dark room then?” Yu started to gather mana into a fire lash but then saw the tears streaming down the face of the seamstress.
“Please! You don’t understand. If I tell you, she could be killed.”
“Something is wrong with her. She isn’t walking right. Tell us or we will leave right now.” Synexus let a little anger enter his voice. Clearly, she was hiding something, and it wasn’t something she wanted to share, but if this girl needed help, then he couldn’t simply forget what they witnessed.
“You don’t understand! She was born that way. Normally they kill babies with defects such as hers. I had to have her in secret. No one knew except for me and my late husband. You mustn’t tell! I’ll do the clothing for free, just don’t tell. Please.”
The tension in the room relaxed once more and Syenxus could see the desperation in the seamstress’ eyes. She was willing to do anything to keep her daughter a secret. To keep her safe.
A mother protecting her child.
His first memory played through his mind for the first time since the trial. He choked back his silver tear before speaking again.
“We won’t tell. But, please, tell me what’s wrong with her?”
“Oh, thank you! Thank you! Thank you!” Tears started to come down her face faster and the whole time her daughter just stood there with empty eyes.
Synexus gave the woman a moment to collect herself and calm her emotions.
“To answer your questions, sir. She was born early. Her eyes and ears have never worked as a result. My late husband took a healer class to try and heal her but was unable too. He thought that it was because they never worked, so there was nothing to actually heal. I’m holding out hope that the System will help her on her class day.”
“How old is she?”
“18 as of last month.”
Synexus stared at her in horror trying to imagine 18 years of living in silent darkness. You’d never know what was going on around you. Then a fire ignited in his heart boiling his silver blood running through his veins.
“You said they kill babies like this?”
“Yes, sir.” Her gaze fell to the ground in sadness and disgust. “They feel it’s a mercy to avoid a life such as my daughters. I’m not even sure if the System will smile upon her. She could be like this forever. A life without a purpose, but I love her. I couldn’t let her go.” Her tears started once more.
“All life has a purpose, and this is mine.”
Synexus stepped towards the woman’s daughter, and she shrieked for him to stop.
“Don’t worry. I’m not going to hurt her; I actually believe I’m the one person who can help her.”
“But you make fabrics. How can you help her?”
“Let him. He can do much more.” Yu spoke while supporting the barely standing woman.
She simply nodded towards Synexus and he continued.
His sensors met the girl’s skin and information started to flood in.
