Buy some shoes.

It isn't a far stroll to your next destination. Though despite it only being a street away, to Xiaoqing it feels different. She opts to walk barefoot, and is garbed in something perhaps more gorgeous than she ever dreamed of ever wearing. As somebody else from Earth, you understand completely, though on top of the cultural shock between your home world and Absoterra, this is a girl who has been disguised as a boy for some time now. The way she carries herself now is like she's stepping through a dream. She feels the flutter of her dress upon her skin, and the touch of stone below, with dirt between her toes. As the wind picks up, a breeze wafts freely through her pale blue hair.

But then she pulls back. You watch as she emotionally withdraws. Her arms pull in, and she glances around her nervously.

You offer up your palm, whether she wishes to take hold or not. "It's all right," you say just as you notice her discomfort. "In the Empire of Tivera, nobody knows the name Xiaoqing. And when they learn, it'll be attributed a beautiful women of ice and snow. A frosted princess. People will say things like... wow, that Xiaoqing sure is pretty. I can't even look her way without blushing. What I wouldn't do just to feel her touch."

With pink in her cheeks, she giggles, and then lays her hand upon yours. You walk side-by-side, held tight, as Nyllia continues to lead the way. It isn't much longer, however, as before you know it, the shop is right up ahead.

"CobbleStone," whispers Xiaoqing as her eyes scan the sign above the door.

Nyllia nods. "That is right. Come on now, before your toes start to freeze. Ah, perhaps that is not so much an issue for you. Either way, follow me."

The door turns open with a creak--not a bell or chime, nor likely something set up on purpose, but it does the charm. A man nearby twists his head around the moment you make yourselves known. The first thing you notice are two feline ears sticking up from his head, with hair like a bowl cut--silver, though when you see his face, you can see that he isn't at all elderly. He's likely around the age of yourself.

He stands from where he was previously kneeling. His attire is finely stitched--top like a kimono shirt, and dark loose pants. You can barely make out his eyes through the thickness of his spectacle lenses, but you can at least tell that he's looking at you. With a hand formally on his chest, he bows his head and greets his customers. "Welcome," he says. "Ah. Such incredibly well-dressed individuals. I presume this is for the queen's appearance this evening."

"You are correct," answers Nyllia.

Upon noticing her presence, the catfolk gasps. "Lady Tesgella! I haven't seen you in a long time. Are you in need of new footwear? No, that's not right. It must be for the one amongst you with bare feet."

You walk Xiaoqing forwards. "Yeah. She needs something that will go perfectly with her new dress," you explain.

"It would be an honour," the man answers.

Nyllia then looks to you. "This is Mr. Stone, a very talented cobbler. I believe he is perfect for the job."

"You flatter me," he says. "But you're correct. Here, sit down on this chair and we'll have a look, madame."

Released from your hand, Xiaoqing steps over to a wooden seat, grabs her dress, and carefully sits.

The cobbler then tosses you two items. The first is a balled up measuring tape, and the other is a cloth. You catch both.

"What are these for?" you ask.

"I need you to wipe down her feet, and then measure them for me. Meanwhile, I'll find the perfect pair and tailor them to fit. Excuse me." He then disappears behind a counter at the far end of the room. Many drawers and cabinets are opened, and he takes down a few on display as well.

You look to her. She looks back. Then with a shrug, you kneel down before her and take hold of her right ankle. They aren't filthy, but she was just walking barefoot outside. You take the cloth and clean the loose dirt, though almost immediately, you feel her entire leg flinch. Her toes wiggle as she giggles, though in a manner that brings her immediate embarrassment.

She looks down and whispers, "Careful... I'm sensitive, and ticklish there."

You chuckle. "I'll try."

After wiping them down, you stretch out the tape, and hold it from her heel to the tips of her toes. Though just as before, every time your hands touch the bottoms of her feet, she fidgets in place, and tries not to break into a fit of cackling. Eventually, you lock eyes. She smiles, and you return the favour.

When you finally finish, you bring the measurements to Mr. Stone.

"Just a question," you speak up. "Why did you want me to do it? Aren't you the expert?"

He then freezes in place. Slowly, the catfolk turns and looks you in the eyes--as much as you can tell through his thick glasses--and then places a hand upon your shoulder. "Sir. You are their man. I would never touch the feet of somebody's partner so intimately. For Lady Tesgella to have found love, it warms my heart. And it's a man with enough love within him to have not one, but two beautiful women at his side. Those are your feet, sir. All four. Not mine. Yours. Care for them well."

"... All right."

"And I've got the perfect shoes!" He slaps his hand down upon the counter. "Wait shortly. I won't be long."

"Mmm... What's with all the noise?" comes a new voice--one very sleepy.

Standing in the doorway to another room is a woman with baggy pajama pants and a top only halfway buttoned, slipping partly off her shoulder. She has an orange bob-cut, though it's incredibly messy, and she wears thick glasses. The prescription may not be as intense as the other's, but they're large with black, bold frames. Cat ears top her head twitch, and her tail sways to and fro. After a moment of looking her over, you realize that you recognize her from somewhere.

It's Ms. Labing, the seamstress at Redbloom Academy!

"Sister, please. I have customers," Mr. Stone replies.

"Huh?" Ms. Labing looks blankly at you before gasping. She pulls her top closed, and retreats back around the corner. "I didn't know!"

"Have you not heard our conversation?"

"I thought you were talking to yourself again."

Emerging once again, though properly buttoned, Ms. Labing has the chance to inspect you more thoroughly. "By the gods. Is that... Kyle Warren? It is!" It's as if she were never embarrassed. Swiftly, she hops right in front of you and smiles bright. Her hands touch down your regal attire. She runs her fingers down the lining, and tugs gently on the fabric. "Incredible," she whispers. "Who made this?"

"Luna, of Luna Silk at Castle Phoenix," you proudly answer. "And it's good to see you again."

"What an amazing coincidence. The man behind me there is my brother. I was just visiting him. This evening, we're going to watch the queen together. Ooh, I do love Queen Catherine II. What I wouldn't give to make a dress for that body."

"How have things been in Tolis?" you ask.

"Avana suffered far more damage, but we are still rebuilding as well. It would have been a lot worse without you and your friends, though."

Mr. Stone glances over. "Who is this again?"

"Kyle Warren! You know, the Hero King everyone is talking about? Ruler of Castle Phoenix to the east?" Ms. Labing explains.

"Ah. Right. I remember seeing your wanted poster in the past. If it's any consolation, I thought King Thadius a fool the moment he took the throne. I think plenty of people did. The current queen is too beloved to be so easily replaced. The only followers he had were those eager to hate. Those who wanted a leader to give them enemies. A waste of time. Time better spent making shoes."

I gotta remember my family tree here. So Queen Catherine, aka Cat, is now a powerful vampire. Though in the past, she had at least one child named Queen Francine, who eventually had a child named Queen Francine II, finally followed by her daughter Queen Catherine II, the current ruling monarch of Tivera. But she isn't the only child. She has a brother and a sister, Thadius and I'm not sure the other name. Neither were at the castle when I spent time there.

The other sister, Princess Abigail, was never even real. She was a high doppel who planted herself within the royal family by manipulating everyone's memories. Cat sent the high doppel to do that, and one of the vampires even killed the Court Wizard Dezro. Not the happiest memories.

"You're dressed up awfully fancy for simply watching a speech," Ms. Labing says. She leans in close to you and smirks. "Are the rumours true then, that she won't be the only person up there?"

You shrug. "Maybe."

"And to think. Such a famous person went to our school."

"I mean, I wasn't there very long. I don't know if that counts or not."

"It's even better! You saved all of Redbloom Academy. You're a gift that keeps on giving."

Mr. Stone makes his way over with the finished footwear in his hands. "Here, good sir. Please try them on."

Me again, huh? You nod, and then take your place once again at Xiaoqing's feet. You slowly slip each one on, and then shift back as all in the room can finally take in the sight of her completed wardrobe. You stand first, and take her hand to aid her. She looks down in awe as her toes practically sparkle.

While not tall heels, they're heels regardless, with glistening straps over the tops of her feet like frozen streams of water. Upon the middle toe of her right foot, there's a single sapphire gemstone. She lifts her legs up and down, and then steps carefully across the room. With a surprisingly playful spin, she looks back to her audience with a smile and a bow. "They're perfect. I don't know how to thank everybody for being so kind to me today."

"One of you can thank me with payment," says Mr. Stone.

Ms. Labing elbows him in the side. "Brother!"

"That wasn't meant to be rude. I was simply trying to help."