The storefront glowed with tasteful lighting that highlighted a collection of leather bags in rich colors. Each one was arranged with an artistic precision on minimalist stands.
Nothing especially ostentatious. Just clean lines, quality looking materials, and clearly skilled craftsmanship.
My hand unconsciously moved to adjust the bookstore tote hanging from my shoulder. Entirely unfashionable in comparison, but completely usable.
"This is ridiculous."
> Why am I even worrying about how they look when I’m perfectly content to use the jacket I was given and the backpack I found... is it because I’m technically the one that chose to buy them this ti? <
My wolf snorted softly in my mindscape. Whether that was agreent or amusent at my weakness, I couldn’t tell.
"They’re just things."
I continued to mumble while staring at a particularly elegant patterned ssenger bag in a deep burgundy stained leather that might... go well with the red shirt I liked.
"And they’re not even... necessary things."
The closest bag was displayed at an angle that showed its multiple interior compartnts. Divided so as to fit plenty of items inside with so careful planning.
Adjustable belts with tal rings, buckles, and rivets. Not the cheaper, less premium plastic adjuster I’d just used.
I realized I took a step closer to the window before I knew it and back away.
> This is how she’ll get her claws in. Small indulgences that beco dependency. Eroding my will to resist. Before I know it, I’d allow her bite to mark just for more luxuries. I- I won’t be bought with baubles! <
My wolf spirit moved and sat down beside , head tilting slightly as if questioning the logic of bla. Its blue eyes held a gentle challenge to my assertions that it was sohow Kyrie’s sche.
> You think I’m being too harsh again... <
A slow blink was my only frustrating answer. Basically ’what do you think’.
Like I don’t know what I think deep inside!
While shaking my head, soone from inside the shop was pulling the most interesting piece out of the window. Less than a minute later, a well-dressed woman pushed open the door of the boutique.
Soft chis of a bell announced her exit - and over her shoulder was the very sa burgundy bag I’d been admiring. A sharp and uncomfortable twist of envy wrestled with relief in my chest.
Her walk down the street was confident and thankfully in the opposite way I needed to go. In heels that added many inches to her shorter height and tapped rhythmically against the pavent.
> Even with them, she was about my size. <
I glanced back at the display window to see the attendant was already placing a replacent bag on the emptied stand. This one in a deep forest green that reminded too much of the Duskpaw.
But without being distracted by its looks, I could actually look at the price tag. The amount made wince.
It could feed for two weeks at the sizable portion I ate at the diner. Purchase dozens and dozens of books.
Or secure several nights in that motel.
But hunting in the forest would be free, the library should also be free, and despite my choice last night I really could shelter sowhere without using any funds if I had to...
Excuses. I shook my head at my own rationalizations.
"I need to be smarter about using her money. It would be different if I’d earned it myself."
> You really have no concept of economics or pride in collectibles. So maybe you are more okay with... <
Vrika’s ears flattened at my dismissive tone and I trailed off. I sighed out loud and in the mindscape.
> That was unfair. I know you understand more than I give you credit for after living inside Helene all this ti. <
I padded closer to its form, circling around the spirit a few tis before sitting at its side with my back turned to it. Companionably, sowhat.
> But you know, Vrika... when all I can tell is that you think I’m being foolish... it is easy to beco defensive. To think you are the one who doesn’t know anything. <
A paw stomps on my tail and I hop to all fours.
> Stupid wolf, I’m apologizing not- <
I hurry and remove my fox spirit form out of the ntal world before its giant snout could bowl over onto the ground. Rude, but not ant to be an.
"Showing you’re still willing to play with even if I say the wrong thing, I guess."
I think about that for a while. The value of a companion like this.
The contract we both undertook - a little under duress in both our cases - is pretty much fair... and while it could be argued that we needed each other at the ti, I’ve worked with conspirators before who would never get along like we seem to.
> I’ll take your advice into consideration. <
Logically, I should just use whatever resources are available without worrying about the source. Especially because I have no clue what tomorrow may bring.
Adjusting the tote bag before continuing down the street, I start to look at the guide again. My priorities needed to be clearer.
If I were to buy anything as an ’upgrade’, perhaps a more durable water bottle than the disposable one I’d acquired. Sothing that might not be crushed in my bag in between fill ups.
"What else..."
As I thought about various camping and survival goods that Helene knew of, I can’t help but grow anxious. Every purchase would be another small chip away at whatever finite number the bank card represented.
Because it was limited. No matter how wealthy a billionaire like Kyrie Voss might be, all generosity certainly had a maximum.
Maybe not quickly reached financial ones... but emotional ones.
I had to be fully prepared for that mont in which she expected sothing in return. Need to establish my own path to earned funds and a place to fight or hide before it cos down to repaying favors.
My eyes catch on various storefronts on the way to the library.
A ’pharmacy’ that might carry dicines that I don’t know if I need, ’thrift shop’ that could have cheaper clothing that I might despise - but most interestingly a grocery store with foods that probably cost far less than restaurant als.
This city held both temptations and genuine opportunities. Learning to distinguish between them... learning to control myself appropriately would be crucial to my independence.
> I’m already resisting sothing arguably far harder. It should be easy! <
A fated mate bond from an impressive specin. My wolf’s blue eyes insist this is one of the biggest things I’m being foolish about.
Whether I agree or not isn’t important!
I know she helped when she didn’t have to. I know the need to beco mates is pulling at her and her wolf just as it tried to pull at us.
However, I’m not ready to trust in the longevity of anything quite yet. Not when I arrived here right at the break of such an ’intended to be permanent’ bond.
Not when there is even the slightest hope I might wake up as the real Citra Lomdi and find this has all been so coma dream.
The library ca into view exactly as it had been described. A grand stone building with classical stone columns that seed almost out of place among the more modern structures surrounding it.
[Vossden Public Library] was even carved high above, over the wide steps leading up to the entrance. I paused at the bottom of those steps to check and make sure I have not gained or completed so new Task again.
But all that remains there... is that sa one I am absolutely not doing. Forming more of a connection with the Alpha.
Anyway, at least in a library, I couldn’t impulsively spend any money, right?
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