Chapter 31: Day 30

Day 30,

Morning thought: I wonder how I would go about acquiring or borrowing a boat if I wanted to go explore one of the other islands.  I have no idea how to sail, but rowing or paddling can’t be that complicated, can it?  Or would I just ask around if someone with a boat was going to or near a particular island and hitch a ride?

On an unrelated note, the nature sprite seems to have taken to constantly standing just at the edge of my peripheral vision.  I wonder how long it will take for it to get bored with that.

 

It looks like I’m going camping tonight.  I’ll try to make this entry quick while Lin finishes getting the last of our supplies together.  It’s a very spur of the moment endeavor.  For me anyway.  I don’t know how long Lin planned it.  She just waltzed down the stairs to the archive this morning and declared “I’m taking you shopping and then we’re going camping!”

When I asked what brought this on she said that had promised to help get me new, better fitting clothes and apologized for taking so long to get back to me with that.  When I asked how going camping fits into this she merely said that it seemed like a fun thing to do, so why not?  Why not indeed?  Still, I can’t help but wonder if she’s actually that impulsive, or if there’s something else she’s leaving out.

Our first stop was a seamstress of Lin’s acquaintance.  Since this part at least had been generally anticipated in advance (if not the exact when of it) I had already actually brought most of the old archivist’s clothes with me and stored them in the archive over the past couple of weeks, so we were able to take those with us for fitting alterations.  Still leaving at least one shirt and pair of pants back at the house in case Maiko ever shows back up and has a change of heart on the whole just wearing underwear thing.  Or maybe it’s more like swimwear/beachwear?

Back on topic, I’m not completely sure what the differences are between a seamstress and a tailor, but either there’s a lot of overlap or this seamstress, Kala I think her name was, was both.  Or at any rate, the measurement taking and garment altering she did were things I personally associate with the word “tailor”.  She was brusque, but ultimately respectful, both with us and her assistants.  The old archivist’s clothes were handed over for alteration, and I was given a date to come pick them up.  There were also some finished pieces hanging up that would normally have been taken out on market day that Lin encouraged me to try on to see if there was anything that fit well enough without needing alteration.  As it happened, there was.  Lin handled the negotiation of payment; a token amount in coin and a promise that this service now would be remembered as an advance on the next time Kala needed to call upon the services of the doctor and/or archivist.  It seems that sort of business agreement and social debt is common around here, especially with occupations like ours that near everyone is expected to need eventually.  

As it happens, while relatively small, the Village is still large enough to support a handful of clothiers like Kala’s, all specializing in different styles that make up the strange cultural and historical (to my eyes at least) mishmash of fashion on this island.  Lin took me to a couple of these other locations where we repeated the process of us trying on and purchasing garments until I at last had a small wardrobe of fitting clothes I could actually call mine.  At one of these establishments the requested payment was a visit from the Archivist for dinnertime storytelling in the near future.  That will be interesting.  When I signed up for the job I really wasn’t expecting to become a bard.  At least it’s just telling and not singing.  I’ll need to find out more about the occasion and pick out an appropriate story.

With how much more I tried on than purchased I started to get the impression that the outing was near as much about putting on a show for Lin as it was about finding me clothes that fit.  Or maybe she was simply encouraging me to have fun with an activity that she herself enjoyed.

Something I couldn’t help but notice though throughout all of it, and in our acquiring supplies for tonight’s trip and getting lunch was the way Lin’s behavior changed when interacting with people.  With me and Cass, she’s normally visibly upbeat, bubbly even, and often perhaps childish; constantly humming some tune or another, often distracted by neat plants and animals, frequently making exaggerated reactions and gestures, giggling at certain phrases, that sort of thing.  But whenever we entered someone’s shop or were discussing selection and payment of goods, without missing a beat she’d slide into being serious, solemn even, and strictly professional in her speech.  The demeanor one would more expect from someone whose job is all about preparing for the rare occasions people are sick or injured, and then standing by the elderly as they pass away.

And then we’d walk out the door and she’d be right back to excitedly talking about the story in the last book she took from the library or what our respective clothing purchases say about us.  It seemed rude to comment on the difference so I held my curious tongue.

Afterwards we returned to the archive to drop off our purchases that we won’t be taking with us this evening.  While I write this Lin’s stopping by her home to pick up a few more things.  I offered to come with her, but she told me to stay here and figure out what I’ll be wearing for the hike.  I imagine she’ll be back soon, so I should probably stop writing and go change.

I asked here a few times during the day where exactly we’re going but all I’ve gotten are non-answers along the lines of “it’s a surprise,” “not too far though,” and “trust me, you’ll love it.”

I’ll be bringing the journal with me as always, but I don’t know how conducive camping will be to making a late night/before bed entry.

 

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