Ortai Legacy: Arrival

11.1 - Shopping Trip (L)

Before I could have a moment of silence, Weylan interjected.

[I've composed a list of items needed for the most urgent repairs. Now is an excellent time to purchase them.]

[I'm not spending all day shopping. I need a break.]

[Zephyr and his ilk will soon find Veil Piercer. You must fully activate the Source and repair the entrance turrets before then.]

[Why? They don't have the equipment to do much on the ship.]

[A Source that's not fully activated produces much less arkegy than they've likely assumed. Even basic anti-arka suits could allow them to explore the outer perimeter of the ship without discomfort—and if those suits were torn by monsters or avatars, they could easily leave the ship before the arkegy exposure became lethal.]

I groaned. [Is the vault in that 'outer perimeter?']

[No.]

[Then who cares?]

[The lifter shafts are within the outer perimeter. They could access the majority of the lower floors without issue.]

I wanted to repeat my flippant question, but it hadn't escaped me that the majority of the ship's wealth was scattered throughout its 20+ floors. There was no guarantee that we would be able to pay off the ship without it, and if we defaulted after long enough, Zephyr would've saved enough to buy it instead.

"Fine. How much stuff do I need to buy, anyway? Like, will I be able to hold it?]

[Most certainly not. I would recommend acquiring a wagon.]

Mar'kost turned to address Harker. "Your wagon is enchanted with light-weight and smooth-ride enchantments, correct?"

"Yes..." He glanced at me. "Do you need a wagon, Miss Ortai?"

I nodded. "Weylan says we've got to fix the automatic security around the entrance right away."

His eyes lit up, and he leapt off his seat. "Let's go."

"Not so fast," Mar'kost interjected. "You prepare the wagon. I'll help Liza prepare herself."

"Can't I just cover up?" I asked.

"You look like a thief when you're fully covered—and your current clothes aren't exactly... rich enough to fit your purse."

"Right. And how are we going to fix that?"

"I made something for you last night." He led me to Kaliska's sewing room.

Across one of the long tables lay a crimson dress with a bustle, as well a matching head scarf and partially webbed gloves with only four fingers. I reached for them, but Mar'kost ushered me to sit instead. He took out a paint set and got to work on my face.

When he held up a hand mirror afterward, I looked similar to how I had before, but the marbling on my skin had been mostly covered, leaving only one notable line down the center of my face.

Once the paint had dried, I changed into the crimson outfit. Mar'kost helped me with the head scarf, using something like glue dots to make sure the thick fabric covered my ears and draped over my forehead. Sunglasses completed the look.

"You'll need to have Weylan out to judge your purchases, correct?"

"Probably."

"Bring out your weapon." He retrieved a box of black cloth from under the table.

I blunted my polearm before handing it over. Both of us worked to cover its distinct appearance with strips of fabric. We tied off the ends and double checked that everything was covered.