Blood and Cupcakes

by Taj McCoy El

It was a cloak. Barely. The cape was composed of multicolored squares of pink, purple, black, and red in a random array. There was no pattern to it. Sometimes two squares of the same color would meet. Other times five. No color was represented equally. It was sewn with threads of different colors on the horizontal stitching of each of the eight columns of swatches. The vertical stitches were all the same color giving it a cool pinstriped feeling. She tied the cord around her neck and looked at the mirror on the door to her dorm room. “Not bad… for a first try.” She pulled the hood on. It made her look a little sinister while still being motley.

  “Now let’s get down to the serious business.”

  Her fingers trembled as she removed the cloak and put on her enchanter’s garb. She was hyper-excited and her fingers were trembling. If this worked she would be able to make gold out of almost anything. Holding the cloak out in front of her, she began the spell. Mana coursed through her arms into her hands. Her mana dropped 100MP automatically, but it kept siphoning unexpectedly.

  Grunting at the pull against her mana, she steeled herself and gave all that she could. It struggled to drain more, so she opened up all of herself. She poured all of her mana into it, searching for that feeling of rightness. Her mana was bottoming out and she started using her stamina to recharge it. The headache hit her as soon as she felt the enchantment slide into place. She dropped the cloak and clutched the chair for support. Her mana was gone and her stamina was down to 7%. Her notifications went wild.

  DING!!!

  Enchanted seamstress level 2

  +2 to needlework when working with enchanted tools or textiles

  DING!!!

  You have reached Sewing level: 2

  DING!!!

  You have reached Sewing level: 3

  Needlework 4

  DING!!!

  For creating new items in Majesta 50XP (bonus)

  DING!!!

  Level Up

  Pretty Princess Cuddle Fluff

  Level 4

  176XP till next level

  She rested for a minute while her stamina regenerated and then looked at what she had created.

  Ding!!!

  You have created a new item

  Name: Cloak of Royal Rags

  Grade: B

  Material: various fabrics

  Durability: 30/30

  +10% to stamina and mana regeneration

  +10% to intelligence and strength

  20% resistance to ice, fire, earth, and air magic

  Created by Pretty Princess Cuddle Fluff (enchanted seamstress)

  Mayah smiled wickedly. “I wonder what else I'm gonna create tonight,” she said to herself as she studied the remaining swatches. “Maybe something for Grax….”

  Day Three

  The Distressed Damsel of The Dead

  Life asked Death “Why do people love me, but hate you?” Death responded, “Because you are a beautiful lie, and I'm a painful truth.”

  - Unknown

  3.1 Sew Amazing

  The notification chime went off, waking Mayah from a deep slumber. She blindly reached for her MemCrystal on its charging dock and wound up jamming her fingers into a wall. “Ow… What the….?” Her eyes opened and took in her dorm room. She rolled back onto the bed, deflating slightly. “That’s right, I'm stuck here.” She took a deep breath and stretched her arms above her head. “Well, could be worse,” she smiled grudgingly to herself.

  She opened the notification. It was a message from the Majestan Royal Post Service.

  Morning Fluff,

  Haven't seen ye yet. Broke company protocol to check on ye with this message. But seeing as ye seem to be having some paladin issues I think I can get a pass. Anyway, have ye been up all night making wondrous things? Don’t forget to come and show me before ye head out.

  - Jensen

  Swinging her feet from the bed, she pulled herself into a sitting position, slapped her face with both hands and then stood up. Her mother would be mad at her for not observing her bedtime, but there wasn’t much she would be able to do about it.

  “Oh well…” She looked at her clock. The time was 11:02 MJT / 02:46 EST. A weird sense of disorientation clouded her mind with the realization that she had only been in game just shy of eight hours. It had been two whole days here.

  She looked at the bow she had made for Grax as a joke. Even though the bow was a little lopsided, it had pretty decent stats. A +5% increase to maximum speed was nothing to laugh at. She would have to try again to get it right. She hadn’t gone to sleep for hours, sewing anything to anything. Her sewing level had jumped again as well. Thinking about Grax made her sad. He wouldn’t be back in game for another 18 hours Majesta time. “I guess it’s time to hunt monsters. I'm gonna get my farm on, kill some mobs and make Grax wear a bow.” She said the last with a malevolent smile of the type that only a genius little sister could perfect.

  She grabbed her bag, stuffing her projects from last night inside, and headed downstairs. Paladins were already bustling around on the training field. Mock battles were raging, paladins vs. the wood and straw dummies. The dummies were making mincemeat out of the paladins. She groaned every time one of them stopped to recharge their stamina. “Noobs…” She shrugged and made her way to Tissu. Maam was standing behind the counter.

  “Good morning, dear,” Maam said, smiling. “What brings you back so soon?”

  “I made it up to sewing level 4, but I figured I could use some pointers.”

  “Level 4 already? Aren’t you a fast learner?”

  “I’ve been told that.”

  “So, tell me, what do you need pointers on?”

  “Well,” Mayah reached into her bag and pulled out the kerchief. “I need help with this.” She laid it on the counter. Maam picked it up and shock registered in her eyes.

  “You’re an enchanter?”

  Mayah nodded.

  “How…? What…? You have to tell me how you did this. Enchanted garments aren’t easy to come by and in one night you created one. What level enchanter are you?”

  “I was level 2 when I made that.” She watched the wonder rise across Maam's face. “But I reached level 3 making this.” And she pulled out the cloak of rags.

  Maam’s hands shot out stopping just before she snatched the cloak, remembering her decorum.

  “May I?” She eyed Mayah.

  “Of course, I need help with the design.”

  Maam handled the cloak like a newborn babe, draping it over her arm as she analyzed it. Mayah couldn’t help but chuckle to herself when Maam’s face went pale.

  She spread the cloak on the counter and took a step back. Her eyes glazed over staring at the cloak and Mayah in turn and then back at the cloak. “How could you need help with this?”

  “Well the stitching is a little rough in places, and you’re the sewing mentor, sooo….” she let the implication set in.

  “Yes... yes you are right.” She took another look at the cloak “Yes, you could definitely use some help with your stitch work. We’ll get to that.” She waved a dismissive hand towards the cloak and said, “Now tell me, how did you accomplish this?”

  Mayah smelled gold and replied in a sly tone. “Well…. That’s a trade secret.”

  “Okay,” Maam’s business face was back in place. “I’ll get your stitch work up to snuff for free if you tell me.”

  “And you’ll swear to secrecy?”

  Maam quickly said, “May Ba'alquion take me if I break vow,” and held her hand out.

  A notification popped up.

  An Oath

  Claire Maam has been sworn to secrecy. If she breaks this vow, you will be notified and her relationships with Majestans will fall from trusted to untrusted and her presence attribute will drop to a score of zero for the length of one year.

  Do you accept?

  Y/N?

  Wow, there’s a contractual ability in Majesta. That’s good to know. She thought yes and Maam’s face lit up and Mayah shook her hand.

&n
bsp; “So, tell me how on earth did you figure this out?”

  “Pass me one of those bobbins, please.” Maam did as she asked, looking on in wonder.

  Mayah almost cast her enchantment but was interrupted by Maam. “Hold on one second, please?” she ran to the front door, flipped her sign to closed and pulled the blinds. She ushered Mayah into a small back room. “Okay, now”

  Mayah enchanted the bobbin.

  Name: Thread of Shadow

  Grade: C

  Material: Cotton

  Durability: 3/3

  Increase magic of darkness or stealth by +2% per yard used

  Shadow? That’s new…

  Mayah handed the thread to Maam and watched as amazement spread across her face. “I could sell this for 3 gold all over Majesta. Mages have never even thought about doing this. I guess sewing is beneath those robe wearing lunatics,” she snorted.

  “If you can sell it for gold how would we split the profits?”

  “50/50.”

  “But I’d be the one doing all of the work?”

  “But I have the connections to sell it.”

  “We’ll have to flood the market, you know. Once people figure it out they’re gonna get some enchanters to work for them and the gig will be up. I don’t see this being a long-term thing. How about I only sell my enchanted garments through you? You get exclusive rights to my garments. If this is what I come up with in a day, imagine what I'll come up with in a month, or a year?”

  “Okay, how about 55-45 your favor?”

  “I could just buy my own materials and sell to whomever. I'm sure that once I leave the training village I'll have lots of opportunities. I really am sure of it.”

  “I’m listening.”

  “I enchant bobbins and fabrics for you, for 60% of the profit. And I give you first pick of my creations and you get a 30% commission upon the sale of those. Now to sweeten the pot, once I get my enchanting up 2 levels and get to level 5 I'm going to start in on runes so things are going to get a little better. We could call it Cuddle Fluff Couture by Tissu.”

  Maam’s business face was as mobile as a stone so Mayah pressed on. “This is really a ground floor investment that could make us a lot of capital.”

  Maam thought for a minute, her lips pursed in deep concentration. “Deal.”

  Mayah activated Skinflint.

  DING!!!

  Skinflint level 2

  The only one better at making a deal than you is Rumpelstiltskin Where he could spin straw into gold, you’re actually using thread.

  When activated you receive a 7% discount from any vendor

  +7% to presence

  They shook hands and closed the deal. Maam was still smiling even though she lost 4% more of total sales of the bobbins and 5% on the items she created. Ahhhhh, the joy of game mechanics.

  “I’ll come by later and grab the things you want me to enchant. I'm headed out to reach level 5.”

  Maam walked back out to the counter and picked up the Cloak of Royal Rags.

  “Be sure to wear this then. It’ll make the job much easier.” She draped the cloak across Mayah’s shoulders, then spun Mayah around and tied the cloak at her throat. She looked at her approvingly and stepped to the side, leaving Mayah with a view of herself in a mirror.

  Mayah liked what she saw. No one will know what class I am or what I'm capable of. She pulled up the hood and armed Happiness. Very menacing. Yep, I'm wearing it. The intimidation factor alone was worth it. Not many characters are wearing anything but their starting duds. I mean some of their starting duds were flarfing sets of armor but they weren’t powered up yet. So that didn’t mean much but this cloak… no one would know from whence it came ...MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

  As the internal laughter faded and her inner mad scientist retreated back into the depths of her mind she thought, I'm using that laugh more and more nowadays. I better watch it.

  She disarmed Happiness and took off the hood. She turned to find Maam with a bundle of things for her to take.

  “What’s this?”

  “I'm keeping up my end of the bargain, partner. Here are the things you need to get your sewing into tip top shape.”

  “What’s in it?” she asked as she took the package.

  “Patterns and a few more primers. I also added a seam ripper because these patterns are for level 5. Because of the difficulty, you’ll find yourself working slower and harder, but when you finish them you should be leveled up.”

  Do harder work at my lower level for more experience, makes sense.

  “So, I recall you saying something about embroidery? Why might that be?”

  “When I reach level 5 I'm going to get runes as my second magical skill. I'll be able to embroider runes onto fabrics and make something truly remarkable.”

  “Runes you say? Hmmm… I have someone who may be very interested in meeting you. Do you have a few minutes? It’s just on the other side of the square.”

  “Sure do.” This is getting interesting.

  Maam led them out of the shop and locked the door. They walked across the square to where the smithy was smoking and banging like a smithy should, and followed an alley around the back into a small apartment. It had a large bed, a kitchen and a small table that four people could sit at elbow to elbow, but there were only two chairs. She motioned for Mayah to have a seat, went to a door and hollered so loudly that Mayah jumped in her seat.

  “JOHN...!!!”

  Maam turned and saw the look on Mayah’s face and apologized. “I’m sorry. It’s just so loud in there that if I didn’t yell he’d never hear me.” She turned and poured water from the pitcher into the washbasin.

  “Who’s John?”

  “I am.” The voice boomed through the walls like a giant was kneeling in front of the door. As John walked in she saw that description couldn’t be further from the truth. He seemed almost as wide across the shoulders as he was tall—and saying he was tall was a slight overreach. He had to turn to fit through the door and was only a hand taller than Mayah. Soot covered his face, beard, hands—well, everything was just covered in soot. From his arms that were bigger around than her body, to his stubby legs that looked strong even though they were short in comparison to the rest of his frame. He was Mayah’s first dwarf in Majesta. He went to the washbasin and cleaned his face and hands. Black water dripped into the bowl as he dried them on a black towel. Turning around, he ambled over and sat at the table next to Mayah. The chair creaked under his weight.

  “What have you got for me, love?” He studied Mayah while waiting for Maam to explain. His voice was so deep, Mayah could feel his voice in her chest. She just stared back at him.

  “Before you ask, I am not a dwarf.” He shook his head. “Crazy paladins always thinking I'm a dwarf.”

  Mayah snapped her jaw shut before it caught flies. “You’re not?”

  “Nope. Just short and powerful.” He emphasized the word powerful enough to hurt Mayah’s ears.

  “John,” Maam said grabbing John’s attention, “enough with your terrible jokes. This is Fluff. I think you might want to add her to your collection.”

  John whipped his head towards her. The look in his eyes was so intense she tried to scoot back.

  “This little ragamuffin?” He waved an overly large hand dismissively.

  What kind of collection would I be good for? Getting a weird vibe here.

  “Those are not just any rags, John. I sold her that fabric yesterday. She was a level 1 in sewing and now she’s a level 4 and made that cloak. Isn’t it amazing?”

  His look diminished from hostile to somewhere around feral. He replied, “Yes, my dear, it’s a very nice cloak.” He nodded patronizingly and patted Mayah on the knee. She flinched slightly. “Is this... why you called me out of the forge?”

  “John!!!” He looked at Maam. “Stop scaring the girl with your work scowl or, by Bandywags, you’ll be sorry!” His head hung a little. Seeing that she had his attention, Maam said, “Now stop patroni
zing us and actually look at the blasted cloak.” Her tone brooked no quarter, her face stern and forceful.

  “Yes Maam,” he said quietly.

  He looked back to Mayah, his scowl mellowed, but was still very much a scowl. He said submissively, “Sorry for my rudeness earlier. I might’ve forgotten my manners. It’s just that all of these paladins are trying to level up and have no idea what they are doing. It gets me all irritated when they go through a whole list of things that they want but can't get and even if they could they don’t have the gold. ...Bah, I’d curse the lot of them if they didn't feed my workers and their families.” He let out a deep sigh. “Now, my wife over there is telling me that you might be brighter than those sword swinging miscreants and I should give you the full benefit of the doubt. That woman,” he motioned Mayah closer and said in a whisper, “Is the scariest beauty I’ve ever seen in my life.” Mayah couldn’t control the snort of laughter that popped out.

  Maam threw a towel into his face. “I heard that!”

  “Yes, you did. I made sure of it,” he laughed. There was a sparkle in their eyes as they spoke to each other. Mayah could see that there was definitely love here. She felt a sharp stab of longing for her home and family.

  “Now,” he said, his attention returning to Mayah, “let’s start over and get right down to it. May I touch your cloak?”

  Mayah handed him a corner of the cloak. His breath caught in his chest so hard he had to sputter and cough to get it back.

  “And you made this in one night?” he sputtered.

  “Yes, sir.”

  “She’s got manners too. Let me apologize again, Fluff. My behavior was unbecoming and terrifying. Please don’t hate me for it.”

  “Apology accepted.”

  “So, you’re an enchanter, eh? What’s your next magical skill gonna be?”

  “I’ve got my heart set on runes so far.”

  “You want to learn runes, do you?”

  “Yes, sir.”