[SP-F3] Don't Let the Sleeping Dogs Lie <<Worn Out Welcome>>

[Elise 0]

Water droplets were falling from the grey clouds, seizing the orange skies from their prior tangerine glory. As the rain impaled the soil a girl stood facing raindrops barrier that separated her from the rain. Her eyes darted from the sky to a tall building some distance away. "A weather forecast would be handy in situations like this," she murmured below an eave she's talking shelter below. "Now I can't go back to the inn without getting drenched" 

Elise was en route to her inn to take a rest for the day when the rain started pouring. She stared at the sky. The colors got so dull, emphasizing the threat of night's creeping darkness. Would she stuck here until the dusk passed and the night reigned? Her inn was still a long way to go and this rain wasn't likely to go down soon. She shivered. 'It's cold...' She should take shelter in a building somewhere. Elise looked around. She could take refugee in a NPC's house but it would be rude to knock and ask for the favor. She was searching around for an alternative when she saw a shop on the other side of the street. Perfect. She couldn't see the shop's sign clearly because of the rain but usually a shop accepts all potential customers, although there are exceptions like her Performer mentor. Hopefully the shop's NPC would be an unsuspecting one so she could take shelter while feigning interest in the goods.

The girl took a deep breath. Then she crossed the street quickly with her hands covering her head. Finally, she's in front of the shop <>. From outside, she heard a clanging sound. A blacksmith? All the better. Her clothes are a bit wet. Whatever, they'll dry off by themselves inside if she can get near the coals.

[Elise 0]

The rain hammered the soil loudly muffling the knocks Elise had made against the door. Plus the shrilling metal sounds coming from inside, she doubted that occupants inside heard anything. True, the blacksmith inside continued his work without bother. She glanced at the grey clouds. It's too late to find another place to take refugee. Probably staying below the eave until the sky has cleared would do. 

The sheer cold of the night gust prickled her skin like needles piercing a pin cushion. She shivered as the numbing chill crept upon her. She blamed it partly on her clothes. Light Satin Dress, one-of-a-kind custom vanity which was given to her before she broke contact with Earth,  was a symbol of the elegance and royal standing of Chevalier family. In other words, an attire courtesy of flamboyant luxury. Elise would love to maintain her trademark vanity as sign of status and remembrance of her life IRL. Although from esthetics point of view it was second to none, sometimes she found it annoying because the dress has no functionality whatsoever. Couldn't shield her from the weather, mobs' attacks, nor from any unwanted attention when she just want to be left alone. 'Tomorrow, I shall go to higher floors to see if I can get another clothes to alternate with this dress on occasions, or armors,' She was facing the rain when someone talked inside the shop- a female voice.

"Dear, why don't you stop working for a second and open the door? A piece of armor can wait, but not a customer standing in front of our shop. It's pouring outside." Another voice, this time a male's, grumpy and cantankerous answered, "Told you, it can't be. No customers would be her at this hour and weather. If there are any, probably just someone seeking a place to spend the night or simply taking shelter from the rain..." How did he know? "We don't provide those kinds of service. You must have misheard. Even if there are, they must be gone now" Once again she gave the door a clear knocking to notify her presence. Silence. Then someone opened the door, temporary blinding her with sudden outrage of lights in contrast with the dawn's dark miasma.