"That's wonderful to hear!" Sylvia says, her smile widening. You catch Cotton rolling her eyes to your side, clearly not buying your faux modesty - not that it mattered really. You doubted she would have any genuine criticisms of you attending a party being thrown for you or letting the Elder's wife pay for your clothes. Although you suppose she might have some grounds for being a bit huffy about what was happening right now. Saving Volta was as much because of her as it was you - perhaps even more so as it was her insistence on saving Volta instead leaving Ohm to pay off Hydris that led to the rescue, and she was the one that fought of the Onix while you escaped. No doubt even that feat may get overshadowed somewhat when Hydris and her lackies return to tell the tale of how they beat the beast that was terrorizing Volta while you rescued her - leaving poor Cotton with even less recognition despite her efforts.
And then there was the other matter of her to be a bit huffy. You may have gotten a release since the caves, but she had not. And you didn't even have to worry about periodically entering into heat. If you were right in your assessment that Cotton was trying to stave off entering into heat right now, then those feelings won't have gone away. You know from looking after Pokémon from the Buneary line and others that heat didn't go away the same way a raunchy mood might. There were no cold showers for Cotton's condition. It could last for months if not sated properly. And despite how much of an undeniable catch Cotton was, you've not seen any local 'mon come around to check up on their hot Rescue-Mon girlfriend, even after all the noise of Volta's rescue. If Cotton had any local partners that could scratch that itch of hers, they probably would have at least have been mentioned by now. She was single, and very likely biding her time for a moment she can slip off on her own to desperately try and calm her bodies urges. Potentially that might ease her heat, but it would only build up again afterwards.
For now though, she seems able to hang around you and the others without anyone else seeming to pick up on it. If her heat gets to a point that she starts producing pheromones that others can pick up on, either she hadn't gotten there yet, or everyone in Hardnut was far too polite to mention it. Though with Revelé just a short distance away in this very room, if it were detectable its almost certain he would have teased or taunted Cotton with a comment about it upon noticing.
Exploring Cotton's heat and the potential ways to resolve it would be best handled in private, however. For now you were in the company of the Lopunny in question, Hazel and her mother Sylvia as you left the clinic, leaving Volta and Ohm to reunite. All you had to hope now was that this time you could actually make it to meet this Silky before some other catastrophe happened. Be that a Drifloon attempting to steal your robe, or a panicked local trying to get someone to save his not-quite-a-girlfriend-yet. Fortunately, or unfortunately if you were expecting more of the same kind of rewards last time you saved someone, there is no interruption as you finally find yourself at what must be Hardnut's resident tailor.
The store is built within the stump of what must have once been a very large tree, although some extensions have been made to allow for rooms in the back. Windows have been carved out quite carefully, and the entire place has a feel to it not entirely dissimilar to a cosy countryside cottage. If a bit more fantastical due to the unique base for the structure. What hits you first upon entering is the smell of freshly cut grass that seems to permeate the building. While dresses and outfits were on display, some even adorning wood carvings in the shapes of various Pokémon of different shapes and sizes, and a table was positioned to act as a checkout desk, there were also signs of homeliness here. Plates neatly set to the side, pictures and paintings adorning the walls. This place felt lived in, and given the way a draped curtain partially cut off what looked to be stairs leading to the floor above it didn't seem like too much of a reach to suspect that this place was Silky's home as much as it was her store.
A singsong like voice can be heard towards the back of the room. "There was an awful lot of commotion in the market earlier~ I was busy with a client at the time, did you see what happened?"
Before you, dressed in a graceful silken dress with a floral pattern, is a Leavanny, currently helping a customer pick out a few items of clothing. Hearing a group of people entering her store, she turns around and looks in your direction.
"Sylvia~ How good is to see you~ Your body is always an absolute delight to work with~ What can I do for you today? Something for the sunny weather we've been having? Or maybe something for the bedroom? I know how much you enjoy a good- Oh, Hazel! My apologies~ I did not see you there. My goodness, every time, I'm always amazed by how much like your mother you're shaping up to be~ Are we here for a matching set of dresses for mother and daughter perhaps?"
Silky practically glides over to greet Sylvia and Hazel, gently bowing as she draws near. Not to dismiss the rest of the group entirely, however, she gives Cotton a polite nod as well, welcoming her in before turning to you. While you also get a polite nod, it is slower as she takes a moment to look you over - no doubt as confused as so many others are upon first seeing you and trying to place just what kind of Pokémon you are.
"As lovely as that sounds Silky, today we're here for this young man. Bryce is a new arrival in Hardnut and he's just earned himself a new outfit for helping save one of our own from a wild one." Sylvia says, stepping aside to let the seamstress get a proper look at you.
"Oh, a Rescue-Mon, is he?" she asks, stepping forward to take a look at you. "Lovely to meet you, Bryce~ I am Silky~ Your occasion, my inspiration~" she offers another bow, shorter than the one she gave Sylvia and Hazel but still respectful and elegant. "I hope that robe isn't your usual style~ Far too simple for a Rescue-Mon~ Tell me about yourself~ What did you come here envisioning?"
"If you could, Silky, we would like to leave here with something. We are hosting a welcoming party for Bryce later this evening. You are, of course welcome to join. Ideally Bryce too would be able to join wearing something fitting the occasion." Sylvia adds while Silky assesses you.
A look of alarm flits across Silky's otherwise graceful face. "A party tonight~ Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear~ An outfit befitting the star of a party, designed and spun within the very day it is expected to be worn~ You don't like to bring me easy tasks, do you Sylvia? Well, we better begin right away~ Follow me, I will take you measurements while we talk~"
She turns and beckons for you to follow her to the back of the store, only for Sylvia to speak up again. "It may be a bit important he makes a good impression on my husband. You know how the Elder can be sometimes. I am sure your vision will be splendid as always, but I would feel like I wouldn't be as helpful as I could be if I didn't provide some insights into the outfit while its designed."
Silky looks back, pondering Sylvia's words for a few moments. "Hmm~ We are in quite the hurry and I never let anyone leave here with an outfit they aren't happy with~ Do come along then~ You can join us in the back~"
Sylvia nods her thanks and begins to follow Silky to the back. Hazel gasps out "Mom!" to which Sylvia responds by patting her shoulder. "It's alright, sweetie. You can wait out here with Cotton. Browse a few things. Mommy's just going to make sure Bryce has something extra special to wear for his big day. We won't be too long."
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