10. Quilts/Blankets

Zoe had started their life outside, rather than feeling comfortable or brave enough to venture into one of the houses provided by the town of Silverlight. They didn't know they could just walk in and claim any of them on their own! If they had this knowledge that they could lay claim to the houses around them, perhaps they would've become an indoor kitsu, like many of their neighbors. Now, however, they'd established such a residence outside in the woodsier area near Silverlight, that they weren't quite certain that they would be able to ask for a homestead with a roof from the Council. 

So, they made do with what they had, and luckily with the aid of their livestock, this wasn't too terribly difficult. They got by well enough through summer - it was pleasant to curl up against the shade of a tree when the sun was bearing down upon you. When autumn came to Silverlight, however, things began to get considerably chillier in the air. It was fine, most days, but the thought of winter being right around the corner they were starting to become more than a little concerned. 

They began to brainstorm. Their fyrefowl had a coop that could become well insulated with the help of dry grasses or wool purchased from another kitsu, perhaps, but what about Zoe themselves? Well, they spent a great deal of time dwelling upon this very question. They considered going to Sweetie's Tooth, to purchase a bedsheet ghost outfit, for that would certainly cover their entire body, but they'd been told that bedsheets were light and not suitable to use as a cover. They considered getting a Fisher's outfit from Home Sewn, but the idea of ruining one of Jade Mirage's outfits by using it as sleepwear made Zoe's stomach churn unpleasantly. They could never insult Jade Mirage like that - the kitsu was far too talented to have any of her attires be marred by dirt. This was the very reason that the only purchase they made from Home Sewn, a 'Meadow Balm Casual Vest and Shorts' stayed in the box that Zoe had first purchased it in. Zoe only wore it for special occasions, like if they were going down to Farm Song to chat with Lady Elizabeth, rather than going to help the shop owner with chores. 

Eventually, after a day of watching their fyrehens bundling up together, fluffing out their feathers and cuddling together, two ideas came to Zoe at once. The first idea was that Zoe could find another kitsu to cuddle up with - it would certainly be warmer to share someone's warmth, doubling it, than trying to go at it solo. However, the thought of asking a certain livestock shop owner, the only kitsu that Zoe would consider cuddling with, was so paralyzing that they wrote it off nearly as soon as they thought of it. 

No, it seemed as though they would have to scoop up all the silver they'd been saving for a rainy day and go purchase a blanket, or maybe a heavier quilt, to snuggle through the seasons with. They were aware that many of the local lallabaa owners who fashioned their own blankets made from wool and while they were reasonably priced for the materials and work put into them, Zoe was always worried that they wouldn't be able to afford one if they tried. Still, they could only try their best so with silver in a pouch on their person, they set off to find the warmest, coziest blanket that a kitsu was will to sell to them. They only hoped that it wouldn't take every bit of their silver in the process.