Lizzy thanked the elderly woman and slipped on the shoes that she had been given. She didn't bother using the chest wrap, sticking it into her inventory along with the other items the matriarch did not purchase. Ducking out of the cabin, she was met with Phantom's back.
"Did you get what you sought?" Phantom asked, turning his head slightly to peer at her from over his shoulder.
"Kind of. I got these nice shoes." She stuck her leg out, twisting it to show off the leather moccasin that encased her feet. "Now I can travel in comfort. I still have some things to trade, though. If you're okay with showing me around?" Lizzy tucked some of her hair behind her ear, smiling shyly up at Phantom. She hoped that her poor attempts at flirting would be enough to interest him so she could finally get access to a real bed. It was sad what someone would do for simple creature comforts.
Phantom turned to study her, his ears swiveling in all directions before perking up. His tail gave a short wag before he cleared his throat and nodded. "Of course. I'd be more than happy to take you to the small market we have set up. If you're okay with me sticking around?"
Lizzy hooked her arm into Phantom's, gesturing for him to lead her once he relaxed his stiff posture. "Lead on."
The pair meandered into the market where Lizzy exchanged the [Healing Moss] for a large supply of meat. Most of the BeastClan members ignored the fact that she had an inventory system and some even pulled items out of their own limited spaces to trade. Whispers slowly followed the pair as they made some quick exchanges and Lizzy found herself laughing frequently at the way Phantom continued to look embarrassed when he was asked if he had been claimed by her. The idea of a system based on the wants and needs of a woman were fascinating to her and she found that a lot of the fighting seemed to be minimized because of it.
"Phantom, I have a question." Lizzy ventured as his cheeks reddened again after they left the market area at last. The light was beginning to ebb and she realized that night was quickly falling and she was no closer to her first quest being accomplished than she was this morning. "Do you have a girlfriend or wife?"
"I'm not sure I understand your meaning." Phantom mumbled, ears twitching in curiosity.
"A female. Are you mated to one?" Lizzy corrected herself at his comment.
"No. There are many males that compete for females. Females are fewer in number than males in our village and while it's not uncommon for one female to have many mates, I wanted to be the first male in a woman's circle." Phantom coughed, rubbing his chin. "Are you looking for a mate?"
Lizzy smirked. She had no clue that females were outnumbered by males here. To hear that a woman could have several men to herself was interesting and made sense. More males meant more protection, food, and other things. "I don't have one yet. Would you like to be my first? We've spent a pleasant day together and while we don't know each other very well, I think I'd like to get to know you more."
Phantom's tail began to wag furiously. It seemed that he was pleased by the suggestion as well as receptive. "I would be honored. We can go to my home and rest there."
"Would you be upset if I asked us to stay for a bit before finding our own place to live?" Lizzy asked. After all, if the Games were set to start in less than a week she would hate for any of the villagers to be killed because of her. She still wasn't sure how her class would work when it came to actually competing in them.
"It's normal for the females to pick their own den. Usually they pick one closer to other females, though. Are you sure you want to find our own place?" Phantom hesitated, worry showing on his face.
Lizzy nodded, allowing him to continue to lead her towards his home. "I'm sure. I like to gather from the forest and we can always come back here! I found a nice set of caves last night that I slept in and it seemed safe enough. I would like to go back and turn it into a fortress."
"Fortress?"
"Yes, I think that might be the best." She mumbled, the sudden worry of how she was expected to have offspring clanging through her mind.
{Ding}
{Quest Completed: Find a mate}
{Rewards Sent to your Inventory. Congratulations on making space.}
{Ding}
{Quest Completed: Money? I Ain't Got No Stinkin' Money}
{Rewards Sent to your Inventory. I bet those shoes feel nice now.}
Store coins, a basic bed, and now some information about her class more than just that it would help her compete in the games? That was a good day.