It was actually a relief to get right to business.Wren pulled her leather purse around and reached inside.The magical storage made everything easy to access, and items appeared at her fingertips as she thought of them.
She laid out her offerings on the counter one by one.Silk nightgowns and undergarments, embroidered with delicate flowers.Velvet jackets in jewel tones.Soapberries in pink and white clusters.Nested gourd bowls.Teacups with matching saucers in floral patterns.T-shirts in soft cotton.Socks.The lipstick tubes.Strands of pearl-like beads.
Mei picked up each item, examining it with practiced efficiency.She held a silk chemise up to the light, checking the stitching.Smelled the soap.Tested a teacup's weight and balance.Applied a dab of lipstick to her wrist.
"Quality's excellent," she said finally."Better than most of what comes through here."She set down a velvet jacket."The silk and velvet especially.These would sell well to the wealthy families."She picked up the soap."And these smell divine.How much can you produce?"
"As much as I have seeds for," Wren said."Which is...a lot."She saved seeds from every specimen.
"Regular supply?"
Wren hesitated."I...think so?The trees keep producing, but I'm still learning how it works.Some things grow back quickly, others might be seasonal."
"Fair enough.You'll figure it out."Mei nodded, calculating."I can offer you fair trade value.Gold, or credit toward goods in the store.Your choice."
"I need some things," Wren admitted."Metal cookware.Pots, pans, maybe a kettle.A metal bucket for heating bath water.Kitchen knives.That sort of thing."
"Practical."Mei approved."Smart.Metal's valuable but necessary."She began pulling items from shelves—a sturdy iron pot, a ladle, a cast iron frying pan, a kettle for heating water, and several good knives."This lot would normally run about fifteen silver."
Wren had no idea if that was expensive or not.She looked at Kenji helplessly.
"That's fair," he confirmed.
"I'll take two silk sets, three velvet pieces, a dozen soaps, and a set of your bowls," Mei said, gesturing at the goods."That covers the metal work and leaves you three silver credits for future purchases."
"That seems—" Wren paused.Was that good?Bad?
"It's reasonable," Kenji murmured."She's not cheating you."
"I invest in reliable suppliers," Mei said."You bring me regular stock of this quality, we'll both profit."
The door opened behind them, and Jin stepped inside.
He took in the scene—Wren's goods spread on the counter, Mei's approved expression, the pile of metalwork.
"First trade?"he asked.
"Yes," Wren said.
"You'll learn."His tone was matter-of-fact.Not dismissive, not particularly encouraging either.Just honest.He looked at the metalwork."Practical purchases."
"I need to be able to cook properly," Wren said."The hot rocks method is...not ideal."
Mei raised an eyebrow."Hot rocks?"
"Long story," Wren said quickly.
Jin's mouth twitched slightly."You'll need other supplies.Tools, winter clothes."He eyed her jacket.“Though you might be able to grow those.”
"Winter's coming?"Wren's stomach sank.
"Every year," Mei said, smiling slightly."You'll want warm things.Blankets—oh, but you can grow those, can't you?"
"Yes, but—" Wren paused."What else do I need?I'm new to all of this."
Mei's expression softened slightly."Come back tomorrow.I'll make you a list.Things every homestead needs.We'll work out trades."
"Thank you."
