Market Day Part One

Iris could feel the excitement welling up as she rid on Caspian's back. It was nice to feel the wind in her hair and his soft fur beneath her as he ran full speed through the forest.

It was finally market day and Iris was eager to both buy and sell many things. The last few days had been spent hard at work finishing the last preparations for the market.

Iris had even sent Caspian to make wooden planks and rods as well as gather vines. Since Holly really wanted to buy a bed more than anything else, Iris wanted to deliver. Thus she had bundled up the planks and rods with vines and hung them over top of Caspian's back for easier travel.

Three mattresses had also been completed using the last of the grass mats and leaves. When rolled up tightly and bound with vines, the mattresses could just barely be put inside Iris's bag. Luckily, despite an items dimensions having to fit the width of the bag, any length of an item was not an issue.

All of the clothing, pillows, and dishware had also been placed inside the bag for selling as well. None of this, of course, would be directly pulled out in front of others. Caspian would have to rent an inn room for some privacy first.

When they arrived to the familiar Blue Lake City, Iris climbed off of Caspian and pulled the bundles of planks off of his back. She then handed him a beast skin after he transformed. Iris did not feel shy when gazing upon her husband's naked form anymore, but she still did not think it was proper to go around nude in front of others.

Caspian gave Iris a flirty look as he saw her checking him out. Iris blushed and turned away as she exasperatedly said

"Just hurry up and get dressed."

Caspian gave a warm chuckle, pulling Iris in for a kiss once he was properly dressed. Caspian then pulled her hood up over her face, nodding to himself in satisfaction. There would be no avoiding showing off her beauty at the pageant next week, but, for now, he would hide her away to keep her safe.

Caspian secured the wooden bundles around his shoulders before scooping Iris up into his arms. He quickly showed the guards his celestial beast tattoo and then entered the city.

As it was the first market day of the rainy season, the city was busier than the previous time Iris had visited. There were both more single males and females with their mates out today, enjoying the little bit of sun that was peeking through the clouds.

It was possible that it could rain today, but Iris was hopeful the good weather would hold out. Caspian immediately made his way over to the inn and booked them a room, only setting Iris down once they were safely inside.

"I'd prefer if I could leave you inside while I sold everything, it's far too busy today. I worry you'll get lost in the crowd while I'm distracted or worse....."

Iris just rolled her eyes as she continued to pull items out from her bag. They had already had this conversation numerous times that week. It was not much safer to leave Iris cooped up and alone in the inn room than for her to remain by Caspian's side. She would just have to stick to him like glue and not wander off.

"We've already discussed this. It isn't practical and I want to enjoy the market today too. Besides, Holly and her mates are supposed to patronize our shop today and I'd like to be there to see her."

Caspian continued to grumble but dropped the matter as he knew Iris was right. He soon had his arms full of goods to carry out. He was carrying all the wood, vines, pillows, and mattresses so that he could immediately assemble a bed once their animal skin was set up. Iris would be in charge of setting up the dishware and clothing items. For easy transport, items were tied up into large animal skin bags.

Iris and Caspian immediately got to work upon finding an empty enough spot to set up shop. Soon there was some of everything set out. The rest would remain in bags until it was time to restock.

Iris had to say that their shop was probably the most chaotic looking one there. With a huge fully made bed taking up over half of their space and clothes and dishware randomly scattered across the other half, it truly looked strange.

Iris sat beside Caspian as they waited for customers to slowly filter by. Most merely cast curious looks at them, unsure of what they were even selling.

Occasionally, some would stop to ask questions or even buy some clothing. As clothing and beast skins were often sold for quite cheap, even with Iris's interesting new designs, they could not fetch much for each outfit. The best they could get was an uncolored crystal for every three outfits and even that was pushing it. Most simply offered a handful of hides in exchange for an outfit while grumbling that the price was far more expensive than other stalls.

As most beastmen did not cook their food over a fire or prepare proper meals, no one was really interested in their dishware. Sometimes they would trade for a cup or bowl they could use for drinking water, but these were not worth much. Even their whole inventory of dishware would not be worth a crystal to these beasts. Thus, Iris could only accept some herbs or hides in exchange.

Beastmen had seen stone beds before, but the wooden slat style bed with a stuffed mattress and pillows was too foreign to them. They had no clue what they were looking at in gave it no thought as they passed by.

When the sun was at its highest in the sky, Holly finally arrived with her mates. Trailing along behind her was Fawn and her mates. Iris wanted to go greet Holly right away, but was quickly stopped by Caspian. Thus, Iris could only wait for them to approach their stall.

"Hi! I brought Fawn along with me as she also wants to purchase some furniture. Apparently some others from the tribe are supposed to be coming out to support you later on as well, but for now it's just us."

Iris quickly hugged Holly now that she was within arms reach away. As per usual Holly's tail was swaying happily behind her and Iris couldn't help but stare as the urge to reach out and stroke it arose. Caspian's gentle touch as he pulled her back to his side brought Iris back to her senses.

"We haven't had much interest in the beds yet so we still have three of the available. We honestly haven't sold much of anything yet. I think most people don't know what anything is or how to use it."

Holly looked shocked at this news but quite happy for her good fortune. She loudly proclaimed

"Good news for me then! This beds mine!"

as she climbed into the bed and began to lay in it despite being in the public eye. Holly wasn't even hidden under a beast skin despite being a female nor was Fawn. Iris could only guess that having more mates had it's benefits.

"This mattress and pillow is the most comfortable things I've ever laid on! You've gotta sell one to me. Come on, tell me how much you want for it!"

Many beastmen and their females were beginning to draw around, interested in what new product a female could be so highly praising. Iris smiled, happy that Holly was always so full of joy around her regardless of who was watching.

"Well, for a full set of furniture with two pillows, a mattress, and bed frame, it'll be five uncolored crystals. I know it's a lot, but it takes quite a while to weave all the grass mats together for the filling among other things."

Despite uncolored crystals being worth a decent amount, Holly felt that this price was still fair. Thus, she immediately turned to her mates to plead them to buy one for her. Holly also bought several more outfits and pieces of dishware before promising

"I'll definitely buy more next time. I only had ten uncolored crystals with me this time, but I'll be sure to make my mates earn more so I can return next market day."

As soon as Holly was done shopping, Fawn stepped forward. While they weren't exactly friends, Fawn had warmed up a little towards Iris. She simply enjoyed the food Iris made too much to continue to act cold towards her.

Plus, Fawn had seen how comfortable Iris's house was and there was no way she would go without when she had so many capable mates. She had taken in more mates over the course of the cold season thanks to Iris's banquets and now had ten males following her around.

"I'll be taking your last two beds, all of your dishware, and these clothes."

Fawn pointed to a few clothing pieces she found to her tastes. Iris was surprised by how much Fawn was willing to spend in one go, but happily wrapped everything up. In exchange, Iris received another twenty five uncolored crystals.

After Fawn's mates left with her things, Caspian was met with many more customers who wanted to know about the items they sold. Most were disappointed to hear they had missed out, but promised to return in two weeks time to purchase goods when they returned.

The clothes that were left to be sold did not last much longer either as females decided to take a closer look after seeing how popular they were. Iris felt that Holly was a truly good friend to have helped her sell things so efficiently. Thanks to her, there was still a few hours of daylight left when Iris was freed to wander the market in search of her own goods to purchase.