The Problems of Alimya of Hatbia
Alimya was a tailor, and a bloody good one at that. Her work was fast and durable, she made her own buttons from scrap wood she talked the boys at the lumber yard out of, and grew hemp to weave fabrics rugs and other useful items, the shop was always sufficiently stocked as she'd been taught by her mother. Who had been taught by her own mother. Her mothers mothers mother had actually rather ironically won it in a game of chance.
But despite this Alimya had a problem. The repairs never stopped. In one evening she had repaired over 100 garments with torn sleeves, only to discover the next morning that another 37 had already been dropped off and were waiting for her attention. Alimya loved being a seamstress, adored it infact! She could get lost in the beautiful complication of a delicate lace for hours, and these boring mundane repairs were getting in the way of her more creative endeavours. She had had enough of it.
First she began to offer an all new line of leather tunics and pantaloons, designed them herself and had been particularly proud of how comfortable the garments were when worn. However, the first batch that went out… Quickly returned in several wet pieces. Ali had tried to enquire just how every single one had been seemingly destroyed in the same manner but each attempt was unsuccessful, often the customer just stared blankly as if waiting for someone else to answer the question.
She, however, would not give up so easily. The next few attempts resulted in equally disappointing results of varying degrees, and all the while Alimya had been trying to find why these clothes were being so damaged in the first place. She tried stretchier material–they were returned stretched out completely and covered in hair. She tried tougher material, avoiding leather for obvious reasons, and finally she was headed in the right direction. Of all things, it was the repairs made with a fine silver thread that seemed to last the longest. This was not feasible for full garments however and Alimya did not have the resources for such large quantities of metal, nor refine it to the thread she needed. It was then that a customer of her made the most unusual of suggestions. You see, Albur the Brute was quite the adventurer and has come across many things in his travels, Ali had been ranting to her pa about the issues she was having when he came into the store and he had a feeling he knew the exact material she was after. Not only was it readily available, it was farmable. Except, not by humans.
Albur explained that to the south was a narrow canyon, most were familiar with the strange creatures that live there and while they could not yet communicate, the two people's were not hostile and trade was open. These people were short stubby things, and they spent alot of time scrambling and scampering around, squeezing through tight gaps within the stone walls. Albur had noticed however despite the constant wear, their clothes never seems to be damaged nor show signs of repair. This was because the people had befriended the giant spiders that lived deep within the caves of the canyon and had actually begin to cultivate them for their silk. This silk was unique in its properties as not only was it as strong if not stronger than silver thread, it would even stretch a great deal while still returning to the original shape. At this point, Alimya could've kissed The Brute for the gift he had just bestowed upon her. Would this be the solution to her problem?
