[SE] greater worth

JACK

Haulani is swarming with people on the afternoon Jack decides to take to the streets, the good captain dressed warmly and with his hands buried in his pockets as he breezes past stalls and shops and towards one boutique in particular. Despite his relative infamy throughout Torchline, he can still melt into a crowd when the occasion calls for it, and today he'd much rather stay anonymous.

Whether she knows it or not, Flora swanning off to the Greatwood has created the perfect opportunity for Jack to surprise her with a gift. Perhaps part of him just wants to get something for the Doubletake (and if it's true, he'll never tell), but mainly he's averse to being indebted to anyone. And her mageglass present, however much Flora might claim it unnecessary, is deserving of some reciprocation.

The boutique is her usual tailor - that much Jack knows even without his magic - but having approached the man a few days prior, what he's requested is certainly bespoke, and as such it's taken this long for it to be finished. As he ducks into the shop, the bell ringing overhead, Jack assumes he won't be disappointed by the results.

when I look at something, I see it for what it could be
when I look at something, I see how it ends

Code stolen from Queen Sky