So, I learned a few things. The most surprising is that the weird guy was right, I did figure out something useful, and learning that led to more realizations.

What I learned this time is how to use animal abilities without becoming them, and even better I figured out how to hide the changes. Sure, the usual things people think of like claws, sharp teeth, tough skin, and running faster, but the weird one is picking an environment. I wanted to explore the sewers and storm drains below the city, and focused on doing that, thinking partially on water breathing animals for diving underwater down there. Well, once down there, in a place I already knew the fumes should suffocate me, I wasn't breathing. Somehow I didn't need to. Weird.

Also I realized if I go down there without shifting first, I'll get soaked and stinky. Sure, I have a change of clothes, and can sneak use of a hose or shower in the changing room at a public pool, or even turn into a rat and wash in a sink, but... what if I just swiped myself a swimsuit or two and make it easy? That'll help if I need to change clothes around someone again, just keep the suit on while switching between casual stuff and a dress.

Anyhow, on to the really interesting stuff, what I discovered when I turned to rat form and used that no-breathing trick. I burrowed through some nasty stuff, mostly from people pouring stuff from cooking down their drains. Whatever, I washed extra after that, but I found a clogged and forgotten drain. A big one. It's not clogged now, but I doubt that matters. The other end of it was in a basement or something, sealed up from the outside. I bet whoever sealed it meant to come back, but with all the rust on stuff down there nobody was there in more years than I could guess. Luckily though, the best stuff wasn't made of anything that could rust.

There was more there than I can carry, at least in one trip, so I memorized the way back and took two extra trips in just to make sure I can find it later. What did I bring out? A few rings, a necklace, a bracelet, and a brooch. Fancy jewelry, and not the fake stuff. I sold all of it, bit by bit over the next week, and I don't have much of that money left now. I didn't really get what it was probably worth, but it's not like I can sell antiques at a pawn shop at my age and with no ID. So I talked around, found a fence, haggled, and got some cash. What did I spend it on? Food for one, but much better was when I bribed the cleaning staff at a hotel. She got me a roll-away bed and let me sleep in the basement storage area, and snuck me into a room a couple of times for a good long bath. Got clean clothes too, and newer stuff for when I want to look nice.

So, all in all a good week. I wonder what's next.