I swear, these sprites just keep looking better and better in every update, and let me say, I LOVE the chest hair on Layton - sexy! Nowhere near enough heterosexual romance game/stories/etc have guys with chest hair, and chicks like me who really dig the fur can feel our tastes unrepresented. lol.
You may already know, but there are some games out there that have an option to switch chest hair on or off in settings (I think mostly in Bara games?), so that's always an option if you're worried some people won't like it. The only downside to that kind of option is that you forgo the chance to write descriptions about the MC running her hands through said luscious bodily mane (unless you take the time to write variants). lol. Look at me obsessing over the chest hair! Anyway, I for one really appreciate the thought to detail! Any chance either our sexy Sheriff or that totally climb-able Little John have some fur too? :)
I also gotta say the background for the taverns looks great, and yeah, the changes may be subtle but present rather different atmospheres in terms of wealth and the sort of clientele that probably frequent there. Nice!
Lastly, I'm sorry to hear that you not only caught COVID, but also are still suffering its effects (long COVID) all this time later. I especially say this because I was (well, am) in exactly the same boat. For me it's the overwhelming exhaustion and infuriating lingering cough (I am so sick of cough drops, you have no idea). I can't imagine how hard it would be if I still had the brain fog though, too - they are the absolute worst for anything related to thinking clearly and getting thoughts down. It really sucks. :(
I really hope things start to go better for you in that regard, and things get a little easier. Be kind to yourself! <3