Prepare the 0.9.6 integration checkpoint

README.md

@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ precision walk, the Joke Shop's Sunset Strip frontage, the TV Studio arrival, an
 > on top of the v0.9.4 NPC visual optimization, the Hollywood/Joke Shop maps and
 > the v0.9.3 UI/accessibility polish.
 >
-> **Current source: v0.9.5** — tagged and built from the same commit.
+> **Current source: v0.9.6** — tagged and built from the same commit.
 > Releases are built automatically when a `vX.Y.Z` tag is pushed
 > (see [`docs/RELEASING.md`](docs/RELEASING.md)); manual builds use
 > `./tools/build_releases.sh`. Installer/AppImage packaging runs in the same pipeline
@@ -129,8 +129,8 @@ Full setup, every run/test/smoke command, and the controls table are in
 
 ## Development Status
 
-v0.9.5 is the current source version: the completed texture and material
-refinement (256² NPC maps, a 4× fabric weave with baked-AO removal, repaired
+v0.9.6 is the current source version: the integrated texture/material and UI
+checkpoint on top of the 0.9.5 texture refinement (256² NPC maps, a 4× fabric weave with baked-AO removal, repaired
 Walk of Fame/awning surfaces and per-phase skyline haze), on top of the v0.9.4
 NPC visual optimization and the v0.9.3 UI/accessibility polish pass. It builds on
 v0.9.2's Hollywood/Joke Shop map rebuilds, v0.9.1's Godot 4.7.2 baseline,