Brushing the last bit of the potion across the door frame, Ivory whispered the incantation to seal the ward inside of her shop. While it wouldn’t stop anyone from actually causing harm, it did give off a subtle influence that would make them think twice before doing something of ill intention. Her family had used the same recipe for years on the blankets they passed out to the homeless around the church, in an attempt to reduce the criminal element in the area. She cleaned up the herbs she had used and drank the last bit of mead resting in the bottom of her cup. It wasn’t her favorite drink to mix with blood, but she liked to keep the more expensive wines for when she closed the shop at the end of the day. She rinsed out the glass and put it away, then went and officially opened for the day.

There were many festivals that had graced Delteria in her lifetime, especially now that so many new races and religions were abounding in the area, but the Festival of the Era was by far the most elaborate that Ivory had experienced. Shopkeepers opened earlier, stayed open later and were experiencing record sales. Magicians came in from areas Ivory was only familiar with through rumors to perform, food was being made and consumed like never before, and the Fae were even spotted out and about. The decorations in the town center were so intricate and mesmerizing that she was convinced they must have been created by magic.

Ivory flipped the lock on the shop door and pushed it open, propping it with a heavy stone. Customers came in and out constantly for the day.  However, two men eventually entered that caught her eye – a Naga who gave off an uncomfortable persona and Stravier, a member of the Veracity guild. He certainly wasn’t her favorite customer but he was consistent with his order and always paid so she kept to herself and got him out as quickly as possible. She put together his wound sealing salve, made mostly of honey and clove oil, a lavender potion to ward off insomnia, and two packets of a cinnamon herb mix that she knew he liked to put in his cider. 

While she wrapped the packaging, Ivory overheard Stravier talking with the lizard about the Festival, as well as the anticipation of a new Nebula falling. It was exciting to think about. What would this new being look like? Would they remember falling? There were contradicting stories as to whether Vulcure remembered his falling and since Ivory had never met the man, she had never heard the rumor put to rest either way. 

A wispy fairy entered her shop that interrupted her thought process. The Fae headed to the counter right away, stood on the tips of her toes, and gazed right into Ivory’s blue eyes. [color=fff200]“Hi, I’m Sapphira. I’d like a peppermint lip balm please.”[/color] Her wings glistened in the candle light of the shop and her snow colored hair had a light flow, as if working under its own power. Ivory turned and set the small jar on the counter. 

[color=40ceb6]“Alright. Is there anything else I can get you?”[/color] she asked, trying not to get caught up in the uncommon sight in front of her. It was rude to stare, after all. The fairy seemed to pause in consideration before answering. While Sapphira contemplated the supplies across Sacred Heart, Ivory dropped the wrapped package for Stravier on to the counter without a word. He reciprocated with a payment of gold and the two men left the shop.

[color=fff200]“Well,”[/color] the fairy began, [color=fff200]“what else do you have?”[/color] Ivory smiled at her inquisitive nature. Its was similar to her own, although she would never be as blunt.  She turned and grabbed the nearest potion. It was one she had been working on for a long time but had yet to perfect. 

[color=40ceb6]“I like to call this Augeretis. I’ve been working on it for a while. Its simple purpose is to heighten magic use. One of the problems we run into most is our inability to tap into the flux itself, so I use this mix to enhance the flux channeling abilities of blood. There’s ones that blocks it t-“[/color] The ring of the bells in town cut her off mid sentence. It was nearing time. [color=40ceb6]“Are you going?”[/color] she asked, curious if the Fae even cared enough about a new Nebula. Surprisingly, the fairy perked right up. 

[color=fff200]“Of course!”[/color] she proclaimed, excited at the prospect. [color=fff200]“It’s not every day that a piece of the god falls to us.”[/color] Her wings flitted in rhythm with her words. Ivory couldn’t help but become somewhat enthusiastic herself. Her own curiosity was now at peak levels.

[color=40ceb6]“Well, why don’t we head out to the church together then?”[/color] She moved to close the door. It was a bit earlier than she normally liked to end her day but seemed totally worth it. While Sapphira had her back turned, seemingly watching the events out of the shop window, Ivory grabbed a couple small vials of blood. They would be enough to get her though the night. [color=40ceb6]“Ready?”[/color] she asked, turning back to the small girl. 

Once the two made it to the church, they were greeted at the door by Vulcure himself. Ivory was a bit caught off guard, being able to experience the presence of someone she viewed as a celebrity, but quickly composed herself when making a slight bow to him as he shook her hand. The girls quickly found their seats and watched the display in front of them. Glancing around the room, Ivory saw the lizard that had been in the shop earlier in the day. But soon, she was easily caught up in the drama of the play, her emotions becoming captivating as she watched Cynthia die. Her family had always worshiped the goddess and it was surreal to see the portrayal of her death in person. 

Suddenly a bright streak was visible in the sky. It seemed to catch most everyone off guard. Ivory rubbed her fingers together slightly, channeling the flux to read the emotion of the room. Most of it was amazement. The crowd cheered as the object hit the stage. [i][color=40ceb6]Is this part of the performance?[/color] she wondered.[/i] Sapphira seem worried next to her. [color=40ceb6]“This isn’t part of the play, is it?”[/color] Ivory asked. Sapphira just shook her head. The two watched as Vulcure approached the stage, the exact spot the Nebula had landed.