[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/j9lFybd.png[/img] [b]&[/b] [img]https://i.imgur.com/z6cC6JC.png[/img] [b]&[/b] [img]https://i.imgur.com/SbnCKDQ.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/ILCOP2b.png[/img] [color=75c159]"If this was my original author there'd probably be a catchy tag line here"[/color][/center] Locating the shop had been a bit more difficult for her than Alicia would like to admit. She was sure that it wasn’t intentional, it was just the changes to the city which had thrown off her sense of direction. At least, that was what she would claim was at work, and nothing could tell her otherwise. Soon though, she found what she was looking for. After hearing that the store had reopened here in Penrose, Alicia had assessed her own coin reserves and decided she should go shopping. With times more tense than ever, it couldn’t hurt to be better prepared. So she set off when she had the free time, intent on doing just that. The bell above the door rang as she stepped inside. A quick look confirmed that it was the same shop, though there was a lot less beach paraphernalia this time around. For now she began browsing to see if what Brittany had in stock had changed in any other ways. [color=aba000]“Hello again,”[/color] she added, if the bell had not alerted the shopkeeper to her arrival. Brittany was dusting off the various wares of the shop when Alicia arrived, using a sparkling orange feather duster made of gleaming phoenix feathers. [color=f03aa1]‘Oh, welcome to Brittany’s Boutique!‘[/color] She stopped her current work, and rushed over to behind the counter. [color=f03aa1]‘Feel free to browse as much as you like! Today we have special offers on magical weapons and ammunition. Better safe than sorry, after all!‘[/color] Nodding, Alicia began to do just that as she paced the length of the various shelves and examined what there was to purchase. [color=aba000]“So how does it feel, going straight from the beach to the dead of winter? I assume a shop owner has to adjust a bit differently from the rest of us.”[/color] [color=f03aa1]‘It’s terrible, kyahaha!‘[/color] She made her trademark laugh. [color=f03aa1]‘While I did alright in the sales back at our impromptu island getaway, it was still a fraction of what I could have sold in Penrose during the summer season. Now that winter has rolled around, I’ve had to catch up quickly to the newest trends, with stock coming in late. To be honest, if it wasn’t for Cindy, I’d be in real trouble. Luckily she’s there to support the entrepreneurs.‘[/color] She put her hands on the counter. [color=f03aa1]‘Anyway, is there any way I can help? Are you looking for a specific type of magical artifact? We have quite a selection.‘[/color] The door to Brittany’s shop sounded again, and two more girls walked inside. [color=75c159]”Boom! We’re here!”[/color] Tetrad struck a pose. [color=75c159]”Quest complete, now where’s my reward?”[/color] The feline magical girl rolled her eyes before rummaging around her purse. [color=tomato]“Here.”[/color] She dropped the coins in Tetrad’s waiting hand before walking over to the weapon counter. Tetrad counted the coins before slipping them into one of her pouches. [color=75c159]”Any reason you didn’t come here with mommy?”[/color] [color=tomato]“She wouldn’t let me buy what I wanted.”[/color] [color=75c159]”Haha! Cute kid.”[/color] Tetrad rustled Mika’s hair and walked over to the ammo counter and eyed the items for sale. [color=75c159]”Hmmm hmmm hmmm, oh! That one looks like a keeper.”[/color] Tetrad picked up the blessed fairy bolt and walked to the front counter with it. [color=75c159]”So what can you tell me about this guy? Does it really work exactly as advertised? Sounds too good to be true.”[/color] Turning slightly, Alicia’s gaze narrowed as she found a familiar face. Yet she did her best to keep calm, keep her cool. There was no point in getting into an argument in the middle of a store. [color=aba000]”I don’t suppose you have any magic mirrors,”[/color] she asked, still browsing while keeping an ear on the conversation that Tetrad was having. You know, just in case. Brittany greeted the new customers like she had with Alicia, nearly hopping in place as Tetrad brought the arrow over, suppressing the urge to slight vertical movement. [color=f03aa1]‘Ooh, you clearly have an eye for the extraordinary ma’m! This one is special, even among magical arrows.‘[/color] She was about to explain when she heard Alicia’s question. [color=f03aa1]‘Yes we do! Aisle 7, Household artifacts. I’ll be there shortly.‘[/color] She then resumed talking to Tetrad, lifting the arrow in her hands. [color=f03aa1]‘Allow me to explain. If this arrow is shot at a visible target, it will always hit them right between the eyes; it will home in and even avoid obstacles in order to land the hit. However, it can only be shot once, after which it disappears. They are also incredibly rare; I only got a couple in my stock, and it might take some time for me to acquire more.‘[/color] She noted how Tetrad went on to look at the other magical arrows as well. [color=f03aa1]‘And here’s the rest of our magical munitions. I’ll go check up on the other customers now but if you have any questions, feel free to call me over.‘[/color] Nodding, Alicia walked over to that aisle in question. Of course she left out the fact that the only reason she wanted the mirror was so she could break it. Brittany didn’t need to know that. Her browsing resumed, as she looked to see just what kinds of sizes there were to work with. Alicia found a small selection of magical mirrors at a corner of the shop, set up for visitors to view themselves in any angle. One mirror warped the appearance in comical ways, similarly to a funhouse mirror, only in varying ways every time the viewer turned to look at it. Another was a hand mirror, and seemed to work by scrying magic, showing anything the user wished it to show. Yet another was a mirror that had a mask-like entity appear in it, having appeared for a moment to look at Alicia before it disappeared in green flames, leaving just her image. [color=f03aa1]‘As you can see, we have magical mirrors for any price range,‘[/color] Brittany spoke as she came to check on Alicia. [color=f03aa1]‘From the most impressive and luxurious ones fit to queens of vanity, to simple ones that non-magical people have their own variations on. Are you looking for any special function in particular, ma’m?‘[/color] Looking over the mirrors that were available, Alicia would admit that she was at least a bit amused by some of them. The Scrying mirror seemed useful, though its size wasn’t really conducive to what she intended to do. And the funhouse mirror was just amusing (which was the idea) Glancing over to Brittany as she approached, Alicia shrugged. [color=aba000]”Not particularly,”[/color] she admitted after a moment. “[color=aba000]I suppose I was mostly driven by curiosity. I’ve had it a bit on the mind recently.”[/color] Tetrad rolled her eyes. [color=75c159]”Well [i]I[/i] plan on buying something. So stop badgering the clerk with questions so that she can focus.”[/color] Tetrad gave Alicia a dismissive wave of her hand without looking in her direction. [color=75c159]”Alright, I also wanna take a closer look at a few other items.”[/color] Her finger shot out and pointed at a vile of ink. [color=75c159]”Yea that one and the other item next to it. The Gothic looking steampunk heart thing.”[/color] Brittany nodded, and picked up the vial of ink. [color=f03aa1]‘This ink can be made into a magical tattoo called the Unseen Hand that you can wear when you’re untransformed. For the cheap price of 7 Silver coins, it will protect you from any ranged attacks while transforming you, ready to fight back against the devious assassin. ‘[/color] She showed how the ink slowly formed a hand on the glass, before sinking back into a black puddle before placing it down. She smiled as she noticed the other item Tetrad pointed out. [color=f03aa1]‘But if you want a way to stay alive for a higher price, I have the Twisted Steamgear. This is capable of turning back one minute of the user’s personal time, restoring them back to their previous condition. However, for the effect to occur, the Steamgear must first be installed with a chosen command word; after that, it replaces your heart, keeping the original in magical stasis inside it. Repeating the command uninstalls it, returning the heart back to where it was. When the user’s heart stops for three or more seconds while it is installed, the time-reversal spell will activate. However, while it does mimic a heart’s function for a time, it is not a perfect replica.‘[/color] Brittany’s smile turned into a frown. [color=f03aa1]‘Extended or repeated use will put more and more pressure on your body, until it finally blows up, breaking the user’s heart….Literally. With an average vitality, the Twisted Steamgear holds for about..ten seconds or so, increasing with better endurance. However, I would still exercise caution and not rely on it too much.‘[/color] She then took a deep breath. [color=f03aa1]‘So yeah, the price is 2 Gold, 5 Silver, and 10 Bronze if you’re interested in purchasing it.‘[/color] [color=75c159]”So the heart is reusable?”[/color] Tetrad scratched her chin. [color=75c159]”I could use the Steam heart if I see an attack coming, Unseen hand for when I can’t, and a bolt for when it’s easier to prevent trouble.”[/color] Tetrad scratched her chin. [color=75c159]”You can bag the steam heart, I’m getting it. I just need a moment to decide which of these other items I want.”[/color] She chuckled. Brittany nodded with a smile, and began preparing the artifact for purchase. Mika looked in Alicia’s direction and bit her lower lip. She briefly sneered before looking back at the weapon case. [color=tomato]“Hmmm.”[/color] Her eyes scanned the contents of the cabinet before she tapped on the window. [color=tomato]“When you’re ready, I wanna take a closer look at these pool fists.”[/color] [color=f03aa1]‘Coming!‘[/color] Brittany ran over like an excited child, her smile wide at the bustle that her shop was generating. [color=f03aa1]‘Now these Pool Fists, as you can tell by the name, are designed for Water Specialists. The weapon wielder can activate the hydro pumps on the back of the fists when they perform a punching attack, propelling the user forward at high speeds! But wait, there’s more! The water created by the fists can afterwards be used for Water magic, or for filling a swimming pool. It does have a limit of one megalitre per day, but given a couple of days or so, it can be used to fill an olympic swimming pool. All this, and for the low, low price of 2 Gold, 1 Silver, and 3 Bronze!‘[/color] Mika raised an eyebrow. [color=tomato]“A megalitre? Is that even real?”[/color] To this, Tetrad laughed. [color=75c159]”You’re European, aren’t you Brittany? You won’t convince me otherwise. We don’t use the Metric system in the good ol’ U S of A.”[/color] Tetrad swiped through her phone. [color=75c159]”She means a quarter million gallons, give or take a few thousand gallons.”[/color] [color=tomato]“Oh.”[/color] Mika’s tail wagged while she looked at it, but she was still thinking about it. [color=tomato]“It looks kind of childish.”[/color] She lifted her eyes from the weapon to look at Brittany. [color=tomato]“Do you think it can be upgraded? Maybe add some claws or give it more ways to release water? Is that something your shop does? I notice you sell ‘cons-truck-shun’ materials.’”[/color] Brittany flashed her teeth. [color=f03aa1]"Of course! I can customize artifacts for an extra fee. What kind of material would you like for the claws? Iron claws would be about 4 Bronze, Steel claws about 1 Silver and 2 Bronze, and adamantium would be at least a Gold Coin. As for increased output, I could add 50 percent more for 3 Silver, but it would be dangerous to use due to overheating; it might even explode."[/color] [color=tomato]“If it can kill me, it’s scary.”[/color] Mika shook her purse until 3 Gold, 8 Silver, and 7 Bronze tumbled out. [color=tomato]“Am I short?”[/color] She then looked inside her purse. [color=tomato]“All I have left are silver coins. I can just pay you an extra silver if you don’t have change. Just make ‘em terrifying.”[/color] Tetrad cleared her throat and gently pushed the arrow off to the side. [color=75c159]”Eh.”[/color] She looked at Mika for a [i]long[/i] time. [color=75c159]”I think I’ll just pass on the arrow for now. Preserving life is looking a bit more important right now.”[/color] She pulled out a few coins. [color=75c159]”Huh? I’m short too!?”[/color] Tetrad turned to Alicia. [color=75c159]”You wouldn’t happen to have 3 bronze on you, would you? Trade you a silver!”[/color] She held out the coin with a nervous smile. [color=aba000]”Since when was one question ‘badgering’?”[/color] Alicia grumbled to herself. Slow breathing followed as she focused on her vow, refusing to let the card wielding girl get to her. Still, she wasn’t expecting it either as both girls realized that they were short on coins, and Tetrad had to turn to her instead. She didn’t answer for a moment, simply taking this opportunity to appreciate the shoe being on the other foot before looking at her own Coin reserves and doing some mental math. Then she stepped over to the duo, pulling out three Bronze coins and offering them with an open hand. [color=aba000]”Here. Three Bronze for One Silver,”[/color] she agreed. She might have wanted them to squirm a bit, but she wasn’t petty. But when Alicia extended her hand, Tetrad pulled back. [color=75c159]”Wait a second…”[/color] Tetrad looked in her pockets again. [color=75c159]”Haha, how silly of me, I have plenty of bronze coins, I’m short on [i]silver.[/i]”[/color] With a shrug, she pushed aside the unseen hands. [color=75c159]”I’m just getting the twisted steam gear today.”[/color] She waved at the ink vile. [color=75c159]”Maybe next time my love, we will be united!”[/color] After Tetrad collected her remaining coins, she looked at Alicia again. [color=75c159]”You kinda look familiar. Do I know you?”[/color] [color=f03aa1]‘Alright then!“[/color] Brittany responded, having prepared the Steamgear in a shopping bag. Then she handed 4 Bronze coins for breaking the Silver coin Mika had. [color=f03aa1]‘Alright then! That should break the Silver even, and if not, consider it a gift from me for being such a nice girl, kyahaha!“[/color] An eyebrow rose as Tetrad revealed that she had made a mistake, Alicia’s hand pulling back as she returned her coins to her stash. That had been slightly weird, but she still had her coins so she wasn’t about to make an issue of it on ‘being weird’ alone. For a moment she debated how to respond, before opting for the easier choice. She could have held a grudge, but no one had seen Regina since they came back. Apparently she was on her way to some other part of the country for personal reasons, or so the Beckoners had told her. Personally she didn’t really care, it got her out of Alicia’s hair and that was good enough. So she went with the simpler choice. [color=aba000]”Keijo match,”[/color] she replied before turning to Brittany and sliding over the Fairy Bolt. [color=aba000]”I’ll take this one. Do you still have that ‘move through time’ arrow in stock as well?”[/color] Tetrad was still scratching her chin. Brittany counted the coins for the Fairy Bolt, and then brought out another arrow from the same shelf. [color=f03aa1]‘Do you mean the Temporal Displacement Arrow? The target is sent from thirty seconds to three minutes into the future. However, it works only against human-sized targets, but is useful for taking them momentarily out of a fight! For only 10 Silver and 10 Bronze it can be yours!“[/color] [color=aba000]”That’s the one,”[/color] Alicia confirmed with a nod. She hadn’t intended to get it at first, but she’d thought of a potential use for it At the very least it might be a useful tool to have. Counting out the coins, she handed the amount over as requested. [color=aba000]”There you go.”[/color] Brittany graciously accepted them, and smiled after a quick counting. [color=f03aa1]”Thank you very much!”[/color] [color=75c159]”Oh!”[/color] Tetrad’s head shot up. [color=75c159]”Right, Alicia! You had the whole ‘beacon knows best’ intro and I kicked your ass or something right? Man, feels like a lifetime ago.”[/color] She gave the paladin a pat on the shoulder. [color=75c159]”I’m glad you didn’t take it personally. Once Beacon completely ruins its reputation, I’ll put in a good word for ya. ”[/color] Tetrad walked towards the entrance. [color=75c159]”We’ll leave when you’re ready, Mika!”[/color] The cat girl nodded, but remained focused on Brittany. [color=tomato]“I didn’t see anything on the shelves, but I’d like you to keep an eye out for something to store all of my water guns in. Also, how long should the upgrades for the gloves take?”[/color] [color=f03aa1]"Alrighty! They will be done by the end of the week,"[/color] Brittany replied. [color=f03aa1]"I plan on getting all orders done by then so I'll have time for the party!"[/color] [color=tomato]”I may have more ideas for it, but that’ll be good for now. Thank you.”[/color] Mika took a step away from the counter. [color=tomato]”Alicia.”[/color] She looked at her out of the corner of her eye. [color=tomato]”I know Beacon wants to ruin the party. They exist to make everyone worry and suck happiness out of everything. But if you or any of your friends shows up to do that...”[/color] Her teeth chattered. [color=tomato]”I’m killing Kimble. That’s a promise.”[/color] Mika slipped her thumbs into her waistband and walked towards the door. [color=tomato]”Let’s go, Tetrad. Su’s going to be back soon.”[/color] Tetrad looked genuinely horrified as Mika strode past her. [color=75c159]”Mika, I’m all for banter, but this…”[/color] She hurried after the girl. [color=75c159]”Is this about the money? You can have your coins back!”[/color] The two vanished from sight. Brittany looked after them befuddled; she too was caught blindsided by Mika's change in behavior. The corners of Alicia’s mouth rose as she let out an amused snort in response to Tetrad’s comment. [color=aba000]”I seem to recall that match being a bit closer than you think it was,”[/color] she replied in turn. Judge decision based on time wasn’t what she would call ‘an ass-kicking’ She was relatively dismissive of the assurances provided, which was a shame as she was suddenly confronted by Mika. It was an assault that left her motionless, concerned, and confused. They had really only interacted at that one event but she had come off as carefree and happy-go-lucky. Where had this conspiracy stuff come from? The zero-to-sixty approach left her unable to react before the duo had exited the shop. [color=aba000]”That was….odd,”[/color] she said at last, glancing over at Brittany before picking up the bag with the items that she had purchased. [color=aba000]”See you around,”[/color] she said before leaving. Well, it probably wasn’t anything to be overly concerned about. Right?