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Spry footsteps skipped across the cobble roads, followed by the heavy [i]clunks[/i] of much heavier marching behind. Every now and then, the lighter footsteps would stop as the woman paused to admire a shop, monument, or particularly interesting-looking stranger. The young woman with white hair tied in a ponytail, wide eyes framed by wider round glasses, a devilish grin, and a slender frame wandered through the crowds, carrying a leather satchel. Behind her were two animate statues carrying several rather hefty-looking boxes labeled “STUFF” and “MORE STUFF”. One statue was made of marble, with a tall, knight-like frame, its sculpted grooves mimicking the plates of armor. The other was some sort of terracotta-like brute, built with a wide bulky frame. And each had a simple face etched into their material, two dots, and a curve—smiley faces. 

This trio was none other than Minerva Yoon and two of her magically animated creations. And she had just arrived in the city.

[color=a187be]“By the gods, this really is Gloomminister! It’s just as I imagined. What do you two think? Should be a magnificent place for you two to run around, ay?” [/color]

The two statues nodded their heads and made grunting noises that sounded like grinding stone, and Min laughed, clapping her hands together.

Min (it was just much quicker to say than [i]Minerrrrrvaa Yoon~[/i]) was full of excitement, taking in the new landscape. Growing up in Linkhaven, she was accustomed to the bustle of merchants and tourists, but something here just felt [i]different[/i]. Gloomminister felt brighter, more magical, imbued with the glow of progress as the university of her dreams towered on the horizon. But she couldn’t head to class just yet, she needed a place to stay. After hours of aimless meandering, Min remembered that she could, in fact, use navigational tools. Activating a directional charm on her mobile Orbuculum, a few sparkly arrows pointed her toward a charming storefront. Cunningham’s Bookstore. 

Min burst through the door with a smile and held it open for her creations to step in after her. They were a bit big but lowered their heads to fit under the door. Min glanced around, putting her hand on a dusty tome sitting on a shelf, then tracing a little star in the dust. She took a deep breath of that old book odor and smiled even more.

[color=a187be]“Excellent! It smells authentically ancient in here! Must have some real magic, book magic! Hahaha, wonderful.”[/color]

She peeked around, spotting a woman with a beautiful mess of iron-colored hair at the counter helping a tall, thin customer. The woman must be Bonnie Cunningham. Min took a deep breath as she was about to meet her… landlord? Possible friend? Fellow Gloomminister denizen? She had to make a good impression!

With that thought Minerva Yoon confidently began to walk toward the counter, and promptly stubbed her toe on a shelf, stumbled, and toppled into a pile of books. With a yelp for help, her two statues slowly placed the boxes on the floor and trundled over to help their creator to her feet. Min frantically took their help, then began to stack the books back in the order they were before being toppled.

[color=a187be]“So, so, SO sorry about that! I am incredibly sorry about that.”[/color] She looked bashfully in the direction of the shopkeep, hoping that she was possibly too occupied with the customer to notice Min's dreadful entrance.

Her first day in Gloomminister was off to a [i]wonderful[/i] start.