the blueish gray sky seemed to darken and the wind started to pick up.
"it's a little bit cold, Mr. coffee mug.", Gerrik asked his new acquaintence
"yeah", the cup responded in kind. the coffee liquid inside was rippling.
The pair walked through a few streets and alleys and found a small shop to enter. A dusty smell permiated the air, it was the smell of wood, paper, and old glue. The counter was empty.
The only recognizable shapes and characters was an ink quill and a cresent moon. a white rock sat quietly on the reading table next to them. The sound of snoring could be heard.
Gerrik could sense a blue and black hue, it seemed solemn and serious. The cup however had no qualms and started inside the misty wall of the room in front of them.
Gerrik approached the table, the only solid object in the room.
Gerrik went to pick up the colored rock
"rrrr... rrrrr", the snoring seemed to be coming from it.
the rock felt strangely warm, suddenly the rock woke up.
the stone trembled a little and suddenly it stopped snoring. It started to move around.
"AHHH, why is it so cold!", the rock said aloud.
"huh, where am I. What are these soft pudgy warm sausages doing here", the rock said in a sleepy and tired voice.
"I know these...", the rock started to float out of Gerrik's grasp and seemed to stare upwards.
Gerrik gave a sheepish smile, "Hello"
meanwhile the mug found itself empty and a door could be heard opening.
"Who's that? who are you? what are you doing here? How did you get in?", the rock started to ask in an angry and flustered tone.
Introducing themselves Gerrik said, "um, I'm Gerrik and we seem to have stumbled in here while the proprietor was away. Who are you?"
the rock made a noise of annoyance, "Hmmph, I am the proprietor's son. Now what can I do for you?"
the cup returned and made a request to Gerrik. "ask for a map!"
Gerrik stared at the moving rock, "We're looking for some information and a place to stay I guess?"
The rock didn't move for a good moment, Gerrik thought it might not have heard him.
"a-", Gerrik started before he was cut off
"I'm watching the bookstore for Vasalidaus, so we aren't taking any customers. Go look for the yellow pencil at the main office. They'll help you settle in, head down the street and make a right at the fountain. Now I'm busy, get going."
Gerrik gestured to the mug and seeing that the rock was busy, he decided to leave. However before heading out the door he took one last glance at the shop and the dimly lighting fixtures. Then with the mug in front they blended once more into the gray cityscape.