Taking in a deep breath of fresh air, I started making my way up towards the exchange counter inside of Babel.
It pays the same, the only problem with it is that few Guild Employee's work that counter, making the lines incredibly long. However, I would rather rest while I wait then make my way back to the Guild and then come back to Babel to browse the various Hephaistos Familia shops in the market above.
So, getting into the line, I waited, looking down at the six filled pouches on my belt, as well as the two orc hides. A slight smile rose to my lips, thinking about how much Valis I am about to make.
The line slowly progressed, and I could feel some glares from the surrounding people, however I could care less. Keeping myself semi aware of my body and specifically my pouches, I allowed my mind to rest a little as I waited.
Minutes passed, and eventually I stood in front of the counter. Shaking myself awake, I placed the six pouches as well as the orc hides in the bin, before dropping in my Familia Emblem.
Looking at the receptionist, I nodded in appreciation.
She was a half elf, with short brown hair and emerald green eyes. Quickly looking at her figure, I nodded again. She was curvy, and looked incredibly soft to hold. Feeling the familiar heat spreading through my body, I sighed, realizing I may visit the Garden Red very soon.
Surprisingly, she didn't say anything, though I could see the recognition in her eyes, which was quickly replaced with a mix of fear and disgust.
Raising a brow at her, she flinched before continuing to appraise the crystals. Waiting, I started mentally going over what I truly needed at the moment, creating a list.
Hearing a loud clunk, I looked down to see a large, bulging purse. Grinning, I grabbed it before tying my emblem back onto my belt.
"325,000 Valis for everything."
Nodding, I looked at her and smiled.
"Have a good day miss~"
Feeling giddy, I turned, making my way towards the stairs. Feeling a few greedy stares, I chuckled before continuing up, making my way towards the shops.
Pausing on what I called the 'Opulent Floor', I moved towards an unoccupied bench to take in the Valis I just earned.
325,000, plus the 79,000 makes 404,000 Valis...
Drooling slightly, I shook my head before pursing my lips. The weapons and armor on this floor won't even be covered by my earnings.
Sighing, I made my way to the next floor. The way Hephaistos Familia set their shops up was the most expensive shops on floor four, while gradually decreasing the price up to floor eight, where they stopped renting shops.
Stepping onto floor five, I made may way around the floor, finding an average price. I sighed again, realizing that I would have to spend all of the earnings here just to get one item. Making my way to the next floor, I chuckled dryly when I saw the drastic price difference.
Floor four was in the millions, while floor five went from 300,000 to a million. Floor six was 50,000 to 300,000, while floors seven and eight were all below 50,000.
So, here I was on floor six, and I needed to find good, durable armor. Mainly a chest piece and some gauntlets. Maybe boots too...
Looking around, I eventually found a shop dedicated to just women's armor, and upon walking in I was greeted with the sight of dozens of complete sets lining the walls, with many tables in the center laden with loose pieces.
Looking around, I made my way towards the tables with chest pieces, and started browsing.
I needed something light and unrestrictive. Pursing my lips, I looked over various heavy pieces and full plate.
"Do you need any help?"
Hearing a friendly and cheerful voice, I turned and saw a woman my height with long, flowing orange hair. Her eyes were stormy grey, and her face matched her voice, as her plump lips were pulled into a wide smile.
Nodding, I asked "Do you have any light chest pieces? Something better than I'm wearing now..."
She looked me over, pursing her lips.
"Hmm... Maybe..."
Scratching her chin, she looked around the shop before her eyes widened.
"Over here! This should do..."
Weaving around the tables, she picked up a thin metal plate that had scaled leather shirt underneath. Holding it up, she looked back at me before pursing her lips again.
"Well, this would have worked but..."
She looked down at my chest before looking towards the armor. Sighing, she put it back down, before looking around again.
I just waited, letting this woman help me find something.
Lighting up again, she moved to another table, lifting up what looked like a corset. Raising a brow, I looked at her.
"What? This was something a well endowed woman like yourself requested for me to make... before never coming back..."
Sighing, she looked downcast before smiling again. Bringing it closer, she held it up to me.
"It's made from hardened leather that was mixed with War Shadow cloth. Light, durable, quite strong too. I had a lot of fun making this! All the pouches, the utility belts, the detail..."
She looked at it lovingly, and looking closer I could see what she meant by detail.
It was made from gray leather, with black strips and belts. The chest was engraved with a runic pattern. Metal was embossed on each pauldron, and they looked like they would cover a good potion of my upper arm.
"How much?"
Looking at me with shining eyes, she said "79,000! I'll even refit it for you!"
Seeing her enthusiasm, I nodded slightly.
"Do you have a... private room where I could try it on?"
She nodded again, though this time her pale skin was slightly flushed, her eyes flickering towards my face before looking away. Smirking, I gestured for her to lead the way.
Watching her walk, I looked her over, my smirk growing. She was wearing a blacksmiths apron, however it couldn't conceal her slightly muscular form. She was thin, but if I had to guess, quite lithe...
Entering the back, I looked around, seeing a bunch of half finished armor pieces as well as various designs on the walls.
She blushed again, before pointing towards a small curtained off area in the corner. Moving towards it, I stepped into the small space, before looking at her. She was biting her lip, and when she noticed me looking at her she dragged her gaze off my chest. Blushing a deeper crimson, she thrust the armor into my hand before drawing the curtain closed.
As soon as she was out of sight, a wide grin split my features, and I licked my lips slightly. Maybe I wouldn't have to go to the Garden Red...
Taking a few deep breaths, I started to remove my current armor before looking over the corset-like chest piece.
It had an overlapping front section, so after loosening the strings and opening it up, I quickly put it on, closing the front and lacing it back up. Feeling it slowly tighten, I continued, before stopping when I felt slightly uncomfortable. Tying it, I started making sure the gorget section was on properly before adjusting the pauldrons. Nodding to myself, I looked into the mirror on the wall, and looked myself over.
My previous thin steel chest piece covered only my breasts, and I had to wear a leather shirt underneath it to protect my vitals. Now, my entire torso is covered in a durable material, and since it was a corset, my already large chest was accented even more. However, I had to admit that while it would draw eyes, my back was much more comfortable now, as it had less weight to deal with...
Looking down, I decided I should probably get a skirt made to protect my upper legs, while getting some boots that covered at least to my knees. However, unless I spent all my Valis now, I would need to come back...
Sighing, I moved the curtain out of the way, and said "So, does it look good?"
The orange haired smith nodded her head, covering her nose. She was trying, and failing, to raise her eyes from my breasts. Grinning, I stepped closer to her, making her back up. Eventually she hit a wall, and after placing a hand next to her head, I leaned forwards.
"You never did tell me your name..."
Whispering into her ear, I could feel her shaking. However, she made no effort to move, and when I looked at her eyes I saw them looking at me with a mix of desire and fear.
"Ast... Astrid... Astrid Embern..."
She looked at me, her grey eyes fluttering slightly. Chuckling, I leaned myself closer, pressing into her.
"Well, Astrid Embern, I'm Nikoleta Bia. It is... a pleasure to make your acquaintance..."
Sliding a hand onto her waist, I pulled her into me, making her gasp. I just held her there, looking into her eyes. Seeing and feeling no resistance, I leaned forwards.
Astrid met me halfway, her lips locking onto mine. Prying her lips open, I snaked my tongue into her mouth, enjoying how she tried to 'fight' back.
Moments passed, and I pulled away, licking my lips. Releasing her, I watched in amusement as she panted, her face crimson.
"Well, Astrid~ I still need some more armor, and I think I want to keep shopping here in the future~ After all, you seem quite..."
Looking her up and down, I saw her rub her thighs together, and her eyes gleamed in anticipation.
"...capable~"
Smiling, I turned, moving back into the changing room. This time, I left the curtain undrawn, allowing Astrid to get a good view.
Exaggerating my movements, I chuckled when I felt her gaze burning on my body.
Pulling my leather shirt on, I smirked at her before picking up my new chest piece.
Moving back into the main store, I looked around, checking out various gauntlets and boots. Hearing someone shuffling behind me, I looked at Astrid.
"So, I need a good pair of gauntlets and boots. Oh, and do you have a grey leather skirt to match the chest piece?"
Hearing my serious tone, paired with the question, the cheerful and enthusiastic Astrid reappeared, looking around her store with gleaming eyes.
She managed to find me a good pair of metal gauntlets that covered my entire forearm, and a pair of black leather boots that rose to my knee. However, she had to custom make the skirt, but when I asked for a price she blushed and told me to come back in two days, and discuss 'payment' then.
Giving her 139,000 Valis, I now had 265,000 left, and I planned on maybe getting a weapon smith to upgrade my spear, as well as getting my xiphos upgraded. Additionally, I might get a new dagger or two, as backup weapons for close quarters and more... stealthy engagements.
Other than weapons, I needed a cloak to cover myself, because while I may not entirely care about my looks, I know how it can invite trouble, so I should probably cover up.
The rest of the money will be saved up and given to Bia, since she manages our taxes and the like.
Giving Astrid another smile, I left the store in my old armor, taking note of the name 'Embern's Armor'.
Chuckling, I couldn't wait for two days from now.
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Alright, so first things first. I DO have a character in mind for a relationship, and plan on it being a single person. However, that is a long ways away, which means that Nikoleta will be doing whatever she wants. Also, the character is a canon character, and I will not be spoiling it. So if you guess and I like your comment, that means nothing. :)
The true dungeon delving begins soon. I wasn't just going to have Nikoleta run deep into the dungeon without proper gear and some 'preparation'...
Anyways, yeah, that's the plan in very loose terms. So, I hope you continue to enjoy~
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