Previously in NWC-
Reno learns that Medusa is extremely well behaved. He showed Medusa the perimeter of the FTG so she wouldn't sit in place every time he leaves. Reno gets the cheap barrel model for the muskets. Reno admits he doesn't know how to make stocks and then Medusa grabbed his head with one of her vines. He tries to start a fire using the axe as the steel to his flint. Accepting it won't work, he makes a shopping list with Luna and he sets off...
His first stop is the blacksmith's. As usual, the shop is loud with the sounds of Kent's hammer striking hot metal. Deb greets Reno as he walks in, stopping her cleaning to talk to him. "Hello, Mrs. Deb, I was wondering if I could buy something?"
"Sure! What do you need?"
"Well, I needed a knife. Just a small one for camping purposes."
"Sure, anything else?"
"I was wondering if you guys had anything like a practice sword? It doesn't have to be sharp or anything, in fact, I'd prefer dull."
"I'm sure Ken's got some sitting around somewhere, bastard is always leaving his unfinished projects around the damn place."
"Then the last thing I was wondering about was if you knew where I could get a bag? A backpack would be preferred."
Deb thinks to herself, putting her index finger to her chin before her eyes light up. "I got just the thing!" She canes her way into the shop area and comes back holding a bag that looks handmade and somewhat professional quality. "I've been dabbling in weaving, and I happened to make this a bit ago. I'll let you have it so long as you tell me how the equality holds up!" She sets the bag on the counter and starts rummaging in some drawers. "There we go!" She stands back up, setting two objects on the counter. One is a knife, roughly 5 inches in length including the handle. The other is larger, a dull and flawed short sword that's covered in dust. "Here's these. Like I said, Ken likes to keep crap he doesn't need, it's my biggest gripe with the oaf." Deb puts the two items in the bag and slides it across the counter.
"How much?"
"Oh, right. What about 20?"
Reno looks confused for a second before he manages to respond. "Are you asking me?"
"Have you never bought something before?"
It was then that Reno remembered he's not in his world anymore. He can't go to the store and buy whatever he wants. If he isn't able to find what he needs he can't order it online. He was deep in a world of bartering and special ordering. "Truthfully… no."
"How the hell have you even made it this long? Did your dad not teach you how to trade or something?! Deb does nothing to hide her complete bewilderment.
"No, like, actually no."
Deb is caught off guard by Reno's blatant answer. She scratches her head, not quite sure how to go about this. Finally, she sighs and pushes the bag closer. "Ten, just take it for ten."
Reno slams his fists on the counter, yelling slightly. "Don't give me a 50% discount out of pity, dammit!"
"You little shit! How about I sell it to you for 40 instead?!"
Regaining his composure and clearing his throat, he attempts to act like nothing happened. "I counter your 20 with 15."
Deb is dumbfounded but eventually laughs. "You're a real piece of work, kid! I can see why Ken likes you so much! Fifteen sounds good to me!"
"He does?" Reno pulls out the 15 putting it in Deb's hand and taking the bag, putting the straps over his arms.
"At first he didn't say much, just that some new kid was around. But, after you found that iron, he really started warming up to you pretty quick."
"I never would've guessed. I thought he didn't care much for people from how he talks."
"He's not much for social things, and he tries to act tough, but he's just a big dumb teddy bear."
Reno chuckles at the thought of Kent acting sappy. "I just can't see it. I'm sure he'd be mad if he heard us talking about this, so I should probably head out and finish my shopping before he decides to stick me in the forge!"
"What kind of shopping you got left?"
"I just have to find out where to get food and then I'm going to get something sweet from the baker."
"Well, if it's fresh food, then May handles the merchant part of that in town.
"I'll head there then, thanks!" Reno waves goodbye and starts making his way to the next stop. "Got the random stuff, now I just need to find May's house and then.." Reno's voice trails off as he remembers Luna's request. "Something sweet for Luna. Which is probably going to be at the bakers. The baker is Lyn; I have to see Lyn again. It's fine! It's just for business purposes, I already worked things out with her. I'm just upholding my part of the deal!" Reno makes his way to Lyn's house, the house next to the one he demolished. Outside was Lyn, slowly but surely cleaning away the pile of rubble left behind by Reno. Reno nervously approaches her. "Hey, Lyn…"
Upon hearing Reno's voice, Lyn stops and turns, smiling smugly. "I wasn't expecting to see you so soon. What's up?"
"You bake stuff, right?"
"I do. Would you like to purchase something, business buddy?"
Reno cringes slightly when she calls him her 'business buddy'. Powering through his discomfort, he speaks. "I'd love to." Lyn pulls her gloves off, beckoning Reno into her home. When inside, he's greeted by the scent of baked goods assaulting his nose. "That's… strong." He can't help but make a comment, trying not to be too rude about it.
"I'm aware. My clothes smell like it by the time I'm done cleaning them. That's part of the reason I wanted that standing fire hazard next door gone. I'm looking to convince the mayor to let me purchase the plot of land after I clean it so I can build a shop separate from my home. Don't get me wrong, this girl loves the smell of freshly baked cookies, but even I need myself a break. So, what kind of stuff were you looking to buy? If I don't have any then I can make some in a couple of hours."
"Just something sweet."
"The boy's got a sweet tooth?"
"It's not for me."
"You're buying that thing sweets? I was curious enough with thinking about why you'd want to take that thing home, but then you do this? You're a very strange boy, Reno."
"It was safer to keep her in a controlled environment. And it's not 'that thing', it's Medusa."
Lyn places her hands on her cheeks and twists slightly at the waste. "Aww! You gendered it and even gave it a name? I bet you're SUCH a great dad, aren't you?"
"What are you even talking about? I'm not her dad, I'm just keeping an eye on her for the time being. It's safer than letting her run around in the village."
"Oh, it's safer with you is it? Is the big strong Reno going to keep us safe?"
Reno, having never been flirted with, has no idea what's going on. To him, she's just insulting him, and it's getting under his skin. "Why's it matter? At the end of the day you only care about what benefits you the most. It wouldn't be any different for you if she's running around in town or in the forest." Reno grits his teeth, forcing an irritated smile to try and be polite.
Lyn chuckles as she leans over the counter. "Aww, is the big strong Reno getting a bit angry?"
"Just sell me food, god dammit!"
Lyn finally breaks her composure, laughing and holding her stomach. "Alright, alright! I'll stop teasing you!" It takes her a couple seconds, but she finally manages to stop laughing. "Okay, okay. Something sweet, right? How about some cookie, is that sweet enough?"
"Fine, whatever."
Lyn grabs a bag of cookies that she'd made earlier in the day and sets it on the table. "That'll be 5 gold, big strong Reno~."
Reno was about to give her the money before he remembered what Deb had told him. "(Oh right! I should barter, shouldn't I?)" He pulls his hand back which elicits a look of confusion and intrigue from Lyn. He clears his throat, leaning on the counter slightly. "Look, let's be honest. You're gonna throw these anyways. I'll be nice enough to take them off your hands for-" As he's speaking, re sees her face slowly shift to an 'are you serious right now' face. Realizing he is not doing a good job, he straightens himself, scratching his neck. "5, right?" He hands over the money and takes the bag of cookies, embarrassed.
Lyn manages to hold back her laughter as she takes the money. "Thank you for you business~" Her voice has a bit of a tune to it, almost as if she was singing it. Reno takes the cookies and puts them in his bag, turning back as he speaks. "Do you know where I can find Amy's house? The old man said she's the one I can Get food from."
"You want information? That's gonna cost you, business partner."
"I am absolutely astonished at your level of greed and am quite honestly appalled."
"I'm kidding!" Lyn holds her hands up in an innocent fashion. "…now," she whispers under her breath.
"Huh?" Reno gives her a look of suspicion, narrowing his eyes and glaring at her.
"Oh nothing, just that Amy's house is around the block and the third house on the right!" Lyn points in the general direction and waves him goodbye.
Despite wanting to say something, he decides it's not worth it. "See ya'." Reno makes his way outside, going in the general direction of where Lyn pointed.
TO BE CONTINUED...