D.L.Evans Prologue - A Blank Grey Canvas

 "So this is it my parents shop huh. why did my parents have to dump this place on me."

 Grey Sailsburn is the son of an ambitious family of entrepreneurs. Who are adverse in magic, negotiations, and business. Grey however, was less than unfortunate to not inherit any of those traits. He is the sort of young man who would rather lock himself in his room than explore the world. Or rather invent a contraption to do his tasks for him than lift a hand and do it himself. 

 So why is this shut in standing out side the Sailsburn Emporium on the outskirts of Katalina's capital? Well to explain that let's go back a day.

 Grey spent most of his time lounging around his family's estate doing very little. Creating many inventions to terrorise the maids regardless of how they were supposed to help them. After being chewed out again by the head maid, Grey was heading back to his room. Until he walked past the living room and heard.

 "Grey dear could you join us in the living room please." 

 "Oh? Yeah sure."

 A second voice beyond the half open door piped up.

 "It's rather important and very exciting." 

 Grey sat down at the table in the living room overlooking their families modest garden surrounded with high hedges and luscious green trees. There was tea on the table already being indulged by both his mother and father who sat across from him. Assessing the situation he joked, 

 "This seems more like an intervention than exciting news."

 "Not at all, although we should probably talk about that washing contraption you made at some point."

 Akane Sailsburn was a kind woman with a perfectly unreadable smile, which probably won her many negotiations. She sat leering through her beaming smile at her mischievous son.

 "Well to some extent that is why we wanted to sit down with you like this today son."

 Gin Sailsburn on the other hand was a gentle man and easy to read, its clear to see how the power dynamic worked in this family. 

 "Look I thought it was a great idea at the time. I mean it really helped speed up the washing process."

 "Sigh it certainly did until it broke down unexpectedly and caused our wash room to flood."

 "Well despite that the real reason we've called this family meeting today is to give you some good news."

 Grey was a little uneasy unable to read his mothers face but his cheerful and animated father ensured him this wasn't a bad family discussion.

 "Your father and I want you to go run the Sailsburn Emporium in Hinokimora." 

 The Sailsburn Emporium was a shop focused on magic infused gadgets and inventions beyond every day comprehension. Specifically designed to help adventures out in their quests and adventures. Because of this, the shop was pushed to the outskirts of the city as people see it as dangerous. A threat to their ordinary lives of magic, some sort of demonic business, or it's destroying the foundations of magic. 'Damn kids and their no good disregard for magic.'

 Grey was more than happy to express his opinion. "The Capital!? That old place barely functions and weren't you selling off all your old businesses?"

 "Well that is indeed true however we thought we'd try and save at least one of them. Besides you have a great talent for creating inventions it just seems right to let you take over that place." 

 "We also think it's about time you leave the house and go out on your own."

 The Sailsburns have indeed sold off most of their businesses for one reason to another, but not this one no! Grey's parents have decided it's time he left home and ran this shop. As a last ditch attempt to save at least one of their failing businesses ... and get him to finally leave home.

 "Besides, you never go out past the gardens, you have no talent for magic so you can't get into a good school. You don't even have any friends living here on the edge of the region." 

 Each statement pierced Grey like sharpened stakes, stumbling to recover, eventually regaining some composure. 

 "Oh I see how it is you just want me gone." 

 "Not at all son we just thinking your 'talents' would be more useful to the shop rather than us. Besides the previous manager quit on us unexpectedly after spouting nonsense about the shop will go bankrupt without customers."

 Typical Gin is easy to read and blurting out too much. How they kept any business going for this long is a mystery.

 "Eh ... so I'm off to drown in an already sinking ship?" 

 Mrs Sailsburn giggled. "That sure is a fun way to look at it. We just want you to go out and experience the world for yourself. 

 "I'm experienced plenty in er in things ... and I'd get round to exploring the world eventually." 

 Mr Sailsburn nodded his head. "Why wait? This is the perfect opportunity and that is final." 

 "Your bags are already packed and your ride will be arriving first thing tomorrow."

 Grey slapped his knees and stood up. "Guess I don't get a say in the matter, oh well I'll go get prepared." 

 "We knew you'd come round to the idea. You can live in the shop, the second floor is a small apartment."

 "How long have you both been planning this? Wait I'd rather not know ..."

D.L.Evans Chapter 1 - A New Shade of Grey 

 "Ah Hinokimora, a beautiful city filled with life set on Katalina's main river the Mora. The capital is known for its abundance of timber exporting it across the world. It's quite the wealthy city and is sort after by other regions. Oh here it is now coming into view!"

 The coach driver was the talkative type.

 The carriage broke through the thick trees as the city came into view. However the awe didn't last long because as soon as the carriage broke the tree line, it stopped. 

 "erm why have we stopped, we're hardly even two steps into the city?" 

 "We're here sir."

 "What this old mill? Is that even considered part of the city?"

 "Hah good question, oh well here we go." 

 Before Grey could process the situation the carriage driver had already started unloading his bags. Like a racer at the start line as soon as Grey stepped out the coach and picked up his bags the carriage was gone.

 "Well I guess I can't ask him to take me home now..."

 The shop stands at the end of the city outside the main walls a few buildings away from the forest. This route is popular with adventures leading to a peaceful interaction between the forest and towns folk. The building itself stands semi detached with a large water wheel. Which slowly rotates irregularly off axis in the flow of one of the streams leading to the river Mora. Multiple boards where nailed over tarp covering holes scattered across the walls and roof. A flat bridge connected the last few buildings to the forest along a street fairly sized for allowing parties of caravans and adventures. From what Grey as told, the building has a basement, ground, first, and second floor as well as an attic space. 

 "Egh this place looks terrible.."

 Grey stands outside the shop towering over him bags in hand. The carriage which dropped him off is nothing but a speck in the distance. 

 "Well here I go, my new life here in the city. Just would have been nice if we owned one of the nice buildings within the city walls, sigh." 

 With one sluggish step forward he reached out for the door knob with he only limb not coated in bags. But before he could make it to the door to grasp the handle...

 -Ding ding- 

 The door swung wide open letting out a startled ring, followed by a chirping voice.

 "Hey you must be Grey I've been waiting for you to arrive." 

Caught off guard Grey jumped stumbling backwards tripping over the mountain of bags his mother had packed for him. 

 "Ow, why did she put so much stuff in these bags..."

 "Oh no I'm sorry, are you okay." 

 "Yeah I'm fine ... er or maybe I hit my head because I see two mountain tops pressed together upside down?"

 "Huh?"

 Looking up from his seated position he could now process what he was looking at, a beautiful view no less. A long haired girl stood bent over staring back puzzled. She was beautiful, and full in all the right places, her blond hair complimented her fair skin while her white shorts and shirt sat proudly over a sleeveless bodysuit with a red leotard wrapping it all like a bow. The girl extended her arm and gestured to Grey who took her hand clambering to his feet.

 "Can you walk, your face has gone red?"

 "Er yeah, hey nice to meet you my name is Grey Sailsburn and I guess I'm taking over this place for now anyway." His eyes continuously breaking eye contact bouncing around in his head.

 "Yay that's great! I'm Celia Ellgraat pleased to meet you and I will be working with you from now on." She shook Grey's hand intensly eager to gain his approval. 

 Celia took one of Grey's bags and without asking, began to give him a tour of the shop. 

 Grey was reluctant. 

 Sigh this girl is way to energetic for my tastes.

 "So this here is our shop floor as you can see it's filled with all sorts of trinkets and contraptions. Designed to help aid adventures in their quests." Celia quickly transitioned into her customers service mode listing items off in fast succession. 

 "Oh over there is magic infused traps, oh oh and over there is storage containers! Oooh over here is something I've been working on it's not quite finished but I'd love to show you later. How about I show you the working products before we take your stuff upstairs?" 

 Grey was disinterested and quickly dismissed any interaction with the shop. "Er let's do that another time I'd like to get these bags out of my site first." 

 "Oh, okay I get you." 

 "Do you make all these trinkets yourself?"

 "No not really I help where I can. Hina makes most of the products here, erm she was just here... Oh well, we'll have to go find her later she's not a fan of… Well people." 

 "Hah, she sounds like my type of person."

 "Oh good you'll get on just fine." She completely missed the tone of Grey's joke. "Let's drop your stuff off up stairs and then we can do the real tour, oookay hmpf let's go!"

 With that over theatrical motion, Celia stormed up the stairs with unwavering strength... As Grey struggled with each step...

 "Welcome to your apartment! As we enter the hall here we have a two doored study and a bedroom all on the left. On the right we have a bathroom as well as the open lounge kitchen beyond. It's not much but it's way nicer than my place, I'd live here in a heartbeat."

 Grey dropped the last of his bags in the living room. "Then why haven't you, since the previous manager left and all." 

 Celia's mood turned distant quite different to the upbeat energetic girl who met Grey at the door. "It's not that simple I'm kind of obligated to stay in my place. 

 "Why is that? Are you stuck paying too much for something you don't want?"

 "Erm kind of... I don't want to talk about that right now..." 

 The mood dulled for a second and everything seemed cold… 

 Slap. 

 "Okay! Let's get on with our tour!" As quickly as the mood went south Celia slapped her cheeks which seemed to motivate her more than ever. "Starting on the second floor where we are now. This is your apartment which hasn't changed since I described it a few moments ago. Giggle." 

 This girl goes from happy to sad then back to laughing at her own jokes she's either been through a lot or has issues... Grey couldn't help but let out a small laugh in response to his own through. 

 Celia however presumed he was laughing at her joke and was now feeling even more motivated. Without pause she reached out and grabbed Grey's arm before he had any time to react. Like a bull in a china shop she started bombing down corridors and blasting doors open with Grey holding or dear life. 

 "Firstly the stair core here spirals around the old mill axle, the attic is through that hatch up there. First floor is our break room and craft rooms, don't worry about the holes in the walls." 

 Whoosh. 

 "Ground floor is the shop floor and storage, you'll get used to this floor quick enough. Right next is the basement hopefully Hina is down there." 

 "Mill... Attic... Holes... Wait slow down... Basement, why is she down there?" 

 "Well she's kind of a shut in and spends most of her time there, I think she basically lives here." 

 Okay nothing strange about that 

 The flash tour continued as Grey is swept down to the basement. 

 "So this is the basement filled with all sorts of materials, magical items and contraptions... Oh?"

 Grey's eyes lit up like a school boy, catching his excitement he composed himself in a hastened attempt to not look interested. Cough.

 "This definitely is a lot of materials. I can already see the value down here." 

 Celia brushed past Grey placing a hand on the door knob at the end of the hall. "Talking of value this is Hina's room... Well her converted room, hey are you in here Hina?"

 A small soft noise called out "errrr" 

 Celia slowly opened the door to find a small figure slumped over a table. A single crack of light poured in from the small basement window, illuminating her like a sleeping goddess. She had dark blue hair which framed her doll like features. She wore thigh high socks guiding the eye up her legs towards her short skirt. A cat eared headband sat deep in her hair with what looked like two little crystals in each ear. A set of leather straps hung off her chest most likely for attachments. The same straps hung off her butt, as if she had two tails. Everything about this girl was like an expert craftsman had produced the finest catgirl doll.

 "Oh no… did you pass out from lack of sleep again I told you to come up and I'd make us some tea once Grey got here. 

 Hina's head jolted off the table. "G-Grey is here" 

 "Er yeah Grey Sailsburn, nice to meet you?"

 "Err ehm, hello I-I'm Hina Farcraft and I'm this shops craftswoman... Much like my family name suggests."

 As she said that the last breath of energy seemed to leave her for a brief second. She stumbled trying to stand up for a formal introduction.

 "You're going to run yourself into the ground if you don't get something to eat. Go upstairs and make some tea we'll come join you once I've finished the tour." 

 "Okay... I'm not usually like this I swear..."

 Grey watched an unfamiliar person do a some what familiar sluggish motion. Hina dragged herself past Grey giving him a small glance and an even smaller attempt at a smile. 

 Shortly after.

 "Well that concludes the tour for now I guess, I bet you're exhausted from your trip."

 Sigh

 "I am, but its not from the trip..."

 Before Celia could question him Grey's stomach growled and an embarrassed glow covered Grey's face. 

 -Giggle- 

 "Guess we can't argue with that then can we. Let's head up to the break room for a well deserved snack."

 The three sole members of the Sailsburn Emporium staff now sat in the break room sipping tea. Well at least two of them were, because for Celia and Hina this was a normal everyday occurrence. A tea break which was one of many judging by how quiet the shop had been so far.

 Grey glanced back and forth at the two girls who sat contently drinking their tea. "Okay... So I have a few questions..."

 Celia eager to please put her cup down. "Oh yes please ask away." 

 "Alright then… Well to start with what's with this Hina girl? Why are there only two employees here? Why is there poorly done repairs all over the building, and what's up with the attic?

 Startled by the barrage of questions and the lingering thought of Grey potentially rocking their tidy little ship. Celia struggled to put together a comprehensive sentence. "Oh erm well er where to begin..?" 

 As if the tea had given rise to a new person Hina placed her cup down with a sharp clink and took the spotlight. 

 "Very well then I will answer those questions. To begin with, the attic has been abandoned for years I believe nobody has ever been in or out of that room. Not since I've been here anyway, from what I've seen there's only timber frame and insulation up there."

 With his arms crossed and eyes closed Grey nodded along "That answers that then I guess."

 Hina continued. "We are indeed the only two employees here but we both excel in our fields. When paired with our lack of customers we manage just fine." 

 That answer caused Grey's eyebrow to twitch. That's a weird thing to take pride in. "Well I guess I'll just take your word on that for now..."

 Without the chance to finish that though Hina slammed her fist against her puffed out chest. "And as for me. No, if not for me this shop wouldn't run."

 A confident glow emanated from the small proud girl as she spoke. Celia on the other hand had a gloomy look to her. "If only you actually create something new and fun for once or just help out on the shop floor more." 

 The mood changed and a storm started to brew and it was Hina who was first to strike.

 "Yeah well at least I don't use magic to blow holes in every surface of the building." 

 "Oh you're just jealous because I have an affinity for all the elements and you can only use earth magic. 

 "Well I'm sorry miss run away why don't you use your so called innovative thinking and invent something yourself. Oh yeah that's right you can't lift a tool without breaking a wall." 

 They both stared at each other ready to add bite to their barks as Grey sat there unable to get a word. Channelling his inner neutral smile his mother had perfected, quietly sipping his tea...

 A gap! 

 "Hey guys stop please. Is this the sort of image of this shop you want to give me."

 Both girls seemed to be floored by that comment. Stopped in there tracks they returned to their drinks and a calm fell across the room. 

 Before another argument breaks out lets explain magic in this world. There are four main elements; Fire, Earth, Wind, and Water. These elements dominate the globe as many seek to study magic rather than science. However there are those who choose to seek out new uses for magic and take the scientific approach. Much to the churches and leaders of Katalina's dismay. Most of the hostility for change has come from the discovery of four secondary elements, combinations of two primary elements creating devastating mana. Time, Spatial, Light, and Dark magic along with a rumoured tertiary element. Rumoured to combing all previous elements to create a devastating negative energy powerful enough to level an entire city. But I jest, that has never actually been seen before... Anyway, this in turn has lead to many conflicts of interest. Ultimately leading to the oracle church declaring that magic must be used in its purest form, the primary four element. Prohibiting the use of any other magic although not specifically outlawing it. Huh, I guess after saying that out loud I now understand why the Sailsburn Emporium has been pushed to the outskirts, funny that.

 "uuuuuh whaaa." Only a moment of silence went past before Celia jumped back to her energetic level, stretching her arms out. "Grey what do you want for dinner, my treat for your first night I'll go start working on it." 

 "Oh! I don't know I'm happy with whatever."

 "Okay well then I'll go start preparations for a surprise then."

 "Wait you cook here too but there isn't a kitchen in the break room?" 

 Before being able to finish that thought Celia had already left the room. Hina quietly finished her tea and place the cup down. "We may have our differences but she is quite the cook." 

 "Okay but where is she cooking, I didn't see a kitchen on the tour? 

 "Of course you did, it's in your apartment." 

 "Wait what!? I thought nobody lived there?" 

 "Indeed nobody lives there but we still like to use it for eating and erm... things." Hina looked off to the side as that last part crossed her lips

 "Er okay well I guess I shouldn't be surprised at this point..." 

 "Good, let us go help her."

 Grey took some initiative and helped set the table then sat down. A sweet and savoury aroma filled the room accompanied by a bowl of curry which was placed down in front of him. The two girls quickly joined him and sat across the table. 

 "This looks amazing, Celia did you make all of this yourself?"

 "No not all of it, as gloomy as Hina may look at the moment, now and then she helps with food prep and things."

 Hina looked a mixture of frustrated and happy hanging on to the compliment side of that jab. "That's right... Wait."

 "Wow this looks and smells great. Thank you guys."

Celia's smug expression soon turned to one of devious intent. "It's nothing, anyway Hina wanted to impress you."

 Hina's mannerisms changed to embarrassment as soon as that comment entered the air "oooow why did you tell him that..."

 "Why else where you past out in your room just before? I'll tell you, it's because you were busy cleaning and tiding up everything."

 Tidied? I guess there's not much you can do about gaping holes in the building... Grey sat quietly for a second. "Well either way colour me impressed. I'm grateful and all but why go through all the trouble for me?"

 Celia was quick to voice her opinion. "It's because in an indirect way we feel indebted to you and your family. They gave us these jobs when we had no where else to go. 

 "Oh okay… Well you didn't need to go out of your way for me..." Though it's not like I'll be staying around here for very long anyway.

 Hina offered a different opinion. "I don't have a lot of friends so it's a nice change to meet someone new." 

 I'm not surprised... Grey continued to project a false opinion. "Well that makes two of us." 

 Celia charismatic personality took control of the conversation and steered it away. "Speaking of, why don't you tell us about yourself or more importantly what magic attributes do you have!" 

 The excitement grew as both girls with eyes wide open waited with baited breath for a response. However neither of them could have anticipated the answer. 

 "Oh... Starting on a hard topic then, well... The truth is I don't have any affinities..." 

 Both girls gasped to what seemed to take all the air out of the room for a split second. "WHAT!?!" 

 "How can you have no attributes even Hina has the earth attribute."

 "Yeah, Hey! What's that supposed to mean?" 

Grey's shoulders dropped. "I'm not sure why. I just never developed any magic affinities and because of that my parents home schooled me. We live in the country and they feared I'd be bullied and cast out for lack of magic use." 

 Celia had both hands on the table hopping up and down in an excited confusion.

 Hina on the other hand was trying to act cool. But her intrigue was thoroughly peaked as her cat eared head band tuned into the conversation. "Well if not magic what is your specialty. I must assume your family had a good reason to throw you into the city like this." 

 "Well I mean I guess I'm good at creating and inventing things..."

 Celia's hops ceased as her devious tendencies returned. "Oh ho ho another inventor. You better watch out Hina you have competition." 

 "Nonsense, nobody can beat my earth creation magic." 

 Grey laughed a little. "I doubt I'm as talented as the likes of you two." 

 Celia had a tendency to bounce the conversation around. As much as her chest was doing so, during her previous over animated expression. She began awkwardly squirming where she stood. "Erm…would you be willing to take a look at my invention? Seeming you are an inventor."

 Hina rolled her eyes. "Oh here we go again, let me guess the shield bomb?"

 "It's not a bomb it's called a gel shield! Grey please take a look. It works I swear. Hina refuses to let me show her as she says it's dangerous." 

Grey didn't interject instead he just sat silently. That's a red flag for sure.

 "It is dangerous. Besides, new ideas should just stay on paper as too many will just bring unwanted attention from the church." 

 "ah... Mmm Grey please it's not dangerous it's innovative. We should always be striving for new breakthroughs right? 

 Like a bunny piercing it's owners heart with soft curled up ears and big round eyes. Celia's gaze was becoming more and more intense and Grey was feeling the pressure. 

 Sigh

 "Okay... I do like new inventions so how bad could it be, does tomorrow sound good?" 

 "Yay finally someone who gets me, I can't wait." 

 Hina was taken aback. "I'm surprised. You looked so disinterested in the shop on your flash tour earlier." 

 "Ah! Really Grey? Wait. How would you know that Hina?" 

 "Erm well I... You see..." 

 "Were you hiding in the shadows as we did our amazing tour?"

 "I wouldn't call it amazing, ah!... Fine I was, but I was just trying to get a read on Grey before I met him okay!" She almost looks proud of being a stalker.

 "Right well... It's not that I am disinterested, actually I love all this. I just don't think this is going to last so I don't want to get attached." 

 "Then we'll just have to change that won't we Hina?"

 "Naturally." 

 Why do they both sound so confident in that? Grey not wanting to spend any more time on that topic switched the conversation. Shifting attention back to the two girls. 

 "In return for looking at this potentially life threatening invention. How about you two tell me a little bit about yourselves, seems only fair?" 

 Grey hit the critical spot finding both girls weakness.

 "Ahhh why have you done this Celiaaa..?" 

 Celia glanced dismissively catching the clock noticing the night was drawing to a close. "Ah would you look at the time, maybe some other day."

 "Eh?"

 "Well it was nice meeting you Grey see you tomorrow"

 "You're leaving?"

 Following her very obvious evasion tactics Hina quickly jumped out of her chair too. "Indeed welcome to your new home, good night." She waved her way out of the room.

 "You too..." 

 With that both girls left the apartment and headed their own ways. Finally Grey had a chance to scan his surroundings. Pausing for a moment Grey realize there evasion tactics were far greater than he anticipated. "Ah! Wow okay then, they left me with all the dishes. I guess my day isn't finished just yet after all."

 Shortly after, Grey crashed on to his new bed in a heap running all the new information of today's activities through his head over and over again. 

 "I don't think I've had any social interaction like this in a long time. Not since back when my home tutor used to bring her kids over. Man my batteries are shot a good night sleep should recharge them." He struggled to keep his eyes open. 

 "If today was like this I can only imagine how bizarre the rest of my time here will be..." Grey turned on to his side. "Why where those two girls so quick to avoid talking about themselves anyway..."

 As Grey pondered that thought his heavy eyes shut falling into a quick deep sleep. Thus bringing a close to his eventful first day and as eventful as it was it would most likely be pretty uneventful in comparison to what would come in the future.

 .

 .

 .

D.L.Evans Extra 1 - Paint it Dark Grey 

 As the lights flickered off one by one down the street a mysterious figure lurked in the shadows. The figure watched as the lights in the Sailsburn Emporium's apartment completed the melody of light to dark which would mark the end of most people's day. With that the mysterious figure disappeared.

 "Ah you return, give me your findings!" Barked a deep voice.

 The mysterious body had wormed his way through the streets to a dark undisclosed location beneath the city. He was now in the process of projecting mana into a crystal ball revealing all of the day's past events which he had seen before collapsing on the ground. 

 "Very good this will do nicely." The heavy voice continued to be the only voice in the room as it carried weight and prestige above all else in the hall. 

 This was accompanied by the rustling of cloth as two more mysterious cloaked figures dragged the collapsed one out of the dimly lit room.

 "Ah so we finally found you oh Heavenly Hage... My, and that company?"

 The many cloaked bodies began to mummer and whisper to one another as they passed the name 'Heavenly Hage' to one another.

 "Well wahaha that is interesting I will be watching closely to see if these now three people can be the vessel of chaos I thirst for..." A maniacal laugh caught fire reaching every cloaked person in that room who all began to laugh too.

 "But who is this new kid..? You better not get in my way, Grey..."

 The fires lighting the hall fades as darkness fell on the mysterious meeting. 

 All went quiet that night.

 Well except for Grey who was upside down snoring his head off all through the night... Let's put that down to a busy first day...