Paul, Brian, and Elek stepped into a venue reminiscent of an old-fashioned saloon. The space was filled with round wooden tables, and a balcony led to rooms tucked away in the back. In one corner, a piano caught their attention, but it was an android playing the keys. She played the piano exceptionally well, and having four arms certainly gave her an advantage. She had a sleek light gray exterior, a short green pixie haircut, and striking dark green eyes. Her face was stunning, complemented by a simple brown wrap dress and matching brown flats. A long bar crafted from wood and green glass stretched across one side, with barstools occupied by patrons enjoying their drinks. Behind the bar stood a tall elf, his long black hair pulled back into a ponytail. He wore a cranberry and brown striped shirt, paired with brown leather slacks and an apron.
Elek, Brian, and Paul made their way to a table by the window, strategically positioned near the side entrance for a quick getaway if necessary. "How about we grab a few drinks? I could definitely use them after everything that's happened lately," Elek said. They decided on some cheese and pretzels and were just about to place their drink orders when a server arrived with a platter featuring six assorted beverages.
"These come from the chap in the red shirt over at the bar," the barmaid said.
The trio glanced at the man sitting at the bar. "I can't turn down free drinks," Paul said.
"He thinks we're females," said Elek.
"Astute observation," said Brian.
"I'm going to inform him of his mistake," said Elek.
"Don't even think about it. Free drinks are on the table, and remember, we're supposed to be low-key. You'll just have to deal with enjoying those free drinks; we can't let them go to waste," Paul said.
Paul grabbed a stout crystal glass filled with a rich amber liquid and took a whiff. "Aroma of cinnamon, apples, and booze," he remarked. After a sip, he exclaimed, "Now that's something special," setting the glass down and savoring the taste.
Brian shrugged and grabbed a blue drink with a slice of what seemed like lemon, taking a sip. "Not too shabby, sour berry."
Elek frowned and took a sip from a dark amber liquid, then he spits it into a napkin. "That's dreadful! It's so strong."
"Hand it over," Paul said, snatching the glass from Elek and downing a hearty swig. "Now that's what I'm talking about, just like pear whiskey."
~~~~~~~~~~
Inga guided the other women and Nick into an adorable little shop that offered fizzy drinks, allowing them to mix their own flavor combinations. They all picked out refreshing beverages to enjoy as they continued their shopping adventure. Next, they ventured into a store filled with weapons and spell scrolls.
They entered a building bathed in soft, muted light, revealing a spacious central room dominated by an elaborately decorated desk. Behind it sat a short man with frizzy hair, a long gray beard, and a monocle perched on his eye. Encircling the main area were thirteen hallways, each marked by large, intricately carved signs made of sturdy dark wood, labeled: terra, water, fire, air, illusion, electric, sound, gravity, emotion, healing, light, size, and ghost.
"Every superpower is associated with at least one of these thirteen elements, and sometimes two or even three. Individuals possessing these superpowers can wield weapons and permanent scrolls that align with their elemental affinity. Additionally, there are one-time use scrolls available for purchase, specifically crafted for those who lack compatibility with the scroll's element. For instance, healing scrolls can be applied to an injury and activated, but doing so will consume the mana contained within the scroll, causing it to disintegrate afterward. To utilize a permanent scroll, you must channel your own compatible mana into it, allowing you to access that spell indefinitely. It's important to note that spells differ from your inherent powers, as they deplete your mana reserves more rapidly and are learned according to your specific mana type. Your base mana type remains fixed and cannot be altered," said Inga.
"Thank you for coming to Spell and Scabbard. My name is Widget, if you need any assistance, I'm here to help," said the male who was about two and a half feet tall.
Inga walked over to the front desk. "To start with, I need six translator stone jewelry, six sets of stats reading scrolls, six beginner wands and six wand holsters."
"The translator jewelry aren't all going to be the same, we don't carry a lot of those in stock and how did so many of you get to this age without installing a stat reading scroll or progressing past using beginner wants?"
"Thank you and it's a long story."
Amy stared at the man who stared right back, "What's wrong, never seen a gnome before?"
"Ah, sorry no I haven't," said Amy.
"Fair enough, we usually live in grasslands surrounded by woods, and mostly keep to our own," Widget said while ringing up the six translator stone jewelry, three necklaces, an earring, a ring, and a bracelet. "The weapons and scrolls that go along with your elements will be in their respective hallways, everything in the building is spelled to not activate until it is purchased and leaves the store, so enjoy browsing as much as you want and if you need help with anything, feel free to come and ask me for assistance."
Jayla grabbed a hefty necklace and a thick, dark red wand featuring a dark wood handle. Meanwhile, Amy selected an earring and a petite black wand adorned with a silver handle and a black skull. Nick opted for a ring and a slender lavender wand with a light gray handle, while Olivia chose a bracelet and a delicate wand with a light green handle complemented by a dark green grip. Two necklaces remained for Brian and Paul, which Inga planned to hand over when they reunited for a meal later. Additionally, there was a light gray wand with a dark gray handle and a midnight blue wand with a brown handle. Inga tucked the scrolls away in her bracelet. "Beginner wands are limited to just four beginner-level spells, so be sure to select your spells with care."
"Jayla, your power is fire and electric elements. Amy, you're ghost and illusion elements. Nick is gravity and sound. Olivia is earth and water.
"Everyone come with me to the fire hall first and I'll show you how it works, then you can go to your separate halls." Inga walked to the back of the fire hall and walked over to a large barrel full of weapons and pulled out a sword. Flame sword can have fire along its blade." Inga handed her the sword and scabbard. "Here you are, after we're done shopping we'll stop by a place that has some weak monsters that you can all practice on.
"So all of you go and browse in the halls that go along with your elements and see if there's anything you're interested in. Read the tags on the merchandise, they will have a description of what each item does. The weapons will be at the end of the halls."
Amy strolled to the rear of the ghost hall, where her gaze was drawn to a pair of glasses and a sword. The glasses granted the wearer the ability to see spirits, while the sword was designed to vanquish them.
Meanwhile, Nick approached a scroll in the Gravity Hall. It promised to enable the user to manipulate the pressure on a chosen object or being, serving as a lasting buffer. His eyes widened with excitement as he grasped the scroll, then hurried over to examine another one nearby.
Olivia made her way to the back of the Terra Hall, where she discovered a wand—something she had always longed for as a child. She eagerly read the inscription: "This wand allows the wielder to channel their Terra magic towards the plant life they wish to influence. To use it effectively, you must first load the wand with spells."
~~~~~~~~~~
Elek leaned his cheek against the table, trying to steady the world around him as Paul and Brian engaged in their truth-drinking games. With each round, drinks flowed freely, empty glasses whisked away, and fresh ones appeared, all courtesy of various patrons in the pub. "I can't have children," he confessed. "My wife dreamed of being a mother, but I couldn't provide that for her. So, she ended up cheating on me with my best friend and left me for him."
"Let's get out of here and get our shopping done so we can get back to the carriage, I need a nap," said Elek
~~~~~~~~~~
Everyone in Inga's group bought weapons and scrolls and stuffed them into their storage space bracelets. Then they headed to the android market to pick up a cookbot since no one in the group wanted to cook for everyone all the time.
Coming Next Time: Androids and Puppies
"Oh Muffin, darling, don't you dare let him go through with that! I had my heart set on you having those beautiful purebred puppies."